Fasano writes while waiting for plane

State Sen. Leonard Fasano, R-North Haven, checks in:

Well, I have never blogged before, so forgive me if this doesn’t look like your typical blog. I figured I would kind of do this as a diary. Now, I have never been good at sending letters (or not to show my age, e-mails), so I hope I can keep up with this diary. I guess the best place to start a diary is at the beginning. While I wait for my plane, I thought I would share some thoughts.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell asked me to be her delegate to the Republican convention. I was truly honored about even being asked. I am excited about going to the convention, but I didn’t like missing my kids' first days of school. After having conversations with my wife and children, however, everyone agreed that this may be the only opportunity to go to a convention, and I decided to attend.

I was once a football player, and I had been a guest to a Super Bowl in California , which is a story for a different time. Nevertheless, I guess the Super Bowl of politics is a presidential convention.

After Sen. John McCain announced his running mate, Sarah Palin, I have done a number of interviews to talk about his pick. These interviews served to heighten my excitement about participating in the convention. I have no idea what to expect, don’t know how the convention will be handled, and I don’t know how I am going to react to it.

As I sit in LaGuardia International Airport waiting to take off, many people in this nation have their eyes fixed upon Hurricane Gustav, which, by all accounts, could pose a disaster for the southern region of the United States. My brother-in-law lives and works in New Orleans, and his house was practically destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. He called recently and said he and his entire family have already left the area and are heading east on Route 10 toward Atlanta to stay with my sister-in-law and her family.

Less than one year ago, they finished fixing the inside and outside of their entire house, because of the damage Katrina caused. Now, they face the same heartbreak and emotional stress that comes with a more powerful hurricane.

The impact of Gustav upon the lives in Louisiana and that region dwarfs the significance of the Republican convention. There is no doubt that all those attending, as well as the entire nation, will be focusing on those who will be the getting ready for this major storm. Already President Bush has cancelled his speech on Monday, as he should.

I guess we will have to see how the Republican Party can have the required convention and balance that against the possible human tragedy that could await this nation on Monday and Tuesday and maybe the entire week. Our prayers and thoughts are with them.

Gustav impacts convention

3:30 p.m. Minneapolis time:

Lynne and I just returned from the Minnesota State Fair to the news that Monday's session of the Republican National Convention will be abbreviated in light of Hurricane Gustav and that other changes may be made to the schedule for the rest of the week.

At 5 p.m. tonight, the Connecticut delegation will be meeting to attend, as a group, Civic Fest. At that time, I assume we will be briefed on schedule changes from our delegation leaders.

Everyone we have spoken with is keeping the people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in their thoughts and hoping that the area will not be hit as severely as the weather maps suggest.

When I know more, I will update. We did very much enjoy visiting the Minnesota State Fair, somewhat similar in nature to our region's "Big E."

Farrell arrives at Republican convention

From Jerry Farrell Jr., state commissioner of the Department of Consumer Protection:

It's Sunday morning here in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn., where the Republican National Convention will start tommorrow. I traveled here yesterday with my aunt, Attorney Lynne Farrell, who is also a delegate to the convention.

Though Lynne practices law in Wallingford with my former law firm, Farrell, Leslie and Grochowski, she lives in Shelton, where she is an alderwoman. She also sits on the State Board of Education, as an appointee of Gov. M. Jodi Rell.

We flew out of Westchester airport, layed over and changed planes in Detriot, and got to the Minneapolis airport by 9 p.m. The Connecticut delegation is staying at a hotel in the St. Paul suburb of Maple Grove. A few delegates, likes ourselves, were on their way early. On the plane ride, Lynne and I talked at length with Redding First Selectwoman Natalie Ketchum about many of the issues facing government today.

There was several other familiar faces already gathered at the hotel as we arrived at 10 p.m. Wallingford Town Council Chairman Bob Parisi would probably find it interesting that his name was the topic of conversation at the hotel bar, as several people who were long ago connected with former Congressman Larry Denardis, R-Conn., also a delegate to this convention, discussed the salient points of Larry's 1980 and 1982 campaigns. Bob, of course, had run those campaigns, winning the first and losing the second. I just took the conversation in and listened, remembering having been a 14-year-old volunteer on that 1982 campaign.

Most delegates are expected to come today. Since Lynne and I are a bit ahead of the curve, we are going to spend a few hours at the Minnesota State Fair, which we hear is quite the event.

We need to be back to our hotel by about 4 p.m, from which the whole Connecticut delegation will travel to the Minnesota Convention Center to attend an event called Civic Fest. It is a prelude to the convention. Rell and Lt. Gov. Mike Fedele are expected to arrive sometime this afternoon. At the conclusion of Civic Fest, the delegation returns to our hotel for a poolside party.

So, that's all the news for now, from your intrepid Record-Journal correspondent!

Convention excitement captured

Photos are courtesy of Meriden Democratic Town Committee Chairwoman Mildred Torres-Ferguson.

The crowd at the Pepsi Center, above, cheers for Michelle Obama.

The crowd, above, waves signs for Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass.

Carmody gets a closer sighting

From Sam Carmody:

After hearing Sen. Barack Obama address a packed stadium Thursday, Wallingford's Sam Carmody went to a party at an Invesco Field club suite.

While the party was fun, the highlight of the event was seeing Obama and Sen. Joe Biden, the Democratic vice presidential candidate, enter the room.

Carmody was not able to personally meet the Democratic duo, but he said both gave short speeches and thanked those in attendance for their support.

- Reported by Amanda Falcone

Santiago navigates Invesco Field

Hilda Santiago by phone:

Exiting Invesco Field and finding her shuttle was quite an ordeal for Meriden City Councilor Hilda Santiago Thursday.

With about 84,000 people packed inside the stadium, all were looking for a way out at the close of the Democratic National Convention, and Santiago found herself lost in the crowd.

"It was horrific," she said. "No one knew where they were going."

Santiago said she was lost for about 45 minutes before she found her shuttle and her Connecticut friends. During that time, she was on the lookout for prairie dogs.

When she first arrived in Denver, Santiago thought the prairie dogs were cute. Denver residents, however, warned her that the animals carried disease. They come out at night, and I was scared I would run into one, she said.

- Reported by Amanda Falcone

Coming home with memories

Mia checks in:

The Democratic National Convention is over, but Mia Lilienthal will take home many memories she intends to treasure for years to come.

"It was really worth it," she said of her trip to Denver.

She mingled with Connecticut's top leaders, attended Lead America programs and witnessed history at Invesco Field when Sen. Barack Obama made his acceptance speech. And along the way, she made new friends, starred in a public service announcement for Rock the Vote and acquired a taste for burritos from Chipotle Mexican Grill.

Lilienthal's time in Denver was unlike the experiences of other Record-Journal bloggers.

A high school student, she was able to attend the convention by participating in a Lead America program that came with its own schedule and rigor. Getting to the Pepsi Center and Invesco Field was often a challenge, and she did not always get to see the convention live. Instead, she went to watch fests--gatherings in Denver where people watched the excitement on television.

But those watch fests were never dull, Lilienthal said, noting that one night she watched the convention with members of the Kennedy family and several celebrities.

And Lilienthal said she was never far from the action. Those from Connecticut often reached out to her and two other Connecticut students involved in the Lead America program, inviting them to several events and finding them excellent seats at Invesco Field.

"I felt like V.I.P.," she said.

Lilienthal recalls one breakfast event fondly.

"Guess who walked in? Robert Kennedy Jr.," she said. "Our jaws were on the floor."

Lilienthal said it was the other people from Connecticut who helped make her trip to Denver one to remember.

"Everyone from Connecticut was really, really welcoming," she said.

Lilienthal will return to Connecticut today with many pictures, pieces of confetti from Thursday's convention celebration and a sign she was given.

"It says "change," and it's the coolest thing ever," she said.

- Reported by Amanda Falcone

Snapshots from Denver

The following photos are courtesy of state House Majority Leader Christopher Donovan, D-Meriden.

A group from Connecticut, above, gets together for a picture on the convention floor at the Pepsi Center.

Former President Bill Clinton, above, walks on the stage at the Pepsi Center Wednesday.

Meriden City Councilor Hilda Santiago, above, holds a sign that shows support for Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama.

Torres-Ferguson cast her ballot

Mildred Torres-Ferguson chats from Starbucks in Denver:

Meriden Democratic Town Committee Chairwoman Mildred Torres-Ferguson filled out her ballot Wednesday, casting her vote for Sen. Barack Obama.

Torres-Ferguson is representing the Fifth Congressional District at the Democratic National Convention this week and was a pledged delegate for Obama.

Connecticut Democratic Committee Chairwoman Nancy DiNardo was in charge of collecting the votes for Connecticut delegates, which were documented on paper ballots and included delegate signatures.

After casting her vote Wednesday, Torres-Ferguson headed to Coors Field for Sen. Christopher Dodd's luncheon, which she labeled a great event. It even included a comedian!

Torres-Ferguson's Wednesday evening was fun, but long and included listening to President Bill Clinton.

"He really captured the entire audience," she said, adding that she thought both Bill Clinton and Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., were sincere in their remarks.

Following official convention festivities was a reception co-sponsored by state House Majority Leader Christopher Donovan, D-Meriden, and state Senate President Pro Tem Donald E. Williams Jr., D-Brooklyn. Early Thursday, she stopped by a party DiNardo was hosting.

"It was like a little Connecticut day," Torres-Ferguson said.

Torres-Ferguson also had a celebrity sighting. She brushed shoulders with actor, comedian and musician Jamie Foxx, but did not ask for an autograph.

"I just kept walking," she said.

Next up is Obama's acceptance speech, and Torres-Ferguson will be at Invesco Field to see it.

- Reported by Amanda Falcone

Sam sends more pictures!

The following pictures are courtesy of Sam Carmody:

Sen. Hillary Clinton, above, speaks at the Democratic National Convention.

Michelle OBama, above, speaks at the convention.

Riding the light rail

Check out this picture from the Democratic National Convention sent to the Record-Journal by state House Majority Leader Christopher Donovan, D-Meriden!

Meriden City Councilor Hilda Santiago, House Majority Leader Christopher Donovan and Meriden Democratic Town Committee Chairwoman Mildred Torres-Ferguson on Denver's light rail to the convention.

Waiting for Obama to speak

From the laptop of Sam Carmody:

Tonight's speech by Sen. Obama at Invesco Field will conclude a remarkable week.

I have been very fortunate to attend every day of the convention and to hear the speeches of some of our nation's greatest politicians. I will forever remember hearing Sen. Ted Kennedy, President Bill Clinton, and Sen. Joe Biden address the Democrats.

Additionally, I thought Sen. Hillary Clinton's motion last night to suspend the roll call vote for the nomination and to cast one ballot in acclamation for Barack Obama was extraordinary.

However, tonight's event will most likely surpass all the excitement of the week.

On the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech, Barack Obama will appear before nearly 75,000 people to accept the Democratic nomination and share his plans for America's future. I imagine that his speech will be looked back upon as a monumental occasion as well, and I am overcome with anticipation to be witness to this historic event.

Photos are courtesy of Sam Carmody. Carmody captures the environment in the Pepsi Center, top, and poses with Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, D-Conn., at the senator's invitation-only lunch at Coors Field Wednesday, bottom.

Donovan set to entertain tonight

Christopher Donovan calls from the convention:

When state House Majority Leader Christopher G. Donovan, D-Meriden, called the Record-Journal today, music and the voice of Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean could be heard in the background.

They are accepting nominations for Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, Donovan said.

Donovan said he, along with other people from Connecticut, arrived at the convention early today to ensure themselves a seat. With former President Bill Clinton and vice presidential nominee Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., scheduled to speak, Donovan said a large crowd was expected.

In addition to listening to Bill Clinton, Donovan said he was interested in hearing what Biden has to say.

"I'm anxious to see how he does and to find out more about him," he said.

Donovan's Wednesday included an invitation-only luncheon with Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., at Coors Field -- home of the Colorado Rockies. After the convention, he will co-host an event will state Senate President Pro Tem Donald E. Williams Jr., D-Brooklyn, at the Denver Mariott Tech Center, the hotel where those attending the convention from Connecticut are staying. There will be late snacks for all!

"Reporting from the Democratic National Convention, this is Chris Donovan signing off," the Connecticut House leader said as he hung up the phone.

- Reported by Amanda Falcone

A few minutes later:

Donovan called the Record-Journal to tell reporters to turn on the television. Donovan and Meriden Democratic Town Committee Chairwoman Mildred Torres-Ferguson could be spotted on C-SPAN as Connecticut announced its votes -- 38 for Obama; 21 for Clinton.

Volunteerism comes with perks

Sam Carmody checks in:

A volunteer with the Democratic National Committee, Wallingford's Sam Carmody says he is responsible for registering members of the committee's finance division every morning. He must also give them their credentials.

The downside of his job is that he is on duty at 8 a.m., which means getting up early to allow for the 45-minute commute from the University of Denver, where he is staying, to his job site.

Carmody, however, said there are perks. His volunteer duties are done by 2 p.m. every day, and he is then awarded credentials to the convention and passes to events.

Sunday, he got to attend an event held for the Democrat's finance division. It included a musical performance by the Goo Goo Dolls and a cocktail party attended by Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean.

"I didn't get a chance to say hi to him," Carmody said.

While Carmody said he enjoyed Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer's speech, the highlight of his Tuesday was seeing Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. Carmody began this year supporting Clinton, but now is backing Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., as a result of the primary.

"The crowd went wild for her," he said, noting that he was sitting only a few sections away from former President Bill Clinton at the Pepsi Center. "Hillary stood behind Obama last night."

Bill Clinton, who Carmody labels the best president in his 22 years, will speak at the convention tonight, and Carmody is psyched.

"I'm very excited," he said. "I think it's going to be quite a night."

- Reported by Amanda Falcone

Hilda gets involved in the hype

Hilda Santiago by phone:

Meriden City Councilor Hilda Santiago enjoyed a nice lunch at a Denver Chinese food restaurant Tuesday. The event was hosted by Stamford Mayor Daniel P. Malloy and state Rep. William Tong, D-Stamford.

Santiago says she is enjoying Denver. The people are friendly and the streets are clean, she said. But adjusting to the lower oxygen level has been a challenge for Santiago, who noted that an oxygen bar has helped to clear her head.

Unlike her travel companions, state Rep. Christopher G. Donovan, D-Meriden, and Meriden Democratic Town Chairwoman Mildred Torres-Ferguson, Santiago did not make it into the Pepsi Center Monday for Democratic National Convention festivities. Being a guest, Santiago did not have first right to Connecticut credentials for the event.

Instead, she watched the first day of the convention from the Colorado Convention Center, a facility that seats about 5,000. The center featured large screens, and there were speakers at that location as well. People were clapping and cheering just as if they were at the Pepsi Center, Santiago said.

Santiago, however, will not be watching Sen. Hillary Clinton's speech tonight from the convention center. Today, she finds herself in the middle of the action and that will be where she will remain for the next few days. Some people from Connecticut did not claim their credentials, giving Santiago the opportunity of a lifetime.

"Tonight, I'm getting into the actual convention," said an excited Santiago.

- Reported by Amanda Falcone

Oxygen, prairie dogs and more

Mildred Torres-Ferguson calls from Denver:

After attending a breakfast event in Denver this morning, Meriden Democratic Town Committee Chairwoman Mildred Torres-Ferguson and Meriden city councilor Hilda Santiago headed for the Denver Marriott Tech Center's oxygen bar.

The pair spent five minutes each breathing in different scents through an oxygen mask. Torres-Ferguson went for apple and cranberry.

Torres-Ferguson said the oxygen bar is suppose to help those not from the area adjust to a lower oxygen level, noting that participating cost $1 per minute.

Prior to her oxygen bar experience, Torres-Ferguson said she met fellow blogger Mia Lilienthal at the breakfast, and she invited the 17 year old to other events that will be attended by Connecticut residents. There are 155 delegates and guests from Connecticut in Denver this week.

Being that Lilienthal is from Meriden, Torres-Ferguson said she was already trying to recruit her to help with local politics.

In her phone interview with the Record-Journal, Torres-Ferguson also reflected on Monday's events. She spoke about the emotional speech made by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and about John Legend's performance. She also mentioned that she saw anti-gay and anti-abortion groups protesting near the convention.

And there were the prairie dogs. Connecticut attendees thought the animals were cute, but Torres-Ferguson said Denver residents hate them because the prairie dogs have been known to spread disease.

Prairie dogs aside, Torres-Ferguson said she is liking Denver and is looking forward to her second day in the city.

- Reported by Amanda Falcone

Fasano will blog from Minneapolis

Good news! State Senate Minority President Pro Tem Sen. Leonard A. Fasano, R-North Haven, has agreed to tell us all about Minneapolis next week. Fasano represents Wallingford in the state legislature, and this will be his first Republican National Convention.

"I've been to a Superbowl, but I've never been to a political Superbowl," Fasano said Tuesday.

Greetings from Denver!

From Mia Lilienthal:

It's amazing up here and much different than what I expected. The landscape is so beautiful, but so much different from anything I've seen in Connecticut. There are a few buildings, mostly concentrated within the city of Denver, but surrounding the city is, as it seems to me, complete nothingness.

The three-lane highway that takes you in and out of the city also leads to our hotel. On the way, all you see is suburbia and tons of vegetation. There are so many trees, and you can almost feel the affect that it has on the air. The air here feels so fresh and clean, and it only adds to the relaxed feel that Denver and the area surrounding gives off.

To top it all off, the scenery is completed by the backdrop of the Rocky Mountain range. The mountains can be seen from almost anywhere, and they seem so close that you want to reach out and touch them.

As for activites, the program propelled at full force Sunday, just a few hours after we arrived in Colorado. We had an awesome dinner of rice, beef burritos, and guacamole, and following that, Sen. Jamin Raskin, D-Maryland, came to speak with us about his new book, "We the Students."

The book goes into detail about court cases that effect high school students, but his lecture was more than that. He added an interactive part to the seminar in which the room was split in half, and we were given a fake court case to examine. One side of the room supported an the case, while the other side represented the opposition. We got to present our different arguements to a mock Supreme Court. Although my side of the room ultimately lost the case, I learned so much in the process.

We began today by visiting the Colorado Capitol, which was wonderful. My group got to climb the 99 steps to the dome of the building. While we were there, another group was just around the corner at the 16th Street Mall, where a war protest was taking place. My group had just missed the protest, but we had seen the SWAT team and police forces throughout the area earlier that day. Also, helicopters have been in protest training all week, and you see one fly by at least every five minutes.

Later, back at the hotel, we broke up into our groups and participated in mock primary elections in which any of us could run to be the next presidential candidate. I ran and gave my two minute speech, but my friend Elliot won the nomination from our group. He is now going up against two other candidates from other groups to win the mock nomination.

We also attended a lecture given by Andrew Potter. He spoke to us about the election process and how a president wins an election. The most interesting part of his lecture was when he pulled up a map of the United States, showing which candidate was predicted to win which states. So far, according to his map, the election is still up in the air, seeing as some key states are still too split between parties to see which way they will swing.

Tomorrow morning I am attending the Connecticut State Delegate Breakfast, prefaced by a lovely 5:30 a.m. wake-up call.

Convention kicks off

As the first day of the Democratic National Convention was coming to an end Monday, state House Majority Leader Christopher Donovan, D-Meriden, checked in with the Record-Journal by phone.

As he chatted, he waited with other local attendees for the train that would take them to their hotel. People are carrying Obama signs and wearing T-shirts and pins, he said. Donovan also said that while waiting at the train station, he was able to tell several people about Meriden.

The first day of the convention included several speakers, such as Sen. Edward M. Kenndy, D-Mass., and Sen. Barack Obama's wife, Michelle Obama.

Donovan said Kennedy's speech was moving, and he said the senator told the large crowd that he will be there when Obama is sworn in as president next year. Kennedy is battling brain cancer.

"People were just very glued to him," Donovan said.

Donovan also said Michelle Obama's speech was very good. She talked about the importance of family and working hard, he said.

"It was a really warm, powerful presentation," Donovan said.

Donovan summed up the atmosphere at the convention by saying that people are caught up in the quest for change.

Donovan, along with others from Connecticut in Denver for the convention, will start their Tuesday off with a breakfast that will allow for social mingling. A full day, which includes a speech by Sen. Hillary Clinton, will follow.

But until Tuesday's activities begin, Donovan said he and his travel companions want to rest. An early morning flight, jet lag and a lower level of oxygen in the Mile High City tuckered those representing the Nutmeg State out, he said.

- Reported by Amanda Falcone

Carmody lands in Denver

From the laptop of Sam Carmody:


My anticipation for the weeklong festivities surrounding the Democratic National Convention escalated Friday morning as I boarded my plane to Denver at Bradley International Airport.

I was not the only one on the plane eager about the journey. I ran into Connecticut Democratic State Central Committee Chairwoman Nancy DiNardo and the state party's staffers who were also making their way to the convention. They could not wait to be a part of this historic event too.

As soon as our plane touched down in Denver, I said my goodbyes to my fellow Connecticut Democrats and set out to explore the city. Downtown Denver, an impeccably clean and beautiful city, was bustling with activity.

People packed the streets, many obviously visiting for the convention. There were merchants selling Barack Obama pins and T-shirts, protesters for peace, and a number of Green Bay Packers' fans sporting their signature cheddar cheese hats in preparation for the Broncos versus Packers' practice game that evening at Invesco Field – the same arena in which Barack Obama will give his acceptance speech to nearly 76,000 people Thursday night.

I walked over to the Pepsi Center where the convention proceedings will be Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Hundreds of police vehicles were present and even more satellite trucks for the news media were gathered around the convention center. Workers were decorating the area with red, white, and blue banners and attaching giant stars to the building.

There is no doubt that months and months of work went into this event.

On Saturday, I attended orientation and training for my volunteer assignments. Some of my tasks for the week seem quite glamorous, while other tasks appear rather dull. However, just being a part of the whole process is exciting enough.

This week will surely be one of great magnitude, and I cannot wait to get to work and share with all of you the details.

The pictures above are courtesy of Sam Carmody. Workers are getting a MSNBC studio, top, and the Pepsi Center, bottom, ready for the Democratic National Convention.

Introducing convention coverage

This is a space where local people attending the Democratic and Republican national conventions can share their experiences with those visiting http://www.myrecordjournal.com/.

State House Majority Leader Christopher G. Donovan, Meriden Democratic Town Committee Chairwoman Mildred Torres-Ferguson, Meriden city councilor Hilda Santiago, 17-year-old Mia Lilienthal, of Meriden, and Wallingford's 22-year-old Sam Carmody will be nice enough to tell you all about the Democratic National Convention in Denver. We may even be lucky and get them to submit pictures!

The Democratic convention kicks off Aug. 25 and ends Aug. 28.

Jerry Farrell Jr., a Wallingford resident and the commissioner of the state Department of Consumer Protection, will keep us updated on the Republican convention, which is Sept. 1 through Sept. 4. We hope he sends pictures too!

So, stay tuned. Campaign season is about to officially begin, and we have six people waiting to fill you in on the details.

Amanda Falcone
Record-Journal Staff