PRINT JOURNALISM: BECAUSE IT STILL MATTERS. MARCH 23, 2020 VOL. 56, No. 12
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Stamford Hospital Chair of Infectious Diseases Dr. Michael Parry demonstrates a medical mask while speaking about the coronavirus at Stamford Hospital. Photo: Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media.
INSIDE
COVID-19 crisis worsening BARS, RESTAURANTS LOOK TO SURVIVE AMID COVID-19 BAN
BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN
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ONLY IN AMERICA
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GOTTA GO TO MO’S? NOT ANYMORE
kzimmerman@westfairinc.com
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he COVID-19 era is continuing to pick up steam in Fairfield County as it has nationwide, with 48 confirmed cases as of March 17. Fairfield County has the most cases in the state, with the Connecticut total at 68. There had been two presumptive positive cases involving Connecticut residents, and another two involving Westchester County residents who work
in Connecticut hospitals. They are officially counted as New York cases. Dr. Matthew Cartter, the state epidemiologist with the Department of Public Health, reported that as of March 17, 248 tests have been completed. “Testing is important, but it is not the answer,” he said, repeating that people showing no signs of symptoms should be tested. Cartter said it can be assumed that for every person who tests positive, there are “at least 100” who have
the disease, “and that might be a low estimate.” He again stressed, however, that as with influenza, those with the virus may never get sick. “The vast majority of people who get this illness … will be better in a few days,” he said. “Most of us will not need to be tested.” Testing capacity is increasing, Cartter said, but the continued lack of personal protective equipment “is still a challenge.” He noted that Yale New Haven Hospital is online with testing and that he expects other acute care hospitals to follow suit.
TRAIN TROUBLE
In addition, MetroNorth Railroad said its ridership has plummeted 90%. Ridership in the New York City subway system has » VIRUS
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BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN kzimmerman@westfairinc.com
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airfield County’s restaurants and bars are hoping to hang on in the wake of Gov. Ned Lamont’s order for them to close until further notice. Restaurants can offer takeout service, drive-thrus, curbside service and delivery, but no in-house dining. Lamont joined New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on March 16 to announce the move, which also closed movie theaters, fitness centers, casinos and racetracks. Tribal-owned casinos are exempt from the
order, but Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun ultimately agreed to temporarily close from 8 p.m. on March 17 for a two-week period. Neither Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun have closed since opening in 1992 and 1996, respectively. The governors also banned gatherings of more than 50 people, the enforcement of which Ryan Broderick, co-owner of Reverie Brewing Co. in Newtown, had wondered about before the mandatory closure announcement. “We have people coming in here in groups of two or three or more. We have birthday parties,” he said. “How are we supposed to » BARS
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Suite Talk Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of Persona, is looking to create conversations
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out to me about using it. We’ve got a couple of local ones. There’s one called The Resistors based in Westport that is going to be using it. “And we’re doing a live interview series that I just launched a few weeks ago in Westport. I’m doing the interviews myself to create some content on the platform. And our first guest was former Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman. “We are also going to set up an ability for people running for office to request donations through this. You send someone running for office a question, you get an answer that you like, and they can immediately prompt you to, ‘If you like this answer, please donate to my campaign.’ ”
ob Simmelkjaer is no stranger to interviews. As a former senior executive and journalist at ESPN, ABC News and NBC Sports, he was comfortable guiding the Q&A format. In his new role as co-founder and CEO of the Norwalk-based startup Persona, Simmelkjaer is helping ordinary people tap into their inner Oprah and become interviewers in a new digital environment. Business Journal Senior Enterprise Editor Phil Hall spoke with Simmelkjaer about his new endeavor. What is Persona seeking to achieve? “The best way to summarize Persona is: Instagram for interviews. Essentially, we’re creating a social platform that is being optimized for the creation and discovery of conversations and interviews. And I use ‘interviews’ not in the sense of job interviews, but in the sense of interviews about people and topics that are interesting to anyone. “The origin of Persona came from my history. I’m a journalist and a media executive, and I’ve interviewed people from politicians to celebrities to other journalists. Two years ago, I got an old photo sent to me of my grandfather. It was from 1930 when he was 24 years old and he was standing on the rooftop of a building in Harlem. And when I got this photo, it was either 2017 or 2018 and he’d been deceased since the year 2000. But I stared at this photo and I thought, ‘Gosh, I wish that I could know more about this situation, the story of who he was with, who was taking the photo.’ And I just really wish I could hear his voice and ask him some questions. “I never interviewed my grandmother, my grandfather, my own kids. It gave me the idea to create an app to really encourage people to use these phones that we’re all carrying around all the time to actually record conversations. “What I’m trying to create with Persona is a platform that encourages people to use social media to ask questions and get
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Rob Simmelkjaer, co-founder and CEO of Persona. Photo by Phil Hall.
answers and have conversations. We’re trying to create a space for the interviewer to become another kind of influencer.” What happens once the interview is online? “We’re moving toward the ability for you to send someone a question if you’re not with them. I can send you a question, you would get that question either through email or a push notification, and it would take you to a screen where you could record your answer using the selfie camera. And then that would be posted as an interview on the platform.” I could see a great deal of academic interest in this if you’re interviewing people who survived The Holocaust, people who were part of the civil rights movement, the women’s rights movement, other political movements of the late 20th century. Are you teaming with colleges and universities on this project? “Yes. We are working with journalism students at a half-doz-
en colleges, including UCLA, Syracuse, St. John’s and American University in Washington, D.C. We are very much focused on students. Would you agree that this also changes the dynamic of online media? “If you go on Instagram or you go on YouTube, most of it is, ‘just look at me, look at me, look at me,’ and not much of it is ‘let me ask you a question.’ Have you been in touch with professional media organizations about this? “I’ve met with NBC, CBS, ESPN, ABC, all my old employers. They’re all interested in what we’re doing. “Once we get out there and start getting the kinds of usage that I expect from regular people, the media companies tend to follow the regulars into this space, as opposed to being the earliest people there.” Have you heard from political groups about using this platform? “I’ve had a lot of activists reach
Where is Persona today? “We are in beta and we expect to be launching. It will be sort of a soft launch at the Apple App Store. In maybe a couple weeks, we will be on Android.” How will you be able to monetize Persona? “There are two primary ways that we’re thinking about monetization. One is a social media platform — advertising and sponsorship is definitely part of the game plan. We see sponsored interviews living inside the feed and other potential advertising living in front of videos. “The other side is a paid interview marketplace of the sort that I sort of referred to a bit when I was talking about politicians maybe using it as a fundraising device. But we’re thinking about a scenario where a celebrity or a public figure of some kind or expert on some issue makes themselves available on the platform to be interviewed. It would be like an app called Cameo where you can pay C- and D-list celebrities to give you a shout out for your birthday. I’m looking at it.” Will Persona be available worldwide or just in this country? “We’re focused on the U.S. now for many reasons. One of which is privacy laws. We haven’t done the deep dive on the new European laws, so we need to steer clear of that until we’re ready.”
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Publisher Dee DelBello Managing Editor/Print Glenn J. Kalinoski Managing Editor/Digital Bob Rozycki Associate Publisher Anne Jordan Group Associate Publisher Dan Viteri NEWS Bureau Chief • Kevin Zimmerman Senior Enterprise Editor • Phil Hall Copy and Video Editor • Peter Katz Senior Reporter • Bill Heltzel, Reporters • Georgette Gouveia, Mary Shustack Research Coordinator • Luis Flores ART & PRODUCTION Creative Director Dan Viteri Art Directors Sebastián Flores, Kelsie Mania ADVERTISING SALES Manager • Anne Jordan Metro Sales & Custom Publishing Director Barbara Hanlon Account Manager Marcia Pflug Events Sales & Development • Marcia Pflug Marketing & Events Director • Fatime Muriqi Research and Events Coordinator Olivia D’Amelio AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT & CIRCULATION Circulation Manager • Sylvia Sikoutris Telemarketing Director • Brianne Smith ADMINISTRATION Contracted CFO Services Adornetto & Company L.L.C. Human Resources & Payroll Services APS PAYROLL Administrative Manager • Robin Costello
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A MEMBER OF
Only in America Bridgeport’s Caroline House empowers immigrant women with English fluency BY PHIL HALL phall@westfairinc.com
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hen walking through the hallways at Caroline House, one is met by a concerto of accented voices embracing the poetry and complexity of the English language. But this is not a typical educational institution. Situated in a one-time Bridgeport residence dating back to 1907, the environment within Caroline House has a friendly resonance coming from the various rooms of the charming old structure. “What makes us different is the homey effect,” explained Lucy Freeman, Caroline House’s executive director. “We make people as comfortable as we possibly can.” The idea for Caroline House was sparked in 1992 by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, a Roman Catholic religious institute focused on education. The Sisters opened Caroline House in November 1995 to bring educational and emotional empowerment to immigrant women and children who found themselves isolated from the wider American culture due
to unfamiliarity with English. “We try to build confidence,” continued Freeman. “Many of them are able to speak the language, but they do it in such a way that no one will hire them because they are so nervous about their English. We encourage women to speak as much as possible.” Caroline House operates as an independent nonprofit, with only two nuns on its staff. Its scheduling is mostly in synchronization with Bridgeport’s public school system, although sometimes new classes are added to meet demand. “This year, we brought in a whole new set of students in January because so many people were calling to say they wanted to attend,” said Freeman, adding that a new after-school program aimed at Latina girls was beginning this month. The student body at Caroline House is 70 adult women, and Freeman estimated 90% of those in attendance are from Latin America, with Haitian immigrants accounting for the second-largest demographic. The level of English fluency varies widely among the students. “People come here at different stages,”
Freeman observed. “Some people speak the language fairly well, but they cannot read or write. Sometimes it is the other way around. Most of our women have been here for years and have not been able to learn the English language because they are working, so we try to be as flexible as much as we can. We try to figure out what works best for each individual.” Caroline House’s curriculum begins with an introductory class, but Freeman noted that it can quickly become apparent which women require more attention to the basic lessons and which ones are able to move into more advanced classes. Many of the women have children, and Caroline House offers a day care class that provides educational lessons for the youngsters. “If your child is potty-trained, you can come,” Freeman said. “We are teaching children the basics: how to get along with others, how to share, to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you.’ ” Having mothers in the same building with their children helps alleviate both parental concerns on the quality of care and the children’s potential anxiety of being separated from a parent. When mothers are not able to attend classes, Freeman makes arrangements to determine if there is another adult student
who knows the child and would be able to take him or her home at the end of the sessions. “We don’t want to lose them,” Freeman added. There is a $25 deposit for books that is refunded upon completion of the program. Students learn of the nonprofit primarily through word of mouth and from social service agency recommendations. Private and foundation philanthropic generosity helps to keep Caroline House in operation. “I always say that I don’t speak Spanish,” she said. “I always say the best measurement is me. If you are talking to me and I am not confused, then you are speaking English.” As for the absence of adult male students, Freeman acknowledged there were cultural considerations among some members of the immigrant communities that still adhere to a conservative brand of patriarchy — thus, all-women classes are preferred to coeducational gatherings. Nonetheless, she stressed that women are the foundation for bringing their households into full assimilation with the English-speaking society around them. “If you help the women, you help the family,” she stated.
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Coronavirus Crisis Vanishing act TRUMP’S MARKET RALLY HAS DISAPPEARED BY GLENN J. KALINOSKI gkalinoski@westfairinc.com
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emember the good old days? And, by that, I mean last month. That was the time when there seemed to be no stopping equities markets from reaching new highs on a consistent basis. We kept hearing repeatedly from President Donald Trump about low unemployment, the surging stock market and the overall great economy. People getting closer to retirement opened their 401(k) statements every month and saw that the news was all good. But that was the good old days. The coronavirus crisis and the oil war between Saudi Arabia and Russia have turned the world upside down. Now we are in a new reality that has seen stocks plummet into a bear market (defined as a decline of 20% from its recent high), experts forecasting negative growth in the U.S. economy and even the mention of the word no American wants to hear — recession. The political consequences for Trump in his November re-election bid are unclear. If the number of coronavirus infections subsides and the risk is largely eliminated during the spring and if stocks recover, the crisis
for Trump. The 11-year bull market ended on March 11. According to a FactSet chart that appeared on cnbc.com, there had been a 351% bull market gain between March 19, 2009, and Feb. 12, 2020, in the Dow Jones Industrial Average. From that date to March 11, the bear market drop was 20.3%. Also, there had been 10 declines of more than 700 points in the Dow as the mar-
could become something of a nonevent for the election. But if the crisis continues through the summer and beyond Labor Day, the election could be turned into a simple referendum on Trump’s management of the crisis. Democrat front-runner Joe Biden may just let the headlines do his campaigning for him. Along with the potential political fallout, there is some simple math that is inescapable
ket plummeted at the end of February and March. But perhaps the most significant development is the fact that in early February the Dow moved past 29,500 as opposed to being near 18,000 when Trump was elected in 2016. A decline of more than 2,350 points on March 12 left the Dow hovering above 21,000. Then, on March 16, the Dow had its worst point decline ever, falling almost 3,000 points to 20,188.52. That means the Trump rally has essentially been wiped out. And it was reported that former Trump administration economist Kevin Hassett said the U.S. could shed up to 1 million jobs in March due to the enormous disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Restaurants and bars have closed. Millions of Americans are working from home as evidenced by a reduction in mass transit use and highway traffic. Cruises and casinos have closed. Retailers are shutting down. Hassett said, “the odds of a global recession are close to 100% right now.” And, despite the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates to nearly zero, investors who just last month were dreaming of Dow30K are now wishing they could get to Dow20K.
‘Betting on the end of the world has always been a bad bet’ BY GLENN J. KALINOSKI gkalinoski@westfairinc.com
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good friend of mine recently provided some insight that everyone should hear. “Betting on the end of the world has always been a bad bet,” he advised. And it is with this in mind that we all should gain some perspective regarding the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting shutdown of so many things we take for granted every day in the U.S. The stock market rout and the shutdown of the sports Americans have enjoyed for a lifetime along with entertainment and cultural events is nothing compared to many of the crises we have faced in the past. Approximately 3,000 Americans were murdered by terrorists on 9/11. Watching the Twin Towers fall while in my office in Lower Manhattan is something that never can be forgotten. But the neighborhood was rebuilt and today construction sites can be found all over New York City. Regarding the equities markets, inves-
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DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE
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-357 -785 -969
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tors were shocked on Black Monday when stocks crashed on Oct. 19, 1987. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 508 points. That might not seem like a major event given that the declines we’ve seen recently have included point drops measured in the thousands. But after the crash of ’87, the Dow fell below 2,000 and remained there into the early weeks of 1988. The Oct. 19 drop amounted to 22.6%, the largest one-
FEB. 24 FEB. 25 FEB. 26 FEB. 27 FEB. 28 MARCH 2 MARCH 3 MARCH 4 MARCH 5 MARCH 6 MARCH 9 MARCH 10 MARCH 11 MARCH 12 MARCH 13 MARCH 16 MARCH 17 MARCH 18
+1,293 +1,173
+1,167 +1,985 +1,048
day percentage drop ever. So, what happened over the next 33 years? The Dow in 1995 broke through the 5,000 level and in 1999 it reached 10,000. In 2013, it exceeded 15,000 and in 2017 it touched 20,000. It came up just short of 30,000 last month after which the recent decline began as the market saw the end of the longest bull-market run in history. And there are the memories I have as
a child hearing stories from my grandparents regarding their experiences as young adults living through The Great Depression and World War II. My grandfather told me of the long hours he had to work just to simply survive while being paid 52.8 cents per hour (and in case you were wondering, that number is not a typo). And there was my grandmother telling me that it was difficult to obtain items at the supermarket since U.S. production at the time was geared to fighting two enemies on opposite sides of the planet. But when these years of hardship ended America was left as a military and economic superpower that was the envy of the world. The 1950s saw construction start on the Interstate highway system and the 1960s ended with Neil Armstrong walking on the moon. The point of this abbreviated history lesson is simple. We are in the middle of a crisis, but we should remember that America has a good track record of overcoming such challenges. In the meantime, do everything you can to stay healthy and wash your hands!
PR exec Jay Stuck taps his inner author via Amazon phall@westfairinc.com
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tratford resident Jay Stuck has a long and distinguished career as a marketing and public relations executive within the technology industry. However, many people probably know him better as the author of a series of crime novels focused on Harry Dreme, a hit man with an advanced case of hypochondria. Stuck’s career as a novelist did not come about through the traditional methods that many people associate with publishing — or, to be more precise, through the cinematic stereotyping of the publishing process. “You used to see in the movies how a book is published, where somebody sits down and writes the Great American Novel,” he explained. “It just gets mailed to a publisher who yells, ‘Eureka!’ Right? And suddenly, you’re the next
Hemingway. That only works in the movies.” But even if an aspiring writer found a “Eureka!” shrieking publisher, the chances of becoming the next Tom Clancy or Stephen King are slim to nil. “I read a statistic lately where the average published novelist sells an average of 700 books,” Stuck continued. “That is not a lot, especially when you think about the kinds of costs that a lot of the publishing companies are incurring.” His path to becoming an author took him through the realm of self-publishing. Stuck brought his literary aspirations through Amazon, which makes his work available in a Kindle e-book format and a print-on-demand paperback. “The Kindle editorial team will take a look at the manuscript,” Stuck explained, adding the review process can take between 24 and 48 hours to determine if the book is suitable for publication. “They want to see that
Jay Stuck. Photo by Phil Hall.
it’s not some sort of screed that’s virtually unreadable or recognizable or incoherent, and not pornographic. And they will send you an email that says, ‘Congratulations, your book has now been officially published.’ ” The Amazon publishing model also provides templates for cover designs on
the books. Amazon’s system gives the writer a 70% share of book sales with the e-commerce giant pocketing the other 30%. Stuck noted that e-books tend to carry a retail price around $2.99 or $3.99, whereas the paperback editions go for $9.99 to $12.90. Stuck’s novels help him address a literary creativi-
ty that is separate from his professional responsibilities. And that raises a question: why would a business owner or professional want to self-publish a book? “It’s good publicity for your business,” observed Stuck. “Self-help books, how-to books are very, very big right now. Let’s say you
own a hardware store in Fairfield County. Why not do a self-published book about how to do your own gardening or how to do your own plumbing?” Stuck added that books about corporate and office management are “similarly very, very, very hot. Let’s say you’re a middle manager in a large Fortune 500 company based in Fairfield County. It’s very possible that you could write a book about what it’s like in terms of being a middle manager. There could be an audience for that. And it’s another way of getting the word out about your business.” Stuck has written five novels and he said he sold “several thousand” copies of his works. It has helped him break the ice with current and prospective clients. “If I’m reaching out to a particular prospect in business and if they see I am also an author, it is intriguing,” he said. “And they may be much more inclined to take my call and read my email.”
Women Matter Luncheon who
BY PHIL HALL
with
JOAN LUNDEN Friday, April 3
Greenwich Country Club Featuring Joan’s New Book:
Presented by:
greenwichchamber.com FCBJ
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Coronavirus Crisis Virus —
service, although they expect to take a significant financial hit. Nonessential travelers were asked by the governors to avoid driving between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., but an outright ban has not been ordered. Drive-thru testing sites have been approved at several Connecticut hospitals, including Bridgeport, Danbury, Greenwich and Stamford.
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declined about 60%. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said it needs an immediate infusion of more than $4 billion from the federal government. It said it expects revenue losses at the current rate to continue for at least six months. At his March 17 press briefing, Gov. Ned Lamont said the Connecticut Department of Labor (DOL) is working to expand unemployment compensation, something that Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner David Lehman confirmed. Unemployment benefits will be available for workers who have been temporarily furloughed, as well as for those who are still working but have had their hours cut, he said. The governor said typically during a recession, up to 5,000 Connecticut residents apply for unemployment benefits. “Yesterday, 10,000 applied to the DOL,” he said on March 17. Lamont, Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York, Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey and Gov. Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania announced that indoor portions of large retail shopping malls, amusement parks and bowling alleys in the four states were to close by 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 19.
‘PAYMENT HOLIDAYS’
Lehman said “payment holidays” of up to three months would be available to taxpayers and those holding student loans from state banks. He said the state is also considering relief for renters and mortgage holders alike. Lehman said he was interested in the idea floated by officials in the federal government that would provide direct payments of $1,000 to each citizen. “We’re not waiting for D.C.,” he said. If necessary, the direct payments would be something the state “can be doing and should be doing.” Lamont took a swing at the federal government’s response to the crisis, saying “significant cash payments” and two weeks of paid sick leave for impacted workers must be made available. “If the federal government doesn’t get that right, Connecticut will get that right,” he declared. He implored municipalities to not close their day care centers, given their importance for health
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SMALL-BUSINESS LOANS
An employee cleans displays as they prepare to re-stock paper products while customers shop at the Stamford Shop Rite on March 14, 2020. Photo: Matthew Brown / Hearst Connecticut Media.
care workers. Nursing certification measures are being accelerated, Lamont said, calling on retired nurses to return to duty. In addition, drive-thru testing sites have been approved at several Connecticut hospitals, including those in Bridgeport, Danbury, Greenwich and Stamford. Most health care facilities, including nursing homes, have amended their visitation rules, with all of the aforementioned hospitals banning all visitors except in their neonatal, pediatric and labor/delivery departments. Other exceptions will be considered on a case-bycase basis. Westmed CEO Anthony Viceroy announced that his firm will temporarily close several locations throughout Westchester and Fairfield counties, including the postponement of elective procedures, and will reduce the overall volume of in-person visits at the offices that are remaining open. While its satellite offices in Norwalk, Stamford and Greenwich (OB/GYN only) are staying open, urgent care services will be available only at its Yonkers, New York, site. Also, more than 200 nurses have been furloughed in Connecticut and New York due to exposure to the virus.
more than 50 people. All of the restrictions are enacted through April 30 unless otherwise amended by future government order. Tribal-owned casinos were exempt from the rule, but Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun reached an agreement with Lamont to close for two weeks — the first time those facilities have closed since opening in 1992 and 1996, respectively. American Gaming Association President and CEO Bill Miller said, “In a matter of days, the U.S. casino industry went from a growing, thriving segment of the U.S. economy to a near standstill. We are witnessing a rapidly increasing number of our nation’s commercial and tribal casinos that have been shuttered, impacting 40% of all casino employees. This will have a dire effect on the communities in which we operate across 43 states.” Online gaming is still being permitted. Connecticut’s bars and restaurants are allowed to provide drive-thru, curbside and delivery
GOVERNORS JOIN FORCES
monitor that?” That point is now moot. The brewery sells snacks from Newtown’s B.D. Provisions and Shelton’s Drunk Alpaca, although the latter closed on March 16 until further notice. “Closing the brewery to customers will be hard on us since all our restaurant business where we sell kegs to businesses will stop as well,” said Mark Szamatulski, co-owner of Veracious Brewing
A decision on whether the state’s primary will take place on April 28, and whether malls will be asked to close, will probably be done in conjunction with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Lamont said on March 17. Lamont, Cuomo and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy ordered the closings of restaurants, bars, movie theaters, fitness centers/gyms, casinos and racetracks along with a ban on “parties” of
Bars— From page 1
Lamont also announced that small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Connecticut that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic are eligible for disaster relief loans of up to $2 million from the Small Business Administration (SBA). Nationwide, small businesses employ nearly 60 million people,
almost half the private sector workforce. Personal finance website WalletHub ranked Connecticut as the second-most aggressive state against COVID-19, behind Rhode Island. Connecticut ranked: • No. 2 in prevention and containment. • No. 8 in risk factors and infrastructure. • 18th in economic impact. • 11th in public hospital system quality. • 28th in share of employment from small businesses. • No. 6 in share of workers with access to paid sick leave. • 22nd in total public health emergency preparedness funding per capita. • 29th in public health care spending per capita.
An empty train car on Metro-North’s New Haven Line.
Co. in Monroe, “so we will lose our wholesale business and our retail business, meaning zero income with bills to pay. “If we can still sell some takeout, it will help us a little, but with no money coming in it will be hard to pay rent, insurance, payroll and for goods we bought in the last 30 days.” Szamatulski said a lack of clarity from the state Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) on whether he could or could not sell beer to go meant that he would err on the side of caution. According to Executive Order
No. 7D, signed by Lamont on March 16: “Effective at 8 p.m. on March 16, 2020, and through April 30, 2020, unless earlier modified, extended or terminated by me, any restaurant or eating establishment and any location licensed for on-premise consumption of alcoholic liquor in the State of Connecticut, except for Class III and Class II Tribal Gaming enterprises, shall only serve food or nonalcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption.” A call to the DCP for clarity was not returned, but other brewers
Coronavirus Crisis said they are moving forward with “grab and go” initiatives. “We’ve always sold cans and growlers,” said Scott Vallely, owner and brewmaster at Danbury’s Charter Oak Brewing Co. “Now that the taproom is closed, we’re just doing that, letting one person in at a time.” Vallely said that customers can also call ahead to place an order, then call again when they arrive, whereupon a staffer will bring the beer out and put it in their car. “It’s never going to be a big moneymaker for us,” he admitted. “It’s not like there’s a long line of cars in our parking lot. But our message is to keep buying from us or from their retailer — support Charter Oak and support your local retail guy.” Broderick announced on March 17 that those with Reverie growlers will receive new ones at no cost. It will take phone orders for curbside delivery. “We’re also upping our distribution (of cans) to some of the package stores we have relationships with,” Broderick noted. Nod Hill in Ridgefield has an app that allows consumers to make purchases on the spot — and said it will continue to have food trucks on its premises until further notice. At Athletic Brewing Co., Stratford’s nonalcoholic beermaker, co-founder Bill Shufelt said 70% of its 50-person workforce is working from home, with the remainder working staggered shifts. “On the package side, our team still feels it’s safe to come to work,” he said.
“The CRA team continues to explore federal, state and local relief and economic stimulus options for our restaurants,” Dolch said afterwards. On March 17, Lamont announced that small businesses and nonprofit organizations in the state that have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus outbreak are eligible for disaster relief loans of up to $2 million from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). But Vallely at Charter Oak wondered how much paperwork — and time — would be involved with securing such a loan. “We’re all taking on debt,” he said. “And what they’re offering is not a gift. It’s not a grant. It’s a loan. But there’s a lack of revenue now, so you have got to do things you normally wouldn’t do.” “If the government can shut us down, they should also offer some real economic assistance, not just assistance to airlines and large businesses,” Szamatulski at Veracious said.
Athletic Brewing Co. co-founder Bill Shufelt at work at the Stratford location.
Position Yourself for Success!
RESTAURANTS HUNKER DOWN
The state’s 8,500-plus restaurants, which according to the Connecticut Restaurant Association (CRA) employ more than 160,000 people, equal to about 10% of the state’s workforce, are also facing the new reality, limited as they are to curbside, drive-thru and delivery service. Before Lamont’s ban on in-house dining went into effect, CRA Executive Director Scott Dolch wrote to the governor, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner David Lehman and legislative leaders asking for a number of economic relief measures, including a 90-day extension on paying monthly sales taxes, eliminating penalties for late payment of business and property taxes and the like. “We cannot overstate how many restaurants are already facing dire circumstances,” Dolch wrote. “Anecdotally, one of our members has already seen 47 scheduled parties cancel through the month of April, and another has already seen a reduction in sales of 45%. Our restaurants want to stay open and keep employees on the payroll. However, without state action many restaurants will have no choice but to suspend operations, and potentially turn what we hope is a short-term public health emergency into a much longer economic crisis for Connecticut.” Two days later, however, the mandate to close went into effect.
Virtual Open House
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In Brief Westport’s 54 Wilton Road is sold The Westport office property at 54 Wilton Road has changed hands for an undisclosed sum. Built in 1960 and formally known as Bankside at National Hall, the two-story, 25,779-squarefoot building is along the Saugatuck River and is 100% leased with three tenants: Gemspring Capital, Compass and Coastal Bridge Advisors. The property, which was part of the Save the Children site before the nonprofit left Westport for Fairfield in 2013, was renovated by the seller in 2018. CBRE’s Institutional Properties represented the seller, a joint venture between an unnamed Connecticut-based real estate investment firm and Westportbased David Adam Realty. CBRE also procured the buyer, a joint venture between Empire Square Group and an offshore entity. David Adam Realty will continue to manage the property.
54 Wilton Road in Westport.
WWE FACES CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ALLEGING SECURITIES FRAUD
The New York law firm Bernstein Liebhard is filing a class action lawsuit against WWE, claiming the Stamford-headquartered company misled investors with incorrect statements regarding its business operations in Saudi Arabia. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and alleged the company ran afoul of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The chief complaint in the litigation focused on WWE’s dealings with Saudi Arabia’s OSN television channel. The lawsuit accused WWE of misrepresenting its ties to OSN by incorrectly claiming it had the ability to expand its presence in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle Eastern market. Instead, the lawsuit stated, the Saudi government “withheld tens of millions of dollars in payments owed to WWE” and “temporarily refused to allow several WWE wrestlers to leave the country in
what was later described as akin to a hostage situation, under the pretense of mechanical airplane issues” after WWE cut a live broadcast feed from the country. Bernstein Liebhard added the Jan. 30 ouster of WWE co-Presidents George A. Barrios and Michelle D. Wilson and the “disappointing financial performance” in the Feb. 6 earnings report were due to WWE misrepresenting its Saudi business dealings. The law firm said that its litigation will cover investors that bought or acquired WWE securities between Feb. 7, 2019, and Feb. 5, 2020.
CDC, SBA RELEASE DETAILS OF FUNDS, SMALL BUSINESS LOANS
Connecticut will receive $7,558,270 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) while the Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced details of its new disaster assistance loan program in the face of the COVID-19 crisis. The CDC funding comes from the federal government’s approval
Gotta go to Mo’s? Not anymore BY PETER KATZ pkatz@westfairinc.com
M
odell’s Sporting Goods, a family-owned retailer with approximately 115 stores in operation and an estimated 3,600 employees, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on March 11. At one time the chain had 153 stores. The company had been attempting to avoid a bankruptcy filing and took steps such as previously closing some of its stores and seeking outside investors. The filing was made in a federal court in New Jersey by the law firm Cole Schotz P.C. Documents were signed by Mitchell B. Modell, the company’s president and CEO, along with a company director Bernard A. Katz. According to Modell’s store directory, it was operating stores at 843 Pelham Parkway in Pelham Manor and in New Roc City at 29 LeCount Place in New Rochelle. Connecticut stores on the list included 2113 Summer St. in the Ridgeway Shopping Center in
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Stamford, 148 Boston Post Road in Bridgeport, 1397 Boston Post Road in Milford and 3067 Berlin Turnpike in Newington. Modell’s stores have been in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. “This certainly is not the outcome I wanted, and it is one of the most difficult days of my life,” Modell said. “But I believe liquidation provides the greatest recovery for our creditors. We have partnered with Tiger Capital Group to liquidate the remaining stores.” Modell said the return from Tiger having previously liquidated 19 stores was “beyond spectacular.” The company said online sales would continue during the process of closing its brick-and-mortar operations. The bankruptcy filing involved about a dozen entities related to the chain’s operations. It showed liabilities of approximately $288 million and assets of approximately $220 million. It said there are approxi-
mately 11,000 creditors and parties-in-interest, including current and former employees. A list of creditors showed Adidas had an unsecured claim of $8.9 million, Nike had a claim of $8.7 million and Under Armour had a claim of $3.7 million. The business was started in 1889 by Morris A. Modell. The fourth generation of the Modell family now operates it. The corporate
headquarters are in Manhattan. In a YouTube video posted on Feb. 21, Mitchell Modell explained that Morris, his great-grandfather, was from Russia and had a pushcart on Cortlandt Street in downtown New York. “He was there peddling hats, gloves, shirts, everything,” Modell said. He said the fifth generation of the family was in the wings ready to enter the business.
Modell said when a newspaper article appeared last year about the company’s financial position, some of his suppliers stopped shipping and he found it difficult to get credit. “I received $35 million less in receipts and dropped $50 million in sales,” Modell said. “On top of a warm winter, on top of no snow, on top of lousy teams (the stores sell team-branded merchandise) led us into a liquidity crisis in January. This is unlike last year when an article turned us upside down. This is now, my back’s to the wall and I gotta figure out what am I gonna do.” Modell explained that he had approached his landlords and vendors and asked them to work with the company and also approached outside strategic investors. “For literally millions of families, it’s meant affordable, quality sporting goods for decades. People love our brand. It’s not a tarnished brand,” Modell said of the company. Modell’s has faced competition from Dick’s Sporting Goods and Sports Authority in addition to retailers such as Target, Kohl’s and Walmart.
In Brief of an $8.3 billion spending bill, with resources directed for grants or cooperative agreements to states, localities, territories and tribes to accelerate planning and operational readiness for COVID-19 preparedness and response. The funds are also meant to develop tools and strategies, provide technical assistance and program support and ensure ongoing communication and coordination among public health agencies and partners throughout the response. Of the $8.3 billion, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded more than $560 million to help state and local efforts to fight the coronavirus. The SBA is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the virus. The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance and can provide economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. The loans may be used to
pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses without credit available elsewhere. Businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible. The interest rate for nonprofits is 2.75%. The loans allow for long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay.
NONPROFITS TRY ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF RAISING FUNDS
Two nonprofits have announced
unusual approaches to raising funds after the cancellation of events in the midst of the COVID19 crisis. Bridgeport’s Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants (CIRI) — which provides legal, social and educational programming for refugees, immigrants and survivors of human trafficking and torture — has canceled two of its biggest fundraisers of the year, the Motown Dance Party and Evening to Benefit CIRI in Hartford. Instead, it is combining those two April fundraisers into the online-only “A Night In: The Best Un-Event of the Season.” Taking place on April 3, the “un-event” will offer guests the opportunity to buy
The Motown Dance Party has been called off.
tickets or sponsorships and participate in a weeklong online silent auction with items such as a stay at the Delmar West Hartford. Meanwhile, Ridgefield performing arts theater ACT of Connecticut has announced the cancellation of its next production, “Nickel Mines.” The nonprofit theater is asking those who already bought tickets to donate that cost to ACT instead of asking for a refund, though refunds are available. The theater will provide donors with a letter to use for tax purposes.
BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM GETS FDA FAST TRACK FOR JARDIANCE AS KIDNEY DISEASE TREATMENT
The Food and Drug Administration has granted Fast Track designation for the investigation of Jardiance for reducing the risk of kidney disease progression and cardiovascular death in adults with chronic kidney disease. The drug, also known as empagliflozin, was developed by Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Co. An ongoing EMPA-KIDNEY clinical study is being conducted at the Medical Research Council
Population Health Research Unit at England’s Oxford University in partnership with the Duke Clinical Research Institute at Duke University in North Carolina. Last June, the FDA granted Fast Track designation to the clinical investigation of Jardiance to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in people with chronic heart failure.
BROOKFIELD’S COTTON CANDY FABRICS ADDS 1,500 SQUARE FEET TO RETAIL STORE
Cotton Candy Fabrics, a Brookfield-based fabric and quilt business, has completed a 1,500-square-foot expansion of its retail center at 457 Federal Road. The new space will be used for a “Try Before Your Buy” classroom with the latest models of Bernina sewing machines. The store has scheduled several upcoming classes, including a March 27 presentation by Moda Fabrics designer Deb Strain and an April 25-26 sewing class featuring “Project Runway” alumnus Sam Donovan. The space will also host children’s sewing classes and birthday parties.
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In Brief Vineyard Vines shutters stores through March 27
New report places Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen in Greenwich BY PHIL HALL phall@westfairinc.com
Stamford-based clothing and accessories retailer Vineyard Vines has closed all of its retail stores and outlets through March 27 in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Vineyard Vines will continue to pay store teams for any previously scheduled shifts during the shutdown. Its corporate employees whose jobs allow them to work remotely have been asked to do so until further notice. The chain operates stores in Greenwich, New Canaan and Westport. Its online store will remain open.
CONNECTICUT ADDED 2,600 JOBS IN JANUARY
Connecticut gained 2,600 net jobs in January, bringing employment to a level of 1,696,100 seasonally adjusted, according to data from the state Department of Labor. The number of unemployed residents was estimated at 72,300, seasonally adjusted, unchanged from December. As a result, Connecticut’s January unemployment rate is at 3.7%, seasonally adjusted, down one-tenth of a percent from the revised December level. Private-sector employment grew by 2,500 (0.2%) to 1,459,600 jobs over the month in January and is up by 8,800 (0.6%) seasonally adjusted jobs from January
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2019. The government “supersector” added 100 jobs in January for a total of 236,500, but remains down 1,000 jobs (-0.4%) from the previous year. The labor market in the Bridgepor t-Stamford-Nor walk corridor recorded an increase of 1,500 jobs while the Danbury area recorded a gain of 100 jobs.
SIKORSKY INKS $525.4M DEAL FOR BLACK HAWK HELICOPTERS
The Department of Defense has awarded Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. a $525.4 million modification contract for supplying 38 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters.
The contract is a modification to a $3.7 billion agreement from 2017 for Sikorsky to produce Black Hawk helicopters for the U.S. Army and the Saudi Arabian military. Work on the new aircraft will take place at Sikorsky’s headquarters in Stratford, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2022. The contract also provides the Defense Department with the right to exercise an option for two UH-60M FMS green aircraft. The UH-60M is the latest in the Black Hawk helicopter family created by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin subsidiary, and is the primary medium lift helicopter used by the U.S. Army in missions that
Two months after rumors that New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and his supermodel wife Gisele Bundchen bought a home in Greenwich created a media frenzy before being found to be incorrect, a new story has popped up that insists the famous couple are Greenwich homeowners. This time, The Real Deal has speculated that Brady and Bundchen acquired 22 Hurlingham Drive last November for approximately $8.5 million. Based on a 14.48-acre parcel, the 12,377-square-foot residence on Conyers Lake in the gated community of Conyers Farm has seven bedrooms, nine full bathrooms and three half-bathrooms plus a gym, movie theater and tennis court. The property was built in 1989 and was originally listed in September 2017 at $12.4 million. Town records show the property was transferred from Hurlingham Drive LLC to Hurlingham Green LLC. It is common for luxury real estate to be acquired by a limited liability company to shield the owners’ identity. But despite The Real Deal’s conjecture, there has been no confirmation from the couple that they are now Connecticut residents, nor has there been any independently produced evidence placing them in a Greenwich home. In January, the rumor mill went into overdrive when Greg Hill, a sports talk show host on Boston’s WEEI-FM, claimed Brady and Bundchen moved into 19 Lower Cross Road in Greenwich, for which they reportedly paid $9 million last fall. Hill’s scoop was picked up by every major media outlet and Gov. Ned Lamont took to Twitter to welcome Brady to his new Connecticut residency. But the day after Hill’s story broke, WEEI quietly slipped an update on its blog that acknowledged “Brady does not in fact own a house in Connecticut.”
include air assault, command and control and VIP transport.
FOUR TENANTS LEASE SPACE AT SOUTHPORT CROSSING
Guaranteed Rate Inc. took 2,600 square feet on the second floor; Lincoln Healthcare Information Co. (doing business as Lincoln Healthcare Leadership) leased 8,400 square feet on the second floor; and Professional Physical Therapy took 5,168 square feet on the second floor for its Southport Physical Therapy Clinic.
XEROX CITES COVID-19 IN SUSPENDING HP HOSTILE TAKEOVER EFFORTS
3530 Post Road in Southport.
Four tenants have leased space at Southport Crossing, the 37,500-square-foot, three-story office building at 3530 Post Road in Southport. Counseling services firm Discovery Practice Management Inc. leased 6,453 square feet on the third floor; retail mortgage lender
Xerox Holdings Corp. has announced the suspension of its efforts to enact a hostile takeover of HP Inc. by citing health concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Because of concerns linked to travel and public gatherings, John Visentin, CEO and vice chairman of the Norwalk-headquartered company, is putting its acquisition efforts on indefinite hold. The company added that recent stock market declines did not play a role in its decision. — Kevin Zimmerman, Phil Hall
What debt diet? GENERAL ASSEMBLY APPROVES $4.7B BOND PACKAGE BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN kzimmerman@westfairinc.com
D
espite Gov. Ned Lamont’s much-ballyhooed “debt diet,” the General Assembly has overwhelmingly approved a two-year, $4.7 billion bond package. The package, which includes $1.4 billion in general obligation bonds for this fiscal year and $1.64 billion in 2020-21, passed the House by a 126-20 majority and the Senate by a 31-5 vote. Lamont previously said he wanted to bond no more than $1.3 billion. Passage of the bonding bill also frees up long-delayed municipal aid. The state will borrow $166 million per year for communities, including: • $60 million for the Town Aid Road (TAR) grant. • $30 million for the Local Capital Improvement Program. • $76 million for an omnibus Grant for Municipal Projects. Also, some $850 million will be borrowed over
the next two fiscal years to support municipal school construction and renovation projects, with another $84 million for improvements to municipal water treatment plants. Other components of the package include: • $65 million to renovate the XL Center in Hartford. • $45 million for a new transit-oriented, quasi-public development agency. • $40 million for workforce development and other job training efforts. • $15 million to enhance local school security. • $5 million for remediation of lead in drinking water at public schools. • $5 million for various initiatives to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Despite the bipartisan nature of the General Assembly’s approval of the package — over 50% of Republicans voted in favor of it in both chambers — Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano (R-North Haven) objected to Lamont’s apparent abandon-
Despite the bipartisan nature of the General Assembly’s approval of the package — over 50% of Republicans voted in favor of it in both chambers — Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano (R-North Haven) objected to Lamont’s apparent abandonment of his debt diet.
Gov. Ned Lamont.
ment of his debt diet. “Gov. Lamont has repeatedly told the public that he was committed to limiting bonding to the core functions of government,” Fasano said. “In February 2019, Gov. Lamont proposed scaling
back on bonding authorizations by 40%. The governor laid out a principled goal of prioritizing needs over wants. But that’s not the package before us today.” The Republican leader further questioned what
the impact of all the borrowing would be on credit rating agencies, which had responded favorably to the debt diet Lamont has been promoting. “The governor sold credit rating agencies a promise that he is failing to keep,” Fasano said. “I am gravely concerned about the consequences of not following through with the representations made.” Lamont’s communications director, Max Reiss, countered that the State Bond Commission must still approve the Legislature’s move before any borrowed funds can be spent. The governor chairs the 10-member bond commission and his budget office sets its agenda. “This is not a time for baseless allegations and finger-pointing,” Reiss said, “but it is time for effective governance of this great state and its finances, which will always be measured and balanced with making appropriate investments in Connecticut’s future.”
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CONTRIBUTING WRITER | By Gilda Bonanno
YOUR 9 tips that will make you a MORNING better webinar presenter COMMUTE, G COFFEE, & NEWS. Your daily routine, right at your fingertips.
iven the coronav i r u s-relate d travel restrictions, many in-person meetings and presentations are being replaced by webinars. During a webinar, participants log into the application from their computers to view the presentation or document you’re sharing and hear you speak through their computer speakers or through a phone connection. In a webinar, even more so than during an in-person presentation, it’s crucial for you to capture and keep your audience’s attention. Otherwise they will quickly move on to another task or start checking email. The following nine tips will make you a better webinar presenter:
BE CLEAR ABOUT YOUR MESSAGE
Eliminate unnecessary material that could clutter your message and confuse your audience. Have a clear organizing principle and share your high-level agenda early in your presentation.
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AVOID TEXT-HEAVY SLIDES
People can read to themselves faster than you can read out loud, so they will finish reading the words before you and wonder when you’re going to move on. If you do have longer text on the slide, such as a quotation, leave that slide up for longer so people have time to read and absorb it.
A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
Interesting, relevant visuals (rather than bulleted lists) are a great way to communicate your message. Fill the whole slide with the visual by dragging the corners of the photo to fill the slide, rather than leaving a big border around it.
USE HIGH-QUALITY PHOTOS
Real photos are often more appealing and memorable than cheesy clip art. You can find some free photos in PowerPoint or online (be careful with copyrighted images) and purchase photos from stock photo websites. I use my own photos, too.
PLAN AHEAD
Have an answer for the inevitable question: "Will we get a copy of your slides?" While I usually provide a follow-up summary of key points, I don’t share a copy of my slides since they do not make much sense without my voice-over. They are only the visual aid. I am the presentation. Decide if, when and how you will handle questions from the audience and let them know.
USE MORE SLIDES THAN USUAL
Having more slides than you usually would use for an in-person presentation will allow you to change slides quickly and keep people’s attention. They will be discouraged from disengaging from the webinar to multitask since they might miss something.
YOUR VOICE MATTERS
Unless you are also using video, your voice is the only element of body language that your audience has. Speak loudly and clearly enough so you can be heard
and understood easily. Vary your volume, rate, pitch, etc. so you can communicate your meaning. Keep your voice hydrated. Standing up and smiling will make your voice sound more energized.
HAVE A TECHNICAL HOST
You want to focus on your presentation and not any technical issues. Have someone available (ideally co-located with you) to handle the technical aspects, such as participants having trouble logging in, finding the phone dial-in number, etc. He or she can also help with any interactive elements, monitor the chat screen, moderate questions and help if something goes wrong.
DO A DRESS REHEARSAL
Test your presentation and internet connection using the webinar software and ask others to log in so you can see how your slides look and find out if there is a delay as you advance the slides. This is especially necessary if your presentation includes many slides with photos, since it can be a big file that requires more bandwidth. Copyright 2020 Gilda Bonanno LLC. All rights reserved. Gilda Bonanno is a speaker, facilitator and consultant who helps people improve their communication and presentation skills. Read more articles or sign up for her newsletter at www.gildabonanno.com.
In Court Stamford residents win $1.4M judgment
in Forthill’s relationship with all its clients, as well as with its workforce and vendors, ultimately leading to the effective collapse of the company.” Dime sued Forthill and the McKernans and won a judgment. They sued Blue, arguing that the financ-
ing statement was illegal because the loan was never finalized. Seibel ruled last year that Blue’s liens against Forthill and the McKernans were invalid. She voided the financing statement and ordered an inquest on the damages. Magistrate Judge Lisa M. Smith recommend-
ed that Blue pay Forthill and the McKernans $1,435,326, the amount they owed Dime Bank. She rejected their claims for losses of $525,000 in future corporate profits and $875,000 in Martin McKernan’s future earnings. On Feb. 27, Seibel agreed with Smith’s report and recommendations.
BY BILL HELTZEL bheltzel@westfairinc.com
A
White Plains construction company has been awarded a $1.4 million court judgment against a Nevada loan broker that filed liens that led to the collapse of the company. U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel awarded damages last month, from Blue Acquisition LLC of Las Vegas to Forthill Construction Corp. and Martin and Margaret McKernan of Stamford. “The upshot of the defendant’s actions,” Forthill’s Manhattan attorney, William A Thomas, said in a recent letter to the court, “was to destroy, nearly overnight, a $13 million construction company.” In 2016, Forthill began negotiating with Blue for funds to shore up its cash flow and to finance growth. Forthill agreed to borrow $1.6 million and the McKernans agreed to a $300,000 promissory note, both contingent on closing the loan. Before the deal was scheduled to close in 2017, Martin McKernan, Forthill’s president and sole owner, decided that the terms were “too onerous,” he states in a court filing. “And with the express blessing of Blue Acquisition’s principal (Robert Entler) we opted to look elsewhere for financing.” Forthill borrowed $1.2 million from Dime Community Bank, and the McKernans personally guaranteed the loan. Blue notified Forthill that it was in default on the proposed loan, claimed it was owed $300,000 under the promissory note and demanded a 5% stake in the company. Then Blue filed a financing statement with the New York Secretary of State, asserting an interest in Forthill’s construction equipment and contracts. Entler filed a claim on the McKernans’ Stamford property. Blue also sent letters and lien notices to six general contractors for whom Forthill was working on major projects. Payments that the general contractors owed to Forthill, the letters stated, should be sent to Blue instead. Some of the general contractors withheld payments to Forthill. Forthill was unable to meet its weekly payroll, cover its monthly insurance, pay suppliers and make loan payments to Dime. Employees were laid off. Projects were delayed. Forthill was unable to win bids on new projects. “The upshot,” McKernan said in a court declaration, “was a snowballing breakdown
Attorneys at Law
Westchester 914.476.0600
New York City 212.688.2400
Long Island 516.207.7533
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CONTRIBUTING WRITER | By Norman Grill
A
Claiming an elderly dependent on your tax filing
re you taking care of an elderly parent or relative? Whether it’s driving to doctor appointments, paying for nursing home care or medical expenses, or handling their personal finances, dealing with an elderly parent or relative can be emotionally and financially draining, especially when you are taking care of your own family as well. Fortunately, there is some good news. You may be able to claim your elderly relative as a dependent at tax time, as long as you meet certain criteria. Here’s what you should know:
WHO QUALIFIES AS A DEPENDENT?
The IRS defines a dependent as a qualifying child or relative. A qualifying relative can be your mother, father, grandparent, stepmother,
stepfather, mother-in-law or father-in-law, for example, and can be any age. There are four tests that must be met in order for a person to be your qualifying relative, including not a qualifying child test; member of household or relationship test; gross income test; and support test.
NOT A QUALIFYING CHILD
Your parent (or relative) cannot be claimed as a qualifying child on anyone else’s tax return.
RESIDENCY
He or she must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. resident alien, U.S. national or a resident of Canada or Mexico. However, a parent or relative doesn’t have to live with you in order to qualify as a dependent. If your qualifying parent or relative does live with you, you may be able to deduct a percentage of your mortgage, utilities and other
expenses when you figure out the amount of money you contribute to his or her support.
You must provide more than half of a parent’s total support for the year such as costs for food, housing, medical care, transportation and other necessities.
dent care credit if you paid work-related expenses for the care of a qualifying individual. The credit is generally a percentage of the amount of work-related expenses you paid to a care provider for the care of a qualifying individual. The percentage depends on your adjusted gross income. Work-related expenses qualifying for the credit are those paid for the care of a qualifying individual to enable you to work or actively look for work. Also, expenses you paid for the care of a disabled dependent may also qualify for a medical deduction. If this is the case, you must choose to take either the itemized deduction or the dependent care credit. You cannot take both.
CLAIMING THE DEPENDENT CARE CREDIT
CLAIMING THE MEDICAL DEDUCTION
INCOME
To qualify as a dependent, income cannot exceed the personal exemption amount, which in 2019 was $4,200 ($4,300 in 2020). In addition, your parent or relative, if married, cannot file a joint tax return with his or her spouse unless that joint return is filed only to claim a refund of withheld income tax or estimated tax paid.
SUPPORT
You may be able to claim the child and depen-
If you claim the deduction for medical expenses,
you still must provide more than half your parent’s support. However, your parent doesn’t have to meet the income test. The deduction is limited to medical expenses that exceed 7.5% and you can include your own unreimbursed medical expenses when calculating the total amount. Any medical expenses you paid on behalf of your parent are counted toward the 7.5% figure. Food or other amenities, however, are not considered medical expenses.
WHAT IF YOU SHARE CAREGIVING RESPONSIBILITIES?
If you share caregiving responsibilities with a sibling or other relative, only one of you — the one proving more than 50% of the support — can claim the dependent. Be sure to discuss who is going to claim the dependent in advance
to avoid running into trouble with the IRS if both of you claim the dependent on your respective tax returns. Sometimes neither caregiver pays more than 50%. In that case, you’ll need to fill out IRS Form 2120, Multiple Support Declaration, as long as you and your sibling both provide at least 10% of the support toward taking care of your parent. This column is not intended as advice. Tax rules for claiming an elderly parent or relative as a dependent are complex so consider seeking the advice of a tax professional. Norm Grill, CPA (N.Grill@GRILL1. com) is managing partner of Grill & Partners, LLC, certified public accountants and consultants to closely held companies and high-networth individuals with offices in Fairfield and Darien. He can be reached at 203254-3880.
IT’S A NEW WORLD AND NOW, MORE THAN EVER, YOU NEED TRUTHFUL NEWS. As your longtime source for business news, the Westchester and Fairfield County Business Journals have expanded their coverage to keep you up-to-date on COVID-19. Don’t miss out on breaking news about the virus, as well as the latest on local businesses, real estate, the courts and more. Subscribe at westfaironline.com.
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LAW AND ACCOUNTING FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL
CONTRIBUTING WRITER | By Gerald Stoll
O
n June 19, a company that provides software for assisted living communities, group homes and other organizations serving elderly or disabled individuals announced a data breach potentially impacting almost 60 facilities throughout Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri and Tennessee. This was one instance in an alarming trend as April was the worst month on record for health care data breaches. Virtually every business relies on a network to conduct its daily operations, making cyber liability a concern for all businesses. However, data breaches in the health care industry are especially complex and troublesome, mainly due to the sensitive
Health care data breaches: a costly risk exposure on the rise information at stake and various regulations. Patient medical records that contain a name, address, Social Security number and medical identity are quickly sold on the black market. In some cases, stolen medical records may go undetected for years, partially due to a lack of rigorous security systems and monitoring. In addition, medical records can be sold to the uninsured, used to obtain medical supplies or leveraged to submit fraudulent charges. Factors such as these have contributed significantly to health care’s rising data breach costs. In their 2018 Cost of a Data Breach Report, IBM and the Ponemon Institute found that a health care data breach costs on average $408 per record, which is by far the highest of any
industry for the eighth straight year. The study also reports that the global average cost of a data breach continues to rise in general, increasing 6.4% from the previous year to $3.86 million. As the frequency and cost of health care data breaches continue to rise, the following key lessons and best practices can be applied for all health care organizations:
INVEST IN PRIVACY AND DATA SECURITY
Know where your data resides, control who has access to your data and take steps to protect it.
COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS IS NOT ENOUGH
Meeting health care compliance deadlines
should not be your only aim. Organizational policies and procedures should be nimble enough to adjust to changing security technologies.
SECURITY TECHNOLOGY IS NOT FOOLPROOF
Robust technology is only the start of securing patient records and data. Employee awareness training can help combat various cyber exposures such as phishing.
PROPER INSURANCE PROTECTION IS A MUST
The basic elements of a cyber liability insurance policy can typically include coverage for the following: • Forensic expense. • Legal expense. • Notification expense.
• Regulatory fines and penalties. • Credit monitoring and ID theft repair. • Public relations expenses. • Liability and defense costs. Crime insurance policies can cover fraudulent fund transfers associated with email phishing or social engineering, which is the latest human-based fraud being used to steal from companies. An investment of resources is necessary to understand your vulnerabilities. All organizations should assess their people, processes and technology to identify possible exposures where a compromise of data security could occur and take immediate steps to correct them. Having a knowledgeable insurance special-
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ist walk you through the exposures and properly address them with the right insurance coverage options will ensure your balance sheet is protected and assist in mitigating the event when it occurs. Gerald Stoll serves as vice president with the Healthcare Division of HUB International Northeast, a global insurance brokerage. Stoll specializes in developing comprehensive insurance and risk management solutions for the long-term health care industry and was recognized as a Power Broker award winner for the health care sector by Risk & Insurance magazine in 2018. He can be reached at 212-338-2282 or gerald.stoll@hubinternational.com.
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Good Things | Some events may be postponed or canceled. Confirm all dates and times. STATE PROGRAM HELPS DEMENTIA VICTIM STAY HOME
TWENTY TWENTY
Gigi Torres is being paid to be a caregiver for her husband’s grandmother because she qualifies for the Connecticut Adult Family Living (AFL) program. Torres is supported by Assisted Living Services Inc. (ALS) in Cheshire, a credentialed provider of the program. ALS provides Torres and other caregivers with the tools needed to be comfortable and successful at caregiving.
NEW MEMBERS AT BRBC The Bridgeport Regional Business Council (BRBC) and its Chamber of Commerce affiliates in Bridgeport, Stratford and Trumbull welcomed five new member investors during February. The new members include Amazon and Julian Realty LLC of Stratford; Dariusz Terepka Photography of Fairfield; First County Bank and Woofgang & Co., both in Bridgeport. For further information about The Bridgeport Regional Business Council and any of these businesses, visit brbc.org or call 203-335-3800.
ConnectiCare, one of the region’s health plans, shared its response program to educate and assist its members regarding efforts to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus disease. The company will waive copays and cost sharing for COVID-19 testing for patients who meet CDC testing guidelines. ConnectiCare will also cover 90-day supplies of many prescription drugs for its members. ConnectiCare will suspend group classes at its ConnectiCare centers while it continues to closely monitor the latest clinical guidance on COVID-19. ConnectiCare centers will remain open and still welcome individual guests seeking assistance. More information is available at connecticare.com.
Information for these features has been submitted by the subjects or their delegates.
MARCH 23, 2020
Twenty Twenty is an exhibition of works on paper rolled out sequentially over the course of six months during the 2020 election season that gives a platform to seven artists who make drawings based on photographic imagery. The exhibition asks the question can a
‘slow’ museum exhibition actively participate in democracy amidst the cacophony of tweets and abbreviated news app headlines via a medium that moves no faster than the speed of a human hand pushing a pencil? Twenty Twenty will be on view at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum at 258
Main St. in Ridgefield June 14 to Jan. 3. Artists participating in the exhibition include Marti Cormand, Oasa DuVerney, Judith Eisler, Andy Mister, William Powhida, Gil Scullion and Diana Shpungin. The artists will be adding works to the exhibition in mid-September and early December.
EMERGING LEADERS OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY GATHER FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
CONNECTICARE HELPS REDUCE POTENTIAL COVID-19 VIRUS SPREAD
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NEW EMPLOYMENT SERVICES FOR VETERANS
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The WorkPlace in Bridgeport has launched a program to assist veterans with employment called Platform to Employment (P2E) for Veterans, which is designed to reconnect unemployed veterans with the workforce in Connecticut. P2E offers a variety of support services and access to career-related tools, best practices, behavioral health services and other resources to strengthen skills in order to secure employment. There is no cost to participate and 100% of participants in the program will be veterans. The program includes five weeks of career development training, a dedicated support team with career counselors and employer relation specialists. For more information, or to apply for the program, veterans should visit platformtoemployment.com or workplace.org or call 203-610-8516.
WEALTH MANAGEMENT INNOVATOR JOINS ESSEX FINANCIAL
From left: Scott Greaves (indeed), Lindsay Oppedisano (Hotel Zero Degrees Norwalk), Kristina Galligan (Quinnipiac University), Marvin Louis (The Business Council of Fairfield County) and Jeff Jecrois (indeed).
Hotel Zero Degrees in Norwalk partnered with The Business Council of Fairfield County to host a panel discussion at the hotel on Professional Development
for The Emerging Leaders of Fairfield County, an initiative of the Council. The Emerging Leaders is a peerbased organization of early-career
professionals who work and/or live in Fairfield County. This panel presentation is a part of a year-long series of events.
Essex Financial Services Inc. (EFS) announced the appointment of Steve Gresham to its board of directors. Gresham joins the board as an independent director with a deep understanding of the financial services industry and a 35-year history of growing client assets. Gresham was executive vice president and head of the private client group at Fidelity Investments. He joined Fidelity in October 2008 after seven years helping to lead the turnaround of The Phoenix Companies and its successful asset management spinoff, Virtus Investment Partners. Essex Financial is one of the largest registered investment advisory firms in Connecticut with more than $2.7 billion in assets under management or administration.
NEW LIFE WITH COLOR FOR OLD FURNISHINGS
KEY@WORK RELATIONSHIP MANAGER AT KEY BANK Sarah Camacho has joined Key Bank as Key@Work relationship manager, a role in which she will help business banking and middle-market clients in Rockland and Westchester counties in New York, and Fairfield County, guide their employees toward achieving financial wellness through the Key@Work program. A comprehensive, no-cost employee financial wellness program, Key@Work provides workplace-based educational sessions, one-on-one financial counseling and discounted banking services customized to employees’ needs. Camacho spent 10 years in a similar role in the Wells Fargo At Work program. She began her career in sales and management in the shipping industry with FedEx and UPS.
Nicole Perez, left, and Debra Germain of Maison St. Germain.
Maison St. Germain owners Nicole Perez and Debra Germain demonstrated colorful furniture painting at the free do-it-yourself (DIY) session held at Housatonic Habitat ReStore in
MEDIA FIRM ADDS TO ITS ROSTER
Danbury. The team created a one-of-a-kind accent piece for a room by applying Fusion Paint chalk painting techniques to furniture purchased at the ReStore.
For more information about Maison St. Germain, see: maisonstgermain.com. Look for future DIY workshops and other events at facebook. com/danburyrestore/.
SIOP’S LIFETIME PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
CT HUMANITIES AWARDS LMMM A $20,000 Public Presentation Grant has been awarded to the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum at 295 West Ave. in Norwalk, by Connecticut Humanities in support of the implementation of a new exhibition titled “Health, Healing & Addiction in 19th Century America.” On March 6, state Senator Bob Duff joined LMMM Chairman of the Board Patsy Brescia and LMMM Executive Director Susan Gilgore to accept the check from CT Humanities’ Scott Wands, manager of grants and programs. The exhibition, curated by Kathleen Motes Bennewitz, will explore what history can teach us about the medical legacy of the Civil War, Germ Theory, technology and the extraordinary breakthroughs that transformed the medical establishment leading to the birth of modern medicine.
Kelly Kreho
Shaun McKenna joined BCM Media in Darien as senior vice president, new business development. His career has spanned more than 20 years selling and leading teams at major media companies such as The New York Times, Tribune Media Net, Adcentricity and EYE Corp. Kelly Kreho joins the firm as social media/content director. Her five-year career has spanned a variety of disciplines from shopper, brand, digital and internal communications.
John C. Scott, Ph.D.
John C. Scott, Ph.D., a founding partner of APTMetrics in Darien, has been honored with the Distinguished Professional Contributions Award from the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP). Scott has provided consulting services to a wide range of organizations with a focus on delivering innovative, evidence-based solutions for complex HR challenges. The award is given in recognition of a lifetime of outstanding contributions to the practice of industrial and organizational (I-O) psychology.
BRIDGEPORT’S FIRST ANNUAL BOOK FEST U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy announced the launch of Bridgeport’s first annual Book Fest — a partnership between the senator, Read to Grow, RJ Julia Booksellers, the city of Bridgeport and the University of Bridgeport (UB). The Bridgeport Book Fest has a goal of providing children with free books for summer reading and to benefit the entire region with a full day of family fun on the UB campus. According to the Department of Education, 60% of children from Bridgeport’s more impoverished families do not own a single book. The Bridgeport Book Fest aims to purchase 7,500 new books for PK through third grade students and supply 25 new books to each school library. On May 29 from 7 to 9 p.m., a Book Fest kick-off party and Poetry Jam will take place at Bridgeport’s Downtown Cabaret Theatre, and on Saturday, May 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Family Fun Day will take place on the University of Bridgeport campus. The Bridgeport Book Festival is underwritten by numerous sponsors and donors, including Pitney Bowes, Bigelow Tea, AQR Capital Management, Eversource, Bankwell, Newman’s Own, Nestle Waters and Southwest Community Health Center.
STAMFORD’S ‘POLLINATOR PATHWAY’ INITIATIVE KICKOFF Stamford joins the area’s “Pollinator Pathway” movement April 1, with an event at the Harry Bennett Branch of The Ferguson Library at 115 Vine Road, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The free event is meant to engage residents in the effort to protect and preserve the environment by creating pollinator-friendly habitats throughout the city. Featured at the event will be illustrated talks geared to showing how easy it can be to attract and protect the birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife that enliven surroundings while providing their crucial service, carrying life-giving pollen from plant to plant. Speakers will include Louise Washer, Norwalk River Watershed Association president and founding member of the Connecticut Pollinator Pathway; Andrew Chapin, land steward, Greenwich Audubon; and Victor DeMasi, curatorial affiliate of the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History. The event is sponsored by The Ferguson Library and Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens.
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Fairfield County
DOCTORS of DISTINCTION
Saluting those who go beyond the diagnosis
2020
DEADLINE: April 10 • NOMINATE AT: westfaironline.com/events
RECOGNIZING COMPASSIONATE CARE
Celebrating extraordinary health care providers who go above and beyond, to provide top-quality care and service to patients in the Fairfield County area.
AWARDS EVENT: May 21
AWARD CATEGORIES: All In The Family No Land Too Far Cutting Edge Caring For All Female Trailblazer Promise For The Future • Lifetime Achievement • • • • • •
Urgent Care Center Team Support Staff Power Couple Biomedical Breakthrough • Health Executive Of The Year • • • • •
WestfairOnline For event information, contact: Olivia D'Amelio at odamelio@westfairinc.com. For sponsorship inquiries, contact: Marcia Pflug at mpflug@wfpromote.com or 203-733-4545.
PRESENTED BY:
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BRONZE SPONSOR:
Facts & Figures BUILDING PERMITS Commercial Alpet Building & Remodeling LLC, Bronx, New York, contractor for Israel Englander. Build two single-family dwellings at 25 Pear Lane, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $2,100,000. Filed January 2020. AMEC Carting LLC Norwalk, contractor for 20 Dewart LLC. Demolish single-family dwelling at 20 Dewart Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $20,100. Filed December 2019. Antonelli, John E., Stamford, contractor for Robert F. Bryan T. Remove old roof and re-roof 295 Taconic Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $345,587. Filed December 2019. Connecticut Greenhouse Co., Middlefield, contractor for Jaideep and Rachel Khanna. Construct a small greenhouse at 163 John St., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $30,000. Filed December 2019. Duffy Craftsmen Inc., Greenwich, contractor for John P. Duffy and Rachel Duffy. Renovate master bedroom and add laundry room at 24 Burning Tree Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $85,000. Filed January 2020. Gesualdi Construction, Stamford, contractor for Grencom Associates. Perform replacement alterations at 1445 E. Putnam Ave., Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $25,000. Filed January 2020. Goldberg, Arnold, Woodbridge, contractor for Mill Post Realty LLC. Perform replacement alterations at 130 E. Putnam Ave., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $150,000. Filed December 2019. Greenwich Country Club, Greenwich, contractor for Greenwich Country Club. Erect tennis dome over tennis courts at 19 Doubling Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $6,000. Filed January 2020. Items appearing in the Fairfield County Business Journal’s On The Record section are compiled from various sources, including public records made available to the media by federal, state and municipal agencies and the court system. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this information, no liability is assumed for errors or omissions. In the case of legal action, the records cited are open to public scrutiny and should be inspected before any action is taken. Questions and comments regarding this section should be directed to: Bob Rozycki c/o Westfair Communications Inc. 701 Westchester Ave, Suite 100 J White Plains, N.Y. 10604-3407 Phone: 694-3600 • Fax: 694-3699
JCM Services Inc., Stamford, contractor for John M. Merrill. Perform replacement alterations at 18 Binney Lane, Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $3,000. Filed December 2019. MMR Constructors Inc., Stamford, contractor for Julian and Kathy Markby. Renovate kitchen at 633 Steamboat Road, Unit 2, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $80,000. Filed January 2020. RD Contractors LLC, Stamford, contractor for Richard Taylor and Kate Taylow. Support beam in new open kitchen at 98 Prospect St., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $8,000. Filed January 2020. Relations Construction LLC, Norwalk, contractor for Vincent Pastore and Anna Pastore. Build master bedroom addition, new front porch and new master bathroom at 23 Dandy Drive, Cos Cob. Estimated cost: $170,000. Filed January 2020. Town of Greenwich Parks & Recreation, Greenwich, contractor for the town of Greenwich Parks & Recreation. Prepare for private party at 90 Harding Road, Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $1,000, Filed December 2019.
ON THE RECORD
Connecticut Gutter LLC, Fairfield, contractor for Steven V. Pugliese. Repair roof, wall and floor framing and repair wires from water damage at 87 Pemberwick Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $20,000. Filed December 2019.
Manongsong, Domingo, Greenwich, contractor for James Y. Lee. Remodel kitchen and bathroom at 48 Dandy Drive, Cos Cob. Estimated cost: $50,000. Filed December 2019.
Franzoso Contracting Inc., Hudson, New York, contractor for Orlando Tordo. Remove old roof and re-roof 31 Hassake Road, Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $21,270. Filed December 2019.
Merrill, John M. and Maria F. W. Merrill, Old Greenwich, contractor for John M. Merrill. Construct spa and safety barrier at 18 Binney Lane, Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $25,000. Filed January 2020.
Frattaroli Development Group, Greenwich, contractor for James M. Tuite and Carol A. Tuite. Alter kitchen at 14 Hickory Drive, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $27,000. Filed January 2020.
O’Brien, Kevin C., Cos Cob, contractor for Kevin C. O’Brien. Renovate kitchen cabinets and mud room at 52 Dandy Drive, Cos Cob. Estimated cost: $30,000. Filed December 2019.
Guiracocha, Jorge, Port Chester, New York, contractor for Anne Pollard. Renovate master suite and upstairs bedroom at 25 Game Cock Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $245,384. Filed December 2019.
Olh, Christopher P., Greenwich, contractor for Christopher P. Olh. Remodel kitchen at 69 Londonberry Drive, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $5,000. Filed December 2019.
H&J Roofing LLC, Norwalk, contractor for Vydyanathan Amaresh. Re-roof 63 Lockwood Road, Riverside. Estimated cost: $10,000. Filed January 2020.
Pisacano, Anthony M., Bronx, New York, contractor for Anthony Pisacano. Expand kitchen and alter attic over garage at 77 Sherwood Ave., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $200,000. Filed January 2020.
TWP Home LLC, Stamford, contractor for Carolyne Ascher. Replace vinyl windows at 117 Putnam Park, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $7,430. Filed January 2020.
John Desmond Builders Inc., Southport, contractor for Brendan and Katelyn Dyson. Renovate kitchen, shower and laundry plumbing at 584 Lake Ave., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $100,000. Filed December 2019.
Water’s Edge Swimming Pools, Stamford, contractor for 297 Lake Avenue LLC. Construct swimming pool and safety barrier at 297 Lake Ave., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $75,000. Filed January 2020.
Lim, Henry, Old Greenwich, contractor for Henry Lim. Renovate attic, bedroom, bathroom and replace windows and siding at 15 Serenity Lane, Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $200,000. Filed December 2019.
Quaranta, David C. and Jeanne Quaranta, Cos Cob, contractor for David C. Quaranta. Perform replacement alterations at 29 Cross Lane, Cos Cob. Estimated cost: $7,000. Filed December 2019.
Residential
Lim, Henry, Old Greenwich, contractor for Henry Lim. Fill pool and remove equipment at 33 Hillcrest Park Road, Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $3,500. Filed January 2020.
Risol, Daniel, Cos Cob, contractor for Neal Myerberg. Build foundation at 179 Shore Road, Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $24,450. Filed January 2020.
Longo, Philip, Stamford, contractor for Susan J. Riefler. Renovate kitchen, bathrooms and replace interior doors at 636 Steamboat Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $96,000. Filed December 2019.
Sacripanti, Steven, Hawthorne, New York, contractor for Justin and Erica Coltun. Remove and replace kitchen, master bath, guest bath and finish floors at 23 Stoney Ridge Lane, Riverside. Estimated cost: $204,645. Filed December 2019.
Lyn Peterson Design Inc., Mamaroneck, New York, contractor for Horseneck Property LLC. General renovation at 24 Maher Ave., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $175,000. Filed January 2020.
Sound Beach Partners LLC, Stamford, contractor for Josh Rosen and Yael Rosen. Repair seawall at 20 E. Point Lane, Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $25,000. Filed January 2020.
Manca, Keith J., Newtown, contractor for Ross Diana, trustee. Repair water damage at 65 Meadow Wood Drive, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $85,000. Filed December 2019.
White Birch Builders LLC, Greenwich, contractor for Annette Lester. Renovate attic, bedroom and bathroom at 29 Evergreen Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $56,000. Filed December 2019.
Allen, John T. and Jeen Allen, Old Greenwich, contractor for John T. and Jenn Allen. Add closet, bathroom, new framing and roof for addition at 69 Hillcrest Park Road, Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $60,000. Filed December 2019. Bowers, Lana, Greenwich, contractor for Lana Bowers. Renovate bathroom with new tiles, tub and toilet at 20 Highland Place, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $10,000. Filed January 2020. Croke Patrick M. Architect, Katonah, New York, contractor for Mr. and Mrs. Adel Abadir. Renovate kitchen cabinets, convert second kitchen to laundry at 630 Steamboat Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $100,000. Filed January 2020.
Precise Construction Contracting, Bronx, New York, contractor for Andrew Weinberg. Construct attached garage at 37 Baldwin Farm North, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $100,000. Filed December 2019.
COURT CASES Bridgeport Superior Court Holt, Dustin, et al, Monroe. Filed by Tony Chang, Ansonia. Plaintiff’s attorney: Skiber Michael E. Law Office, Norwalk. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendants and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FBTCV-20-6094352-S. Filed Feb. 13. Roberts, Alpheus, Bridgeport. Filed by Rashonea Avery, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: The Flood Law Firm LLC, Middletown. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendant and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FBT-CV-20-6093836-S. Filed Jan. 27. Rombout, Bernard, Weston. Filed by Brian Hepp, Fairfield. Plaintiff’s attorney: Cohen & Wolf PC, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendant and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FBT-CV-206093957-S. Filed Jan. 29. Shelbourne Lafayette LLC, et al, Bridgeport. Filed by Milagros Deleon, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Antignani & Maresca, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff was lawfully in the defendants’ premises when she tripped and fell after the elevator stopped three inches above the first-floor level. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FBT-CV-206093798-S. Filed Jan. 27.
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Walmart Inc., Bentonville, Arizona. Filed by Kiyesha Lockhart, Stratford. Plaintiff’s attorney: Robert Alan Photos, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff was lawfully in the defendant’s premises when she fell due to the accumulation of ice, thereby causing her to suffer injuries. The defendant failed to maintain the walking surface in safe conditions. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FBT-CV-206094142-S. Filed Feb. 4.
Danbury Superior Court ACF Properties LLC, et al, Danbury. Filed by Fairview Condominium Association Inc., Danbury. Plaintiff’s attorney: Collins Hannafin PC, Danbury. Action: The plaintiff provides assessment of common charges for the condominium. The defendants have failed to provide payments. The plaintiff claims foreclosure of their lien, possession of the premises and monetary damages less than $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs. Case no. DBD-CV-206035142-S. Filed Jan. 23. Nuvance Health Inc., et al, LaGrangeville, New York. Filed by Lesbia C. Guerra Miranda, Danbury. Plaintiff’s attorney: Berkowitz And Hanna LLC, Shelton. Action: The plaintiff was improperly discharged from the defendants’ hospital despite failing signs/ symptoms and failing to diagnose the plaintiff’s vertebral dissection. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. DBD-CV-20-6035098-S. Filed Jan. 21. Peters Jr., Thomas A., et al, New Milford. Filed by JSL Funding Group LLC, Spokane, Washington. Plaintiff’s attorney: Bendett & McHugh PC, Farmington. Action: The plaintiff was assigned the defendants’ mortgage, upon which defendants defaulted and have failed to pay the plaintiff the amount due. The plaintiff claims foreclosure of the mortgage, possession of the mortgage premises, monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. DBD-CV-206034750-S. Filed Dec. 18.
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Facts & Figures Tartaglia, Donna M., et al, Pawling, New York. Filed by Richard Leary, New Fairfield. Plaintiff’s attorney: Miller Rosnick D’Amico August & Butler P., Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff was a pedestrian and suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendants’ car and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. DBD-CV-20-6035407-S. Filed Feb. 18. Young, Laura, Brookfield. Filed by American Express National Bank, Sandy, Utah. Plaintiff’s attorney: Zwicker and Associates PC, Enfield. Action: The plaintiff is a banking association from which the defendant was issued a credit account and agreed to make payments for goods and services. The defendant failed to make payments. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages less than $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs. Case no. DBD-CV-20-6035327-S. Filed Feb. 10.
Stamford Superior Court Cahill, Douglas M., et al, Norwalk. Filed by Sterling National Bank, Mineola, New York. Plaintiff’s attorney: Jackson Law Group Connecticut LLC, Shelton. Action: The plaintiff was assigned the defendants’ note. The defendants defaulted on the terms of the agreement and have failed to pay the plaintiff the amount due. The plaintiff claims foreclosure of the mortgage, possession of the mortgage premises, monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FST-CV-20-6045075-S. Filed Dec. 30. Franze, Silveria, Norwalk. Filed by Cavalry SPV I, LLC, Valhalla, New York. Plaintiff’s attorney: Schreiber/Cohen LLC, Salem, New Hampshire. Action: The plaintiff acquired the defendant’s credit debt, but the defendant has failed to make payments or neglected to pay the debt. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages less than $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FST-CV-206045836-S. Filed Feb. 19.
Hafen, Herbert E., New Canaan. Filed by Savings Bank of Danbury, Danbury. Plaintiff’s attorney: Christopher Gerard Winans, Danbury. Action: The plaintiff is owner and holder of defendant’s promissory note. Defendant agreed to pay monthly payments, however the he has failed to pay plaintiff the entire balance of principal and interest due. The plaintiff claims foreclosure and seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FST-CV-206045313-S. Filed Jan. 15. Harlan Stamford LLC, et al, Easton. Filed by Constellation New Energy Inc., Houston, Texas. Plaintiff’s attorney: Joel Marc Jolles, Hamden. Action: The plaintiff provides electrical utility services to the defendants that have neglected and failed to pay despite being billed on a monthly basis. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages less than $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FST-CV-20-6044835-S. Filed Dec. 9. Suhler, Courtney R., et al, New Canaan. Filed by The Bank of New York Mellon, Fairfield. Plaintiff’s attorney: Glass & Braus LLC, Fairfield. Action: The plaintiff is owner and holder of defendants’ promissory note. Defendants agreed to pay monthly payments, however failed to pay the plaintiff the entire balance of principal and interest due. The plaintiff claims foreclosure and seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FST-CV-20-6045102-S. Filed Dec. 31.
DEEDS Commercial 498 Den Road Partners LLC, Lake Success, New York. Seller: US Bank National Association, Salt Lake City, Utah. Property: 498 Den Road, Stamford. Amount: $962,000. Filed Dec. 3. 82-92 Shippan Avenue Extension LLC, Stamford. Seller: TPW Partners LLC, Stamford. Property: 92 Shippan Avenue Extension, Stamford. Amount: $1,610,000. Filed Dec. 9. AAP Builders LLC, Fairfield. Seller: Stephen J. Star and Leslie Star, Fairfield. Property: 270 Colony St., Fairfield. Amount: $430,000. Filed Dec. 20.
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Fath, Nancy Elizabeth, Fairfield. Seller: Joshua D. Samuelson and Louise Samuelsson, Fairfield. Property: 1514 Hillside Road, Fairfield. Amount: $2,550,000. Filed Dec. 20. Haddad Moraes, Davi Marcos and Marcia de Proenca Moraes, Stamford. Seller: RMS Colonial Road LLC, Stamford. Property: 159 Colonial Road, Unit 3, Stamford. Amount: $749,900. Filed Dec. 6. John and Marlene LLC, Shelton. Seller: Engine Smith LLC, Fairfield. Property: 393-401 Kings Highway, Fairfield. Amount: $375,000 Filed Dec. 19. Krishnamurthy, Natarajan and Hyacinth C. Natarajan, Stamford. Seller: SITL Investment Group LLC, New York, New York. Property: 115 Pine Tree Drive, Stamford. Amount: $545,100. Filed Dec. 3.
Votto, John and Brenda Votto, Cheshire. Seller: Annie Georgette Serlin, Fairfield. Property: 161 Cedar Road, Fairfield. Amount: $1,150,000. Filed Dec. 20.
Residential Ahmed, Noor U. and Aisha Khatun, Stamford. Seller: Jamir Uddin and Fatema K. Uddin, Bridgeport. Property: 22 Ann St., Stamford. Amount: $399,000. Filed Dec. 6. Boback, Robert and Joanna Boback, Fairfield. Seller: Joseph H. Klauder and Melissa M. McGow, Fairfield. Property: 76 Lewis Drive, Fairfield. Amount: $450,000. Filed Dec. 17. Cataudella, Scot A. Shelton. Seller: Stephen M. Ruffino, Stamford. Property: 291 Hope St., Unit B1, Stamford. Amount: $260,000. Filed Dec. 2.
Finn, Timothy and Lisa Marie Finn, Stamford. Seller: Jung H. Kim and Sung H. Kim, Stamford. Property: 2435 Bedford St., No. 2A, Stamford. Amount: $457,000. Filed Dec. 2. Gill, Patrick, Stamford. Seller: Malgorzata Pawlak, Stamford. Property: 31 Elmbrook Drive, Stamford. Amount: $500,000. Filed Dec. 6. Gonzalez Velasquez, Andres, and Anabella Munoz, Yonkers, New York. Seller: Francesco Polimeni and Assunta Polimeni. Stamford. Property: 410 High Ridge Road, Stamford. Amount: $575,000. Filed Dec. 3. Graham, Amanda and Peter Davaney-Graham, Fairfield. Seller: Gerard Tavella and Laura Tavella, Fairfield. Property: 214 Adley Road, Fairfield. Amount: $835,000. Filed Dec. 17.
Lamour, Angelique and Jeffrey Lamour, Norwalk. Seller: William G. Christie, Fairfield. Property: 174 Lovers Lane, Fairfield. Amount: $800,000. Filed Dec. 20.
Chapman, Gabriel M. and Danielle Beale, Stamford. Seller: Melissa R. Sauri and Alfred Sauri Jr., Greenwich. Property: 59 Westover Road, Stamford. Amount: $725,000. Filed Dec. 9.
Gupta, Pranav and Jyotsna Lalit Mirchandani, Stamford. Seller: Courtney M. Zeppetella and Rocco L. Zeppetella, New York, New York. Property: 1 Broad St., Unit 14A Stamford. Amount: $500,000. Filed Dec. 4.
Lau Real Estate Acquisitions LLC, Fairfield. Seller: Michele C. Deaso, Fairfield. Property: 193 James St., Fairfield. Amount: $455,000. Filed Dec. 17.
Clos-Versailles, Julien A., Stamford. Seller: Keith H. Kruger and Regina E. Kruger, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. Property: Lot A-2, Map 9841, Stamford. Amount: $580,000. Filed Dec. 2.
Hodgson, Russell and Mona Sachem Hodgson, Stamford. Seller: Carolyn Raab, Stamford. Property: 38 Alma Rock Road, Stamford. Amount: $647,000. Filed Dec. 5.
Cobb, Ryan G. and Shaunacy A. Cobb, High Point, North Carolina. Seller: Briggs Davison, Fairfield. Property: 224 Fallow Field Road, Fairfield. Amount: $700,000. Filed Dec. 18.
Kapusta, Suzanne M., Stamford. Seller: Sally A. Healy, Stamford. Property: 151 Courtland Ave., Unit 6, Stamford. Amount: $203,000. Filed Dec. 3.
Lievano Gomez, Jose Ignacio and Caitlin Lievano, Stamford. Seller: 43 Field Street LLC, Stamford. Property: 43 Field St., Stamford. Amount: $772,500. Filed Dec. 2. O’Halloran, Christine, Stamford. Seller: Wilson Gjuraj and Joycelyn H. Gjuraj, Stamford. Property: 82 Sea Beach Drive, Stamford. Amount: $10. Filed Dec. 6.
Corrales, Silvia, Stamford. Seller: Kenan Liang and Jie Jin, New Canaan. Property: 28 Jay Road, Stamford. Amount: $407,500. Filed Dec. 2.
Ritchie, Eric V. and Nalani Ritchie, Hopewell Junction, New York. Seller: Newbridge International Inc., Stamford. Property: 71 Crestview Ave., Stamford. Amount: $532,000. Filed Dec. 4
Daghouch, Fatia and Khalid El Youssi, Stamford. Seller: Laura S. Brach, Stamford. Property: 57 Bridge St., Stamford. Amount: $405,000. Filed Dec. 5.
The Compass Rose Property Company, Stamford. Seller: Keith L. Cook and Nancy Husted Cook, Silver Spring, Maryland. Property: 92 Hawthorne Drive, Fairfield. Amount: $395,000. Filed Dec. 16.
Davidson, Briggs S. and Moira Davidson, Fairfield. Seller: Cynthia Bradley and William Bradley, Fairfield. Property: 395 Fulling Mill Lane, Fairfield. Amount: $1,150,000. Filed Dec. 18.
Vincent, Lesley and Lauren K. Coakley Vincent, Fairfield. Seller: Janice L. Carpini, Fairfield. Property: 127 Gorham Road, Fairfield. Amount: $575,000. Filed Dec. 20.
Delgado, Guillermo Rafael, et al, Little Neck, New York. Seller: Dustin Shore and Corinne Shore, Stamford. Property: 138 Rocky Rapids Road, Stamford. Amount: $575,000. Filed Dec. 6.
Kasindorf, Jeannie, Stamford. Seller: Betty Portanova, Stamford. Property: 1860 Summer St., Stamford. Amount: $130,000. Filed Dec. 3. Kavanagh, Brian, New Fairfield. Seller: Eugene J. Matejek, Stamford. Property: 127 Greyrock Place, Unit 1407, Stamford. Amount: $255,000. Filed Dec. 5. Kazlouski, Viktar and Maryna Astashka, Stamford. Seller: Jagadeesh Kumar Tanna, Fairfield. Property: 79 Brookside Drive, Fairfield. Amount: $450,000. Filed Dec. 17. Kettig, Scott, Stamford. Seller: John S. Hoyt III, Stamford. Property: 123 Harbor Drive, Unit 102, Stamford. Amount: $543,000. Filed Dec. 9. Kito, Kenneth J. and Jaclyn M. Kito, Stamford. Seller: Walter Michalowski and Matera Michalowski, Stamford. Property: 195 Butternut Lane, Stamford. Amount: $712,500. Filed Dec. 6.
Kundra, Dimal, et al, Stamford. Seller: Leonardo Cardoso, Stamford. Property: 46 Maitland Road, Stamford. Amount: $515,000. Filed Dec. 2. Lira, Ely and Raquel Lira, New Rochelle, New York. Seller: Elizabeth Carpenter, Stamford. Property: 9 Aquila Road, Stamford. Amount: $380,000. Filed Dec. 4. Logan Marlon and Rayanna Michelle Logan, Stamford. Seller: Lottie Barlow, Stamford. Property: 32 Maplewood Place, Stamford. Amount: $430,000. Filed Dec. 3. Lui, Monica, Little Neck, New York. Seller: Cynthia Lopez, Stamford. Property: 44 Strawberry Hill Ave., No. 2G, Stamford. Amount: $192,000. Filed Dec. 5. McGuinness, Maggie and Benjamin M. Hoeft, Stamford. Seller: Patrick M. Gallagher and Shannon M. Gallagher, Stamford. Property: 202 Soundview Ave., Unit 5C, Stamford. Amount: $320,000. Filed Dec. 6. Mehta, Shikha, Stamford. Seller: Rita Bogdan and Julius Bogdan, Stamford. Property: 444 Bedford St., Unit 3M, Stamford. Amount: $100,000. Filed Dec. 2. Reif, Robert and Catherine Lynn Conners, New Fairfield. Seller: Steven Zeide, Stamford. Property: 25 Forest St., Unit 8A, Stamford. Amount: $360,000. Filed Dec. 3. Reyes, Natali and Samuel Hyland, Stamford. Seller: John Wilder Jr. and Carolyn A. Dodson-Wilder, Stamford. Property: 85 Toms Road, Stamford. Amount: $527,000. Filed Dec. 4. Robustelli, Richard A., Stamford. Seller: Richard A. Robustelli, Stamford. Property: 180 Turn of River Road, Unit 5B, Stamford. Amount: $0. Filed Dec. 4. Screnci, Michael and Laura Cicerale, Queens, New York. Seller: Renuka Kumar and Vijay Kumar, Stamford. Property: 150 Brook Run Lane, Stamford. Amount: $527,000. Filed Dec. 6. Septimus, Alan J., Bedford, New York. Seller: Shelia L. Plaisance, Stamford. Property: 60 Mill Road, Stamford. Amount: $545,000. Filed Dec. 6. Stalbow, Teddy S. and Brian T. Stalbow, Stamford. Seller: QI Dai and Wei Tang, Norwalk. Property: Lot 55, Map 11583, Stamford. Amount: $693,000. Filed Dec. 9.
Facts & Figures Summa, Matthew and Lauren Sica-Summa, Stamford. Seller: Michael Pirlo and Diana Addino, Stamford. Property: 71 Strawberry Hill Ave., Unit 314, Stamford. Amount: $213,000. Filed Dec. 4.
Kabatilo, Samer, et al. Creditor: JPMorgan Chase Bank National Association, Columbus, Ohio. Property: 156 Columbia St., Bridgeport. Mortgage default. Filed March 6.
Torre, Christina, Stamford. Seller: Michael P. Burke, Stamford. Property: 19 Woodway Road, Unit 25, Stamford. Amount: $330,000 Filed Dec. 3.
Reale, Daniel, et al. Creditor: MTGLQ Investors LP, Greenville, South Carolina. Property: 609 Ameridge Drive, Bridgeport. Mortgage default. Filed March 10.
Van Alstyne, Ryan, Stamford. Seller: Marc A. Caputo, Stamford. Property: 73 Highland Road, Unit 73, Stamford. Amount: $430,000. Filed Dec. 4.
Rodriguez, Oscar R., Creditor: PHH Mortgage Corp., Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Property: 80 East Ave., Bridgeport. Mortgage default. Filed Feb. 26.
Villacis, Daniel Alexander and Gabriela Fernanda Villacis, Stamford. Seller: Jay W. Vincent and Leslie Vincent, Naples, Florida. Property: 438 Hunting Ridge Road, Stamford. Amount: $484,000. Filed Dec. 4.
Spears, Davida. Creditor: Webster Bank National Association, Waterbury. Property: 174 Woodrow Ave., Bridgeport. Mortgage default. Filed March 10.
Yang, Huaibo and Yunhua Liu, Fairfield. Seller: David A. Teggart, Northborough, Massachusetts. Property: 180 Colonial Road, Unit A3, Stamford. Amount: $315,000. Filed Dec. 3. Zhang, He and Christopher D. Schwanke, Stamford. Seller: Ryan C. Narcum, Stamford. Property: 28 Brooklawn Ave., Stamford. Amount: $486,000. Filed Dec.10.
FORECLOSURES Carrasquillo, Alejandro, et al. Creditor: Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, Albert Lea, Minnesota. Property: 5 Nob Hill Circle, Bridgeport. Mortgage default. Filed Feb. 25. Badjan, Rene, et al. Creditor: Christiana Trust, Houston, Texas, Property: 49 Hughes Ave., Bridgeport. Mortgage default. Filed March 4. Dawkins, Jennifer, et al. Creditor: Nationstar Mortgage LLC, Coppell, Texas. Property: 693 Ameridge Drive, Bridgeport. Mortgage default. Filed March 9.
Urizar-Contreras, Alicia J., et al. Creditor: Midfirst Bank, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Property: 1184 Park Ave., Bridgeport. Mortgage default. Filed Feb. 26. Williams, Terri B., et al. Creditor: US Bank National Association, Coppell, Texas. Property: 181 Harlem Ave., Bridgeport. Mortgage default. Filed March 2.
Crispino, Kyle A., Fairfield. $1,913, in favor of Unifund Corp., Cincinnati, Ohio, by Tobin & Marohn, Meriden. Property: 87 Rena Place, Fairfield. Filed Dec. 16. DeJesus, Jose L. Bridgeport. $1,938, in favor of Capital One Bank, Richmond, Virginia, by London & London, Newington. Property: 39 Cloverhill Ave., Bridgeport. Filed Feb. 24. Derosier, Rose, Fairfield. $806, in favor of Connecticut Bail Bonds Group LLC, Hartford, by The Law Office of Melissa L. Simonik LLC, Bristol. Property: 892 Stillson Road, Fairfield. Filed Dec. 23. Hodge, Benjamin, Bridgeport. $2,008, in favor of Capital One Bank, Richmond, Virginia, by London & London, Newington. Property: 126 Palm St., Bridgeport. Filed Feb. 24. Innis, Herman, Bridgeport. $3,382, in favor of The United Illuminating Company, New Haven, by Nair & Levin PC, Bloomfield. Property: 751 Sylvan Ave., Bridgeport. Filed Feb. 27.
JUDGMENTS
Jack, Karin, Fairfield. $28,378, in favor of Americas Express National Bank, Salt Lake City, Utah, by Zwicker & Associates PC, Enfield. Property: 1155 Sasco Hill Road, Fairfield. Filed Nov. 26.
Abou-Assi, Synthia, Bridgeport. $2,436, in favor of The United Illuminating Company, New Haven, by Nair & Levin PC, Bloomfield. Property: 328 East Ave., Bridgeport. Filed Feb. 25.
Jean, Felix M., Bridgeport. $1,918, in favor of Capital One Bank, Richmond, Virginia, by London & London, Newington. Property: 346 Salem St., Bridgeport. Filed Feb. 24.
Acevedo, Jose A., Bridgeport. $2,239, in favor of Capital One Bank, Richmond, Virginia, by London & London, Newington. Property: 389 Huntington Road, Bridgeport. Filed Feb. 24.
Kegler, Tomeka D., Bridgeport. $1,973, in favor of Capital One Bank, Richmond, Virginia, by London & London, Newington. Property: 207 Wilmot Ave., Bridgeport. Filed Feb. 24.
Chrysadakis, John, Fairfield. $157,399, in favor of Fidelity Masonic Temple Association Incorporated, Fairfield, by Rosenberg, Whewell & Hite LLC, Stratford. Property: 43 Vermont Ave., Fairfield. Filed Nov. 26.
Longmuir, Jennifer A., Fairfield. $1,731, in favor of Unifund Corp., Cincinnati, Ohio, by Tobin & Marohn, Meriden. Property: 40 Hawthorne Drive, Fairfield. Filed Jan. 23.
Estate of Guy Manigat, et al. Creditor: The Bank of New York Mellon, Property: 175 Garfield Ave., Bridgeport. Mortgage default. Filed Feb. 26.
Cobo, Angelo Y., Bridgeport. $2,105, in favor of Capital One Bank, Richmond, Virginia, by London & London, Newington. Property: 1521 Chopsey Hill Road, Bridgeport. Filed Feb. 24.
Gaskin-Greene, Milla D., et al. Creditor: US Bank Trust N A, San Diego, California. Property: 16 Magnolia St., Bridgeport. Mortgage default. Filed March 9.
Collazo, Wesley, Bridgeport. $2,019, in favor of Midland Funding LLC, San Diego, California, by London & London, Newington. Property: 516 Indian Ave., Bridgeport. Filed Feb. 24.
Mead, James J., Fairfield. $7,053, in favor of The United Illuminating Company, New Haven, by Nair & Levin PC, Bloomfield. Property: 139 Fairview Ave., Fairfield. Filed Dec. 12. Morales, Luis M., Bridgeport. $2,299, in favor of Capital One Bank, Richmond, Virginia, by London & London, Newington. Property: 819 Noble Ave., Bridgeport. Filed Feb. 24.
Morgan, Jacqueline, Bridgeport. $2,232, in favor of Capital One Bank, Richmond, Virginia, by London & London, Newington. Property: 255 Remington St., Bridgeport. Filed Feb. 24. Neder, Marcell R., Fairfield. $4,118, in favor of Norbert E. Mitchell Company Inc., Danbury, by Philip H. Monagan, Waterbury. Property: 100 Gilbert Highway, Fairfield. Filed Dec. 9. Ramirez, Marisel, Bridgeport. $1,988, in favor of Midland Funding LLC, San Diego, California, by London & London, Newington. Property: 186 Platt St., Bridgeport. Filed Feb. 24. Roman, Elvira I., Bridgeport. $1,905, in favor of Capital One Bank, Richmond, Virginia, by London & London, Newington. Property: 170 Park St., Bridgeport. Filed Feb. 24.
LIENS Federal Tax Liens Filed Balazs, James E. and Ellen Balazs, 18 Starlight Drive, Norwalk. $80,303, civil proceeding tax. Filed Jan. 28. Carranza, Everardo, and Morales Carranza, 3 North Ave., Apartment 3, Norwalk. $26,072, civil proceeding tax. Filed Feb. 10. Cronin, Matthew J., 15 Pine Hill Ave., Norwalk. $10,058, civil proceeding tax. Filed Jan. 28.
Futterman, Laura, 17 Ryan Ave., Unit B, Norwalk. $56,934, civil proceeding tax. Filed Feb. 4. Gomez, Juan F., 45 Maple St., Apartment 2J, Norwalk. $28,442, civil proceeding tax. Filed Feb. 18. Griffin, Chris, 12 Newtown Terrace, Norwalk. $3,881, civil proceeding tax. Filed Jan. 31. Griffin, Chris, 12 Newtown Terrace, Norwalk. $4,105, civil proceeding tax. Filed Feb. 6. Hart, Sandra, 4 1/2 Lawrence St., Norwalk. $3,176, civil proceeding tax. Filed Feb. 3. Howard, Vernon S., 110 Washington St., Apartment U-203, Norwalk. $37,276, civil proceeding tax. Filed Feb. 4. Jean, Marie N., 63 Winding Lane, Norwalk. $12,391, civil proceeding tax. Filed Feb. 10. Johnson, Sandra K., 8 Norden Place, Apt. 364, Norwalk. $109,324, civil proceeding tax. Filed Feb. 19. Lato, Anthony P., P.O. Box 2114, Norwalk. $31,787, civil proceeding tax. Filed Feb. 4. Monahan, Dennis M., 7 Rainbow Road, Norwalk. $8,066, civil proceeding tax. Filed Jan. 31. Ornato, Michael H. and Marcia A. Ornato, 20 Red Oak Lane, Norwalk. $13,396, civil proceeding tax. Filed Jan. 28. Sabino, Joseph, 91 Soundview Ave., Norwalk. $27,121, civil proceeding tax. Filed Feb. 14.
Elvir, Marlon, 120 S. Main St., Apt. 3, Norwalk. $32,017, civil proceeding tax. Filed Feb. 3.
Solerti, Roberto and Gloria Correa-Solerti, 49 Olmstead Place, Norwalk. $7,646, civil proceeding tax. Filed Feb. 24.
Fallon, Wesley E. and Karen L. Fallon, 34 Mohawk Drive, Norwalk. $13,279, civil proceeding tax. Filed Feb. 18.
Stone Farm 1994 Trail, 29 Oakwood Ave., Norwalk. $1,852,526, civil proceeding tax. Filed Feb. 18.
Fedor Auto Body Works Inc., 32 Woodward Ave., Norwalk. $27,106, civil proceeding tax. Filed Feb. 18. Fedor, Allen D. and Andrea S. Arndt, 8 Thistle Cottage, Norwalk. $7,206, civil proceeding tax. Filed Feb. 18.
Virgulak, Judi, 27 Fox Run Road, Norwalk. $44,126, civil proceeding tax. Filed Feb. 18. Virgulak, Robert J., 16 River St., Norwalk. $56,634, civil proceeding tax. Filed Feb. 3. Viscardi, Steven and Julie Viscardi, 15 Orchard Hill Road, Norwalk. $194,384, civil proceeding tax. Filed Feb. 3.
FCBJ
Mechanic’s Liens Norwalk Land Development LLC, Norwalk. Filed by Schacht Mill Works Inc., Lafayette, Colorado, by Todd Palmer. Property: 100 N. Water St., Norwalk. Amount: $25,575. Filed Dec. 10. Norwalk Land Development LLC, Norwalk. Filed by Western Oilfields Supply Co., Bakersfield, California, by Tim Bastian. Property: 100 N. Water St., Norwalk. Amount: $127,982. Filed Dec. 18. Schachter, Melissa G. and Aaron K. Achachter, Fairfield. Filed by Living Colors Inc., Weston, by Pavel Jansa. Property: Unit 81, The Ridge. Fairfield. Amount: $11,350. Filed Feb. 18.
LIS PENDENS Bell Jr., Samuel F., et al, Fairfield. Filed by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for Wells Fargo Bank NA. Property: 497 Westport Turnpike, Fairfield. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Nov. 22. Bellassai, John P., et al, Fairfield. Filed by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for Nationstar Mortgage LLC. Property: 65 New St., Fairfield. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Jan. 23. Briggs, Lucius G., et al, Fairfield. Filed by Bendett & McHugh PC, Farmington, for Wells Fargo Bank NA. Property: 94 Bailey Road, Fairfield. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Nov. 22. Briggs, Lucius G., et al, Fairfield. Filed by Bendett & McHugh PC, Farmington, for Wells Fargo Bank NA. Property: 94 Bailey Road, Fairfield. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Jan. 8. Chrysadakis, John, et al, Fairfield. Filed by Bendett & McHugh PC, Farmington, for US Bank National Association. Property: 43 Vermont Ave., Fairfield. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Dec. 13. Cusick, John, et al, Fairfield. Filed by Leopold & Associates PLLC, Armonk, New York, for US Bank National Association. Property: 107 Newton St., Fairfield. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Dec. 16.
MARCH 23, 2020
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Facts & Figures Dalasho, Peter J., Fairfield. Filed by Costello, Brenan & De Vidas PC, Fairfield, for Gerri E. Bulion. Property: 1001 Unquowa Road, Fairfield. Action: foreclose defendant’s mortgage. Filed Dec. 16. Daly, Robert P., et al, Fairfield. Filed by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for M&T Bank. Property: 587 Shrub Oak Lane, Fairfield. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Jan. 16. DeQuattro, Paul, Fairfield. Filed by the Law Office of Joyce A. Riccio LLC, Fairfield, for Janice DeQuattro. Property: 2836 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield. Action: foreclose defendant’s mortgage. Filed Dec. 31. Enhoffer, Eric, et al, Fairfield. Filed by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for Specialized Loan Servicing LLC. Property: 164 Church Hill Road, Fairfield. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Jan. 7. Friedman, Daniel R., et al, Fairfield. Filed by Greene Law PC, Farmington, for the city of Bridgeport Water Pollution Control Authority. Property: 167 Collingwood Ave., Fairfield. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Dec. 3.
Salamon, Margaret A., et al, Fairfield. Filed by Harlow, Adams & Friedman PC, Milford, for General Electric Employees Federal Credit Union. Property: 46 Harris St., Fairfield. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Jan. 24.
Despoelberch, Gregory, Norwalk, by Descera Daigle. Lender: Home Point Financial Corp., 9 Entin Road, Suite 200, Parsippany, New Jersey Property: 84 Rowayton Woods Drive. Norwalk. Amount: $331,875. Filed Dec. 18.
Wlodkowski, Sylvester and Boguslawa Wlodkowki, Norwalk, by Richard L. Mintz. Lender: People’s United Bank National Association, 850 Main St., Bridgeport. Property: 11 Bedford Ave, Norwalk. Amount: $137,250. Filed Dec. 18.
Omega Deli Market, 995 Maplewood Ave., Bridgeport 06605, c/o Jalil Missay. Filed Feb. 28.
Shay, Tara L., et al, Fairfield. Filed by Milford Law LLC, Milford, for Nationstar Mortgage LLC. Property: 229 Alberta St., Fairfield. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Nov. 25.
Dexter Holdings LLC, Norwalk, by Jeremy E. Kaye. Lender: First Republic Bank, 111 Pine St., San Francisco, California. Property: 148 S. Main St., Norwalk. Amount: $283,500. Filed Dec. 19.
NEW BUSINESSES
Paris Bela, 116 Whitney Ave., Bridgeport 06606, c/o Natalie Thomas. Filed Feb. 26.
Skomal, Magda K. and Harvey Thibault, Fairfield. Filed by Zeldes, Needle & Cooper PC, Bridgeport, for Fairfield Manor Condominium Association Inc. Property: 910 Knapps Highway, Fairfield. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Dec. 3. Sokolski, Yolanda, et al, Fairfield. Filed by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for Property: 80 Cedar Road, Southport. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Jan. 15.
MORTGAGES 13 Reservoir LLC, Norwalk, by Jeremy E. Kaye. Lender: First Republic Bank, 111 Pine St., San Francisco, California. Property: 13 Reservoir Ave., Norwalk. Amount: $443,800. Filed Dec. 19.
Knowles, Stephen M., et al, Fairfield. Filed by Bendett & McHugh PC, Farmington, for Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. Property: 1660 Bronson Road, Fairfield. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Dec. 13.
28 Cliff LLC, Norwalk, by Jeremy E. Kaye. Lender: First Republic Bank, 111 Pine St., San Francisco, California. Property: 28 Cliff St., Norwalk. Amount: $248,500. Filed Dec. 19.
Malik, Samriti, et al, Fairfield. Filed by Bendett & McHugh PC, Farmington, for M & T Bank. Property: 171 Henderson Road, Fairfield. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Jan. 7.
Bernardini, Gary L., Norwalk, by John A. Cassaul. Lender: Total Mortgage Services LLC, 185 Plains Road, Milford. Property: 6 Douglas Drive Norwalk. Amount: $599,000. Filed Dec. 19.
Martin, Paula, et al, Fairfield. Filed by Marinosci Law Group PC, Warwick, Rhode Island, for US Bank National Association. Property: Lot 34, Map 2669, Lambert Road, Fairfield. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Dec. 12.
Casper Holdings LLC, Norwalk, by Jeremy E. Kaye. Lender: First Republic Bank, 111 Pine St., San Francisco, California. Property: 25 Chestnut St., Unit 1K Norwalk. Amount: $175,000. Filed Dec. 19.
Perdiue, Mark M. and Nancy L. Perdiue, Fairfield. Filed by Glass & Braus LLC, Fairfield, for Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. Property: 570 Eleven O’Cloock Road, Fairfield. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Jan. 17. Reid, Daniel G., et al, Fairfield. Filed by Korde & Associates PC, New London, for Newrez LLC. Property: 2246 N. Benson Road, Fairfield. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Nov. 26.
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MARCH 23, 2020
Correa, Nina S., Norwalk, by Mayra M. Rios. Lender: Home Point Financial Corp., 9 Entin Road, Suite 200, Parsippany, New Jersey Property: 3 Oakwood Ave., Unit A21, Norwalk. Amount: $234,412. Filed Dec. 19. Danylyuk Mykhaylo and Anna Danylyuk, Norwalk, by George Switnicki. Lender: Suma (Yonkers) Federal Credit Union, 125 Corporate Blvd., Yonkers, New York. Property: 21 Prospect Ave., Norwalk. Amount: $200,000. Filed Dec. 19.
FCBJ
DiMauro, Louis John, Norwalk, by Andrew S. Gale. Lender: William Raveis Mortgage LLC, 7 Trap Falls Road, Shelton. Property: 6 Riverwalk Lane, Norwalk. Amount: $250,000. Filed Dec. 18.
All Cleaning LLC, 2016 Garden St., Bridgeport 06606, c/o Caroline Soares Nogueira. Filed Feb. 25. BRBW, 731 Seaview Ave., Bridgeport 06607, c/o David Chaid. Filed Feb. 27.
Gill, Edward A. and Madeline E. Mannella, Norwalk, by Philip V. DiMaggio. Lender: Prosperity Home Mortgage LLC, 14501 George Carter Way, Suite 300, Chantilly, Virginia. Property: 12 Hills Lane, Unit 12, Norwalk. Amount: $270,000. Filed Dec. 19.
Bridgeport Family Dentist, 4697 Main St., Bridgeport 06606, c/o Allison Lubchansky. Filed Feb. 25.
Lodge, Henry C. and Lauren Bankart Lodge, Norwalk, by Marc J. Isaacs. Lender: PNC Bank NA, 3232 Newmark Drive, Miamisburg, Ohio. Property: 175 W Norwalk Road, Norwalk. Amount: $588,000. Filed Dec. 18.
Creative Nature by Kamilla, 842 Lindley St., Bridgeport 06606, c/o Kamilla Puskas. Filed Feb. 24.
Sandberg, Susan, Norwalk, by Cheryl A. Carter. Lender: Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp., 4201 Marsh Lane, Carrollton, Texas. Property: 51 Cranbury Road, Norwalk. Amount: $425,000. Filed Dec. 19.
Cavet x 3, 50 Ridgefield Ave., Bridgeport 06610, c/o Ivy Rockhead. Filed Feb. 24.
De Campos Family Services LLC, 239 Merritt St., Bridgeport 06606, c/o Alcilane Meireles De Campos. Filed Feb. 25. Dina’s Houseclean LLC, 422 High Ridge Drive, Bridgeport 06606, c/o Dinaura Euzebio Ferreira. Filed Feb. 25.
Oxford Digital Services, 175 Hughes Ave., Bridgeport 06604, c/o Paper Mill Graphix Inc. Filed Feb. 25.
Pearl Home Care Services LLC, 194 Steuben St., Bridgeport 06608, c/o Leandra Leonisha McBride. Filed Feb. 28. Reliance America Digital Services, 175 Hughes Ave., Bridgeport 06604, c/o Paper Mill Graphix Inc. Filed Feb. 25. Three Brothers Construction and Services LLC, 751 Lindley St., Bridgeport 06606, c/o Guilherme L. Dos Reis. Filed Feb. 25. Totally Tacky Their Therapy, 233 Bronx Ave., Bridgeport 06606, c/o Olivia A. Brown. Filed Feb. 26. Up Services LLC, 1099 North Ave., Bridgeport 06604, c/o Deniell Aguiar Carvalho da Cunha. Filed Feb. 25. USA House Cleaning Service LLC, 64 Janet Circle, Unit 11, Bridgeport 06606, c/o Pamela Aquino, Filed Feb. 25. USA House Cleaning Service LLC, 64 Janet Circle, Unit 11, Bridgeport 06606, c/o Pamela Aquino, Filed Feb. 25.
Sethi, Preeti and Sameer Singh Sethi, Norwalk, by Jonathan A. Wetmore. Lender: AFC Mortgage Group LLC, 227 Monroe Turnpike, Suite 3F, Monroe. Property: 33 Princes Pine Road, Norwalk. Amount: $573,750. Filed Dec. 18.
Home Health Care, 562 Artic St., Third floor, Bridgeport 06608, c/o Elsa Nieves. Filed Feb. 25. Kiddy Kare, 789 Reservoir Ave., Bridgeport 06606, c/o Rodika Virgules. Filed Feb. 25.
Vacation Connections, 175 Hughes Ave., Bridgeport 06604, c/o Paper Mill Graphix Inc. Filed Feb. 25.
Shifrin, David A. and Roxanne Hock Shifrin, Norwalk, by Marie Tieri. Lender: JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA, 1111 Polaris Pkwy., Columbus, Ohio. Property: 269 Richards Ave. Norwalk. Amount: $705,000. Filed Dec. 18.
Loving & Care Pet Boutique & Spa, 752 Madison Ave., Bridgeport 06606, c/o Rogeria Beneditta Rosch Santana. Filed March 2.
Vinyl Star Remodeling LLC, 422 High Ridge Drive, Bridgeport 06606, c/o Deivid de Oliveira Barbosa. Filed Feb. 25.
Loyalty Auto Club, 380 Maple St., Bridgeport 06608, c/o Jose L. Soltren. Filed March 2.
Women Against Mass Incarceration Inc., 840 State St., Bridgeport 06604, c/o Tiheba Williams Bain. Filed Feb. 24.
Velez, Richard, Norwalk, by Louis Volpintesta Jr. Lender: First County Bank, 117 Prospect St., Stamford. Property: 7 Seri Hill Road, Unit 1, Norwalk. Amount: $153,750. Filed Dec. 18. Verrochi, Susan Ward and Croce Verrochi, Norwalk, by Pamela Do Papazidis. Lender: USAA Federal Savings Bank, 10750 McDermott Freeway, San Antonio, Texas. Property: 33 New Canaan Court, Norwalk. Amount: $335,000. Filed Dec. 19.
MCRS Global, 147 Denver Ave., Bridgeport 06605, c/o Maqsood Chandhry. Filed Feb. 24. Memorable Moments Daycare, 1471 Capitol Ave., Bridgeport 06604, c/o Velma Alexandra Reid. Filed March 2. Ninos Heroes LLC, 30 Alanson Road, Bridgeport 06607, c/o Leonardo Tornez. Filed Feb. 26.
PATENTS Apparatuses and methods for passive fault monitoring of current sensing devices in protective circuit interrupters. Patent no. 10,591,546 issued to Gary Michael Miller, Kearneysville, West Virginia; William Vernon Miller III, Aldie, Virginia; Edward She Chen, Camas, Washington. Assigned to Hubbell Inc., Shelton.
Brake caliper hardware. Patent no. D878,260 issued to Zach Lindsly, Shelton; Tom Reynolds, Shelton. Assigned to Preferred Tool & Die Inc., Shelton. Electrical outlet with interchangeable faceplate modules. Patent no. 10,594,101 issued to John Brower, Fairfield. Assigned to Hubbell Inc., Shelton. Interactive biometric touch scanner. Patent no. 10,592,718 issued to Butrus T. Khuri-Yakub, Palo Alto, California; Morten Fischer Rasmussen, San Fransisco, California; Gerard Touma, Stanford, California. Assigned to Orchid Sound Technologies LLC, Stamford. In-vehicle projection display system with dynamic display area. Patent no. 10,591,723 issued to Jaime Elliot Nahman, Oakland, California; Stefan Marti, Oakland, California; Davide Di Censo, Oakland, California. Assigned to Harman, Stamford. Methods of treating pediatric cancers. Patent no. 10,588,908 issued to Michael Cox, Stamford; Nisha Nanda, Stamford. Assigned to Loxo Oncology Inc., Stamford. Portable electric power hub with AC power receptacles and USB charging ports. Patent no. 10,594,096 issued to Kelly Rahner, Mohegan Lakes; Michael O’Keefe, Wethersfield; Bernard Bensussan, Stratford. Assigned to Premier Manufacturing Group, Shelton. Reducing audibility of sensor noise floor in a road-noise cancellation system. Patent no. 10,593,317 issued to Kevin J. Bastyr, Franklin, Michigan; James May, Milford, Michigan. Assigned toHarman, Stamford. System and method for monitoring performance characteristics associated with user activities involving swinging instruments. Patent no. 10,589,161 issued to Fabrice Claude Blanc, Stamford. Assigned to Arccos Golf LLC, Stamford. Tamper resistant oral opioid agonist formulations. Patent no. 10,588,865 issued to Bejamin Oshlack, Boca Raton, Florida; Curtis Wright, Norwalk; David J. Haddox, Upper Stepney. Assigned toPurdue Pharma LP, Stamford.
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AWARDS EVENT: Early June 2020 WestfairOnline
NOMINATE A CANDIDATE (PERHAPS YOURSELF) WHO IS:
• Over 25 and under 40 years of age • A dynamic industry leader who’s part of the county’s business growth • Working in Fairfield County and has not previously won this competition
For more information or sponsorship inquiries, contact Barbara Hanlon at bhanlon@westfairinc.com or 914-358-0766. For event information, contact Olivia D’Amelio at odamelio@westfairinc.com. CHAMBER PARTNERS: Darien Chamber of Commerce | Fairfield Chamber of Commerce | The Business Council of Fairfield County | Wilton Chamber of Commerce | Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce | Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce | Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce | Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce | Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce | Greenwich Chamber of Commerce | Bridgeport Regional Business Council | Stamford Chamber of Commerce
PRESENTED BY:
SILVER SPONSOR:
FCBJ
MARCH 23, 2020
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After more than 22,000 votes tallied, the seven BEST OF THE BEST are:
Most Entrepreneurial Most Family-Friendly Greenest Company Most Pet-Friendly Most Promising for the Upcoming Generations Most Socially Conscious Most Visionary
Avanti Systems USA At-HomeCare of CT LLC Jones Winery Pet Pantry Warehouse Sacred Heart University Autism on the Seas CobbleCord
THRIVING THIRTY WINNERS: Accurate Lock and Hardware At-HomeCare of CT, LLC Autism on the Seas Avanti Systems USA Barnum Financial Group CobbleCord Coco and Lala Danika Communications LLC
Earth Animal First County Bank Gault Family Companies GraduationSource Greenwich Education Group Greenworks Lending HAYVN Izzi B Bakery
JB Moving and Storage Jones Winery Kelly’s Four Plus Granola Mill Management Inc. Noteworthy Chocolates Odyssey Logistics & Technology Peralta Desings Pet Pantry Warehouse
Pets A Go Go Sacred Heart University ShopRite Grade A Markets, Inc. Strategy Leaders UBREAKIFIX Union Savings Bank
Due to COVID-19 concerns, the celebration will be rescheduled. We will keep you posted. Business organizations partnering with the Fairfield County Business Journal are: Bridgeport Regional Business Council, The Business Council of Fairfield County, Darien Chamber of Commerce, Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce, Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce, Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, Stamford Chamber of Commerce, Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce For information, contact Olivia D’Amelio at odamelio@westfairinc.com. For sponsorships, contact Barbara Hanlon at bhanlon@westfairinc.com or 914-358-0766.
PRESENTED BY:
GOLD SPONSOR:
SILVER SPONSORS:
BRONZE SPONSOR:
HOSPITALITY SPONSOR: