Martin Begnal

Dec 13, 2024 | rep-am.com | Martin Begnal

TORRINGTON — While he acknowledged the defendant’s lack of any criminal record, Judge Eliot D. Prescott made it clear in Superior Court Friday that his sentence of 6.5 years against Alec Cleveland was for “killing” his friend. Tyler Brazil, 21, of Norfolk, died in a rollover drunken driving crash caused by Cleveland’s impaired driving, a conviction reached by a jury in September.

Nov 28, 2024 | rep-am.com | Martin Begnal

If an illegal immigrant with an intention of leading a life of crime is entering the United States, where will he migrate to? Will he settle in a state where he can be deported upon being captured for committing such a crime, or will he settle in a sanctuary state or sanctuary city where he will not be subject to deportation? I expect he will go to a sanctuary city (like New Haven) or a sanctuary state (like Connecticut).

Nov 28, 2024 | rep-am.com | Martin Begnal

My condolences to the Jodi Rell family for the unexpected passing of the former governor. I met Gov. Rell when she came to my son’s funeral at St. Anthony Church in Prospect in December 2004. My son Joe was killed in Iraq. Rell spoke at the funeral after Mass was over. She mentioned that her son Michael was the same age as my son, Joe. Then she began crying. The following year, Rell invited my daughter and me to the State of the State address at capitol building in Hartford.

Nov 28, 2024 | rep-am.com | Martin Begnal

In Connecticut and other Eastern Seaboard states, offshore wind turbines are generating considerable controversy. Ever since the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., came out against a wind-energy project off Cape Cod that most Democrats supported, debates have raged on a number of fronts.

Nov 28, 2024 | rep-am.com | Martin Begnal

WATERBURY – Veteran William Grossberndt enjoys his Thanksgiving meal at the Elks Lodge, where he runs into old friends and shares conversations over delicious food. Retired and a volunteer at Bible Church on Dwight Street, Grossberndt helped during a turkey giveaway at the church earlier in the week. “I just don’t have family in town here right now,” he said. “So I think this is probably the only place you can find something like this. It’s good because you run into people.