[updated] Mansfield Memorial Day Parade begins 9 a.m.

On Memorial Day, we take time to remember our history and honor sacrifices made to ensure our freedoms. The Town of Mansfield will begin this year’s Memorial Day Parade and ceremony at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 25.

All veterans and active-duty personnel in the armed forces are invited to march at the head of the parade. Please arrive by 8:30 a.m.

The parade will kick off from Mansfield Center, at the intersection of Route 195 and Bassetts Bridge Road (near T&B Auto), and proceed to Cemetery Road and on to the new Mansfield Center Cemetery.

At the cemetery: Deputy Mayor Haddad will welcome all, State Rep. Denise Merrill will read the Governor’s Proclamation, Master Sergeant Retired James Woodland will represent the First Church of Christ Congregational and give the invocation and benediction.

Music will be provided by the Mansfield Middle School Band and the E.O. Smith Regional High School Band.

Three volleys will be fired and taps sounded in honors for the fallen.  The units will then return to Bassetts Bridge Road.

In the event of inclement weather, an abbreviated ceremony will be held in the gym of Mansfield Middle School at 205 Spring Hill Road.* If necessary, an announcement will be made over WILI Radio by 7:30am.

For more information, call 429-3336.

Posted May 21, 2009

* [Directions to Mansfield Middle School coming from Mansfield Center, drive on Route 195 towards UConn, turn left on Clover Mill Road (the road bends to the left), you will pass a small sign on the right for the dog pound and Bicentennial Pond  - follow road to stop sign and continue straight. Mansfield Middle School will be on your right.]

Where did the half million $$$ go?

Graphic by Brenda Sullivan for HTNP.com

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal issued a statement today [May 20] that he has filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Department of Consumer Protection, that seeks more than $100,000 in penalties from a Michigan telemarketer, Associated Community Services, for allegedly violating state laws that require solicitors to “clearly and conspicuously” inform consumers of their business name and the fact that they are being paid to solicit donations.

“Associated Community Services repeatedly and knowingly broke the law, failing to clearly and conspicuously state its name and its paid solicitor status in correspondence to consumers,” Blumenthal states.

The company’s true name and solicitor status was in barely legible print on the back of its mailing, effectively concealing its identity and purpose, he said.

“I will seek a $2,500 fine-per-mailing – potentially hundreds of thousands dollars. This suit sends a powerful message: Connecticut will not tolerate solicitors who break our laws,” Blumenthal said.

The lawsuit coincides with today’s launching of a national campaign by the Federal Trade Commission and numerous states to warn consumers about telephone solicitations for police, fire and other public safety organizations.

Telemarketers for such campaigns keep an average of 67 cents of every dollar they collect, while many of the groups they represent often spend little on causes they claim to support.

The Federal Trade Commission strongly suggests that donors give directly to public safety organizations, instead of through a paid phone solicitor.

Firefighters Support Services, the group for which Associated Community Services is raising funds, has spent less than 1 percent of its income for charitable purposes.

According to filings with the Attorney General’s Office, the company has raised $634,400 and spent $626,210 during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, the most recent figures available.

Of the expenses, $538,999 was for fundraising, $83,895 for administrative expenses, and only $3,316 for the charitable purposes the organization says it supports.

According to Blumenthal’s statement, the courts have prohibited laws that would require solicitors to turn over a minimum percentage to the group on whose behalf they are raising money.

“Associated Community Services – and other solicitors – exploit consumers’ commendable desire to support police and emergency workers… Consumers should seriously research charities before donating and give directly to assure that their entire contribution – not a miniscule percentage – benefits the group,” Blumenthal states.

Posted May 20, 2009