By John Murray

Waterbury Police Chief Vernon Riddick has accepted the position of police chief in West Hartford and will begin his new job on June 4th. Riddick sent out a message to police officers this morning telling them of his decision, and waterbury mayor Neil O'Leary confirmed that Chief Riddick has decided to move on. Chief Riddick has served as chief of police for six years.

Story By John Murray

The Observer has confirmed that Jim Smith, the recently retired CEO of Webster Bank, will launch a Republican bid for Governor of Connecticut next week. Smith had contemplated a run last Autumn, but instead hurled himself into the Commission on Fiscal Stability and Economic Growth, an independent commission created of business executives that sought to address the state's budget woes.

Released From Protective Custody Day Before Shooting

Iraq war veteran Michael Veillette of Waterbury, Connecticut.

                                               Story By John Murray

   On three consecutive days a former United States Marine, Michael Veillette, went up to Holy Land USA to commit suicide, and each time his plan was foiled. The first attempt was thwarted by the compassion and love of a Marine Corps buddy, the second time he was arrested for carrying a pistol with an expired permit, and the third time he was shot in the hip by a Waterbury police officer and arrested again on a slew of charges. Inbetween the arrests Veillette was committed and evaluated at St. Mary’s Hospital, and released.

                            Column By Danielle Hargrove Albert

   As a parent and community advocate, I spend a significant amount of my “free” time attending meetings and community forums. With three children in the school system, I choose to recognize the potential for success that exists in so many school programs here in Waterbury. I have found ways to volunteer and educate myself regarding the goings-on in the city's education system. Like many others, I choose to spend time participating in an effort to be part of creating solutions. Over the years I have encouraged other parents and families to do the same. As parents, we want the best for our children and the “Best” comes with high expectations. If we teach our children that expectations are part of life, then there will always be goals toward which to strive.

To Discus Treatment Of Ethnic Albanians

   U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, will travel to Belgium and Macedonia this weekend. Murphy will attend the German Marshall Fund’s Brussels Forum, where he will host a discussion with Norbert Röttgen, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the German Bundestag, and meetings in support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Murphy will also travel to Macedonia, where he will meet with Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and attend the 75th Commemoration of the Deportation of the Jews From Macedonia.

   Members of the Brass City Young Marines, the first unit in the country, received a visit from a former member of Unit, Chief Warrant Officer Fred Hodges. Hodges, a 1982 graduate of Crosby High School in Waterbury, was in town visiting family from his current station at Fort Bragg.

   Board of Aldermen Minority Leader Steve Giacomi today officially announced his entry into the race for State Representative for Waterbury’s 73rd district.

   “During my tenure on the Board of Aldermen, I’ve worked hard to try and make Waterbury a better place for all of its residents, and as a state representative I’ll work just as hard. Our families are maxed out and the best the people in Hartford can come up with is to try and squeeze us for more. That’s why it’s time to send people to Hartford who are ready and willing to make Waterbury, and all of Connecticut, a place where working-class families are valued. I’m ready now, just as I was before, to roll up my sleeves and do what needs to be done to turn Connecticut around, because we deserve better.”

  The Waterbury JUNETEENTH Celebration Steering Committee, in partnership with Neighbor Housing Services of Waterbury’s Community Engagement Division, will sponsor several awareness events in 2018 to encourage the observance of JUNETEENTH 2019 with recognition ceremonies and community awareness programs throughout the city. The first event, scheduled for February 13th at 6:30 p.m., will feature a privilege walk, complete with breakout sessions. A privilege walk is an educational activity which shows how groups of people benefit or are marginalized within our society. This event will take place at Naugatuck Valley Community College, Atrium.

   Ziggy (The Flagman) Berisha has been in Yale-New Haven hospital for 3 weeks recovering from a lower extremity by-pass surgery in his leg due to complications from diabetes. This image was sent to the Observer by Ziggy's son Ali Berisha and was captured by another son, Richard Berisha. Ali forwarded the image with the message, "I just wanted to share the photo with the Observer family. Ziggy the Flagman will be back soon. He is still waving the flag."