Navel Gazing: The Valley Indy Podcast

A weekly talk show from ValleyIndy.org about the news and events of Ansonia, Derby, and Seymour, CT. Hosted by Eugene Driscoll.

Derby CT Legislative Meeting Of Oct 12 2023 10/23/2023

Derby CT Legislative Meeting Of Oct 12 2023 Derby CT Legislative Meeting Of Oct 12 2023 /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/28400024

Happy New Year From The Valley Independent Sentinel 01/02/2023

Happy New Year From The Valley Independent Sentinel Show guide: 4:00 minute mark: The Valley Indy tries for figure out whether to put the garbage cans out. 6:26: The Valley Indy tries to figure out when to throw out the Christmas tree. 8:14: Ansonia police are investigating a commercial burglary. 10:35: Ansonia are investigating two shootings during which no injuries were reported. 13:25: Jean's top five stories of the year! 17:10: A look at upcoming municipal meetings in Ansonia, Derby & Seymour. 24:25: We listen to Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti address the public during a virtual meeting of the Ansonia Board of Aldermen. 31:52: The editor thinks the Olson Drive redevelopment saga was a top Valley story of 2022. /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/25483548

Kara Rochelle Victory Speech 11/09/2022

Kara Rochelle Victory Speech State Rep. Kara Rochelle won a third term to represent Ansonia and Derby in Hartford, according to unofficial results from Tuesday’s election. Unofficial results shared by Rochelle’s campaign show her beating her opponent, Josh Shuart, 3,305 to 2,987. Rochelle is a Democrat who lives in Ansonia. Shuart, a college professor, lives in Ansonia and is president of the Ansonia Board of Aldermen. Updated numbers from the state Wednesday morning has Rochelle winning 3,371 to 3,022. /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/24955797

Josh Shuart Concession Speech 11/09/2022

Josh Shuart Concession Speech State Rep. Kara Rochelle won a third term to represent Ansonia and Derby in Hartford, according to unofficial results from Tuesday’s election. Unofficial results shared by Rochelle’s campaign show her beating her opponent, Josh Shuart, 3,305 to 2,987. Rochelle is a Democrat who lives in Ansonia. Shuart, a college professor, lives in Ansonia and is president of the Ansonia Board of Aldermen. Updated numbers from the state Wednesday morning has Rochelle winning 3,371 to 3,022. /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/24955779

Ansonia Comic Pat Oates! 10/11/2022

Ansonia Comic Pat Oates! Pat Oates is a standup comic who has appeared on WPLR, "Who Are These Podcasts," and Compound Media. Oates is determined to bring live comedy to the Valley, and he's doing it through organizing open mic & regular shows at Retro Grub & Pub and RiverWalk Social, both on Elizabeth Street in downtown Derby. /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/24656973

Restore The Ansonia Opera House! 09/08/2022

Restore The Ansonia Opera House! In this episode of "Navel Gazing: The Valley Indy Podcast," reporter Eugene Driscoll plays clips from the very first meeting of the Ansonia Opera House Committee, a group that is working to restore the . . . you guessed it, the Ansonia Opera House! /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/24310476

Political Clashes Between Mayor & Alders Continue In Derby 08/31/2022

Political Clashes Between Mayor & Alders Continue In Derby Navel Gazing returns with clips from a contentious Derby Aldermen meeting of Aug. 11, 2022. /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/24228618

Conan v Highlander In Seymour, CT 07/21/2022

Conan v Highlander In Seymour, CT Click the play for an interview with John Marini of ‘Sci-Fi At The Strand.’ Two classic fantasy flicks are screening Saturday night at The Strand in Seymour (Connecticut): “Conan the Barbarian,” the 1982 movie that put on the map, and; “Highlander,” the only-in-the-80s could this thing have been made flick starring Christopher Lambert. /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/23811521

Brian Volk-Weiss Talks VICE TV 'Star Wars' Documentary 07/15/2022

Brian Volk-Weiss Talks VICE TV 'Star Wars' Documentary Brian Volk-Weiss is the guy behind the hugely popular Netflix documentary series 'The Toys That Made Us' and 'The Movies That Made Us.' He's back with "Icons Unearthed," whose first chunk of episodes concentrates on the making of 'Star Wars.' Volk-Weiss landed a six-hour interview with legendary movie editor Marcia Lucas for the series, which premiered July 12, 2022. He's also worked with every comedian known to God. Click play! /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/23756642

'I'm Sorry You Guys Had To Come Here' 07/15/2022

'I'm Sorry You Guys Had To Come Here' Derby Senior Center members did not sound happy on Thursday after learning the Derby Board of Aldermen/Alderwomen would not vote again on an agreement to merge its senior center with Ansonia and send Derby members to a new senior center under construction in Ansonia. /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/23752175

Ansonia Olson Drive Public Hearing 07/15/2022

Ansonia Olson Drive Public Hearing Audio from the July 12, 2022 public hearing on whether Ansonia should sell land on Olson Drive to a private developer who wants to build a sports complex. But before that, listen to The Valley Indy reporter blab about missing a Derby meeting, promote Ansonia Paraconn, and mess up a City of Ansonia song. Cheap. Free. Forever? ValleyIndy.org /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/23750906

Derby Talks Investigative Report 06/22/2022

Derby Talks Investigative Report The Derby corporation counsel talks about an investigative report with members of the Derby Board of Aldermen & Alderwomen. /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/23509010

Derby Officials Argue Over Procedure 06/20/2022

Derby Officials Argue Over Procedure Derby Mayor Rich Dziekan's administration has changed the way the monthly agenda for the city's legislative body is put together. While the administration says they are simply following the Derby City Charter, the Democratic majority of the Board of Aldermen/Alderwomen think otherwise. In this audio clip, Derby Town/City Clerk Marc Garofalo complains about the mayor's new policies, saying it hurts the public's access to local government. /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/23489417

Santi v Eugene 06/16/2022

Santi v Eugene Valley Indy Facebook reader Santiago Achinelli thinks 10 hours isn't enough time for a person to respond for comment to a news article. The Valley Indy says 10 hours is enough time, especially if there's a primary-source document explaining the person's views. /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/23444084

Derby Rejects Senior Center Agreement With Ansonia By A 5-4 Vote 06/10/2022

Derby Rejects Senior Center Agreement With Ansonia By A 5-4 Vote Audio of the discussion from the June 9, 2022 meeting of the Derby Board of Aldermen & Alderwomen. For the full story go to ValleyIndy.org and search 'Derby Rejects Senior Center Agreement With Ansonia By A 5-4 Vote.' /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/23388671

Dew Drop Inn Owner Talks Wings, Inflation, And Staying Relevant In The Bar World 05/19/2022

Dew Drop Inn Owner Talks Wings, Inflation, And Staying Relevant In The Bar World Jason Carlucci, owner of The Dew Drop Inn in Derby, CT, talks about wings, inflation, and staying relevant in the ever-changing tavern world. Recorded during The Valley Indy Great Give Livestream of 2022. Please note Jay is the only 'Navel Gazing' guest to accuse The Valley Indy of stealing ketchup. /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/23170136

Reaction: Derby Adopts A Budget 04/29/2022

Reaction: Derby Adopts A Budget The Derby Board of Apportionment and Taxation adopted a budget of $48,385,128 on April 28. There's no mill rate increase. This podcast has clips from the end of the meeting, including statements from BOAT chairman Jeff Polis on what the budget accomplishes, and a statement from Derby Town Clerk Marc Garofalo on how the board worked through a highly unusual budget season. /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/22947776

State Could Intervene In Derby's Financial Practices 04/21/2022

State Could Intervene In Derby's Financial Practices Citing a lack of progress and a lack of staff in its finance department, an advisory commission could recommend the City of Derby be placed under the watch of the state's Municipal Accountability Review Board (MARB). The city already meets regularly with the Municipal Finance Advisory Council, but that's only advisory -- MARB has teeth. The move to MARB would put Derby finances under some degree of official state oversight. Example: cities designated as "tier II" must have budget projections on state aid and property tax revenues approved by MARB. /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/22861505

Is Your Government Open? 04/13/2022

Is Your Government Open? Thomas Hennick, the public education officer for the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission, returns to the podcast to offer his informed opinions on a bunch or real-world open government issues faced by Valley Indy reporter Eugene Driscoll. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/22648562

Derby Education Funding Debate 04/07/2022

Derby Education Funding Debate Derby Mayor Rich Dziekan was willing to allocate more money for education in his budget but wanted to tie funding to academic performance, according to statements made at the Tuesday, April 5 meeting of the Derby Board of Apportionment and Taxation. In addition, a $1 million increase in medical insurance costs for the school district precluded additional funding from the city because the mayor had capped all department increases to no more than 2.5 percent. Jim Gildea, chairman of the Derby Board of Education, said the administration’s reasoning does not make sense. /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/22718567

Godzilla And The Ansonia Opera House Lease 03/22/2022

Godzilla And The Ansonia Opera House Lease John Marini joins 'Navel Gazing: The Valley Indy Podcast,' to talk about two subjects: a 'Godzilla' double feature in Seymour to raise money for the people of Ukraine, and a just-signed lease agreement between the City of Ansonia and the owners of the Ansonia Opera House at 100 Main St. The lease agreement discussion starts 19 minutes and 47 seconds into the broadcast. /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/22529105

Talking Ansonia Finances With CFO Kurt Miller 02/28/2022

Talking Ansonia Finances With CFO Kurt Miller Ansonia Chief Financial Officer Kurt Miller explains why the city isn't sticking to the rules with the city's budget process, and why the city enacted a spending freeze at the start of the year. /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/22270049

An Interview With Seymour First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis 02/17/2022

An Interview With Seymour First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis SEYMOUR — First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis joined The Valley Indy live on Facebook to talk about the Seymour budget process, a bunch of items related to economic development, and to take questions from the audience. /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/22174571

Derby Subcommittee Meeting 02/15/2022

Derby Subcommittee Meeting At a Derby Aldermanic subcommittee meeting in January 2022, members of the subcommitee made a motion to pass information related to the formation of a search committee to hire an economic development director to the full Board of Aldermen/Alderwomen. This is simply audio of the motion was made. /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/22143677

Apply For A VCF Grant; Ansonia BOAT Controversy 02/09/2022

Apply For A VCF Grant; Ansonia BOAT Controversy On this week's episode Valerie Knight-DiGangi of The Valley Community Foundation stops by to encourage groups to apply for a VFC "responsive needs" grant, which are multi-year grants that can be used to bolster a nonprofit group's operating budget. The deadline for "responsive needs" grant applications is Feb. 24, so head to the VCF website to learn more and to complete an application. At about the 31 minute of the podcast, the topic switches to a recent debate that started during a meeting of the Ansonia Board of Apportionment and Taxation, when two Ansonia Democrats said the board only has five members when the city charter says there should be seven members. /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/22080410

Ow Whoo, Werewolves Of Derby 02/04/2022

Ow Whoo, Werewolves Of Derby Derby's Larry Dwyer and special FX makeup artist Brian Spears ('Orange Is The New Black,' 'The Punisher') talk about 'The Howling' and 'Ginger Snaps,' a double bill happening Feb. 19 in Seymour, Conn. Tickets here. https://www.connecticutcultclassics.com/ Here is the show guide: 0:56 'Derby, Connecticut . . . what a nice small Connecticut town.' 3:35 Larry talks 'Night of the Werewolf 2' 4:50 Which is better: 'An American Werewolf in London' or 'The Howling?' 6:15 A rundown of Brian's movie and TV work 7:50 Brian talks about the influence of 80s-era movie makeup Gods like Rob Bottin and Rick Baker 11:00 The company that financed "The Howling" has deep Connecticut connections 16:16 'Weirdo Wonderland' shoutout (I'll send you an invoice) 17:40 Germ talk. 19:50 The latest 'Texas Chainsaw' thing on Netflix looks terrible 23:17 A word from Dworkin Chevrolet of Derby 24:15 LARRY'S HOT TAKES 28:00 Let's talk feminist horror flick 'Ginger Snaps!' 35:23 CT Horror Fest is returning to Naugatuck, assuming Mayor Pete fixes the air conditioning 38:40 Brian talks about working with legendary playwright Sam Shepard on the movie "Cold In July" 42:58 Shout out from WADS radio (Ansonia) /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/22025462

Seymour School District Deficit Discussion 01/25/2022

Seymour School District Deficit Discussion This episode features clips from the Jan. 24, 2022 meeting of the Seymour Board of Education during which the superintendent announces there is an approximate $839,000 hole in the education budget. Please visit ValleyIndy.org or the Seymour Public Schools website for more info. /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/21892358

Derby Fire Chief Talks Whirlwind COVID Test Kit Distribution 01/04/2022

Derby Fire Chief Talks Whirlwind COVID Test Kit Distribution Derby Fire Department Chief David Lenart reviews the ups and downs of this past weekend's COVID-19 home test kit distribution. As of Tuesday, Jan. 4, officials do not know when the next distribution will take place. However, the test kits are available to purchase and local stores and on Amazon, until they are not. /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/21676250

Lamont Press Conference On New COVID-19 School Safety Guidance 01/04/2022

Lamont Press Conference On New COVID-19 School Safety Guidance Gov. Lamont and his department heads said Jan. 4 there are no plans to allow remote learning in Connecticut schools, though the state's positivity rate keeps getting higher. But, before that, The Valley Indy reporter admits he's tired of reading your anti-COVID vaccination posts on Facebook. /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/21674066

Seymour Police Announce Arrest In Connection To Hit And Run 12/23/2021

Seymour Police Announce Arrest In Connection To Hit And Run Police believe Jair Irogoyen — Flores, 24 of West Haven, was driving a neighbor’s Acura MDX when he struck James and Barbara Tamborra, both 81 of Shelton, as they tried to cross Route 67 the evening of Dec. 10. /episode/index/show/valleyindy/id/21588806

Navel Gazing: The Valley Indy Podcast

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