Norwalk State Senator Bob Duff is inviting all his constiuents in the Norwalk/Darien districts to his home Sunday August 31 for a barbecue. 

"It'll be a good time.  People will have the chance to talk in a relaxed setting about the issue and ask me questions," Duff says.

Duff has invited not just local residents but state officials too, like Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz.  He's looking forward to connecting with the people.

"This is the time of the year when people want to talk to the candidates.  I want to make sure I'm accessible," Duff says.

The barbecue this Sunday is from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Duff home on Toilsome Avenue.

State Republicans are touting a new website designed to give Connecticut residents all the information they need on the various energy assistance programs currently available.  The General Assembly last week met to figure out ways of using the state's budget surplus to help people in the tough economy.  Lawmakers came up with some new ideas that can be accessed via the website.  It's also a matter of keeping the necessary information in one place.

"We get a call saying 'who do we call?'," says Senate Minority Leader John McKinney of Fairfield.  "This website puts all the information together."

The website is www.senate-republicans.ct.gov/energy.

Westport police confirm a 3-year old girl is dead after a boating accident near Cockenoe Island.  A catamaran from the Longshore Sailing School capsized around 10:30am Tuesday throwing an instructor and three children on-board into the water.  The three youths were brought to Norwalk Hospital where the girl died.  She's identified as Alexandra Vitale of Brooklyn, NY.  The other two children are her cousins, 3-year old William Howell and 6-year old Andrew Howell both of Brooklyn, NY. 

"Based upon preliminary investigations a gust of wind had blown the Hobie Cat over onto its side," says Westport Police Lt. Richard Sloat.

The Marine Division continues to investigate.

Connecticut Light & Power maintains dedication to accurate and dependable service.   This, after Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal requested the Department of Public Utility Control re-open last year's investigation into CL&P's alleged inaccurate meter readings. 

"When there is a malfunctioning meter discovered, our customer care team works with that customer to resolve the situation amicably," says CL&P spokesman Mitch Gross.

Blumenthal says his office has been receiving complaints about erratic and erroneous readings despite CL&P's promise to fix the problem.  He notes a testing company's finding that CL&P meters carry a 1.5% error rate, three times the acceptable level.

"They are based on a much more stringent set of requirements now.  The requirements changed as of January of 2008," Gross says.  "With these more stringent requirements come a higher error rate.  That's expected."

In response to customer complaints of sudden spikes in usage, Gross says the majority of the meters that had a problem are testing slow, meaning customers are actually being undermeasured for the amount of power they're using.  He adds they have a more extensive testing program and a specific team dedicated to customer care.

The Alliance for Sensible Airspace Planning urges residents to attend a public meeting in September to discuss new developments with the Alliance's efforts to block the Federal Aviation Administration's airspace redesign plan.  The plan, if approved, would send not just more airplanes over lower Fairfield County but also have them fly at lower altitudes.  Local, state, and federal officials have expressed worry over the environmental and quality of life impacts. 

"We'd appreciate any help we can get and it's also about support," says Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi who also chairs the Alliance.  "It's important for chief elected officials to know constituents support their efforts in trying to protect health, safety and welfare."

Past public meetings have seen residents agreeing with those officials' concerns.  The meeting is on Monday, September 15 at 7:30pm at the Wilton Library.