You remember the routine. Got a list. Checked it twice. We're filling up stockings with special gifts for these notable Nutmeggers.
Roy Ochiogrosso — Suitcase: It took awhile, but the outspoken Democratic political operative — and long-suffering N.Y. Jets fan — finally hitched himself to a winner. In orchestrating Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's ascension from Stamford mayor, a high -rofile role belongs now to guv's senior adviser. But with exodus of senior rank staff, the whisperers keep telling Stanta: Ocho is next!
Joe Ganim — Get (Back) Into Jail Free card: What do you say about a guy who never apologized for brazenly selling the office of Bridgeport mayor? After conviction, the G-man even concocted a drug addiction ruse to cut time from his nine-year prison sentence. Now, he runs a consulting business teaching other felons how to game the system. In a few years, Joe the Con will probably be mayor again. He may even get his law license back. Heck, he'll probably have his own radio show on WTIC NewsTalk 1080.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy — An extinguisher: To put out those candles he's burning at both ends. Ambitious rookie Guv wants us to think the exit of his communications director, chief of staff and assistant chief of staff after one year on the job is a mere coincidence. Surrrre. Advice to Malloy: Slow your roll.
Stanley F. Battle — A rearview mirror: Dynamic education leader can look back on 17-month tenure as interim president of Southern Connecticut State University with no regrets. His initial appointment was mishandled by former Connecticut State University System Chancellor and mentor David Carter. Board of trustees made Battle pay the price in national job search. Don't know much about SCSU's newly appointed prez Mary A. Papazian. But we know a little bit about Stanley Fred Battle. And if Papazian beat him out for the top spot, she must be good. Real good!
Denise Nappier — A new license plate: After Hartford police mishandled a simple motor vehicle stop, detained and improperly ticketed one of the state's top elected officials, new vanity license plates are in order: I'M CT TREAS DAMNIT!
Susan Herbst — Directions to Tobacco Road: New UConn president off to an impressive start. But if you inject this Duke alum with sodium pentothal and ask her for the truth about her preference for a sports conference, she'd mouth, A… C…C. An invitation from the Atlantic Coast Conference is coming your way, Madame President. It just may take awhile.
Randy Edsall — Crystal ball: They are giving Stanta's guy what for at the University of Maryland, where the former UConn football architect is off to a rough start in year one. Egad, some are already calling for his firing! If Edsall had stayed at UConn just one more year, he would have seen nemesis athletic director Jeff Hathaway ousted. And Edsall, a Pennsylvania native, would be on the short list for his real dream job — PENN STATE.
Joe Furey — A hamburger (with all the fixin's): After years of enduring suggestions that he should "try a salad'' every now and then, FoxCT weather guy said enough. Dropped 70 pounds. Lean. Fit. New wardrobe. Working out every day — and giving his tailor a workout, too. (Hey Joe, do you want fries with that?)
Oh, there is simply not enough space for all this merriment.
So, to the regulars who catch The Stan Simpson Show — c'mon, gotta throw in a holiday plug — online and on Saturdays, and who read us here every other Friday, a heartfelt merry Christmas.
Happy holidays!
Stan Simpson is host of "The Stan Simpson Show'' (www.ctnow.com/stan and Saturdays, 6:30 a.m., on FoxCT) and senior executive adviser at the Hartford Journalism & Media Academy.
