Ron Luneau, a lifelong Derby resident, isn't known as a guy to shy away from sharing his opinion, and he doesn't disappoint in the latest episode of "Valley Sports Rewind," a podcast hosted by Mike Cannici.
Luneau is a former Derby football and baseball coach, and he's currently the West Haven High School baseball coach, where he teaches history.
During the episode, in addition to talking about past athletic seasons, Luneau talks about how economic disparity in Connecticut gives wealthy towns a competitive advantage in sports, a move to study combining the Derby-Ansonia school districts -- and how he doesn't like snakes.
Press play to listen.
Newly-appointed Derby Middle School Principal Rachael Caggiano makes her first "Navel Gazing" appearance to talk about making the transition from teacher to administrator.
Caggiano was a Derby High School special education teacher before being named assistant principal and athletic director.
While the middle school has had a revolving door of administrators the last few years, Caggiano said she plans to bring stability and an ear for listening to the job.
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When Dino Verrelli's father, Giovanni, died from pancreatic cancer in 2011, Dino had already started working on creating a nonprofit group to raise money for research and to provide financial aid to people stricken with the disease.
The Valley Indy invited Seymour's Chris Bowen onto "Navel Gazing" to explain "Gamergate" and whether the nasty online movement is infecting "Star Wars" fans.
Bowen previously ran a website that kept tabs on the video game industry in addition to publishing video game news and reviews.
Click play to listen to the conversation.
The Daily Beast website recently described "Gamergate" as an anti-diversity harassment campaign (by online "fans") that has recently morphed in the comic book world.
Earlier this month "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" director Rian Johnson (reacting to The Daily Beast article) posted a Tweet saying he was surprised that many people are not familiar with Gamergate, which is
"the key to understanding so many violent harassment campaigns going on today."
Toxic people online recently drive "Last Jedi" actress Kelly Marie Tran off social media. She had endured months of racist statements aimed at her by people who didn't like her character in the movie.
Bowen said the destroy-your-enemy approach embraced by "Gamergate" people is important, because the type of harassment and hatred has infiltrated politics.
The discussion takes a dramatic turn toward the end of the podcast episode, when Bowen, a member of the Seymour Economic Development Commission, talks about what's happening in town.