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Trivia: Rowland had a deal with New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft to build a new stadium for the team in Hartford but there was a backout clause (Kraft would pay $1 mil., IIRC, if he changed his mind). When it became apparent that there was a lot of toxic waste to clean up and the stadium would not be ready in time for Kraft's deadline, he used the backout clause.

At a press conference afterwards, a furious Rowland
immediately declared himself a NY Jets fan. The stadium
wound up being built next to the Pats' previous stadium,
in Foxboro, Mass. The team has won 2 Super Bowls in 3 years and got to unveil the new stadium just after the
first of these.

Kraft wound up financing the stadium himself, with the state kicking in only some funding for access roads, IIRC.

Later Rowland jumped on the Pats' bandwagon again (oh,
those politicians...a flip-flopper in the spirit of
Kerry?):

"Rowland, who famously pronounced himself a New York Jets fans after Kraft canceled plans to move the Patriots to Hartford, said he found himself rooting for the Patriots last weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

""I never thought that day would happen," he said Wednesday during a speech at the Oakdale Theater.

"Neither did his wife, Rowland said, describing Patricia Rowland as "shocked and alarmed" that he would support the Patriots after the team spurned Hartford and Connecticut.

"Offering what he called "executive pardon," Rowland said he is encouraging Connecticut fans to root for the Patriots in the Super Bowl.

""It's appropriate, it's the right thing to do. It's the local team," the governor said.

""Don't go crazy," Rowland added. "We don't have to like the owner. ... I've been able to turn the other cheek and I hope you can as well."

>>She is the first Republican Female Lieutenant Governor in Connecticut’s history

Well at least Conn. apparently isn't like Vermont, where the Gov and Lt Gov can be from different parties--which is how, when Gov. Richard Snelling (R) died, a Dem. wound up taking over. Howard Dean, yearrrcccgggghhhhh!

I spent a few days in Conn. last year, seeing things like
the Mark Twain house in Hartford, some old-fashioned
railroads; nice scenery near the coast, etc. Hope things turn out well down there. Isn't CT where W was born?
In New Haven, IIRC.