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Volume 42, Number 20 Published by The Glastonbury Citizen February 23, 2018 Portland Dog Wins Best of Breed by Elizabeth Regan She’s the most perfect representative of the her overcome her fears, and took her to cham- Spanish Water Dog breed in the United States: pion levels. Angel Kiss the S’Kai De Ariosa. Harper subsequently became an advocate for But you can call her Kai. the breed, importing dogs from Spain and Fin- The Best of Breed honor was bestowed upon land and competing in herding, agility, rally the 3-and-a-half-year-old dog with a distinctive obedience, barn hunt and water work. curly coat at last week’s 142nd Westminster As the breed expanded, she helped establish Kennel Club Dog Show. the Spanish Water Dog Club of America, and Thousands of breeders, owners and handlers served as chairman for six years. She currently converge on New York City each year for the serves as vice president. nation’s premiere dog show, which culminates Dog clubs’ missions are to establish standards in the Best in Show title for one pedigreed pup. for their breeds, and to educate judges, mem- Handler Lisa Harper of Portland put Kai bers and the public on the breeds’ purposes and through the paces first at the Piers and then at talents. Madison Square Garden amid cheering crowds, Harper’s goal as chairman was to qualify the bright lights and the constant buzz of televi- breed for recognition by the AKC, which took sion commentators. 15 years of expanding the population and meet- Harper said the decision to recognize Kai as ing AKC criteria. Best of Breed was made by judge Peter Green, The Best of Breed designation during the first whose career she described as long and distin- part of this year’s Westminster Kennel Club guished. Green is a four-time Westminster Best Dog Show earned Kai a spot in the Herding in Show winner and a seven-time Westminster Group competition at the vaunted Madison judge. Square Garden venue, where she was evaluated “When he pointed at us, I couldn’t believe against the other breeds that make up the class it,” Harper said. of loyal, intelligent and prey-driven canines. While Kai was bred by Susan Deangelo of The winning dog in each group goes on to Pennsylvania, it was Harper who bred the dog’s compete for the Best in Show title. father many years ago. “The judge’s job is to decide if this Spanish “To show and win with a dog descended from Water Dog is a better Spanish Water Dog than my own line – well, that’s every breeder’s that Border Collie is a Border Collie,” Harper dream,” Harper said. said. Harper, born and raised in Glastonbury, went First the judge examined physical features west for college, stayed, and made her career including Kai’s bite, head structure, ears, chest about dogs. Her connection to the breed began and back end, Harper said. Then the handler Spanish Water Dog Best of Breed winner Kai was shown by handler Lisa Harper when she befriended a young, dangerously un- walked Kai around to show off the dog’s gait. of Portland at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York der-socialized Spanish Water Dog who was Harper said the judge went up and down the City last week. Photo courtesy of Diana Han, Nor Cal Bulldogger about to be put down. Harper took Tia, helped See Best of Breed page 2 Three Vying for Ziobron’s House Seat by Elizabeth Regan Haines said that, de- “Melissa [Ziobron] roads and bridges that A lifetime Girl Scout, a labor attorney and a spite the 2012 fire that actually approached need attention, ad- decorated Peace Corps alumnus are vying to destroyed the bell fac- me and asked me to dressing decreasing take over the 34th District state House seat cur- tory, the business sur- run for her seat and I levels of municipal aid rently held by Republican state Rep. Melissa vived and today contin- have to say that en- to cities and towns, and Ziobron. ues to employ “a small dorsement is an indica- reducing spending. East Haddam Republican Irene Haines and force of dedicated tor I have what it takes “Our budget woes Democrats Kurt Comisky, of East Hampton, people striving to com- to fill in for her,” have sent our state and and Theresa Govert, of East Haddam, each an- pete in a global world.” Haines said. its reputation into a nounced their candidacy this month. She added, “This is Haines was a peti- tailspin,” she said in her Ziobron is running for the state Senate seat the kind of small busi- tioning candidate in campaign announce- belonging to Republican Art Linares. Linares ness that we need to last year’s East Had- ment last week. “I am isn’t seeking re-election, as he’s running for protect against over dam first selectman’s going to the capitol to state treasurer. regulation.” Haines race. She received Comisky look for ways to do the Govert Irene Haines, 56, is an insurance agent with The 21-year resident of East Haddam is a 39.76 percent of the vote but lost to Republi- state’s business much more cost-effectively, AAA and the former owner of a silkscreen and past president of the East Haddam Business As- can Emmett Lyman. look for waste and come up with creative solu- embroidery business. In addition to her status sociation and serves as an alternate member of “I want to make this state a better place to tions to get the work done.” as a longtime volunteer with the Girl Scouts of the East Haddam Economic Development live,” she told the Rivereast this week. “Con- One idea she does not support is increasing Connecticut, she was employed by the organi- Commission. necticut in itself is a beautiful place; I can’t the gasoline tax. She said increasing the bur- zation as its membership director for almost She is the founder of both the Colchester think of living anywhere else. But it’s got a fis- den on drivers “is not going to help small busi- four years. Civic Orchestra and East Haddam News, a cal crisis going on right now. We have to work nesses” whose owners put many miles on their Haines’ work history also boasts a Belltown weekly newspaper. hard at repairing that.” cars over the course of the work day. connection forged more than a decade ago when Haines received her bachelor’s degree from She said the key ways to solve the state’s fi- Kurt Comisky, 59, is a practicing labor at- she worked for about a year in the office at Villanova University in Pennsylvania. She is nancial situation involve improving the regula- torney in East Hampton who retired from the Bevin Bells. married with two adult children. tory environment for businesses, prioritize See House Seat page 2 Cover Story ï Cover Story ï Cover Story ï Cover Story ï Cover Story ï Cov Cover Story ï Cover Story ï Cover Story ï Cover Story ï Cover Story ï Cov House Seat cont. from Front Page Best of Breed cont. from Front Page Federal Aviation Administration after more than Govert’s résumé includes a three-year stint line of herding dogs “about 800 times” after he ity, herding and obedience. 20 years. in the Peace Corps from 2013-16. Her service had examined all of them individually. Harper added the breed has been put to work He worked in the FAA’s Office of Labor and brought her to Botswana, where she ran the She noted that some judges will “pull” out in Spain for bomb detection. Employee Relations “on both sides of the table,” Campaign Against Gender Violence and helped of the line a few of the dogs they really like. Spanish Water Dogs are perfect for an active he said. He was elected three times as a union start a beauty salon to provide work opportuni- “We didn’t get a pull,” she conceded. “Maybe person or family who likes to get out and do representative for the northeast region and then, ties and safer options for sex workers. next year.” things, according to Harper. after earning his law degree from Western New While the typical Peace Corps term lasts two The judge ultimately chose a Border Collie “These dogs really like to have a job, even if England University, he represented FAA man- years, she received an extension to help get the called Slick as the group winner, according to it’s something like ‘go find my car keys.’ [They agement. salon off the ground. show results. need] something they can own. They’re not He told the Rivereast this week that he re- In 2016, Govert received the John F. Kennedy For Harper and Kai, being a part of the ven- hang-around dogs,” she said. tired from the federal agency last year partly Service Award for her efforts in the Peace erable Westminster Dog Show was what the She noted that people researching breeds of- because of his plans to become a candidate in Corps. The honor is given every five years to handler described as a surreal experience. ten regard their size and shedless coats as ideal this election. volunteers and staff members who have made “Kai’s tail never stopped wagging the entire attributes in a dog. But there’s so much more While federal law prevented him from run- “contributions beyond their duties to the agency time we were there,” Harper said. to any breed than what’s written on the internet, ning for political office during his tenure with and the nation.” Harper shares ownership of Kai with Col- she said. the FAA, he said he served in numerous ap- Describing herself as a millennial and part leen Nolan of West Virginia. Kai splits her time Spanish Water Dogs need mental stimulation pointed positions in East Hampton. He was a of the “gig economy,” Govert works as a full- between the Harper and Nolan households. as well as physical stimulation, she emphasized. member of the Board of Finance, Conservation time caregiver for her grandmother, a freelance “Colleen does most of the obedience train- Kai has channeled those attributes into her Commission and Ethics Commission. He cur- graphic designer and a yoga instructor. ing and I do the showing,” Harper said. “It status as an AKC Bronze Grand Champion with rently serves on the Town Facilities Building “I’m choosing to run because, as a millennial, works out great.” titles in obedience, rally obedience, and cours- Committee that oversees the construction of the I think we need new voices and fresh ideas in Kai has called Portland home for the past ing. She will begin competing in agility this new town hall complex. the Connecticut General Assembly,” she said. year. year. Comisky, who considers himself “socially She pointed to wealth inequality as one of Harper described Kai as typical for the breed: The Westminster Kennel Club invites the top liberal and fiscally realistic,” said his priorities the major problems in the state. loyal, easy to train and devoted. five dogs of each breed to their annual show. revolve around structural reforms to the busi- “I think we need a tax structure where ev- Spanish Water Dogs are medium-sized with Harper has been invited every year since the ness environment and services provided by the eryone pays their fair share,” she said. unique, curly coats that may form cords when breed was introduced to the show in 2016. state. The Connecticut Campaign for Paid Family long. They are rustic, multi-functional farm “To win at the world’s most prestigious show He also pointed to the need for a “compre- Leave is another issue she’s excited about. dogs, primarily used for herding goats and takes a great dog, a good handler, a judge who hensive review of state statutes and regulations” “When I’m talking to my friends about what merino sheep in Spain for centuries. They are knows what he’s looking for, and alignment of affecting municipalities. He said many of them would attract them to live in this state...one of also useful for hunting, fishing and vermin con- all the stars,” Harper said. were written 50 years ago or more, which begs the things they kept saying was really strong trol. The dogs excel in activities including agil- questions like “Is there still the same need” and family policies,” she said. “Does this [statute] address the need?” A bill to allow up to eight weeks of paid fam- “These goals will not be accomplished by ily and medical leave died in the legislature last sitting on the sidelines and throwing insults or year. It would have been paid for by employee From the Editor’s Desk displays of righteous indignation,” he wrote in contributions, with the state responsible for his campaign announcement. “Rather, to be some of the cost of getting the program up and successful, I have a clear vision, will build re- running. Observations & Ruminations lationships across party lines, and will advo- “It makes sense for small businesses because by Mike Thompson cate for the necessary changes. Finally, I will it allows them to compete with large businesses I’m not here to write about the latest mass * * * follow through to administratively implement that can offer [those benefits],” Govert said. shooting. I’m not here to write about the need Speaking of presidents: This past Monday, these necessary changes.” When it comes to transportation, she said the for additional gun control. Mass shootings of course, was Presidents Day – and newspa- Comisky said one key solution to the overall gasoline tax doesn’t go as far as it used to now have become all too frequent in recent years, pers across the country celebrated by running state budget situation and its impact on munici- that cars are more fuel-efficient – “so we have and I’ve made my feelings about them known. some year-old news. palities involves coming up with a tax that is to look at options.” What I am going to write about is our While the news wasn’t particularly timely, “more fair and equitable” than the local prop- One of those options is tolls, which she de- president’s responses to the shooting. it was certainly appropriate for the day: the erty tax. scribed as a viable alternative for generating As much as I bash Trump, he is still the stories were about a 2017 C-Span survey of “I do agree with the tolls and raising the gas revenue. She pointed to the fact that Connecti- president of the United States. It’s the most 91 historians on the best former presidents of tax,” he said. “Basically, user fees.” cut is the only state on the northeast corridor powerful position in the country. It is the per- all time. The presidents were rated in 10 cat- Comisky lives with his wife on 24 rural acres without tolls. son expected to lead us, to guide us. The best egories – including economic management, in East Hampton. The couple has a dog, two “We can think of ways to creatively make presidents have a way of grabbing the coun- international relations, crisis leadership, pub- cats, several horses and a small flock of poul- sure that [the transportation] fund doesn’t go try by the collective hand in times of tragedy, lic persuasion skills and moral authority – and try. insolvent, because that would be devastating and letting us know that everything will be were given an overall ranking based on the Theresa Govert, 25, was spurred to become for all of us,” she said. all right. results. a community activist in the days following the Democratic Contest That, unfortunately, doesn’t seem to be This was the third year C-Span had con- last presidential election. With two Democratic candidates in the run- Donald Trump’s forte. ducted the survey; the prior occasions were That’s when a progressive sign she put up in ning, a primary may be needed. This could be Immediately after the Florida high school in 2009 (George W. Bush’s first year as a East Haddam was defaced with the spray- determined at the 34th District Democratic shooting happened last Wednesday, Trump former president) and 2000 (ditto for Bill painted message “Trump 2016.” nominating convention is held on May 16. said the right things. But then, on Twitter, the Clinton). And, as was the case with the two Before it was painted over, the sign bore a Each town in the district is able to send a true him started to shine through. other surveys, Abraham Lincoln topped the quote from activist and popular social media certain number of delegates to the convention The morning after the shooting – the morn- list. Lincoln ranked either first or second in presence Shaun King: “Dear Muslims, Immi- based on population. According to the Con- ing after – Trump wrote on Twitter, “[The most of the categories, although he did score grants, Women, Disabled, and All People of necticut Democratic Party, the delegate count shooter’s] neighbors and classmates knew he fourth in the “relations with Congress” cat- Color, I love you – boldly and proudly. We will in the 34th District shakes out to seven for East was a big problem. Must always report such egory. Considering that a civil war was going endure. We will not break.” Hampton, five for East Haddam and two for instances to authorities, again and again!” on while he was president, that ranking is The next week, 350 people gathered for a Colchester. Really? The day after the shooting you’re understandable. “Community Conversation” at the Two A candidate needs at least 51 percent of the blaming the victims for not speaking out about The rest of the top 10 is, in order: George Wrasslin’ Cats coffeehouse in East Haddam. vote to become the party nominee. this guy? That’s the card you want to play? Washington, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Theodore She said the event included gay couples voic- If another candidate receives at least 15 per- Then on Friday, the horrible news came Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Harry S. ing their fears about the preservation of mar- cent of the vote, that person is automatically out that people had indeed reported the Truman, Thomas Jefferson, John F. Kennedy, riage protections and Muslim parents express- put on the primary ballot. shooter to the FBI, and agents, tragically, had Ronald Reagan and Lyndon B. Johnson. ing their fears about sending their children to A candidate who does not receive 15 per- dropped the ball and not followed up. While Where did our most recent former presi- school. cent of the vote is still able to petition to get on the country was reeling from this news, dent, Barack Obama, fall on the list? Sorry, Now, weekly vigils bring in anywhere from the primary ballot by collecting signatures from Trump seized the moment and made it all haters: he came in at No. 12 overall. Broken 40-80 people each time and have helped raise at least 5 percent of registered Democrats in about him: down, Obama scored high marks in the cat- approximately $30,000 for local and state the district. “Very sad that the FBI missed all of the egories of moral authority and economic man- causes, according to Govert. Primaries will be held June 12. many signals sent out by the Florida school agement, and scored higher than just two other shooter. This is not acceptable. They are former presidents in the category of “pursued spending too much time trying to prove Rus- equal justice for all.” What worked against sian collusion with the Trump campaign – him? A ho-hum ranking of 24th when it came there is no collusion. Get back to the basics to international relations, and a pretty lousy and make us all proud!” 39th place (out of 43 – for while Grover Cleve- It is indeed very sad the reports to the FBI land had two separate stints as president, for somehow slipped through the cracks. It’s a the survey he was only counted once) in the huge failure and I’m sure everybody involved area of “relations with Congress.” felt terrible. But to suggest it never would have Which president came in dead last in the happened had the bureau not been investigat- survey? James Buchanan, the man roundly ing the Russia situation is not what the vic- criticized for doing basically nothing to deter tims’ families, the survivors, indeed the whole the Civil War from starting. The 15th presi- country, needed to hear. He had no way of dent fared lousy in all 10 categories; his high- knowing if it was true or not, and to take that est ranking was 41st, in the area of adminis- moment to yet again declare himself com- trative skills. (Apparently Warren G. Harding pletely innocent in the Russia mess was dis- and Andrew Johnson were even worse admin- graceful. istrators.) I’m starting to think the man really is men- Where will Trump fall on this list when his tally ill. The level of narcissism, the complete time in office is through? Who knows – but lack of empathy unless it’s emblazoned across I’m guessing it won’t be in the top 10. But at a teleprompter in front of him, suggests some- the same time, barring him starting a nuclear thing is not quite right. war, it’s tough to imagine him faring worse Since his inauguration, we’ve had crises than Buchanan. After all, being unable to deal and tragedies in this country, situations where with a splintering union, and leaving office a president really had to rise to the occasion with your country on the brink of civil war, is and be our moral leader – and Trump has re- a tough thing to live down. ally failed in this regard. He is an utter, utter * * * embarrassment. See you next week. Peters House Restoration Work Coming Along by Sloan Brewster The room with the large hearthstone was Restoration at the Peters House is moving wainscoted, Foote said, pointing out the lines along, with insulation work on the oldest wing in the wall where the wainscoting had been. of the house planned for the coming months. “We’ll try to restore this the way it would Mary Ann Foote, town historian and mem- have been,” she said. ber of the Historic Properties Commission, gave The first room of the 1795 addition is the the Rivereast a tour of the historic town-owned keeping room or common room. The room con- property Tuesday. The commission has been tains the largest of the six fireplaces in the home. charged with guiding and assisting the town The room will not be completely restored to with the restoration project and future uses for its colonial roots, as it will be used for town the building. functions, Foote said. The L-shaped wing in the back of the struc- Foote pointed out the remnants of wainscot- ture was the original house, and was built in ing in the keeping room and the chair rail the 1745, Foote said. The larger part of the house, wall. visible from the road was added to the older “They added a peg to hang the chairs for wing in 1795. easier cleaning [and] sweeping,” Foote said. That older portion will be a museum and the Off the keeping room, will be a bathroom in rest of the house will be used for town meet- what was the “borning” or birthing room, Foote ings and local groups, Foote said. said. As the L-wing will be a museum, Foote has The room would have been used for moth- advocated for restoring it with historic accu- ers giving birth or elderly people on the thresh- racy, she said. For example, she had wanted to old of death. The L-wing of the Peters House is being restored as a museum. Seen here is the keep the old hand-hewn joists intact and have “This room really shows the lath and the metal framed mantel on one side of the dual fireplace, the other side has a distinctly the original wall panel at the back of the house clapboard and the wide boards,” Foote said. different brick and rubble mantel. visible. She pointed to the ceiling and said it was On Tuesday, a wood frame was attached to likely painted with milk paint, a chalky white- The next step Minard plans will be covering So far, the outside envelope of the property the wall. wash used to paint ceilings in colonial times the exposed beams and heating ducts in pro- has been done, structural issues have been ad- The paneling was previously covered in plas- that can be difficult to paint over. tective plastic coating before spraying the foam dressed, water has been brought to the prop- ter and lath, and the framing will be filled with The next room is the formal, or fancy parlor. insulation. erty, the bathrooms have been plumbed and foam insulation, Jon Minard, also a member of “The Fancy parlor was the fanciest room,” Minard could not estimate when the project some electrical work has been done. the Historic Properties Commission, who has Foote said. “We can tell because of the fancy would be completed. “What we’re trying to do is get some of the been doing the restoration work with volunteers molding.” “There’s still a lot of structural work to be rooms finished off,” Town Planner Mike and contractors, said. Minard said he has begun some of the resto- done in addition to all the cosmetic work,” he O’Leary said. “Get the project completed basi- “The walls had no void in them at all for ration work in the fancy parlor. said. cally a room at a time.” insulation,” he explained. “More recently, we’ve been doing more cos- Once the insulation is in, they will build a metic stuff in the two downstairs bathrooms and wall in front of it, he said. in the fancy parlor,” he said. “We have some really nice wood paneling A hallway from the fancy parlor leads to a Funding the Peters House Project that we’re going to put up there,” he said. set of stairs and the informal parlor, which by Sloan Brewster As far as the ceiling joists, most of those were circles back to the keeping room. Foote refers Volunteers have worked with a tight bud- Walking around the house on Tuesday, damaged, Minard said. to the informal parlor as the floorcloth room. get in the restoration of the Peters House. Foote noticed areas where the paint was peel- “There were only two that were intact,” he “If you look down at the floor, there are green To date, the project has been done prima- ing and needs freshening up. said. “We’ve saved the good ones.” areas not painted, that’s where the floorcloth rily with volunteers and through grants, some “How are we going to get money to keep The L-wing was cut in half when the house would have been,” she said. with matching town funds, said Town Man- this thing painted?” she said. was converted to a two-family by previous Floorcloth was an early cloth made of a ager Andy Tierney. The next funding was $30,000 in the town’s owners and the joists need to be replaced, he coarse material such as canvas and then layers “Many hours have gone into the restora- Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) that allowed said. of paint were added over it and it was painted tion,” Tierney said. the town to apply for a grant from the State “There was a stairway in the L, so they cut with a geometric design. Tierney offered great deals of gratitude to Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), which all the ceiling joists,” Minard said. “We saved A temporary staircase in the L-wing will Jonathan Minard, who, he said, was skilled in required a town match. what lumber we could.” serve as the framing for permanent stairs, restoration and has volunteered countless With the combined $60,000 from the town Throughout the restoration, Minard, contrac- Minard said. hours to the project. and SHPO, the HVAC system was put in. In tors and volunteers have made an effort to save “The stairs will have balusters and posts,” “He is our rising star; he has put in many, addition, a rotted floor was rebuilt and the rest any useable materials. Foote said. many hours of expertise and time,” Tierney of the floors were strengthened by replacing The house, which sits at the entrance of Burnt The top of the stair connects to the chamber, said. “We can’t thank him enough.” posts in the basement, O’Leary said. The Hill Park, was on approximately 100 acres. It the only actual bedroom in the house. The rest The town has received several grants for the $60,000 also covered materials to bring water was initially owned by the Peters family, who of the upstairs is a ballroom stretching the full project, according to Town Planner Mike to the property. came to town in 1720 had 12 children and lived length of the house with vaulted ceilings and O’Leary. The town also received permission from the on the property for several generations. In 1882, built in seats with cupboards for garments. “We’re begging and borrowing money ev- state to use $23,000 left over from another the Peters sold it to the Posts, who occupied The town is “going to restore the full ball- erywhere,” he said. “It’s tough to get a big, STEAP grant for an entirely different project the home for two generations before selling it room,” Foote said. “This could be perfect for a big project like this completed on a budget to pay for materials for electrical work, he said. to poultry farmers. chamber concert.” that’s tight.” Dan Larson, chairman of the Board of Se- The farmers were the ones who partitioned She envisions the room used for a variety of The Hebron Historical Society applied to lectmen, is doing the electrical work and sup- the home into two separate units. other purposes as well, including art shows or the 1772 Foundation on behalf of the town for plying labor at no cost, O’Leary said. The L-wing contains a dual fireplace facing making Colonial crafts. the first grant, O’Leary said. The $35,000 grant O’Leary said he has received some addi- two rooms, but the mantels around the fireplaces “It could be a very nice location for the arts from the foundation helped with the restora- tional CIP funds that he and Foote are using are distinctly different. One side is framed in and for projects,” she said. “The house has tion work on the L-wing, the original house to apply for another grant from SHPO. red brick and stone rubble, the other side has a wonderful potential when it gets done.” built in 1745. “Trying to stretch the money as much as decorative metal frame, with a large hearthstone For now, work at the house has been paused Next, the state’s Small Town Economic As- we can,” O’Leary said. “It’s a slow process.” covering the floor. while Minard tends to unexpected family mat- sistant Program (STEAP) provided the town O’Leary, Foote and Minard said more vol- A large Dutch oven can be accessed through ters. with a $200,000 grant for an exterior face lift. unteers would be a great boon to the project. a door to the left of the metal framed fireplace “I’m hoping to get back over there in a week,” “That was a major win there, because we Included on the wish list are carpenters, or via smaller oven doors in the passageway he said. pretty much did the whole outside envelope,” woodworkers, electrical workers, people to between the two rooms. O’Leary said. help with clean up, demo workers, floor re- The work, which was done in 2012, in- pair and refinishing specialists, wall repairers, cluded replacing rotted siding, installing a new folks to do prep work and painting. roof and old windows. Anyone interested in volunteering should “It covered the skin,” Mary Ann Foote, town contact Foote at 860-944-3862 or historian, said. “It re-skinned it.” [email protected]. Women’s Rights Activist to Be Featured in Hebron Video by Sloan Brewster Foote said. The bureau helped ex-slaves, who Hebron’s Josephine Sophia White Griffing, had little or no experience running their lives, an anti-slave and women’s rights activist, will navigate their newfound freedom. be featured in a new video commemorating “She was going to be the head of the Women’s History Month. Freedman’s Bureau, but they gave it to a man,” On Monday, members of the Hebron His- Foote said. torical Society dusted, swept and cleaned the Griffing, who was born in 1814 in Hebron windows at the one-room Burrows Hill School- and died in 1872, was a member of the White house in anticipation of a visit today by some family, who were early settlers of Burrows Hill of the staff of state Rep. Robin Green (R-55). in Hebron. Green’s outreach coordinator, Samantha Though she died in Washington, D.C., her Slade, contacted local historian Mary Ann body was returned to her hometown and she is Foote, asking if, in time for Women’s History buried in Burrows Hill Cemetery. Month in March, the historical society would On Griffing’s headstone are these words: participate in a video about a famous woman “A friend to the slave / The poor and op- from town and the work the society does. pressed / With unswerving faith in / God’s eter- It was all Green’s idea, Slade said in a call nal justice / Her life was given in their service.” Tuesday. “After she was married, they moved to Ohio “Rep. Green wanted to highlight a famous and that’s where they became active in the abo- woman in Hebron and the great things she did, litionist movement,” Foote said. and that’s where she wanted to pull in the his- Griffing eventually ended up in Washington, torical society” Slade said. “She just wanted to where she hobnobbed with the “in” crowd. Bob Gonci and Peter Cassarella, members of the Hebron Historical Society, chat highlight the great things about the region and “She knew [President Abraham] Lincoln and for a moment after scrubbing and cleaning the Burrows Hill Schoolhouse in the great things women did in the history of the [Secretary of War Edwin] Stanton,” Maryellen anticipation of a visit by staff members from the office of state Rep. Robin Green. region.” Gonci, Historical Society vice president, said. Green isn’t available to come for Friday’s In the 1860s, Griffing took a keen interest in fend for themselves.” In 1866, she was named a vice president of filming today, Slade said, but the crew will film the plight of freed slaves, many of whom were In 1865, the Freedman’s Bureau was created. the American Equal Rights Association, a group folks from the Historical Society talking about living “wretchedly in overcrowded ramshackle Griffing joined and was appointed assistant to dedicated to equal rights for men and women, Griffing’s role in history, and about the old tenements and huts,” according to “Angel of the assistant commissioner. In her role, she regardless of race. In 1869, she joined the Na- schoolhouse, which will serve as a backdrop Mercy in Washington Josephine Griffing and fought for more relief for freed people, claim- tional Woman Suffrage Association and was for the video. Later, Green will talk on film the Freedmen 1864 to 1872,” a journal article ing that her superiors were not doing enough. chosen as its secretary. about the historical woman’s contributions. written in 1963 by Keith E. Melder. A link to Eyewitnesses, in historical accounts Melder According to Foote, Griffing was only just Foote said that, when Slade approached her the article can be found on the Hebron Histori- referenced, described Griffing going to railroads beginning her excursion into the suffrage move- with the idea of the video, she immediately cal Society’s website at hebronhistorical where freedmen were readying to travel north ment when she died of illness in 1872, and thought of Griffing and said the Burrows Hill society.org/josephine-griffing-articles- for work. Not only did she accompany them on surely would have taken her fight for equal Schoolhouse, which Griffing attended and exhibits.html. the journeys, she gave them bread from her own rights much further had she lived longer. which Foote feels is the society’s best exhibit, Griffing, according to Melder, was prepared pocket and paid for their baggage. The video is expected to be completed in would be a prime location. to take part in the movement to elevate the freed It is estimated that Griffing helped settle March and, once finished, will be posted on Griffing was nationally-known during the slaves. 3,000 to 5,000 former slaves in the north, ac- Green’s website, repgreen.com, and on social abolition movement and was an organizer of In Griffing’s own words, “Slaves accustomed cording to the article. media. the Freedman’s Bureau after the Civil War, to constant supervision were rarely ready to

Finding ‘the Fun’ in Vision Loss in Marlborough by Julianna Roche time. to do it, not just for myself, but to help educate When 48-year-old Kevin McNally greets you However, McNally said over the years, he people. Most people don’t understand visual at his front door and shakes your hand for the has found ways to compensate for his deterio- loss.” first time, he does it with a broad smile looking rating eyesight. For example, he explained that only 10 to 15 you square in the eye before leading you into “The way the eye works is you’re constantly percent of people that have vision loss are “truly his living room and gesturing towards a seat on scanning the room and pieces are brought in blind as we might think of it,” but the remain- the couch – just as any average person might through the optic nerve to create a complete ing 85 percent of people suffer from similar do welcoming someone into their home. image,” he said. “It’s fascinating. The brain is cases of vision loss as him where they can still You’d never guess McNally is legally blind. smart enough that it puts the pieces together.” see some things. Born in Hartford and raised in Simsbury, The third of five children, McNally said that “That can cause some confusion to people,” McNally attended Salve Regina University in his two younger sisters were adopted since his McNally said, explaining that it might be odd Newport, R.I. and later Quinnipiac University parents – who are both genetic carriers of the for people to see him using a blind cane when School of Law. Eventually becoming a licensed disease, but don’t have it themselves – were walking in an airport, but then be seen reading Connecticut attorney, McNally also had a suc- worried about giving birth to more children who a book while sitting on the airplane. cessful career in insurance sales, driving all over might also succumb to the same sort of vision “This is the education part that needs to hap- the state to meet with clients before settling in problems. pen,” he said. “People need to feel they can use Marlborough, where he currently lives with his Until he was 17, both McNally and Chris the white cane. … Someone at one of my most two daughters, girlfriend and her son. spent time visiting expert eye doctors in Mas- recent talks said to me that she felt like she Today, he no longer drives, but works from sachusetts who studied their cases, developing needed to act more blind and that’s wrong.” home as director of business development for research and attempting to find a cure, before And while his disease has had some serious an energy company started by his older brother, the brothers finally decided they had enough. implications, McNally said he prefers to put Bob. “All it was was bad news,” he said. “It was more emphasis on the positive aspects – some- As a newborn, McNally was diagnosed with torturous. It was never good news, so we said, thing he carries into his “Kev Talks.” Albi Punctate Dystrophy – an extremely rare ‘We’re done. We’re not coming back here any- “My mom used to say that all I ever did as a degenerative retina disease – that Chris had also more’.” kid was smile,” he said. “I tend to have a really been diagnosed with several years before. The Not one to cower in the face of a challenge, good attitude. It’s not that I’m oblivious to bad disease causes a slow deterioration of sight McNally explained over the last 30 years, he things. I’ve had plenty of bad things happen, overtime with the eventual likelihood of com- stopped meeting with eye doctors and refused but I really believe life is 10 percent what hap- plete loss of eyesight. to let his deteriorating vision hinder him from pens to you and 90 percent how you react to “We were the first two reported cases [of the living a normal life – until early last year, when it.” disease] from birth,” McNally explained, add- he was diagnosed with glaucoma in his left eye. “There’s humor in [vision loss],” he contin- Kevin McNally ing that being brothers made their case even “I’m tired of pretending. I’m coming clean,” ued, pointing to his email address, rarer. he said, adding that most people in town, for [email protected], as an example. ‘Um, excuse me? I don’t think so.’ Of course, McNally explained that for he and his brother, example, don’t even realize the extent of his “I do that on purpose because is vision loss my friends heard it and started yelling, ‘Kevin, the disease started off with just having poor vision loss, because four years ago he would funny? No, not really. But are there funny sides over here!’.” night vision. still be seen driving a car. to it? Yeah there are,” he said. McNally shares similar humorous memories “We could still see during the day and move “I’m feeling myself change and that is one One story that comes to mind, McNally re- throughout his speeches. around,” he said, adding that it was only when of the difficult parts of this where you might called, was one summer when he was about 14 “I always knew that that which gives me the his mother came into Chris’ bedroom at night want to run and hide because you feel yourself years old, he and his friends went to the mov- most challenge was going to be that which sets to offer him a glass of water and he would never changing, but I am going to go the opposite ies. Back then, the theater would hand every- me free,” he said, explaining that he’d rather reach for it that she realized something was way,” McNally said. “I’m going to grab the bull one in attendance a raffle ticket and read off turn his vision loss into something positive that wrong. by the horns and push against it. I don’t want the winning number just prior to the movie start- could help others. “I see that as my mission.” McNally ultimately tested positive for the to feel like I’m receding because that’s not who ing. * * * same disease when he was born. I am.” McNally won, he said, but by the time he McNally’s next “Kev Talk” will be held at With it, he explained the range of sight as Rather than downplay the disease, he decided had claimed his prize – free popcorn – and re- the East Hartford Senior Center Wednesday, what it would feel like “putting a large glazed to embrace it and has started speaking to vari- turned to the theater, all the lights were off and April 4, at 10 a.m. For more information or to doughnut up to your eye,” so while you can still ous groups of people who are experiencing low the movie had started. have him speak to your group, contact him at see a portion of an image through the doughnut or declining vision across the state. “I had no idea where to go,” he said with a [email protected], 860-682-3588 or hole, the rest of the doughnut becomes “dead “One of the reasons I’m really coming out laugh. “I ended up sitting on this young girl visionlossisfun.com. space” which has been slowly “caving in” over- with this now is that I have to,” he said. “I have probably about the same age, and she was like, Colchester Man Arrested for Shooting Threat Against Bacon by Julianna Roche who admitted to posting the comments, but tion that many of them heard about the arrest trict reviews its safety protocols and practice Less than a week af- stated it “was only a prank.” on the news before being notified by the school drills for a variety of situations often, which ter the deadly school Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary and two days after the incident occurred. include those involving an active shooter or shooting in Florida, a Conway confirmed with the Rivereast Thurs- However, Conway explained in a phone in- intruder. They then conduct after-action meet- former Bacon Acad- day morning that it was Burtis’ “own choos- terview that by the time students were back in ings discussing what procedures went well and emy student was ar- ing” to drop out of school and that he had not school on Wednesday, Burtis had already been what can be improved, and sometimes have rested Tuesday after been expelled prior to the incident. arrested, posing “no imminent threat at that first-responders observe the drills to provide allegedly posting a According to the arrest warrant, Burtis was point.” constructive feedback. comment on social charged with second-degree breach of peace. “As soon as we knew about it [the arrest], “Colchester is a special place and yet, we media that implied the Police said they determined he did not have any we sent out the letter,” she said, adding that had are no different from any other community,” she high school would be firearms in his possession and does not have students been in school Monday or Tuesday, wrote. “We have residents of all ages who, for the target of an active access to any known firearms. parents would have been notified immediately a variety of reasons, struggle with making the shooter. Though the threat occurred on Monday, through the school’s messenger system, which right decisions for the greater good of our citi- Colchester Police Nicolas Burtis Conway explained that she wasn’t informed of sends emergency phone calls and texts to par- zens.” said Nicolas M. Burtis, 18, of 46 Skyview Dr., the incident until Wednesday morning, likely ents – rather than through a letter. “If you see something, say something,” Colchester, was taken into custody Feb. 20 because the students were not in school either Conway added that she received multiple Conway urged. “Together we will keep all our through an arrest warrant which states that the Monday, Feb. 19 or Tuesday, Feb. 20, when calls following the arrest from parents who in- children safe.” threat was posted on the social media app police were investigating the threat, due to dicated they actually knew Burtis and had been Board of Education Chairman Brad Bernier Instagram the day before and referenced the President’s Day. concerned reading various social media posts reiterated the superintendent’s statements school specifically. Around 10 a.m. Wednesday morning, he’d written. Wednesday, stating that while the phrase is “a Police said the comment implied that Bacon Conway sent out a formal letter addressed to “My response was to them that you need to bit of a cliché that people make light of some- Academy “was going to be like the school in parents and the community stating that Burtis’ tell somebody. At that point, if you’re con- times, it really will make a difference” and this Parkland, Florida,” referencing last week’s arrest is a reminder that the school district’s cerned, you need to tell the police [and] people “is a good example.” shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High “number one priority” is “the health and safety don’t do that. They don’t want to make waves,” * * * School, which left 17 dead and became the of our students,” and asked that the community Conway said. “We want to assure parents that Anyone who has any concerns about pos- deadliest school shooting since the 2012 shoot- “be patient” as the school engages in its “strict we take every concern seriously.” sible threats against Bacon or any other schools ing at Sandy Hook Elementary School in school visitor procedures.” In her letter, she wrote that the incident was in town is encouraged to contact the Colchester Newtown. The timing of the letter drew criticism on the “an example of how the message to us all: see Police Department at 860-537-7270, State Po- According to Colchester Police, several wit- Facebook pages “Keeping it All in Colchester” something, say something, works in our com- lice Troop K at 860-465-5400, the Colchester nesses and suspects believed to be involved in and “All Things Colchester,” with several resi- munity.” School District superintendent’s office at 860- the incident were identified and spoken to be- dents and people who identified themselves as Conway also explained that the school dis- 537-7208, or a school administrator. fore they received a confession from Burtis, parents of Bacon students expressing frustra-

FedEx Driver Charged with Negligent Homicide in Colchester by Julianna Roche who had worked for FedEx for about a year, 911 to report the incident and later consented until June 5 at 12:35 p.m. when he was pro- A 26-year-old Fed- said he saw a motorcycle traveling toward him to a blood draw, which showed there was no nounced dead, according to police. Ex driver has been in the northbound lane, but believed that he “had alcohol or drugs in his system at the time of the His death certificate, provided by the city of charged with negligent adequate time and space” to make the turn, crash. Hartford, lists blunt injury to the head as the homicide following a which he subsequently began to do. According to the arrest warrant, a witness cause of death and a toxicology report con- two-car crash which According to police, Marshall said he could told police they had been passed by the motor- firmed that there was no alcohol or drugs in his resulted in a motor- not remember if he used his turn signal or not, cycle just prior to the crash while also travel- system at the time of the crash either. cyclist’s death in but said that as he began to turn into the drive- ing northbound on Windham Avenue, which is In a reconstruction of the accident, police Colchester last year. way he witnessed Vincent P. Cormier, 64, of divided by a double yellow center line signify- said they determined that Cormier had been According to police, 1847 Exeter Rd., Lebanon – who was driving a ing a no-passing zone. driving at least 30-35 mph while heading north- at approximately 5:21 Harley Davidson FLHTCU – attempting to According to police, the witness said that as bound on Windham Avenue – which is in a 25- p.m. on May 26, 2017, brake to avoid hitting the FedEx van. they drove over the top of a hill, they saw the mph zone – and that if he had been driving the Kendrick K. Marshall Kendrick Marshall Marshall said he “froze” and “felt like time aftermath of a crash involving the same motor- speed limit, he could have stopped his motor- of 125 Putnam Ave. stood still” when the two vehicles collided, and cycle who passed them. The witness waited on cycle in time to avoid crashing into Marshall’s Apt. 727, Hamden, was driving a FedEx sprinter immediately pulled his vehicle over following scene until police arrived and confirmed they FedEx van. van heading southbound on Windham Avenue the crash to check on Cormier, who was laying witnessed Marshall on the phone with emer- On Feb. 7, Marshall was arrested and charged when he came to a stop in preparation of turn- in the southbound lane on his back wearing a gency services and Cormier on the ground with with negligent homicide with a motor vehicle ing left into the driveway of a residence to make helmet with no eye protection. serious injuries, but still breathing at the time. and failure to grant right of way, police said. a delivery. Police said Marshall, who suffered a minor Cormier was then transported by Colchester He is scheduled to appear in court in Nor- In a written statement to police, Marshall, scrape on the inside of his left knee, then called EMS to Hartford Hospital, where he remained wich on March 27.

Portland Selectmen Approve Sidewalk Plan by Elizabeth Regan The Board of Selectmen has approved a plan residents. Cross wise,” Olson wrote in the email. to spend $1 million to repair sidewalks on one The draft sidewalk improvement document Tripp described the spot repairs as ones that Srb said that if the town is responsible for side of several downtown streets and to fix shows the streets going out to bid include: would be done in areas “where there simply repairing sidewalks, then spending the allotted smaller sections of the area’s most deteriorated • North side of Fairview from Main Street to isn’t enough money to do the whole section, $1 million to fix dangerous “trip hazards” sidewalks. East Main Street but where we can do a little bit of work and should be the priority. Only after all the smaller, A committee of residents and town staff has • South side of Waverly from Main to East make that section of sidewalk safer.” known hazards are repaired should the town been working for more than a year to come up Main Selectman Ben Srb applauded the decision look to replacing whole sections of sidewalk, with a plan for how to spend the $1 million • Both sides of East Main from Freestone to to move toward repairing only one side of some he added. approved in 2016 as part of a $10 million bond- the Town Hall streets. Selectman Lou Pear acknowledged several ing package to fund the Route 17 recreation • Both sides of Freestone from Main to East “One path is better than no path,” Srb said. recent lawsuits filed after people fell on side- park and to address infrastructure needs in town. Main “Yeah, in a perfect world, it’d be great to have walks in town, but said he believes approving A subcommittee of the Board of Selectmen was • The south side of Freestone from Cross to both sides – but we don’t live in a perfect world the plan would show the courts that the town is established last December to address policy is- High Street and we’re in financial trouble.” actively working to make sidewalks safer. sues related to sidewalks. • The north side of Spring Street west of East But Srb maintained there are lingering issues Town Clerk Ryan Curley confirmed Thurs- A joint recommendation from the two com- Main (repairs to sidewalks on the south side of related to the town’s sidewalk ordinance, which day there were three trip-and-fall lawsuits filed mittees was presented to selectmen at their Feb. the street between High and East Main will be states residents are responsible for maintenance in 2017. 7 meeting. It was approved unanimously. funded through bond money reserved for sewer and repairs to their own sidewalks. Srb maintained the town must proceed care- Selectman Jim Tripp, a member of the side- and road improvements) He pointed to a Jan. 26 email from town at- fully on the issue of sidewalk repair. walk ordinance subcommittee, introduced the • East side of Main from Fairview to Spring. torney Kari Olson of Murtha Cullina to “If we are liable for the repairs and we chose plan. He said the goal is to put the project out If there’s enough money left over, the fol- Bransfield that indicated the town may be found not to [make them], then it’s gross negligence to bid for repairs for specific sections of sev- lowing streets will be incorporated in the fol- liable for trips, falls and injuries sustained on on the town’s part,” Srb said. eral streets within a half-mile radius of the lowing order of importance: sidewalks. First Selectwoman Susan Bransfield argued town’s schools: Fairview Street, Waverly Av- • North side of Waverly from Main to East “[W]here a municipality is aware of a defect the project is the first phase of many that will enue, East Main Street, Main Street and Free- Main and fails to remedy it within a reasonable pe- have to occur in order to repair all the town’s stone Avenue. • About 750 feet of spot repairs to the west riod of time, there is (and always has been) a sidewalks. The approved plan also eliminates the previ- side of Main risk of liability to the Town. If you cannot fix “For us to not proceed with the hours and ously discussed idea of making abutting • South side of Fairview from Main to East defects promptly, warning the public of defec- hours of work and analysis that’s been done by homeowners responsible for half of the replace- Main tive conditions or even closing sidewalks that the sidewalk committee would be negligent on ment cost, which had been roundly panned by • North side of Freestone from East Main to are dangerous while waiting to repair may be our part,” Bransfield said. Traffic, Muddy Conditions Spark Complaints in Portland by Elizabeth Regan A wet winter season has brought attention to nice frontage property on 66, which should be eral hundred feet down the road.” The narrative did not, however, specify that site work on Route 66 near the Riverdale Inn & good for some kind of decent commercial,” he Despite assurances from the land use depart- the reports must be submitted to the land use Suites as a parade of dump trucks carry in a said. ment that work should only be occurring on dry department. mixture of gravel and common fill from A gas station remains on the table, he said – days and that more trap rock had been installed No such reports have been received by the Middletown. but he was noncommittal when asked if stor- at the entrance, the same complainant wrote on department, according to Land Use Adminis- The heavy truck traffic has yielded com- age units were still being considered as a po- Jan. 29 to say the road “was a mess again” that trator Ashley Majorowski. plaints from travelers regarding the tracking of tential use for the site. morning. Portland Building Official Lincoln White and dirt onto Route 66, unsafe driving and noise. He said the previous approval for storage A Feb. 14 email from Connecticut Depart- Connecticut Department of Transportation Prominent local developer Wayne Rand, who units applied to a different portion of the prop- ment of Transportation Special Services Man- spokesman Kevin Nursick both said Rand has received a special permit from the Planning and erty than the one currently being filled. ager Andrew S. Morrill to First Selectwoman been doing everything he can to address prob- Zoning Commission in October to haul in The fill application was reviewed in Septem- Susan Bransfield said the agency had been lems exacerbated by rain. 63,000 cubic yards of material, is filling 2.4 ber by Wetland Enforcement Officer James monitoring the area daily since it first heard “He’s been compliant,” Nursick said. “He’s acres of his 9.39-acre property between the Sipperly, who said he visited the site previously about the complaints. trying very hard.” Riverdale and Payne Boulevard so the site is and found “no inland wetland and/or water- “At this time it appears they have mitigated Nursick said separate complaints about dan- visible from Route 66. course within the jurisdictional area of the Port- the tracking issue and are working within the gerous driving habits displayed by dump truck The fill is coming from the site of the old land Wetland Commission.” The application confines of their permit,” Morrill said. drivers and street sweepers is a local concern. Aetna building in Middletown, which is being was also forwarded by the land use department Rand said he is doing his best to control the An email sent to Bransfield on Feb. 9 com- turned into a FedEx distribution hub. to the town engineer, Chatham Health District, tracking of material onto the state road, but plained of street sweepers making “crazy u- Site work is authorized from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. public works department, Conservation Com- added the task is difficult when there are so turns” in front of traffic and dump trucks defy- Monday through Friday, according to land use mission and Economic Development Commis- many trucks going in and out of the site. He ing stop signs and traffic lights. department documents. No filling is allowed sion for their review. said there are typically two street sweepers from Bransfield said she has gotten about a half- on weekends or holidays. The EDC wrote an October letter to the Plan- the site development firm Manafort Brothers dozen complaints about unsafe driving and the Two projects have been proposed for the site ning and Zoning Commission to say they con- Inc. on the job at all times. tracking of mud over the past several weeks. over the past 15 years, but neither got off the cluded the application deserves careful review “We do what we have to do to keep it clean,” While the tracking on the road is the state’s ground and the approvals for both have expired. by the wetlands commission “in light of poten- Rand said. concern, she said it is the town’s responsibility Land use documents show the first project was tial negative effects” on the Connecticut River The work is expected to last another three to address the traffic issues. approved in 2004 as a 5-lot subdivision with a watershed. weeks if the weather cooperates, according to The Portland Police Department has been special permit on one of the lots for four, two- Land Use Department staff said a handful of Rand. patrolling the area and will continue to do so, story mini warehouses. In 2010, a gas station verbal complaints regarding the site work have A project narrative submitted by Rand as part according to Bransfield. got the go-ahead. come in to the office. Three emailed complaints of the application specifies he will hire a quali- “My concern is definitely the unsafe driv- Rand said this week he is working to create were received, according to documents pro- fied inspector to inspect disturbed areas of con- ing. We will not tolerate that,” she said. “a nice piece of property” on land that lacks vided in response to a Freedom of Information struction, structural control measures and en- There have been no traffic citations or viola- good topography. request from the Rivereast. trance/exit locations at least once every seven tions issued to dump truck drivers or street He said he has no immediate plans for the One Jan. 22 complaint referred to road con- days and within 24 hours of a storm that pro- sweepers in the last month, according to the site. ditions near the site as “a total mud bath with duces 0.1 inches of precipitation or more. Portland Police Department. “When it gets done it’s going to be really at least an inch of wet mud being carried sev-

Portland Speaks Out Public Hearing on Portland Here’s what some residents had to say at gineering study says you need to put into your Property Purchase Looms Wednesday’s packed public hearing and in water and sewer system. You’ve got $2.2 mil- by Elizabeth Regan written testimony on the latest proposal in the lion if you want to continue the sidewalk pro- The Mary Flood Room at the Portland Pub- An example of a similar model is the Brown- town’s continuing efforts to revitalize the gram. It’s all coming at you. I’m not sure lic Library was filled to capacity Wednesday stone Exploration & Discovery Park, which riverfront. where the dough is coming from.” night as residents came out to speak for and officials say has paid the town $2.75 million in Michael Cannata: “I can smell the oil from Mary Dickerson, Economic Development against a plan to spend a total of $410,000 on lease fees since the park opened in 2005. my house. If it is contaminated, why do you consultant: “Essentially, if you could lease several vacant and contaminated pieces of land A question raised during the public hearing gotta build down there?” any one of those parcels for $3,350 a month, on the riverfront. about who controls the Buckeye Partners oil Larry McHugh, Middlesex Chamber you would cover your cost of carry: you would The proposal is set to go to town meeting on pipeline running through the property yielded president: “These properties have been va- cover bonding cost and then you would cover Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Portland no immediate answers, leading some residents cant and abandoned for over ten years and your taxes. So anything above that would be Public Library. and selectmen to suggest holding off on next there is currently no path to a viable commer- revenue to the town. Environmental engineer Amy Vaillancourt of week’s public vote at town meeting. cial or other productive use for any of them. We haven’t made any decisions. Some of Tighe & Bond introduced the former petroleum First Selectwoman Susan Bransfield said A municipal purchase of these properties those parcels could be sold and then one of storage distribution site as one that hadn’t found Vaillancourt would reach out to the oil pipe- would allow for a comprehensive cleanup of those parcels could be maintained for lease. a buyer for many years because of contamina- line company the following morning to address the area and the best opportunity for economic Our initial investment could be made back or tion: “The site is blighted, abandoned, sur- the jurisdictional questions and see if the issue development in a critical section of town.” exceeded through the sale.” rounded by chain-link ‘no trespassing’ signs, needs more discussion before officials go Linda Purple: “What happens if [the cost Elwin Guild, Economic Development but it’s still continually vandalized.” through with the town meeting. of remediation] exceeds $750,000? Is it a Commission Chairman: “It’s called an op- She said the town has been approved for a But Bransfield emphasized selectmen would guarantee we can get more money? A 100 portunity. It’s not called a danger. Everyone $750,000 clean-up grant from the Department not close on the sale until details like this were percent guarantee? We don’t know that. It’s who’s worried about the what-ifs, think about of Economic and Community Development, but ironed out, regardless of whether the questions merely an assumption...It’s not a guarantee it for a second. What if we go for this and the clock is ticking on the funds. In order to arise before the town meeting vote or after. $750,000 is going to cover it and we’re going decide it’s something we don’t really want to access the money and begin remediation, vot- “There are many contingencies that are built to have more money.” pursue? … For $300,000, you can sell it for a ers must vote to purchase the parcels and then into the purchase and sale agreement. Part of Tom and Marilyn White: “Glastonbury’s million. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” they must determine the “highest and best use” the due diligence would certainly be a title also a fine example of publically redevelop- Sean Hayes, Brownstone Exploration & for the property. search and other matters,” she said. ing its riverfront and giving access to its citi- Discovery Park: “If anyone knows me, I am Possibilities include a waterfront restaurant There was no answer to the pipeline ques- zens. for smaller government. This is not something operated as part of a public/private partnership. tions by press time Thursday. Another example of a successful public/pri- I as a business executive would endorse in any vate partnership is Harbor Park and the Ca- way, form or fashion. The only reason it gets noe Club restaurant owned by the city of my endorsement is because of the Brownfields Middletown and leased to preserve the grant: because no developer can put this pack- riverfront.” age together in a viable business sense. Ed Baillargeon: “Has anyone spoken to Look at your neighbors. No disrespect to Buckeye Pipeline?” our neighbors. But you have a liquid asphalt Rick Kelsey: “I’m concerned, basically, plant next door. You’re not getting the viable where’s all the dough coming from? Back property values in this market today. It is go- when I first became public works director 23 ing to take a redevelopment plan that only the years ago, it was rare that we bonded. Big town can implement.” water projects, that’s it. Now we lease, we Bob Morse: “I think this will be an expen- bond. I guess it’s the American way. You al- sive parking lot. ways hear interest rates are great. [But] when “This has become a crisis. We have seven I was raised, if you didn’t have the dough to days to take this information, do our home- get it, you didn’t get it. You didn’t borrow for work and then vote.” it. Bill Petzold: “I too do not like this thing You got a million [dollars] in debt in water being rammed down my throat.” and sewer. You’ve got $15 million that an en- Obituaries

East Hampton Hebron Colchester Portland William John Rempe Frances Megson John W. Lennon Lawrence A. Glover William John Rempe, Frances Blackiston 55, of East Hampton, (Cummins) Megson of John W. Lennon, 73, of Colchester, passed Lawrence Alexander Glover, 82, of Portland, beloved husband of Jodi Hebron, known as away after a long illness Thursday, Feb. 15, at beloved husband of Susan (Kay) Glover for 57 (Pandisher) Rempe, “Blax” to her family and Middlesex Hospital Hospice. He was born in years, passed away Thursday, Feb. 15, at Port- died Wednesday, Feb. friends, passed away Bridgeport June 18, 1944. John was the only child land Care & Rehab Center. Born in Beverly, 14, at Hartford Hospital. Monday, Feb. 12, at the of the late John and Barbara (Brodacki) Lennon. Mass., he was the son of the late Lawrence and Born Nov. 30, 1962, in age of 92. She was the John retired several years ago after being self- Hilda (Armistead) Glover. Greenport, L.I., he was widow of the late Harry employed, owning and operating Lennon’s Gro- Larry lived in Deep River for many years be- the son of Stacia K. Megson, to whom cery Store in Monroe for many years. John loved fore moving to Portland in 2004. He was a mem- (Januick) Rempe and she was married for 59 to play cribbage. He fancied himself a ladies’ man, ber of First Congregational Church of Deep River the late John E. Rempe. years. charming and charismatic, always the gentleman, and First Congregational Church of Portland. He Bill grew up in Long Frances was born especially to his companion of 24 years, Louise was employed at the L.C. Doane Company in Island and was a gradu- March 7, 1925, to Dr. Curri, with whom he made his home and who Ivoryton for 48 years and was a member of the ate of Greenport High School and then Florida and Mrs. C.R. Cum- will remember him with love. Deep River Board of Education. Larry enjoyed Institute of Technology where he trained to be- mins of Dover, De. She attended public schools Per John’s wishes, funeral services will be held golf and was an avid Boston Red Sox fan. come an airline pilot. Bill earned his pilot’s li- in Dover through 10th grade and then completed privately. The Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home Along with his wife, Larry is survived by his cense in 1985 and first worked for East Hampton high school at Linden Hall in Lititz, Pa., estab- of Colchester has been entrusted with these ser- brother, Norman Glover of Sebring, Fla.; his sis- Air in Long Island, then Business Express where lishing friendships that she retained throughout vices. ter, Phyllis Koeller of Southington; two grand- he became captain. Bill then worked for North- her life. Following a year at Moore College of children; a brother-in-law, Edward L. Kay and his wife Sara of East Haddam; a sister-in-law, Jane west Airlines, which later became Delta Airlines. Art & Design in Philadelphia, Frances enrolled East Hampton At the time of Bill’s passing he was a first officer at the University of Delaware in 1943. She com- Aronson and her husband, Robert of Westbrook; for Delta Airlines. pleted her coursework three years later, in 1946, Robert P. Banning Jr. and several nieces and nephews, including a very Bill loved music and guitar playing, Cuban becoming the first woman to obtain a degree in Robert P. Banning Jr., 57, of East Hampton, special niece, Kathryn Kay of East Haddam. Cigars, traveling the world, entertaining family electrical engineering from the university. born March 31, 1960, son of the late Robert P. Besides his parents, Larry was predeceased by and friends and sharing his chicken wings. Bill Upon graduation, Frances moved to Connecti- and Judith (Staplins) Banning Sr., passed away his son, Eric Glover. was always the life of the party and would light cut to work in the research department of United Sunday, Feb. 11, at Hartford Hospital. Funeral services will be held today, Feb. 23, at up a room. Aircraft, later known as Pratt and Whitney Air- Robert is survived by his brothers John, Paul 10 a.m., at First Congregational Church of Port- Bill is survived by his mother, Stacia Rempe craft. She and Harry met in South Glastonbury and Edwin Banning of East Hampton, several land, 554 Main St., Portland. Burial will be at the of Greenport, L.I.; his wife, Jodi Rempe of East and married in June 1949, after his graduation nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews convenience of the family in River Bend Cem- Hampton; his two sons, John Rempe of Los An- from UConn. Together they raised five children, and close friends. etery in Westerly, R.I. geles, Luke Rempe of East Hampton; a sister, Lori first in South Glastonbury and then in Hebron. He was predeceased by a brother, Franklin In lieu of flowers, donations in Larry’s memory Dibble and fiancé Michael Crosby of New York; She was a devoted wife and mother, as well as an Banning, and a sister, Alice (Banning) Forbes. may be made to the American Cancer Society, his niece and goddaughter Michele Dell Croce accomplished gardener, seamstress, baker, fixer- The funeral will be private. Robert’s family 825 Brook St., I-91 Tech Center, Rocky Hill, CT (John); sisters-in-law Geri Lynne Carnelli of-anything-electrical, wordsmith, woodworker would like to thank everyone for the outpouring 06067. (Raymond), Gina Scelza, GiGi Fox (Bill), Jacki and sly practical joker. She is remembered for her of love and support and will be hosting a memo- To share memories or send condolences to the Baranowski (Peter); nieces and nephews Jeremiah love of flowers and chocolate, her competitive rial picnic in the spring; date to follow. family, visit doolittlefuneralservice.com. (Dana), Jordan Marie, Jacob, Blaire, Hailey; and spirit, her thoughtfulness and most of all, her love great-nephew Austin. of being with family. He was predeceased by his father John and his Frances was active in several organizations in infant son Scott. Hebron but her one love was the Douglas Library. A funeral liturgy was celebrated Monday, Feb. She was a member of the Douglas Library Board 19, in St. Patrick Church, East Hampton. Burial of Trustees and served as its president. She was will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery. head of the committee responsible for the 1999 Bill’s wishes were that memorial donations be addition to the library and was named Citizen of made to the Go Fund Me page set up for Basrep the Year in 2000 by the Board of Trustees, for her Inc. which has been operated by Jodi for 26 years. work in seeing the project through to completion. To leave online condolences, visit spencer Frances was instrumental in assisting Seldon Wells funeralhomeinc.com. with the first Hebron Maple Fest, and often served “Rempe 55 flying west, final destination, I Love “Sugar on Snow” in Seldon’s Sugar House. More You.” than once she drove north, as far as necessary, to procure snow for the Maple Fest when the weather in Connecticut did not cooperate. Frances was predeceased by her beloved hus- band, Harry. She is survived by their five chil- dren and their spouses, Thomas and Patricia Megson of Stamford, Sarah Megson of Manches- ter, Ann and Marc Baribault of Hebron, Richard and Jane Megson of South Glastonbury, and James and Tracey Megson of Lebanon. She is also survived by her 16 grandchildren, Sarah, Callie, Tommy, Katie, Marc, Will, Lizzie, Greg, Julia, Annie, Peter, Maureen, Nate, Jesse, Marina and Helen; and her five great-grandchildren, Jack, Stella, Theo, Wyatt and Freddie. Visiting hours will be held from 4-7 p.m. to- day, Feb. 23, at the Mulryan Funeral Home, 735 Hebron Ave. in Glastonbury, and a memorial ser- vice will be held in her honor at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at The Congregational Church in South Glastonbury, 949 South Main St. A private burial has been planned. For online condolences, visit mulryafh.com.

Portland Police News 2/13: Dominique Cyr, 37, of Lakeside, Ariz., was charged with operating under the influence Colchester Police News and failure to drive in proper lane, Portland Police said. 2/18: Colchester Police said Joshua Taylor, 2/14: Jonas Smith, 41, of Nehatic Drive, 21, of 272 Prospect Hill Rd., was arrested and Niantic, was charged with operating under the charged with criminal violation of a protective influences and operating under suspension, order. police said. 2/15: Kate Gartner, 33, of 72 Summer St., Portland, was charged with operating motor Marlborough Hebron Police News vehicle under suspension and traveling unrea- Police News 2/14: State Police said Mario S. Scalise, 38, sonably fast, police said. of 251 Reidy Hill Rd., Hebron, was arrested 2/14: State Police said Agustin Lugo Jr., 45, and charged with operating a motor vehicle of 76 Clantoy St., second floor, Springfield, under the influence of drugs/alcohol, making Mass., was arrested and charged with operat- an improper turn, and failure to carry a certifi- Car Overturns on Route 2 in Colchester ing a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs/ cate of registration/insurance. alcohol and speeding over 70 mph. by Julianna Roche left side of the roadway, police said. 2/16: State Police said at approximately A Fairfield man sustained serious injuries Police said the vehicle subsequently col- 2/15: State Police said Pamela L. Cheney, 12:21 p.m., they received a report from RHAM 33, of 40 Hobart Ave., Norwich, was arrested after allegedly driving too fast during a heavy lided head-on with a rock hillside in the cen- assistant principal Penny Bryzgel, who led an rainstorm early in the morning of Feb. 11, ac- ter median, causing it to launch in the air, over- and charged with interfering with an officer: officer to the second floor of the school build- non-assaultive. cording to police. turn, and land in the left travel lane. ing, where a 17-year-old male student was At approximately 7:45 a.m. Sunday, Feb. Decaro was transported to Hartford Hos- 2/17: State Police said Yanquee B. locked in a bathroom with a 14-year-old stu- Rodriguez, 21, of 114 Vanderbilt Ave., West 11, Nicolo Decaro, 25, of 307 Glen Ridge Rd., pital by Colchester EMS for suspected seri- dent. Once confronted by the officer, the male was driving a Volkswagen Passat G traveling ous injuries and his vehicle was towed from Hartford, was arrested and charged with oper- student damaged school property and threat- ating a motor vehicle under the influence of westbound on Route 2 when he lost control the scene by Evan’s Automobile Repair, po- ened school staff with physical harm before of the vehicle near Exit 21 and drove off the lice said. drugs/alcohol and operating a motor vehicle being detained, charged with the respective with a suspended registration or license. charges, and released to his biological mother.