I r • I \ .. Friends mourn loss of ‘Danny’ Stence... page Hanrhpalpr Irralft Saturday, April 1, 1989 Manchester, Conn. — A City of Village Charm OK WITH GOVERNOR Bv Judd Everhart the General Assembly. The Associated Press Raising the sales tax to 8.5 percent would generate about HARTFORD — Gov. William $290 million in additional revenue A. O’Neill said Friday that he annually. could accept an increase in the “No one wants to pay more state sales tax to 8.5 percent, as tax,” O’Neill told reporters. “I long as the additional revenue is would look at it not in the best of used to balance a budget roughly lights, but we also realize we’re equal to his $6.9 billion proposal going to have to raise $500 million for 1989-90. to $600 million to $700 million” to O’Neill made it clear that he balance his proposed $6.9 billion doesn’t want the General Assem­ 1989-90 budget. bly to start adding money to his O’Neill said he would likely proposed budget, as the Educa­ accept an 8.5 percent sales tax tion Committee did this week “depending on the other factors when it approved $21 million in the proposal” and as long as it’s more for local school aid than the not simply so that the state can governor was seeking. dramatically increase spending. “The other committees have to The General Assembly has be reined in,’’ the governor said. already approved tax increases “I wouldn’t say that I’ll sign an 8.5 that will bring in about $160 percent sales tax to increase million in 1989-90. Rep. William J. spending in great lumps or Cibes Jr.. D-New London, co- chumps.” chairman of the tax-writing Fi­ The co-chairmen of the budget­ nance Committee, said that at writing Appropriations Commit­ least another $500 million would tee are looking to trim O’Neill’s be needed. budget by about $100 million. At 7.5 percent, the sales tax is They’re still talking about the already the highest in the potential of state employee country. layoffs. The plan by Cibes and Sen. The governor said the sales tax William A. DiBella, D-Hartford, increase, from 7.5 percent to 8.5 the com m ittee’s other co- percent, would probably be ac­ chairman, would include an ex­ ceptable because he sees few tension of the sales tax to include alternatives that the legislative 17 services, ranging from engi­ would likely approve that could neering to accounting, provided AP pholo raise the kind of money that’s by one business to another. That needed. would raise about $150 million a ROLLER COASTER CHECKUP — Mike Cass, head mechanic for the His original suggestion of ex­ year. tending the sales tax to utility The committee will also con­ Cyclone roller coaster at Riverside Park in Agawam, Mass., checks bills, which would have raised sider two bills calling for a state the anchor chains that help support the huge superstructure of the $340 million in the budget year personal income tax beginning 112-foot-hlgh coaster. The park was scheduled to open today. beginning July 1, was rejected by July 1. 1 -UTi m ill i at J k 3 I M I k > 2 i ■ iM K It- I t*l REGIONAL WEATHER ‘Danny’ faced life with humor and grace Accu-Weather® forecast for Saturday Gays note “ He was the kind of person you him, of course,” Perotti said. “ But I By Maureen Leavitt “ I’d ask him questions about it, and Daytime CoiKlitions artd High Temperatures could tell a secret to,” Shea said. guess it had to be expected. I just Manchester Herald it didn’t seem to bother him. He just ‘ 'I think I’m all cried out by now, but didn’t expect it so suddenly.” \— --------------- went on with his life,” Perotti said. The Manchester High School Stu­ decade of tonight I’ll sit down and remember Friends say they will probably Perotti said he drove Stence to him. We’re not going to forget.” dent Council decided Friday to remember Richard “ Danny” Stence Manchester High School every morn­ Ann Perotti, Bob’s mother, said she establish a Danny Stence Fund, for his sense of humor and his ability ing in his Ford EXP. Stence liked the decadence liked Stence for his sense of humor. according to Pat Garoppolo, secre­ to enjoy and accept life despite the car so much he bought one and was She said she was proud that Stence tary to Principal Jacob Ludes III. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - difficulties he faced with a heart supposed to have picked it up Friday. Ludes was out of town Friday, but “ He was excited about getting that was a friend to her children. Ten years of outrageous antics transplant. “ I really appreciated his sense of sent a message to students expressing Stence. 17, died Friday at his car,” Perotti said. “ That’s all he by gay men in fishnet stockings humor,” Mrs. Perotti said. She said the school’s sadness over the death of Oakland Street home from complica­ would talk about.” and miniskirted nuns’ habits she was shocked by his death. “ We the popular student. tions associated with a heart trans­ Stence was a lOth-grader at Man­ has made the Sisters of Perpet­ didn’t expect him to go,” she said. Stence’s latest rejection episode plant. He was born with a defective chester High School and had left many ual Indulgence the quintessen­ She said Stence was at her house occurred last fall when he was heart and underwent heart transplant friends behind at Illing Junior High tial kooky stereotype of liberal Thursday morning to go to school with hospitalized at the Columbia medical surgery at Columbia Presbyterian School. San Francisco. Bob and said then that he wasn’t center because he had not been taking Medical Center in New York in Stephanie Shea, 15, of 360 Oakland More than a few of the city’s feeling well. “ He didn’t feel well, he the necessary daily doses of medicine |WW»fauTgih|37 December 1985. He had battled two St., said she enjoyed talking with politicians, gay activists and didn’t look good. He felt very tired and needed to fight off rejection. At first it religious leaders wish the “ sis­ serious episodes of rejection in the Stence, especially during the summer. She, too, enjoyed his sense of said he ‘just couldn’t wake up.’” Was feared he might need another 01969 Aocu Inc ters” had never ventured from last two years. The younger Perotti recalled when transplant but an experimental drug “ He was really funny, just natu­ humor. their proverbial and literal he first met Stence on the front steps stabilized the situation and tests taken rally,” said Bob Perotti, 18. a She said many students were closets. But the group, which is of the apartment building they shared in December indicated damage to the marking its 10th birthday this neighbor and close friend. “ He could shocked and upset by Stence’s death. “ The teachers cried and a lot of people at 360 Oakland St. heart had been reversed. W eather weekend, has built a record of always cheer someone up no matter “ Danny’s mom came running out, service along with its street how down they were, just by being cried,” she said. Stence’s funeral will be Monday at A group of her friends who were also she was real happy, and said theater. himself.” ’Congratulations, you’re Danny’s 11 a.m. at the Watkins Funeral Home, “ It’s been a time of social According to Perotti, Stence never close to Stence spent Friday afternoon 142 E. Center St. Calling hours are reminiscing about the good times they first friend in Connecticut.’ ” Cloudy, becoming windy service, of social activism, and let his health problems interfered “ I’m sad that he’s gone now, I miss Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. outrageous theater,” said the with his daily way of life. shared. Manchester and vicinity; Mostly cloudy and group's president, Sister Vi­ becoming windy today. Rain ending during the cious, whose real name is Ken morning. A chance of a few showers or flurries Bunch. “ We’re also celebrating during the afternoon. High 55 to 60. Wind becoming Gesell rules Reagan all the fun we’ve had.” west 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation lowering Regardless of how you view to 30 percent by afternoon. Clearing skies tonight them, few can forget the group’s with diminishing winds. Low 25 to 30. Sunday, sunny often-impromptu performances not needed as witness with a high around 55. parodying conservative beliefs, Coastal: Mostly cloudy today and becoming with “ nuns” dancing chorus­ windy. Rain ending during the morning. A chance of President Reagan to engage in the line style and singing songs WASHINGTON (AP) - A federal a few showers or flurries during the afternoon. High AP photo illegal conduct alleged, either directly lampooning the likes of the pope judge refused Friday to order former 45 to 50. Wind becoming west 20 to 25 mph. Chance of or indirectly, orally or in writing,” and the Rev. Jerry Falwell. President Reagan to testify at Oliver precipitation towering to 30 percent by afternoon. CELEBRATING 10 — Ken Bunch (Sister Vicious), Gesell wrote. “ Accordingly, the sub­ Television cameras from North’s trial, citing a no support for Tonight, clearing skies with diminishing winds. Low seated, and his wife, Joanna (Sister Blanche de Roote) poena is quashed.” around the world rolled as they the defense claim that the ex­ The prosecution rested its case 30 to 35.