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VOLUME 136, NO. 28 Thursday, July 15, 2021 Crafted from the finest local ingredients since 1885 1406 Main Street, East Hartford, Connecticut 06108 860-289-6468 [email protected] website: ehgazette.com FOUR GENERATIONS MARK 100 YEARS Longtime budget chief seeks top job By Bill Doak As East Hartford’s finance director for 23 years, and before that with CIGNA for 11, the one thing Mike Walsh knows well is a balance sheet. But as someone who was prompted to enter the political arena as the path to solving a simple matter of equity in how taxes were being assessed for trash collection at his condo- minium, Walsh understands the power of politics as a solu- tion to getting justice and change when the math might be right but doesn’t make sense. Walsh was a young newly- wed when the Wethersfield Michael ‘Mike’ Walsh native bought a condo at Democratic mayoral hopeful Carriage Park on High Street, charmed, as many were, by the role in budget matters. His nat- FOURTH GENERATION OF HOFFMANS celebrate 100 years of automobile sales: From left, Jonathan Hoffman, flamboyant Texan builder Gary ural evolution over to the Joshua Hoffman, Bradley Hoffman, Jeffrey Hoffman, Zachary Hoffman and Matthew Hoffman. Cutsinger. Democratic team followed the The condo residents had to logic of the budgetary math. pay for a service to collect their The logic of numbers has trash; however the town did not both pleased and discomforted Hoffman Auto marks 100th take that into consideration a succession of East Hartford mayors since. Walsh knows The Hoffman Auto Group, pride, and are very excited Home – a vehicle buying expe- when it came to taxes. So how to arrive at solutions to one of Connecticut’s most about the future.” rience that customers can do Walsh petitioned the Town the budgetary surprises and respected family-owned busi- “We set out each day to earn entirely online. In January, the Council to listen to him as surpluses, the seasonal short- nesses with locations in East people’s trust, and that strong Auto Group finished a multi- leader of the condo association. falls and the contractual obliga- Hartford, New London, belief has turned into a once-in- million dollar development The effort led to local tions. For anyone paying atten- Waterbury and Avon/Simsbury, a-lifetime accomplishment,” project which brought its BMW Republican Marylee Hickey tion he has faithfully represent- is celebrating 100 years in busi- says I. Bradley Hoffman, Co- dealership to the I-84 corridor, enticing Walsh to register with ed the town’s interests as well ness – including a new dealer- Chairman. “It is truly hum- on the Cheshire/Waterbury their party in 1991, and he as heeded the political will of ship and expansion of its inno- bling, and we are grateful for line. The Hoffman Auto Group became a rising star, a Town the mayor, the town’s powerful vative services throughout the the courage and commitment- also includes brands such as Councilman and eventually chief executive whose word is state. demonstrated by previous gen- Lexus, Audi, Porsche, Ford, GOP town chairman. final. Yet he has managed to be “We are grateful to our erations of Hoffman family Lincoln, Toyota, Honda and Yet when Democrat Bob so darn reasonable, and always employees and the many cus- members.” Despite the pan- Nissan dealerships, as well as DeCrescenzo was elected comes prepared with charts tomers who have played an demic, Hoffman has continued two collision centers and the mayor in the mid-1990s Walsh and PowerPoint that it is hard integral part in attaining this to invest heavily in supporting Hoffman Insurance Agency. had the financial acumen, and to refute the reality of every- century milestone,” says Jeffrey its employees and customers. Hoffman Auto Group was inclination, to be part of a fresh thing from subsidizing the golf S. Hoffman, Co-Chairman. As an example, the group outlook inside Town Hall where “We look back with great recently created Hoffman At See HOFFMANS’ 100TH, pg.6 the finance director plays a key See MIKE WALSH, pg.6 George Agnelli Let us show you how to prep your home and Broker - Realtor® 860-282-0678 get it ready to sell. Houses are selling in hours! [email protected] 2THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021 THE GAZETTE AROUND TOWN 12th Citizen Police Academy starts Sept. Last week to apply for kids Chief Scott M. Sansom and mutual understanding between become better acquainted with the East Hartford Police police and the community is the Police Department, but to Department announce the essential, and the Citizen Police also understand the rationale back-to-school shoes, coats upcoming twelfth session of Academy is a great opportunity behind police operations,” said It’s mid-July but parents Factory Oct. 17. the East Hartford Citizen Police to increase that level of under- Police Chief Sansom. need to think about the needs To receive these needed Academy. standing," said Mayor Marcia The academy is free of cost, of their children for new back- items, families must apply in Classes will run every Leclerc. "I am proud of the East and to maintain health and to-school shoes and coats. advance. Go to www.easthart- Wednesday for 8 weeks, start- Hartford Police Department for safety precautions enrollment East Hartford Social fordct.gov/social- ing on September 8 from 6 to 9 regularly putting the Citizen will be limited. Attendees will Services is now taking applica- services/pages/back-to-school- p.m. in the East Hartford Academy together for the bene- be asked to follow CDC mask tions for the town’s Back-to- programs. Download the Public Safety Complex, 31 fit of our community. Each protocol. Applications may be School Shoes, and the town’s application, sign and return School St., in the police depart- academy session leaves partici- picked up in the front lobby of Koats for Kids programs, until to Town Hall by July 22. Or ment’s training classroom pants with a new sense of the Public Safety Complex at 31 July 22. Qualifying East call 860-291-7248. which is handicapped accessi- understanding of what it takes School St., or online at the Hartford parents are provided Provide copies of a photo ID ble via an elevator, to be a police officer to ensure Department’s website: with a gift card for a new pair and proof of current address in The Citizen Police Academy the safety of our residents." https://www.easthartfordct.gov of shoes for their school chil- the form of a current lease, bill, is geared towards citizens who Citizens will learn about /police-department, under dren entering grades K-12. The mail or rent receipt. Proof of reside, work, own a business, topics such as the history of “Citizen Police Academy.” Koats for Kids program, funded current household monthly or are a student in East the police department, police Application deadline is through the ongoing generosity gross income, DSS budget Hartford. This is a unique employment and training, legal Friday, August 20. For info con- of the East Hartford Rotary sheet, dates of birth for all opportunity for citizens of to standards, patrol and special tact Officer David Flores 860- Club, welcomes eligible appli- household members, copy of learn about your police depart- unit operations, criminal inves- 528-4401, ext. 7635, or email to cants and their children to a the long form birth certificates, ment and the work performed tigations, evidentiary services, [email protected]. special Koats for Kids shopping proof of guardianship/custody, here in the community. The use of force, police and the event at Burlington Coat if applicable. academy provides an overview public, and proactive policing. Farm market Friday of police operations, practices, “The Citizen Academy is a The town’s farmers' market Food drive-thru every Tuesday and objectives. great opportunity for members was canceled last week due to "I strongly believe that a of our community to not only rain, but if the weather cooper- FREE FOOD DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUCIÓN DE ALI- ates the first day of the market takes place at the OLD SHOW- MENTOS GRATIS, OLD SHOW- could be this Friday, July 16 CASE CINEMA site, 936 SIL- CASE CINEMA, 615 SILVER from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the VER LANE, EVERY TUESDAY LANE, LOS MARTES, 8:30 AM State reps to host ‘Town Hall’ Raymond Library lawn, 840 from 8:30 a.m. until noon. - 12:00 PM. State representatives Henry Genga, Jeff Currey and Main St. Affiliated with the The last distribution at this La última distribución en Jason Rojas will all take part in an "East Hartford Town Women, Infants and Children location is Tuesday, August 31. esta ubicación es el martes 31 Hall" tonight, Thursday, July 15 at 6 p.m. at 740 Main St. in (WIC) Farmers' Market Coupon One allocation of food per car de agosto. Town Council Chambers. Open to all, the meeting will also Program, clients interested in to ensure that we have enough Una asignación de alimentos be broadcast live on facebook. Advance questions on issues obtaining farm market coupons food for everyone. por automóvil para garantizar or concerns may be submitted in advance by e-mail to can contact the WIC depart- FMI go to www.ctfood- que tengamos suficientes ali- [email protected] or by calling 860-240-8541. ment at 860-528-1458 ext 1. bank.org, www.foodshare.org mentos para todos. FMI: 860-286-9999 or go to www.foodshare.org CLASSIFIEDS HELP: Dependable and honest person for occasional trans- portation, errands, msc.