The Berlin
Cit itiz ize en Volume 13, Number 42
Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
Vets not happy with progress of Veterans Park By Olivia L. Lawrence Associate Editor A group of Berlin veterans say they are not satisfied with progress on the proposed Berlin Veterans Memorial Park. At the Oct. 6 Town Council meeting, some members of the veterans’ commission told the council that the two-phase project was stalled at “Phase Zero.” Officials said they are moving as quickly as possible and have worked hard to find the money to fund it. “Some one is dragging their feet,” said Richard Rampone, a member of the veterans’ commission who served with the Marines. He told the council “It doesn’t appear we’ve done anything.” Referring to the project’s timeline of Phase I and Phase II, Rampone said “It looks like we’re at Phase Zero.” Tom Chesery, chairman of the veterans commission said, “We’d like to know what’s going to happen. The longer it takes, the less people will be able to take advantage of it.” Officials defended their efforts and said the project is moving along and that Phase I should be fully underway in the spring. “The money is not just sitting there in the bank,” Councilor Robert Dacey said. “We’re still about $40,000 short. We turned ourselves inside out to get this money.” An extra $150,000 will be needed to build an entrance and memorial. The add-ons to the project came after vet-
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Big test ahead for Redcoats
“We’d like to know what’s going to happen. The longer it takes, the less people will be able to take advantage of it.” – Tom Chesery, Veterans Commision erans protested last winter that the park, which the council had voted to name in their honor, was being planned without their input and without a fitting tribute. The park, which includes property along Masserio Drive and Farmington Avenue next to the Stop and Shop plaza, is part of a streetscape project that has been developing along downtown arteries, including New Britain Road. As the property is in close proximity to the VFW on Porters Pass, the site is meant to beautify the area and bring passive recreational opportunities to downtown. “We’re working at it,” said Jim Mahoney, director of economic development who has been a lead figure on downtown improvements. Mahoney said there have been many steps involved in getting the site prepared for See Vets, page 7
Photo by Matt Leidemer
The Berlin High School football team puts its unbeaten record on the line against undefeated Simsbury Friday, 7 p.m., in Simsbury. Pictured: Dave Campagna runs up against a crush of Northwest Catholic players in Week 2.
Election 2009
Meet the Town Council candidates By Olivia L. Lawrence Associate Editor Ten candidates are running for seven Town Council seats. The Nov. 3 ballot will include five names from the Democrats and five from the Republicans. The council cannot have more than five seats held by one party. At this time, the Democrats hold the majority with five seats. Due to the large field of candidates, The Citizen will publish information in two installments. This week, readers will see biographical information as well as contact information and photos. Next week, The Citizen will feature candidates’ answers to questions. The Republican Town Committee Chairman is George Millerd and he can be reached via email at millegh@comcast.net. Dave Evans is campaign coordinator as well as a
candidate (see below.) Millerd said the GOP is streamlining its message for this election. Campaign literature states that the “Government of the People…Your GOP is committed to Community Input by respecting your vote and listening to your ideas and by giving you more say in the budget process. Economic Growth through consistently applied businessfriendly standards and through prioritized spending and borrowing guidelines.” The Republicans do not have a campaign headquarters. To learn more go to www.berlingop.com. The Democratic Town Committee Chairman is Fred Jortner and he can be reached at (860) 754-7280. The campaign chairman is John Luddy and he can be reached at (860) 883-6783. See Council, page 8