The Berlin
Cit itiz ize en Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
Volume 13, Number 46
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Miller stepped up to help town wherever needed By Olivia L. Lawrence Associate Editor
A remembrance
Registrar of Voters Elizabeth Tedeschi recalled the summer of 1984 when she and John Miller unexpectedly took over the duties of registrars. The former registrars had resigned and the two political parties quickly voted in replacements. Neither Miller nor Tedeschi had any experience with the job and a presidential election was right around the
corner. Somehow, they muddled through it together and now years later, Tedeschi recalled Miller as a dedicated public servant who “was a nice guy to work with.” Miller, 90, died Nov. 2. A memorial Mass is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Nov. 14 at Sacred Heart Church in East Berlin.
Turning fitness on its head
His list of accomplishments and community involvement is long and diverse. He was a longtime member of the Berlin Democratic Town Committee and worked on elections, picnics and dances to benefit the organization. He served on the Board of Finance. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, serving at one point as Grand Knight. He was active in the Sacred Heart Men’s Club and Hubbard School PTO. He was executive director of the Berlin Chamber
Citizen photo by Robert Mayer
See Miller, page 7
Election gives us new faces By Olivia L. Lawrence Associate Editor
Jason Kaplan performs a handstand push-up as part of his routine at CrossFit USA on Woodlawn Road. See story on page 2.
of Commerce and executive director of the Berlin Redevelopment Commission. He originated a local Man of the Year award. He was president of the Berlin PTA Council. He was an active member of the Civitan Club of Berlin — serving as president and treasurer along the way — raising funds for numerous causes including assistance to those with mental retardation.
The Town Clerk’s office reports a total of just under 36 percent of registered voters coming out to the polls Nov. 3. The district with the highest turnout was District 4 at the Senior Center with slightly more than 39 percent turnout. The district with the lowest turnout was District 2, at the American Legion, with just under 33 percent turnout. It appears that turnout could have made a difference. The vote was close with a spread of less than 800 votes separating any two Town Council candidates. Mayor Adam Salina, a Democrat, earned the most votes with 2,916; while Republican incumbent Joan Carey earned the fewest with 2,167. That’s a difference of 749. Carey lost her seat to fellow Republican David Evans by just 178 votes. The results of Election Day will bring several new names into the spotlight. Meet your new representatives. On the Town Council: Bill Rasmussen Jr., 49, an unaffiliated, ran with the Democrats. He works as a financial advisor for Ameriprise Financial Services. During the
campaign, Rasmussen said he has experience helping individuals and businesses to Rasmussen meet their financial goals and that process is similar to one the town engages in as it goes about making a Maier-Drost b u d g e t . Striving for increased quality of education, meaningful economic development and important Evans social prog r a m s ; while exercising fiscal restraint is not easy to do, he said, adding that Democrats’ Campanelli team was working to meet that challenge. Rasmussen joins Adam Salina, Steve Morelli, Rachel
Rochette, and Robert Dacey in council chambers as well as the Republicans listed below. Salina returns for his fourth term. Topping all other candidates for votes, it is likely Salina will continue as mayor. Rochette will begin her second term, while Dacey and Morelli begin third terms. The following two candidates will bring minority party representation to the Town Council. Karin “Kari” Maier Drost, 36, won the largest share of votes of any of the Republican candidates. During the campaign, Drost said it is difficult to get answers from government sources and she wants to represent a voice for citizens. “As a member of the Town Council, I would like to listen to the people and act based upon their feedback.” Prioritizing projects and services in tough economic times is one of the town’s most pressing issues, Drost said, adding that she has strong analytical skills as well as a background in business and finance. In his second bid for a council seat, Republican David Evans, 43, made the cut. Evans works as a senior
See Election, page 16