The Berlin
Cit itiz ize en Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
Volume 14, Number 10
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Local’s daughter earns a bronze in Vancouver By Nick Carroll The Berlin Citizen
Associated Press
Americans Erin Pac, left, and Elana Meyers celebrate after winning the bronze medal in the Two-Woman Bobsled event at the Vancouver Olympics. Pac’s father, Tom, lives in Kensington, and attended the Olympics.
Hard times force proposed budget up 5.7 percent By Olivia L. Lawrence The Berlin Citizen Town Manager Denise McNair presented her 20102011 budget proposal to the Town Council March 2. The document asks McNair for a 5.7 percent increase on the $66.5 million 2009-2010 budget. While last year’s budget
was difficult, “this year is easily harder,” McNair said, explaining that all the easiest reductions had already been made. In addition, the same difficult economic conditions exist. She asked the council that, as they review the budget, to “not cut lower than we can function at.” Mayor Adam Salina said that as the Town Council’s finance committee reviewed the budget over the next several weeks “we hope to be able to whittle it See Budget, page 6
Berlin hires a new superintendent of schools — see story page 4.
Watching the Olympics on TV can be enough to get ones patriotic juices flowing and the adrenaline pumping. So imagine the euphoria Berlin resident Tom Pac must have felt witnessing — in person — his daughter win a bronze medal for the United States. Pac’s daughter, Erin, and her teammate, Elana Meyers, took third in the TwoWoman Bobsled event Feb. 24 at the Vancouver Games. “All the Americans just went wild,” said Tom Pac. After crossing the finish line, the bronze medalists, who finished just 1.12 second off the gold-medal pace, came to rest close to where Tom Pac, and his wife, Carol,
were standing. Dad was unable to greet his 29-year-old daughter immediately following the race. But when the two met up later, it was an emotional event. “I congratulated her and told her ‘I knew you could do it,’” said Tom. “It’s hard to explain,” he said of Erin’s reaction to claiming a medal for her country. “She was just so happy. She was just overjoyed.” The proud father pointed out that Erin was not even at 100 percent in Vancouver. She had suffered a hamstring injury prior to the Olympics, but soldiered on anyway. “She pushed through it and did what she went there to do,” said Tom. “Any medal is never disap-
pointing,” Erin Pac told the Associated Press. “Elana and I worked really hard on just working on the four runs. Coming in today, I knew we could medal. Didn’t know which one. We were reaching for that gold, but I’ll take the bronze any day.” Tom was in possession of that bronze medal for a brief time in Vancouver. “It was very nice, very heavy,” he said. “I was almost in tears because I was so happy.” Erin Pac grew up in Farmington, and as one might expect, was an active kid. Although a fierce competitor, Tom Pac indicated that his daughter never had a cold, win-at-all-costs attitude. “She was driven in sports,
See Bronze, page 3
At 102, Labieniec enjoys a wonderful life Mary Labieniec celebrated her 102 birthday, March 1, with a day-long party at the McDonald’s restaurant on New Britain Road. The honoree said the event was “wonderful”. She was surrounded by scores of friends and five generations of family. Labieniec bought a new outfit for the occasion and friends noted that this petite dynomo always exhibits great style. She also knows how to have a good time and, after patiently sitting through a rendition of “Happy Birthday” by the crowd of wellwishers, Labieniec took to the dance floor with partner
Citizen photo by Olivia L. Lawrence
Mary Labieniec, 102, listens as the crowd sings “Happy Birthday,” during a March 1 party at McDonald’s See Labieniec, page 5 restaurant, in her honor.