The Berlin
Cit itiz ize en Volume 13, Number 26
Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
Thursday, June 25, 2009
‘Peace out’ Berlin High School Graduates take time to thank their fathers By Olivia L. Lawrence Associate Editor
Photo by Matt Leidemer
The Berlin High School Class of 2009 graduated in a ceremony held June 21 at Welte Hall at Central Connecticut State University. This year, the date also marked Father’s Day as well as the summer solstice — the first day of summer and for 257 BHS graduates the first day of their official adult life. For grads and dads it was a great opportunity to share the pride a combined Father’s Day/graduation brought about. In his formal remarks, Jonathan Mercier, class president, acknowledged all the fathers in the audience. “Dads, we appreciate all you have done. Especially when you toss us the car keys and slip us a few extra bucks.” Earlier, as they waited for the processional to begin, other graduates paid homage to their dads, too. “Whenever I had any problems throughout these years, any issues, I could take these to him and he was open to
Berlin High School graduate Kevin Parnell says goodbye with a peace sign at graduation June 21. For more photos, go to pages 22 and 23 and visit www.berlincitizen.com. Graduate list appears on page 24.
See BHS, page 10
It’s not automatic: Huge turnout of voters rejects new system By Olivia L. Lawrence Associate Editor The trash referendum went to opponents of the
switch to automated collection. The final vote was 1964 “yes” votes to 1716 “no” votes. More ballots had to be orCitizen photo by Olivia L. Lawrence
Traffic streams into the American Legion parking lot as Berlin residents cast their votes.
dered midday to keep up with the crowd of voters that came to the American Legion poll on Porters Pass; the only poll open for this vote. The “yes” contingent was voting to keep the conventional trash collection Berlin
See Trash, page 10