The Berlin
Cit itiz ize en
Volume 14, Number 36
Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Census winds down: Berlin tops 20,000 inhabitants By Olivia L. Lawrence The Berlin Citizen Berlin outshone the rest of the state — and country — when it came to sending back its census forms. In Berlin, 84 percent of residents returned the form compared to 74 percent statewide and 72 percent nationwide, said Antoinette Pajor, community services director and also the Berlin Complete Count Committee Chair. Town Manager Denise McNair noted residents’ “high compliance.” April 10 was the cutoff date for returns. With 16 percent of the count not returning forms, census workers will be around town continuing the effort, Pajor said. Workers will check on vacant addresses, motels, and spot check to verify information already submitted. Pajor said only a very small amount of homeless
people are likely to be part of Berlin’s count. There are always a few who do not return the form, some who are perhaps not aware of it — or threw it out without realizing its significance, she said. According to the U.S. Census website, Berlin has broken the 20,000 mark in population. Preliminary data shows that in the past decade Berlin has gained more than 2,250 residents, bringing the population up from 18,215 to 20,467. In 1990, the population was 16,787. That the town was pushing 20,000 was no secret. Along with the 10 year, Constitutionally-required census, the U.S. Census also conducts the American Community Survey: an ongoing collection of data that is more extensive than the census data and which See Census, page 23
Photo courtesy of Paul Salina
Kids having fun is just one of the many sights to enjoy at the annual Berlin Fair.
Fair counts on new economic strategy for success By Olivia L. Lawrence The Berlin Citizen (In an interview with The Citizen, this year’s fair President Peter Hansen talks about the economic realities of running a major agricultural fair. Next week: what’s new and improved for the 62nd annual fair.) Peter Hansen was the
Lion’s entertainment chair for 25 years and he may be again one day. But this year he has new responsibilities at the big fall event which runs Oct. 1-3. “That was my niche, but now I’m in charge of the overall supervision,” Hansen said. He is this year’s president of the 62nd annual Lions Club presentation of
the Berlin Fair. One of his biggest concerns is for the economic health of the fair. “We hope to have a profitable and successful fair this year,” Hansen said explaining the many strategies organizers are using to ensure this. “What we can raise from the
See Fair, page 23
Record lovers get a new spin on music at Movin’ Moe’s When it comes to music, Michael “Moe” Cushen is a good man to know. He’s been in the business in one form or another for most of his life. Earlier this summer he set up shop at 1020 Farmington Ave. bringing a whole new world of vinyl to local record-lovers. Along with his Chihuahua Cheech, Cushen welcomes customers to Movin’ Moe’s Oldies and
Goodies where they can browse vintage records and also check out consignment goods. For example, there’s an extensive collection of buttons from historic band tours and 1960s and 1970s happenings. “I really like it here,” Cushen said of his Berlin digs. The space is affordable, the right size and in a good location. He’s joined the Chamber of Commerce and found folks to be receptive to the niche he put together when Movin’ Moe’s opened in June. “There was nothing else like it around,” he
Citizen photo by Olivia L. Lawrence
See Record, page 23
By Olivia L. Lawrence The Berlin Citizen
Moe Cushen and his Chihuahua Cheech at Movin’ Moe’s record shop on Farmington Avenue.
Inside: Check out the Berlin High School fall sports preview. This week: volleyball, cross country, boy’s soccer.