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Neighborhood keeping the memory of young man alive By Devin Leith-Yessian The Citizen
Household goods, antiques, clothing – even a RV – were sold at a tag sale to raise money for scholarships and donations to families in need through the Christopher Labbadia Memorial Fund.
Thursday, July 5, 2018
Officials back Tilcon expansion as public is opposed By Devin Leith-Yessian The Citizen
“It was neighbors wanting to help neighbors,” said Joseph McGowan, who helped organize the Brownstone Road tag sale, which generated approximately $1,300 on June 16. “Everybody pulled together and helped in some way.”
Local officials are largely supportive of the proposed Tilcon expansion in Plainville, despite public opposition during a recent public hearing, on the grounds that it would provide needed water security.
Many residents donated items to be sold, volunteered their time or sold items themselves and donated the proceeds to the fund.
”We think it’s a good idea from a regional perspective,” said Berlin Water Control Manager Ray Jarema, who wrote a letter of support, also signed by Town Manager Jack Healy, for a Tuesday, June 26 hearing in New Britain.
Rocco Labbadia said the fund was started to continue the passion and joy of his son, Christopher Labbadia, who died in January 2016 in a car crash. He was 19.
With 34 percent of Berlin’s water supply coming from New Britain in 2017, he said the plan to convert the Plainville quarry to a reservoir after its completion would provide stability in case of droughts or population growth.
“Even though he’s not here anymore he's trying to do good things for people,” Labbadia said. “What’s really great is it keeps his spirit alive.” “I think it brings the community closer together,” said McGowan, who lives three houses down Brownstone Avenue from the Lab-
From left, Cody Osgood, Katie Lukens, Jen Rulka, Reagan McGowan and Owen Swiatek, in front, visited a charity tag sale on Brownstone Avenue in Berlin on June 16. The sale raised more than $1,000 for the Christopher Labbadia Memorial Fund, to be used for scholarships Image courtesy of Joseph McGowan See Memory, A2 and families in need.
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While Jarema stressed that he understands there are environmental concerns, he believes they can be addressed. Any environmental impacts, he said, could be outweighed by creating a See Tilcon, A4
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Volume 22, Number 20