Volume 17, Number 40
Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
www.berlincitizen.com
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Weekend weather report looks promising Berlin Fair opens Friday By Monica Szakacs The Berlin Citizen
Each year, the success of the Berlin Fair boils down to one important concern — the weather. “It’s looking fairly good for this weekend,” Berlin Fair President Andy Blasco said. “Friday night looks great and Saturday looks like another great day as well.” Temperature for opening day of the 65th annual fair, Friday, Oct. 4, is expected to be 74 degrees during the day, partly cloudy, with a 10 percent chance of rain and a low temperature of 59 degrees during the late evening, according to weather.com. And there’s no need to worry about Friday night’s planned fireworks; the website predicts a zero
percent chance of rain for the night, with clear skies. Although humidity is expected to be around 75 to 89 percent Friday, dress accordingly, as it may become a tad bit chilly in the evening. A sweater or sweatshirt is the safest bet. Saturday’s chance of rain is slightly higher, in the 20 percent chance range, with partly cloudy skies predicted throughout the day and night, but Blasco said he’s holding out hope it will be a beautiful day. Saturday’s daytime temperatures should be in the upper 70s with humidity in the low 80s. Weather.com sees temperatures cooling down to 57 degrees at night, but the humidity is expected to rise to 90 percent. No use beating around the bush when it comes to Sunday’s See Weekend / Page 7
ON A ROLL
Police Commission: Case handled properly By Monica Szakacs The Berlin Citizen
Evan Hale, pictured in a win over Middletown Sept. 26, and the Berlin High School boys soccer team are off to a hot start this season. At press time, the Redcoats owned a record of 6-1, and were riding a six-game win streak. More on page 27. | Photo by Matt Leidemer |
After interviewing five officers during a special meeting Sept. 25, the Police Commission dismissed a case concerning allegations that Chief Paul Fitzgerald mishandled an investigation involving a child sex predator. Berlin resident Michael Rogan, in a letter he addressed to the police commissioners, alleges Fitzgerald has a “personal vindictive agenda” against him. Rogan’s letter stems from an investigation that involved his 8-year-old daughter, which led to the arrest of a 29-year-old Wallingford man, Charles Ofori, of 13 Brookview Ave., on Aug. 29. “Based on our discussion and the questioning of the witness, we (the police commission, in an unanimous decision) find that the allegations submitted by Mr. Rogan against Chief Fitzgerald are baseless, and this matter is closed,” said Joseph Annunziata, Police Commission chairman.
Rogan asserts the investigation was not handled in a timely manner. Also, he alleges there was a department cover up. According to an arrest warrant, on the evening of July 17 the Berlin Police Department was notified by Rogan after he and his wife were made aware of an exchange of text messages between Ofori and the juvenile girl. The predator attempted to entice the child into sending pictures of herself after she made it clear she was only 8-years-old. According to the arrest warrant, Officer Scott Calderone responded to the call. After speaking with Rogan and his wife, the case was taken over by the detective bureau for further investigation. The juvenile’s cell phone was retrieved and brought back to the department where detectives began texting Ofori disguised as the child. “From there Officer Calderone worked expediently and tirelessly in unison with Detective Doug Bartolomeo and Detective Shawn Solek,” Rogan’s letter states. “In a matSee Case / Page 28