The Berlin Citizen

Masters athlete qualifies for world championships

By Bryant Carpenter Record-Journal staff

Bottles of Advil might have been as ubiquitous as bottles of Gatorade. Knee and ankle braces were set along with the battle faces. But they were fixed firmly all the same at the 2023 U.S. Amateur Track & Field Masters Championships in Greensboro, N.C., where an elevated age bar did nothing to lower the competitive bar.

In the mix at the July event was Jack Banks, a javelin thrower from Berlin. A career spent owning and running gyms,

including Powerhouse Gym in Webster Square, has Banks looking far younger than his 65 years far fitter, too, even if his bone-on-bone right shoulder joint might beg to differ.

Mounting his best performance ever at the national meet, Banks finished second in the 65-69 Division with a throw of 142 feet, 3 inches. It came on the third of his six attempts. Only Len Garza of the Greater Philadelphia Track Club, who landed 145 feet, 9 inches, threw farther.

Berlin resident Jack Banks, co-owner of the Powerhouse Gym in Webster Square, placed second in the javelin in the 65-69 age division at this summer’s U.S. Amateur Track & Field Masters Championships and qualified for next year’s World Championships in Sweden. Submitted photo

Lee foundation closes in on $600K of charitable giving

By Robert Mayer Special to The Citizen

If you ask people around Berlin what the Ryan T. Lee Foundation does, many would likely point to the charity golf tournament it hosts at Timberlin which is followed by dinner at the Aqua Turf. But the golf tournament is only one of the foundation’s annual fundraising efforts.

Dedicated to honoring the enduring spirit of Ryan Lee, the non-profit actively seeks out opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others.

Lee died in 2009 from injuries suffered when he was hit by a car in Brooklyn near his college, Long Island University. Lee was a star golfer and basketball player at Berlin High School, and continued his golf career at LIU.

Lee is survived by his father Dan, his mother Teresa and his sister Amanda.

“We ran the golf tournament that first year because his friends John McNair and Tim Cote refused not to,”

Dan Lee said before the start of the 13th Annual Ryan Lee Golf Classic, held Friday, Aug. 4. “Then we had to figure out what we really wanted this thing to be. What did we want the foundation to be. We asked [board mem-

ber] Jim McNair to get involved because he was the president of the Boys Club and other organizations and knew how to build a nonprofit. Then we had to decide who we were going to give the money to and what

our mission was going to be. None of that was easy. And the whole time, we were still grieving Ryan’s loss. But, I can say for me, it was helpful because it gave me and our family purpose and something to look forward to.”

The foundation’s board of directors is made up of Dan Lee, Jim McNair, Rob Josephson, Mike Rugens, John McNair, Tim Cote and Mark DiLoreto, and each brings a different skill set to the table.

“I got on board a few years ago because I’m retired and thought it was a great way to help out,” DiLoreto said. “I now feel like I am part of a family here. I have a whole new group of family members and what they do daily is nothing short of a miracle.”

Here are some examples of the foundation’s work:

On or near Ryan’s birthday in July, a parade of volunteers come together to hold a food drive to re-stock the Berlin Food Pantry.

July and August are two of the toughest months for the pantry, so the timing of the drive is perfect. However, the weather could not have been much worse for this year’s drive, held on July 16.

See Lee, A6

The 13th Annual Ryan Lee Golf Classic was held Friday, Aug. 4 at Timberlin. The golf classic is just one of many fundraisers put on by the Ryan T. Lee Foundation each year. Aboveright:Danand AmandaLee.

Photos by Robert Mayer

See Jack Banks, A9

Run/walk event

St. Paul Parish in Kensington is hosting a run/walk event Saturday, Aug. 12. Expect travel restrictions from approximately 4:45 to 6:30 p.m. Alling Street, High Road, Hart Street, Percival Avenue and Main Street will be designated "one way" in the area of the event. Road cones will be placed on the centerline. There will be one lane for traffic and one for race participants. Alling Street will be closed in front of Saint Paul Parish school/church. There will be a barricade and detour for High Road at Glen Street.

Monthly meeting

The Berlin Democratic Town Committee’s monthly meeting will be held Thursday, Aug. 17, 7 p.m., at the Italian Independent Political Club, 16 Harding St. Prior to the meeting, there will be a meet and greet at 6:30 p.m.; Democratic constituents are encouraged to attend to learn about important town issues and how to get involved. For more information about the Berlin DTC, individuals should contact the group at berlindemocrats@gmail.com or P.O. Box 93, 62 Kensington Road, Berlin, CT 06037.

Berlin DTC

The upcoming municipal elections provide an opportunity to elect leaders who will listen. Help the Berlin Democratic Town Committee with that mission, and make Berlin an even better place to live and work. For more information about the Berlin DTC, individuals should contact the group at berlindemocrats@gmail.com or P.O. Box 93, 62 Kensington Road, Berlin, CT 06037.

Commissioners wanted

Established in 2002, the Commission for Persons with Disabilities is charged with serving as an advisory board to the Town of Berlin for the enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act and assisting the community with meeting its responsibilities for residents with disabilities. The Commission for Persons with Disabilities meets on a bimonthly basis.

Book sale

The East Berlin Library hosts an ongoing used book sale. The library, located at 80 Main St., in the fire house building, is open Monday and Thursday, 3 to 7 p.m.

Museum program

Connecticut's Summer at the Museum program enables children to receive free admission at dozens of museums across the state, including historic house museums, sites and societies, history, art and children’s museums, science centers, arboretums/botanical gardens and zoos, and others. The full list of participating museums is available at ctvisit.com.

Drive-In movies

The 2023 summer season at the Southington Drive-In runs every Saturday through Sept. 9. Admission is $20 per carload and $5 for walk-ins, cash only. Gates open at 6 p.m, with the films beginning after sunset.

Wall of Honor

The Berlin Veterans Commission’s “Veterans Digital Wall of Honor,” located in Town Hall, is dedicated to “All Who Proudly Served and Sacrificed to Protect Our Country.”

Berlin residents and their immediate family, past and present, who have served or are currently serving can be put up on the wall. Contact Peter Galgano at petergalgano@ comcast.net or 860-604-7258.

Tip line

In response to growing complaints of a spike in so-called street takeover events, the FBI rolled out a tip line for residents to report instances of mass gatherings in parking lots and roadways. Residents looking to report a street takeover are encouraged to call 1-800CALL-FBI and select the “Connecticut Street Takeovers” option, or visit fbi.gov/cttakeovertips.

Marines sought

The Marine Corps League, Hardware City Detachment, New Britain CT is actively looking for new members. You do not have to live in New Britain to be a member.

The Hardware City Detachment meets the first Wednesday of the month, 6:30 p.m., at the Berlin VFW, 152 Massirio Dr. For more information, contact Sal V. Sena Sr. (860614-6188, 4mermarine69@gmail.com) or Al Urso (860-747-0677, alurso@cox.net).

Berlin GOP

Registered Berlin Republicans: Do you want to make a difference in your community? The Berlin Republican Town Committee is looking for volunteers to serve on local boards, commissions and in elected offices. If interested, send an email to info@ berlingop.org.

Preservation CT

Preservation Connecticut is a statewide nonprofit historic preservation organization, established in 1975 by a Special Act of the Connecticut General Assembly as the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation. Visit preservationct.org.

Wreath-laying

Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-lay-

In Brief

ing ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. The group’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. Visit wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Community alerts

Sign up to receive emergency alerts and community notifications on berlinct.gov. Options are: Emergency Alerts (weather related closings, fire, flood, etc.); Town Updates (town-wide nonemergency communications, announcements, elections, referendums, etc.); Public Works (road and bridge construction, trash, utilities, water, sewer, etc.); Community Related (Community Center, Senior Center, Parks & Recreation, Social Services).

Tai Chi classes

Tai Chi classes take place at the Center of Higher Living, 130 Webster Square Road, Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend this ongoing class in classic Chinese Tai Chi and Qigong.

Enhance balance, harmony and stress relief, while promoting health, spirit, mind and body. For more information, call 860-268-8314.

Land Trust

The Berlin Land Trust remains committed to its mission of conserving open spaces and preserving the town’s natural resources. Through partnerships and community initiatives, the group strives to create a sustainable environment. For more information, visit berlinlandtrust.org.

Leash ordinance

In December of 2021, the Town of Berlin passed a new leash ordinance that requires dogs to be always on leashes on public property. This includes all town parks and public sidewalks. Beginning May 1, Animal Control Officers were set to begin issuing Written Infractions. The fine for violation of this ordinance is $100. For more information regarding the leash ordinance, refer to the municipal website.

Renters rebate

State law provides a reimbursement program for renters who are elderly or totally disabled, and whose incomes do not exceed certain limits. Persons renting an apartment or room or living in cooperative housing, or a mobile home may be eligible for this program. Visit portal.ct.gov/OPM.

Berlin RTC raffle returns

Contributed

The Berlin Republican Town Committee’s fifth annual raffle is underway. There are wonderful prizes this year, sure to please everyone.

First and second prizes are $500 Visa Gift Cards, third prize is a $300 restaurant gift card, fourth prize is a Samsung Galaxy Go

Chromebook, fifth prize are Beats earbuds, and sixth prize is a Ring Video Doorbell 4. The drawing will be held Thursday, Oct. 12, 6 p.m., at American Legion Post 68, 154 Porters Pass.

If you would like to purchase paper tickets, contact Andra (milleal@comcast.net, 860-670-5131) or Lecia (Leciajp@ comcast.net, 860-209-4199).

Letters Policy

Email letters to news@ theberlincitizen.com. Letters are limited to 300 words. The Citizen will print only one letter per person each month. We reserve the right to edit letters. Include a phone number so The Citizen can contact you for verification. Letters must be submitted by 5 p.m. Friday to be considered for publication the following Thursday.

Boxes to Boots

Berlin-based nonprofit Boxes to Boots, 28 Chamberlain Highway, sends packages to members of the U.S. military serving overseas. To learn more about the organizations, visit boxestoboots.org.

Lineworkers

Eversource is partnering with Housatonic Community College and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Unions 420 and 457 to prepare the next generation of electrical lineworkers in Connecticut. The Lineworker Certificate Program provides students valuable training in the electric utility industry and the opportunity to progress into Eversource’s paid apprenticeship program. For details, visit Eversource.com.

Textile recycling

Berlin has partnered with

AFAB Recycling LLC, a Connecticut-based textile recycling company. Residents are encouraged to drop off unwanted clothing and shoes at the Transfer Station, 19 Town Farm Lane, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon.

Volunteer award

The Robert B. Dornfried Sr. Lifetime Volunteerism Award is bestowed upon a resident “who is dedicated to a lifetime of community volunteerism, civic duty and extraordinary service.” Visit berlinvolunteerfund.com.

Legion Post 68

American Legion Post 68 has been serving Berlin veterans since 1947. For more information, email Post Commander Vin Trigila at v_trig@yahoo.com or send a message to Post 68 via Facebook.

To our valued existing and soon-to-be patients: Your health is very important to us. Your loyalty to us is reflected in our loyalty to you. We know your names and your needs because we are the community pharmacy.

We wouldn't be doing our job to the best of our ability if we were only available part of the time. We have two full time pharmacists on duty.

When you need a prescription filled or have a question, we're here for you. Always.

Urgent centers for kids’ mental health crises open in CT

By Ginny Monk The Connecticut Mirror

Children in mental health crisis can now go to one of the state’s four urgent crisis centers to get help rather than risking an hours-long wait in the emergency room for care, officials said last week.

Wednesday, Aug. 2 marked the grand opening of The Village for Families and Children‘s urgent crisis center in Hartford. The centers are designed as walk-in, outpatient clinics for kids who are having behavioral health crises such as thoughts of suicide or selfharm, depression, anxiety or out-of-control behavior, among other mental health issues.

The openings, which have occurred over the past few weeks across the state, are the result of 2022 legislation that offered a wide range of support for children’s mental health. Mental health was a defining issue for that legislative session amid heightened reports of behavioral health problems among youths.

“What we’re doing over here is transformative, not only for The Village. It’s transformative for the state,” said Galo Rodriguez, president and chief executive officer of The Village.

See Urgent centers, A7

Schools

Locals in college

Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, N.Y., awarded Jacob Giuliano a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and James Godin a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.

Tufts University, Medford, Mass., named Ben Fisher, of Berlin to its dean’s list for the spring semester.

Fire Department Responses

The Fire Administrator’s Office for the Town of Berlin reports the following incidents for the week of July 30.

July 30: Dayl Drive: CO alarm

– Companies 2 and 4

July 30: Deming Road and Selden Street: Motor vehicle accident – Company 1

July 31: 600 block of Berlin Turnpike: Fire alarm – Companies 1, 2 and 3

July 31: Mutual aid rendered to Wethersfield Fire Department – Company 3

August 1: Mutual aid rendered to Newington Fire Department – Company 3

August 1: 200 block of Kensington Road: Fire alarm – Companies 1, 2, 3 and 4

August 1: Fuller Way: Fire

alarm – Companies 1, 2 and 3

August 2: 100 block of Circlewood: Outside fire investigation – Companies 1 and 3

August 3: Walden Court: Fire alarm – Companies 1, 2, 3 and 4

August 3: Mill Street and Route 9 exit ramp: Motor vehicle accident – Companies 1 and 3

August 4: New Park Drive: Fire alarm – Companies 1, 2, 3 and 4

August 4: 400 block of High Road: Fire alarm – Companies 2, 3 and 4

August 5: 100 block of Savage Hill Road: Outside fire investigation – Companies 1 and 3

August 5: Route 9 north and Route 571: Car fire – Companies 1 and 2

Michael Katz, DMD

Heavy rain led to local road closures, and the foundation feared the food drive may be a bust.

“Today we looked at the forecast and saw tornado predictions and flood warnings, I thought we were going to be letting down the people that rely on us in town. I thought we would be letting down Ryan,” the foundation stated in a social

media post. “From 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., you, the community, drove through detour to detour in torrential rain to drive your car along curbside to drop off money, to get out of your car and get soaked just to give a hug … If the numbers are the gauge of today’s success, then yes, I think we were successful –$2,495 in gift cards and a trailer full of nonperishable food. But what if the numbers aren’t the gauge of our success. What if Ryan was looking down and saw one act of kindness. What if he

saw his friends all grown up now. What if he saw them bring their babies to show their support Berlin, you did good today. I think we did him proud. I think we succeeded.”

A teacher and coach at Cheshire High School, Dan Lee started a foundationsponsored conference which brings together hundreds of students from all over the state to learn about leadership. Guest speakers at the conference have included UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma, former Central Connecticut State University men’s basketball coach Howie Dicken-

man and leaders from the business community.

Also, the foundation awards Excellence in Leadership scholarships to graduates of Berlin, New Britain and Goodwin Tech high schools who understand the importance of helping others. Honorees receive a $2,000 scholarship each year they are in college.

There are also Ryan T. Lee scholarships, which are awarded to members of the Berlin High School basketball and golf teams upon graduation.

The foundation also sponsors an annual blood drive.

Ryan was an organ donor and eight people were able to live on because of his selflessness. The Lee family was able to meet all eight of the recipients a few years ago. Dan Lee said it was one of the most emotional days of his life. “We got to hear Ryan’s heart and see all these families,” he said. “They didn’t have to do it, but they all agreed, and we met them. Some of them were able to grow up and go to college. Some were able to start a family. All of this because of Ryan. It was extremely emotional not just for us but for them as well.”

See Lee, A7

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Urgent centers

The other centers are at Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, The Child and Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut in New London and Wellmore Behavioral Health in Waterbury.

At the Aug. 2 opening ceremony, Gov. Ned Lamont recalled the daily reports on the calls to the state’s 211 line over the early months of the pandemic. He noted a shift in questions to the center.

“Those first couple of months, it was: ‘Am I going to die?'” Lamont said. “And then as time went on, it was calls more likely to be from young people saying: ‘How am I going to survive?’”

As the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic began in Connecticut, health care providers reported a growing

Lee

From A6

For the Christmas holiday, the foundation “adopts” a number of children in town who would otherwise have few, if any, gifts to open. The effort has been dubbed the Ryan T. Lee Holiday Giving Tree. Last year, the foundation adopted 52 families right here in Berlin.

The foundation also runs the Ryan T. Lee Memorial Collegiate golf tournament, which draws some of the top Division I golf programs on the east coast to Shuttle Meadow Country Club for a threeday event.

It has been 13 years since Ryan Lee passed away, and in that time, his foundation has made a difference in the lives of countless people.

Dan Lee believes the foundation will go over the $600,000 mark of charitable giving this year.

Ryan’s catch phrase, which adorns most of the foundation swag, is “Proud of Ya.” That number is surely something to be proud of.

crisis as more children began showing up at emergency departments. Many were suicidal, out of control, or were dealing with eating disorders.

This resulted in overwhelmed emergency departments and long waits for care for the kids who urgently needed help.

The pandemic exacerbated pre-existing mental health problems among the country’s youths. It was difficult for many to access care, and kids whose lives were disrupted with school closures struggled. In December 2021, the U.S. Surgeon General issued

an advisory on a national youth mental health crisis exacerbated by the pandemic.

The state legislature passed three sweeping bills that aimed to address mental health care in schools and early childhood as well as fund mental health services in medical centers, educational facilities and in the community. In December 2021, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an

advisory on a national youth mental health crisis exacerbated by the pandemic.

The Department of Children and Families has $141 million per year in recurring state and federal funding for behavioral health services and another $74 million in one-time funding allocated from the American Rescue Plan Act, DCF Commissioner Vannessa Dorantes said.

Other agencies such as the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Department of Social Services manage additional money for behavioral health services, Dorantes said.

“As a state, we are committed to making sure that the children that we serve are going to be happy, they are going to

See Urgent centers, A10

USPS delivery is available in the towns of Berlin, Cheshire, Durham, Middletown, Middlefield, Meriden, Plantsville, Southington and Wallingford. Delivery is Tuesday-Saturday by USPS.

Brooke Shields,

Long-lost ring back in family’s hands

Our Saturday Weekender edition has all the weekend inserts along with our new feature, EXTRA EXTRA, our 12-page entertainment/puzzles section.

($5.12 per week billed monthly), full price in month four. Available to new subscribers only.

PLUS All print subscribers who activate their free digital access will receive our daily Record-Journal Story Break emails with up to date stories, and have 24-hour access to our five-day online E-Edition available Tuesday-Saturday by 5AM.

Enjoy the same digital access benefits as a print subscriber, including 24hour access to our fiveday online E-Edition available TuesdaySaturday by 5AM.

Jack Banks

“We were throwing into a head wind,” Banks recalled. “It was a very fair competition. Everybody there, we’re all on the same playing field, but when I look at their past accomplishments, those guys are way better than me. ”

Maybe so. Eight-time national champ Michael Janusy was there. He’s a friendly nemesis of Banks. This time around, Janusy placed third at 140 feet, 2 inches.

Banks, with his silver medal, earned a spot in the 2024 World Masters Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden. That will be a tough nut. The European throwers are serious and strong, Banks noted, especially the Germans and the Finns.

“They’re going to be hard to beat, but I’m going to go to Sweden,” said Banks, who’s never been to Europe. “This depends on staying healthy, but it sounds like fun. My wife will come with me and we’ll make a trip out of it.”

It’s been a circuitous javelin journey for Banks. As a schoolboy at New Britain’s Pulaski High School, he threw well enough to qualify for the state meets. Then he went on to throw at Central Connecticut State.

His freshman year, Banks reached the New England Championships. On his last attempt of the competition, Banks dislocated his elbow. He never threw in college again and figured his track career was over – “I gave it a shot; it was kind of fun. That was kind of it.”

Games every year and won routinely.

overseeing his wife’s knee replacement.

And that was fine. Banks was busy running Powerhouse Gym with his business partner Paul Carson. They’ve been at it for 42 years, dating back to their 20s. (They also ran Malibu Fitness in Farmington for 17 years before selling earlier this year.)

While Banks was no longer competing in track, there was an obvious upside to gym ownership. It kept him in darn good shape. So, at around age 50, when Banks came across some info on the Nutmeg Games, Connecticut’s annual Olympicsstyle event, he gave it a whirl.

“There was a 50-year old division,” Banks said. “I hadn’t thrown in 30 years, but I went down to Danbury and I broke the record.”

Broke it by a lot, in fact, by roughly 30 feet.

A champ was born. Banks returned to the Nutmeg

Banks was consistently throwing around 51 meters 167 feet and change and when he looked up results from the national championships, he noticed the top throwers there weren’t too far ahead of him. Then a national champ showed up at the Nutmeg Games and broke Banks’ record. That was that. Banks signed up for nationals, traveling to Wake Forest University to compete for the first time in 2014.

He was sixth that year. By 2018, he’d moved up the pecking order to place third in Spokane, Washington. A year later, in Ames, Iowa, he finished second.

And, yet, as Banks progressed, his throwing shoulder deteriorated, to the point where he didn’t compete from 2020 through 2022. His return was launched by a PRP injection recommended by a doctor who was

PRP: Platelet-Rich Plasma. It’s a regenerative treatment in which a concentration of a patient’s own platelets are used to heal injured tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints. Blood is drawn, spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the nutrients, then injected back into the body. Essentially, you’re treating your body with your body’s own healing resources, rather than an outside substance, such as cortisone. Banks had his PRP injection in February. At first, he was very sore, if not worse. Eventually, though, came improvement.

“By the time I was in the competition, my shoulder hurt, but it was not so bad,” Banks said. “It worked.”

Banks will likely get another PRP injection prior to next summer’s trip to the World Championships in Sweden. Ultimately, he knows, the shoulder will need to be replaced. But, at age 65, the games go on for Banks, and the competition he sees at the national level provides plenty of incentive to keep going.

“The main thing is the guys who are there, they don’t want to stop competing,” Banks remarked. “Every year, you think you’re not going to go back, but you see guys in the upper divisions and it makes you know it’s never too late to start doing something in athletics.

“Sometimes you sit in a chair and say, ‘I’m all done.’ Then you go down there and see a 95-year old running a mile and it really inspires you. ”

Scholars exemplify ‘Service Above Self’

Contributed

Three recent Berlin High School graduates were recognized at the New BritainBerlin Rotary Club's recent scholarship luncheon at the New Britain YMCA. Through its fundraising efforts, which include Christmas wreath sales and Handbag Bingo, the Rotary Club was able to present Julia Greenwood, Morgan Wesoly and Alex Miloszewski $2,000 college scholarships.

Rotary International follows the mission "Service Above Self." Therefore, in addition to academic excellence and extracurricular involvement, community service weighs heavily in the scholarship selection process.

Greenwood, Wesoly and Miloszewski were active members of the Berlin High School Interact Club, a high school chapter of Rotary.

Urgent centers

thrive, and that they are going to know that when they are experiencing crisis, and fear and anxiety, that we’re here to prop them up,” Dorantes said.

Rep. Tammy Exum, D-West Hartford, noted that the centers need more than the one-time COVID relief funding to be effective.

The centers have up to 72 slots, according to a press release.

“The need is enormous,” said Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin. “And the gap to this point has been gaping.”

“It’s hard to be on a list when your child is in crisis right in front of you. For me, this building today represents prevention,” Exum said. “It represents that if my child is

having an issue, and I see that child is escalating, and I don’t know what to do, I can bring my child here as a parent.”

At the peak of the pandemic, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center was seeing up to 50 kids per day.

Pre-pandemic, it was closer to 20 to 25 daily, but many of those would be best treated in the crisis centers, said James Shmerling, president and chief executive officer at the medical center.

Tenesha Oates, a Hartfordarea resident, had to take her teenage son to the emergency room not long ago. He went from school, and Oates says she thinks he just needed de-escalation techniques that weren’t possible at the school.

After she spoke at the lectern, her son snaked an arm around his mother’s shoulders for a quick hug while they waited for the ceremony to conclude so they could take a tour. Rather than the sparse, clinical feel of a hospital, the urgent crisis center’s treatment rooms have brightly colored, soft furniture.

They’re equipped with fidget toys and each room has its own mural sunflowers in one, a jungle scene in another.

“This would have been much better,” Oates said. If you or your child are experiencing a mental health emergency, help is available by calling 988.

This story originally appeared on the website of The Connecticut Mirror, ctmirror.org.

Obituaries

KENSINGTON - Emilie (Linderme) Yukna, 95, of Kensington, wife of the late Alfred Yukna, passed away Friday, August 4, 2023, at her home. Born in Portland, CT, she was a former New Britain resident, moving to Kensington in 1957. Emilie was a graduate of Portland High School, class of 1947, and received her bachelor and master’s degree in Education from the University of CT. She taught Home Economics at Martin Kellogg in Newington and then Berlin High School for 25 years, where she served as Berlin Education Association President, retiring in 1983. She was active in many local civic and non-profit organizations and served as Past State and Chapter President of Alpha Delta Kappa; Past President of the Women’s Club of New Britain; was Treasurer of the Henry Barnard Memorial Fund of the Connecticut Education Association and was a member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Emilie was an avid fan of UCONN Women’s basketball, a season ticket holder and a 21 year final four attendee.

Surviving is her son, William Yukna and his wife Pamela of Foxborough, MA; two daughters, Andrea Yukna of Kensington

and Atty. Paula Yukna and her husband Fred D’Aprile of New Britain; three grandchildren, Kevin Yukna, Michael Yukna and his wife Sandy and Jennifer Yukna and her partner Kyle Curtis; four great-grandchildren, Brielle, Halleigh, Ivy and Hunter; two nieces and a nephew.

Funeral services and burial will be private. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Henry Barnard Memorial Fund, 76 Chatham Rd., Kensington, CT 06037 or to the UCONN Foundation for the Benefit of UCONN Women’s Basketball, 2390 Alumni Drive, Storrs, CT 06269. Carlson Funeral Home, New Britain, is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share a memory or note of sympathy at www. carlsonfuneralhome.com

Scholarship recipients Julia Greenwood, Morgan Wesoly and Alex Miloszewski.

Emilie (Linderme) Yukna

Dave Zajac, Record-Journal

Lamont supports moving ticketing probe to feds

By Jaden Edison The Connecticut Mirror

Gov. Ned Lamont on Monday backed the chief state’s attorney’s decision to hand over to federal authorities a criminal investigation into state police who allegedly submitted tens of thousands of phony traffic stop tickets to Connecticut’s racial profiling database.

“I think it’s appropriate,” Lamont said. “I think Pat Griffin, the state’s attorney, thought it was important to step back and let them. We’re gonna coordinate in any way we can, be absolutely forthcoming, no stone left unturned.”

The governor’s comments were in response to a recent statement from Griffin, Connecticut’s top prosecutor, who told WTNH News 8 that he has relinquished control of the criminal probe into the potential wrongdoing to the U.S. Department of Justice.

“I think DOJ brings the tools and the resources necessary to conduct this investigation, on the one hand. On the other, I think that the investigation will be thorough,” Griffin said. “I think that it will be independent, and I think when it’s concluded, I’m hopeful that

See Ticketing, A13

Jacob Depasse, 4, of Berlin, steps down from the Meriden Police Crime Scene Unit trailer as nanny Grace Griffin holds his brother Cole Depasse, 1, during National Night Out at Hubbard Park in Meriden on Aug. 1. Meriden joined about 17,000 communities all over the country that host National Night Out events on the first Tuesday of August to build positive relationships between residents and their local police departments.

This week, the Berlin Police Department shouted-out its newlyformed Cadet program, which gives young people an opportunity to learn about law enforcement. "In the first year of our program, our Cadets have made a name for themselves; winning medals at every challenge they have attended," the Berlin PD stated on social media. "Recently, some of our Cadets attended a week-long, live-in Police Academy. While there, they excelled and, again, won multiple medals. We also held a promotional process and promoted our first group of four supervisors to the rank of Sergeant.

Congratulations to all of our Cadets' hard work ... [we] look forward to seeing them continue to grow in our community."

Ben Bronz Academy: Fostering confidence and an enthusiasm for learning

Press Release

Berlin resident James Hamel was one of five students recognized at the 2023 graduation of Ben Bronz Academy in West Hartford. Hamel

thanked Linda Holian, Berlin’s director of special education, for supporting him throughout his BBA career.

Holian was in attendance and awarded Hamel his high school diploma.

Ben Bronz Academy is a state-approved private special education school servicing students in grades 2 through 12 who struggle to learn.

Among the crowd of about 200 supporters at the June 14 graduation ceremony were schoolmates, teachers, parents, family members and board members of the school.

“In elementary school, I had a hard time learning anything due to my learning disabilities,” graduate James Guyer said. “Thanks to Ben Bronz Academy, I was able to overcome the challenges I faced early on,” he said.

Guyer will attend Middlesex Community College.

Graduate Frank Spirito, who is headed to the University of Connecticut, thanked the teachers and staff at Ben Bronz for helping him make gains academically and socially.

See Academy, A13

Berlin PD, Facebook

Berlin resident James Hamel accepts his high school diploma from Linda Holian, Berlin’s director of special education.

Peter D. L. Kern, President | Broker

Ticketing

From

we’ll get to the bottom of this. If people need to be held accountable, either in federal court or in state court, we’ll do that.”

Neither the Justice Department nor Griffin responded to additional questions about the probe on Monday. But Lamont’s endorsement of the DOJ investigation comes as advocates and lawmakers have called for more accountability and transparency from the state.

Last summer, Hearst Connecticut Media Group revealed how, in 2018, four state troopers had fabricated hundreds of traffic stop tickets for better assignments, pay increases, promotions and specialty vehicles.

In June, state auditors published a report detailing how they were unable to corroborate 25,966 traffic stops submitted to the racial pro-

Academy

From A12

filing database, while indicating that the number of falsified records could possibly reach 58,553. They found that the fake records reflected more infractions for white drivers and fewer for Black and Hispanic motorists.

The report outlined how the falsifications by state troopers and constables compromised the accuracy of racial profiling data, which the state collects annually. It also acknowledged that investigating the motives for the fabrications was not part of the audit.

After the audit’s release, Griffin’s office said it was

launching an investigation into “the information received recently through the academic report” but declined to comment further on the nature of the inquiry or whom it involved.

The state investigation was expected to coincide with another pending inquiry, conducted jointly with state police, surrounding the four troopers.

Lamont then announced that he was appointing Deidre Daly, formerly a federal prosecutor under President Barack Obama, to investigate “how and why the misconduct occurred, why it went undetected for so long

and what reforms should be implemented to ensure that such misconduct does not reoccur. ”

State legislators on the judiciary and public safety committees also held a meeting to gather more information.

At the legislative forum, the official overseeing the state police, James Rovella, said his agency had complied with a subpoena from the federal Department of Transportation, who is also conducting an investigation. DOT investigations, separate from the DOJ, typically “involve crimes with a public safety impact, procurement

and grant fraud schemes that significantly impact DOT funds, consumer and workforce fraud, and employee integrity violations.”

In rare public remarks last week, Griffin said it was in early July when the DOJ asked the state to halt its own investigation so the feds could take over.

“You can’t have two cooks in the same kitchen working off the same cookbook, and so DOJ has to take the lead on it,” Griffin said in the interview with WTNH. “And as the chief state’s attorney, I concurred with that decision.”

Board of Directors

Chair Richard Rubenstein and Ben

Bronz

Executive Director Gail Lanza congratulated the Class of 2023 as well as about a dozen students who will transition from BBA back to schools in their home districts in the fall.

The goal of Ben Bronz Academy is to help students correct their functional weaknesses and to develop strong, spontaneous thinking habits that build selfconfidence, and foster curiosity and an enthusiasm for learning.

BBA was founded in 1985 with the belief that every student deserves to succeed. Since then, BBA has prepared hundreds of students for academic success. Their individualized learning program enables students to master learning skills, achieve academic success and enhance self-confidence.

TOP CASH PAID For any Toyota any condition, running or not, crashed okay. Will take other makes and models. (203) 600-4431.

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