Volume 15, Number 15
www.northhavencitizen.com
Friday, July 3, 2020
Gym owners discuss reopening By Sean Krofssik Record-Journal staff
Phase 2 of Connecticut’s reopening plan went into effect in June, and gyms were one of the businesses allowed to throw their doors open once again. “We opened on the first day we could, on Wednesday, June 17,” said Jack Banks, co-owner of Powerhouse Gym of Berlin and Malibu Fitness in Farmington.
“Initially, it was a big rush to come back in. A lot of new members joined, a lot of enthusiasm. Since then the overall volume of people has been down.” Banks said the state’s reopening protocols “get a little bit ambiguous.” The rules include social distancing and mask-wearing.
Banks said. “It’s not as cut and dried as initially thought.” Banks said if a gym-goer isn’t complying with the mask protocol, they’ll be reminded of the rules.
“I’ve done that,” he said. “People are extremely understanding. They start out seven or eight feet apart and get closer. I went up to them and said, “You may be six feet apart, but (what ‘you have to put a mask on.’ There was no grief whatsoever. It’s more of if you) cross paths with someone. a reminder thing. People feel at It’s a fluid situation at the gym,”
Jason Perrone is co-owner of Revolution Fitness Club in North Haven. He said business has been steady since reopening. “I haven’t had a bunch of people cancel or quit. People are trying to wait and see a bit,” Perrone said. See Gyms, A2
Schools preparing to open in the fall
Q Chamber head says goodbye Dee Prior Nesti issued the following statement on her last day: “As most of you know this is my last day at the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce. I want to thank you for putting your trust in me these last 7 years as your ExecuNesti tive Director. It has been an honor to serve you. I could not have been successful though without a fantastic team and a hard-working and loyal Board of Directors. I am so grateful for your support. This is very bittersweet for me and what I will miss most is meeting so many wonderful people. I will be volunteering at events now and then so this is not goodbye but so long for now. Stay safe and stay well.”
home here, they are talking to someone they know. But there is a rule that applies to everyone, otherwise the whole thing would break down.”
By Mary Ellen Godin Record-Journal staff
Dee Prior Nesti smiles as Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce members gather for a virtual retirement party Thursday, June 25.
School districts across the state and the two largest teachers unions are grappling to understand the details laid out in this week’s school reopening plan for fall. “The thought of returning to schools is daunting for many teachers, students and parents alike,” Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona wrote in an introduction to the plan. “The CSDE has engaged repeatedly with state and local, educational and public health experts to craft the following plan, keeping both the educational and public health needs of our students and educators in mind. Districts will be operating within their community and school buildings’ unique circumstances. As such, this plan provides districts with a road map — guardrails to operate
Dee Prior Nesti’s virtual retirement party.
See Schools, A6