Parks and linear trail, in

Statu e

From A1

“We ’ve received a lot of communication from the public. It’ s not unique to our community,” Palmier i said. “I think it’s im portant to offer the public an opportunity to speak for or against the statue.” Councilors said they prefer not to vote on the statue on the night of the public hearing, scheduled for July 13 at 7 p.m. Michael DelS anto, a council Republican, said he’d lik e to just “listen, learn and digest” without taking action that n ig ht.

The council unanimously approved the placement of a Columbus bust in front of the Municipal Center on North Main Street in 2015. When the bust was set to be erected two years later, some residents protested. Local Italian-American civic groups raised the money for the bust. Four people spoke about the statue during public comment Monday, two for keeping the statue and two for moving it. Susan Zabohonski questioned why the council was again spending time on the issue. She also predicte d that a public hearing on the issue would heighten d i v i si o n .

“It ’s almost inflammatory in my opinion, causing a divide in the community,” she said. “My concern is it just keeps coming up over and over and over again.” Anna Terrill started an online p etition to remove the statue from public property. She said Monday that there wasn’t enough time to elaborate on Columbus’ atrocities against Caribbean natives. She said recent events have caused “ many to reconsider our relationship with our history.” “It ’s on public property and I don’t feel it repres ents the spirit of our tow n,” Terrill said.

Br iefs

From A4

out the Census for your household. Respond online at 2020Census.gov or call 844-330-2020 for English and 844-468-2020 for Spani s h.

Blood drive

Cornerstone Church in Cheshire will host a blood drive Saturday, June 27, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 1146 Waterbury Road. To make an appointment visit redcrossblood.org and search Corner stone Cheshire or zip code 06410.

Talk it out

The Department of Children and Families has partnered with United Way of Connecticut 2-1-1 and communit y providers to establish a "When it Builds Up, Talk it Out" campaign. Any parent who wishes to access support is invited to call 833-258-5011 or visit talkitoutct.com and engage with trained professionals. The Talk it Out line is available Monday through Frid ay, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and weekends from 1 to 8 p.m.

How We Feel app

People in Connecticut –whether they are healthy or sick –can help inform heath officials and doctors by using the How We Feel app and self-reporting their daily symptoms through a series of short prompts. It only takes users about 30 seconds each day to report any symptoms they may be exp er iencing.

Art, equine therapy

The Cove Center for Grieving Children and Bright Strides Art and Equine Therapy in Meriden is looking for teens (13 to 17) to start a virt ual grief program to engage and provide support during this time.

Visit cognitoforms.com/TheCoveCenterForGr ievingChildren/TeenGr iefProgramApp l i cat i o n .

Alzheimer ’ s walk

The Alzheimer’s Association Central Connecticut Walk to End Alzheimer’s will take place Sept.13 at Lake Compounce in Bristol. For details, visit act.alz.org/. The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research programs.

See Briefs, A7

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