Friday, July 31, 2020
www.southingtoncitizen.com
Volume 17, Number 31
Talks on equity, inclusion begin
Eric Soto, left, former NBA star Lamar Odom, center, and Trey Maestri pose for a photo on July 23 at Trey’s Barbershop on Center Street. Photo courtesy of Trey Maestri
By Michael Gagne Record-Journal staff
See Talks, A5
Former NBA star Lamar Odom stops by local shop for haircut By Sean Krofssik Record-Journal staff
Lifelong Los Angeles Lakers fan Eric Soto had the surprise of a lifetime on Wednesday afternoon, July 22, while cutting hair at Trey's Barbershop on Center Street. Soto, a Waterbury resident, cut the hair of former Laker Lamar Odom around noon.
“When I first saw him I was joking around and said ‘You look like Lamar Odom,’” Soto said. “Are you Lamar Odom?” Soto continued. “He just looked at me with a serious face and said, ‘C’mon. It’s me,” Soto said. “I was shocked after that.” See Odom, A5
Mathew FloFlorian rian died, at 60 years old, in his Plantsville home last week. Town Council Chairwoman Mathew W. Florian Victoria Triano at the outset SOUTHINGTON of a special Town Council Mathew W. Florian, 60, of Southington, meeting, which was video-passed away on Wednesday, July conferenced last Wednes22, 2020. He was born day, askedonfellow council February 5, 1960 in to a David members Hartford to observe mo- and Honey in(Meade) ment of silence Florian'sFlorian and had been a longtime honor. Southington resident. Mat was a man of will, discipline, Triano, prior to the council's hard-work, and the observation of thatpursuit silence, constant of humble After meeting his described service. Floran as a friend high who school hassweetheart, givand “someone
Michelle, 46 years ago, he became high school Florian,aA12 See class president, tri-sport athlete and captain, coach of the winningest team in midget football history, a Southington Hall of Fame inductee, and a savvy real-estate entrepreneur. Mat helped develop and contemporize large portions of Southington’s commercial and residential real-estate landscape while serving as a trusted partner and supporter to early-stage entrepreneurs and business owners. He was a risk-taker who led a fearless life of passion, positivity, experience and generosity. From scubadiving for lobsters to traveling to disadvantaged countries to help those in need, he loved his family deeply and served R232002
The discussions will be hosted by the Southington Public Schools’ Coalition for Social Justice.
On Aug. 12, the coalition will host a discussion titled “What is Racial Consciousness and Why We Need It.” “Understanding White Privilege and its Presence in Our Community” will be held on Aug. 19. The hour-long events are scheduled to take place from 4 to 5 p.m.
By Michael Gagne Record-Journal staff
Town leaders are mourning the untimely death of a prominent local developer who was one of the leaders of a decades-long effort to revitalize the town's downtown.
Equity and inclusion will be the central topics during an upcoming series of online presentations and conversations the public is invited to join.
The series launched Wednesday with “Southington, Who Are We.” Those interested in joining upcoming discussions can register via the school district website at southingtonschools.org.
Florian remembered as champion of downtown revitalization