www.southingtoncitizen.com
Volume 18, Number 42
Friday, October 15, 2021
Drive-thru celebration honors WWII veteran’s birthday By Devin Leith-Yessian Record-Journal staff
A drive-thru birthday celebration was organized to honor a World War II veteran and community leader who is turning 98. Friends, family and the public were invited to join a caravan on
Wednesday outside The Orchards at Southington, the Hobart Street retirement community where Walter Hushak lives. A B-24 Liberator bomber pilot, Hushak flew missions in the Pacific. He enlisted in 1941 after Pearl Harbor and remained in the service for 27 years, retiring
as a lieutenant colonel. After retirement, he became a local leader, serving on the Town Council from 1977 to 1981. He was also a longtime coordinator for Wings of Freedom, which brings antique military aircraft around the country for tours and flights.
“He's just so involved ... he’s definitely an inspiration for everybody,” said LeaAnn Blanchard, executive director of The Orchards. She said he remains involved in events for local veterans, including last year’s Southington High School graduation, See Veteran, A3 Hushak
Linear trail safety at pedestrian crossings draws concern in town
Industrial park proposed
By Devin Leith-Yessian Record-Journal staff
Local builders want to subdivide a Curtiss Street property to meet demand from small industrial companies.
By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
Town officials will be discussing pedestrian safety over the coming weeks after a pedestrian was struck crossing West Main Street along the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail. Joshua Henriquez, 21, of Seymour, was struck Sept. 29 by a Toyota Corolla while in the crosswalk at the linear trail on West Main Street, police Lt. Keith Egan said in a statement. Henriquez sustained injuries to his right arm, shoulder and head. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital and discharged Oct. 1. According to police, the Corolla was driven by Daniel Costa, 30, of Plantsville. Anyone with informa-
Dan and Debby Hruska, of Wallingford, ride their bikes across the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail crossing at West Main Street in Southington. A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle while making the crossing on Sept. 29. Devin Leith-Yessian, Record-Journal
tion regarding the incident is asked to contact Officer Deemi Beljean at 860-378-1600, ext. 2454. “I felt that was a terrible accident,” said Town Councilor Tom Lombardi, adding that the council will be addressing pedestrian safety dur-
Board of Finance
ing upcoming meetings. Police Chief John Daly is the town’s head traffic authority and would initiate any investigations into roadway safety and possible
Richard Munson, a local property owner, and Swavek Olchanowski, owner of CT Masons, want town approval for the plan. They’re looking to develop 136 Curtiss St., an industrial property with one small building that’s been used for storage recently. “There are bigger old manufacturing buildings like the old Pratt & Whitney, but they’re kind of hard to subdivide,” Munson said. “What we’re hoping to build and be able to attract is people who want a four or five thousand square foot building or bigger.”
See Crossings, A2
TEAM REPUBLICAN
See Park, A3
Board of Finance R245459
We ask for your vote on
Tuesday, Novcember 2, 2021 Joe Lebieniec
John Leary
Property Taxes kept at zero increase past two years. Mill Rate cut past two years.
LEADERSHIP SOUTHINGTON CAN TRUST Paid for by the Southington Republican Town Committee JOHANNA FURGALACK - Treasurer
Tony Morrison
Ed Pocock, Jr.
Responsible budget control allowed Capital funding of roads, bridges, parks and schools.