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Volume 26, Number 4
Friday, April 24, 2020
Distance learning takes form Altobello won’t seek re-election
By Everett Bishop Town Times
As the coronavirus continues to challenge the status quo of American life, one of the biggest changes we’ve seen is in education.
By Mary Ellen Godin Record-Journal staff
MERIDEN — State Rep. Emil “Buddy” Altobello confirmed last week that he won’t seek re-election after serving 26 years in the state General Assembly, and before that on the City Council.
Schools in the state are closed until May 20, with an extension possible. In response, school districts have implemented distance learning. Distance learning has evolved since late March. Students are attending classes via video conferencing and completing lesson plans
Kevin Hanlon, kindergarten-eighth grade curriculum coordinator, and Assistant Superintendent Marlene Silano prepare Cheshire public schools for remote learning on March 17. Dave Zajac, Record-Journal
See Learning, A15
Lions distributing safety gloves By Everett Bishop Town Times
had available to donate to those in need. While they aren’t medical grade, the Lions said the gloves would be beneficial “for those in need for daily tasks.”
While more and more people are getting essentials, such as food and groceries delivered to their homes, a local Lions Club is providing Durham and Middlefield residents with another necessity: disposable gloves.
The gloves were initially secured by Middlefield Selectwoman Carol Bufithis after recognizing the need for them on a national scale.
On April 8, the Middlefield Lions took to Facebook to tell the community about the food grade gloves they
“As gloves were becoming something of great importance I was thinking about all of the gloves in our Lions
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Club Durham Fair booth,” she said. “I realized they were food prep gloves but I took a bunch out anyway because if you’re going to the grocery store, these gloves are better than no gloves.” Bufithis coordinated with the Lions Club and soon the club began to deliver the gloves to residents. “I am so proud of what our Middlefield Lions are doing,” said Lions Club President Summer Lerch. “We have given financial donations to the Food Bank and Durham/Middlefield Youth and Family Services to support their missions. We have mastered Zoom to be able to meet on a moment’s notice.” See Gloves, A19
Currently an assistant deputy speaker, Altobello said Thursday, April 16 he started his public service career at the age of 37, when he was elected to the Meriden City Council, and is now 70. He represents part of Meriden and Middlefield in the House. “When it’s time, it’s time,” Altobello said. “I’d like to take it easy. I’m 70. I want to retire.” Altobello has been part of the majority leadership in the General Assembly since 2000 and serves on the powerful State Bond Commission and the legislative Finance Committee. The career lawmaker is the longestserving member of the city’s legislative delegation and is viewed as a mentor to his colleagues. “He has a lot of institutional knowledge of what has been given to Meriden and programs that have come through Finance,” said state Rep. Hilda Santiago, D-Meriden. “I sit on the Finance Committee and went through him on a lot of issues.” City delegation members agreed that one of Altobello’s largest contributions is securing state funding for flood control.
State Rep. Emil “Buddy” Altobello smiles on Election Night 2016 at Democratic headquarters. Dave Zajac, Record-Journal
“I’m sad he’s not running. He has been a mentor to me,” said state Rep. Catherine Abercrombie, a fellow Democrat. “The connection being on the City Council and on the Finance Committee is so valuable.” Abercrombie described Altobello as a “hidden gem” for his recall on votes and data. “He can pull anything up in a second,” Abercrombie said. “It’s going to be a huge loss for our delegation with him not there. He’s such a valuable member. As part of the bond commission, he could find where some of these pockets of money were.” Altobello was part of the team, with former state Sen. Thomas Gaffey and state Rep. Christopher Donovan, that secured funding for the $200 million high school renovations and the flood control project that led to the Meriden Green. “Because of his experience on the City Council, he could educate me on all See Altobello, A20