Volume 27, Number 46
Friday, November 12, 2021
www.towntimes.com
Residents oppose ban on cannabis businesses
One more fun day at the park
By Nadya Korytnikova Town Times
By Nadya Korytnikova Town Times
Several residents spoke out against the proposed ordinance banning cannabis establishments in Durham during an Oct. 25 public hearing.
The sky was clear and the weather was perfect during the annual Halloween Family Fun Day in Durham. Hosted by the Recreation Department, the Oct. 31 event at Allyn Brook Park featured activities for kids, sweet treats, live music, a costume parade, and more.
Officials also discussed the ordinance banning the use of tobacco and cannabis products on town-owned properties. Durham resident Philip Muzio supports banning tobacco and cannabis use on town-owned properties but suggested the town allow for cannabis establishments. See Cannabis, A7
CORRECTION / CLARIFICATION A referendum question on the 2021 municipal election ballot asked residents: “Shall the Regional School District 13 Plan of Regionalization be amended to authorize the Region 13 Board of Education to close John Lyman Elementary School in the Town of Middlefield?” The majority of voters answered in the affirmative. The unofficial results showed the vote was 1,555 to 1,159 in favor of closing the school. However, the majority of voters in each town had to vote “yes” for the referendum to pass, and that did not happen. While voters in Durham favored closing the school, in Middlefield, those voting “no” won out. An article in the Nov. 5 Town Times did not make that clear, and the headline indicated, incorrectly, that the referendum passed.
Luke Whitehouse makes s’mores with his children, Bromley and Hadley, during the annual Halloween Family Fun Day on Oct. 31.
“It’s great to get families together outside on this beautiful day,” said Recreation Director Sherry Hill. “Open fire, hot dogs,
Nadya Korytnikova, Town Times
See Fun Day, A4
Lawmakers to host Juvenile Justice Forum on Monday in North Haven In response to the rise in juvenile crime in Connecticut, most especially the increase in incidents involving the theft of motor vehicles, a public forum to address the issues has been scheduled.
questions. Per facility rules, masks are required. A press release announcing the Nov. 15 forum states: "This stark rise in juvenile crime has alarmed residents from towns and cities throughout the state. Car breakins, car jackings, stolen vehicles and other property-related crimes being committed by juveniles who, when caught, display little fear of prosecution.
State Rep. Dave Yaccarino (R-87), House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora (R- 86) and state Representative Craig Fishbein (R-90), ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, will hold a Juvenile Justice Forum on Monday, Nov. 15, starting at 7 p.m. at the Mildred A. Wakeley Community & Recreation Center, located at 7 Linsley St. in North Haven.
“For many homeowners and property owners, these crimes are personal, with many feeling like their voices aren't being heard.
The Republican lawmakers will discuss changes to Connecticut laws over the last 10 years, the most recent data, and details of the House Republicans’ plan to address the problem through legislation.
“Law enforcement officers have testified that they feel like their hands are tied, and juveniles are being released as quickly as they’re apprehended. Something must be done. Silence and denial are not the answer."
Also, attendees are welcome to ask
Data recently released by the FBI
show that murders and car thefts in Connecticut rose in 2020. Homicides increased — from 77 in 2019 to 108 in 2020 — as they did across the country, but they comprise such a small percentage of overall violent crime that Connecticut’s violent crime rate remained low. Connecticut had the fourth-lowest number of violent crimes of any state in the U.S. Overall, violent crime in Connecticut decreased in 2020; nationally, it increased by about 4.5%. The report did, however, show a marked increase in auto thefts and property crime overall. Car thefts rose across the country during 2020 but not as much as they did in Connecticut. They rose by around 11% nationally and by about 40% in Connecticut. — Citizen report