Friday, December 17, 2021
www.towntimes.com
Volume 27, Number 51
Middlefield officials mourn sudden death of first selectman Ed Bailey Town Times
Ed Bailey, first selectman of Middlefield since 2015, died Wednesday, Dec. 8. "On behalf of the Town of Middlefield’s Board of Selectmen, Robert Yamartino and Carol Bufithis, and town staff, it is with profound sadness and grief that we announce that Edward P. Bailey, First Selectman of Middlefield, passed away yesterday," a Dec. 9 press release from the town stated.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and associates." The press release did not provide details of the death, but other published reports said the 66-year-old died unexpectedly of an illness. "Ed had a passionate love for the Town of Middlefield," the release continues. "He helped Middlefield to thrive and improve the lives of all its citizens. A mariner at heart, he navigated our
Bailey easily won reelection in November. An unaffiliated voter, he was backed by the Middlefield Republicans.
provide affordable, highquality essential services to residents. He has supported existing and new local businesses and the jobs they provide. He has also pledged to preserve and protect town resources, including the water quality at Lake Beseck and the health of our wetlands and watercourses."
During the 2021 election, the Middlefield GOP stated, "As a full-time First Selectman, Bailey has worked to
Bailey served on the Middlefield Board of Selectman for six years before becoming first selectman.
town through many challenges; the great recession, COVID-19 pandemic, always with an optimistic outlook for the future of our town."
Ski areas prepare to open By Jessica Simms Special to the Record-Journal
With winter coming, local ski areas are preparing for the upcoming season. Mount Southington Ski Area hoped to open Saturday, Dec. 11, but the weather didn’t cooperate. “Mother Nature dictates when we can,” Jay Dougherty, general manager of Mount Southington, said. “We’re making snow on every opportunity that we get at this point and we’re doing our snow dance hoping for some cold weather. “Every year we get all of our snow making equipment ready, we go through it and
Worker John Galuska inspects the sheave wheels of a new tower while working from a maintenance platform attached to the chairlift at Mount Southington Ski Area. New towers, chairs and top terminal have been installed on the Avalanche Dave Zajac, Record-Journal See Ski areas, A2 trail. The ski area also installed 15 new snow guns.
Ed Bailey was first selectman of Middlefield since 2015.
Committee considers Kwanzaa celebration By Nadya Korytnikova Town Times
Durham’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee is considering hosting a Kwanzaa event this month. Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu. The idea was proposed by Committee Chair Bob Donahue, who noted that the town holds annual Christmas tree lighting celebrations but has yet to celebrate Kwanzaa. During the weeklong celebration of Kwanzaa, seven See Kwanzaa, A4