Volume 19, Number 37
Serving Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall
www.TownTimes.com
Friday, Januar y 23, 2015
Bigger role for Fasano By Jesse Buchanan Special to Town Times
HARTFORD — After holding a number of leadership positions in the state Senate, Republican Len Fasano is now minority leader. In his new role, he says, his priorities will be the state budget, transportation and health care. Republicans are the minority party in both the House and Senate and were unable to take any
statewide offices in November. “Our role is to be vocal, to be heard, to still bring ideas to the table,” said Fasano, whose 34th Senate DisFasano trict comprises Wallingford, North Haven, East Haven and Durham. Fasano said he’s got a good working relationship with Sen-
Strong Middle School Principal Scott Sadinsky praised guidance counselor Rebecca Sinusas, the 2014-15 District 13 Teacher of the Year. | Mark Dionne / Town Times
ate Majority Leader Martin Looney, D-New Haven, and House Speaker Brendan Sharkey, D-Hamden. “When you can talk to someone and don’t have to be on your guard … I think it’s huge when it comes to conversations,” he said. Looney said he knows Fasano as a legislator and as a fellow attorney. “I’ve always found him to be See Fasano / Page 17
Kevin Lacz, left, with American Sniper director Clint Eastwood.
Rebecca Sinusas named Teacher of the Year
| Photo credit:
By Mark Dionne
Keith Bernstein,
Town Times
Warner Bros.
Rebecca Sinusas, guidance counselor at Strong Middle School, was recognized by the Board of Education on Jan. 14 as the District 13 Teacher of the Year for 2014-15. In introducing Sinusas to the BOE, Strong Principal Scott Sadinsky said, “Rebecca is committed, organized, positive, creative, organized, caring, a problem-solver, and did I say organized?” Sadinsky praised Sinusas for being a “tremendous asset” to Strong students, parents, and staff and for having the energy to build a positive environment. Sadinsky said Sinusas has the enthusiasm and commitment to take ideas and make them reality. As an example, under Sinusas’ initiative Strong school began an advisory program and conducted a scavenger hunt to welcome incoming students. The Teacher of the Year is also one of the organizers behind the Community Round-Up. Sinusas is in her 12th year in the district, with six years as a guidance counselor following six years as a special education teacher with the Integrated Day and Contemporary programs, also at Strong. “She is instrumental to the quality of the climate of Strong school and impacts every See Teacher / Page 19
Entertainment
Middlefield native plays himself in ‘American Sniper’ By Farrah Duffany Special to Town Times
People flocked to the theaters to see the movie “American Sniper,” which had a $90 million debut weekend at the box office. Some Connecticut residents may have noticed a familiar face on the big screen – Middlefield native Kevin Lacz. The former Navy SEAL served as a sniper and corpsman in Iraq.
It was in the Navy SEALS that he met his friend Chris Kyle, with whom he trained and served as a sniper. “American Sniper” is based on the book by Kyle, who was considered the most lethal sniper of the Iraq War. In the movie, directed by Clint Eastwood, Lacz plays himself and acts alongside Bradley Cooper. Kyle and Chad Littlefield, were shot and killed at a Texas
shooting range in February 2013. Before Kyle died Jason Hall, a screenwriter, was preparing “American Sniper” for a movie. After his death, Lacz asked Kyle’s widow if Hall could go to the funeral. “Next thing I knew I was talking to the producers,” Lacz, who now lives in Florida, told the newspaper Pensacola Today. See Sniper / Page 6