Volume 20, Number 22
Serving Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall
www.TownTimes.com
Friday, September 19, 2014
A crowd gathered for the 9/11 memorial ceremony at the Middlefield fire house. | Charles Kreutzkamp / Town Times
Somber ceremony marks 9/11 By Charles Kreutzkamp Town Times
Middlefield held its annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony on Sept. 11 at the Middlefield Firehouse, drawing more than 50 people to the parking lot in front of a memorial that features steel from the Twin Towers. Middlefield has held this ceremony for more than five years, according to Middlefield Volunteer Fire Company Chief Peter Tyc. Thousands of civilians perished in the 9/11 attacks, as well as 343 New York firefighters. “Also, more importantly, our neighbor was lost, Mr. Bruce Eagleson,” Tyc said. Speaking of the anniversary of 9/11, Tyc said: “It is a day of doing good deeds
of any kind to help someone else. Individuals can participate in any facet, helping friends and family, donating to charity, or simply offering hugs to those who need them. We want something positive to come out of the sacrifices they made. We set aside our difference for a while. I ask all to do a good deed today in some way.” The fire department chaplain offered a prayer, followed by statements by First Selectman Jon Brayshaw, state Sen. Dante Bartolomeo, and state Rep. Emil Altobello. “A wave of grief crashed over us, but in one of our darkest moments we summoned strength and courage and out of the horrible devastation emerged the best of our community,” Brayshaw
said, paraphrasing President Barack Obama. Brayshaw continued, “Unfortunately, we have individuals who hate and countries who hate.” The first selectman called for “working to eradicate hatred from this world.” Brayshaw recalled a phone call the morning of the tragedy, from his son, who was living in New York at the time, and his concern when he heard an alarm in the background of the call. Brayshaw visited New York the following day, and recalled the sight from “eight or 10 blocks north [of ground zero]. It was surreal, it was horrible, it was devastating. It was a scene you will never forget.” “As a small town we have See 9/11 / Page 25
Public comment on school salaries, hours By Mark Dionne Town Times
The first Board of Education meeting of the school year often has a larger crowd and more public comment than other BOE meetings before the budget season. But at the first BOE meeting of the 2014-15 school year, only four members of the public spoke, and about just two topics. A possible vote on superintendent Kathryn Veronesi’s salary was on the agenda and three speakers discussed administrator salaries.
Michael Doyle of Durham told the BOE, “I think you’ve put together a great administrative team.” Doyle said the board should be aware of the competitive environment. “These folks are rare,” Doyle said, and the board should make sure to retain them. M a r t i n Fre n c h of Durham said he has heard from students that Veronesi has been directly involved in their education. “I hope the board would support action that would See Public / Page 6