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Becker’s Buying Center
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860-561-8911 • www.beckers.com
old Gold, Diamonds, Silverware, Coins, Gold & Silver Jewelry, Antique Jewelry and Watches. Sell with Confidence to a Trusted Jeweler, Serving the Community for 35 years in the West Hartford Center. Now serving CT in 18 Buying Centers: Newington, Avon, Branford, Bristol, Clinton, Guilford, Manchester, Middletown, New Milford, Norwich, Orange, Southington, Torrington, Wallingford, Waterford, West Hartford, Willimantic and Windsor Locks.
newington 3311 berlin turnpike (Between Target and Best Buy)
Mon - Fri 10AM To 6PM • SAT 10AM To 4PM • SUn 11AM To 4PM
Friday, January 31, 2013
Heart to Hartford State delegation discusses town’s legislative needs with council
By ERICA SCHMITT STAFF WRITER
Money to continue progress with economic development and school construction in Newington was at the forefront of discussions between state legislators and town officials this week. Sitting in front of the Town Council Tuesday were state Sen. Paul Doyle and state Reps. Sandy Nafis, Tony Guerrera and Rick Lopes. The town’s legislative delegation meets with the council yearly around this time to answer questions, share updates on state business and most importantly, learn the town’s priorities and Volume 53, No. 55
Free
needs for the coming year. “Thank you for all the work you’ve done for us in the past year,” Mayor Steve Wo o d s s a i d , introducing t h e group. “I think it’s your and our job to bring as m u c h State Rep. Sandy Nafis money back to the community as possible,” he added, acknowledging a $2 million grant to demolish the former National Welding property that See STATE, Page 10
Erica Schmitt | Staff
Radio host Steve Parker, a childhood friend of Bob Seiler, talks with Seiler’s son Jonathan at Paradise Pizza in New Britain, where family and friends shared memories of him Monday night.
Memories flow at celebration of the life of Bob Seiler
By ERICA SCHMITT STAFF WRITER
“What do you need? I’ll take care of it.” Most who knew the late Bob Seiler were very familiar with those words — frequently spoken by the longtime Newington volunteer and retired police sergeant. Upon his passing in late November, those who depended on the selfless acts of Seiler, 68,
felt somewhat helpless knowing he would no longer be there. More than 50 of his friends, family and co-workers comforted each other Monday night in remembrance at the Paradise Pizza Restaurant in New Britain, where the Newington Kiwanis Club, which he presided over, meets monthly. “He was more than a volunteer — for us he became a true friend,”
said Karen Futoma, director of the Newington Human Services Department, where Seiler volunteered in the town’s food bank and in other capacities for many years. Not only was he known there as “Turkey Bob” — being the happy face behind the yearly Thanksgiving Food Distribution to needy Newington families — See MEMORIES, Page 8