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Under fire Friday, October 31, 2014
Parents, school officials at odds over Halloween celebrations STAFF WRITER
NEWINGTON — School administrators came under fire recently for eliminating Halloween celebrations at two Newington elementary schools, Ruth Chaffee and Anna Reynolds. “This has mushroomed into something a thousand times more than anybody would have anticipated,” said Dr. Marc Finkelstein, board chairman. Board members discussed the issue at their meeting Wednesday but said they would not overrule the schools’ decisions. Volume 54, No. 44
Free
Superintendent of Schools William Collins sent a letter to parents and posted it on the district’s website this week defending the district’s decision to end an annual Halloween parade at the schools. Since making the decision, he said in the letter, the district has gotten “threatening and hateful phone calls and emails from national extremist groups.” Collins said the decision to ban Halloween costume parades at two schools was made by the principals to achieve consistency
Kevin Bartram | Staff
Violence survivors learn self-defense By ERICA SCHMITT STAFF WRITER
BERLIN — When Sarah Gallardo first told Dave Gallo about her attempts to escape a violent relationship over the
See SCHOOL, Page 10
INSIDE:
course of a decade, he told her she didn’t have to be afraid ever again. Gallardo, a Newington resident, met Gallo at Wing Chun Kung-Fu Academy, years after
she left her abuser, who is also the father of her 6-year-old daughter. “I told him my story, and he said ‘you don’t have to worry
Letters to the Editor on state representative candidates Gary Byron and Carol Anest – paid advertisement –
Growing The Economy.
Growing The Economy. • By cutting taxes social security and and pensions • Bystate cutting stateon taxes on social security pensions
• By offering state income tax holiday for up • By aoffering a state income tax holiday fortoup4toyears 4 years for new college who earn qualified degree for new graduates college graduates who a earn a qualified degree • By eliminating punishing regulations to entice • By eliminating punishing regulations to entice corporations to re-locate to Connecticut corporations to re-locate to Connecticut LET’S MAKE CONNECTICUT LEARN LET’S MAKE CONNECTICUT THETHE LEARN HERE, EARN HERE, AND RETIRE HERE STATE!
HERE, EARN HERE, AND RETIRE HERE STATE! Preserving Our Open Spaces.
Preserving Open Spaces. TownOur elected Democrats want the last of our open space. Town elected Democrats want the last of our open space. • I vehemently opposed constructing a parks and recreation building on Mill Pond • I vehemently opposed constructing a Park. parks and
EEL ECTT
GARYBYRON GARYBYRON STATE REPRESENTATIVE
STATE REPRESENTATIVE
recreation building onusing Mill Pond Park. for high density • I also oppose open space affordable • I also oppose usinghousing. open space for high density • I will continue to fight tirelessly to Save Cedar Mountain. affordable housing.
• I will continue to fight tirelessly to Save Cedar Mountain.
047626
By ERICA SCHMITT
Aden Zeh, 6, waits while Twinkles the Clown makes balloon animals on Tuesday.
Join us! Talk with us! GaryByron2014@gmail.com
Join us! Talk with us! Gary Byron for Newington GaryByron2014@gmail.com GaryByByron for Approved Gary Byron. Paid for by Newington Gary Byron 2014 - Dave Nagel, Treasurer Approved By Gary Byron. Paid for by Gary Byron 2014 - Dave Nagel, Treasurer
PICK A WINNER ON ELECTION DAY!
See SELF-DEFENSE, Page 4
Pages 11-13
11 4 20 14
On Tuesday, November 4th, let’s change the direction of Connecticut’s economy for the better. There’s a 14 hour open window to let Washington Elect leadership and Hartford know where you stand. committed to moving SEIZE THE CHANGE Newington forward. Vote for Gary • Tuesday the 4th • Polls Open 6am - 8pm
ELECT
GARYBYRON STATE REPRESENTATIVE