Volume 19, Number 16
www.berlincitizen.com
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Garden center is approved to sell Street to certain ‘agriculturally related’ items be named By Ashley Kus Citizen staff
of a list of items deemed “agriculturally related” after lengthy deliberations by the commissioners.
“I appreciate the commission and Hellyn Riggins efforts, thank you,” After months of uncertainty, Kensington Garden Center was approved garden center owner Alan Ellison said. Thursday night, June 9, to sell a list of specific items. The center was issued a cease-andPlanning and Zoning voted in favor desist order back in December for
violating what was allowed to be sold in that zone. The Ellisons had previously submitted a list to the commission of suggested items. On their behalf, Attorney Richard Pentore had asked the commission to find a compromise on what could be sold.
See Garden, A2
Teacher is taking on Ironman race
By Ashley Kus Citizen staff
A Berlin teen whose life was cut short this past January will be memorialized when a street is named after him this summer. “I think it’s really special,” Rocco Labbadia said.
By Ashley Kus Citizen staff
Labbadia’s 19-year-old son Christopher died tragically in a single car crash in January. Since then his family has been working to keep the teen’s memory alive.
On a recent day after teaching sixth grade math at McGee Middle School, Cindy Botticello rode her bike around Cromwell and then went for a run. The day before, she completed a five-hour bike workout.
The Labbadias recently set up a memorial scholarship fund with the recipients exemplifying “qualities that Chris lived his life by: Love, Acceptance, Loyalty, Passion and Laughter.”
“It’s a huge commitment, I’m giving up my free time,” Botticello said. She is training for the Ironman triathlon. Botticello will compete in the 140-mile event next month at Lake Placid, New York.
Now a new subdivision in Berlin near the Timberlin Golf Club on Southington Road will bear the Berlin High School alum’s name. Tom Coccomo of Coccomo
Ironman triathlons are held all over the world each year, with See Race, A24
for victim of crash
McGee Middle School teacher Cindy Botticello trains.
| Ashley Kus, Berlin Citizen
TWENTY-FOURTH ANNUAL
45695-01
SATURDAY JUNE 18, 2016
New Britain, CT 9:30am–3:00pm
with grand marshals WAYNE CARINI and his daughter LINDSAY www.KLINGBERGAUTOSHOW.org
See Street, A2