Volume 5, Number 19
www.cheshirecitizen.com
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Historic downtown building is sold A local investor recently paid $481,200 for a historic downtown property. John Weinstein, doing business as JMB Property LLC, bought the wood and brick building at 15 S. Main St. from the family of the late Cleanthes Podaras Sr., who owned Cliff ’s Pizza and Restaurant for over 35 years. “He’s making a significant investment and improvement,” Economic Development Director Jerry Sitko said of Weinstein’s plans. “It’s really important to the character downtown. I’m pleased he wants to invest in and improve the building.” Sitko said the commercial part of the building was constructed in the 1900s, but there are wood structures in the rear built in 1787. Podares opened Cliff’s Pizza in 1965 and closed it when he became ill around 2002. He died in 2010. His son, Cliff Podares Jr., tried to reopen it in 2014, but it closed soon afterward. Businesses have struggled at the location because of the lack of parking. It is home to Bann Thai, a restaurant; Kumon, a learning center; and Miranda, a tailor shop. — Mary Ellen Godin
Dodd Middle School science teacher Clare Gonzalez discusses ideas for Earth Day with her students during a recent meeting of the Environment Club. | Joy VanderLek, for The Citizen
Dodd club makes environment a priority By Joy VanderLek The Cheshire Citizen
Global warming and climate
change are watchwords for Dodd Middle School’s Environment Club, as much as reuse and recycle are mantras for these seventh
and eighth grade students interested in the health of the planet. See Club, A6
After son’s death, parents speak up on addiction By Bryan Lipiner Record-Journal staff
The parents of a town resident who died of a heroin overdose last month are remembering their son as loving, loyal and respectful.
Amy Candelora and husband, Pat, talk Jan. 23 about the problem of heroin addiction and the loss of their son Keith. | Dave Zajac, Record-Journal
On Jan. 15, Keith Candelora, 25, of Cheshire, was discovered unresponsive in the bathroom of a McDonald’s in Hartford. He was taken to Saint Francis Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police said they found drug paraphernalia in the bathroom, and ruled his death an accidental overdose.
“The face of the addiction has changed,” said Keith’s father, Pat Candelora. “It’s in the suburbs with people coming from good homes, kids that are good kids.”
Candelora was an avid Star Wars fan and enjoyed spending time with his girlfriend. “He was just a good kid, he really was,” his mother said.
“(Opioids) are so ac- Keith “He wasn’t afraid to cessible,” said Keith’s Candelora show his affection mother, Amy Candefor his family,” Pat Candelora lora. “Anyone knows where added. “Good friend, loyal to get it.” friend.” A Cheshire resident for about 20 years, Candelora attended During summers, Keith CanDoolittle Elementary School, delora worked at Tufano Amusements. Dodd Middle School and graduated from Cheshire Amy and Pat Candelora said High School. their son struggled with The oldest of five siblings,
See Addiction, A7