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Liquor Store Owners Both Oppose/Back Sunday Sales By Linda Tishler Levinson
Church Rebuilding After the Fire Longtime Somers Congregational Church member Polly McCranie reacts with tears as she views what is left of the Somers Congregational Church and memorial garden, the garden which her deceased father, Donald Stevenson, helped start some years ago. The church, built in 1840, was destroyed by fire Sunday evening January 1, 2012. McCraine commented, “It’s like my soul’s been murdered.� More photos, story beginning on page 18. Photo by Butler Photography
The governor wants to update the state’s liquor laws. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy held a news conference Jan. 14 at Enfield Town Hall to unveil proposed legislation to update the state’s Blue Laws, which regulate the sale of alcohol and prohibit Sunday sales at retail stores. The proposal is drawing mixed reviews from local package store owners. Malloy said he is proposing liquor law changes to help the state stay competitive with neighboring states and to give consumers a break. In addition to allowing the sale of alcohol on Sundays, some holidays and Mondays after some Sunday holidays, the change would eliminate minimum pricing regulations and allow quantity discounts, among other proposals. The legislation would also allow bars and restaurants to serve liquor until 2 a.m. seven days a week, rather than just on Friday and Saturday nights. Currently, they can only serve until 1 a.m. the rest of the week. “These laws are outdated and they artificially increase the price of alcohol to Connecticut consumers,� Malloy said in a
SUNDAY/page 3
In This Issue • EAST WINDSOR: Town, board studying budget season options..p. 5 • EAST WINDSOR: Images of Chamber, town & state meet and greet ............p. 6 • ELLINGTON: Residents to decide on senior center, school projects ......p. 7 • ELLINGTON: Friends of Music serve lots of students in town ..................p. 8 • ELLINGTON: Town welcomes new head Resident Trooper ................p. 9 • SUNDAY DRIVE: Festivals & foodstuffs abound in New England...p. 10
• ENFIELD: Board struggles to put budget together ........................p. 13 • ENFIELD: Lego makes major donation to Rotary playground..............p. 14 • SOMERS: New technology comes to eye doctor’s practice ............p. 22 • SOMERS: Two will be honored for rescue efforts ............................p. 23 • STAFFORD: Cuts sought ............p. 35 • STAFFORD: Youth Center celebrates 15th anniversary..........................p. 36 • CLASSIFIEDS:.....................pp.38-39
• NEXT ISSUE • DEADLINE: Feb. 23, 2012 (860) 698-0020 www.thenorthcentralnews.com
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