Volume 8, Number 32
Your Town, Your News
www.northhavencitizen.com
Friday, October 24, 2014
Alden Mead, left, and Dave Yaccarino at the televised debate. | Ken Liebeskind / The North Haven Citizen
NHHS students and alumni honored John Liquori before the football game Oct. 17.
Candidates answer pointed questions
Alumnus taken too soon honored
By Ken Liebeskind The North Haven Citizen
The televised debate between state Rep. Dave Yaccarino and his challenger Alden Mead on Oct. 15 posed two pointed questions designed to intensify the race. When asked what is most important, experience or a fresh approach, Yaccarino, seeking a third term, said, “I have four years’ experience as a state rep., I’ve served on four legislative commissions and have got a lot done for North Haven, but I bring a fresh approach and listen to all views.” Mead, who has never held political office, joked, “I won’t know where to park my car when I get to the legislature. But I have a proven track record of taking on new challenges. I have relevant business experience and will bring a fresh outlook to the job.” Mead also noted he saw a sign in a coffee shop that
helped him answer the question: “You were born an original. Don’t become a copy.” The other key question asked was whether being a member of the majority party would be an advantage. Mead, a Democrat, said, “A representative from the majority party has an advantage, but the party is not as important as the person. I won’t be fettered by blind allegiance to a party. Character is paramount.” Yaccarino, a Republican who has served in the minority party during his two terms, said, “I work successfully with the majority party. I’m not a hard line voter and you must represent everyone in town.” The candidates disagreed on one issue – the status of the economy in the state. Mead said job growth is strong statewide and locally. “The See Candidates / Page 4
| Ken Liebeskind / The North Haven Citizen
By Ken Liebeskind
Take the moment and make it perfect.” The crowd before the North Haven High School game sought to make things students and alumni in pur- perfect for Liquori’s family ple t-shirts honoring John and their supporters who Liquori met outside Vana- are raising money for the core Field before the foot- John Liquori Memorial Founball game Oct. 17. Liquori, a dation, which will provide 20-year-old NHHS graduate, scholarships to NHHS footwas killed in an automobile ball players, musicians and other students whose aspiaccident July 16. The t-shirts were embla- rations mirror Liquori’s. The NHHS alumnus zoned with Liquori’s favorite expression, “Don’t wait played on the football team for the perfect moment. and in a band, Epoch Era, beThe North Haven Citizen
fore his life was taken when he was struck by a truck driven by Theodore Spalding while Liquori was jogging on Middletown Avenue. Spalding has been charged with operating under the influence and assault with a motor vehicle. Michelle Lettieri, director of victim services at the Connecticut chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, was at the memorial event. See Alumnus / Page 4
Teacher swoops into action after chemical spill By Ken Liebeskind
and handled the emergency successfully. The spill of nitric acid in a The hero of the day at storage room occurred after North Haven High School 11 a.m. and led to the closure during the chemical spill Oct. of the school for the rest of 17 was Julie Nichol, a science the day due to the lingering teacher, who witnessed the chemical smell on the scene. spill, activated a fan and set “The spill created a reaction smell and some smoke so we off the fire alarm. Both Superintendent of evacuated the building,” CroSchools Robert Cronin and nin said. “Once we got on the scene fire chief Vincent Landisio said Nichols did exactly and made sure there was no what she was supposed to threat to life, we made sure The North Haven Citizen
what the chemical was and made an entry into the chemical closet and neutralized the spill,” Landisio said. “We tested the air using litmus paper and meters and deemed the building safe.” Cronin said, “Everyone was safe, the kids did great and the buses arrived immediately.” A volleyball practice was canceled but all events outside the school took place and the football game Friday evening was played as scheduled.