www.southingtoncitizen.com
Volume 19, Number
JR. OLYMPICS-BOUND
Friday, July 8, 2022
Tattoo shop sponsors fundraiser for reproductive rights groups By Lauren Sellew Record-Journal staff
SOUTHINGTON — In response to the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe vs. Wade, a North Main Street tattoo studio launched a fundraiser featuring a variety of prochoice tattoo designs with 100 percent of the proceeds going to reproductive rights groups. The artists at Propaganda Ink worked together to create about 30 designs showcasing various pro-choice images, according to Rachel Molnar, co-owner of the 550 N. Main St. tattoo shop.
Middle School of Plainville student Elliana Rexinger-McConnell earned a spot in the T&F AAU Junior Olympics taking place in Greensboro, N.C. July 30 to Aug. 6. She is slated to compete in discus and shot put in the 12U age group. To qualify for the Junior Olympics, Rexinger-McConnell had to place in the top six in her region, which includes all of New England, as well as New York and New Jersey. She sailed over that hurdle at the AAU Regionals, held June 24 to 26 at Hillhouse High School in New Haven, earning silver in both of her events.
Molnar said the idea behind the fundraiser is similar to one the shop held to support animal rescue, but that event was for one day. The fundraising campaign to support reproductive rights will run through Election Day, in light of the urgency Molnar and her colleagues feel in the wake of the recent decision. Molnar said she has a six-year
Rachel Molnar, co-owner of Propaganda Ink, right, works on a finger tattoo for Kayla Polman, of Berlin, at the 550 N. Main St. tattoo shop in Southington. Propaganda Ink is featuring a variety of pro-choice tattoo designs with 100 percent of the proceeds going to reproductive rights groups. Dave Zajac, Record-Journal
old son and an almost oneyear old daughter, so this cause is important to her. “I don’t want them to grow up in a world where they don’t have a say over their own bodies,” Molnar said. After sharing information about the fundraiser on the company’s Facebook page, Molnar said the response
has been positive so far. She acknowledged not everyone agrees with their position on the issue. Still, she said, they are fighting for people’s right to choose and ask for that same respect. As of Thursday, June 30 the shop had 20 appointments booked See Tattoo, A3
More money approved as factory cleanup nears completion By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
SOUTHINGTON — Town leaders accepted $200,000 in state money last week for additional cleanup at a former factory site on North Main Street. The Beaton & Corbin property, 318 N. Main St., has been derelict since the copper plating business closed in 1989. The vacant building caught fire in 2003.
Despite its prominent location, developers weren’t interested in buying the property since it had extensive contamination, the defunct company was still in possession of the land and the town had tax and sewer liens on it. Work started in 2020 when local developer Mark Lovley agreed to buy the property See Cleanup, A2
This view looking south shows the former Beaton & Corbin site at 318 N. Main St., next to Southington Fire Department Headquarters, top. Town leaders accepted $200,000 in state money for additional cleanup at the former factory site. Dave Zajac, Record-Journal