The Southington
Cit itii zen
Volume 9, Number 2
Southington’s Hometown Newspaper
www.southingtoncitizen.com
Friday, Januar y 11, 2013
BOE, legislators discuss concerns of school district By Julie Sopchak The Southington Citizen
A day before heading to the State Capitol to begin legislative session, delegates representing Southington convened with Board of Education members to discuss issues pertinent to the town’s education system. State Reps. Joe Aresimowicz, Rob Sampson, David Zoni, Al Adinolfi, and state Sen. Joe Markley sat down in the Southington Municipal Center’s Public Assembly Room to take questions and comments from board
members. Monetary issues remained the focal point of topics brought up, but school safety and communication were in the mix as well. One of the biggest topics amongst board members was unfunded mandates that pin towns against the wall, leaving them to implement policies with no financial assistance. Board members also said they would like the state to yield more control to local districts, saying they know what’s best for their own communities. “Give support to local districts rather than enforcing
these mandates,” said Terri Carmody, vice chairperson. “Leave it to us, we know what we are doing.” During a portion of the meeting where students were allowed to ask questions, Kennedy Middle School eighth-grader Mark Murdy asked about the necessity of the mandates. “Do you think that these mandates are necessary or do you think they’re just superfluous?” he asked. Markley responded, saying he doesn’t like mandates, even if there is money to fund them, saying local
governments should be given as much latitude as possible. “I think the pendulum has swung too far in the direction of big government moving up the line of responsi-
bility and things need to be turned back to the towns,” he said. Aresimowicz added he feels sometimes mandates
See BOE, page 7
Let it snow
SouthingtonSOS cancels Violent Video Game Return Program Declares mission accomplished before event could take place By Julie Sopchak The Southington Citizen
A week after announcing the Violent Video Game Return Program that drew attention from national media outlets, SouthingtonSOS has canceled the event,
Citizen readers’ poll Question: Do you think turning in violent video games and movies will help stop violence? Yes – 1% (less than five votes) No – 95% (70 votes) Not sure – 4% (less than 10 votes)
scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 12, declaring its objectives have already been accomplished without the need of returning and destroying games. John Myers, coordinator and chairman of SouthingtonSOS, said on Jan. 9 the results of announcing the program have been a “swift, positive, and supportive response” from parents and young people in the community. “We’re pleased to announce we feel that the awareness has been raised significantly,” Myers said. The program, which encouraged families to hand in violent video games or movies to
Photo courtesy of Carol Brazil
Residents enjoy freshly-fallen snow by sledding at Oak Hill and Flanders Street.
See Cancels, page 7 Now serving CT in 17 locations: Bristol, Southington, Torrington, West Hartford, Wallingford, Calendar..........................xx Avon, Branford, Clinton, Guilford, Faith ................................xx Manchester, Health ..............................xx Middletown, Marketplace.....................xx Newington, Obituaries ........................xx NewMilford, Norwich, Opinion ............................xx Orange, Walmart)Seniors ............................xx Waterford and Sports ..............................xx Windsor Locks.
Visit our Becker’s Buying Centers in 860-561-8911 • www.beckers.com
SOUTHINGTON Inside 641 QUEEN STREET
BRISTOL
1270906
(Next to McDonald’s)
Old Gold, Diamonds, Silverware, Coins, Gold & Silver Jewelry, Antique Jewelry and Watches.
1290 FARMINGTON AVENUE
Sell with Confidence to a Trusted Jeweler, Serving the Community for 34 years in the West Hartford Center.
MON - FRI 10AM TO 6PM • SAT 10AM TO 4PM • SUN 11AM TO 4PM
(EbLens Plaza - near