Hartford Courant -- January 15, 2022

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VOLUME CLXXXVI CCOOUURRAANNTT..CCOOMM SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 2022
CORONAVIRUS IN CONNECTICUT
State may be past variant peak
Epidemiologist points ologist at Hartford HealthCare, pandemic has devastated biologist at UConn Health, said time in months.
pointed Friday to recent dips in Connecticut, with 9,442 deaths and Friday that his models still project In some places where the
to dip in new cases and
Connecticut’s positivity rate, its more than 600,000 confirmed and hospitalizations to peak on Jan. 17. omicron variant has spread
patients in hospitals rate of new cases, its number of probable cases. Even still, the state In recent days, however, the rapidly, including South Africa
patients hospitalized with COVID- has nearly 2,000 patients hospital- state’s numbers have leveled off and the United Kingdom, cases
By Alex Putterman 19, its number of patients in inten- ized with COVID-19, not far off the and even begun to reverse direc- have declined quickly after reach-
Hartford Courant sive care and on ventilators, and its record level established in spring tion. On Friday, the state reported ing a peak. In other places, includ-
daily hospital admissions. 2020. a positivity below 20% for the first ing New York City, metrics have
Connecticut may have finally “Looking at all those numbers, Wu and other experts had previ- time in several weeks, as well as a leveled off for a period before even-
passed the worst of the omicron if they hold true and they all stay ously predicted that COVID-19 slight dip in hospitalizations for tually falling.
variant outbreak late this week, down, we are now on the downside cases would peak in mid-January the second straight day. While Wu cautioned that Connecti-
as hospitalizations and the overall of the rollercoaster at this point,” but that hospitalizations would cases and hospitalizations remain cut’s encouraging trends are not
caseload continue to decline. Wu said. continue to rise somewhat longer. at extremely high levels, the trend
Dr. Ulysses Wu, chief epidemi- The nearly two-year-old Pedro Mendes, a computational line seems promising for the first Turn to Virus, Page 3
UConn
interim
leader
leaving
Agwunobi taking
job at insurer; school
starts president search
By Alex Putterman
Hartford Courant
Interim UConn President Dr.
Andrew Agwunobi is quitting to
take a top job at the health insur-
ance company Humana, the
university announced Friday.
UConn said the school will
immediately begin a search with
the goal of hiring a permanent
president by the fall.
Agwunobi, also the highly
regarded CEO of UConn Health
since 2014, has served as interim
president since last July after the
A 13-year-old student collapsed from a fentanyl overdose Thursday at The Sport and Medical Sciences Academy in Hartford. The student is hospitalized abrupt resignation of Thomas
in “grave condition.” MARK MIRKO/HARTFORD COURANT Katsouleas.
In a letter to the UConn
community, Agwunobi called
Nearly 40 fentanyl
the decision to leave “extremely
difficult.”
“This is an amazing university
and special place,” he wrote. “It
has truly been an honor to serve
as a leader here and to work with
all of you.”
bags found at school
Agwunobi will leave UConn on
Feb. 20 and begin the following
day in Louisville at health care
giant Humana, Inc., where he will
serve as president of the compa-
ny’s Home Solutions business.
UConn’s Board of Trustees
Police say boy, 13, who overdosed at Hartford academy remains in ‘grave condition’ will meet Jan. 26 to appoint
Radenka Maric, the school’s vice
president for research, innova-
By Seamus McAvoy and were also transported to the in what you would see in street- “This is one more tion and entrepreneurship, as
Hartford Courant hospital, officials said. Both were level sales,” Boisvert said. The bags the new interim president, the
released to their parents Thursday were also stamped with several lesson that fentanyl school said. Dr. Bruce Liang, dean
Police found nearly 40 bags of night, Boisvert said. identifying logos, he said. of the UConn School of Medicine,
is a poison. These
fentanyl stashed in multiple loca- The bags of the drug were Police believe the bags of will take over as interim CEO of
tions within a Hartford school in collected by the federal Drug fentanyl were brought into the drugs are a poison. UConn Health.
a search prompted after a student Enforcement Agency and tested school by the student who over- In a separate letter to the
And please, if
overdosed Thursday morning. at their lab, Boisvert said. The drug dosed, Boisvert said. UConn community, Board of
The student, a seventh grader was found to be fentanyl, which Boisvert said police searched you’re a parent, Trustees Chair Daniel Toscano
at the Sport and Medical Sciences confirmed earlier on-scene tests. the home of the boy who over- promised a national search for
Academy, remains unrespon- According to Boisvert, bags only dosed, but did not comment have that tough a new president, with hopes of
sive and in “grave condition” contained fentanyl in powder form, further on the investigation. hiring someone by next fall.
conversation with
after ingesting the drug, which and not other drugs. Drugs such The academy, located at 280 “This continues to be a period
subsequent tests confirmed to be as cocaine and heroin are some- Huyshope Ave., is a college prepa- your child tonight.” of transition for UConn, as we
fentanyl, police spokesperson Lt. times cut with fentanyl because it ratory magnet school for students knew it would be, and we look
Aaron Boisvert said Friday. is extremely potent, and cheaper to in grades six through 12 who are — Luke Bronin, ahead to a successful search
Two other seventh graders were manufacture and purchase. Hartford mayor
believed to be exposed to the drug The fentanyl was “packaged Turn to Fentanyl, Page 2 Turn to UConn, Page 2
Larson seeking 13th
End of child tax credit hits home
term in Congress
Facing the first intra-party
challenge in memory, longtime
Payment program and his wife adopted because the U.S. Rep. John Larson focused
birth parents are recovering from on the high-stakes challenge
halted while prices drug addiction. of the pandemic when he
continue to increase The Robertses are now out $550 formally announced Friday that
a month. That helped pay for Girl he’s running for a new term.
Scouts, ballet and acting lessons Connecticut, Page 1
By John Raby, Fatima Hussein and kids’ shoes, which Roberts
and Josh Boak noted are more expensive than Opinion .......................News, 8
Associated Press adult shoes. The tax credit, he Obituaries ..........News, 10-11
said, was a “godsend.” Lottery ........................News, 2
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — For “It’ll make you tighten up your Classified ...................News, 9
the first time in half a year, fami- belt, if you’ve got anything to Puzzles .......Connecticut, 6
lies on Friday are going without tighten,” Roberts said about losing Comics ...Connecticut, 5-6
a monthly deposit from the child the payments.
tax credit — a program that was The monthly tax credits were
intended to be part of President part of Biden’s $1.9 trillion coro-
Joe Biden’s legacy but has emerged navirus relief package — and the
instead as a flashpoint over who is president had proposed extending
worthy of government support. them for another full year as part
Retiree Andy Roberts, from St. of a separate measure focused on
Albans, West Virginia, relied on economic and social programs.
the checks to help raise his two Retiree Andy Roberts displays a photo of Tesla, his 5-year-old
young grandchildren, whom he Turn to Tax, Page 3 granddaughter, on Thursday in St. Albans, W.Va. JOHN RABY/AP
2 Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Saturday, January 15, 2022
FROM PAGE ONE
Fentanyl but their exposure level was “very administer it, either. Torres-Ro- “If we don’t reduce stigma and feeling lethargic. One of the five
minimal.” driguez said it is something the increase access [to Narcan], we will students alerted a teacher, who
from Page 1 “I want to extend my heart to the district may explore. continue to see more fatalities,” then reported the incident to
seventh grader, his entire family, “As with every crisis incident, Jenkins told The Courant Friday. police just before 11:30 a.m.
interested in sports and medical the other two students that were we will have debriefs not just inter- “One has to be prepared. We have The substance was found to
sciences. involved, and to the entire school nally, but also with our partners. to be proactive.” contain TCH in an on-site test,
The school contains students community at Sport and Medi- In collaboration, we will deter- There is no guarantee a stock- Mayor Justin Elicker said. The
from several towns in and around cal Sciences Academy,” Dr. Leslie mine what else we would need pile of Narcan and adequate train- substance was sent to another lab
the Hartford area. The student Torres-Rodriguez, superinten- to consider,” Torres-Rodriguez ing would have helped Thursday. to rule out other drugs.
who overdosed is from Hartford, dent of Hartford Public, Schools said Thursday. “This is something Witnesses would have had to Officials also found the pack-
Boisvert said. said Thursday. “This has been, and that we have to consider moving determine the boy was indeed age the substance was in, which
“All of our hearts and prayers are continues to be, a really hard day forward, and at the direction of suffering an opioid overdose. Hart- denoted that it contained THC.
with the child who remains hospi- for all of us.” our partners for us to determine ford emergency responders also “We take the safety of our
talized in grave condition, and A Hartford schools crisis team to what extent the training and carry Narcan on their persons. students and staff as very para-
with his loved ones,” Mayor Luke was deployed earlier to provide support is necessary.” According to the Office of the mount to us,” said Dr. Iline Tracey,
Bronin said at a press conference counseling and other resources to Mark Jenkins, director of the Chief Medical Examiner, 1,374 superintendent of New Haven
outside the school Thursday. students, she said. Connecticut Harm Reduction Alli- people died in Connecticut due to Public Schools. The school has
“This is one more lesson that The overdose triggered a “Code ance, suggests “we have to get to a accidental drug overdoses in 2020. communicated with families and
fentanyl is a poison. These drugs Yellow” alert, which means students point where Narcan and naloxone It’s a massive increase from the 355 has guidance counselors on scene
are a poison. And please, if you’re and staff had to stay put while the is saturated in our communities.” people who died in 2012, when the to support students, she said.
a parent, have that tough conver- boys were put into ambulances, and Jenkins is the founded the alli- office began tracking accidental Two students have been released
sation with your child tonight,” the school remained in lockdown ance, formerly known as the drug deaths. from the hospital and the others
Bronin added. for most of the remaining day. Greater Hartford Harm Coali- In Hartford, there were 126 acci- are recovering well, Elicker said.
The school was closed Friday All students had to walk through tion, in 2014. The alliance distrib- dental overdose deaths in 2020. The students, who are 13 and 14,
while the campus is thoroughly a solution of bleach and OxyClean utes between 4,000 and 5,000 kits The overwhelming majority were attend Bishop Woods Architecture
cleaned and decontaminated, Bois- before leaving the school, in order containing two doses of naloxone caused by fentanyl, both in the city & Design Magnet School.
vert said. to neutralize potential fentanyl each year, he said. and statewide. “As a parent of a child, I’m going
The overdose happened about exposure, police said. Jenkins also conducts training to go home tonight and talk to my
10:30 a.m. at the magnet school programs where he teaches school New Haven students hospital- children and say never to accept
at 280 Huyshope Ave. The boy Hartford schools don’t have nurses, and sometimes teachers, ized after eating chocolate edible: any food or candy or anything
collapsed in gym class and was Narcan: Torres-Rodriguez said how to recognize a drug overdose In a separate incident, five students from anyone except for the cafete-
unresponsive. Hartford schools are not currently and administer naloxone. at a New Haven school were hospi- ria, or me or my wife,” Elicker said.
When staff learned that the boy equipped with Narcan, the brand The school training programs talized Friday after consuming a “Obviously, it’s something none of
had ingested drugs, staff sought out name for naloxone, which is used have had more pickup outside the chocolate edible that was found us would ever want to see in our
and found the other two boys, both in emergencies to treat narcotics Hartford area, Jenkins said. The to contain THC, the compound in schools.”
12, who had been with him earlier. overdoses. last time he conducted the training cannabis that produces a high.
Boisvert said the other two School nurses and teachers at a Hartford was three years ago According to officials, some Seamus McAvoy may be reached
students reported feeling dizzy, are not trained in-school how to at Bulkeley High School, he said. students vomited and reported at [email protected]
UConn to keep our students at the center
of who we are and prepare them
from Page 1 not just for good jobs but for lead-
ership roles in addressing societal
process at this critical time in challenges,” Maric said in a state-
UConn’s and Connecticut’s ment released by UConn.
history,” wrote Toscano, who will “I’m asking all of my colleagues
lead the search committee. to join me in working toward the
UConn must now find its third continued success of this institu-
leader in less than a year. UConn tion, and in collaboratively finding Maric Liang
Health, meanwhile, has struggled creative ways during this uncer-
to compete with the larger hospi- tain time to continue to support proposed merger.
tal systems that dominate greater our students, communities, and “Andy is just the person we need
Hartford and the state in general. the state as we strive for excel- for this critical Humana role lead-
“Dr. Agwunobi has helped to lence,” Maric said. ing our Home Solutions business,”
steer UConn and UConn Health Liang has served as dean of Broussard said in a statement. “He
through unprecedented times, all UConn’s School of Medicine since has a real passion for care in the
while overseeing significant growth Interim UConn President Dr. Andrew Agwunobi will leave the role next 2015. home. He has been responsible for
in research and enrollment,” Gov. month for a top job at the health insurance company Humana, the “I look forward to continuing a home health care organization
Ned Lamont said in a statement university announced Friday. MARK MIRKO/HARTFORD COURANT to work closely with Radenka as part of an integrated system. He
released Friday morning. Maric in her interim role, as well has extensive operational experi-
“I have immense confidence in slavia and educated in Japan, came million research portfolio. Among as with our Board of Directors in ence with for-profit and nonprofit
the UConn Board of Trustees and to UConn in 2010 as a profes- other achievements, she is an the months ahead,” he said. organizations, and he’s a doctor —
Chairman Dan Toscano as they sor of chemical and biomolec- internationally recognized expert Humana President and CEO he understands the value of care in
search for a permanent replace- ular engineering. In addition to in batteries and fuel cells. Under Bruce Broussard said Agwunobi the home, why seniors want more
ment to lead UConn into the future. her academic and administra- her leadership, research funding would join the company’s top of it, and our vision at Humana for
Meanwhile, UConn is incredibly tive pursuits, she is also a painter, at UConn has grown dramatically management team. Humana is one making it much easier for people
fortunate to have the talented and pianist, clothier and amateur chef. over the last five years. of the nation’s largest health insur- to get the care they need at home.”
unflappable Dr. Radenka Maric to Since 2017, Maric has been the “With the support of our state ance companies. In 2015 Aetna
steer UConn on an interim basis.” vice president for research, where government, communities, and failed in a bid to acquire Humana Alex Putterman can be reached
Maric, who was born in Yugo- she oversees the school’s $375 industry we are going to continue after a court ruling against the at [email protected].
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Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Saturday, January 15, 2022 3
FROM PAGE ONE
Fleeting choices doomed 17 in fire
Heartache sinks in Investigators say an electric poured into the building’s stair-
space heater set up in one of the wells and, with a second door
for Bronx residents
bedrooms of a duplex on the third left open on a 15th-floor landing,
who survived ordeal floor of the building had been on rapidly swept throughout the
for a “prolonged period” when an building. There was little to hold
unspecified malfunction set off a back the blaze in a structure that
By Adam Geller fire around 11 a.m. Soon, flames has sprinklers in its compactor
Associated Press began billowing from the unit’s and laundry rooms but none else-
windows. where.
NEW YORK — It started as just Down the hall, resident Karen Glenn Corbett, a fire science
another January morning, the Dejesus heard one of the building’s professor at John Jay College in
damp chill prompting a family on hard-wired smoke alarms going off New York City, said closed doors
the third floor of a drafty Bronx on the other side of her apartment are vital to containing fire and
apartment tower to run a space door. smoke, especially in buildings
heater for extra warmth, as resi- At first, she ignored it. without systems to douse a blaze.
dents had done countless times “So many of us were used to “In a building that doesn’t have
before. hearing that fire alarm go off, it sprinklers in it, that has very little
In the moment, that decision was like second nature to us,” said fire safety in it, this door became
hardly deserved a second thought. Dejesus, 56, who was in the apart- literally life and death for hundreds
Soon, though, it would prove the ment with her son and 3-year-old of people,” he said.
first in a series of fleeting choices granddaughter. “Not until I actu- On the 19th floor, Renee Howard
and troubling circumstances that ally saw the smoke coming in the was startled by a banging at her
combined to fuel a staggering trag- door did I realize it was a real fire door. She opened it to find a fire-
edy. and I began to hear people yelling fighter, his face covered in soot,
If only the heat inside apart- ‘Help. Help. Help.’ ” standing in a hallway filled with
ment 3N had been sufficient. Up on the 10th floor, Jose black smoke, asking her if every-
If only the family, fleeing a fire Henriquez had the same reaction. one inside was OK. Assured she
sparked by the malfunctioning “It seems like today, they went was safe, he ordered her to keep
space heater, had pulled the door off but the people didn’t pay atten- away from the door and stay near
closed behind them. If only their tion,” Henriquez said in Spanish. the window and wait for further
neighbors, conditioned to ignore By that point, smoke was spread- instructions.
frequent alarms that nearly always ing fast. “I didn’t move from there for at
proved false, had not disregarded When residents of 3N fled, the least seven hours because I didn’t
them this time. If only the blaze door to the unit was left open and know where the fire was,” she
hadn’t started near the bottom stayed that way, investigators say, said.
of the building, quickly turn- despite New York City law that Staying put kept her safe.
ing the structure into a chimney requires entrances to apartments But in a building without fire
that funneled impenetrable black and stairwells be spring-loaded escapes, many residents flooded
smoke up stairwells and down so they close automatically. The into the stairways, leaving what
hallways as scores struggled to company that owns the building refuge they had in their units.
escape. said this week that maintenance Members of another family who
If only so many seemingly minor workers repairing a lock on that lives on the same floor as Howard
factors had not aligned, then 17 Charred walls and debris fill a third-floor hallway after fire gutted part door recently had inspected the died trying to escape the building.
people, including eight children, of an apartment building Sunday in the Bronx borough of New York. self-closing mechanism and found In the chaos, though, others
might now be alive. RYAN J. DEGAN/NYC DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS it working. made it to safety.
“I dropped on my knees and Within minutes, air rushing “I just ran down the steps as
started to pray to God and said, mous. bedrooms and their sitting room through the open doorway had much as I could but people was
‘Please help me. Please help us,’ ” But inside it was a community, because the building’s heat “don’t sucked flames, soot and thick falling all over me, screaming,”
said Tysena Jacobs. 68, who was only vertical. That amplified both work for nothing.” black smoke into the hall, and said Sandra Clayton, 61, who was
making breakfast in her 15th-floor the damage and the grief. He said he had complained, but then under Dejesus’ door. Before able to grope her way through the
apartment when acrid smoke If only, after an almost eerily it hadn’t been fixed. she could stuff towels into the smoke.
started billowing under the front mild December, last weekend’s Fathia Touray’s family was opening, it filled the room, forc- As residents returned to the
door. “It was like a nightmare.” weather in New York had not the first to arrive at Twin Parks ing the family to flee down the building this week hoping to gather
Most nightmares, though, are turned cold. from the west African country of stairs to the lower floor of their personal items, they despaired
solitary. Each winter, some apartments Gambia in the mid-1980s. They duplex. pondering all the ways in which
This one, all too real, was in the Twin Parks tower stayed and other new arrivals bought When firefighters arrived a the tragedy and its terrible toll
endured by hundreds spread over comfortable while others did not, space heaters. But sometimes few minutes after the blaze was might have been averted.
19 floors — taxi drivers and teach- forcing residents to improvise, said her family had to turn on the reported, they broke down her “I saw the firefighters taking
ers, the elderly and newborns, Stefan Beauvogui, a 67-year-old oven or boil pots of water to keep door and rushed all three family the children out. Their lives have
many of them west African immi- immigrant from Guinea who lives the chill at bay, Touray said. She members out a window onto a been snatched away in a second,”
grants. From the outside, their on the fourth floor. moved out in 2005 but her family waiting ladder. Howard said, breaking into tears.
brown block building set on a On Sunday, he and his wife had remained, forced to flee Sunday’s But while the flames never “I don’t want to go back there. It’s
cement corner appeared anony- space heaters running in both blaze. escaped the third floor, smoke such a heartache.”
Tax estimated that extending the credit
as developed by the Biden admin-
from Page 1 istration would cut child poverty
by 40%.
But Democratic Sen. Joe The tax credits did not cause an
Manchin, from Roberts’ home immediate exodus from the work-
state of West Virginia, objected force, as some lawmakers had
to extending the credit out of feared.
concern that the money would The Bureau of Labor Statis-
discourage people from work- tics reported that the percent-
ing and that additional federal age of people with jobs increased
spending would fuel inflation that from 58% the month before the
has already climbed to a nearly monthly payments began to 59.5%
40-year high. last month.
According to IRS data, 305,000 That same trend occurred in
West Virginia children benefited West Virginia, where the employ-
from the expanded credit last ment-population ratio rose to the
month. pre-p andemic level of 52.9%.
Manchin’s opposition in the One of the key questions for
evenly split Senate derailed Biden’s policymakers is whether bureau-
social spending package and cracies or parents are better at
caused the expanded tax credits spending money on children.
that were going out in the middle Manchin has proposed a
of every month to expire in Janu- 10-year, funded version of Biden’s
ary. This is whittling down family economic proposal that would
incomes at the precise moment scrap the child tax credits focus
when people are grappling with and instead finance programs such
higher prices. as universal prekindergarten, to
However, families only received avoid sending money directly to
half of their 2021 credit on a families.
monthly basis and the other half “It’s a moral question of do you
will be received once they file Hairdresser Chelsea Woody stands outside her car at a grocery store Tuesday in Charleston, W.Va. For the first time trust families to make their own
their taxes in the coming months. in half a year, families on Friday went without a monthly deposit from the federal child tax credit. Woody, a single decisions,” Michelmore said.
The size of the credit will be cut in mother, relied on the check to help raise her young son. JOHN RABY/AP Hairdresser Chelsea Woody
2022, with full payments only going is a single mother from Charles-
to families that earned enough was five and younger, and $250 their jobs. surveyed the spending patterns of ton, West Virginia, who works six
income to owe taxes, a policy monthly for children between the Yet the senator’s primary objec- recipients during September and days a week to make ends meet.
choice that will limit the benefits ages of six and 17. tion, in a written statement last October. Nearly a third used the The extended child tax credit
for the poorest households. The The Treasury Department month, sidestepped that issue as credit to pay for school expenses, payments had helped pay for her
credits for 2022 will come only declined to address questions he expressed concerns about infla- while about 25% of families with son’s daycare, as well as letting her
once people file their taxes at the about the expiration of the tion and that a one-year exten- young children spent it on child splurge on clothes for him.
start of the following year. expanded child tax credit, which sion masked the true costs of a care. About 40% of recipients said “It truly helps out a lot. It’s an
By the Biden administration’s has become a politically sensitive tax credit that could eventually they mostly relied on the money to extra cushion, instead of me worry-
math, the expanded child tax issue as part of Biden’s nearly $2 become permanent. pay off debt. ing how I’m going to pay a bill or if
credit and its monthly payments trillion economic package that has “My Democratic colleagues in There are separate benefits in anything comes up,” Woody said as
were a policy success that paid out stalled in the Senate. Washington are determined to terms of improving the outcomes she loaded groceries into her car.
$93 billion over six months. Manchin has supported some dramatically reshape our society in for impoverished children, whose “It’s helpful for a lot of people. It
More than 36 million fami- form of a work requirement for a way that leaves our country even families could not previously helps working families out because
lies received the payments in people receiving the payment, out more vulnerable to the threats we access the full tax credit because we struggle the most. I’m hardly
December. The payments were of concern that automatic govern- face,” Manchin said. their earnings were too low. An home with my kid because I work
$300 monthly for each child who ment aid could cause people to quit The U.S. Census Bureau analysis by the Urban Institute all the time.”
Virus
nated residents have been about day and down 44 from earlier this bringing its total during the Connecticut residents and 95% of
from Page 1 three times as likely to test posi- week. pandemic to 9,442. those 12 and older had received at
tive in recent weeks as vacci- Hospital officials say some of As COVID-19 cases and hospital- least one COVID-19 vaccine dose,
guaranteed to continue and that nated residents, according to state patients hospitalized with COVID- izations have surged in Connecti- while 75.5% of all residents and
the state’s progress remains fragile. numbers. 19 were admitted for non-coro- cut over recent weeks, deaths have 84.2% of those 12 and older were
“There is a big ‘if,’ ” he said. “And Still, all eight Connecticut coun- navirus reasons before testing risen but still remain far below the fully vaccinated, according to the
that is if these numbers continue ties — along with nearly the entire positive upon arrival but that a levels recorded last winter. Unvac- CDC.
to hold.” rest of the country — are recording majority have significant COVID- cinated people in Connecticut have Additionally, about 47.1% of fully
“high” levels of COVID-19 trans- 19 symptoms. been about 19 times as likely to die vaccinated Connecticut residents
Cases, positivity rate mission as defined by the federal According to the state, 66.2% of from COVID-19 in recent weeks as 18 or older have received a booster
Centers for Disease Control and people hospitalized with COVID- those who are vaccinated, accord- dose.
Connecticut on Friday reported Prevention. With this level of 19 are unvaccinated. Hospital offi- ing to state numbers. The CDC warns that booster
8,783 new COVID-19 cases out of transmission, the CDC advises cials say the rate is significantly The United States has now shots are sometimes misclassi-
45,398 tests, for a daily positivity people to wear a mask in public higher when considering only recorded 847,105 COVID-19 fied as first doses, likely inflating
rate of 19.4%. The state’s seven-day indoor settings. patients with severe symptoms. deaths, according to the Corona- the reported number of first-dose
positivity rate now stands at 22.2%, virus Resource Center at Johns coverage and understating the
down from 23.6% earlier this week. Hospitalizations Deaths Hopkins University. true number of people who have
Connecticut has now averaged received boosters.
9,123 daily COVID-19 cases over As of Friday, Connecticut had Connecticut reports COVID-19 Vaccinations
the past week, also down slightly 1,895 patients hospitalized with deaths on Thursdays. This week, Alex Putterman can be reached
from earlier this week. Unvacci- COVID-19, down 22 from Thurs- the state reported 161 deaths, As of Friday, 90.6% of all at [email protected].
4 Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Saturday, January 15, 2022
US: Russia readies ‘false-flag’ action
Move suggesting ning “sabotage activities
pretext for further and information operations”
that accuse Ukraine of prep-
invasion of Ukraine
ping for its own imminent
attack against Russian forces
By Aamer Madhani, in eastern Ukraine.
Nomaan Merchant He said this is similar to
and Vladimir Isachenkov what the Kremlin did in
Associated Press the lead-up to Russia’s 2014
annexation of Crimea, the
WASHINGTON — U.S. Black Sea peninsula that had
intelligence officials have been under Ukraine’s juris-
determined a Russian diction since 1954.
effort is underway to create The Russians, while
a pretext for troops to maintaining they don’t
further invade Ukraine, and plan to invade Ukraine, are
Moscow has prepositioned demanding that the U.S.
operatives to conduct “a and NATO provide written
false-flag operation” in east- guarantees that the alliance
ern Ukraine, according to will not expand eastward.
the White House. Foreign Minister Sergey
White House press secre- Lavrov warned Friday that
tary Jen Psaki said Friday Moscow wouldn’t wait
that intelligence findings indefinitely for the West-
show Russia is also laying ern response, saying he
the groundwork through expects the U.S. and NATO
a social media disinforma- to provide a written answer
tion campaign that frames next week.
Ukraine as an aggressor that Also on Friday, a cyberat-
has been preparing an immi- tack left about 70 Ukrainian
nent attack against Russian- national and government
backed forces. websites temporarily
Psaki charged that Russia unavailable, officials said.
has already dispatched Ukrainian Foreign Minis-
operatives trained in urban White House press secretary Jen Psaki said intelligence has Russia framing Ukraine as an aggressor. CHIP SOMODEVILLA/GETTY try spokesman Oleg Niko-
warfare who could use lenko said it was too soon
explosives to carry out acts on condition of anonymity, tional conflict. gency from fighting one is medical equipment, services to say who was behind it,
of sabotage against Russia’s said much of it was gleaned The new U.S. intelligence still being worked out. But and even sanctuary during “but there is a long record
own proxy forces — blam- from intercepted commu- was unveiled after a series of even a conversation about Russian offensives. The of Russian cyber assaults
ing the acts on Ukraine nications and observations talks between Russia and the how far the United States United States would almost against Ukraine in the past.”
— if Russian President Vlad- of the movements of people. U.S. and its Western allies would go to subvert Russian certainly supply weapons, The hack amounted to
imir Putin decides to move The U.S. intelligence find- this week in Europe aimed aims in the event of an inva- the officials said. defacement of government
forward with an invasion. ings, which were declassi- at heading off the escalating sion has revived the specter White House national websites, said Oleh Dere-
“We are concerned that fied and shared with U.S. crisis made little progress. of a new Cold War. security adviser Jake Sulli- vianko, a leading private
the Russian government is allies before being made In what would be a major Administration officials van on Thursday said the sector expert and founder of
preparing for an invasion in public, estimate that a mili- turnaround, The New York interviewed this week said U.S. intelligence community the ISSP cybersecurity firm.
Ukraine that may result in tary invasion could begin Times reported Friday that that plans to help Ukrainian has not made an assessment A message posted by
widespread human rights between mid-January and senior Biden administration insurgents could include that the Russians, who have the hackers in Russian,
violations and war crimes mid-February. officials are warning that the providing training in nearby massed some 100,000 troops Ukrainian and Polish told
should diplomacy fail to Ukraine is also moni- United States could throw its countries that are part on Ukraine’s border, have Ukrainians to “be afraid
meet their objectives,” Psaki toring the potential use of weight behind a Ukrainian of NATO’s eastern flank: definitively decided to take and expect the worst.” In
said. disinformation by Russia. insurgency should Russia Poland, Romania and Slova- a military course of action. response, Poland’s govern-
Pentagon spokesman Separately, Ukrainian media invade Ukraine. kia, which could enable But Sullivan said Russia ment issued a statement
John Kirby described the on Friday reported that How the United States, insurgents to slip in and out is laying the groundwork to noting that Russia has a
intelligence as “very credi- authorities believed Russian which just exited two of Ukraine. Beyond logisti- invade under false pretenses history of such disinforma-
ble.” A U.S. official, who was special services were plan- decades of war in Afghani- cal support and weapons, should Putin decide to tion campaigns and that the
not authorized to comment ning a possible false-flag stan, might pivot to funding the United States and NATO go that route. He said the Polish in the message was
on the intelligence and spoke incident to provoke addi- and supporting an insur- allies could also provide Russians have been plan- not from a native speaker.
Federal testing website
launching next week
Amid surge, most that he was doubling the Officials emphasized
order to 1 billion tests. that the federal website is
won’t see promised
But Americans shouldn’t just one way for people to
free tests for weeks expect a rapid turnaround procure COVID-19 tests.
on the orders and they will Starting on Saturday, private
By Zeke Miller have to plan ahead and insurance companies will
Associated Press request the tests well before be required to cover the
they meet federal guidelines cost of at-home rapid tests,
WASHINGTON — After for when to use a test. allowing Americans to be
a difficult week that saw The White House said reimbursed for tests they
setbacks for some of Presi- “tests will typically ship purchase at pharmacies and
dent Joe Biden’s priorities, within 7-12 days of order- online retailers. That covers
the White House on Friday ing” through the U.S. Postal up to eight tests per month.
announced steps being Service, which reports ship- The White House said the
taken to advance the admin- ping times of 1-3 days for its four-test limit on website
istration’s agenda. first-class package service in orders will be applied to
A day after the Supreme the continental U.S. each residential address and
Court halted a policy for The Centers for Disease will apply to the first tranche
mandatory vaccination for Control and Prevention of 500 million tests. It esti- President Joe Biden gives remarks in Washington, D.C., on his administration’s response to the
employees of large compa- recommends at-home test- mates the cost of purchas- surge in COVID-19 cases across the country. ANNA MONEYMAKER/GETTY
nies, officials unveiled the ing when experiencing ing and distributing the first
federal website where COVID-19 systems includ- block of tests at $4 billion. Biden said. “These are economic and voting rights a fact sheet in advance of
Americans can request free ing fever, cough, sore throat, Officials said they are investments that will build agenda has been stymied Biden’s remarks that details
COVID-19 tests beginning respiratory symptoms and cognizant that any launch a better America. It sounds in the Senate, while the how the administration is
Wednesday as the White muscle aches, five days of a website carries some like hyperbole, but it’s real.” Supreme Court halted his preparing to distribute infra-
House looks to address after a potential COVID-19 risks — and memories of the Sixty days after the administration’s vaccine- structure funds. There are
nationwide shortages, exposure, or as part of test- disastrous rollout during infrastructure package or-testing mandate for firms plans to build out 500,000
though supplies will be to-stay protocols in schools the Obama administration became law in Novem- with over 100 employees. charging stations for elec-
limited to just four free tests and workplaces. of Healthcare.gov are still ber, the Transportation Biden said he’s deter- tric vehicles. The Trans-
per home. “Certainly if you’re going fresh — but said they believe Department is launching mined to show that portation Department has
The website COVIDT ests. to gather with family, if they are well-positioned to a $27 billion program to construction tied to the announced the distribution
gov will provide tests at no you’re going to a gathering handle demand for tests. repair and upgrade 15,000 infrastructure package can of roughly $56 billion to
cost, including no ship- where people are immu- Also on Friday, Biden bridges. Under the five- better people’s lives. improve highways, airports
ping fee, the White House nocompromised or where tried to move past recent year program, the federal “There’s a lot of talk and shipping ports.
announced Friday. they’re elderly or where setbacks on voting rights government will release about disappointments of Former New Orleans
As he faced criticism for you have people who might and his economic agenda by nearly $5.5 billion this fiscal things we haven’t gotten Mayor Mitch Landrieu
low inventory and long lines be unvaccinated or poorly outlining progress made in year to states, Puerto Rico, done we’re gonna get a lot of is tasked with managing
for testing, Biden announced protected from a vaccine, implementing his $1 trillion the District of Columbia and them done, I might add,” he the implementation of the
last month that the U.S. that might be an opportu- bipartisan infrastructure tribes. said. “But this is something infrastructure spending.
would purchase 500 million nity you want to test,” said package. The president is trying to we did get done and it’s of He appeared with Biden
at-home tests to launch the Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the “When we invest in regain a sense of optimism enormous consequence to on Friday and pledged to
program and on Thursday CDC director, on Wednes- infrastructure, we’re really after his administration has the country.” “deliver results on time, on
the president announced day. investing in opportunity,” endured a rough week. His The White House issued task and on budget.”
Wisconsin parade suspect faces murder trial
By Todd Richmond Court Commissioner Kevin Opper called just one defender Anna Kees, argued
Associated Press Costello said at the end of a witness, police detective that Brooks was high during
preliminary hearing. That’s Thomas Casey. He testified the incident.
MADISON, Wis. — A the point in the criminal that he and other officers She maintained that he
Milwaukee man accused of justice process where court yelled at Brooks to stop as couldn’t turn off the parade
killing six people and injur- officials decide whether he drove the SUV through route because the side
ing dozens more when he there’s enough proof to bind the parade in downtown streets were barricaded and
drove an SUV through a defendants over for trial. Waukesha on Nov. 21. full of spectators. She noted,
suburban Christmas parade Brooks faces 77 charges He described how the too, that he told detectives
must stand trial, a court in all, including six counts vehicle zigzagged across the that he didn’t mean to kill
commissioner ordered of homicide and multiple street for blocks, smashing anyone and couldn’t bring
Friday. counts of reckless endan- into marchers from behind himself to look at photos of
Prosecutors have germent. He would face and running them over. the carnage.
presented “ample” evidence mandatory life in prison if He said Brooks injured 61 Brooks was ordered to
to show Darrell Brooks convicted on just one of the people, including the six appear for an arraignment
Two days after a Nov. 21 Christmas parade crash in Waukesha, probably committed felo- homicide charges. people he killed. on Feb. 11, at which point he
Wis., a family visits a victim’s memorial. JEFFREY PHELPS/AP nies, Waukesha County District Attorney Susan Brooks’ attorney, public will be able to enter a plea.
Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Saturday, January 15, 2022 5
WORLD & NATION
NEWS BRIEFING
Ohio Supreme Court
rejects congressional
map drawn by GOP
From news services beyond all doubt that the
General Assembly did not
COLUMBUS, Ohio — heed the clarion call sent by
Ohio’s Republican-drawn Ohio voters to stop political
congressional map was gerrymandering.”
rejected by the state’s high Donnelly and the court’s
court Friday, giving hope other two Democrats were
to national Democrats who joined by Chief Justice
had argued it unfairly deliv- Maureen O’Connor, a
ered several potentially moderate Republican set to
competitive seats in this depart the court due to age
year’s critical midterm elec- limits at the end of the year.
tions to Republicans. The court’s three other
In the 4-3 decision, Republicans — including
the Ohio Supreme Court Justice Pat DeWine, son
returned the map to the of Republican Gov. Mike
Ohio General Assembly, DeWine, a named plaintiff
where Republicans hold in the cases — dissented.
supermajorities in both
chambers, and then to the Fight over funds: The Biden
Ohio Redistricting Commis- administration is threat-
sion. The two bodies have a ening to recoup COVID-19
combined 60 days to draw relief funds sent to Arizona
new lines that comply with a over state provisions that it An icon in granite: A jogger pauses before The Stone of Hope, a statue of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., on Friday at
2018 constitutional amend- says discourage families and a memorial in Washington, D.C. King, who would have turned 93 on Saturday, was fatally shot on April 4, 1968, at the Lorraine
ment against gerrymander- school districts from follow- Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday, will be observed Monday. MANDEL NGAN/GETTY-AFP
ing. ing federal guidance recom-
The commission was in mending face coverings in
the process of reconstituting schools. former company reaped fraud charges related to two remaining in the House. in-chief of tabloid newspa-
so it can redraw GOP-drawn At issue are two state from jacking up the price failed hedge funds he ran. per The Sun — apologized
legislative maps the court programs meant to help and monopolizing the PM Johnson’s office sorry: “unreservedly” for the
also rejected this week as schools and students but market for a lifesaving GOP Trump foe retiring: Boris Johnson’s office apol- “anger and hurt” caused by
gerrymandered. That deci- that direct funding away drug, a federal judge ruled Rep. John Katko, a Repub- ogized to the royal family his farewell party.
sion gave the panel 10 days from jurisdictions with Friday while also barring the lican moderate, announced on Friday for holding staff
to comply. mask requirements. imprisoned ex-CEO from his retirement Friday, the parties in Downing Street Mars meteorite: A 4 billion-
With Feb. 2 and March 4 Arizona’s Education the pharmaceutical indus- third of the 10 House GOP on the eve of Prince Philip’s year-old meteorite from
looming as the filing dates Plus-Up Grant Program try for the rest of his life. lawmakers who voted to funeral last year — the latest Mars that caused a splash on
for legislative and congres- provides $163 million in U.S. District Judge Denise impeach President Donald in a catalogue of allegedly Earth contains no evidence
sional candidates, respec- funding to schools and its Cote’s ruling came after a Trump in 2021 to say they lockdown-breaching gath- of ancient, primitive
tively, the decisions have COVID-19 Educational bench trial in December won’t seek reelection. erings that are threatening Martian life after all, scien-
raised questions of whether Recovery Benefit Program that featured recordings Now serving his fourth to topple the British prime tists reported Thursday.
the state’s May 3 primary provides for up to $7,000 for of conversations Cote said House term, Katko, 59, minister. In 1996, a NASA-led team
may have to be extended. parents if their child’s school showed Shkreli exerting released a statement saying Farewell parties for John- announced that organic
Ohio Republican Party requires face coverings or control over the company, it was time to “enjoy my son’s departing communica- compounds in the rock
Chair Bob Paduchik called quarantines after exposure. Vyera Pharmaceuticals LLC, family and life in a fuller and tions director and another appeared to have been left
the situation a mess, criticiz- It lets parents use the money from behind bars. more present way.” staffer, complete with late- by living creatures. Other
ing the state’s high court. for private school tuition or Shkreli was CEO of There was sharp GOP night drinking and danc- scientists were skeptical
“That’s a lot to dump on other education costs. Turing Pharmaceuticals — backlash against all 10 ing, took place last April and researchers chipped
a commission with a very In a Friday letter, the later Vyera — when it raised Republicans who voted to 16, the night before Queen away at that premise over
short period of time,” he Treasury Department the price of Daraprim from impeach Trump over his Elizabeth II sat alone at her the decades.
said Friday. “It’s hard to say warned that the state has $13.50 to $750 per pill after role in inciting supporters husband’s funeral because Tiny samples from the
what’s going to happen.” 60 days to remove the obtaining exclusive rights who violently stormed the of social distancing rules in meteorite show the carbon-
Justices chastised Repub- anti-masking provisions to the decadesold drug in Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as place to slow the spread of rich compounds are actually
licans in both decisions for before the federal govern- 2015. It treats a rare parasitic lawmakers were certifying the coronavirus. the result of water — most
flouting the voters’ wishes ment moves to recover the disease that strikes pregnant his presidential reelection Johnson spokesman likely salty, or briny, water
and the Constitution and relief money, and it threat- women, cancer patients and defeat. Jamie Davies acknowledged — flowing over the rock for
directed them to move with ened to withhold the next AIDS patients. Reps. Anthony Gonzalez that news of the gatherings a prolonged period, Steele
haste. tranche of aid as well. Shkreli defended the deci- of Ohio and Adam Kinzinger had caused “significant said. The findings appear in
Writing for the majority, sion as capitalism at work. of Illinois, who backed public anger.” the journal Science.
Justice Michael Donnelly Shkreli rulings: Martin He resigned as Turing’s Trump’s second impeach- The former communica- The 4-pound rock was
wrote, “(T)he evidence in Shkreli must return $64.6 CEO in 2015, a day after he ment just over a year ago, tions director, James Slack discovered in Antarctica in
these cases makes clear million in profits he and his was arrested on securities have also decided against — who is now deputy editor- 1984.
Trash, recyclables piling up
while omicron variant surges
By Travis Loller
Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. —
The omicron variant is sick-
ening so many sanitation
workers around the U.S.
that some cities have had to
delay or suspend garbage
or recycling pickup, anger-
ing residents shocked that
governments can’t perform
this most basic of functions.
The slowdowns have
caused recycling bins full
of Christmas gift boxes and
People watch a news report about North Korea’s latest missile launch on Friday in Seoul, wrapping paper to languish
South Korea. North Korea has conducted three launches this month. LEE JIN-MAN/AP on Nashville curbs, trash
bags to pile up on Phila-
NKorea again tests missiles delphia streets, and uncol-
lected yard waste — grass
clippings, leaves, branches
in response to US sanctions — to block sidewalks in
Atlanta. Sanitation workers collect trash Thursday in Philadelphia.
“It’s just a shame,” said Trash bags are piling up in the city as sanitation workers are
Madelyn Rubin, who lives sidelined by the surging omicron variant. MATT ROURKE/AP
By Kim Tong-Hyung stance.” ated diplomacy with former in Jacksonville, Florida,
Associated Press The sanctions targeted President Donald Trump in where officials have halted a central drop-off site. disrupted by omicron.
five North Koreans over 2018 in an attempt to lever- recycling. “It feels like a failure of Around the U.S., teachers,
SEOUL, South Korea their roles in obtaining age his nukes for economic “You know that they governance,” he added. firefighters, police offi-
— North Korea on Friday equipment and technol- benefits. could find the money to The garbage crisis is the cers and transit workers
fired what appeared to be ogy for the North’s missile But the negotiations do it if they wanted to,” she third of the pandemic. The have been out sick in large
two short-range ballistic programs in its response derailed after Kim’s second said. “If it was a business first happened in the spring numbers.
missiles in its third weapons to the North’s missile test summit with Trump in that wanted to come in here, of 2020, when COVID-19 “We’re getting calls,
launch this month, officials this week. Washington also 2019, when the Ameri- they would dump money in took hold in the U.S. Prob- emails, everything. People
in South Korea said, in an said it would seek new U.N. cans rejected his demands to make it happen.” lems arose again as the are understandably frus-
apparent reprisal for fresh sanctions. for major sanctions relief Cities including Atlanta, delta variant spiked over trated,” said Atlanta City
sanctions imposed by the The test-launch of a in exchange for a partial Nashville and Louisville, the summer. Council member Liliana
Biden administration for hypersonic missile on Tues- surrender of the North’s Kentucky, are so short- The Solid Waste Asso- Bakhtiari.
its continuing test launches. day — the second in a week nuclear capabilities. handed they have tempo- ciation of North America Atlanta officials said
South Korea’s Joint — was overseen by leader Kim’s government has rarily stopped collecting warned government offi- Monday that because of
Chiefs of Staff said the Kim Jong Un, who said so far rejected the Biden things like recyclable cials and trash haulers in the worker shortage, recy-
missiles were fired 11 it would greatly increase administration’s open- bottles, cans, paper and December to “plan now for cling and yard waste will
minutes apart from an his country’s nuclear “war ended offer to resume talks, plastic, yard waste or over- staffing shortages.” be picked up “as staffing
inland area in western deterrent.” saying Washington must sized junk to focus on the The highly contagious allows.”
North Pyongan prov- North Korea has been abandon its “hostile policy” grosser, smellier stuff. The variant hit just when Amer- Los Angeles said delays in
ince, where North Korea ramping up tests of new, first. delays are more than annoy- icans were generating a lot the collection of recyclables
is known to operate key potentially nuclear-capable The term is one Pyong- ance to residents, creating of trash — over the Christ- could continue through the
missile bases and has missiles designed to over- yang mainly uses to describe problems such as clogged mas holidays. Combine that month.
frequently conducted test whelm missile defenses in sanctions and joint U.S.- storm drains and blocked with a relatively low vacci- New York City, which
launches in recent years. the region. Some experts South Korea military drills. sidewalks. nation level among front- boasts the largest munic-
The missiles flew 267 say Kim is going back to South Korea’s presi- Nashville City Council line sanitation workers and ipal sanitation force in the
miles cross-country on a his tactic of pressuring the dential office said senior member Freddie O’Con- you have a “perfect storm world, had around 2,000
maximum altitude of 22 world with missile launches officials convened an emer- nell was just as surprised for delayed collection,” of its 7,000 workers out
miles before landing in the and outrageous threats gency National Security as his constituents when the association’s executive because of the latest round
sea, the military said. before offering negotiations Council meeting, expressed he received notice before director, David Biderman, of the coronavirus, but the
Hours earlier, North meant to extract conces- “strong regret” over the Christmas that the city was said this week. rest are working long hours
Korea issued a statement sions. continued launches and halting curbside recycling. In some communi- to clear a backlog of waste.
berating the Biden admin- Following an unusually urged Pyongyang to recom- “I was just stunned there ties, up to a quarter of the To keep the trash from
istration for imposing new provocative run in nuclear mit to dialogue. wasn’t an alternative or a waste-collection workforce piling up, some municipal-
sanctions over its previous and long-range missile tests In an interview aired on back-up plan,” he said. “No is calling in sick, Biderman ities are hiring temporary
missile tests and warned of in 2017 that showed the MSNBC, Secretary of State hot line for people who are said. workers or contracting with
stronger and more explicit North’s pursuit of an arsenal Antony Blinken called mobility impaired or don’t Garbage collection has private haulers. Some are
action if Washington main- that could target the Amer- the North’s latest tests have reliable access to a car” become just another of offering signing or retention
tains its “confrontational ican homeland, Kim initi- “profoundly destabilizing.” to carry their recyclables to the many basic services bonuses or pay raises.
6 Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Saturday, January 15, 2022
Retail sales in December As omicron
surges, ACA
slump after record season
deadline is
looming
Consumers slowed purchases after robust early spending during the holidays
By Anne D’Innocenzio Yet data issued by the Commerce Depart- the latest COVID wave crests should put
Associated Press ment showed that by the end of December, consumers back on a high-spending track
spending had trailed off sharply enough to in the second quarter.” By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar
NEW YORK — Americans overlooked catch economists off guard and raise doubts Retailers warned for months that their Associated Press
shortages, spiking prices and uncertainty about the sustainability of retail sales in the supply chains had become snarled as the
over the omicron variant to break spending face of omicron, inflation and persistent nation swiftly emerged from the pandemic People looking for health insurance in
records during the critical holiday shop- shortages of labor and supplies. Retail sales recession, and they urged consumers to the grip of the omicron surge have through
ping season. But figures released Friday fell a seasonally adjusted 1.9% from Novem- shop early for their holiday purchases. It Saturday to sign up for taxpayer-subsidized
show that after spending robustly early ber to December. appears that many Americans took heed private coverage under the Obama-era
in the holiday season, consumers sharply Spending fell broadly across numerous and, in effect, moved up the usual holiday Affordable Care Act.
slowed their purchases from November to sectors: Department store sales fell 7%, shopping period by a month or so. President Joe Biden’s administration
December. restaurant 0.8% and online purchases 8.7% Commerce Department figures show is on track is to deliver robust enrollment
The National Retail Federation, the compared with November. retail sales jumped 1.8% in October, and numbers, but those gains could turn into a
nation’s largest retail trade group, said Many economists expect the caution on Friday it reported that year-over-year mirage if congressional Democrats remain
that sales surged by a record 14.1% from that consumers displayed last month to numbers show that retail sales surged 16.9% stymied on Biden’s social agenda pack-
November and December 2020 to the same carry over into this year and potentially last month compared with December 2020. age. Biden’s coronavirus relief bill has been
months in 2021. Those figures blew away slow the economy. Still, with average For all of 2021, sales spiked 19.3% compared providing generous subsidy increases that
the federation’s projections for growth hourly pay rising and unemployment rate with the previous year. benefit new and returning customers. The
of between 8.5% to 10.5%, and more than steadily dropping, analysts say spending Some analysts suspect that shoppers who juiced-up assistance will go away at the end
tripled the average gain over the past five and growth could pick up, at least modestly, waited until the end of the holiday season of this year without further congressional
years of 4.4%. once omicron fades. and didn’t find what they wanted and took action.
“After a dispiriting holiday season in “American consumers closed 2021 on a a pass or they bought gift cards. That spend- “The determining factor in whether this
2020, most shoppers were absolutely deter- very sour note,” said Sal Guatieri, senior ing won’t show up in retail data until those is a lasting gain in enrollment is whether the
mined to enjoy themselves come what economist at BMO Capital Markets. “That cards are redeemed. All told, Americans subsidies are extended,” said Cynthia Cox,
may,” said Neil Saunders, managing direc- said, high household savings, strong job appear to be spending their money differ- who follows health insurance trends at the
tor of GlobalData. growth, and improved confidence once ently — and spending more, not less. nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation.
“The biggest threat to enrollment would be
if these subsidies expire.” Millions of people
could see their monthly premiums double
and deductibles would also shoot up.
Health and Human Services Secretary
Xavier Becerra said Thursday that about
14.1 million people have enrolled or renewed
coverage as of Jan. 8. That’s a gain of roughly
2 million covered through HealthCare.gov
and state-run insurance marketplaces.
Two GOP-led states — Florida and Texas
— are seeing particularly strong sign-ups.
People who sign up by Saturday will have
coverage effective Feb. 1.
After Saturday, people still looking for
coverage will need a reason, such as losing
a job or a change in family circumstances,
to qualify for a special enrollment period.
Federal officials recommend that deadline
day enrollees sign up by midnight local time.
BUSINESS BRIEFING
Panel subpoenas
social media firms
WASHINGTON — Months after request-
ing documents from more than a dozen
social platforms, the House committee
investigating the 2021 Capitol insurrection
has issued subpoenas targeting Twitter,
Meta, Reddit and YouTube.
People encounter empty sections of shelves while shopping for groceries Wednesday in New York City. A national trade association says the Lawmakers said the companies’ initial
unavailability rate for groceries is hovering around 15%, up from the normal 5% to 10% at any given time. SPENCER PLATT/GETTY responses were inadequate, having failed
to turn over the necessary information and
documents that would help answer ques-
Grocery shortages flare again
tions at the heart of their investigation.
The committee chairman, Rep. Bennie
Thompson, D-Miss., demanded records
Thursday from the companies relating to
their role in allegedly spreading misinforma-
Omicron, weather adding The average U.S. household spent $144 The omicron variant has taken a toll on tion about the 2020 election and promoting
per week at the grocery last year, according food production lines. domestic violent extremism on their plat-
to supply chain, labor issues
to FMI, a trade organization for groceries Sean Connolly, the president and CEO forms ahead of the insurrection.
plaguing retailers nationwide and food producers. That was down from of Conagra Brands, which makes Birds Eye
$161 in 2020, but well above the $113.50 that frozen vegetables, Slim Jim meat snacks
By Dee-Ann Durbin households spent in 2019. and other products, told investors last
Associated Press A deficit of truck drivers that started week that supplies from the company’s Hong Kong to
building before the pandemic also remains U.S. plants will be constrained for at least
Shortages at U.S. grocery stores have a problem. The American Trucking Asso- the next month due to omicron-related
ban transit flights
grown more acute in recent weeks as new ciations said in October that the U.S. was absences.
problems — like the fast-spreading omicron short an estimated 80,000 drivers. Worker illness is also impacting grocery
variant and severe weather — have piled And shipping remains delayed, impact- stores.
on to the supply chain struggles and labor ing everything from imported foods to Stew Leonard Jr. is president and CEO of HONG KONG — Hong Kong International
shortages that have plagued retailers since packaging that is printed overseas. Stew Leonard’s, a supermarket chain that Airport said it will ban transit passengers
the coronavirus pandemic began. Retailers and food producers have been operates stores in Connecticut, New York from 150 countries and territories starting
The shortages are impacting produce adjusting to those realities since early and New Jersey. Last week, 8% of his work- Sunday, tightening stringent travel controls
and meat as well as packaged goods such 2020, when panic buying at the start of the ers — around 200 people — were either out in an effort to stem the spread of the highly
as cereal. And they’re being reported pandemic sent the industry into a tailspin. sick or in quarantine. Usually, the level of contagious omicron variant.
nationwide. U.S. groceries typically have “All of the players in the supply chain absenteeism is 2%. Authorities also said Friday they will
5% to 10% of their items out of stock at any ecosystem have gotten to a point where Experts are divided on how long grocery extend social distancing restrictions, includ-
given time; right now, that unavailability they have that playbook and they’re able to shopping may feel like a scavenger hunt. ing a ban on dining in after 6 p.m., by another
rate is hovering around 15%, according to navigate that baseline level of challenges,” Dankert thinks the country will soon two weeks over the Lunar New Year holi-
Consumer Brands Association President said Jessica Dankert, vice president of settle back to more normal patterns, albeit days to Feb. 3. Large-scale events, such as
and CEO Geoff Freeman. supply chain at the Retail Industry Lead- with continuing supply chain headaches Lunar New Year fairs held annually in Hong
Part of the scarcity consumers are seeing ers Association, a trade group. and labor shortages. Kong, will be canceled.
on store shelves is due to pandemic trends Generally, the system works. But Dankert But Freeman says omicron-related Over the past two weeks, authorities have
that never abated — and are exacerbated says that bare shelves have been a phenom- disruptions could expand as the variant expanded restrictions, locked down multi-
by omicron. Americans are eating at home enon over the last 20 months. It’s just that grips the Midwest, where many big pack- ple residential buildings across the city and
more than they used to, especially since additional complications have stacked up aged food companies like Kellogg Co. and mass-tested thousands as they sought to
offices and some schools remain closed. on that baseline at the moment, she said. General Mills Inc. have operations. stamp out omicron infections.
USimport/exportprices
Biden taps 3 to increase Fed board’s diversity
Priceindex,percentagechangefrom
previousmonth
Imports Exports
By Christopher Rugaber challenging time in which the central bank board member, to be the vice chair.
Associated Press will undertake the delicate task of raising “This group will bring much needed 3.0
its benchmark interest rate to try to curb expertise, judgment and leadership to 2.5
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden high inflation, without undercutting the the Federal Reserve while at the same
2.0
on Friday announced the nominations recovery from the pandemic recession. time bringing a diversity of thought and
1.5
of three people for the Federal Reserve’s On Wednesday, the government reported perspective never seen before on the Board
Board of Governors, including Sarah Bloom that inflation reached a four-decade high of Governors,” Biden said in a statement. 1.0
Raskin, a former Fed and Treasury official, in December. Raskin’s nomination to the position of 0.5
for the top regulatory slot and Lisa Cook, If approved, Biden’s picks would signifi- Fed vice chair for supervision — the nation’s
who would be the first Black woman to cantly increase the Fed’s diversity. Cook top bank regulator — will be welcomed by
-0.5
serve on the Fed’s board. and Jefferson would be just the fourth and progressive senators and advocacy groups,
Biden also nominated Phillip Jefferson, fifth Black governors in the Fed’s 108-year who see her as likely to take a tougher -1.0
an economist, dean of faculty at Davidson history. And for the first time, a majority of approach to bank regulation than Randal -1.5
College in North Carolina and a former Fed the board would consist of female appoin- Quarles, a Trump appointee who stepped -2.0
researcher. The three nominees, who will tees. down last month. She is also viewed as
Dec. J F M A M J J A S O N Dec.
have to be confirmed by the Senate, would In late November, Biden also nominated someone committed to incorporating 2020 2021
fill out the Fed’s seven-member board. Jerome Powell for a second four-year term climate change considerations into the SOURCE:BureauofLaborStatistics TNS
They would join the Fed at a particularly as Fed chair and chose Lael Brainard, a Fed Fed’s oversight of banks.
Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Saturday, January 15, 2022 7
BUSINESS
ANALYSIS
Norway’s eager embrace of
EVs may dictate future of cars
By Shira Ovide
The New York Times
Last year, Norway
reached a milestone. Only
about 8% of new cars sold
in the country ran purely
on conventional gasoline
or diesel fuel. Two-thirds
of new cars sold were elec-
tric, and most of the rest
were electric-and-gasoline
hybrids.
For years, Norway has
been the world leader in
The Biden administration said it will hold its first offshore wind auction next month, offering shifting away from tradi-
nearly 500,000 acres off the coast of New York and New Jersey. MICHAEL DWYER/AP 2016 tional cars, thanks to
government benefits that Two-thirds of new cars sold in Norway in 2021 were electric
Interior slated to hold first made electric vehicles far vehicles. Above, EVs parked on a street in Oslo, Norway.
more affordable and offered THOMAS HAUGERSVEEN FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES 2015
extras like letting electric
offshore wind power auction car owners skip some fees the worst effects of a warm- it made it more palatable
for parking and toll roads. ing planet. U.S. electric car to build more places to
Still, electric car enthu- sales are increasing fast, but, charge them. Car compa-
siasts are stunned by the at about 3% of new passen- nies started to devote more
By Matthew Daly clean energy projects on Hochul of New York and speed at which the inter- ger vehicles, percentages of their marketing to elec-
and Mike Catalini public lands, including Phil Murphy of New Jersey nal combustion engine has are far lower than those in tric vehicles and released
Associated Press solar, onshore wind and hailed the New York Bight become an endangered most other rich countries. more models at a range of
geothermal energy. The lease sale, saying it would species in Norway. Bu said that Norway’s prices and features. That’s
TRENTON, N.J. — The Interior Department has help their states chart an “It has surprised most policies focused first on just starting to happen in
Biden administration has approved 18 onshore proj- ambitious path toward people how quickly things nudging people who were the United States.
announced that it will ects during Biden’s first a clean energy economy. have changed,” said Chris- considering a new car to go These are no easy policy
hold its first offshore wind year in office. The projects The projects there could tina Bu, the secretary-gen- electric. Norwegians who choices in Norway or
auction next month, offer- are set to deliver more than produce up to 7 gigawatts eral of the Norwegian EV bought new electric cars anywhere else, said Anders
ing nearly 500,000 acres off 4 gigawatts of clean energy, of electricity. Association. didn’t have to pay the coun- Hartmann of Asplan Viak,
the coast of New York and powering more than 1 The administration’s In 2015, electric cars were try’s very high taxes on new a Norwegian planning and
New Jersey for wind energy million homes. announcement rankled about 20% of new car sales, vehicle sales. engineering consulting
projects that could produce President Joe Biden has some commercial fish- and now they are “the new Bu also said that Norway firm.
enough electricity to power set a goal to install 30 giga- ing groups, who have normal,” Bu said. didn’t become paralyzed by Letting electric vehicle
nearly 2 million homes. watts of offshore wind complained that wind proj- Americans might view the reasonable objections to drivers skip parking or toll
Interior Secretary Deb power by 2030, gener- ects off the East Coast could Norwegians as environ- electric vehicles, including fees was manageable when
Haaland said the Feb. 23 ating enough electric- interfere with efforts to mental die-hards who were where to charge them. few were on the roads,
auction in the New York ity to power more than 10 catch seafood species such eager to ditch gas cars. But Not every country has a Hartmann said, but some
Bight region will allow million homes. The admin- as scallops, clams and sea Bu and other transportation tax system well-suited to local governments more
offshore wind developers istration has approved the bass. Annie Hawkins, exec- experts said Norwegians encourage electric vehicle recently said they were
to bid on six lease areas, nation’s first two commer- utive director of Responsi- started with much of the purchases. (Gas taxes are losing out on money they
the most ever offered in an cial-scale offshore wind ble Offshore Development same electric-vehicle skep- also very high in Norway.) used to fund public trans-
auction for offshore wind projects in federal waters: Alliance, a group represent- ticism as Americans. But Bu suggested that the portation. Norway’s legis-
energy projects. the 800-megawatt Vine- ing fishing associations and That changed because of U.S. impose higher taxes lature has discussed scaling
“Offshore wind yard Wind project off the companies, said the Biden government policies that on the new car models that back the tax breaks for elec-
opportunities like the Massachusetts coast and administration has been picked off the easier wins spew the most pollution and tric vehicles, but it’s difficult
New York Bight pres- the 130-megawatt South moving offshore wind proj- first and a growing number use that money to subsidize because they are popular.
ent a once-in-a-genera- Fork wind farm near New ects at a “staggering” pace, of appealing electric cars. electric vehicle purchases. Bu said the biggest
tion opportunity to fight York’s Long Island. with insufficient environ- Over time, that combina- The U.S. federal govern- change in Norway is that
climate change and create Haaland has said the mental reviews or public tion helped more Norwe- ment and many states most people now believe
good-paying, union jobs in Interior Department hopes comment. gians believe electric cars already offer tax breaks on that electric cars were for
the United States,” Haaland to conduct as many as The Interior Depart- were for them. some electric cars. them.
said Wednesday. seven offshore wind lease ment said it consulted with Transportation is the Subsidies aren’t enough “What really surprised
The auction comes sales by 2025, including the commercial fisheries and largest source of U.S. green- on their own to boost me was the shift of mental-
after the administra- New York Bight and sales other stakeholders before house gas emissions, and electric vehicle owner- ity,” she said, noting that
tion announced a flurry offshore in the Carolinas moving forward with the climate scientists have said ship, although they did her father was one of those
of clean energy actions and California later this lease sale, resulting in a 72% that moving away from help create momentum people who said they would
Wednesday, such as steps year. reduction in the size of the combustion engine vehi- in Norway. As more new never buy an electric car.
to speed up reviews of Democratic Govs. Kathy proposed lease area. cles is essential to avoiding electric cars hit the road, Now her parents own one.
MARKET RUNDOWN Explore your next chapter
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8 Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Saturday, January 15, 2022
OPINION
Helen Bennett
Executive Editor
[email protected]
COURANT.COM/OPINION
OP-ED
Biden’s Jim Crow
remarks are worst
hyperbole to date
By Gary Franks sary to ensure such federal intervention.
For starters, the voting rights bills being
President Joe Biden’s claim that being considered by Congress today are not
against the Democrats’ version of voting technically an extension of the original
rights in 2022 is equivalent to being for Jim 1965 Voting Rights Act. They add to the
Crow 2.0 gives hyperbole a bad name. Act. I think those who voted overwhelm-
In the nineteenth century, most south- ingly for the Voting Rights Act in the past
ern states had a majority or near-majority would be flabbergasted by the current
Black population because proposals.
of slavery. To prevent this For instance, advocates for today’s
majority from politically version of the Voting Rights Act are calling
controlling those states for a national voting holiday, provisions of
— Mississippi actu- water and food for voters waiting in line,
ally had two Black U.S. and a way to have a substantial percentage
senators and the nation of votes cast from voters’ living rooms via
had 20 Black U.S. House absentee mail-in ballots. President Joe Biden speaks about the government’s COVID-19 response, in the South Court
members, all Republi- And with technology available for voters Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House Campus in
cans — the white popu- to better identify themselves who would Washington on Thursday. ANDREW HARNIK/AP
Franks lation, thanks to a highly have thought that a government-issued
questionable election photo ID would be deemed a vehicle for Clinton in a White House meeting with the this being a problem, but it’s an easy fix on
in 1876, put an end to Black voter suppression? It makes one Congressional Black Caucus. The CBC’s the local and state levels. Imagine a super-
Reconstruction, which had helped Black think something foul is happening if this anger was immediate. They were in favor market. When the lines get long a new cash
people and resorted to Jim Crow practices, modest provision is now considered a of racially gerrymandered districts. That register is quickly opened. We can fix this
which Democrats had established. “threat” to democracy. same day, an emergency meeting was without making it a federal issue.
White Democrats installed a literacy Having a ballot application mailed to convened, and I was voted out of the CBC, Thus, to abolish the Senate filibuster
test, a difficult hurdle as it was against the people’s homes even when not requested at least temporarily. over the above-mentioned concerns seems
law for Blacks to read; a grandfather clause, also leaves itself open to mischief. Amer- Worst yet, Congresswoman Cynthia like a solution waiting for a problem.
which meant that unless your grandfather icans are highly mobile. For example, McKinney’s father was arrested for attack- Lastly, it should be noted, a higher
voted you could not (thus, a Black person hundreds of thousands of ballot applica- ing me on the stairs of a Savannah court- percentage of Black people voted in the
had to be part white to vote); and a poll tax, tions in various states were returned to the house following my testimony before a U.S. 2012 election of former President Barack
since most Black slaves did not own prop- Secretary of State as the postal service was Appeals Court on this issue. Obama than the percentage of eligible
erty. Minus property, they were excluded not able to deliver them. Back in the day, Over time it was proven that my elec- white voters as reported in the Washington
from voting unless they inherited land (and these folks would be identified through tion to Congress was not an aberration Post. And voting records were strong in the
were half-white). These exclusions were in canvassing, divided by party affiliation, and — for white people would vote for a black 2016 elections across the board.
place in many southern states. still somehow managed to vote. Without person, duh! In fact, most of the growth So, where is the problem?
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 made it proper ID it wasn’t difficult. of the CBC since my departure from
necessary in those southern states — which Why party affiliation? So that there Congress has come from Black members Gary Franks served three terms as U.S. rep-
practiced overt discrimination to suppress would be no chance of a person voting representing white congressional districts. resentative for Connecticut’s 5th District.
if not eliminate the Black vote — for the twice which would alert officials. I am sure Racial or partisan gerrymandering is He was the first Black Republican elected
federal government to review all election these practices have been addressed and equally wrong, and the courts are presently to the House in nearly 60 years and New
law practices and changes in the future. corrected. equipped to address each when contested. England’s first Black member of the House.
Due to the great progress in Black voting On gerrymandering of Congressional No one should have to wait an inordinate Host: podcast “We Speak Frankly.” Author:
participation made over the decades, the U.S. districts, I expressed my objection to racial amount of time to cast a vote. With the days “With God, For God, and For Country.” @
Supreme Court felt it was no longer neces- gerrymandering to former President Bill being extended, it becomes hard to imagine GaryFranks
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR OP-ED
Shoddy journalism in AP
History will judge Senate Dems
‘hit piece’ on Babbitt
I’ve been teaching newspaper literacy
to my grade 10 students. We’ve covered on voting rights, not Senate rules
headlines, bylines, hard news vs. features,
editorials and op-eds. I’ve emphasized that
ethical journalists ask sources the “five
W’s” and never insert their own opinions.
Much to my dismay, the Courant thumbed By E.J. Dionne Jr. have to use their muscle only because any change is the same as supporting the
its nose at that ethical standard when it ran The Washington Post Republicans have abandoned what was, sabotage of democracy that’s happening
“A martyr? Babbitt’s past tells a complex for more than four decades, a cross- in GOP-led states.
story” [Page 2, Jan. 5]. The story was about WASHINGTON — The rhetorical party commitment to national stan- This really is the “yes or no” question
Ashli Babbitt, an unarmed woman shot by high points of President Joe Biden’s dards to guarantee the right to vote. Biden framed. “Do you want to be on the
police during the riotous invasion of our passionate speech on behalf of voting Democrats have no choice but to do it side of Dr. King or George Wallace?” he
Capitol last January. This story interested rights Tuesday were rooted in the alone. asked Tuesday. “Do you want to be on
me until I realized it was a one-source memories and achievements of the civil “State legislatures can pass anti-vot- the side of John Lewis or Bull Connor?
hit piece on a deceased person. I learned rights movement. But one of its most ing laws with simple majorities,” Biden Do you want to be on the side of Abra-
nothing about her family, her childhood, important passages was a flat, matter-of- said. “If they can do that, then the ham Lincoln or Jefferson Davis?”
her military service, her career, her polit- fact recounting of history. United States Senate should be able to This was, as Biden likes to say, not
ical views, or even the circumstances of “In 2006,” Biden said, “the Voting protect voting rights by a simple major- hyperbole. Vice President Kamala
her death. Instead, I learned only about a Rights Act passed 390 to 33 in the House ity.” Harris was right to point out in Atlanta
spurned-lover fight — which involved cars of Representatives and 98 to zero in This has been obvious since early last that odious practices come to be seen
— between Babbitt and the lone source the Senate with votes from 16 current, year, which made another of Biden’s as “normal” if they are allowed to stand.
cited in the article. The reporter allowed sitting Republicans in this United States lines unintentionally revealing. Jim Crow seemed “normal” for a long
the source, Celeste Norris, to trash on Senate. Sixteen of them voted to extend “I’m tired of being quiet!” he said time.
Babbitt for three-quarters of the story, only it.” — to laughter and applause — of his The test of the president’s persuasive
to note near the end: “A judge acquitted In today’s Senate, only one Republi- earlier reticence in the voting rights powers will be whether his interven-
Babbitt of all the criminal charges.” can, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, voted battle. tion bolsters the efforts of moder-
Imagine if a newspaper ran a similar to permit consideration of a renewed Many of his allies were tired of his ate Democratic senators — including
hit piece on an unarmed police shoot- voting rights act, and none — not even restraint too. Their frustration led Tim Kaine of Virginia, Jon Tester of
ing victim such as George Floyd, Daunte Murkowski — voted to take up the Free- some voting rights leaders to boycott Montana, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota
Wright, Breonna Taylor or Philando dom to Vote Act, designed to create his Atlanta speech. Biden should have and Angus King, an independent from
Castile? Readers would be rightly horrified, federal voting standards that would engaged far earlier and more robustly. Maine who caucuses with Democrats —
as they should be with this unethical and undo voter suppression and election As it was, the New York Times reported to persuade Manchin and Sinema that
poorly sourced AP story on Babbitt. subversion efforts being enacted in many in July, administration aides aroused propping up the filibuster in its current
For four years I have arranged for free GOP-led states. the fury of many Biden allies when they form misreads the historical circum-
e-editions of the Courant for my students Thus this crisis point that has brought claimed that it was possible to “out-orga- stance.
through the Newspapers in Education Biden, the proud “institutionalist,” at nize voter suppression.” By moving the democracy bills to the
program. I am beyond disappointed that long last to offer an unequivocal endorse- At the time, Sherrilyn Ifill, president of Senate floor, Schumer dramatizes the
the Courant no longer offers this. I had to ment of changing the Senate’s filibuster the NAACP Legal Defense and Educa- stakes for the two holdouts. It’s one thing
go to the Boston Herald to arrange a daily rules to allow the democracy bills to pass tional Fund, shot back: “We cannot liti- to talk about rules in the abstract. It’s
e-edition for my students. The Herald with only Democratic votes. gate our way out of this, and we cannot quite another to kill a bill guaranteeing
did not run the Babbitt hit piece, so I am Senate Majority Leader Charles organize our way out of this.” the right to vote.
hoping that its judgment is better than the Schumer, D-N.Y., struck a blow of his Biden has finally reached the same Biden is all in now. The president
Courant’s. own against Republican obstruction conclusion. His recent speeches on attended Thursday’s Senate Democratic
Lynn Leavenworth, Terryville on Wednesday by announcing plans behalf of democracy, on Jan. 6 and on Caucus lunch to make his case person-
to use an often-overlooked rule that Tuesday, are among the most forceful of ally.
Both sides can steer nation will allow the Senate to open debate on his presidency. The old Senate warhorse told his
voting rights without a supermajority. And Biden’s message to Demo- former colleagues that so much of what
back to unified reality Closing debate would, absent reform of cratic Sens. Joe Manchin III, W.Va., and he once believed about Republicans,
the filibuster, still require 10 Republi- Kyrsten Sinema, Ariz., was unmistak- about his beloved Senate and about its
Thanks to The Courant for publishing can votes. able. Both have defended the filibuster traditions no longer meets the moment.
op-ed pieces by George Will (Dec. 20, Jan. In the coming days, let’s not hear talk as a way of promoting bipartisan accord. Democracy matters more.
3) and Lynn Schmidt (Jan. 4). Mr. Will of Biden and his party trying to “muscle This is, to be charitable, a questionable
writes that logic, civility and historical through” democracy bills along parti- reading of the filibuster’s history. At this E.J. Dionne Jr. writes about politics
accuracy are concepts that are needed in san lines. As Biden made clear, they moment, protecting the filibuster from for The Washington Post.
today’s culture. Ms. Schmidt affirms Mr.
Will’s arguments in her profile of Rep. Liz
Cheney. Lies and distortions come in many
forms and from all directions. The 1619
Tell Us Your Story
Project might be more subtle than Donald
Trump’s election fraud lies but it’s no less Please send us your true stories, written in your voice.
dangerous to our understanding of our
democracy and ourselves. The Progressive Love Etc. Stories from the heart — your First Person: In which you explain a deeply
left is just as liable to engage in deception essays about emotional life in the 21st private issue against the backdrop of social
as the Populist right. century. and economic forces.
It’s all made easier in the climate of
social media. Liz Cheney, the writers and Why I… In which you explain why you feel Living Here: What is it really like to live in
scholars quoted by George Will, and the so strongly about something in Connecticut?
state elections officials who, just doing Connecticut.
their jobs, certified Joe Biden’s victory,
deserve our praise and support for steering We welcome all submissions and will publish the best. We especially look for younger writers and those whose voices aren’t
us back to a more unified reality and help- heard often enough. Essays should be 600-700 words, written in the first person and emailed to [email protected].
ing us defend our democracy.
John Gallup, South Windsor
Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Saturday, January 15, 2022 9
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Adoption • News • Advice • More STATE OF CONNECTICUT TOWN OF FARMINGTON, CT Mansfield CT Minority Opportunity – Silktown
SUPERIOR COURT REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Roofing is currently soliciting SBE/MBE/
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10 Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Saturday, January 15, 2022
OBITUARIES
Andover Plainville
Normand St. Laurent Lawrence M. Stack
Custer, David P. Lukens, Betty Jean(Woodstock)
Bloomfield Rocky Hill
Robert M. Fechtor Lane Albanese
David P. Custer, age 83, be- Betty Jean (Woodstock)
East Hartford Southington loved husband of Dorothy Lukens, 63, of Ellington, a lov-
Steven M. Dion Thomas B. Smith (Prior) Custer, passed away ing and devoted mother and
Ellington Tolland on Monday, January 10, 2022 grandmother, passed away in
Betty J. Lukens Jane Sutcliffe at St. Francis Hospital in the presence of loved ones on
Hartford Vernon Hartford. Friday, January 7, 2022 at
David P. Custer Betty J. Lukens Born in Hartford on January Manchester Memorial
Stanley J. Gladysz West Hartford 17, 1938, he was the son of Hospital. Born in Windsor
Manchester Lane Albanese the late Herbert F. Custer Sr. Locks, she is the daughter of
David P. Custer Robert M. Fechtor and Claire McFetridge Custer the late Burr Kenneth
Stanley J. Gladysz Wethersfield and was a longtime resident Woodstock and Gloria Louise
Mohammed O. Hoque Elaine K. Lupushansky of Manchester. (Papineau) Woodstock of
Kristine Sears William H Smyers, Jr. David joined the United States Marine Corps after Windsor Locks. Betty had a passion for adventure and
Normand St. Laurent Windsor Locks high school and had a long career working at Pratt & traveling. Her adventurous side took her scuba diving,
New Britain Clifford A. Degen Whitney in East Hartford. After retiring from Pratt and swimming with tigers and skydiving to name a few.She
Steven M. Dion OUT OF STATE Whitney, Dave worked at Fast-Go automotive service enjoyed many vacations with her family and especially
center on Main Street in Manchester for many years. looked forward to her sister's vacation every year with
Newington Kristine Sears
He made many friends while helping run the business her beloved sisters Joanne Goralski and Diane Hackett.
Lawrence M. Stack Punta Gorda, FL
there. He was a member of Friendship Tuscan Lodge One of her many accomplishments was becoming the
Other Towns in CT
#145 of Freemasons and had been a longtime member owner of Fancy Feet Pet Grooming in Vernon. She put
Carol Bush
of the Stafford Fish and Game Club. her heart and soul into the business over the past 20
Richard Marshall
Dave was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed both years. She will be remembered by her many devoted
Jane Sutcliffe hunting and fishing. He ran his father’s charter fish- customers and their pets. But mostly, family was
ing boats out of New London as a teenager and later Betty'sgreatestpassionandshelovedbeingagrandma
ownedaseriesofboatskeptinStonington.Forthelast most of all.Betty is survived by her beloved significant
20 years Dave could be found at Mystic Shipyard East other, Daniel S and her beloved children, Kristen
aboard his boat,SeaHawk 2. He spent countless hours Geisinger and her husband Curtis of Vernon, and Brie
OBITUARIES
with his friends at the marina,offering wit and wisdom Zimmermann of Glastonbury: five grandchildren, Katie,
and the occasional fish tale. He leaves his dear friends Morgan, Oliver, Marley and James and her beloved dog
and fishing buddies; Rick Jones, Bev and Paul Lemek Brooklyn. Memorial donations in Betty’s memory may
Hoque, Mohammed Osiqul and their families who he adored.When he wasn’t fish- be made to an animal charity of the donor’s choice.
ing,boating or reading about fishing and boating,Dave Funeral services and burial are private. For online
Mohammed Osiqul Hoque, cheered for the Uconn Women’s basketball team and condolences and gust book, please visit www.carmon-
son of the late Kazi Abdul the Boston Red Sox. funeralhome.com
Gafur and Tahera Begum, Heissurvivedbyhistwosons,ScottCusterandhiswife
passed away on the evening ShannaofVernon,andJoelCusterandhiswifeJennifer
of January 13, 2022 in his of Hebron; his brother Herbert Custer Jr. of Martha’s
home in Manchester, CT sur- Vineyard, and his sister Melinda Oehmsen of Tolland;
rounded by his wife,children, and four grandsons, Dylan, James, Aiden and Jackson. Pleasesignguestbookatcourant.com/obituaries
grandchildren, and great He also leaves many nieces and nephews,including his
grandchildren. He was born Martha’sVineyard fishing guide and striped bass derby
on December, 1934 in Sylhet, connection,John Custer. Dave was predeceased by his Lupushansky, Elaine K.
Bangladesh and lived a beau- sister Barbara Ermisch.
tiful life. He was known as Calling hours will be held on Monday, January 17, 2022 Elaine K. Lupushansky, 91, of
“Abba”by his two beloved daughters and“Apuli”by his at Holmes Watkins Funeral Home, 400 Main Street Wethersfield, CT, beloved
three grandchildren. Manchester, CT 06489 from 3 to 5 p.m. Burial will be wifeofthelateMajorChester
private. M. Lupushansky passed away
He was an avid reader, life long learner, and true aca- The family would like to thank the amazing nurses at peacefully on Saturday,
demic. He left his home in Sylhet to attend college in St. Francis Hospital on the 10th floor, Step-down Unit, January8,2022.BornonApril
Dhaka and earned his Masters in Plant Pathology from and the Cardiac ICU for the care and compassion given 27, 1930, in Tariffville to the
the American University of Beirut, Lebanon in 1976. to Dave over the past 2 weeks. late Emma Krailing. Elaine
He spoke most fondly of his days in Lebanon, often Donations in Dave’s memory may be made to ocean- had an adventurous spirit
sharing stories with great appreciation for it’s people conservancy.org and moved to Virginia where
and culture. Please Visit Holmeswatkins.com to share a memory she met the love of her life
Pleasesignguestbookatcourant.com/obituaries and proudly became a mili-
He was a wonderful husband, encouraging father, and tary spouse. She traveled throughout the country with
incredibly supportive grandfather. He was a champion her husband and settled in Wethersfield to be close to
of human rights, especially women’s rights and in- Degen, Clifford A. family 50 years ago. Elaine retired from the iconic G.
stilled these values in his children and grand children. Fox & Company after a long, successful career selling
He also loved to share his appreciation for community, Clifford A. Degen, of Windsor Locks, CT died the latest and finest stereo equipment and televisions.
history, music, and culture with his family and eagerly on January 12th, 2022, at St. Francis She had a passion for dogs, particularly her poodles
listened to stories of his grand daughters travels. He Hospital. Clifford left this world to be re- (Café, Angus, Cricket and Nikki) and loved spending
never missed a beat when it came to his grandchildren united with his beloved wife of Sixty-three quality time with her family, especially the children.
- he wanted to know every detail about their friends, years Mary (Morgan) Degen and their faithful compan- Elaine was a fun-loving, kind-hearted, fashion forward
school, and careers. As a husband and father, he was ion Patches. Cliff dedicated his entire life to helping woman loved by all and will be missed dearly! Elaine is
open minded and empowering. For every obstacle or others first as a Police Officer and Detective with the survived by her niece Brenda Pikul and her husband
challenge,he had a simple and just solution.He will be Hartford Police Department and then as the Chief of Bernard of Danbury; her nephew Karl Dimberg and his
remembered for his wisdom, humility, and for always the Fraud's Division for the State of Connecticut wife Barbara of Colchester; her niece Lynn Dimberg of
seeing the glass half full. His could be found either Department of Consumer Protection. He was a con- Virginia;her niece Pamela Pelczar of Old Saybrook;her
laughing with his friends and family or reading his summate professional and took great pride in his in- niece Nancy Pelczar of Granby; and her great nieces
beloved books. He was strong in his faith but also a vestigative abilities. He was a fiercely loyal and honor- and nephews: Bernard Pikul Jr, Dawn Pikul O’Rourke,
firm believer in religious freedom. able man who instilled these values in all of his chil- Nicole Pikul Brodeur, Steven Pelczar, Kevin Pelczar,
dren. He had an overwhelming sense of right and wrong Edward Pelczar, Jr., Kristen Dimberg, Lauren Dimberg,
He is survived by his loving wife, Jahanara Hoque, and could be pig headed and stubborn in getting you to Allison Dimberg. Elaine is predeceased by her brother
daughter Bablee and husband Sadeque,daughter Lima, see things his way. During their retirement years, Cliff Isador Zarnowski, her sisters Florence Pelczar and
grandchildren Tasneem (Boro Apu), Nabihah (Choto and Mary enjoyed camping in the Adirondacks, specifi- Edna Dimberg; her nephews Stanley Pelczar and
Apu),and Salekeen (Yamin),great grandchildrenArman cally at Lake George, and the UCONN Women's Edward Pelczar. Due to COVID, the family will be hav-
and Zara, and sister Geda. He is predeceased by his Basketball team. Cliff is survived by his daughter Lynn ing a private Celebration of Life at Rose Hill Funeral
three brothers, three sisters, and his beloved brothers Issa her husband Robert of Somers and their children Home in Rocky Hill, CT. Please share online expres-
and sister-in- laws. Jonathan (Alicia) and Gregory (Jordyn), his son Steven sions of sympathy, memories, or photo tributes at
Degen, his wife Linda of Windsor Locks and their chil- www.rosehillfuneralhomes.com. Elaine will be buried
His janazah will be held after Jummah prayer on Friday, dren Heather (Jason), Michael (Michelle) and Tracy alongside her beloved husband in Arlington National
January 14 at Baytul Mamur Mosque at 56 Cottage (Matthew), his son Richard Degen, his wife Teri of Cemetery in Arlington Virginia.
Street, Manchester, CT 06040. His burial will follow Windsor Locks and their children Brett (Anna) and Pleasesignguestbookatcourant.com/obituaries
at AMC Muslim Cemetary at 460 Hillstown Road, Shannon (Stephanie) and his son John Degen and his
Manchester,CT06040.Pleasekeephiminyourprayers. wife Leslie of Enfield. Cliff also leaves three great
Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun (We belong toAllah and grandchildren Charlotte, Reagan and Jillian and several Smyers Jr.,William H
to Him shall we return) grand dogs and cats. Cliff was predeceased by his
parents William and Mildred (Cole) Degen, his brother William H. Smyers Jr., of
Pleasesignguestbookatcourant.com/obituaries
Robert (Maria) Degen and George (Shirley) Degen Wethersfield died on January
Memorial donation may be made in Cliff's name to ei- 12, 2022 at home with his
Stack, Lawrence M. ther the Alzheimer's Society or the National Law wife and a daughter by his
Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Relatives and side. He was born on Jan.13,
Lawrence Manley Stack, of friends may join the family on Monday, January 17, 1930 in Pittsburgh, PA, the
Grayson, Georgia, passed 2022 from 5 - 7 pm at Windsor Locks Funeral Home, 441 son of William Sr. and Harriet
away on Thursday, January 6, Spring St, Windsor Locks. A Mass of Christian Burial ArthurSmyers. Hegrewupin
2022, in his home surrounded will take place on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 1:00 pm Westfield, NJ, received his
by some of the many people at Mary, Gate of Heaven - St. Mary Church, 42 Spring St, mechanical engineering de-
who loved him. He was the Windsor Locks. (Please meet at church). Burial will be gree from Yale University in
much-loved son of the late held privately at the convenience of the family. For 1951, and then went to work
Doris Manley Stack and John
online condolences please visit Leetestevens.com in Cleveland in the Icing Research Division of the Lewis
Matthew Stack of Utica, New
Please sign guestbook at courant.com/obituaries Flight Propulsion Laboratory at NACA (the forerunner
York and Newington,
of NASA). He met Mary Anne Schenk, a Math Analyst,
Connecticut. Lawrence, Larry,
there,andstudiedatnighttoreceiveaMaster’sDegree
was the beloved husband of
Gladysz, Stanley James in Aeronautical Engineering from Case Institute of
the late Rosemary Maiscalco Stack for 42 years, many
of those years residing in Plainville, CT. Technology. Bill and Mary Anne were married in 1954,
HewasborninUtica,N.Y.onJune18,1941. Helikedto Stanley James Gladysz (71), and Bill’s engineering career took them to Corry, PA;
say that he had the same birthday as Paul McCartney, of Manchester, loving hus- Dayton, OH; and in 1966, to Wethersfield, CT where he
only McCartney was a year younger. Larry was a favor- band of Doretta (O'Hara) was Chief Research Engineer for New Britain Machine
ite son of Utica, he loved all things linked to the city, Gladysz for 34 years, died Co. He is an inventor on 12 patents and worked for the
from black and white cookies, tomato pie, F.X. Matt's unexpectedlySunday,January local civil engineering firm of Close, Jensen & Miller
Brewery to the Uptown and UFA. 9, 2022, at Hartford Hospital. from 1974 to 2000. He helped mentor science projects
Larry's fondest memories were linked to the 1950's,an Stanley was born May 29, for local high school students and served on the Flood
era punctuated by cars,Elvis and the greats of the N.Y. 1950 in Hartford, Son of the and Erosion Committee for the Town of Wethersfield.
Yankees. His love of these aspects of his youth was late James Gladysz and He will be remembered for his cheerful and gentle
life-long. It ultimately was culminated by owning and Pauline (Sikora) Gladysz, he disposition, his willingness to help anyone who asked,
showing his 1987 red Corvette, visiting Graceland and lived in Manchester CT all his and his ability to fix anything mechanical, often with
attending N.Y.Yankees Spring Training with his sisters. life, and graduated from repurposed parts.
Larry attended school in Utica but graduated in 1960 Howell Cheney Tech in the late sixties. He worked at He was predeceased by sisters Flora Smyers Lathrop
from Newington High School. In high school he started Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford as a Tool andAnn Livingston and a grandson Patrick Smyers. He
to work part-time for the produce department of Stop
and Die Maker for many years. Stanley also held a issurvivedbyhiswifeMaryAnneandhissevenchildren:
and Shop in New Britain, CT and would continue with
Supervisor position at Empire Tool in Manchester CT, Lynn Eusden (Alan), Donna Smyers (Eric Ryea), Greg
StopandShopasaproducemanagerforvariousstores
for several more years. Most recently, Stanley worked Smyers (Jocelyn), Karen Smyers (Michael King), Mary
throughout central Connecticut for the next 43 years,
retiring in 2003. He was a member of the United Food as a Collection Carrier for the US Postal Service in Kaufman (Seth),Rick Smyers (Lydia),Laura Lane (Mike),
& Commercial Workers Union Local 919. Cromwell and Enfield until his retirement. and Debbie Lathrop Lechner, a niece who became part
LarrywasaveteranoftheU.S.ArmyReserveduringthe Stanley met his wife Doretta, in 1979. They met at ofthefamily. HeisalsosurvivedbyhissisterMargaret
Vietnam Era, serving in the Signal Corps. He obtained St. Bridget Church, where she was the contemporary Wolf of Carlisle, PA. He leaves 12 grandchildren: Will
the rank of Sargent. music group's leader at two masses, she invited him (Olivia), Caitlin, and Greg Eusden, Ben Smyers, Jenna
Larry was a kind,loving,humorous,father,grandfather, to join the group as a singer and tech person. Soon and Casey King, Sam and Anna Kaufman, Brewster and
husband, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. He leaves theybecamebestfriends. Inadditiontohavingagreat Whitman Smyers, and Sara and Alex Lane and 2 great-
to celebrate his life his daughters, Tammy Lee, hus- voice,his quick wit and beautiful sense of humor made grandchildren: Teddy and Sophie Eusden.
bandTed and their children Gabrielle and Zoe. Heather him a joy to be with. He also had a kind heart,and was
Iacobucci, husband Jeff and their children Jeffrey, always pitching in to help others. Stanley and Doretta In accordance with his wishes, services will be private
Abigail and Grace. His sisters Martha Beaudoin, hus- were married July 10,1987 in St.James Church,united and at the convenience of the family; though he liked
band Robert, Jacqueline Stack, husband, Mark Riggio. in matrimony by Father Emilio Padelli. to think that on some pleasant occasion in the future,
His brother-in-law, Anthony Maiscalco and wife Susan. StanleyjoinedtheManchesterFireDepartmentassoon someone might raise a glass and toast, “Bill would
A very special cousin Patricia McDermott as well as as he was old enough to volunteer, working as a fire- have enjoyed this”. In lieu of flowers, donations may
friends loved as family,Albert and LindaValeri. He was
fighter, fire-truck driver, and fire-policeman. He was be made to The Equal Justice Initiative, Connecticut
predeceasedbyhissisterAnneKundaandherhusband
still connected as an honorary member during retire- Foodshare, or an environmental group of your choice.
Henry.
Larry's motto in life was "go with the flow." There is ment. The firemen and women were part of the family Pleasesignguestbookatcourant.com/obituaries
to him; working with them affected his life in many
a lesson there.
great ways. Through them he was able to help serve
In lieu of flowers donations would be welcomed at
thecommunityand makea differencein people'slives. Sears, Kristine (Keeney)
the Plainville Community Food Pantry Inc. 54 S. Canal
Street. Plainville, CT 06062 Stan was also a member of the Knights of Columbus,
A Mass of Christian Burial in celebration of Larry's where he served as Grand Knight for two terms. The Kristine Sears (Keeney), 66, formerly of Manchester, CT,
life will be held on Friday, January 21, 2022, at 11:00 Knights are another group with a focus on helping the daughter of the late Gordon and Helen (Conn) Keeney,
a.m. at Our Lady of Mercy Church. Committal services community, which was what Stan always tried to do. died November 18, 2021. A Memorial service will be
will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, New Britain. Family Stanley is predeceased by his sister Barbara (Gladysz) held on Saturday, January 29, at 11:00 A.M. at St.
and friends may gather prior to the Mass on Friday, Wrobelski and her husband Raymond, formerly of Mary’s Episcopal Church, 41 Park Street, Manchester.
from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Plainville Funeral Bolton. Stan's oldest sister, Virginia (Gladysz) Martel Family will receive friends at the church before the
Home, 81 Broad St, Plainville. For online expressions of California, passed away January 10, 2022, one day service at 10:00 A.M. To read the full obituary, visit:
of sympathy, please visit Larry's tribute page at www. after Stanley. https://www.johnsontaylorfuneral.com/obituaries/
PlainvilleFuneralHome.com There will be calling hours held at Holmes Watkins Kristine-Sears?obId=23634506#/obituaryInfo.
Funeral Home Monday January 17,2022 at 9AM,with a
Mass of Christin Burial 11AM at St. Rose 33 Church St. Please sign guestbook at courant.com/obituaries
East Hartford, With burial to follow at St. Edwards 27
Church St. Stafford Springs.
Pleasesignguestbookatcourant.com/obituaries Please Visit Holmeswatkins.com to share a memory.
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