Record-Journal from Meriden, Connecticut • M1

Connecticut Wallingford Red Cross building still empty but blood drives continue Page 13 Kool And the winners are 19 Southington PZC has doubts about N. Center School plan Page 18 news on Pages 3, 11, 21 MERIDEN WALLINGFORD SOUTHINGTON CHESHIRE reoirdJJoiLiiiriiiieiIl 144th year, No. 6 Meriden, Connecticut, Thursday, January 6, 201 1 www.myrecordjournal.com 750 .3 no Malloy Ibecommes 88th gmemo Other officers, lawmakers sworn in; vow to tackle state's problems Malloy seeks 'good ideas' for treating state's ills By Susan Halgh Associated Press HARTFORD Dannel P. Malloy took the oath of office Wednesday as Connecticut's 88th governor; and immediately turned his attention to the needs of the deficit-plagued state, saying it's at a crossroads of crisis and Photos Matt Andrew f-V byW Rao by ard-Journal Above: Speaker of the The former Stamford mayor is the first Democrat to hold the state's top political spot in two decades. "We will need to reach deep to our roots, those of strength yet compassion, steadfastness yet Malloy said.

House Christopher G. Donovan, D-Meriden, told the House, "Our main goal should be jobs, jobs, jobs." Right: Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, also a Democrat, waves to fellow political leaders at the Capitol Wednesday after giving his first speeches as governor. "We will need to solve our problems together," he told the General Assembly.

'And. most lmtMrtantlv. we will need to solve our problems together by pursuing with great urgency not Republican ideas or Democratic ideas, but good ideas that know no political master or His message of shared sacri fice, gimmick-free budgets and a push for job creation was met with enthusiasm by both Democrats and Republicans. G5 POLL Bipartisan spirit reigns in Hartford at least for now his governor is senous By Jeffery Kurz Record-Journal staff about solving our problems, understands that it starts by making government leaner, more efficient and getting people back to said Senate Minority Leader John McKin-ney, R-Fairfield. lems together by pursuing with great urgency not Republican ideas or Democratic ideas, but good ideas that know no political master or agenda.

More than 2,000 turned out Today's question How long do you think the bipartisan spirit talked about in Hartford Wednesday will last? One day One week One month One year Longer Yesterday's results on Pag 2. old Irish song "Oh Danny Boy." The couple held hands during the performance and Cathy Malloy wiped away a tear as their three sons looked on. Beth Kerrigan of West Hartford brought her twin 9-year-old sons, Fernando and Carlos, to the ceremonies. They stood outside the armory watching the 19-gun salute and a fly-over by four UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters. A plaintiff in the state's landmark gay marriage lawsuit, Kerrigan said Malloy gives her hope that he can turn the state around.

"He's a man of commitment, she said. "I think that he knows it's going to take a lot of work and he's going to have to make a lot of hard decisions and I think he's pre- Please see Malloy 4 "Gov. Rell stepped into the role of governor at a time when our state was in a different kind of crisis, a crisis of confidence in the character and intentions of its Malloy said. "She worked tirelessly to restore that sense of respectability, and she will hold a special place in our hearts because of her efforts." For Malloy, 55, Wednesday's inauguration marked a professional and personal milestone. One of eight children, Malloy paused to gain his composure after describing how his late mother knew he had learning disabilities as a child "but she never let those challenges overshadow my strengths.

She never gave up on me." At the request of Malloy's wife, Cathy, a soloist sang the for Malloy's inauguration the first to be held at the William A. O'Neill Armory many cheering loudly when he was sworn in. He replaces the retiring Republican Gov. M. odi Bell, who did not attend the event.

HARTFORD When Dannel Patrick Malloy was sworn in as Connecticut's 88th governor Wednesday, Democratic control of the General Assembly extended to the state's highest office. Malloy said he'll need more as the state faces what he called both a crisis and an opportunity. "We will need to reach deep to our roots, those of strength yet compassion, steadfastness yet innovation," Malloy said. "And, most importantly, we will need to solve our prob Those remarks came during Malloy's address to the General Assembly, which was a longer version of his inaugural speech about an hour earlier at the William A. O'Neill Armory.

Wednesday was a day of celebration, and Malloy's words of cooperation and common purpose were well received. At least initially, his approach appears to have the backing of Please see Bipartisan 4 TALK ABOUT IT Malloy credited RelL who served for six years, with helping the state heal from the corruption scandal that forced former Republican Gov. John G. Rowland to resign. More inauguration photos on Page 11.

J. Ijp 1 Wr Family grateful for replacement of gifts Gaffey takes his medicine Judge Julia D. Dewey: 'People don't trust politicians' By Robert Cyr Record-Journal staff By Dan Ivors Record-Journal staff by the story of a stolen holiday, and in some cases dropped $100 into a wrapped box near the cash register, he said. ceive a six-month suspended sentence on the misdemeanor larceny charges and be required to perform 100 hours of community service. Maintaining a stoic demeanor throughout most of the proceeding, Gaffey replied "guilty" as Dewey HARTFORD Instead of taking the oath of office alongside longtime colleagues and a new Democratic governor Wednesday morning, Thomas P.

Gaffey Nylund also held a 5050 raffle. Its winner put in $100, won another $100, and donated it all to the family. Nylund then took the money and bought hundreds of dollars in Wal-Mart and Best Buy girt cards to replace some of the items that read each LOCAL found hiTnmlf just up the road criminal court, DOCUMENTS were stolen from the family. charge, and listened as she said he had "publicly humiliated him where he jjffe, pleaded guilty to rl -r and his political action committee for $2,804 in travel expenses, including upgraded hotel rooms, airfare, parking and legislative conference registration fees much of which paid for his former girlfriend to travel with him. Dewey cited Gaffey's decision to resign from his seat in the state Senate, which he announced Monday, as a mitigating factor in his sentence, though she said it was not part of the plea deal.

She also mentioned his lack of criminal record and willingness to take the unusual step of entering a plea at his arraignment. Gaffey briefly addressed Dewey to apologize to the court, his family, friends, constituents and state resi- Please see Gaffey 5 larceny charges WALLINGFORD It didn't take long for Steve Nylund to see an opportunity to return a favor done him years ago when he needed it. Last week the Gentile family, who had gifts stolen from their front porch on Christmas Eve, received $1,000 worth of gift cards and presents collected by Nylund at his restaurant, Peeps All Inn Cafe, on South Colony Road. The family of five accepted the gifts over a free pizza dinner Monday night, he said. "When you get a chance to give something back, it feels good," he said.

"When we read about the Gentiles, it really struck a chord with everybody." In the course of one Thursday night after Christmas, Nylund collected almost $1,000 in cash from customers moved "The kids were very excited and happy," said Jeanie Gentile, the mother of three who said she and her husband, Anthony, went out after the theft and tried to soften the blow with a few more gifts under the tree. Dan I vers Record-Journal Former state Sen. Thomas P. Gaffey stands during his appearance in Hartford Superior Court Wednesday morning. He pleaded guilty to six counts of double-billing for campaign expenses and accepted a penalty of 100 hours of community service.

self." "Rather than take the oath of office today, you're pleading guilty to a misdemeanor," she said. "It's not a victimless crime people don't trust politicians." Gaffey, SL was arrested Monday after a state investigation found probable cause to charge him with larceny as a result of his admitted double-billing of the state that effectively ended his political career. In a small third-floor courtroom, Gaffey was joined by his lawyer, M. Hatcher "Reese" Norris, his daughter Fligatvth and lnng-time friend Eddie Siebert, as he stood before Judge Julia D. Dewey, who accepted the deal Gaffey had struck with prosecutors.

Gaffey will re "I was surprised they went out and bought the presents and gifts. The donations came to the children after the package sent by their father, Anthony Du- Please see Gifts 5 Inside: Outside: mm Abby 20 Crossword 24 Local News .3, 13 Movies 20 State 3,11,21 Mostly cloudy, light snow possible, highs in jg Bridge 20 Editorial 16 Lottery 3 Obituaries 14 Stocks 11 the 30s. Light snow Friday and possibly 8 2 Comics 12 Horoscope 22 Marketplace. ...21 Sports 7 Sudoku 20 Saturday, highs in the 30s. Page 18.