Community Corner

More Information On The Robinson Case; Answering An Allegation From Lori Hopkins-Cavanagh

Five Things To Know For Friday, April 22, 2011

1.    Frost, yes, frost is expected this morning, according to the National Weather Service. Then it should warm up to 50 by noon, although clouds are expected to darken throughout the day, the service said. Tonight, it is expected to rain, according to the service.

2.    Another piece of information on , who is alleging Allison Robinson had sexual relations with him when he was 13.

Harris’s lawyer, Thomas Simones, told Patch Wednesday that Harris was planning to sue Robinson for what allegedly happened a decade ago. Simones said Harris suffered post traumatic stress disorder from the incident.

Find out what's happening in Waterfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This would be the second time Harris, 24, sued due to an incident that caused him PTSD. Harris sued Joseph Donohue over a May 24, 2009, accident that left two people dead, and settled out of court for an undisclosed amount of money.

The accident happened in Quaker Hill on Route 32. Donohue, who admitted to being under the influence, was driving a truck that hit a car driven by Joshua Lecce.

Find out what's happening in Waterfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Harris was in Lecce’s car, along with Brian Hahnel and Danielle Nicholson. Lecce and Nicholson were killed in the crash. Donohue was arrested and sentenced to six years in prison. It was the third time Donohue was arrested for driving under the influence.

3.    Earlier than promised, Lori Hopkins-Cavanagh sent us her press release. The entire piece is run at the bottom of the article.

I would like to address Hopkins-Cavanagh's that I “sensationalized” her story. We also exchanged emails about the allegation last night.

I asked Hopkins-Cavanagh what facts were incorrect on my story, or what part of the story was “sensationalized.” She did not answer, saying the issue was closed.

The investigation used in the story determined she was living in New London and was sending her children to Waterford schools. That investigation was carried out by a private investigator.

*Quick note, there was one error in my original story. Hopkins-Cavanagh's son spent two years in the New London School District, not one.

4.    It is Good Friday, so all municipal buildings are closed.    

5.    One year ago today, an oil rig owned by BP and Transocean sinks to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico after an explosion two days earlier. This would cause the largest oil spill in American history, one that would go on for months until it was stopped. Also, on this date in 2000, 6-year-old Elian Gonzalez is seized from his relatives' home in Miami and sent back to Cuba.

Quote of the Day

“Friendship often ends in love; but love in friendship – never.”

-Charles Caleb

Trivia of the Day

Who was the governor of Connecticut before John Rowland (hint: under his term, the state income tax was passed)?

Yesterday’s Answer: Rollie Fingers was the first pitcher to record 300 saves.

Hopkins-Cavanagh’s press release:

“In an interview with David Collins of The Day, Lori Hopkins Cavanagh indicated that her residency in New London may be questioned during her mayoral campaign’s exploratory stage.

A New London native, Lori maintains a residence and her businesses in the city where she was born in 1960. Her family also maintains homes in Waterford and in Vermont. 
Lori’s son attended Nathan Hale Elementary School through second grade. His experience in the New London school system was excellent. He benefited greatly from the Open Court reading program and from the tutelage of two exceptional teachers, Mrs. Vernotzy and Mrs. Parns.

Since her marriage in 2008 to a lifetime Waterford resident with a daughter in Waterford schools, Lori’s son has attended school in the Town of Waterford. 
Successfully melding a new family with school-aged children is not a simple task.

The decision to move her son to Waterford had nothing to do with the education he was receiving in New London. Sadly, Lori’s husband’s daughter had lost her mother after a prolonged illness. The emotional and psychological support provided by the teachers, administration and school psychologist was essential to her healing process.

Moving her to a new school system was not an option. She had attended Waterford public schools since kindergarten. To support and strengthen the developing family bond between the two children, Lori and her husband decided that moving her son and sending the children to school together, in Waterford, where her husband maintains a residence, was the right choice.

The Town of Waterford has determined that the children reside in the Waterford school district. Next year, both children will be attending middle school. Lori and her husband are exploring all public and private school options available in the region.”


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