We liked this week 

We admire all who ran for local office, whether they won or lost. It isn’t easy to put your name on the ballot before the entire town. It takes courage, conviction and perseverance. The highlight locally was the victory of Republican Vinny Cervoni, Wallingford’s new mayor. Let’s hope he can quickly emerge from the long shadow of William W. Dickinson Jr. In Meriden, the Democratic majority on the City Council shrunk to 7-5, thanks to newcomer Republican Michael Zakrzewski. And during a contentious election in Southington, the GOP’s  hold on power continued, taking six of the nine Town Council seats and keeping majorities on other boards and commissions.      

Meriden’s Linear Trail is certainly one of the city’s crown jewels. On Monday, city officials cut the ribbon on Phase III of the Harbor Brook Trail, which extends the paved path from Coe to Columbus avenues. The city’s completed linear trail system now runs from Cheshire to Red Bridge in South Meriden, to Oregon Road near Hanover Pond behind two city schools, and onto Coe Avenue. Just as importantly, the city plans to extend the trail even farther!

Who says malls are dead? Of course online shopping has become ubiquitous. In response, mall owners and local governments have tried to view opportunities, not obstacles. Meriden officials plan to discuss approving pickleball courts in the Meriden Mall. The mall is also hosting a popup slingshot range and a card gaming site. This is not your mother and father’s mall, but it sounds like fun.     

A new Wallingford restaurant promises American cuisine with a creative West Coast Flair. The owners of Six One Nine Supper Club (a reference to the area code for San Diego) had a booth sampling food during Celebrate Wallingford a month ago and is expected to open in late November. The storefront is located in a downtown plaza that briefly occupied Natalie’s Pizza but is best known as the longtime home of Stella Pizza. 

The Cuno Foundation awarded $100,000 to the Meriden YMCA for the renovation of the pavilion space at the Mountain Mist Day Camp that will convert it into space for multi-season activity. The grant will allow the Y to install rolldown glass doors and a heater, which will allow children to make use of it for most of the year.  

It’s time for some residents to explore their health insurance coverage. The open enrollment started Nov. 1 and ends Jan. 15, with coverage starting on Feb. 1. This allows residents to compare options. “Without health insurance, at the hospital, they will treat you, they will send you a bill and … it could really do lasting damage to your financial stability,” said James Michel, CEO of Access Health CT.