Week in Review: A Tragedy Remembered, Budget Moves Forward, Bingo Mary

Last week, Jennifer Geise of Mystic reflected on the car crash that took the life of her husband, John, more than six years ago, and her struggle to maintain "the new normal." John Geise was killed by 16-year-old Cameron Lee, who police determined had been drinking and driving his father's car at more than 100 mph on Flanders Road in Groton.

Other top stories from the week:

• The Board of finance heard public comment at a public hearing on the budget, then sent a $57.94 million spending plan for fiscal 2013-14 to the Board of Selectmen that included a restoration of $100,000 to the Board of Education budget and renewed funding for the Director of Planning position that has been vacant.
  
• On Tuesday night, the recently reformed K-12 School Building Committee got the ball rolling on preliminary work to form a plan to renovate the town's aging elementary schools. The last time the committee presented a plan, it was killed because of budget reasons, but not before many Pawcatuck residents vocally opposed the plan's provision to shutter West Broad Street School.
  
• Thursday brought word that Mary Regalbuto, affectionately known as "Bingo Mary" for her steadfast patronage of the Foxwood Resort Casino's bingo hall for more than two decades, died last week at 104. She celebrated her 100th birthday at the bingo hall back in 2008. 
  
• On Thursday night at the Board of Police Commissioners meeting, Police Chief Darren Stewart and Capt. Jerry Desmond presented a plan to stem the rising tide of crime in Pawcatuck. First Selectman Ed Haberek also said he had met with business owners and detailed a six-point plan to help in the effort.