Amid Calls For A National Victims' Fund, Local Officials Say
Give Newtown A Chance  Supporters of a "National Compassion
Fund" are looking beyond the efforts of Newtown officials
including First Selectman Pat Llodra, who want to see the
largest victims' fund amassed following the 12/14 tragedy kept
under local control. While eight families have signed on
supporting an idea to create a nationally administered
infrastructure to administer funds following future disasters,
only one survivors' family member has criticized the local
United Way fundraising initiative.  In late February, while
efforts were still underway to localize a distribution
committee, Cristina Lafferty-Hassinger, the daughter of slain
Sandy Hook Principal Dawn Hochsprung made an extended public
Facebook post taking the nonprofit to task.  "The United Way of
Western Connecticut gallantly stepped up to help manage the
influx of donations, but who are they really helping? They
offered their trusted name to evoke confidence from eager
donors, but