HOUSE DEMOCRATS • BETTY BOUKUS • NEWSROOM - 2004
Newsroom - 2004
December 9, 2004
State Representative Betty Boukus (D-Plainville, Bristol, New Britain) announced the State Bond Commission Monday is scheduled to approve a $20,000 grant for the Forestville Village Association. The grant would fund the purchase and installation of a clock tower in the village park in the Forestville section of Bristol.
"The Forestville Village Association has worked very hard to highlight the charm of this slice of Bristol," Rep. Boukus said. "I am very happy that I was able to help secure funding for a project that will reflect Bristol's clock-making past. The clock will also be a beautiful landmark in the village center."
The State Bond Commission, of which Rep. Boukus is a member, is scheduled to approve this issue during its Monday Meeting at noon in the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.
Elizabeth "Betty" Boukus was recently reelected to serve her sixth term in the General Assembly. She represents the 22nd District, which includes Plainville and portions of Bristol and New Britain. Betty is an Assistant Majority leader and serves on the Finance, Judiciary and Public Safety Committees.
August 9, 2004
State Representative Elizabeth "Betty" Boukus (D-Plainville, New Britain, Bristol) is pleased to announce the release of $750,000 in bond funds to help renovate Plainville High School Auditorium approved by the State Bond Commission on Friday.
The Auditorium had been closed several months at the recommendation of the Department of Health, as floor tiles containing asbestos began to break.
"It is important to receive this grant at this time to ensure that work begins as soon possible so that the auditorium can be reopened for use by students and faculty at Plainville High School and the Plainville community," Rep. Boukus said.
Elizabeth "Betty" Boukus is currently serving her fifth term in the General Assembly. She represents the 22nd District, which includes Plainville and portions of Bristol and New Britain. In addition to her service as Assistant Majority leader and Chair of the General Bonding Subcommittee, Betty is a member of the Finance, Judiciary and Public Safety Committees.
L-R: Alan Schutz, Plainville Schools' Business Manager; Rep. Boukus; Patrick Ringrose, Plainville Schools' Board Chair; Governor Rell; Stephen Martino, Plainville HS Building Committee; Mark Belanger, PHS BC; Robert Lee, Plainville Town Manager; and Dominick D'Onofrio, PHS BC
July 13, 2004
State Representative Elizabeth "Betty" Boukus (D-Plainville) was recently honored by the Criminal Justice Command Institute of Tunxis Community College with the "Visionary Leadership Award" for her years of service and dedication to supporting the mission and goals of Tunxis and other Connecticut Community Colleges.
It also recognizes the commitment to human dignity, leadership and accessible education for all.
"I am proud to have received this award," said Rep. Boukus. "It is truly an honor to assist in preparing future professionals to initiate change in the justice system."
The award, signed by Donna Brandeis La Ganga, Associate Director of the Institute, states, "Rep. Boukus has contributed to the success and value of our colleges, which has benefited the Criminal Justice Command Institute. She ‘walks the walk’ and we are all the richer because of her."
State Representative Elizabeth "Betty" Boukus is serving her fifth term in the Connecticut General Assembly. She is House Chair of the General Bonding Subcommittee and a member of the Finance Revenue and Bonding, Judiciary and Public Safety Committees.
June 28, 2004
Recently, State Representative Elizabeth "Betty" Boukus (D-Plainville, New Britain, Bristol) successfully secured the release of $335,000 in state bonding funds to help carry forward Plainville's downtown revitalization project.
Following discussions with the Mr. Corliss and Mr. Petit, during which a formal request for state aid was submitted, Rep. Boukus, House Chair of the General Bonding Subcommittee, steered Plainville's bonding request, during a two-month process, through the channels of the State Bond Commission.
"I am pleased the $335,000 in state funds will provide a steady infusion of revenue to aid in the short- and long-term goals of Plainville's downtown revitalization project," Rep. Boukus. "The approval of the package today will provide major bonding dollars to the Plainville beautification project."
The project consists of streetscape improvements, including sidewalks and curbing in compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); municipal parking layout; new street lamps; signage; milling existing pavement and repaving pavement; and additional landscaping work.
Elizabeth "Betty" Boukus is currently serving her fifth term in the General Assembly. She represents the 22nd District, which includes Plainville and portions of Bristol and New Britain. In addition to her service as Assistant Majority leader and Chair of the General Bonding Subcommittee, Betty is a member of the Finance, Judiciary and Public Safety Committees.
(L-R): Richard Corliss (Plainville Community Economic Development Coordinator), Representative Boukus, Governor M. Jodi Rell, and William Petit (Chair of the Plainville Beautification Committee)
June 7, 2004
Recently, State Representative Elizabeth "Betty" Boukus (D-Plainville, Bristol, New Britain) was recognized for her "Outstanding Services to Veterans’ and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs" at the state agency's annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon.
At the ceremony, which was held at the Rocky Hill Veterans Home, Commissioner of Veterans’ Affairs Linda Schwartz presented the lawmaker with a plaque and a framed portrait of Sergeant John L. Levitow for recognition of her service.
Rep. Boukus, a loyal supporter of the Rocky Hill Veterans’ Home over the years, has worked, as House Chair of the Subcommittee on Bonding, to free up additional state funds for badly needed improvements and renovations at the facility.
Rep. Boukus also pursued innovative means to help out the Rocky Hill Veterans’ Home, by placing large cardboard boxes around the Legislative Office Building in Hartford in order to collect donations to the facility's Dr. L.S. Schwartz Store. There, veterans can purchase clothes, toiletries and other necessities inside the Veterans’ Home.
Also, in order to increase awareness of the needs at the Veterans’ Home, Rep. Boukus organized tours for fellow state legislators to visit the facility and speak first-hand with veterans, administrators, and staff.
The subject of Rep. Boukus’ framed portrait is Sergeant John L. Levitow, the first enlisted Air Force member to be recognized with the Medal of Honor, for his service during the Vietnam conflict. On February 24, 1969, at the age of twenty-two, Levitow's AC-47 gunship was rocked by an enemy mortar shell, ripping a hole in the wing and showering the plane and crew with shrapnel. Despite heavy bleeding from over forty shrapnel wounds to his legs, side and back, Levitow managed to drag a fellow crew member to safety away from an open cargo door. During the deadly and panicked situation, Levitow dragged an activated flare under his bleeding body and tossed it out of the plane prior to ignition. On May 14, 1970, President Richard Nixon presented Levitow with the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions and valor.
State Representative Elizabeth "Betty" Boukus is currently serving her fifth term in the General Assembly. She represents the 22nd District, which includes Plainville and portions of Bristol and New Britain. In addition to her service as Assistant Majority leader and Chair of the General Bonding Subcommittee, Betty is a member of the Finance, Judiciary and Public Safety Committees.
Rep. Boukus and Cmsr. Linda Schwartz with other volunteers.
May 25, 2004
State Representative Elizabeth "Betty" Boukus (D-Plainville, New Britain, and Bristol) will hold office hours to meet with constituents on Monday, June 7, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm in Room 302 of the Plainville Town Hall.
The Plainville Town Hall is located at 1 Central Square.
Rep. Boukus is eager to discuss any issues regarding state government with constituents. The lawmaker will field questions regarding state matters of interest or concern to residents of the 22nd Assembly District.
"I look forward to reviewing the progress of the General Assembly during the recently completed legislative session and highlighting bills we passed that affect the quality of life of people living in the 22nd District" said Rep. Boukus.
Where
Plainville Town Hall
Room 302
1 Central Square |
When
Monday
June 7, 2004
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm |
Representative Elizabeth "Betty" Boukus, an Assistant Majority Leader, is serving her fifth term representing the 22nd District, which includes Plainville and portions of Bristol and New Britain. In addition to serving as Chair of the General Bonding Subcommittee, Rep. Boukus is a member of the Finance, Judiciary and Public Safety Committees.
May 4, 2004
Funding for Plainville under Previous Two State Budgets
| |
FY 2003 – 2004 |
FY 2004 – 2005 |
Difference |
Town Aid to Roads |
$64,550 |
$103,436 |
$38,886 |
Education Cost Sharing Grant (ECS) |
$8,179,753 |
$8,364,753 |
$185,000 |
State Representative Elizabeth "Betty" Boukus (D- Plainville, Bristol, New Britain) helped secure passage of a state budget in the Connecticut House that includes additional funding for Plainville roads and schools.
"I am proud to support a fiscally responsible budget that addresses critical needs addressed by towns like Plainville," Rep. Boukus said.
In the remaining days of session, the lawmaker will continue her efforts, as House Chair of the General Bonding Subcommittee, to secure funding for the 22nd District as well as funding for other vital projects throughout the state of Connecticut.
The budget, which cleared both the House and Senate and awaits Governor Rowland's signature, was achieved without adding any new state taxes. Lawmakers were able to prepare a budget that is both balanced and under the spending cap.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to provide a voice for Plainville in shaping the state budget, which allowed me to fight on behalf of our town for the increase state dollars for our schools and municipal roads," Rep. Boukus said. "This increase is another step in the right direction and an improvement over last year's funding."
Representative Elizabeth "Betty" Boukus, who has been appointed as Assistant Majority Leader, is serving her fifth term representing the 22nd District, which includes Plainville and portions of Bristol and New Britain.
March 19, 2004
On Friday, March 19, State Representative Betty Boukus (D-Plainville, Bristol, New Britain) pledged support for a $20 million dollar bond package that would distribute vital funding to the eight fire training schools located in the state of Connecticut.
Rep. Boukus, House Chair of the General Bonding Subcommittee, joined Governor John Rowland and key legislators at the Willimantic fire training school to make the announcement. The size of bond proposal, which would be distributed in two $10 million increments over the next two years, is in response to the recommendations of a comprehensive study prepared in 2002 by the Department of Public Works.
The bond moneys would enable the training centers to provide Connecticut's 30,000 paid and volunteer firefighters with basic training and annual retraining. The schools provide firefighters with live fire training exercises, which prepare them for what they may encounter in the field.
"This long overdue bond package fulfills our duty to firefighters across the state, to ensure they are provided with safe, state-of-the art training facilities," Rep. Boukus said. "Comprehensive training helps keep Connecticut's first responders safe in the event of fire or emergency. For their safety, and the safety of the people they help, their quality of training must not be affected."
It is believed that a number of the training schools, including the Eastern Connecticut Fire School, the only facility located east of the Connecticut River, may face imminent closure without the necessary financial support.
For the previous year-and-a-half, Rep. Boukus has served as the driving force in raising awareness of the growing concerns of the fire training schools. The training schools are located in Windsor Locks, New Haven, Willimantic, Burrville, Wolcott, Derby, Middletown and Fairfield.
February 13, 2004
State Representative Betty Boukus (D-Plainville, Bristol, New Britain) has approved a model sculpture of State Heroine Prudence Crandall, enabling work to begin on the final life-size bronze sculpture. Rep. Boukus traveled with fourth grade teacher Pauline Madenjian, of the Ellen P. Hubbell School in Bristol, to New York City, to examine the model clay statue create by sculptor Gabriel Koren.
"The level of detail and expression in the statue effectively captures the courage and compassion of this pioneering American woman," Rep. Boukus said. "I am deeply encouraged by the progress of this project to commemorate Prudence Crandall's contribution to Connecticut's rich history."
The trip to New York City is the continuation of a three-and-a-half year endeavor Rep. Boukus began after a group of Hubbell School fourth graders met with her and Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz. The student group asked why a statue commemorating State Hero Nathan Hale could be found in the State Capitol but not one of Heroine Prudence Crandall.
Rep. Boukus answered the young citizens’ call and won approval from the Capitol Preservation and Restoration Commission to move ahead with the creation of a statue of Crandall. The Office of Policy and Management allocated $100,000 for this project, and Rep. Boukus stepped in to raise the rest, through her successful fundraising project, "Pennies for Prudence."
"The young students, whose initial input gave rise to this project, are a testament to the importance of making your voice heard in government," Rep. Boukus said.
In October 1995, the General Assembly named Prudence Crandall Connecticut State Heroine. A Quaker teacher, Crandall established a school for young black women in 1883, attracting students from as far as Boston and New York City. Facing public backlash and even mob violence, Crandall was twice placed on trial for violating the "Black Law," which prohibited citizens from providing black students with a free education. Nevertheless, Crandall pressed on in her quest for education, and the state later awarded her in 1886 with an annual pension.
Gabriel Koren, a highly respected artist in her field and a former professor of sculpture at the National Academy of Design, was selected to be the sculptor for this project. Born in Hungary, Koren earned her M.F.A. from the Hungarian Academy of Fine Arts in Budapest and her work has been featured in numerous art galleries throughout New York City. She is presently working on a sculpture of Frederick Douglas to be placed in New York City's Central Park.
The next step for Koren is to create a life-size sculpture of Prudence Crandall. Using over 500 pounds of water-based clay, Koren expects to have the final bronzed statue completed by 2005. The statue will stand on a three-inch base and represent Crandall at her actual height. "Prudence was not the type of person who wanted to stand taller than anyone else," Koren explains. "She is someone who would like to stand at her normal height." The sculpture captures Crandall's encouragement of learning, depicting her standing alongside a student with book in hand.
"I look forward to time when I can invite the students back to the Capitol to witness the unveiling of the Prudence Crandall statue," Rep. Boukus said. Additional information on Prudence Crandall and the Canterbury museum honoring her is available on the Connecticut Historical Society website, at www.chc.state.ct.us/museums.htm.
Representative Elizabeth "Betty" Boukus is currently serving her fifth term in the General Assembly. She represents the 22nd District, which includes Plainville and portions of Bristol and New Britain. Betty is an Assistant Majority leader and serves on the Finance, Judiciary and Public Safety Committees. |
