Due to its proximity to wetlands, the West River area has a high density of mosquitoes and mosquito breeding grounds. In 2006, an elderly resident of the West River neighborhood died from West Nile virus.

“Our neighborhood has been touched by the tragedy of West Nile virus,” Rep. Dillon said. “We want to reclaim access to the West River without being fearful of swarms of mosquitoes.”

The legislation would ensure that the state inspects land, wetlands and watercourses in and around the West River neighborhood and take steps to eliminate mosquito breeding areas. The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the New Haven Health Department would be charged with enforcing a ban on standing water – a breeding ground for mosquitoes – even on private property.

Outreach and education would also improve under the legislation. DEEP and the city Health Department would educate property owners of the risks of standing water and the signs and symptoms of West Nile virus.

The legislation awaits action by the state Senate.

Six years ago, a mosquito killed a woman in West River by biting her. State Rep. Pat Dillon wants to make sure that doesn’t happen again.

The mosquito carried the West Nile virus. The incident prompted a public-health campaign urging seniors to stay indoors on hot days and neighbors in general to remove stagnant pools of water and use bug repellent.

Dillon and New Haven state Sen. Toni Harp want the state to keep closer watch on the neighborhood now, to work with the city’s health department to “eliminate mosquito breadding areas” and “enforce a ban on standing water.” The pair of legislators has introduced a measure in the General Assembly instructing the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to carry out that mission in and around West River.

“Mosquito control must remain a priority,” Dillon stated in a release. “Just last year cuts were proposed to the Agriculture Experiment Station. We want to make sure the state is committed to protecting public health.”

Due to its proximity to wetlands and water, the West River area has a high density of mosquitoes and mosquito breeding grounds.

Over the years responsibility for mosquito control has shifted from the state Department of Public Health to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).

“Mosquito control must remain a priority,” Rep. Dillon said. “Just last year cuts were proposed to the Agriculture Experiment Station. We want to make sure the state is committed to protecting public health.”

The legislation would ensure the state inspects land, wetlands and watercourses in and around the West River neighborhood and take steps to eliminate mosquito breeding areas. DEEP and the New Haven Health Department would be charged with enforcing a ban on standing water – a breeding ground for mosquitoes – even on private property.

Outreach and education would also improve under the legislation. DEEP and the city Health Department would educate property owners of the risks of standing water and the signs and symptoms of West Nile virus.

The legislation, introduced by Rep. Dillon and Sen. Toni Harp (D-New Haven), was proposed as an amendment to HB 5260.

“We have come a long way,” Rep. Dillon told participants. “There was a time when the public and policy-makers were terrified and there was real talk of quarantining AIDS patients. While we still face challenges, we are standing on much higher ground today.”

Rep. Dillon, a longtime AIDS advocate, co-wrote Connecticut’s needle exchange program. She is credited with shaping much of Connecticut's AIDS policy and worked to develop the state’s AIDS pharmacy programs.

“I am troubled that extremists in Congress have hijacked federal funding for needle exchange programs,” Rep. Dillon said. “Needle exchanges have proven to be an effective tool in managing the spread of HIV.”

The funds raised from AIDS Walk New Haven go to the nine member agencies of The New Haven Mayor's Task Force on AIDS: AIDS Interfaith Network, AIDS Project New Haven, Leeway INC, Hill Health Center, Hispanos Unidos, Liberty Community Services, New Haven Home Recovery, Fair Haven Community Health Center, and Planned Parenthood.

Mr. Beech’s essay, “Role Models Wanted” posited that young women are disadvantaged by the scarcity of positive female role-models in literature and film.

“Literature and film have too few female characters,” Beech wrote. “Since the world population is evenly divided between male and female, our stories should reflect this ratio.”

In honoring Davis-Rudd at its annual Founders Day awards luncheon, the New Haven Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs noted, “Sojourner Truth devoted her life to the struggle and emancipation of black people and women; so has Arlene demonstrated unusual courage and vision throughout her life.”

Presenting the citation, Rep Dillon added, “Arlene Davis-Rudd exemplifies the value of service to the community.”

The event, held at Fantasia in North Haven, was emceed by chapter president Jonnie Lewis Thorpe.

Ms. Rudd is a constituent and friend of Rep. Dillon's and a writer for the Inner City News.

Rep. Dillon and Arlene Davis Rudd

With help from a bill put forward by their state legislators, neighbors and visitors would no longer have to risk life and limb to cross Whalley Avenue to see a play at Lyric Hall or get their hair done at the Soho salon.

Those two businesses mark the east and west ends of Westville Village, the neighborhood’s revived, artsy commercial core. While they’re both popular destinations, neither is directly serviced by a crosswalk.

That means people regularly jaywalk through speeding traffic, said Gabriel Da Silva, head of the Westville Village Renaissance Alliance.

Villagers take over the streets for ArtWalk, one of a
growing number of annual events in Westville.

A new bill introduced by state Reps. Dillon and Toni Walker, along with state Sen. Toni Harp, aims to change all that. The proposal would set aside up to $415,000 in state bonding money for new crosswalks and street lighting.

Dillon said the measure is designed to increase pedestrian safety and walkability, thereby improving the economic viability of the shops that make up Westville Village.

“Traffic-calming” has become a hot topic in New Haven in recent years, as neighbors seek to promote both safety and livability—the ability of walkers and cyclists to share a community with fast-traveling cars. The subject has special resonance in Westville in the wake of what’s largely seen as a botched state “re-do” of upper Whalley as well as the 2008 death of 11 year-old road-crosser Gabrielle Lee when she was hit by a passing driver.

Also, the Village has just become a busier place in the past few years thanks to a commercial and cultural “renaissance.”

Da Silva and head of Friends of Edgewood Park Semi Semi-Dikoko, two people who have spearheaded that renaissance, sat down in Da Silva's Westville frame shop Wednesday to talk about what the money could do for the village.

Da Silva pulled out two large aerial photos of Westville, part of a traffic study that was completed several years ago, when the state was redoing Whalley Avenue west of the village.

“We’ve been working hard to foster commerce in the village,” Da Silva said. One obstacle to that goal has been making Westville an inviting and safe environment for people to walk. “The crosswalks are very badly designed.”

For instance, on the east end of the village, where West Rock Avenue meets Whalley Avenue in a T, crosswalks traverse two sides of the intersection but not the third. If you want to cross from Edgewood Park to Lyric Hall—the burgeoning antique shop, theater and arts center—you need to walk well out of your way, Da Silva explained. As a result, many people simply jaywalk there.

That’s a particularly dangerous proposition at that point because a pedestrian needs to cross a total of six lanes of traffic. A lane of eastbound cars from Fountain Street—a block away—is still merging with two lanes of eastbound Whalley Avenue traffic at that point. Westbound traffic comprises two travel lanes and a turning lane.

Fountain’s merger with Whalley allows cars to zip along without obstacle.

The complicated intersection could be simplified for safety, Da Silva and Semi-Dikoko said. They pointed to an overlay on the aerial photo, showing a suggested alteration of the meeting of Fountain and Whalley. Instead of a straight shot that lets eastbound traffic from Fountain pick up steam as it hits Whalley, the suggested change would force cars to meet Whalley more perpendicularly, and make a right-hand turn onto Whalley. That would slow traffic and reduce eastbound lanes on Whalley to two instead of three.

Blake and Whalley.

Another problematic intersection for pedestrians lies at the other end of Westville Village, where Blake Street meets Whalley Avenue, Da Silva said. It's a similar situation: a popular destination is hard for walkers to cross to.

Customers coming to Soho salon often park across Whalley from the store. But there’s no crosswalk between the parking lot, on the west side of Blake, to the salon, on the south side of Whalley. Again, many choose to simply jaywalk rather than walk out of the way to go by way of crosswalks.

And again, a confusing merge is taking place. Eastbound traffic on Whalley Avenue is technically single-lane at that point. But cars often form a second, turning lane, then go back to one lane on the east side of the intersection. Da Silva and Semi-Dikoko said they’d like to see turning lanes laid out there with paint, to eliminate confusion by formalizing a practice already in place.

They said they’d also like to see a median put in on Whalley Avenue there. That would slow traffic as it comes down into the village.

Another crosswalk is needed in front of Delaney’s pub, Da Silva said. It’s a third major “place of congregation” in the village where people don’t have a clear shot across Whalley Avenue, he said.

Crosswalks at those three Westville Village locations would make the area more integrated and welcoming to walkers, Da Silva said. A walk across Whalley from Edgewood Park is particularly important, said Semi-Dikoko. “We don’t think you can develop the district without the park,” he said.

Semi-Dikoko said as much on Tuesday when he testified to the Commerce Committee. He was one of a group of Westvillians who traveled to the capital that day to lobby for the proposed bill. Community activist Thea Buxbaum, WVRA Director Chris Heitmann, Lyric Hall’s John Cavaliere and others also spoke.

Westville Alderman Adam Marchand delivered a letter signed by eight aldermen from Westville, Upper Westville, West Rock, West Hills and West River.

On Wednesday Da Silva said he’d love to see would be “pedestrian street lights”—lampposts. That would further define the area as an inviting area for walkers and shoppers, he said.

He pulled out an 1856 map of Westville Village and said that the area has always been the home of small shops, owned and patronized locally. He said he's hoping new crosswalk improvements could help keep it that way.

“The people who live and work in Westville Village have worked incredibly hard to make it a brand and destination,” Rep. Dillon said. “I want to thank the chairs and members of the Commerce Committee for moving this legislation through the process.”

An Act Authorizing Bonds of the State for Traffic Calming and Economic Development in Westville Village would provide grants for street lights, crosswalks and traffic calming measures to improve pedestrian traffic and access to local merchants. There are currently 400 jobs in that part of the Whalley Avenue corridor.

“People need to feel safe crossing the streets to the shops and businesses in Westville Village,” Rep. Dillon said. “This is an important step in Westville’s continued renaissance.”

The legislation now heads to the Finance Committee.

“This is exciting news for the Shubert and Westville Village,” Rep. Dillon said. “I want to thank the chairs of the Commerce Committee, Jeff Berger and Gary LeBeau, for placing this on the agenda and the committee for moving this legislation forward.”

An Act Authorizing Bonds of the State for Traffic Calming and Economic Development in Westville Village would expand the state’s Main Street Investment program to include Westville Village which has been previously designated a Main Street area. The expanded program would allow for grants for street lights, crosswalks and traffic calming measures to improve pedestrian traffic and access to local merchants. There are currently 400 jobs in that part of the Whalley Avenue corridor.

“People need to feel safe crossing the streets to the shops and businesses in Westville Village,” Rep. Dillon said. “This is an important step in Westville’s continued renaissance.”

An Act Authorizing Bonds of the State for the Shubert Theater in New Haven, co-sponsored by Sen. Toni Harp (D-New Haven) and Rep. Toni Walker (D-New Haven), would allow the state to issue up to $3.45 million in bonds to fund improvements and renovations to the historic Shubert Theater in New Haven for its upcoming centennial.

Rep. Dillon said, “The Shubert is a true Broadway theater in the heart of New Haven. As we approach its centennial, these funds will help ensure its existence for another 100 years.”

Public hearings in the Legislative Office Building will be scheduled for both bills.

“New Haven is a welcoming town, and it should be,” Rep. Dillon, “but taking on state functions impacts our tax base.”

Due to “super zoning” rules for example, group homes for the developmentally disabled can be placed anywhere. However, supportive housing for the mentally ill is restricted to areas where it is permitted by local zoning – consequently, supportive housing is overwhelmingly clustered in communities like New Haven.

Rep. Dillon noted that since the state closed two mental hospitals, clients have been increasingly placed in communities in supportive housing. Consequently, New Haven is arguably performing a state function by hosting individuals who at one time would have been in state hospitals.

“Supportive housing is a much better option than warehousing clients in a state institution. This is the humane option, but it erodes our local tax base and should be accounted for in formulas that reimburse towns for Payment in Lieu of Taxes.”

HARTFORD — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has proposed spending an additional $329 million next year to cover an ambitious educational reform agenda, while also putting more money toward pensions and housing.

Budget chief Ben Barnes said there will be very little revenue from new sources and the $20.7 billion 2013 budget, a 1.6 percent increase over what was adopted last year, will produce a tiny $1.6 million surplus.

Connecticut will go for a third year without a rainy day fund.

Lawmakers opened the three-month legislative session Wednesday.

Malloy's most controversial proposal is to change teacher tenure. Malloy called teacher tenure "too easy to get and too hard to take away." He wants tenure earned and retained based on teachers1 effectiveness in the classroom..

Last year lawmakers approved a biennial budget that covered a record $3.6 billion deficit left by the previous administration, passed a record tax increase of $1.5 billion, cut $1 billion and signed a union agreement that will save $1.5 billion.

The budget adds $50 million to the Education Cost Sharing grant, boosting funds for 130 towns, while keeping the rest with their current funding levels. The ECS grant is the largest sent to the towns, and will total $1.9 billion this year.

A separate budget proposal allows towns to assess partially completed property, which is estimated to add $30 million in town revenues.

Malloy plans to spend an additional $123 million toward the unfunded pension liability, which if carried forward, he projects will save more than $2 billion over the next two decades.

State Senate Minority Leader John McKinney, R-Fairfield, feels Malloy should renegotiate pension changes to achieve the original savings the administration projected and eliminate such things as allowing overtime to be calculated into pension payments.

The current benefits extend until 2022 and there is a four-year no-layoff clause.

He said additional savings are needed to improve the state's credit rating, which Moody's just downgraded. "We should be getting it from changing the state employees system and not from spending more taxpayer money," McKinney said.

The governor also favors a 1 percent cost of living adjustment effective Jan. 1, 2013, for the many private nonprofits that perform social service work for the state.

There is $11.7 million to expand the state's childhood vaccine purchase program and Malloy wants $50 million added to the Department of Social Services to help with increasing case loads tied to the slowly improving economic climate.

There is $2 million for tree trimming and $5 million in bond funds for a pilot program to develop "microgrids" as part of the state's response to the loss of electric power after Tropical Storm Irene.

Malloy has proposed $405.8 million in bonding, much for education, but $90 million to fix deteriorating bridges, $62.5 million for housing projects and $50 million for technology modernization. Malloy is continuing to consolidate state government and wants to cut 59 agencies to 52, which is down from a high of 80 last year.

Barnes said the state will save Medicaid money by imposing an asset test so that individuals with more than $25,000 in assets, excluding a home and one car, should get insurance elsewhere and family income will be counted when an individual under age 26 applies for Medicaid.

State Rep. Patricia Dillon, D-New Haven, said ultimately the success of the budget proposals will depend on how tax revenue comes in as calculated in the April filings.

“Westville Village has seen a restoration boom led by private investment,” Rep. Dillon said. “The time has come to invest public money in Westville’s renaissance.”

Rep. Dillon pointed to the painstaking, award winning restoration of Lyric Hall as an example of private investment in the area.

“John Cavaliere has done incredible work at Lyric Hall, restoring the beauty of this early 20th century theater, but we can’t cross the street to get there safely,” Rep. Dillon said. “It’s time for public investment to support the private investment with crosswalks and adequate lighting throughout the Westville Village corridor.”

Rep. Dillon’s bill would expand the state’s Main Street Investment program to include Westville Village which has been previously designated a Main Street area. The expanded program would allow for grants for street lights, crosswalks and traffic calming measures to improve pedestrian traffic and access to local merchants.

The legislation is being co-sponsored by Rep. Toni Walker (D-New Haven) and Sen. Toni Harp (D-New Haven).

“I want to thank Governor Malloy, Toni Walker and Toni Harp for their support in this effort,” Rep. Dillon said. “We all want to grow jobs in our neighborhoods. Westville Village should have every tool available to continue its renaissance.”

NEW YORK — The Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast-cancer charity on Friday abandoned plans to eliminate grants to Planned Parenthood. The startling decision came after three days of virulent criticism that resounded across the Internet, jeopardizing Komen’s iconic image.

“We want to apologize to the American public for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women’s lives,” a Komen statement said.

As first reported by The Associated Press on Tuesday, Komen had adopted criteria excluding Planned Parenthood from future grants for breast-cancer screenings because it was under government investigation, citing a probe launched by a Florida congressman at the urging of anti-abortion groups.

Komen said it would change the criteria “to make clear that disqualifying investigations must be criminal and conclusive in nature and not political.”

“We will continue to fund existing grants, including those of Planned Parenthood, and preserve their eligibility to apply for future grants,” the statement said.

State Rep. Pat Dillon, D-New Haven, said in a statement: “The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation’s decision to restore funding to Planned Parenthood is the right one and corrects the impression that Komen was making long term decisions about women’s health based on short term political pressures.”

“In many parts of the country, including New Haven, Planned Parenthood provides life saving breast cancer screenings for women without health insurance," Dillon said.

Many of Komen’s affiliates across the country had openly rebelled against the decision to cut the funding, which totaled $680,000 in 2011. One affiliate, in Aspen, Colo., had announced Thursday that it would defy the new rules and continue grants to its local Planned Parenthood partner.

In addition, Komen was inundated with negative comments via emails, on Twitter and on its Facebook page. Many of the messages conveyed a determination to halt gifts to Komen — organizer of the popular Race for the Cure events —because of the decision.

Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood was reporting an outpouring of support — donations large and small, triggered by the Komen decision, that it said surpassed $900,000.

Planned Parenthood’s president, Cecile Richards, thanked those donors Friday and welcomed Komen’s change of heart.

“We are enormously grateful that the Komen Foundation has clarified its grantmaking criteria,” Richards said. “What these past few days have demonstrated is the deep resolve all Americans share in the fight against cancer.”

Through the Komen grants, Planned Parenthood says its health centers provided nearly 170,000 clinical breast exams and more than 6,400 mammogram referrals over the past five years.

Komen, in its statement, said it was immediately starting an outreach to its affiliates and supporters to get the charity back on track.

“We urge everyone who has participated in this conversation across the country over the last few days to help us move past this issue,” Komen said. “We do not want our mission marred or affected by politics — anyone’s politics.”

“In many parts of the country, including New Haven, Planned Parenthood provides life saving breast cancer screenings for women without health insurance.”

NEW HAVEN — As public outcry over the Susan G. Komen for a Cure Foundation’s decision to halt breast screening funding to Planned Parenthood escalates, the Connecticut branch of Komen vowed not to pull its funding.

“We want to let folks know that this decision was made by national. Connecticut was not involved,” said Ann Hogan, board president of Susan G. Komen for a Cure Foundation of Connecticut.

The national breast cancer charity is drawing intense fire for announcing it will stop funding Planned Parenthood while the women’s reproductive health care provider is under investigation over whether it used public money to pay for abortions. Leading the probe is Cliff Stearns, a Republican congressman from Florida who is anti-abortion.

Women’s health advocates have accused Komen of pulling the funding for political reasons, and thereby jeopardizing the health of tens of thousands of women who can’t otherwise afford breast cancer screening and mammograms.

However, Komen’s top leaders, in their first news conference since the controversy erupted, denied Planned Parenthood’s assertion that the decision was driven by pressure from anti-abortion groups.

“We don’t base our funding decisions ... on whether one side or the other will be pleased,” said Komen’s founder and CEO, Nancy Brinker, depicting the criticism as a mischaracterization of the charity’s goals and mission.

Komen has said the decision stemmed from newly adopted criteria barring grants to organizations under investigation.

Brinker said Thursday that there were additional factors, notably changes in the types of breast-health service providers it wanted to support. However, she said grants would continue this year to three of the 19 Planned Parenthood affiliates — in Denver, California’s Orange County, and Waco, Texas — because they served clientele with few other breast-screening options.

Nationally and locally, Komen grants only fund breast cancer prevention services at Planned Parenthood.

Hogan said Komen Connecticut continues to be focused on its mission of raising money for breast cancer screening, treatment and outreach. Last year alone, it gave out $1 million in grants to local organizations, community health clinics and hospitals. Planned Parenthood of Southern New England has received $160,000 in funding from Komen over the past seven years, but does not have an application pending for next year. This year’s $38,000 grant ends June 30. So the national decision does not impact the local Planned Parenthood, for now, Hogan said.

“We are hopeful on the national level this thing gets resolved. Planned Parenthood down the road might want to reapply in the future,” she said.

Judy Tabar, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, said she is deeply disappointed by the national Susan G. Komen Foundation’s decision.

“We share the same goal as Komen, which is advancing women’s health and we just hope they rethink this decision at the national level so this important partnership can continue,” she said.

Tabar stressed that her organization has a great relationship with Komen Connecticut, which has funded almost 1,000 mammograms for uninsured and low-income women, specifically in Fairfield County.

Planned Parenthood is a frequent target for conservative groups that oppose the organization because it provides abortion services. According to the Planned Parenthood website, abortion services account for only 3 percent of Planned Parenthood services.

Tabar said 90 percent of the services cover breast and cervical cancer screenings, Pap smears, birth control, prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.

The controversy has lit up on Facebook, with hundreds vowing to boycott Komen over the decision and others praising Komen for taking a stand against an abortion provider.

State Rep. Pat Dillon, D-New Haven, criticized the national Komen for allegedly bowing to political pressure and withdrawing funding that could save women’s lives.

“I know people personally who were affected by breast cancer. It is just mind boggling that they would do this,” she said. “To cut off funds for breast cancer screening. They are not paying for abortions.”

Dillon said she was happy to hear that Komen Connecticut is supporting Planned Parenthood, but she is more concerned about loss of funding to Planned Parenthood clinics in the South, where more uninsured and low-income women rely on them for breast cancer screenings and other reproductive health services.

“I assume with all the publicity in the short term, there might be a burst in fundraising, but that’s not sustainable. It’s not a long-term plan,” he said.

Financial aid counselors and college staff will be available to talk from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and give one-on-one advice about financial aid and planning for college. In New Haven a forum will be held at Gateway Community College.

Rep. Dillon said that participating in College Goal Sunday gives students and their families a great first step on the pathway to college and provides an opportunity to learn about preparing for college and financial aid in a comfortable setting, he added.

Rep. Dillon said that in a single afternoon, students and their families can become familiar with college entrance requirements, learn about planning for college and obtain on-site assistance in filling out financial aid applications. In addition, there will be information about the benefits of attending college, student support services, areas of study and different degree programs. Spanish interpreters will be available.

For more information about the event, call (888) 277-2270, email info@collegegoalsundayct.org or visit the website: www.collegegoalsundayct.org.

“I was so proud of all the recipients of this year’s awards – New Haven’s arts scene is alive and thriving,” Rep. Dillon said, “I was especially pleased that the works of Westville’s Thea Buxbaum and A Broken Umbrella Theatre were recognized.”

Thea Buxbaum was honored for her work transforming unused buildings into living space for artists. In her remarks, Buxbaum tipped her cap to Rep. Dillon. “We could do this because we had a legislator who stayed up 36 hours straight to get funding for Westville artists,” said Buxbaum referring to the $980,000 in state funding for the Artists’ Lofts Rep. Dillon secured during the budget battle in 2004.

Rep. Dillon said, “Thea’s work has touched almost every artist in the city. Westville’s ‘artist colony’ vibe is a tribute to Thea and her dedication to the Artists Lofts and the arts community.”

Westville’s A Broken Umbrella Theatre was recognized for its creative take on retelling stories of New Haven’s past.

“This action is due to the persistence and faith of the homeowners who worked tirelessly to secure this funding,” Rep. Dillon said. “At the very least this money will allow the most seriously damaged homes to be repaired.”

The homes, located in the West River flood plain of the Beverly Hills section of Westville, are experiencing cracked and sinking foundations.

The funding for New Haven homeowners, originally approved in December of 2010, had not been released because of confusing language in the bond authorization involving a dam project requested by the town of Woodbridge.

Rep. Dillon said, “I am thrilled Governor Malloy and House Speaker Donovan worked with us to disentangle funding for New Haven homes from an unrelated bond request for Woodbridge and free Woodbridge to pursue their request. This $1.5 million is solely targeted to homeowners in the Beverly Hills section of Westville.”

U.S. Army veteran Caroline Contreras was living in a homeless shelter, struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, when another problem threatened to push her over the edge: Identity theft.

The Connecticut Veteran's Legal Center helped her out of a bind, Contreras testified before a packed ground of lawyers at a gathering Thursday night at the John Slade Ely House on Trumbull Street.

Contreras was one of the first clients of the Connecticut Veteran's Legal Center when it opened two years ago at the Errera Community Care Center at the Veterans Administration hospital in West Haven. She told her story at a second annual fundraiser for CVLC on Veterans Day.

New Haven state Rep. Pat Dillon chatted with Yale Law students Allysa King and Kathryn Cahoy, who are taking part in a veterans' legal services clinic at the law school. A bodyguard for the governor watched over the crowd.

Contreras, who's 52, said she was living in a shelter in Milford two years ago when she came across CVLC. Her social security card was being used by another person to work in different states. She said the problem prevented her from getting an apartment or a job. At the time, she was suffering from depression, anxiety and PTSD related to a sexual assault when she served in the Army, stateside, some 30 years ago.

Within 15 minutes of when she walked in the door at CVLC, lawyers got a police officer to take down a report, she said. CVLC launched an effort to help her prove her identity—and got the job done. Two years later, she said, she is now working as a drug addiction counselor in Bridgeport—and volunteering at the homeless shelter where she used to live. Oh—and she's getting her bachelor's degree in Springfield, Mass.

The wine-tasting raised $115,000 so the organization can help more vets in need.

Caseus waiters circulated with plates of sweet potato and sage quiche with Kunik cheese, a blend of cow's and goat's milk.

Since 1973, NCAA policy has been that athletic scholarships are binding for one year only, subject to renewal. Today, NCAA officials approved multi-year scholarships up to the full term of eligibility, though one-year grants will remain the minimum.

“This is incredible news,” said rep. Dillon. “The NCAA has made an important first step in fairness to student athletes here in Connecticut and around the country.”

The NCAA announced reforms to its scholarship policy following a meeting of the Division I Board of Directors.

Connecticut this year enacted groundbreaking legislation (PA 11-92), authored by Rep. Dillon, that requires schools to clearly disclose to student athletes the fine print of their scholarship agreements. The legislation standardizes the information that schools must disclose to recruits and their families concerning such issues as sports-related medical expenses and the fine print of their scholarship agreements.

Rep. Dillon said, “The Connecticut Student Athlete Right to Know Law was born from the fact that many recruits don’t get the information they need to make an informed choice about their future. They were led to believe that athletic scholarships were binding for four years, when in fact – up until now – they were binding for one year only.”

For a few hours Saturday the New Haven Country Club got a taste of a Bavarian beer hall.

AIDS Project New Haven hosted the first annual Oktoberfest — a German-style beer celebration to raise money for AIDS treatment — at the clubhouse in Hamden, where over 130 people enjoyed the German beer, food, traditional music and atmosphere of the annual Munich festival for which it was named. The celebration included a silent auction for restaurant coupons, museum tickets, pottery goods and other prizes.

“We had a great turnout, and we received tremendous support from the community,” events coordinator Fran McMullen said.

While precise numbers are still not available, Oktoberfest raised approximately $10,000 to $15,000, according to APNH Executive Director Christopher Cole. McMullen said that the event benefited from the support of the country club, as well as from donations of sponsors. Ben Bloom, owner of Branford’s La Cuisine Cafe, donated all the food, she added.

In addition to raising funds, Oktoberfest helped to bring awareness to AIDS treatment programs and initiatives, McMullen said.

“The [public] urgency seems not to be there anymore,” she said. “However, the number of AIDS diagnoses has increased. Oktoberfest, as well as many other activities promoted by APNH, help us keep people aware.”

The funds raised from the event will allow the organization to fill the gap created by the recent cuts in federal funding, which McMullen said will decrease to half its current total for her group in a few years.

Although Oktoberfest is in its first year, APNH has historically held a black-tie gala with a more expensive ticket. McMullen said the organization created Oktoberfest this year to have “something more fun.”

Several attendees and volunteers told the News they appreciated the change of tone.

“It is worth the effort and worth the money,” said Mark DeFelice, a supporter of the organization.

Donna Buckley, a volunteer at the event, also applauded the event. “It’s the first time I’ve volunteered for this organization,” she said. “I am really moved by the passion these people have. They do it because they care about those who are generally left behind.”

A middle-aged woman who wished to remain anonymous, citing reputation concerns, expressed her gratitude to the organization. “The agency [APNH] has been a great support to me,” she said. “I am a person living with AIDS and the organization really helped me feel connected.”

State Representative Patricia Dillon, in attendance at the event, emphasized the importance of groups like APNH.

“It’s hugely important to raise awareness about AIDS,” she said. “Not everyone gets diagnosed or has access to the medications. What APNH does is provide financial support and give visibility to this issue.”

APNH is the oldest AIDS service organization in the state.

Yale-New Haven and the Hospital of St. Raphael announced the signing Wednesday of the “definitive agreement” to merge—and set the stage for one of the biggest changes in decades in the local health-care landscape.

The deal calls for Yale-New Haven to take over the financially struggling St. Raphael’s and create “one integrated hospital,” with the Chapel Street St. Raphael’s campus maintaining its “ethical and religious directives for Catholic Health Care Services,” according to a joint press release. (Click here to read the full release.)

The proposed merger now goes before state regulators.Click here for an earlier story detailing the issues surrounding the deal and some public reaction.

The hospitals combined have some 12,000 employees and 1,477 beds.

New Haven State Rep. Pat Dillon said she’ll be watching the process closely because so many jobs are at stake.

She said she worries about the effects of federal budget cuts, as well as the financial risks Yale-New Haven will assume from St. Raphael’s. On the other hand, she welcomed the news that the combined hospital will preserve the Chapel Street campus and therefore preserve people’s access to health care.

The hospitals did not release the actual agreement itself. No word yet on if both campuses will be called “Yale-New Haven Hospital.”

NEW HAVEN — Yale-New Haven Hospital and the Hospital of Saint Raphael have agreed to merge into one hospital with two campuses, according to a statement issued by Yale-New Haven.

The two hospitals have signed an agreement in which Y-NH will buy St. Raphael’s assets for $160 million, according to Y-NH Vice President Vincent Petrini. The proposed merger now will undergo review by regulatory agencies, the state Office of Health Care Access and the Federal Trade Commission, as well as the attorney general’s office.

“Since we announced the letter of intent in March to integrate the two hospitals, we have been encouraged by the broad-based support from the community for this proposal,” Marna P. Borgstrom, president and CEO of Y-NH, said in a statement.

“From elected, regional and business leaders, employees, physicians and patients, there has been excitement for what this will mean for the future of health care in our community and the region.”

Christopher M. O’Connor, president and CEO of St. Raphael’s, called the agreement “a significant milestone towards realizing opportunities to better serve and care for Greater New Haven and the broader region.

“By signing the definitive agreement, both hospitals have concluded that this integration can succeed in the new healthcare environment and is in the best interests of both organizations, and the communities and the region we serve.”

According to the agreement:

• Yale-New Haven will purchase St. Raphael’s assets.

• St. Raphael’s will continue to follow Roman Catholic ethical and religious directives for health care. Those include end-of-life and reproductive care, according to Geri Johnson-Reis, a spokeswoman for St. Raphael’s.

• Y-NH will take on St. Raphael’s $75 million debt, Johnson-Reis said. It also will provide an undetermined sum “to help address its Church Plan pension shortfall,” the statement said.

• Y-NH will invest in St. Raphael’s campus and increase clinical care there. The hospital previously has said it would spend $135 million on the Chapel Street facilities.

Petrini said the merger makes sense for Y-NH because that hospital is limited in its ability to easily expand its campus. “It avoids the need to invest in, for example, a new patient tower,” which could cost $400 million, he said.

The announcement in March that the two nonprofit hospitals were seeking to merge said the “majority” of St. Raphael’s 4,000 workers would be part of the combined hospital and that their pay and benefits “would be consistent with those currently provided to Y-NH employees in similar roles.” Yale-New Haven has 8,700 employees.

Johnson-Reis said she could not say how many jobs might be lost in the merger. “They’re not at that point. The definitive agreement is really at a much higher level than that,” she said.

Petrini said the two hospitals have more than 1,000 vacancies between them, and Y-NH would try to fill those with employees whose jobs overlap with the other institution’s, for example in the business and administrative offices, “to make sure we can minimize any job impacts.”

The sale of St. Raphael’s, a 511-bed hospital founded by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth in 1907, would have to be approved by the Archdiocese of Hartford and the Vatican.

The hospital that would become Yale-New Haven, now with 966 beds and including a children’s hospital and a cancer hospital, was founded in 1826.

State Rep. Patricia Dillion, D-New Haven, called the planned merger “the end of an era” and said that while she was happy Y-NH has agreed to absorb St. Raphael’s debt and honor the union contract, she worried about the underlying issue of where New Haven jobs will come from in the future.

She said St. Raphael’s is an anchor for that part of New Haven and it needs to continue its robust presence, with potential federal cuts threatening Catholic hospitals.

Dillon said she did not think the state did all it could in terms of policies and reimbursements to help St. Raphael’s over the years, “although this may have happened anyways.”

The new law (HB 5415) requires schools to clearly disclose to student athletes the fine print of their scholarship agreements.

The legislation standardizes the information that schools must disclose to recruits and their families concerning such issues as sports-related medical expenses and the standards for athletic scholarship renewal. Since 1973, NCAA policy has been that athletic scholarships are binding for one year only, subject to renewal. Many students are under the impression they have a four year “free ride.”

Dr. Allen Sack, a constituent of Rep. Dillon's and former scholarship athlete at the University of Notre Dame; Rep. Dillon and Ramogi Huma, founder and president of the National College Players' Association.

The event was held Friday at C. Cowles & Company, a New Haven manufacturer and precision metal stamping company.

“To create jobs, businesses must keep energy costs down,” said Rep. Dillon who noted that job creation remains the top priority of the General Assembly.

This year’s sweeping energy reforms include:

• Lower electric rates—Improved electricity contracting and procurement procedures will capture falling natural gas prices for 5-10 percent lower rates by next year
• Support for combined heat and power (CHP) installations at manufacturers to generate electricity on-site, and recycle waste heat
• A new green bank to leverage state and private dollars for investment in clean energy businesses, jobs and projects
• Competitive zero-emission and low-emission electric generation programs, that foster competition amongst new technologies (solar, wind, fuel cells)
• A new one-stop-shop for businesses to get information on all state energy programs and reducing energy costs—it will take calls, and reach out to companies proactively

In addition, as part of the recently-passed biennial state budget, a planned five percent electric surcharge on the bills of all United Illuminating (UI) area customers was eliminated, along with an existing surcharge for customers of Connecticut Light & Power. The UI area surcharge would have taken effect in 2013. Repeal of the surcharges will amount to hundreds of millions in savings for businesses and residences statewide.

NEW HAVEN — When Rabbi Eliezer Greer asked for new sidewalks along the Jewish cemeteries on Jewell Street in Westville, he was skeptical that Mayor John DeStefano Jr. could make good on his word to get it done when the snow melted.

“Well the snow thawed, a little bit later than we wanted it to, and the trees and the sidewalks were done earlier than anyone expected,” Greer said Thursday.

Greer and DeStefano gathered with other community leaders on Jewell Street Thursday to celebrate not only new trees and sidewalks, but the work that made the project possible.

“I thought it was just a wonderful collaboration at the intersection of a very diverse community, a wonderful program to green the city with re-entry population and partners,” DeStefano said.

Also on hand for the event were state Rep. Patricia Dillon, D-New Haven, and Stephen Saltzman of the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven.

The city oversaw construction of the sidewalks and then reached out to Yale University’s Urban Resource Initiative to coordinate the tree planting. URI runs a program that uses the prison re-entry population to plant trees all over the city. For the Jewell Street plantings, re-entry workers trained students from the Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School on planting trees.

“They feel like they’re giving back to the community, maybe for the fist time in their lives,” said Chris Ozyck, URI green space manager.

The 40 or 50 trees that were planted are mostly crab apples and oaks.

While the street beautification and improvements benefit the whole community, Greer said the project goes hand-in-hand with a companion initiative to restore the Jewish cemeteries of Westville.

Greer is president of the new New Haven Jewish Cemetery Association, which is working with other local Jewish organizations and synagogues to restore the cemeteries. He is also mapping and cataloging the gravestones. Greer said 5,800 graves have been cataloged and 4,000 mapped out online at www.yeshivanewhavensynagogue.org. In the meantime, the association has developed a plan for restoring the cemeteries, including resetting some 120 gravestones that have fallen, painting a wrought-iron fence, clearing footstones and sealing numerous animal holes on the grounds. The Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven maintains the grounds.

Greer said the project goes a long way to honor those who have passed.

“All these individuals in this cemetery, practically 200 years, eight generations of individuals who are no longer with us, they can’t say thank-you,” he said.

Greer said the city was mindful of Jewish tradition throughout the process. For example, when Greer pointed out that the original trees selected for planting would have violated Jewish tradition, the city worked to find trees that comply.

Thomas MacMillan Photo - Greer points out a fallen stone.

The gravestones on Jewell Street go back to 1856, but for years some of them have been neglected. Tombstones have toppled and groundhogs have moved in. With a new database of cemetery plots, Eli Greer is poised to perform an “act of true kindness” for those buried there.

That’s “chesed shel emes” in Hebrew. Greer mentioned the term Thursday before a press conference recognizing cemetery improvements.

Mayor John DeStefano and State Rep. Pat Dillon were on hand at the press conference to celebrate the new sidewalks and new trees on Jewell Street, where 15 different Jewish cemeteries lie.

Those who have passed on cannot thank the living for taking care of their graves, Greer explained. It’s an act of chesed shel emes to take care of them.

To ensure they are remembered, Greer and other volunteers have created a comprehensive database of information on all cemetery plots. It’s searchable online and includes plot-by-plot maps of each cemetery. Greer worked with the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven and and the Jewish cemetery association to make it happen.

More work remains to be done. The cemeteries have fallen headstones, groundhog holes, broken fences, invasive trees, and obscured footstones. Greer is now collecting donations to fix all of those problems, which he estimated will cost as much as $18,000.

On Thursday Greer offered a quick tour of the cemeteries. The greater New Haven area holds 44 Jewish cemeteries. The 15 on Jewell Street are “the heart,” Greer said. Each represents a different lodge or synagogue, some of which no longer exist.

The graves hold eight generations of New Haven Jews, he said.

Before stepping through the gates of one, he tucked in his tzitzis, the fringed end of his tallis katan. The action was a sign of respect to the people in the cemetery, who can no longer obey the commandment to wear the tallis, Greer said.

Greer examines the cemetery’s oldest headstone.

So far, Greer said, he and a couple of volunteers have identified, recorded and mapped 3,900 gravestones on Jewell Street. An additional 2,000 have been catalogued, but not mapped. Greer and the volunteers went stone by stone, translating Hebrew, and converting dates from the Hebrew calendar to the Gregorian calendar. The goal is to map all of the approximately 15,000 plots in all 44 Jewish cemeteries in greater New Haven.

As he moved between the grave stones, Greer pointed out where stones have toppled, tree limbs have fallen, and plants have grown over footstones. In all, 120 stones have fallen and need to be righted. Greer said that’s simply because of neglect; there’s no evidence of vandalism.

Greer pointed out “another very tragic problem”: About a dozen groundhog holes have been found in the cemeteries. “It’s unacceptable,” he said.

Greer wended his way through the cemeteries, coming out on Jewell Street, where the press conference soon began.

DeStefano recounted how Greer and other members of the Jewish community came to him last winter asking for improvements to Jewell Street. As soon as the snow thawed, the city put in new sidewalks, DeStefano said.

Tree-planting guru Chris Ozyck (at right in photo above) explained that the Urban Resources Initiative worked with the Jewish community to select appropriate trees for the street, which were then planted by men in recovery from drug abuse, and by high school students they trained.

Trees without a large canopy were chosen. Greer explained why: Kohanim, Jewish descendants of those who worked in the temple in Jerusalem, are to stay pure and are thus not allowed to be in a building with a dead body. Trees with large canopies that extend over a cemetery and over a sidewalk can create a sort of “tent.” Kohanim can’t walk under such a tree, since it’s then as if they’re in the same room with the corpses in the graveyard.

“This is a loving, respectful act,” state Rep. Dillon said of the cemetery improvements. “We stand on the shoulders of people who are buried here.”

“Sexual assault in prison is preventable,” Rep. Dillon said. “Although Connecticut is currently in compliance with federal standards for prevention of sexual assault in prison, the latest recommendations of NPREC can provide a template for us to be a leader in reducing the trauma and disease transmission that result from sexual assault.”

Benefits of the legislation include: avoiding lasting trauma to victims, assault victims are at risk of being infected with HIV and reentry to society is more difficult for victims of prison rape.

Congress created NPREC to study the causes and consequences of sexual abuse in prison and develop standards to eliminate prison rape. Its recommendations include:

1. Improving identification of vulnerable inmates, protecting them without isolating them, and providing rehabilitative programs

2. Rigorous internal monitoring and external oversight

3. Ensuring that reporting procedures instill confidence in victims and protect them from retaliation

4. Thorough and competent investigations

5. Holding perpetrators accountable through administrative sanctions and criminal prosecution

6. Ensuring victims' immediate and ongoing access to medical and mental health care and
   supportive services.

Facilities covered by this legislation include prisons, jails, community correction facilities, and lockups.

The bill awaits action by the state Senate. More information on the NPREC can be found at http://nicic.gov/PREACommission.

HARTFORD - The Connecticut House of Representatives has passed legislation requiring the fine print included in athletic scholarships to be revealed to student athletes.

The bill, which passed 140-3, affects only Connecticut schools of higher education.

It requires them to make their policies concerning the sports-related medical expenses, standards for scholarship renewals and out-of-pocket expenses that students on athletic scholarships are expected to pay.

Many schools currently provide this information on their websites. The legislation would require schools to provide recruits with a link to the information.

New Haven Rep. Patricia Dillon, a Democrat, proposed the bill. She said one of her constituents approached her about not knowing the details of his athletic scholarship at an out-of-state university.

The bill now moves to the Senate for final legislative action.

The legislation (HB 5415) affects recruiting for athletic scholarships, which unlike academic scholarships, are subject to NCAA rules. The legislation standardizes the information that schools must disclose to recruits and their families concerning such issues as sports-related medical expenses and the standards for athletic scholarship renewal. Since 1973, NCAA policy has been that athletic scholarships are binding for one year only, subject to renewal.

Most schools already provide this information on their websites. This legislation would require a link to that information be provided to recruits.

Rep. Dillon said, “This legislation will provide families with the information they need to make an informed choice. Many families believe that athletic scholarships are binding for four years, when in fact they are binding for one year only, subject to renewal.”

The legislation also assists schools by standardizing the information that must be shared with recruits.

Dr. Allen Sack, a constituent of Rep. Dillon’s and former scholarship athlete at the University of Notre Dame, assisted Rep Dillon in researching the issue.

The legislation, modeled after the California Student-Athletes’ Right to Know Act (AB 2079), awaits action by the Senate.

Rep. Dillon and Rep. Roland Lemar (D-New Haven) worked with House Chair of the Transportation Committee, Tony Guerrera (D- Rocky Hill), to make sure the bus route was included in the final legislation.

“Improved transportation increases access to jobs. I was very excited to work with the committee leadership and Rep. Lemar to make sure this bus service moved through the legislative process,” Rep. Dillon said.

The legislation (HB 6540), the governor’s Department of Transportation bill, includes language to create a fixed bus route from the train station to the university. Currently, a van paid for by SCSU provides this service but makes no additional stops on the route.

Rep. Lemar, a member of the Transportation Committee, said, “This type of transit investment is the key to unlocking a great economic development opportunity for the businesses along the corridor.” 

“This is an important economic development initiative for New Haven,” Rep. Dillon said. “We want to make sure commuters aren’t stranded at Union Station. These bus routes will get people to work and school.”

According to a Yale Law Clinic Community Impact Study, the merger would deprive New Haven of capital accumulated over 170 years, limit capital available to low- and moderate-income communities across Connecticut, reduce small business lending in New Haven, decrease affordable housing finance for low and moderate-income borrowers and cause significant job loss.

“As you know, New Alliance Bank has been a member of our greater New Haven community for just a few years, having taken shape after the unfortunate demutualization of New Haven Savings Bank. I am here tonight in opposition to this merger for numerous reasons—all of them, if the merger occurs, will hurt Hamden and New Haven, our local residents and businesses, and the entire State of Connecticut,” Rep. Lemar said.

“This merger will result in decreased rate competition, fewer local jobs, diminished customer service and far less ability for our community to grow. This deal is bad for our State under any analysis, and our community should not have to suffer this further theft of our once great community asset – New Haven Savings Bank – so that a poorly rated, out-of-State, corporate banking empire can be created,” Rep. Lemar added.

“New Haven has a great need for continued support for small business – this merger has the potential to squeeze off access to capital to the detriment of the local community,” Rep. Candelaria stated. “We all know how communities get hurt when big corporations take over small operations with failed promises of growth and fair practices.”

"This proposed merger is bad for the regional economy - It will cost jobs and restrict credit," Rep. Pat Dillon said. "I am proud to stand with members of the New Haven legislative delegation and the community against this merger."

NEW HAVEN -- It was a different bank executive pitching big changes for the bank at the corner of Church and Elm streets Wednesday night.

First Niagara President and Chief Executive Officer John R. Koelmel was largely opposed by a community even less willing to cut him slack than when NewAlliance Chairwoman and CEO Peyton Patterson sought approval seven years ago for the demutualization of the former New Haven Savings Bank.

Koelmel, who heads a growing bank in Buffalo, N.Y., is seeking state regulatory approval for a merger that would make NewAlliance part of First Niagara.

The two constants: a public hearing in front of the state banking commissioner -- this time, Howard F. Pitkin -- and a room packed with local residents concerned about their bank being hijacked.

Speaker after speaker from among more than 250 in attendance implored Pitkin to take to heart the lessons of the most recent recession.

"Tell me, Mr. Commissioner, what is the benefit for my community?" asked resident Gabriela Campos Madison, speaking deep into the four-hour public hearing at Conte-West Hills Magnet School. "What is the benefit to my children? I see none."

Since the demutualization of New Haven Savings Bank, "a lot of things that we were told were not going to happen have happened," said state Rep. Pat Dillon, D-New Haven.

Koelmel, speaking at the start and again at the end, said, "We are pleased to be able to reaffirm how the combination of two of the region's strongest banks will create an institution that will even better serve the needs of Connecticut's consumers."

He said First Niagara is in the final stages of recruiting a new regional president who will be based in New Haven.

First Niagara's New England Regional Center will be based in New Haven, he said.

He tried to allay other concerns, saying, "We will create an institution that will be among the top 25 banks in the country, with $30 billion in assets, $18 billion in deposits and 340 branches serving four states in the Northeast."

Koelmel called First Niagara "a poster child for doing it right," and said that last year, First Niagara made $4 billion in new loans and line advances.

First Niagara's business plan calls for it to make more than $1 billion in Community Reinvestment Act loans and other economic development initiatives within NewAlliance's market over the next five years.

Many speakers, including Mayor John DeStefano Jr. and, in a letter read by a staffer, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3, expressed concern about First Niagara's recently announced plan to lay off 229 people in Connecticut, the fact that First Niagara earned only a "satisfactory" Community Reinvestment Act rating compared to New Alliance's "outstanding" rating, and the likelihood that after the merger, many economic decisions would be made 400 miles away, in Buffalo, N.Y.

The Connecticut General Assembly is considering a bill requiring colleges and universities to more fully disclose the terms and conditions of scholarship offers made to high school athletes. Proposed House Bill 5415, entitled “An Act Requiring the Informed Consent of Prospective Athletes Being Recruited to Institutions of Higher Education,” reads as follows:

This legislation, modeled after the California “Student-Athletes’ Right to Know Act” (AB 2079), was introduced by Representative Patricia Dillon (92nd Dist. – New Haven). University of New Haven professor Allen Sack testified in favor of this bill, drawing upon the changes in NCAA rules since his time as a football player at Notre Dame in the 1960s. Judith B. Greiman, on behalf of the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges, testified that the bill is likely to complicate an area that is already heavily regulated by the NCAA. However, it appears that the bill focuses on the policies of individual schools, rather than NCAA regulations.

Any effort designed to better educate student-athletes and their families is a positive development. Often lost in the recruiting process is the fact that an athletic scholarship is a year-to-year proposition, per NCAA rules. Policies on the renewal of scholarships, however, often differ from school to school. Injuries and performance, both athletic and academic, can effect whether a scholarship is renewed. In addition, schools have different policies with respect to transfers. In particular, some schools refuse students permission to seek a transfer to other schools, such as schools in the same division or other athletic rivals. Naturally, most of these potentially negative situations are not throughly discussed during the recruiting process. This legislation, if it becomes law, may require more complete, and perhaps realistic, discussions between recruiters and student-athletes in Connecticut.