Safety and Community Updates

Fairfield
July 9, 2020
I hope you all have been able to find some enjoyment during these summer days. In the coming weeks, it is anticipated that the Legislature will return to the Capitol for a special session devoted to absentee ballots and police accountability. I will keep you posted as we hear more on dates and details. For months, I have pushed for voters to be given the option to use an absentee ballot in the general election. No voter should have to choose between voting and their health. I am looking forward to the opportunity to pass this legislation.
As we hear reports from around the country about the increase in positive COVID cases, I remain grateful and proud of the fact that all of you have come together to help contain the virus and prevent further spread. We have seen a steady decrease in hospitalizations and deaths for quite some time, with just a slight uptick in recent days. As you have heard from me for months now, please continue to wear a mask when out in public, whenever possible be outdoors with those from outside your household, wash your hands, and maintain 6 feet of social distance.

This past week, the Governor announced a delay in the Phase Three plans, outlined below. The Governor and his team continue to take a cautious approach, while at the same time working hard to help businesses navigate these difficult times.
Many business owners received PPP loans, which are forgivable. There are certain steps which must be taken to assure a business qualifies for forgiveness. The WBDC is offering an information session tomorrow with some pointers.

Financial Foundations:
PPP Loan Forgiveness

Join Drew Andrews a CPA and Managing Partner & CEO at Whittlesey, for a one-hour video chat that will help small business owners navigate preparation of the PPP Forgiveness Application. Explore financial practices to implement regarding business expenses to maximize loan forgiveness. Delve into relevant considerations to effectively support your business strategy!

INTERESTED?

WHEN
Friday, July 10		 TIME
12:00PM - 1:00PM		 WHERE
Live Zoom Call in WBDC’s Virtual Classroom
 
Registration Required/No Charge
Reserve your spot now…registration closes at 5:00 PM on Thursday, July 9th!
More Info

Our local Registrars are gearing up for this year’s primary elections. You should have received an absentee ballot application by mail. All voters are eligible to vote absentee in the primary. Polls will still be open on August 11th for those who would like to vote in person. Recognizing that both the August and November elections will have unique challenges related to COVID-19, Secretary of the State Denise Merrill announced a statewide effort to recruit poll workers for Connecticut’s primary and general elections.

Voters interested in working at the polls should sign up here.

For more information, read the press release issued by Secretary Merrill.
Congratulations to the 23 students from Connecticut who won awards at the Invention Convention 2020 U.S. Nationals, including Fairfield's very own Graham Gosselin.

Graham Gosselin, 5th grade, took the Health and Medical Award and 1st place in his grade category for Sure Contact Cane, a cane that uses haptics to let users know when the cane is solidly on the ground. "The cane is designed to help people with brain injuries, tumors or strokes who don't always have a good connection between mind and body and don't know if their cane is on the ground correctly," he says. "My mom had a brain tumor and she had trouble using a cane and I wanted to help her. The cane is affordable at under $10. And can help millions of people as the cane is the most popular mobility device." Watch Graham explain his invention here.

Graham was among nearly 500 award-winning inventors from across the nation who competed. In total, 120,000 K-12 students from across the United States took part in invention education programs this year.

The complete list of U.S. winners is available here. If you weren't able to tune in for the awards ceremony Watch Party, check it out on YouTube.