Henry Genga

In the final week of February, a month of reflection and forward thinking, let us take a moment to place deserved light on one of our own residents. Odessa Terry was an important member of our community. Although you may not be familiar with Odessa, her work and activism during her term as town councilmember made a lasting impact that is still felt in our community.

As a town council member, Odessa Terry  investigated placing a paramedic system in Eastford alongside current council woman Easter Clarke. Using her expertise as a nurse, Odessa and the town council established the first EMS system which went into effect in 1974. Today the EMS services and its members provide East Hartford residents with the highest level of care. Paramedics arrive at any address in the local area with 2-3 minutes of being called. Considering that a patient only has 4-5 minutes of survivability if they cannot breathe, this service simply saves lives. In an emergency, a few moments can be a matter of life and death. Thanks to Odessa’s hard work and the efforts of our EMS workers, emergency services in East Hartford provide the equivalent of a hospital operating room to each patient they help.

Odessa Terry passed on in 1975, but her legacy is upheld in several different ways. As many of you know, a pool at Hockanum Park was named in her honor. Additionally, the EMS commission, which Odessa once led, gives an award to any civilian who takes any action which saves lives in our community. I have served on this commission for 30 years, 28 as its chairman. This award perfectly illustrates the kind of forward thinking and positive community impact that neighbors like Terry Odessa have.

We have done a great deal of reflection this past month in recognition of Black History Month. Let us not stop reflecting on March 1. We have done a great deal of thinking ahead in recognition of Black History Month. Let us not stop looking ahead on March 1. Odessa left us too soon, a reminder that we never know when it is our time. Despite leaving us, Odessa’s positive impact lives on to this day as proof of how good does continue on through the years. That is a valuable lesson I hope to provide you all with an attentive ear and advocate in the General Assembly while we carry on down our path together. Please always feel welcome to call me at (860) 240-8585 or reach out by email at henry.genga@cga.ct.gov.