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Click the links in the introduction to navigate to the corresponding sections in the body of this email.
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Friends and Neighbors,
I hope another productive week is in the books and you’re on your way to an easy weekend. As the holidays begin to creep up on us, so do additional stressors and distractions that attempt to disrupt our mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. If you do find yourself at a point where it just seems to be too much, please reach out to a friend or loved one or contact the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Action Line at 1-800-HOPE-135, or click here. If we’ve learned anything during this last year and half, it’s that we should not and we cannot take our health for granted. We’ve all got someone or something depending on us and we shouldn’t take that lightly. I know I must be at my best to ensure your voices are heard as I don’t take lightly the responsibility of representing our district and those of you living within it. Unfortunately, though, it appears the 11th district, our little slice of the state, will look a bit different come this time next year (election season) and some of you I currently call constituents will have a new face representing you under the dome in Hartford.
On Thursday, the bipartisan Connecticut Reapportionment Commission unanimously certified the House of Representatives redistricting plan, which uses data from the 2020 U.S. Census to redraw our state legislative and congressional districts. This process occurs once every decade and is fundamental to the functioning of our democracy. The bipartisan commission works to ensure our voting districts are fair and accurate, following the guiding principle of one person, one vote so that each vote cast holds the same weight.
The map that was released to the public yesterday reflects population changes in Eastern Connecticut and Fairfield County, altering the boundaries of some House districts, like the 11th House District.
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Effective with the 2022 election, the 11th Assembly district will no longer include South Windsor, but sections of East Hartford and Manchester will remain in the 11th. Until the next legislature is sworn in January 2023, I will remain an active member of the South Windsor delegation. Instead, many within South Windsor’s portion of the district will now be part of the 5th Assembly district, currently represented by Brandon McGee. Brandon is a friend and fierce advocate for many of the same issues we have been passionate about over the years. Conversely, a few more residents within East Hartford and Manchester will join the 11th Assembly district.
Again, you aren't getting rid of me just yet and I will not forget nor ignore South Windsor, even after 2023 regardless of an election. Over the time I have had the honor of representing the 11th House District, I have made incredibly strong bonds with the community, the town, and in the schools, and it would be impossible to just sever those ties.
In the meantime, let's stick to the here and now, the positive, and continue the important work in progress, and we'll deal with the future when we must.
Below you will find a guide to the following information. Click the subject links in this intro to go right to the topic in the body of this email.
You can find additional resources and information on my web site,
www.housedems.ct.gov/currey. If there's something you need help with that isn't included in this email, please check my website. If you can't find what you're looking for there, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. |
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Overall Summary
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Total
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Change Since Yesterday
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COVID-19 Cases (confirmed and probable)
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412,918
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+860
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COVID-19 Tests Reported (molecular and antigen)
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12,184,442
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+26,266
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Daily Test Positivity
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--
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3.27%
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Patients Currently Hospitalized with COVID-19
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247
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+6
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Data on COVID-19 associated deaths is updated once per week every Thursday. The most recently reported total number of deaths is 8,834.
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Specific Updates for Our Community
| Town |
Total Cases |
Total Deaths |
Number of Tests |
Number of Positive Tests |
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| East Hartford |
7,529 |
159 |
176,161 |
9,355 |
| Manchester |
6,035 |
165 |
170,363 |
7,322 |
| South Windsor |
2,069 |
58 |
59,186 |
2,428 |
Weekly Update of the Department of Public Health's COVID-19 Alert Map
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| If you're looking to get your first COVID-19 shot or a booster, the state Department of Public Health Mobile Vaccination Team will host vaccination clinics in our community. A clinic is scheduled for tomorrow, November 20 at Bangladesh Bhaban Community Center at 9 Delmont St in Manchester from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Residents 12 and older can get vaccinated. For a full list of mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinics, click here.
Children ages 5 to 11 are also eligible for the pediatric dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. To find a vaccination location in your area, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's COVID-19 vaccine locator, here.
With new cases of COVID-19 at a 12-week high, it's important that we all roll up our sleeves for the shot. While masking has been effective in limiting community spread of COVID-19, vaccines offer us the most protection against a severe case of the virus. This can help our health workers and hospitals from becoming overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients, and ultimately save lives. |
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| Additional information about getting vaccinated, including how to make an appointment and a list of clinics, is available on Connecticut's Vaccine Portal, here.
If you need assistance finding transportation to and from a vaccine appointment, you can find transportation resources here.
If you're a homebound resident, you can receive your COVID-19 shot at home. Complete the state Department of Public Health's Homebound Intake Form to get the appointment process started. |
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AT THE CAPITOL, IN DISTRICT, & BEYOND...
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| On Thursday, I was happy to help with turkey collection at the Goodwin University Turkey Drive to help Connecticut Foodshare reach its goal of feeding over 51,000 residents experiencing hunger this Thanksgiving. This effort is part of CT Foodshare's Turkey & Thirty campaign. If you missed the drive, but still want to help our neighbors in need, you can make a monetary donation online to the Goodwin Gobblers here. For more information about the Turkey and Thirty campaign, as well as additional CT Foodshare drives happening in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, click here. For more ways you can help out this holiday season, keep scrolling to the Holiday Giving section below! |
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| The Connecticut Department of Transportation recently launched a new data hub that will make transportation data like traffic volumes, crashes, roadway characteristics and more accessible to the public. The CTDOT Open Data Hub will empower residents and transform how transportation decisions affecting Connecticut residents are made. The Hub's development aligns with the governor's efforts to make state agency data more readily available to the public. New applications for the hub are in development and will go live when completed. Click here to access the new Open Data Hub. |
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| On Monday, President Biden signed into law a bipartisan $1 trillion spending package that will help rebuild America's infrastructure, sending billions in federal dollars to our state. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will send $5.4 billion to Connecticut to help repair and upgrade railroads, highways and bridges, build out its electric vehicle charging network, and expand internet access to hundreds of thousands, creating temporary and permanent jobs along the way. It also provides $1.3 billion over the next five years to enhance public transportation and $445 million to improve water infrastructure to ensure safe drinking water.
The timing of this once-in-a-generation investment couldn't have come at a better time for Connecticut. Approximately 248 bridges and over 2,100 miles of highway in Connecticut are in poor condition. In 2019, about half of Connecticut's road network was over 55 years old, and 62 percent of bridges were over 48 years old. Some bridges on the Metro North Line were over a century old. In Connecticut, there's a very real need for this type of spending package and I'm pleased to welcome this critical funding.
You can learn more about this pivotal bill on the Hartford Courant website. |
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| Congratulations to Julieth Callejas who will be End Hunger Connecticut's Administrative Director! Julieth is also the first person of color to ever lead the organization, which works to address food insecurity and end hunger in Connecticut and has helped to feed many of our children during the summer months. Julieth has already secured funding that will support and expand EHC!'s programming and built partnerships vital to its efforts. You can read more about Julieth and her work with End Hunger Connecticut! here. |
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| On Sunday, I had the honor of joining allies and accomplices in recognizing the New Haven Pride Center's 25th Anniversary during an afternoon at the first in-person, block party event at the center since March 2020. Throughout its 25-years, the New Haven Pride Center has helped advance and strengthen rights for the LGBTQ+ community in New Haven and across the state. At its inception and still today, the center has served as a safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community to gather and it has remained a leader in the fight for basic human rights. You can read more about this great organization and milestone here. |
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| November 13 through 19 is designated as Transgender Awareness Week, and concludes with the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR). This week and observance seeks to raise the visibility of transgender people and honor those who lost their lives because of anti-transgender violence. 2021 has been marked as the deadliest year on record with at least 45 transgender individuals killed. Most were Black or Latinx.
The Metropolitan Community Church of Hartford is hosting its 23rd Annual TDOR candlelight vigil via Zoom tomorrow at 7 p.m. Participants are welcome to have a candle to light during the vigil. You can register for MCC's vigil and learn more here.
On Saturday, November 20, the New Haven Pride Center will host three TDOR events. The first is a pre-vigil space allowing participants to express what TDOR means to them through art. The Creative Healing: Art and Music Making in Public Space will start at 12 p.m. at the New Haven Pride Center, 84 Orange Street. This will be followed by the New Haven Community Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil, Action & Speak Out at 3 p.m. on the New Haven Green at the Flag Pole. The program will include a candlelight vigil, reading of the names of those lost, and a speak out from transgender and nonbinary advocates and members of the community. The day will end with a Trans Resource Swap at the New Haven Pride Center. Learn more here.
For more information about TDOR, please visit the GLAAD website, here. |
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| This Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel at 277 Folly Brook Blvd in Wethersfield and 30 Carter St in East Hartford are holding a food drive to benefit the East Hartford and Wethersfield Food Banks. Volunteers will be collecting nonperishable food items like boxed mashed potatoes, canned vegetables, stuffing and more. For more information, call 860-257-7635 |
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| ShopRite in Manchester, 214 Spencer St, is hosting a turkey drive this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to benefit Connecticut Foodshare. You can donate a turkey or make a monetary donation. For more information, click here. |
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The Ambulance Service of Manchester is holding its Emergency of Hunger Food Drive before the holiday. The food drive kicked off this past weekend at Highland Park Market and will return this Saturday, November 20 and Sunday, November 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Manchester Stop and Shop location and the MACC Office at 466 Main St. in Manchester. Food drives are also scheduled in South Windsor from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Stop and Shop and Geissler's Supermarket.
Volunteers will be collecting turkeys, food, monetary donations, and gift cards to benefit the MACC Food Bank, and the South Windsor Food and Fuel Bank. |
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| The East Hartford Police Department will host a Holiday Toy Drive on Friday November 26 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. If you're out shopping post Turkey Day, please consider donating unwrapped, new toys and clothes to TJ Maxx at 5 Main St in East Hartford. |
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| Hurricane Ida ripped across Connecticut September 1 through 2. As a result of a Presidential disaster declaration, small businesses impacted by the hurricane can apply for a Physical or Economic Injury Disaster Loan through the U.S. Small Business Administration. The declaration covers Fairfield and New London counties. However, small businesses and private nonprofits in Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, Tolland, and Windham counties are eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans, which are available to certain businesses regardless of whether any physical property damage was sustained. Businesses can access these loans with an interest rate as low as 2.855 percent, and 2 percent for nonprofits with terms up to 30 years. Economic injury applications should be submitted no later than August 1, 2022.
The application can be submitted online here. Applicants should apply under SBA declaration #17258, not for the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants can learn more by calling the SBA's Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for deaf or hard-of-hearing), or emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Mail completed applications to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX, 76155. The full announcement is available on the SBA website, here. |
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| Do you know a high school student? Let them know they'll have a chance to determine how $1.5 million will be spent! Through the state’s recently launched Voice4Change program , high school students in participating school districts will have a say in how Connecticut spends a portion of its federal COVID-19 education relief. What better way to get high schoolers engaged in their education than by giving them an actual stake in it? Get the details here. |
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| Calling all Connecticut high schoolers! You're invited to test your cyber skills to stop and prevent cybercrime through the CyberStart America Competition. This is also an opportunity to explore your aptitude for cybersecurity and computer science. Winners will receive prizes and scholarships for advanced training in this field. Learn more and get to ethical hacking here. |
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| At every step of the legislative process, residents have the opportunity to engage in our democracy, even if they aren't old enough to cast their vote yet. To highlight how social studies teachers can integrate state government into their classrooms, the Connecticut Secretary of the State's office and Connecticut General Assembly are sponsoring a series of webinars as part of its Red, White, and Blue Schools initiative. The next webinars are scheduled for December 1 and December 8 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Register for the webinars here. |
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| Did you hear East Hartford Public Schools launched its new monthly newsletter - EHPS Family Focus. The newsletter will provide information about various district activities, community resources, opportunities to engage in new learning, and more! The newsletter is fully translatable and accessible to ensure it reaches all families. To read the first edition, click here. |
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| Game on!
It's fall sports season at our middle and high schools! Click the links below for schedules of this week's games:
You can also find schedules and results on the CIAC website. |
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| Santa Claus is coming to town next weekend! On Saturday, December 4 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the East Hartford Middle School Pool, join Santa for a splash. A special underwater camera is used - bring the whole family for a fantastic photo to use for cards. If Santa's line is long, there will be holiday treats, crafts and coloring to keep the kids busy. This event is FREE with a new, unwrapped toy.
Please note: If your child cannot swim, you must provide them with a Coast Guard Approved lifejacket, and an adult must remain at arm's length of the child in the pool. An adult is required to be in the water with all non-swimmers and children ages 6 and under. American Red Cross certified lifeguards will be on deck. Register here.
On Sunday, December 5 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Santa and his helpers will be at the Community Cultural Center for an array of holiday activities. This event is FREE with a non-perishable food donation.
Pre-registration is required for time slots and spaces are limited – click here to register. Please register participating children only. |
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| Join the Manchester Land Conservation Trust this Saturday at 1 p.m. for an easy 3-mile rail trail hike along the Cheney Railroad. At one point it was the shortest railroad in the United States. The hike will take about 90 minutes total. Participants will learn about the railroad's history. Meet at tracks on the right side of 2 Main Street. Parking will be available at the shopping plaza or Eighth Utilities Districts office. For more information, please click here. |
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| The South Windsor Parks and Recreation Winter Farmers Market is this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Wapping Parks and Recreation Facility, 91 Ayers Rd! You'll find charming handmade gifts for your loved ones this holiday season, treats for your four-legged friends, fresh produce, and so much more. Don't forget to ask the vendors about holiday special orders. |
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| The Connecticut Department of Transportation announced the permanent closure of the Route 2 on-ramp and off-ramps at Exits 5B in East Hartford. Starting December 2, 2021, the Route 2 Eastbound Sutton Avenue off-ramp and the Route 2 Westbound Cambridge Drive on-ramp will close to aid in safety and operational improvements on Route 2. |
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JOB OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES
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| Through the state's Department of Labor, the American Job Center offers resources, information, and support for individuals throughout the state searching for a job. You can receive help writing a resume and attend interview technique workshops for those currently on the job hunt. For more information, click here. |
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| Did you hear? The East Hartford Public Library is hiring customer service-oriented individuals for part-time employment as Library Assistants in the Circulation Department. Applicants should be available for Saturday shifts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and/or Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The deadline to apply is December 3. Learn more and complete an application here. |
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| EAST HARTFORD:
Click here for the Town Meetings calendar.
Click here for the Community Events calendar.
Click here for information on the East Hartford Public Library.
Click here for East Hartford Community Television. |
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SOUTH WINDSOR:
Click here for the Public Meetings calendar.
Click here for the Community Events calendar.
Click here for information on the South Windsor Public Library.
Click here for South Windsor's Government Television Programming - watch LIVE town council meetings! |
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MANCHESTER:
Click here for the Town Meetings and Community Events Calendar.
Click here for information on the Manchester Public Library.
Click here for Manchester Public Television. |
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Upcoming Meetings and Events
A full calendar of all events happening at the Capitol next week, including public hearings, is available on the General Assembly website.
You can find the agenda for public hearings on the calendar by clicking on the calendar item and following the link to the committee page. For instructions on how to testify at a public hearing, please click here.
You can view a list of all the bills passed by the House so far this session here.
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