Newsletter 12/17/21

Newsletter 12/17/21
December 27, 2021
 
I hope you are all enjoying the holiday season. This was an exciting and busy week. Below please find information on:
  • Panel on CT's Criminal Justice System
  • State Bonding Award for Operation Hope
  • Main Street Working Group Lunch & Learn
  • Fairfield Holiday Light Tour
 
The State of CT's Criminal Justice System 
& Where We Go From Here

Last night I co-hosted, along with Rep. McCarthy Vahey, a panel on the State of CT’s Criminal Justice System and Where We Go from Here. I was so grateful to be able to bring together Fairfield Police Detectives Leetch and Buckmir, experts on crime here in CT, juvenile justice advocates, and Fairfield’s own, John Santa, who Chairs the state’s Sentencing Commission for what was an engaging, informative, and- at times- passionate dialogue.  

It was a wonderful opportunity to get people who work along the full continuum of the criminal justice system together and to speak with each other instead of past each other. Through the discussion there were areas of unanimous agreement – we need more supports to identify at-risk youth sooner. We need more services to treat the root causes and therefore, prevent crime in our communities and ensure children have access to meaningful and productive lives.  
 
There were also areas of disagreement – and it was important to be able to identify those areas, too, so that we can continue to work through them, together. We recognized areas where there are disconnects between what the law allows and how things are operating on the ground. I look forward to future discussions with diverse voices in order to get to the root of those disconnects and arrive at a mutual understanding.  
 
Lastly, I think we encountered a really interesting truth, which is that statistically crime is down- near historic lows- however, law enforcement feels like it has never been worse. As Rep. McCarthy Vahey stated, both can be true. Our officers are encountering many severe and intense events. In the context of COVID, we have witnessed the pandemic's impact on the mental health of our children and know that our most vulnerable have been impacted most dramatically. Even before the pandemic, juveniles’ needs had become more complex. The pandemic has only exasperated the needs of our youth, making our law enforcement’s reality much more challenging. As legislators, we are working with all applicable agencies to be responsive to the unique challenges of our law enforcement as they encounter these very acute cases while also making more supports available for our youth.  

There is more work ahead but last night’s discussion was a great start. I hope you will watch it here:  https://ct-n.com/ctnplayer.asp?odID=19208 
Click the button below for more information on last night's forum:
Read More Here
 
Funding for Operation Hope

Did you know that right here in Fairfield, 28% of families earn more than the Federal Poverty Level but less than the basic cost of living for the area or what is referred to as Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE). We have more need in our community than it may often appear. For this reason, and many others, I was thrilled to support the $1.5M state bonding, along with my delegation colleagues, for Operation Hope.

"I am proud to live in and work for a community that rallies together for a common cause and the greater good. This request for Operation Hope has been a bipartisan effort among my legislative colleagues and me to provide assistance to a selfless organization that continually assists our community during their greatest moments of need. With the prospective funds, Operation Hope will have the capability to remain here in Fairfield, serving even more families in need."

Learn more here: https://www.housedems.ct.gov/node/20140

The commission will vote on the bill Tuesday Dec. 21, at 2pm. You can watch live on     
CT-N! 

 

Operation Giving:
Of course, Fairfield's fantastic Operation Hope is always looking for both non-perishable food or monetary donations to continue to serve those who are food insecure in our immediate community. Please learn more here: https://operationhopect.org/donate/ 

A lot of families need a little more support this year. If you or someone you know needs help, please call 211 for more information.
 
Main Street Working Group
Last Friday, I moderated the Main Street Working Group's  'Lunch & Learn' discussion with business district leaders, including Sandra Russo-Driska, Middletown Business District Manager, and Sarah Nielsen, Executive Director of the Simsbury Main Street Partnership, about the impacts of third-party vendor fees on restaurant and business owners. 

The Executive Director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance, Andrew Rigie, offered insight into the strategies and legislation that were adopted in New York to best protect our local restauranteurs and consumers. 

You can find the link to our conversation by clicking the photo below:
 
Holiday Light Tour 
Looking for something festive to do this weekend? The Holiday Lights Tour is back! 

The Fairfield Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation shared their entries from the 'Light Up Fairfield' Holiday Lights Competition. They've put together this map for you and your family to follow along and see the beautiful holiday light displays.