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In this email you'll find updates on district resources and news. Please click the links below to read the section that corresponds with the highlighted headline.
A NOTE: If you're having trouble clicking through the following links, open this email in a browser, use a computer or scroll through this email to the relevant section.
The topics covered are as follows:
On Legislative Business
On Community Resources
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Lawmakers Discuss Congressional Action on Gun Violence
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I continue to think about the lives lost during Tuesday's tragedy, their families and the community of Uvalde. Ten years ago, we mourned the loss of students, teachers, and administrators at Sandy Hook, and we all understood the fierce urgency of the moment. While many lawmakers across the country called to offer thoughts and prayers, I'm proud to say that in Connecticut we took swift, meaningful, and bipartisan action to address what we know to be a uniquely American tragedy: gun violence.
In the wake of this tragedy several lawmakers across the country, including Connecticut U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, have sought to find a bipartisan compromise on gun control – looking at measures from universal background checks to stronger gun storage laws, and more.
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Among the proposals are "Red Flag Laws," which have been in place in Connecticut since 1999, which would allow police or family members the ability to apply for a court order to temporarily remove any firearms from a person they deem to be a danger to themselves or others. The bill has been proposed by Senator Blumenthal and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham for the past few years but has been unable to gain the support needed for it to pass in the Senate.
Additionally, the Connecticut Senators have been working for years to pass "Ethan's Law" at the Congressional level. Named in honor of Ethan Song, a 15-year-old who accidentally shot himself to death with an improperly stored gun in a friend’s house, the 2019 Connecticut law requires that a gun, loaded or unloaded, be properly stored so that individuals under the age of 18 cannot access the firearm.
Congress must act if we are ever to reduce the loss of life and sustain our sense of humanity. We all lost some of our humanity on Tuesday as we faced the 212th mass shooting of the year. As we wait for action – please hug your children, thank a teacher, and fight for change.
Parents and caregivers – if you need more information on support for yourself or how to support your children during this time, click here.
I would like to know, what do you think of this issue?
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Bond Commission Approves Funding to Improve East Hartford Parks & Support Silver Lane Redevelopment
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The Connecticut Bond Commission met on Thursday to vote on major investments in our community and the state's economic future. The funding approved during the meeting will support the following projects in East Hartford:
- $10 million to assist with the redevelopment of the Silver Lane corridor, including with the purchase and redevelopment of Applegate Lane, Silver Lane Plaza, and additional sites within the corridor. Projects will help spur additional development, improve pedestrian walkability, and support existing projects along Silver Lane
- $1 million to support improvements to town parks, community pools, recreational facilities, and open space
From my time as Chair of the Finance Committee to now in my role as Majority Leader I’ve worked to ensure that each bonding bill includes resources to support critical projects, like the Silver Lane corridor redevelopment, in our communities. This funding will help advance East Hartford's revitalization efforts, which will significantly shape our town's future.
Thank you to Governor Ned Lamont and the CT Bond Commission for considering these important initiatives, and prioritizing investments that move the state forward.
I would like to know, what do you think of this issue?
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DCF Compiles List of Resources for Talking to Children in the Wake of Recent Tragedies
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In the wake of the recent tragedies in Uvalde, Texas and Buffalo, New York, the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) has compiled a list of resources for trusted adults on ways to speak to a child about mass shootings and other traumatic events they may see on the news or hear about at school.
Children will react to these incidents consistent with their own unique chronological, developmental, and emotional age. Feelings of anxiousness while apart from their caregivers and concerns of harm to themselves, family members and friends are common. Changes in mood, schedule, appetite, or social interactions may also be seen along with difficulties concentrating and focusing on tasks.
Some available resources are:
The National Child Traumatic Stress Institute – provides tips for talking to children specifically about the recent mass shooting.
The National Association of School Psychologists – offers documents to assist parents, caregivers, and teachers in talking to children about violence.
2-1-1 Connecticut – call "211" or click here to access community-based supports available to Connecticut residents. Or click here for information and services for families seeking behavioral health services.
Deer Oaks for CT State Employees – the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for Connecticut State Employees can be reached at +1 (888) 993-7650 or by email at eap@deeroaks.com.
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Today in CT History: Organizing the Fight Against a Deadly Enemy
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From the earliest days of Connecticut history, fire posed one of the greatest mortal dangers to Connecticut residents — especially to the English settlers whose homes, barns, fences, and other structures were made of timber and often clustered closely together. In the 17th and early 18th centuries, before the advent of portable water pumps, fire-fighting methods were primitive and largely ineffective. Residents would keep large leather fire buckets in their homes and form “bucket brigades” whenever the town was alerted to a local fire. Men, women, and children would form a continuous line from the town well or other water source and pass a steady line of water-filled buckets to the site of the fire, where it was thrown on the flames. In a later improvement, these same bucket brigades passed water to fill the reservoir of a water pump used to spray water on the burning structure.
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As residents of one of the oldest English settlements in Connecticut, the people of Wethersfield have a documented history of fighting fires dating back hundreds of years. In the late 17th century, the town purchased a number of ladders and extra fire buckets to keep in storage at the Congregational Church at the center of town. In 1803, following decades of prosperity and population growth, the town felt a need to increase its fire-fighting capacity. Wethersfield petitioned the Connecticut General Assembly for permission to establish its own formal fire company, which the state legislature approved on May 27.
The new volunteer fire department originally consisted of 16 men and two “force pumps” — small wheeled water pumps which could be moved to the scene of a fire by men or horses. And though its numbers have increased, and its fire-fighting equipment has vastly improved over the years, the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department is still going strong today. Its three separate companies answer hundreds of emergency calls every year. With more than 215 years of uninterrupted, active service, it has the proud distinction of being the oldest continuous volunteer fire department in New England.
If you'd like to learn more about CT's first volunteer fire department and other interesting CT historical facts, click here.
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PSA: Expect a C-130 Flyover in East Hartford on Monday
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Please be advised that as part of the East Hartford Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 30 around 11:45AM, there will be a loud, low-flying military place. A C-130 flyover will flyover the Goodwin University campus to conclude the parade – residents should anticipate seeing the military plane and hearing a temporary loud noise. Please don't be startled!
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Spruce Street Farmers Market Open June 1
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The Spruce Street Farmers Market on Market Field (153 Spruce Street) will open for the season on Wednesday, June 1 from 4:30PM-7:30PM. You'll be able to enjoy the farmers market, which will feature Connecticut farms, prepared food vendors, and artisans, every Wednesday through August 31. SNAP/EBT will be accepted and double the value of SNAP purchases – spend $10 using your EBT card and receive an additional $10 to spend on fresh produce.
AND – all new this summer, check out POP (Power of Produce) Kids' Club. Each participating child will receive a free POP Bucks coupon weekly to be redeemed for fresh produce.
For more information, click here or contact Cynde at cacanto@manchester.gov with any questions.
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Manchester's Rec on the Run is Revving Up for Another Summer!
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The Town of Manchester's Department of Leisure, Family, and Recreation is preparing for another exciting summer of "Rec on the Run," a mobile pop-up creative arts, sports, and games vehicle offering programs and activities to Manchester residents in neighborhoods and parks around our community.
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Offered on various days at the town's different parks throughout the summer weeks, Rec on the Run distributes specially designed activity boxes on a first-come, first-served basis. Boxes allow accessible activity pick-up at one of the following sites on specific days:
- Northwest Park (448 Tolland Turnpike) – Mondays, 5PM-7PM
- Westside Oval (110 Cedar Street) – Tuesdays, 5PM-7PM
- Market Field (163 Spruce Street) – Wednesdays, 5PM-7PM
- Center Memorial Park (41 Center Street) – Thursdays, 5PM-7PM
The Summer 2022 schedule includes exciting themes like "Paint Week," "Collage Week," a "Mystery Week" and so much more! Check out this summer's schedule and get more information by clicking here.
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Coming Soon: East Hartford Town Hall to Temporarily Close in Fall 2022
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This week, the Town of East Hartford announced plans to close Town Hall temporarily in the fall of 2022 to complete much needed structural renovations. The exact date of the closure and additional information on the temporary location at the East Hartford Cultural Community Center (CCC) will be shared later this summer, but at this time it is expected that Town Hall will be closed for 12 months.
I'll be sure to keep you updated as more information is shared, but check the town's website and Facebook page for updates and further details.
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COVID-19 Updates & Upcoming Vaccine Clinics
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The best defense against COVID-19 continues to be a good offense. It's so important that we continue the precautions that have worked: observe social distancing, wear a face mask when social distancing is not possible or indoors, wash your hands thoroughly and regularly, get tested if you were in contact with anyone who's tested positive, etc. But, most importantly – please consider getting vaccinated if you haven't already or getting a booster if it's been six months since you're last COVID vaccine.
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With Griffin Hospital, the Town of East Hartford will host a free COVID-19 vaccination clinic for all eligible CT residents ages 5 and older on Tuesday, May 31, 3PM-7PM at Stone Academy. Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson will be available – no insurance, ID, or appointment required. If you have any questions or require additional information, contact the East Hartford Health Department at (860) 291-7324. If transportation assistance is needed to get to/from the clinic site, please contact the Health Department for a bus pass.
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A reminder for those that don't want to carry around their paper CDC cards or who lost them, CT residents can now utilize "SMART Health Cards" to securely show proof of being vaccinated. The digital card can be obtained via a QR code that you can find here. To get more info on SMART Health Cards, or how to access them and download to your smartphone device, click here.
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For more information on receiving the COVID-19 vaccine or to locate an appointment near you, click here or locate a DPH Mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinic by clicking here. Those without access to the internet can call the Connecticut’s Vaccine Appointment Assist Line, available seven days a week from 8 AM to 8 PM, at (877) 918-2224.
For East Hartford-based COVID-19 updates and resources, click here. And, for Manchester-based COVID-19 updates and resources, click here.
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Get ready to cool off this summer! The Sprayground located next to Verplanck Elementary School (126 Olcott Street) is open daily now through Labor Day weekend from 10AM-8PM.
The town's public outdoor pools, Globe Hollow, Marcy MacDonald, Salters, Swanson, and Waddell will be open in the summer – I'll be sure to share opening information as soon as details are posted!
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The Town of Manchester will offer a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Event on Saturday, June 4 from 8AM-1PM at the Manchester Regional Center for HHW Collection (311 Olcott Street). Please note that online appointments are now mandatory – to book an appointment, click here.
Can't make it on June 4 – future collection events are scheduled for: August 27, September 24, October 29, and November 12 from 8AM-1PM, and a fall outreach collection will also be held October 15 in Stafford. Collection events are open to residents of Manchester, Glastonbury, Hebron, Marlborough, Somers, South Windsor, Stafford, and Vernon. For complete details, call (860) 647-3200 option "3" or click here.
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Enjoy FREE family-friendly events and activities all week long as we celebrate what makes our community great! Beginning on Saturday, June 4 and running through Sunday, June 12, Celebrate Manchester kicks off with a free concert in the park next Saturday at 6:30PM featuring Soul Sound Revue – known as "the hottest nine-piece Motown show this side of Detroit." Check out the complete schedule of events by clicking here.
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East Hartford Mayor Mike Walsh is inviting the community to join East Hartford Parks and Recreation Department in celebrating Connecticut Trails Day on Saturday, June 4 from 10AM-12PM at Martin Park. Partake in a self-guided walk/hike and trail maintenance starting at the Martin Park entrance of the Hockanum Linear Trail. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore the adventurous trail, while assisting in maintaining its beauty!
Local businesses, organizations, scout groups, sports teams, and families are encouraged to participate. All trail maintenance supplies, and equipment will be provided. Participants are encouraged to wear appropriate footwear and clothing. For more information, please contact Sean Dwyer at (860) 291-7171 or sdwyer@easthartfordct.gov.
In the case of inclement weather, please monitor the town's webpage and Facebook page for updates.
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Inspired by her own grandmother’s tales, Anne Pasquale created a program based on the stories of America's female immigrants from many cultures. Anne invites you to join her at the East Hartford Public Library on Saturday, June 4 at 1PM, accompanied by the very talented musician/actor Keith Herron, as she dons the personas, sings the songs, tells the stories of many unsung heroines from every point of Liberty’s crown, and explores the cultural diversity and common heritage that makes us all one. Register for the event and get more information by clicking here.
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Join East Hartford Mayor Mike Walsh for a cup and conversation on Monday, June 6 at 2:30PM. This is a great opportunity for residents to ask questions, voice concerns and share feedback. This event is for East Hartford residents who are 55 and older, save your spot by calling the Senior Center at (860) 291-7295. For more information, click here.
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My office is always open if you or your family are in need of assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email at Jason.Rojas@cga.ct.gov or by phone at 860-240-8541.
Sincerely,
Jason Rojas
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