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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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Fiscal Report Shows Connecticut has Reduced Debt by $7 Billion
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Last week, the non-partisan Office of Policy and Management (OPM) released its annual Fiscal Accountability Report, which reviews the state’s fiscal trends ahead of legislators drafting the state budget. The report shows that while we still have some work to do to undo decades of fiscal management, there is reason to be optimistic.
The report shows that the state has wiped out more than $7 billion out of $95 billion of debt — a 7.4 percent drop. And more debt is expected to be wiped as this report does not include a $3 billion supplemental payment made earlier this fall to pay down the state employee pension debt.
The report also comes as the credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) updated Connecticut’s credit rating this week. S&P increased Connecticut’s general obligation bond credit rating from A+ (positive) to AA- (stable).
I would like to know, what do you think of this issue?
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Governor Lamont Announces New CTDOT Commissioner
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On Wednesday, Governor Ned Lamont announced that commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Joseph Giulietti will step down in January and Garrett Eucalitto will succeed him.
Eucalitto is currently deputy commissioner of CTDOT, a position that he has held since January 2020. Prior to obtaining his current role, he was the transportation program director for the National Governors Association (NGA). Before joining the NGA, Eucalitto was undersecretary for comprehensive planning and intergovernmental policy for the Office of Policy and Management during the administration of Governor Malloy.
I would like to know, what do you think of this issue?
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Today in CT History: Connecticut’s First African-American Civil War Regiment
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In late May of 1863, nearly six months after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation declared that all black men and women in slave-holding Confederate states were free, the Federal government created the Bureau of Colored Troops, effectively authorizing the use of black troops throughout the Union Army.
While some Northern states quickly raised their own “colored regiments,” it took Connecticut several additional months to muster up enough political and popular willpower to create one of its own. In November 1863, the General Assembly held a special session in which legislators argued the pros and cons of creating a new regiment of black infantrymen. Opponents of the measure often resorted to blatantly racist arguments, describing black soldiers as mentally and physically unprepared for battle, and predicting displays of mutiny and cowardice in the midst of battle. Nevertheless, the supporters won the day — likely aided by the harsh realities of declining enlistments and war-weariness two years into the bloodiest war the United States had ever seen.
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On November 23, 1862, Governor William Buckingham signed a bill into law creating the 29th Regiment of Connecticut Infantry, which would be composed entirely of African-American volunteers. The response to the bill was immediate and overwhelming, as black volunteers poured in from every corner of the state. By January 1864, so many African-American men (over 1,500 in tota) had pledged to enlist that the state needed to create a second regiment of colored volunteers — the 30th Connecticut Infantry — in order to accommodate them all.
Later that month, the two regiments were visited by the famous abolitionist and speaker Frederick Douglass, who told them: “You are pioneers of the liberty of your race. With the United States cap on your head, the United States eagle on your belt, the United States musket on your shoulder, not all the powers of darkness can prevent you from becoming American citizens. …You are pioneers; on you depends the destiny of four millions of the colored race in this country. If you rise and flourish, we shall rise and flourish. If you win freedom and citizenship, we shall share your freedom and citizenship.”
In March of 1864, the 29th Connecticut Regiment set sail from New Haven to Maryland and eventually South Carolina, beginning a tour of duty that saw the troops serve with distinction at the Siege of Petersburg, the Battle of Fair Oaks, and several other engagements. In April of 1865, the 29th was one of the first Union regiments to proudly march into the Confederate capital city of Richmond after it fell to Union forces. The 29th Regiment returned to Hartford in November 1865, almost two years to the day after it was first created, to be formally mustered out of service amid a public display of patriotism and gratitude, including a speech by Governor Buckingham himself. In 2008, a monument was erected to honor the 29th Regiment in New Haven’s Criscuolo Park, where the original regiment had once camped while awaiting their order to deploy. It stands as part of Connecticut’s Freedom Trail and was the state’s first monument to black soldiers.
If you'd like to learn more about the 29th Connecticut Regiment and other interesting CT historical facts, click here.
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Deadline Approaching: East Hartford Social Services Christmas Program
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East Hartford Social Services is now accepting applications for the Christmas Assistance Program. The program provides Christmas food baskets and holiday toys for children up 10 years old. Learn more and apply by clicking here. The deadline to apply is November 28.
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Manchester Fire Department’s Fire Ground Survival Program Participation Highlighted on FOX61
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The Manchester Fire Department was highlighted this week on FOX61 for their participation in the Fire Ground Survival Program. The program, which is supported by a FEMA grant and offered by the International Association of Firefighters, is a week-long training to teach firefighters high-level survival skills. The entire fire department and some East Hartford Firefighters participated in the program.
Check out the full story here.
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Pratt & Whitney Pipeline Now Recruiting for Entry-Level Positions
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Ready to work for a world-class aerospace manufacturer in East Hartford? Pratt & Whitney is looking to hire talent with an interest and aptitude in manufacturing, with no prior education or work experience. Attend an info session and go through a skills-based prequalification process.
Virtual info sessions are held Monday 10AM-10:30AM and every Thursday 4:30PM-5PM - register by clicking here. For more information, please contact Charles Ojide at cojide@ccat.us or Cameron Diaz at cdiaz@ccat.us.
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Manchester Earns Silver Certification from Sustainable CT
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Last week, the Town of Manchester accepted their award for the Silver Certification from Sustainable CT for achieving a wide range of sustainability goals. The 2022 Silver Certification is honored to municipalities in the State whose sustainable actions total 400 or more points in categories ranging from dynamic and resilient planning, clean transportation, equitable and inclusive engagement, efficient energy infrastructure, and more.
Sustainable CT is a statewide initiative that inspires and supports communities in becoming more efficient, resilient, and inclusive. Read more about the certification by clicking here.
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COVID-19 Updates & Upcoming Vaccine Clinics
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The Town of East Hartford, with Griffin Hospital, will host pop-up a COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic on Tuesday, November 29, 3PM-6PM at Raymond Library (840 Main Street). Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J will be available for eligible residents 6 months +.
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No appointment, ID, or insurance required. There is no cost to getting the COVID-19 vaccination. The federal government is providing the vaccine free of charge to all people living in the United States, regardless of immigration or health insurance status.
For questions regarding pediatric COVID-19 vaccines, booster dose eligibility, or to schedule an appointment at an upcoming clinic, contact the East Hartford Health Department at (860) 291-7324. If transportation is needed to get to and from a clinic site, please contact the Health Department for assistance.
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The Town of Manchester, with Griffin Hospital, will offer the new updated booster at a free COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic at Odyssey Community School (579 Middle Turnpike West) on Tuesday, December 6 from 1:30PM-5PM. No appointment needed. Vaccines available for eligible residents ages 6 months & older. Please bring a health insurance card and photo ID if you have them, but it is not necessary to have health insurance or ID to receive the vaccine. No one will be turned away for lack of insurance or ID.
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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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The day after the Manchester Road Race (MRR), the race committee puts on the Annual Ray Crothers Blood Drive. This year's event is today, November 25 from 8:30AM-4:30PM at Manchester High School (134 East Middle Turnpike). Walk-in donations will be accepted. Appointments, which are encouraged, can be made by calling +1 (800) 733-2767 or by clicking here. All donors will receive a Manchester Road Race T-shirt.
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Shop the second annual Shop Small Saturday Indoor Market on Saturday November 26, 9AM-1PM inside Nathan Hale (160 Spruce Street) to enjoy vendor selections thoughtfully curated to include diverse Connecticut business owners and products.
Plus, the market accepts SNAP/EBT and WIC payments, and will double the value of SNAP purchases up to $20 (spend $20 using your EBT card to receive an additional $20 to spend on SNAP eligible items). Learn more by clicking here.
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The form to request a call for your child is now open. To ensure the call is as personal as possible, please be sure to fill out the form completely. If there are multiple children in your household, complete a submission for each child separately.
The form can be found here and must be submitted no later than Tuesday, December 6 to receive a call.
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Looking for new, exciting ways to help your child practice and develop their math skills? Join East Hartford Public Library on Thursday, December 1, at 6PM, in the Children's Department to participate in games and activities to help your child grow their confidence in mathematical thinking, all while having fun! Each month, work on a new strategy following the Crazy 8's math club curriculum. Registration is required; the program is best suited for elementary students in grades K - 5.
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The East Hartford Commission on Culture and Fine Arts presents the Shoreline Bell Ringers on Sunday, December 4 at 3PM at the newly renovated Wickham Library (656 Burnside Ave). The performance is free and open to the public. For more information on the Shoreline Bell Ringers, click here.
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To help brighten the holiday season for children in our community, the Town of East Hartford is conducting a community toy drive. Donations will be used to help our Social Services Division and Police Department fulfill toys for kid’s programs for East Hartford residents.
Individuals can drop donations at the following locations:
- Raymond Library first floor lobby at 840 Main Street
- East Hartford Senior Center entrance at 15 Milbrook Drive
- Social Services office located in the lower level of Town Hall at 740 Main Street
In order to allow sufficient time for departments to distribute toys and other gifts to families for the Christmas Holiday, donations are being accepted through Tuesday, December 6. For more info, 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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