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| Dear Neighbor,
School is underway and Labor Day seems like a distant memory. Don’t forget to be careful out on the roads with all the new bus routes, students walking and now people on scooters and electric bicycles. Below, you can find information about some of what I have been up to, as well as how to recognize and remember 9/11 and prepare for emergencies.
Please reach out if you’d like to learn more about anything shared below.
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On Monday, we honor all those lost in the horrific tragedy that occurred on September 11, 2001. 9/11 is an opportunity to showcase what makes our country exceptional: unity, bravery, and the willingness to support one another. We recognize the first responders whose bravery that day is hard to fathom and remember all who lost their lives both that day and in the years since.
Below, please find information on 9/11 remembrance ceremonies in Bridgeport and Fairfield. Please attend if you can.
The Fairfield observance will be held at the Fairfield Fire Headquarters (140 Reef Road) at 8:30 am.
The Bridgeport observance will be held at the Bridgeport Fire Department Headquarters (30 Congress Street) at 8:30 am.
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Next Tuesday, September 12 at 6pm, all those interested in learning more about the latest efforts to address Rooster River flooding are invited to join local leaders and me at a public informational meeting being held by Fairfield First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick. The event will be held in the auditorium at Fairfield Warde High School (755 Melville Avenue).
Many residents and leaders of the Stratfield Village Association have reached out to both our local RTM representatives and myself to learn more about what is happening in phase 1 of the mitigation efforts. The First Selectwoman and her team will give us an update on Fairfield’s efforts at this meeting.
In the coming weeks, myself and Bridgeport delegation members will be organizing another regional update to include information about what both Bridgeport and Fairfield are doing. At that meeting at a later date, we will also be inviting State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to join us.
Tuesday’s meeting will be recorded for all who are unable to attend. |
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As forecasters keep an eye on Lee out in the Atlantic, now is the time to make sure you are prepared for extreme weather events or other disasters.
Be sure you have a basic disaster kit ready to go - you can use the photo below as a model. You can learn more about what you need and how to prepare at https://www.ready.gov/kit
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| This week, Comptroller Scanlon and Connecticut Children’s Hospital joined us at Sacred Heart to talk children’s health and wellness with stakeholders from around the state. Care coordination, breaking down barriers, and addressing workforce needs were some of the main topics of conversation. I was pleased to be present with State Rep. Sarah Keitt, Vice Chair of the Children’s Committee, State Rep. Jennifer Leeper, Vice Chair of the Education Committee, and State Sen. Ceci Maher, Chair of the Children’s Committee and Chair of the newly formed Transforming Children's Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee. Working together with these colleagues, our Comptroller, and state departments, I am confident we can do more to better coordinate care for the children of our state. |
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We were smiling at the chance to be together, but last Thursday’s International Opioid Overdose Awareness vigil was a solemn and moving reminder of just how many people we have lost to overdose here in Connecticut - over 1450 in 2022 alone - and what we can do to stop these tragic deaths.
Locking medication, attending training and keeping Narcan on hand in your home, joining prevention efforts such as the Fairfield Cares Community Coalition, supporting harm reduction and recovery policies including the three pilot centers we passed into state law this year, and helping family and friends know that there is hope and help available. To learn more about opioids, find resources for family members, or determine if you are at risk, check out https://liveloud.org or call 800-563-4086 for help.
Thank you Fairfield CARES and all of the partner organizations who organized the event, as well as my fellow elected leaders and community members who came out in solidarity. This is an ongoing epidemic and it is up to all of us to learn, act and eliminate preventable opioid deaths.
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| Last week I had the honor of standing alongside Governor Ned Lamont, fellow legislators and firefighters from around the state, including two of our Fairfield crew, Caitlin Clarkson Pereira & Bob Smith, to acknowledge the $5 million funding for cancer presumption for firefighters impacted by line of duty cancer. This was an important step in caring for our first responders and I will continue to advocate for long term sustainable funding for our firefighters. |
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As both a Troop 82 parent and on behalf of the entire state delegation, I was happy for the opportunity to recognize long time Fairfield Troop 82 Scoutmaster, Bryan LeClerc, who served as a leader for over 20 years, impacting the lives of thousands of Scouts and helping over 70 Scouts achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. Mr. LeClerc, who currently serves as Harbormaster, has been a long time community leader. We are so grateful for your service and mentorship, Mr. LeClerc!
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The Stratfield Village Association (SVA) will be hosting the third annual Lincoln Parkapalooza tomorrow, September 9 from 11am - 10pm at Lincoln Park/Jackman Ave in Fairfield. Lincoln Parkapalooza is a combination of a concert in Lincoln Park featuring 3 bands, plus a Porchfest event. The goal is to bring local musicians and neighborhoods together to celebrate and create a sense of community, while raising money for neighborhood improvements and beautification.
This year, 20+ local bands will play on the porches (or front lawns) of private residents, culminating with a live concert in Lincoln Park featuring 3 main acts; LouderDaddy will open the main stage followed by Ellis Island, and finally, The Alpaca Gnomes will bring us home.
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The following are some additional details about the event:
- Rain date September 10, 2023
- Ticket price is $40 for adults, and kids under 18 are FREE
- Free popcorn and bounce houses for the kids
- Local artisans selling their wares
- The event is BYOB
- 6-8 food trucks (Health Department approved) selling food who will donate 15% of their proceeds to the SVA
- 2 Fairfield Police officers for traffic and safety
- 2 Port-a-potties in the southwest corner of the park
- Additional trash cans in the park for litter control
- A staff of 10 to clean up after the event
- The SVA will be fully insured for the event
As is tradition, there will be a tribute in recognition of those who lost their lives on 9/11 with the Stratfield Fire Department. In 2021, the SVA donated $2,500 to CT Rides, the largest 9/11 non-profit in CT. They hope to be able to make another donation of equal size.
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I was thrilled to join John Brannelly and so many other community leaders last Thursday as the next Barnum Festival Ringmaster was announced. Dr. Camelia Lawrence is a respected and renowned surgeon, a leader in the battle against breast cancer, and an inspirational force for empowerment and self-love. She is the second ever woman to wear the red jacket and the first woman of color.
When she accepted this new role, with both grace and glamour, she shared that the theme she had chosen for the year was Inclusion. This was so powerful, especially given the last time we were together we heard from the Hartford Healthcare CEO that a baby born at St. Vincent’s to a Bridgeport mom has a life expectancy 21 years lower than a baby born to a Fairfield mom. Yes, you read that right - 21 years! Dr. Lawrence has shared that the incidence of breast cancer among women of color in Bridgeport is also disproportionally higher.
Inclusion comes in many forms, both through individual acts and choices as well as structural shifts in our society. Here’s to Dr. Lawrence, the Barnum Festival, and Inclusion at every level.
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| Please share this information with those who might find these resources and events helpful and of interest. You can also sign up for future e-mails. Have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Cristin McCarthy Vahey |
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