Newsletter

May 28, 2021

With Memorial Day on Monday, this is a weekend edition of the e-update. There is a Memorial Day Parade in Avon and a ceremony in Canton, both of which I will be attending. I hope to see you there!

Additionally, we passed a bill that provides a tax benefit for seniors, a bill assisting domestic violence survivors, and a bill aimed at addressing our childcare shortage that significantly impacts women and the workforce. I've also added some information on the governor's summer reading challenge. Have a great weekend everyone!

AVON VFW MEMORIAL DAY PARADE MONDAY 11 AM

The 76th annual Avon VFW Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. I had the honor of marching in the parade with my son’s Cub Scout Troop in 2019 and am grateful we will have the chance to once again honor our servicemembers who gave their lives for freedom.

Wreath

If you would like to participate by marching or join as a spectator along Rte. 44, you are welcome to join. All veterans are being encouraged to join in and march in the Parade. Cars will be available for Veterans needing a ride.

The parade will start off at the Board of Education Annex, 34 Simsbury Road, heading south on Route 10/202 to the intersection of Route 10/202 and Route 44, then taking a right onto Route 44 (West Main Street) heading west, where it will end at the corner of Route 44 and Ensign Drive at the Town Green.

There will be a ceremony at the Veterans' Memorial on the Town Green following the parade. The Public is invited to spectate the parade and attend the ceremony as well.

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY IN CANTON MONDAY 9:30 AM

The location for the Memorial Day Ceremony in Canton will be at the Cannon on the corner of Bridge and River Streets at 9:30 a.m. but volunteers are expected to arrive at 9 a.m.

Canton

Town of Canton

I am honored to be giving the Memorial Day Address!

Here is a look at the full program:

INVOCATION
The invocation will be offered by Reverend Chris Bauer
 
THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER
The Star-Spangled Banner will be sung by Nick Holowesko  
 
ATTENTION
Attention/ Present Arms/Order Arms. Greg Sims & B Joe Lesieur
 
THE MEMORIAL DAY ADDRESS
The Memorial Day Address will be given by State Representative Eleni Kavros DeGraw.
 
PLACING OF THE WREATH
In memory of our honored veterans the placing of the wreath will be performed by Joe Lessieur.
 
ATTENTION
Attention, present arms (Signal for Volleys) Greg Sims
 
TAPS/ECHO
Taps will be rendered by Charlie Eck
Echo will be rendered by John Holowesko

AT EASE
 
THE BENEDICTION
The benediction will be given by Reverend Chris Bauer
 
CLOSING
Bob Bessel, First Selectman
Color Guard flags will be held by Joe LeSesieur and Mark Carter

HB 6458 AN ACT LOWERING THE AGE OF ELIGIBILITY FOR PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

Starting October 1, 2021, this bill expands eligibility for the local option Elderly Tax Freeze Program by decreasing the program’s minimum age requirement from 70 to 65 years. Under the program, towns may freeze the property taxes on a home whose owner-occupant or his or her spouse meets the minimum age requirement and has been a state resident for at least one year. The freeze continues for a surviving spouse who is at least age 62 when the homeowner dies.

HB 6458

The bill establishes a 10-member task force to study ways to protect seniors from fraud and requires the study to include available planning services for Medicaid applicants.

HB 6520 AN ACT CONCERNING THE PROVISION OF TEMPORARY STATE SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Domestic violence victims often find themselves trapped in potentially tragic situations because they lack the independent financial security to leave a relationship – and for too many, access to the resources needed to leave are defined by their household income. Through temporary benefits, HB 6520 will give survivors the opportunity to financially detach themselves from their abusers and begin the steps to safely move on with their lives. Please click on the image for more details about this bill:

HB 6520

HB 6558 AN ACT CONCERNING ISSUES RELATING TO THE PROVISION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND SERVICES IN CONNECTICUT

Early childhood education and services offer support and a solid foundation to allow our children to flourish as they grow – but Connecticut faces a significant shortage of infant and toddler care. To offer parents, children, and providers a stronger approach to child care, HB 6558 offers student loan forgiveness for early childhood educators, expands Care4Kids, and establishes a pilot program for new childcare entrepreneurs. To learn more please click below:

HB 6558

GOVERNOR LAMONT'S SUMMER READING CHALLENGE

Governor Ned Lamont, Connecticut Acting Commissioner of Education Charlene Russell-Tucker, and Connecticut State Librarian Deborah Schander today announced the launch of the 2021 Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge – an annual, statewide program encouraging students to read books during the summer months. This year’s theme is “Tails & Tales.” You can learn more about it by clicking on the image below:

Tails & Tales