Remembering Sept. 11 Two Decades Later

September 10, 2021


Staying Current with Currey
View this email in your browser
Click the links in the introduction to navigate to the corresponding sections in the body of this email.
If you are having trouble with the links try opening this email in your browser.
Friends and Neighbors,

Saturday marks 20 years since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon, and Flight 93 in Pennsylvania. Nearly 3,000 innocent people lost their lives on the morning of September 11, 2001 and many more, including military personnel stationed overseas and first responders who developed health complications in the years following the attacks. September 11th remains one of the darkest and deadliest days in U.S. history. It's something that many of us will never forget. 

I was entering my final year at Wagner College in NYC where the Manhattan skyline was something many of us woke up to each and every morning. Nothing would be the same following that horrific morning. Classmates perched on dormitory rooftops still speak of the heat wave sent across the Harbor following the collapse of the towers. There was a sense of shock, uncertainty, and fear that someone we knew or loved was caught in the rubble and ash. 

During the days that followed, my friends, classmates, and I made our way as close to Ground Zero as we could to see for ourselves what was only a reality through a dorm window. I don’t remember much as it was a scene that could only be described as indescribable, but what remains clear to this day, and is likely something I will never forget, is the smell that can only be associated with death, destruction, and despair.

But what also remains clear two decades later is the sense of pride, togetherness, and resilience that poured across not only NYC, but the entire nation following the grave attacks. It's apparent, made more evident over this past year and several months, that we allowed ourselves to slowly lose that feeling of solidarity - that sense of looking out for one another and lifting up our neighbors and those in need. Rather, it’s become more and more about the “me me me” and not the “we” our communities and our state need in order to support and sustain.

So, as we reflect on this day and what it meant and what it still means to us, I hope we take a moment, and maybe a breath, to keep in mind how our words, our actions, and other decisions impact our fellow humans. Being decent and kind don’t cost you a dime, and it's less exhausting than the alternative.

There are numerous memorial events scheduled to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the attacks:

  • South Windsor Memorial Service - Friday, Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. at the South Windsor Fire Department, 1175 Ellington Road, South Windsor
  • A 9/11 Day of Remembrance Program - Saturday, Sept. 11 at 10 a.m. at the Fallen Star Memorial on Goodwin University campus in East Hartford
  • The State Department of Veterans Affairs will hold a ceremony at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11 at the Veterans Affairs Campus Auditorium, 287 West St., Rocky Hill 

I hope you have an opportunity to pause and reflect on this tragic event. Please remember the victims and the many first responders who bravely set aside their personal safety to save lives on that horrible day 20 years ago.
 
We will never forget.

Below you will find a guide to the following information. Click the subject links in this intro to go right to the topic in the body of this email.

You can find additional resources and information on my web site,
www.housedems.ct.gov/currey. If there's something you need help with that isn't included in this email, please check my website. If you can't find what you're looking for there, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.


COVID-19 UPDATE

Overall Summary

Total

Change Since Yesterday

COVID-19 Cases (confirmed and probable)

378,308

+626

COVID-19 Tests Reported (molecular and antigen)

10,656,714

+21,386

Daily Test Positivity

--

2.93%

Patients Currently Hospitalized with COVID-19

354

(262 – 74% – are not fully vaccinated)

-10

Overall Summary

Total

Change Since Last Thursday

COVID-19 Associated Deaths*

8,416

+22

Data on COVID-19 associated deaths is updated once per week every Thursday.

Click Here for COVID-19 Data Updates
Click Here for Governor Lamont's Updates
Click Here for Information on Getting Vaccinated

Specific Updates for Our Community

Town Total Cases Total Deaths Number of Tests Number of Positive Tests
East Hartford 7,031 156 156,229 8,733
Manchester 5,473 154 150,854 6,644
South Windsor 1,864 53 51,994 2,191

Weekly Update of the Department of Public Health's COVID-19 Alert Map


AT THE CAPITOL, IN DISTRICT, & BEYOND...
On Friday, August 27, East Hartford residents came together to start a mural during a community paint day to honor the memory of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr and his wife Coretta Scott King. A week later on Friday, September 3, the mural was unveiled. You can find it at 701 Main St., at the I-84 overpass on Main Street near the East Hartford Town Hall.  

Thank you goes out to the East Hartford residents who led these efforts locally with the support of town and school officials.  Unfortunately, we are seeing other communities where this is not the case and are reminded of yet another reason why East Harford residents can be proud of their community.

The mural will be one of 39 across the state to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr.'s life by MLK Day 2022. Click here to read more about this project by CT Murals and how you can get involved.

 
This week, the Bipartisan Reapportionment Committee held a series of public hearings to solicit input from the public on how lines should be drawn to best serve their communities. The first hearing was on September 8.

You can watch recordings of the hearings on CT-N. After receiving input, the Committee will put together and recommend redistricting plans that then would require approval by a supermajority of the General Assembly. The work of this Committee is critical to the functioning of our democracy, utilizing data from last year’s Census to ensure that we continue to comply with the fundamental principal of one person one vote.
 
To learn more about the Reapportionment Committee and the work that it does, click here.

 
On Wednesday, September 1, the CT Judicial Branch provided police departments with 24/7 access to juvenile arrest records in an attempt to help curb the roughly 30% of car thefts and break-ins. This change comes after speaking with police chiefs across the state who told us they didn’t have access to information on a suspect's prior arrests. Police will now have the information they need to secure detention orders for repeat offenders. 

Here's a closer look at the new provisions:

  • Police departments will have the ability to seek and receive information regarding a juvenile’s prior criminal history if there is one (i.e., probation, pending cases/conditions of release, pending orders, convictions/adjudication and suspended detention orders) at any time, even nights and weekends.
  • Police departments will have discretion if they need to seek additional information beyond what’s listed above. The same discretion still applies for detention orders.
  • The turnaround time for this information between police departments and the Juvenile Probation Office is estimated to be around one hour, effectively ending what people call “catch and release” of repeat offenders, as it will happen within the maximum time of 6 hours to hold a juvenile before applying for detention (i.e. gives officers time to receive this pertinent information and apply for a detention order well before the 6 hours is up).

We have also been working on other fronts as well:

  • We created a first-offense juvenile rehabilitation program, which involves first-time juvenile offenders attending 21 classes, working with social workers and psychologists to determine the psychological and social issues that may have caused them to commit a crime. The program helps address those issues to prevent the juvenile from reoffending. 
  • We made it a felony for an adult to entice a minor to commit a crime, including car theft.
  • A bipartisan group of legislators and experts in the field have been meeting regularly to discuss how to effectively address the issue going forward. 

This is an ongoing, complex social and criminal justice problem and I am committed to working hard for short-term and long-term policies that work to keep our community safe.


COMMUNITY EVENTS
Do you have thoughts about what should happen to the vacant Showcase Cinema property in East Hartford? The Town of East Hartford is holding a special meeting on Monday, September 13 at 7 p.m. to take public comment and vote on the purchase and sale of the property. The meeting will be accessible through Microsoft Teams. Click here to join the meeting or dial in by calling 1-929-235-8441. The phone conference ID is 535 683110#

Read more about the scheduled meeting here.

 
If you love literature or appreciate a good story steeped in truth, Journey Writers, Inc. will host dramatic virtual readings of the stories, struggles, and triumphs of LGBTQ+ people. You can view the readings on the Journey Writers, Inc. YouTube Channel here. The readings will premiere on the below dates:
  • September 17th at 7:00 pm – "Kathy's Secret" was written by Journey Writer and activist Mel Thomas. The scene opens at the funeral of transgender woman Kathy.  A guest helps her family (who only know pre-transition- George) learn more than they ever knew about Kathy.
  • September 24th 7:00 pm -  "One Hot Night", a Stonewall reenactment starring Sylvia Rivera, Marsha P. Johnson and Storme Larivier. Written by Regina Dyton.

Learn more about these readings and Journey Writers, Inc. here.

 
Are you looking for ways to support your local agricultural producers? Have you been wanting to source your food more locally? East Hartford, Manchester, and South Windsor have some truly great farmers' markets this season! Get more information about each below:

Nearly every farmers’ market in our state is affiliated with the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) which serves participants of Women, Infant, and Children and seniors who are over the age of 60 and meet income eligibility guidelines with checks to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, cut herbs and honey. 

For more information on FMNP please click here. For a full list of this year's farmers' markets please click here.

 
On Saturday, September 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Hillstown Grange, 617 Hills St., East Hartford, will be holding the 133rd Hillstown Grange Fair. There will be food, contests, and so much more! If you would like to enter any of the contests, make sure to bring your entry to the Grange Hall on Thursday, September 9 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. This years, there is a special contest commemorating 9/11, which will be a "Flower-Red, White, and Blue." 

For more information or entry forms, call or text Frank at 860-690-2845 or email hillstowngrange@aol.com. Learn more about the fair here.

 
Let's show our dads some appreciation! My People Community Services is holding a Dad Hero Community Day 2021 on September 11 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Alvin & Beatrice Wood Human Services Center in Bloomfield. There will be awards and recognition for fathers, entertainment, music, games, free food, and a movie on the lawn. Click here for more information. 
 
There's less than 48 hours until New Haven PRIDE week kicks off on September 12! New Haven PRIDE will include 8 days of virtual and in-person events, wrapping up on September 19. Events include a Day of Action, virtual panels and conversations, the Black Pride Concert, a Pride Bike Ride Tour of New Haven, Pups and Handlers Social and so much more. 

Click the button below to learn more about this year's scheduled events.

Find New Haven PRIDE Events Here
 
You're invited to see the Hartford Steel Symphony in concert on Saturday, September 18 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on the library lawn. The Hartford Steel Symphony is based in East Hartford and has performed a variety of musical genres from pop to jazz to soca to classical and more since 1989. Make sure your bring chairs or a blanket! This performance is brought to our community by the East Hartford Public Library and East Hartford Commission on Culture and Fine Arts. Learn more about this great event here.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES
It's no longer the Connecticut Food Bank or Foodshare, after a merge seven months ago, Connecticut's two largest food banks have rebranded to Connecticut Foodshare.

This new name is what leaders at both nonprofits hope to honor the history of both organizations and project their future. Hunger in Connecticut remains prevalent in nearly every community, and by uniting into one organization, Connecticut Foodshare hopes to address hunger and food insecurity more effectively. 

Click here to read the announcement and learn more.

If you would like to know more about food insecurity in your community and how you can help, Connecticut Foodshare has created an interactive map with food insecurity rates, poverty levels and other details in every town in our state. You can find it here.

Take a stand against hunger! Connecticut Foodshare's 37th annual Walk Against Hunger is Saturday, September 18 at Dunkin' Donuts Park. This event will be held in-person and virtually.

Last year, the Walk raised over $300,000 to help serve the estimated 545,000 people experiencing food insecurity across our state. 

You can choose to join a team or form your own team. Click the button below to learn more and get involved!

Register for the Walk Against Hunger Here
 
If you are a landlord with a tenant behind on rent or are a tenant struggling to catch up on rent payments, the UniteCT program can help. Launched in March using federal emergency COVID-19 funds, this program provides up to $10,000 directly to landlords on behalf of tenants who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and are working to catch up on payments. It also offers up to $1,500 in payments for past-due electric bills. Households making up to 80% of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development area median income are eligible for the funds. 

UniteCT will now:

  • Cover arrears accrued since the national COVID-19 emergency was declared in March 2020 instead of those accrued in the past 6 months
  • Reimburse landlords for 100% of cover arrears as opposed to 85%
  • Cover 3 full months of prospective rent
  • Protect tenants by preventing evictions for nonpayment of rent during the months covered by the prospective rent payments
  • Rely, where possible, on information about an applicant's enrollment in other state programs or about median household income in an applicant's neighborhood to further streamline the application process
  • Continue to consider waiving the $10,000 limit on rent assistance, on a case-by-case basis, for households with extenuating circumstances

Landlords and tenants can initiate the online application process. Paper applications are not being accepted. Tenants and landlords can check their eligibility and start the online application by clicking the button below. For further assistance, please call 1-844-UniteCT (1-844-864-8328).

Apply for UniteCT Here
 
This week, the State received federal approval to provide healthcare to our homeless community. This approval will significantly bolster our state's efforts to uplift individuals across Connecticut who are experiencing homelessness. 
 
Connecticut housing programs will partner with state agencies and local nonprofits to provide Medicaid and HUSKY Health coverage as part of the Connecticut Housing Engagement and Support Services Initiative (CHESS) program.
Apply for CHESS Here
This coordinated housing and health assistance effort will ensure that individuals have access to basic human rights - housing, meals and healthcare. This health coverage will also ensure that everyone has access to mental health and substance abuse support.
 
This program will create lasting change to ensure homelessness is a short-term, temporary experience. 
 
For more information or to apply, please call 2-1-1 or visit www.ctchessdss.com.

IN THE NEWS
If you've been curious about what's under construction on Ellington Road in South Windsor, town officials confirmed it's a new Amazon warehouse. This new addition to the 11th House District is expected to increase tax revenue and create jobs. The warehouse is intended for distribution of products purchased in the last stop before they're brought to Amazon customers. Read the full story on the Journal Inquirer website here.

ROADWORK ALERT
The Connecticut Department of Transportation has announced the left-lane after Exit 89 on Route 5/15 northbound approaching the Charter Oak Bridge will be closed as of September 9, 2021. The left-lane closure will be in place until on or about January 1, 2022. 

This are will still be an active construction zone with reduced lane widths, reduced speed limits, no shoulders, and temporary barriers. Motorists should remain alert, drive cautiously, and obey posted speed limits. Learn more about the closure and the I-91 Charter Oak Bridge project here. If you have questions, please email info@I-91CharterOakBridge.com.


JOB OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES
Through the state's Department of Labor, the American Job Center offers resources, information, and support for individuals throughout the state searching for a job. You can receive help writing a resume and attend interview technique workshops for those currently on the job hunt. For more information, click here.
 
Pratt and Whitney is recruiting participants for its Pipeline Program, which will train candidates for entry-level Airfoil Cell Operator positions at its East Hartford facility. This program offers free training to those interested in joining the Pratt and Whitney team and growing their career in manufacturing. Successful applicants could receive entry-level wages up to $30 an hour. The application closes on September 10. All applicants must attend a virtual info-session. Click here to schedule a virtual info session. For more information about the program, email MHemming@ccat.us.
 
EAST HARTFORD:

Click here for the Town Meetings calendar.

Click here for the Community Events calendar.

Click here for information on the East Hartford Public Library. 

Click here for East Hartford Community Television. 

Facebook
Website

SOUTH WINDSOR:

Click here for the Public Meetings calendar.

Click here for the Community Events calendar.

Click here for information on the South Windsor Public Library. 

Click here for South Windsor's Government Television Programming - watch LIVE town council meetings! 

Twitter
Website

MANCHESTER:

Click here for the Town Meetings and Community Events Calendar.

Click here for information on the Manchester Public Library. 

Click here for Manchester Public Television. 

Facebook
Twitter
Email
Website
 
Upcoming Meetings and Events

A full calendar of all events happening at the Capitol next week, including public hearings, is available on the General Assembly website

You can find the agenda for public hearings on the calendar by clicking on the calendar item and following the link to the committee page. For instructions on how to testify at a public hearing, please click here.

You can view a list of all the bills passed by the House so far this session here.

Sincerely,
Jeff Currey
 
Forward this email Forward this email
Share with a friend Share with a friend
Contact Me
Contact Me
Request a Meeting
Request a Meeting
My Website
My Website
CGA Website
CGA Website

 

This email was sent to <<Email Address>>
why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences
Connecticut House Democrats · Legislative Office Building, Room 4000 · 300 Capitol Avenue · Hartford, CT 06106 · USA