9/11 Memorial & Suicide Awareness

911
September 10, 2021
On the eve of 9/11, I wanted to share some of the ways that our community is remembering and honoring those who died 20 years ago. Last night, I attended Connecticut’s state memorial ceremony at Sherwood Island State Park where family members of those who were killed in the attacks participated by reading the names of all the victims with ties to Connecticut aloud.

As we mark 20 years, may we celebrate, respect and remember the fallen: our first responders who heroically ran into harm’s way to save others; those who fought to avert further disaster; those who were putting in a day’s work; the innocent victims. And may we also remember all of the family members, loved ones, friends, co-workers, and neighbors of those who were lost, and all who lived through the trauma of that day’s events. This weekend, may we hold them in our hearts.

As we mark 20 years, may we celebrate, respect and remember the fallen – our first responders who heroically ran into harm’s way to save others, those who fought to avert further disaster, those who were putting in a day’s work, the innocent victims. And may we also remember all of the family members, loved ones, friends, co-workers, and neighbors of those who were lost, and all who lived through the trauma of that day’s events. This weekend, may we hold them in our hearts.

Here in Fairfield, there are a number of events that allow us to publicly come together to remember and honor.
Remembering & Honoring those Lost on 9/11

At 9 AM, the Town of Fairfield will host an observance at Fairfield Fire Headquarters, 140 Reef Road. The event is outdoors and open to the public.

Fairfield will also be a stop in the 2021 CT United Ride, the largest 9/11 tribute and the largest single ride in New England. The ride is a  fundraiser for fire and law enforcement agencies throughout the state and will kick off from Sherwood Island State Park at 10:30 AM tomorrow. The 60-mile motorcade will wend its way through 10 towns in Fairfield County, traveling as far north as Newtown before returning to the coast through Bridgeport. The ride organizers will be recognizing the town with the most community spirit along the route. Bring out your red, white, and blue!

The Stratfield Village Association will be hosting Lincoln Parkapalooza to help raise funds for the Four Corners project. The event will begin at 2:30 at the Jackman Fire House with a memorial and tribute. A portion of their proceeds will be donated to a 9/11 fund.

Fairfield University will host a 9/11 Memorial Mass at 11 AM on Sunday, Sept. 12 in Egan Chapel, lead by the Rev. Gerry Blaszczak, S.J., assistant to the President and alumni chaplain. The Memorial Mass will honor all of those lost at the World Trade Center, in Washington D.C., and in Pennsylvania, and commemorate the heroic actions of the rescue and recovery responders at the site of each tragedy.
September 10 is Suicide Prevention Day

Today is Suicide Prevention Day. Like 9/11, suicide has a ripple effect on family members, loved ones and the community. Many times suicide is preventable. Each of us can take an active role in helping those in crisis by understanding the issues surrounding mental health and suicide. One way you can do so is to pay careful attention to risk factors such as
  • Mental disorders
  • Alcohol or substance abuse
  • Loneliness
  • Major physical illnesses
  • Previous suicide attempt(s)
  • Family history of suicide
  • Financial concerns
  • Relationship breakups
You can also learn more about how to spot warning signs, such as someone talking or writing about death, dying or suicide, threatening to hurt or kill themselves, hopelessness, dramatic mood changes. These are just a few examples.

Suicide Prevention Resources
  • If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, you can call 2-1-1, which is easy to remember
  • You can also reach out to the Suicide Hotline – 1(800) 273-TALK
  • If you or someone you love is facing an immediate threat to self or others, please call 911 

For more information please click here and encourage others to do the same.
2020 Census & Redistricting

The state’s Reapportionment Committee has begun a series of 4 hearings around the state. An in person hearing will be held Monday, September 13 in Shelton and a zoom hearing will be held on Tuesday.

The 2020 census worked towards counting every person residing in the United States.  Data from the Census is vital to decisions made by businesses, government, non profits, health care institutions and many others, and determines how hundreds of billions of dollars of federal funds are distributed. It also is critical to the functioning of our democracy, providing the data needed to comply with the fundamental principal of one person one vote and how districts are formed.

Redistricting data from the census was released on August 12 with some delays due to the pandemic. The redistricting process is now underway across the country. Districts must be redrawn and adjusted to reflect changes in our population over the past decade. 

Connecticut has a bipartisan redistricting process, unlike many other states, with a deadline of September 15.
 
Due to the delay in the release of the data, the September 15 deadline will not be met, but the Reapportionment Committee public hearings will solicit input on how lines should be drawn to best serve our communities. People do not have to testify at a hearing to give the Committee and Commission their recommendations for redistricting – you can also email the members and your comments will become part of the public record.
 
After the September 15 deadline passes, the bipartisan Reapportionment Commission will be formed. It has until November 30 to approve redistricting plans for Congress, the State Senate and the State House. If the Commission is unable to agree on a plan or plans, it is up to the CT Supreme Court to decide how the lines should be drawn, with a final deadline of February 15, 2022. The new districts will then be used in the 2022 election and for the coming ten years.

Public Hearings
  • September 13 in Shelton at 1 pm (Shelton City Hall)
  • September 14 on Zoom at 7 pm
You can access all of the upcoming public hearings on CT-N.