Maria Horn

The big events this past week were of course the municipal elections here in Connecticut, and a few gubernatorial and other elections in the rest of the country.  Here in the Northwest Corner, many seats, including the chief elected official in six of the nine towns in the district, were uncontested.  There was a purposeful buzz in all of the towns I visited during the day, with poll workers reporting strong turnout for a municipal election.  Among the contested seats for chief elected official, there were no upsets in the district: both incumbents who faced challengers were re-elected, and the open seat (in Goshen) remained with the party who had held it before. 
 
Since the election I have begun reaching out to those who prevailed for the Board of Selectmen (that takes a while when you have 9 towns!), as well as to some who didn’t get the hoped-for result. It’s the response of those who didn’t win that I find particularly important to emphasize.  
 
Both the local candidates I spoke with, and the candidates in other states who lost their races, reacted with grace.  Most importantly, they conceded, allowing their town or state to move on under the leadership of the duly elected candidate.  It’s hard to lose, particularly when it’s something you believe in, and have worked hard for, alongside supporters just as invested as you, so it takes strength of character, and a belief in something beyond yourself, to do that.
 
A loss isn’t the end of the story – it can be a moment that opens our eyes or motivates us to work harder.  I have many wonderful colleagues in the House who lost their first race and won their second.  As many a teacher has told me, we often learn more from defeat than from victory.  I send my gratitude to all of those who fought with diligence and integrity and lost with humility and grace.  And, of course, congratulations to those who won!
 
A quick reminder about a couple of Sharon Hospital events coming up.  The first is a forum on Friday, November 5 at 1:00 pm.  Hosted at Sharon Town Hall, it will include elected officials from Connecticut and New York.  Because the event is in-person, COVID-19 restrictions will limited attendance to those officials, but you can sign in to watch via Zoom (the link is on the Sharon Town website) or via livestream from Save Sharon Hospital’s Facebook page.
 
The second is a rally on Sharon Town Green on Saturday, November 6 at 3:00 pm.  The organizers have put together a great list of speakers from throughout the region and are providing crafts and snacks for kids so that families can easily attend.  I hope to see you there!

Here’s a list of today’s topics:

• COVID Data. Click here. 
• Access Health Open Enrollment is Now Open. Click here.
• Excellent Fiscal News for Connecticut. Click here. 
• Coat Drive. Click here.
• Suffrage Jewelry Exhibit at Norfolk Historical Museum. Click here. 
• Musical Review for Region 6 Players. Click here. 
• Seven ay Rail Grade Crossing Detour in North Canaan. Click here.  
• Pavement Rehabilitation on Route 4 in Goshen. Click here. 

COVID Data 

For several graphs and tables containing data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “Data Tracker.”

Access Health CT Open Enrollment is here!

 Open Enrollment for Access Health CT is now open! Enrollment for the 2022 plan year will be open until January 15, 2022. For customers to start the year with coverage they must enroll by December 15, 2021. Click here for more information.

Free Help is Available 

• Online:  AccessHealthCT.com (for Live Chat, click "Live Chat" icon on any page)
• In-Person: Visit one of our Access Health CT Enrollment Locations to enroll in healthcare coverage –all help is free.
• In Your Area: Search for Certified Brokers and Enrollment Specialists near you to provide one-on-one help with your application or plan selection.
• By Phone: 1-855-805-4325 Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call with a relay operator.
• New Call Center Hours:
  Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
        Select Saturdays:
  • Sat, Nov 6, 9am – 3pm
  • Sat, Nov 13, 9am – 3pm
  • Sat, Dec 18, 9am – 3pm
  • Sat, Jan 8, 9am – 3pm

Sat, Jan 15, 9am – Midnight

Excellent Fiscal News for Connecticut

I would like to share some excellent fiscal news regarding Connecticut’s rainy-day fund. Our state currently has $3.1 billion saved in this fund, making Connecticut a national leader in budget reserves! The Pew Charitable Trusts found that, in 2020, Connecticut’s reserves grew the second-fastest nationally, even in the midst of a global pandemic. 

With $3.1 billion in savings, the state has the ability to operate essential programs and services such as education, healthcare, and municipal aid for nearly 70 days in the event of an economic downturn or natural disaster. 
 
Our rainy-day fund is a critical resource in times of budgetary uncertainty. These reserves are a financial cushion which can soften the need for severe spending cuts or tax increases. 
 
The profound growth of the rainy-day fund, from only $138 million in 2017 to $3.1 billion in 2021, is the result of smart fiscal policies, such as the strong bipartisan budget and saving reforms passed in 2017. 
 
Overall, our abundant rainy-day fund is great news for the future of Connecticut as we continue to pay down our debts and emerge from the pandemic stronger than ever! 

Coat Drive from November 1-17 and Coat Giveaway November 20
 
As part of the “Rally Day to End Hunger and Homelessness in NWCT”, FISH NWCT and the United Way have organized a Coat Drive (November 1-17) and Giveaway (on November 20).  Besides the warm clothing, they will be distributing a handout with helpful info from 211 and agencies that may provide support to those in need, as well as a bag lunch and another gift from FISH NWCT.
 
In addition to coats, they are looking for volunteers to help out on November 17 (picking up and sorting coats) and on November 20 for the giveaway.  If you have a truck or van to offer, even better!

Suffrage Jewelry exhibit at Norfolk Historical Museum

As a compliment to From Solitude to Sisterhood: Norfolk Women and the Vote”, the Norfolk Historical Society is hosting a special exhibit of “Baubles, Bangles and Beads for a Cause” a private collection of jewelry created during the Woman's Suffrage movement. The collection was inspired from the gift of a bracelet and now contains over one hundred pieces. This historic art is an expression of solidarity for the cause and includes brooches, lockets, and other forms of jewelry. On display for a limited time, the exhibit opens November 7th, and will be available to view for the following two weekends. An opening gala is planned for November 6th, details are available at www.norfolkhistoricalsociety.org.

Region 6 Players present a musical review

The show must go on! COVID couldn't keep them shut down forever and the Region 6 Players are happy to announce that the stage will reopen on Friday November 12, 2021 at 7:00 pm for the opening night of All Together Now! a musical revue featuring talents of LPS and RSD6 students with additional shows on Saturday November 13, 2021 at 7:00 pm and Sunday November 14, 2021 at 2:00 pm. General Admission tickets are $10.00 payable by cash or check at the door. Reserve your ticket today!
For further details, click here.
 
Seven Day Rail Grade Crossing Detour in North Canaan

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is announcing a seven day detour for the Main Street railroad grade crossing improvements from November 15th through November 21, 2021.
The project consists of Railroad-Highway Grade Crossing Improvements on Route 7/44 (Main Street) in the Town of North Canaan and is expected to be completed by the spring of 2022.  The work is being administered by the State of Connecticut District 4 Office of Construction.

Starting 7:00am Monday November 15, 2021, a detour taking North Elm Street to Railroad Street will be in effect for all Route 7 and 44 traffic going in both directions. Detour signing and message boards will provide direction. Construction and detour should complete by 5:00pm Sunday November 21, 2021.
Local traffic will be permitted, and business access will be available. Travelers should expect delays and traffic will be monitored by Connecticut State Police.
 
 
Pavement Rehabilitation on Route 4 in Goshen

The Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Office of Engineering is developing plans to rehabilitate the pavement on I-84 in the eastbound and westbound directions in the city of Waterbury and the town of Middlebury and on Route 4 in the town of Goshen.

The purpose of the project is to preserve the pavement condition. The project involves rehabilitating the pavement on I-84 between mile points 26.48 and 32.06 (the Highland Avenue overpass) and on Route 4 between mile point 15.36 (0.5 mile west of Milton Road) and mile point 19.70 (the Goshen/Torrington town line).

The present schedule indicates that the design will be completed in early 2022, with construction anticipated to start in spring 2022 assuming acceptance of the project and availability of funding. This project will be undertaken with one hundred percent (100%) State funds.
 
Providing information to Connecticut residents
 
For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus. Residents can also subscribe to text message alerts from the state by texting the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.
 
Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can call 2-1-1 for assistance. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Anyone who is out-of-state or requires a toll-free number can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 by dialing 1-800-203-1234. This is intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms are strongly urged to contact their medical provider.