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In this email you'll find updates on district resources and news. Please click the links below to read the section that corresponds with the highlighted headline.
A NOTE: If you're having trouble clicking through the following links, open this email in a browser, use a computer or scroll through this email to the relevant section.
The topics covered are as follows:
On Legislative Business
On Community Resources
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Special Master to be Appointed to Take Over Congressional Redistricting
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The Connecticut Supreme Court will appoint a "special master" to redraw the boundaries of the state's five Congressional Districts for the next decade. On Tuesday, the Reapportionment Commission reported to the Court that they are at an impasse.
The new map will have to make changes the state's current congressional districts – Connecticut grew by about 32,000 residents according to the U.S. Census Bureau data. For example, the 2nd District is expected to pick up residents to resolve its current underpopulation, while the 4th district needs become more geographically compact to accommodate the influx of growth seen in the last decade. Changes in the 1st, 3rd, and 5th are expected to be more nominal, as population deviations were smaller.
A special master will now be assigned by the court based on recommendations from the commission, and that individual will be responsible for presenting a new congressional map by Tuesday, February 15.
I would like to know, what do you think of this issue?
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Bond Commission Approves Funding for East Hartford & Manchester
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The State Bond Commission met on Tuesday to approve funding for several vital projects focused on investing in the future of our state. In our own community, the Bond Commission approved the following:
- $390,000 to Manchester's Board of Education for manufacturing and workforce development programming
- $500,000 to East Hartford to support the redevelopment of the Silver Lane Corridor
- $3 million to Manchester for improvement to Center Springs Park
- $4 million for repairs and improvements to East Hartford's Veterans Memorial Building
Among the other agenda items, $839 million in transportation upgrades were approved to support bringing the state’s infrastructure into the next era. These investments are made possible through a combination of funding from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and revenue from the state’s sales tax on new car sales and the gas tax. Rebuilding our aging transportation system will create good-paying jobs and help us reduce costs for small businesses and working families.
Thank you to Governor Ned Lamont and Office of Policy and Management Secretary Melissa McCaw for their continued commitment to investing in the future of our community and thank you to my fellow delegation members for ensuring that this funding remains a priority
I would like to know, what do you think of this issue?
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President Biden Extends Student Loan Repayment Pause
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President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday that the pause on student loan payments will continue until May 1. Originally set to restart on February 1, Biden made the decision to extend the repayment pause citing the need to still combat the ongoing pandemic amid rising cases and a need to further strengthen the economy.
The decision to extend the pause also comes after mounting pressure on Biden's administration to address what many believed to be an ensuing crisis. According to Data for Progress, nearly half (49 percent) of about 500 borrowers felt "not at all confident" they would be able to make their student loan payments come February 1. The Education Department cited similar concerns in a 2020 report fearing the resumption of the payments would be messy and likely confusing to borrowers ultimately causing them to become delinquent.
Since March 27, 2020, payments on federal student loan payments have been paused and the federal student loan interest rate has been set to 0%. The Department of Education has estimated that the pause on federal student loan payments allows 41 million borrowers to save $5 billion per month.
I would like to know, what do you think of this issue?
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Today in CT History: Bridgeport Benefactor Beardsley Brutally Beaten in Break-in
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In 1812, James Walker Beardsley was born to a prominent cattle-farming family in Monroe, Connecticut, and remained a farmer for his entire life, splitting his time between his family’s Monroe farm and a second residence in the then-bustling city of Bridgeport.
In 1878, after he had formally retired from his agricultural and financial pursuits, he donated a large swath of prime real estate along the banks of the Pequonnock River to the city of Bridgeport, under the condition that the city “forever [keep it] as a public park.” The city soon hired famed American landscape architect (and Hartford native) Frederick Law Olmsted to design what would become Beardsley Park, and Beardsley spared no expense in funding the upkeep of the park and its continuous improvements over the next several years.
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Unfortunately, all the positive press generated by Beardsley and the new park that bore his name led a pair of local thieves to believe he would make a lucrative target. On December 23, 1892, two men burst into Beardsley’s Bridgeport mansion while he and his sister were home and ransacked the place looking for cash and valuables. After finding only $60 and a gold watch, the frustrated robbers became violent, threatening and then beating Beardsley to try and get him to divulge the location of his valuables. They were unaware the 77-year-old philanthropist had spent the majority of his wealth on the development of Beardsley Park and had virtually nothing of value on hand.
Though, despite a massive manhunt, Beardsley’s attackers were never identified or caught, the city of Bridgeport went to great pains to ensure its generous benefactor was never forgotten. They commissioned a life-size statue of James Beardsley that was unveiled at the entrance of Beardsley park seventeen years after his death. A tragic end for a man who improved and forever transformed the city of Bridgeport, today in Connecticut history.
Learn more about James Beardsley and other interesting CT history facts by clicking here.
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Scholarship Opportunities for East Hartford High Students Due by March 1
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Know an inspiring East Hartford student in the graduating class of 2022? The East Hartford Alumni Association and Education Foundation (EHAAEF) is now accepting applications for scholarships available to graduating members of the East Hartford Public Schools Class of 2022. The qualifications for the available scholarships are as follows:
- EHAAEF Scholarship ($2,000) – pursuing undergraduate degree or vocational training program, cumulative GPA of at least 2.5
- The Dotson-Renta Family Fund ($500) – demonstrates commitment to the community, cumulative GPA of at least 3.6
- Coach Konopka 'For the Team' Scholarship ($2,500) – pursuing continued education with a focus in public service, student athlete (*members of the wrestling team are highly encouraged to apply)
- Reimagine Tomorrow Scholarship ($1,000) – pursuing a degree in STEM, athletes and those with strong community service experience are strongly encouraged to apply
- Melissa Mateo Blank Award ($1,000) – demonstrates character, intellectual curiosity, and civic engagement, cumulative GPA of at least 3.6
- The Alicea Scholarship for Redefining Norms ($500) – first generation college student, demonstrates ongoing commitment to personal and professional development
All scholarship applications are due by Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Interested students can learn more and apply by clicking here.
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Cruisin’ on Main Street Cares Offering Mini-Grants to Give Back to the Community
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The Cruisin’ on Main Street event has established a mini-grant program to give back to the community by providing funds to locally based charitable organizations, service organizations, and institutions for programs that benefit the Manchester community. Applications are open now for awards between $500-2000 per application. Applications must be completed and submitted no later than 4PM, on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, please note a letter of support or recommendation is also required and can be uploaded through the application. Grant recipients whose proposals have been selected for funding will be notified by March. To complete and submit an application, click here.
For additional information, please contact the Cruisin’ on Main Street Committee at by email at cruisinonmain@manchesterct.gov.
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East Hartford Adult & Continuing Education Spring 2022 Pre-Registration Open Now
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Pre-registration for Spring 2022 adult and continuing education classes is now open for East Hartford residents and non-residents.
To apply, fill out the appropriate application:
Please note that this pre-registration is only step one, and you will need to come in person to finalize your registration and to complete any required testing. You will choose the day, time, and location on the last question of the application form. If you do not keep your scheduled appointment, you will be removed from the registration list and added to a waitlist.
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COVID-19 Updates & Upcoming Vaccine Clinics
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With the holidays upon us and variants on the rise, it's so important that we remember that the best defense against COVID-19 is a good offense. Remember to continue the precautions that have worked: observe social distancing, wear a face mask when social distancing is not possible or if you are indoors, wash your hands thoroughly and regularly, get tested if you were in contact with anyone who's tested positive, etc. But, most importantly – please consider getting vaccinated if you haven't already or getting a booster if you are eligible.
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Being fully vaccinated (vaccine + booster) is the best way to prevent serious infections. If you are 16 or 17 and it's been at least 6 months since your 2nd dose, you are eligible for the Pfizer booster only. For those who are 18 and at least 6 months since receiving your 2nd dose of Pfizer or Moderna or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson, you are eligible to receive a different booster than your original vaccine.
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And, now it's easy to carry around your vaccine information! Governor Ned Lamont announced on Monday that Connecticut residents now have the option to store their personal COVID-19 vaccination records on their smartphone device. For those that don't want to carry around their paper CDC cards or who lost them, the new digital option allows residents a convenient way to securely show proof of being vaccinated. Also known as "SMART Health Cards," the digital card can be obtained via a QR code that you can find here. To get more info on SMART Health Cards, or how to access them and download to your smartphone device, click here.
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Getting tested regularly is still an essential piece of keeping you and you're loved ones safe. To meet the increasing demand, the state will be working to expand COVID testing capacity in the coming days. State sponsored testing sites that provide cost-free COVID testing will be working to expand hours and open an additional seven sites. To find a cost free state supported COVID testing site near you, click here.
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On Tuesday, President Joe Biden announced a plan to distribute free, at-home rapid COVID tests to residents that request them through a website beginning in January. The announcement came as part of a series of initiatives focused on responding to the recent surge with increased access to testing. Via the Defense Production Act, President Biden's administration will continue efforts to expand access to tests by ensuring that the U.S. is producing as many tests as quickly as possible.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the first at-home COVID-19 treatment on Wednesday. The Pfizer pill, known as Paxlovid, though in limited supply initially will offer a faster, cheaper way to treat early COVID-19 infections. According to research, the drug showed a nearly 90 percent reduction in hospitalizations and deaths among patients most likely to get severe disease. Wednesday's authorization approved Pfizer’s drug for adults and children ages 12 and older with a positive COVID-19 test and early symptoms who face the highest risks of hospitalization. That includes older people and those with conditions like obesity and heart disease. Children eligible for the drug must weigh at least 88 pounds.
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The East Hartford Health Department, along with the Connecticut Department of Public Health and Griffin Hospital, will offer two walk-in COVID vaccine clinics for anyone 5 and older, including booster shots, on Monday, December 27 and Thursday, December 30 from 2PM-7PM at Stone Academy (745 Burnside Avenue). No appointment, insurance, or identification required for this free clinic. For more information, click here.
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For more information on receiving the COVID-19 vaccine or to locate an appointment near you, click here or locate a DPH Mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinic by clicking here. Those without access to the internet can call the Connecticut’s Vaccine Appointment Assist Line, available seven days a week from 8 AM to 8 PM, at (877) 918-2224.
For East Hartford-based COVID-19 updates and resources, click here. And, for Manchester-based COVID-19 updates and resources, click here.
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Be sure to check out the Galleries @ WORK_SPACE – now through Friday, February 25, 2022, in partnership with EPOCH (Engaged, Public, Oral and Community Histories in the History Department at UConn), WORK_SPACE is host to an Art Exhibit with companion programs that explore how where we live impacts who we are, our feelings of belonging and our sense of place.
Through archival research, in-depth interviews, community conversations and an art exhibit with didactic wall panels, Perspectives of Home will highlight the many threads woven into the story of Manchester, CT’s historic evolution from a mill town to a vibrant, diverse and thriving community including the inequitable opportunities that exist for its citizens. Check out the exhibit weekdays 10AM-4PM, and learn more by clicking here.
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Join The Firestone and Manchester Public Library on Thursday, December 30 at 2PM to create a winter birds multi-media painting and collage, using wax-resist and salt watercolor techniques, planning composition, and paper cutting. This program is available to children in grades 3-5, registration is required. Spaces are limited, call (860) 643-2471 to register now!
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Learn about healthy foods, and cooking tips and tricks in the comfort of your kitchen with Lindsay from ShopRite on Wednesday, December 29 at 4PM. During the upcoming virtual session, you'll learn how to make "breakfast for dinner" featuring French Toast Roll-ups. Register by clicking here and receive an ingredient list upon confirmation. Best for children and families.
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Brighten your space with paper stars for the new year. Via East Hartford Public Library's virtual programming, you will learn how to make two different styles of stars. Register in advance by clicking here to receive a kit will all the supplies you'll need and then join over Zoom on Wednesday, December 29 at 6:30PM to craft together. Best suited for tweens, teens, and adults.
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My office is always open if you or your family are in need of assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email at Jason.Rojas@cga.ct.gov or by phone at 860-240-8541.
Sincerely,
Jason Rojas
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