Great news on my "I-84 Traffic Safety Corridor" initiative! Public Safety Bill HB 7204, which includes a provision to establish a traffic safety corridor program, passed unanimously out of committee and will now be considered by the full legislature.
My proposal aims to improve highway safety by increasing awareness and enforcement between Waterbury and New Britain.
I am deeply committed to our residents' safety. The spike in traffic accidents and fatalities caused by speeding, reckless driving, DUIs, and distracted driving is unacceptable. I look forward to working with my colleagues in a bipartisan effort to pass this bill and implement common-sense solutions to keep our roads safe. |
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| Please continue reading below for other noteworthy items, and thanks as always for taking the time to read them! |
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| The Connecticut DOT will install Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons in Greater Hartford, including two in Southington — Pleasant Street at DePaolo School and Mt. Vernon Road at Mt. Southington. Work runs April 1 to Nov. 1, with lane closures on local roads Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Traffic control will be in place. |
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| Next Stops on Listening Tour |
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Southington Teachers
The next stop on my Legislative Session Listening Tour will be with Southington Teachers on March 26 at 4 p.m. at Southington Community Cultural Arts (SoCCA). This event is hosted by Southington Education Association and all members are invited to attend. As a member of the Education Committee and Vice Chairman of the Select Committee on Special Education, I will be sharing relevant legislation and answering questions. |
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Spring Lake Village
Attention Spring Lake Village residents! Please join me on April 2 at 1 p.m. at the Tanasi Social Hall for coffee and cake to learn about legislation impacting Southington's residents. At the session I will provide an overview of major legislative issues and answer questions about the ones that are most important to you. |
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Upcoming Tour Stops (more details to follow):
4/9 at 7 p.m. – Lions Club (Manor Inn) – for members
4/11 at 9:30 a.m. – Veteran Coffee Hour and Resource Discussion (Calendar House) – for Veterans and their families
4/15 at 6 p.m. – Southington Public Library (Community Room) – open to the public |
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The Lewis Educational Agricultural Farm (LEAF) is hosting two noteworthy events on back-to-back weekends.
This Saturday, the LEAF has a workshop on the Art of Needle Felting, during which attendees will craft a sheep from the wool from the group's sheep, Rue and Dilly. The program is also being offered on April 26. Adults and children ages 12 and up can participate.
To register, visit leaftct.com. |
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Next Friday, March 28, the Lead is hosting an adult class on everything you wanted to know about charcuterie boards. The class is being led by chefs Dan and Kim Varano.
Visit leafct.com to register. |
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| The Marion Community Association is hosting author Richard Friswell as he presents a lecture and book signing for "Hudson River Chronicles: In Search of the Splendid & Sublime on America's 'First River.'" |
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Friswell, Wesleyan University visiting scholar and cultural Historian, will discuss the life and times of 19th century Hudson River painter, Thomas Cole.
After the lecture and book signing, attendees are invited to a reception where light refreshments will be served.
For more details, click here. |
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Reminder: The Lions Club of Southington is hosting its 32nd annual "Everything Goes" charity auction at the Calendar House on Saturday, March 22.
There will be a preview of the items at 6:15 p.m., followed by the instant auction at 6:45 p.m. and the live auction at 7:15 p.m.
Admission is $10 per person.
Items up for auction include dinner packages, paintings, home furnishings, vacations, gifts, fine wines, sporting goods and more. |
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| Problem Gambling Awareness Month |
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As March Madness heats up, here’s a reminder not to get too carried away.
March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month, a nationwide campaign to promote prevention, treatment, and recovery services for problem gamblers.
This year's theme, “Seeking Understanding,” focuses on increasing awareness of problem gambling as a serious but often misunderstood mental health condition.
The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates about 2 million people in the U.S. meet the criteria for a severe gambling problem, while another 4 million to 6 million people experience mild or moderate issues. The cost to the country -- $14 billion annually – is incredibly steep. Yet the ability to place a sports-related bet has never been easier – in most cases just a few clicks on a smartphone.
The lower barriers to place bets and the removal of the social stigma on gambling has had devastating consequences for some. Indeed, one of the most vulnerable demographics to problem gambling are youths. The NCPG and Responsible Play CT cite data that shows more than 75% of college students have gambled in the last year.
There are state and national resources for help.
- Responsible Play CT offers information and a toolkit on problem gambling.
- The Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling offers trained helpline specialists who connect callers to free, immediate support & treatment options in Connecticut. Its number is 888-789-7777.
- The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (860-344-2244) offers problem gambling services.
- The National Problem Gambling Helpline is available at 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)
- The NCPG's problem gambling toolkit can be found by clicking here.
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| Next Week's Public Hearings |
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📣 Get involved in local policy and make change in your community. We want to hear from you at next week’s public hearings.
🌐 Register to testify and find more details in this week’s CGA Bulletin. cga.ct.gov/asp/CGABulletin/Bulletin.asp
*You only need to register if you wish to provide testimony. If you want to observe the hearings, you can tune in to watch the proceedings live on the committee’s YouTube channel.
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UConn Men’s Basketball:
-Friday, March 21st | 9:25 p.m. (First Round)
(8) UConn vs. (9) Oklahoma
UConn Women’s Basketball:
-Saturday, March 22 | 1 p.m. (First Round)
(2) UConn vs. (15) Arkansas
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| As always, if I can be of assistance, please reach out to me at 860-240-8585 or email me at Chris.Poulos@cga.ct.gov. Don't forget to "LIKE" my Facebook page for news and legislative updates! |
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Sincerely,
Chris Poulos
State Representative |
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