Author Archive for jdooley

Sawyer Celebrates CT Manufacturing

by jdooley
May 16th, 2013

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HARTFORD- State Rep. Pam Sawyer (R-55) attended Manufacturing & Technology Day at the State Capitol today.

Sawyer met with Jim Florence from her local manufacturer, Munson’s Chocolate which is a third generation candy maker and Connecticut’s largest retail chocolate manufacturer. Munson’s operates 10 retail stores in the state and provides approximately 150 jobs to our state economy.

More than forty Connecticut manufacturers will exhibit their products and services at the State Capitol on Wednesday, May 15 as part of a Manufacturing & Technology Day celebration.

“Manufacturing works for Connecticut: It’s the key to good jobs and a bright future in the global, technology-driven economy, said Rep. Sawyer.

Categories sawyer, sawyer feature

Carpino Observes Fire Service Day

by jdooley
May 16th, 2013

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HARTFORD- In celebration of Fire Service Day at the State Capitol, State Rep. Christie Carpino (R-32) met with Firefighter and EMT Skip Petras of the Portland fire department on May 15th.

Carpino had the opportunity to get a first-hand tutorial of the capacities of the Portland ladder truck on display at the State Capitol, and learn more about the department’s demands.

Additionally, Carpino met with the State Fire Administrator to move forward her efforts to build a much needed Middlesex County Fire Training School.

If you are interested in joining the Portland Volunteer Fire Department please contact Chief Bob Shea at 860.342.6750 or e-mail him at rshea@portlandct.org.

Categories carpino, carpino feature

Carpino Celebrates CT Manufacturing

by jdooley
May 15th, 2013

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HARTFORD- State Rep. Christie Carpino (Cromwell and Portland) attended Manufacturing & Technology Day at the State Capitol today.

Carpino met with her local manufacturer, Ripley Company, which designs and manufactures specialty tools used by folks who install cable television and run fiber-optic lines. She previously toured the facility and was impressed by both the products and employees.

More than forty Connecticut manufacturers exhibited their products and services at the State Capitol on Wednesday, May 15 as part of a Manufacturing & Technology Day celebration.

“With over 4,800 manufacturers that employ nearly 170,000 workers here in Connecticut alone, we must recognize that a strong manufacturing sector is an important part of both Connecticut and our nation’s economic success,” said Carpino.

Categories carpino, carpino feature

Srinivasan Thanks Glastonbury for Protecting Meshomasic State Forest

by jdooley
May 15th, 2013

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I want to acknowledge and thank all the citizens of Glastonbury who raised their voices in opposition to this proposal. Like everyone else in town, I was concerned about the negative impacts this training facility would have on the Meshomasic State Forest and on the quality of life for our residents. Our community treasures their state forests and open space and will continue to work diligently to protect our great natural resources for future generations to enjoy.

I would also like to thank Governor Malloy and the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection for listening to our concerns and withdrawing the plan.

Categories srinivasan feature

Sawyer Supports Blue Alert System

by jdooley
May 15th, 2013

HARTFORD- State Rep. Pamela Sawyer (R-55) supported a measure in the House of Representatives today to alert the public when a law enforcement officer has been killed, injured or missing and when law enforcement agencies are searching for a suspect who is considered an imminent threat.

The proposed law, (HB 6007) An Act Concerning Blue Alerts, would create a system to be activated for alerting the public and seeking its assistance in apprehending suspects when a law enforcement officer has been seriously injured, killed or is missing.

“Law enforcement and the public can only benefit from this increased safety measure, said Sawyer.
The state may activate the Blue Alert system only if it determines, after consulting with the law enforcement agency requesting activation, that:

1. A peace officer (a) was assaulted and killed by someone or suffered serious physical injury or was assaulted with a deadly weapon by a suspect who has not been apprehended and poses an imminent threat to the public or other peace officers or (b) is missing while performing his or her duties under circumstances warranting concern for his or her safety;

2. Sufficient descriptive information is available to disseminate to the public about the (a) suspect or his or her vehicle or other means of escape or (b) circumstances of the peace officer’s disappearance; and

3. Disseminating the information to the public could help apprehend the suspect, locate the missing officer, or avert injury to any other person.
Blue Alerts are similar to Amber Alerts, which are broadcast on television to find missing or endangered children. At least 15 states have passed some form of the Blue Alert legislation.

The bill now awaits the governor’s signature.

Categories sawyer

O’Dea Welcomes St. Aloysius School

by jdooley
May 15th, 2013

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HARTFORD- State Rep. Thomas O’Dea of New Canaan welcomed St. Aloysius School fourth graders to the State Capitol today.

The fourth grade class spent the day touring the State Capitol. Rep. O’Dea had an opportunity to introduce them on the floor of House of Representatives.

Categories odea

Carpino Works to Protect Meshomasic State Forest

by jdooley
May 14th, 2013

Carpino Statement

I am vehemently opposed to a proposed state police firearms training facility at Meshomasic State Forest. Placing a 55,000-square-foot firearms facility on 30 acres in the state forest is unacceptable. In March, I adopted Meshomasic State Forest as part of the DEEP Adopt-A-Park program. We need to protect our natural resources from ill-conceived proposals like this that jeopardize our environment. Please sign the on-line petition stop the facility. http://glastonburymatters.com/

 

 

Categories carpino

Bolinsky Opposes Bill to Shrink School “Drug Free” Zones

by jdooley
May 14th, 2013

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HARTFORD – State Representative Mitch Bolinsky (Newtown) opposed a measure considered by the Education Committee today that would shrink the perimeter of drug free zones at schools and day care centers while also limiting enforcement strictly to official hours.

School “Drug Free Zones” currently extend to 1,500 feet beyond the perimeter of the campus at all hours of every day but the current proposal in House Bill 6511 would limit the drug free area to only 200 feet and would differentiate  between regular school hours, after-hours school-sponsored activities, and non-school sponsored times of the day. Day care centers currently observe similar “Drug Free Zones” of 1,500 feet, extending to all hours of the day.  However, House Bill 6511 would similarly limit the zone to only 200 feet beyond the perimeter and only during day care center operating hours.

“Connecticut schools and pre-schools are sanctuaries of learning and development”, Rep. Bolinsky said.  “They are places of safety.  Repositories where our great state’s most valuable assets, our children, spend countless hours being enriched by participating in and impressionably observing everything from academics to socialization. Mutual respect. Right and wrong.  Expectations and accountability.  Community values. These are places that simply must be safe havens – before, during and after instructional hours. This bill is a move in the wrong direction!  The legislature’s own Office of Legislative Research (OLR) summarizes: “This bill reduces the scope of the laws that enhance the penalties for illegal drug activities near schools <and> day care centers.”

“I cannot support any measure that makes our children less safe!  This bill puts our children at risk and potentially exposes them to elements and behaviors that we, as parents, would not ourselves expose them to at home.”

He concluded by observing “Connecticut law has motorists observing School Zones 24/7/365 because school properties are presumed to be occupied by children at any time and on any given day.  Why on earth would we allow drug dealers or drug users to close in during non-academic hours?  The premise is just plain wrong for Connecticut.”

 

Categories bolinsky

Srinivasan Moderators CT Association of Physicians of Indian Origin Panel

by jdooley
May 14th, 2013

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State Rep. Prasad Srinivasan was the moderator for a panel discussion at the Connecticut Association of Physicians of Indian Origin annual event this year.

The emphasis of the discussion by panelists was violence and mental health. Rep. Srinivasan opened by highlighting the achievements on Mental Health Task Force in PA 13-3. The panel included State Rep. Dan Carter who represents a portion of Newtown, the state’s Health Care Advocate Vicki Veltri, practicing psychiatrist Dr. Khan and Officer Chris Colby. The message from the panel was that reducing violence is easier said than done.

The importance of role models, avoidance of drugs and the impact of video games were discussed at length by the panelists. A comparison was talked about between incidents of violence in our country and those in Europe and Australia.

It was unanimously felt that the stigma attached to mental disease continues to be a major limitation for seeking help and that it was extremely important to reach out to our children at a much earlier age.

Categories srinivasan

Srinivasan Statement on Opposing Plan to Hike Ferry Fare

by jdooley
May 13th, 2013

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The Department of Transportation (DOT) plans to double fares on its historic river ferries. This 100% increase in fares is unfair and would discourage ridership akin to what has happened previously when fares were increased. The proposed rate increases would see fares rise from $ 3 to $6 for vehicles on both the Glastonbury-Rocky Hill and the Chester- Hadlyme ferries starting on July 1. Fares for the walk on passengers would also double and so will the discount coupon books.

The DOT must seek alternatives for increasing revenues and find additional budget savings within the department. The DOT needs to encourage private-public partnerships. There has already been interest expressed in advertising and food concession stands. These alternative revenue options need to be explored. I am in communication with the DOT office regarding these additional opportunities.

The DOT has scheduled hearings on the fare increase on Mon, May 20 at the Rocky Hill Community Center Room 1 at 6:30 pm. I plan to be there at the hearing and I would urge and encourage concerned citizens of Glastonbury to be there as well, voicing clearly their opposition to the ferry fare hike.

 

 

Categories srinivasan, srinivasan feature
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