Ansonia mayor requests cleanup of former Ford dealership site

Editor's note: Ansonia Mayor James T. Della Volpe wrote the following letter in regard to the blight that exists at the former Healey Ford dealership site at 520 Main St., Ansonia.

Mitchell J. Levine, Esq.

Nair & Levin, P.C.

707 Bloomfield Avenue

Bloomfield, CT 06002

RE: Healey Ford Property

520 Main Street

Ansonia, CT 06401

Dear Attorney Levine,

I am writing to respectfully ask that you undertake to clean up the property conditions under the control of your client, Ford Motor Credit Company, which is located at the above address.

The property has not been maintained for a substantial period of time and now is in serious visible decline. Weeds, graffiti and overgrown plants have become prevalent to passersby and merchants in the lower downtown area who are trying to conduct their local businesses.

I feel confident that Ford Motor Company would want to be a good neighbor in any community throughout the United States where its property is located. To a respected American automaker with customers here, I ask Ford to do its best for Ansonia, Connecticut.

Thanking you in advance for Ford’s anticipated cooperation, I am,

Respectfully yours,

James T. Della Volpe

Mayor

City of Ansonia

Rte. 8 resurfacing planned today in Seymour

SEYMOUR - The Connecticut Department of Transportation announced that a resurfacing project will be performed today on Route 8 (northbound) in Seymour.

The project consists of resurfacing Route 8 (northbound) from exit 19 to exit 22 in Seymour.

Lane closure info
Motorists can expect lane closures on Route 8 (northbound), from exit 19 to exit 22. Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will be utilized to guide motorists through the work zone. The regular work schedule for this project is Aug. 2 (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.).

Motorists should be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions.
Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving in this vicinity.

This information is from a press release.

Griffin facility in Shelton named certified preventive-care center

SHELTON - EHE International, a nationally recognized leader in preventive medicine and annual physical exams, today announced the Griffin Hospital Occupational Medical Center in Shelton has been named an EHE-certified preventive care center. 

Through Griffin Hospital Occupational Medical Center, EHE members in the Shelton region now have greater access to its preventive care program to help them proactively maintain their health.

“EHE is proud to add Griffin Hospital Occupational Medical Center to its growing private provider network.  Because of their friendly staff and state of the art facilities, EHE looks forward to working with the Griffin Hospital Occupational Medical Center.” said Deborah McKeever, president of EHE International. 

“EHE members will benefit from the expertise and experience of Griffin Hospital Occupational Medical Center care doctors who have met our high professional and practice standards earning them the ‘EHE Certified’ status.”
EHE International’s physician network spans across 42 states.

"EHE's continued expansion in the Shelton, CT area and across the United States is a sign that more and more employers are realizing the benefits of standardized clinical protocols in preventive health and annual exams,"  McKeever said.
"It is well-recognized that a focus on prevention helps control future health care costs, improves productivity and allows employees to proactively manage their own health. EHE has a century of experience in caring for employers’ greatest asset, its employees."

Since 1913, EHE International has been the recognized leader in preventive medicine. Its clinical protocols are specifically designed for early detection of preventable disease and associated risk factors, supported by robust personal coaching and health management tools and resources. 
EHE International is the oldest and largest preventive medicine specialist and its clinically based educational and social engagement platforms are the preferred choice among America's leading employers. 
For more information, visit www.eheintl.com.



This post is taken from a press release.

Seymour church to host BBQ dinner Saturday

SEYMOUR - A Chicken or Ribs Bar-B-Que Dinner will be held from 5-7 p.m. Saturday at Great Hill United Methodist Church, 225 Great Hill Road.

The menu will include choice of chicken or  (Rowland Farms) ribs, coleslaw, baked beans, dessert and a beverage. 

The price per dinner for adults is $12 and $6 for children (8 and under). 

Take-out meals will also be available.

            Reservations are  suggested.
            For information and/or reservations contact Bob DeBisschop, 203-888-4159 or 203-906-2958 or Ken Shaw, 203-415-7093.

Health district to offer vaccinations at Seymour site

Getting ready for back to school

SEYMOUR - Naugatuck Valley Health District will host special children's vaccination clinics to help get district students up-to-date before the new school year begins.  

The immunization clinics will be held from 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. Aug. 20 and 27 at the district office, 98 Bank St. 

Appointments are required. A parent or guardian must accompany the student. 

Depending on a child's age and grade level, different vaccinations are required to enter school.

For instance, children entering kindergarten in Connecticut this year need to have at least four doses of the diptheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTap) vaccine, at least three doses of the polio vaccine, two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, three doses of hepatitis B vaccine, two doses of varicella (or chicken pox) vaccine, two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine, one dose of the pneumococcal vaccine and one dose of the Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine.

Consult your school nurse regarding the vaccines required for your child. There will be a charge of $20 per vaccine for those children under 19. 

Costs for vaccines for older individuals vary. 

Payment is by cash, credit or debit card. Please bring your child's vaccine record.

The Naugatuck Valley Health District office is located at 98 Bank St., Seymour, and serves residents of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Naugatuck, Seymour and Shelton. 

For information, or to make an appointment for immunization, call 203-881-3255, between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.

This is taken from a press release from the Naugatuck Valley Health District.

Opinion: Ansonia Republican questions Malloy visit to city

Editor's note: Henri, a Republican, is running for alderman in the 6th Ward. He submitted this column Wednesday prior to Malloy's visit to Ansonia City Hall to announce a $400,000 grant from the state Department of Housing to rehabilitate 12 houses.

By Patrick Henri
Guest column

Why is Gov. Malloy in Ansonia today? 

Ostensibly he will be paying a visit to discuss the Small Cities Housing Rehabilitation Grant Program that Ansonia has successfully applied for over the past three years. 

However, Ansonia residents could be forgiven if they suspect an ulterior motive.  After all, Ansonia has received this grant for three previous years. Where was the governor on those occasions?

The Housing Rehabilitation Program represents a great success story for Ansonia. It has brought in a total of $900,000 to the city since 2010. 
That amount is expected to exceed $1 million with the next round of funding. The purpose of the program is to rehabilitate housing in Ansonia’s most needy areas.

Ansonia’s successful participation in the program is due to the efforts of a rejuvenated Economic Development Commission re-established by Alderman John Marini, R-7, in 2010.  The Commission – which included a mix of Republicans and Democrats – deserves credit for reversing an abysmal track record of failed Small Cities Grant applications extending back to the early 2000s.

It remains to be seen if Gov. Malloy will give proper credit for the Housing Rehabilitation Grant.  It is interesting, however, that the timing of Gov. Malloy’s visit coincides not only with Ansonia’s most recent grant application, but also with a certain mayoral election.  It also occurs just months after Ansonia has realized the one of the highest mill rates in the Valley and one week after the Ansonia Republican Town Committee has put up a full slate of candidates for the November municipal elections.

Is Gov. Malloy being brought in as a lifesaver for the Della Volpe administration?

If so, Ansonia residents will not be fooled. Gov. Malloy has the distinct privilege of governing a state with one of the highest employment rates, worst economies, worst business atmospheres, worst roads and on and on and on. This “dog and pony show” photo op isn’t going to gloss over those facts or decrease Ansonia’s taxes.

Gov. Malloy is not a “lifesaver.” He and his administration are an anchor that continues to drag the state down into the briny depths of high taxes and anti-business policies.

West Haven child will melt your heart

Benefit planned in Derby

Eva Grace Kelly tries out her new wheels at the MDA Clinic in New Haven. / Contributed photo

I recently wrote a story about an upcoming fund-raiser for little Eva Grace Kelly of West Haven, who is living with spinal muscular atrophy.   

I visited the Kelly family at their West Haven home last week. Eva's big brother Noah, almost 8, made sure to introduce me to family felines Ruby and Max.
But I was unable to officially meet Eva the Diva, as mom Missy Kelly likes to call her daughter. That's because she was sleeping the entire time I was there. Her bedroom was decorated in a way that can only be described as fit for a princess.

Missy Kelly told me Eva loves Disney princesses, and was thrilled to meet them all during a recent family vacation to Disney World funded by Baking Memories for Kids, a New York nonprofit. 

I'm posting this today as a reminder of the Derby benefit - a Bike Night from 6-9 p.m. Aug. 19 at the Valley Diner, 565 New Haven Ave., Derby. Rain date is Aug. 20.
The funds raised will go toward a handicapped-accessible van for the family.

The event will feature music, vendors, friendly folks and an opportunity to meet Eva Grace.
And you can decide for yourself whether this adorable little girl is a diva or not! 

  In addition to Disney princesses it appears Eva loves Minnie Mouse too!