Ansonia Alderman Applauds Valley Regionalization Study

(The following is is a letter from Ansonia Alderman Joseph Jaumann)

ANSONIA - As many of you know, Mayor Cassetti and I, as well as the Ansonia Board of Alderman have been discussing this study, as well as regionalization and shared services for many years.  As we continue to see funding from the State decrease, we must be proactive as a municipality and as a region, in protecting ourselves, our children, and our communities.  Working together we can study how to achieve greater efficiencies, better quality services, and greater availability of programs in our schools.
 

The Shelton Board of Education voted earlier this week to ask their Board of Alderman to join in the regionalization study that was approved in Ansonia in February.  I want to applaud the Shelton Board of Education and Shelton’s Mayor, Mark Lauretti for choosing to join Ansonia and Derby in the regionalization study. 

After many years of discussions regarding shared services and regionalization, the valley communities are finally coming together to discuss how we can all work together for the benefit of all the Naugatuck Valley.   With Shelton now choosing to join Ansonia and Derby, we now look to our good friends in Seymour and their First Selectman Kurt Miller to also join the study.  We hope to hear that announcement in the coming days.   

Joseph P. Jaumann

5th Ward Alderman

City of Ansonia

Shelton Mayor Lauretti Donates to The Kennedy Center

Mayor Lauretti of Shelton, right, presented Martin D. Schwartz, President and CEO of The Kennedy Center, left, with a $5,000 check from the Mayor’s Annual Charity Golf Classic.  This sizable donation will be used for the agency’s general operating expenses.
 

SHELTON- Mayor Mark A. Lauretti recently surprised the Kennedy Center with a big donation over the holiday season with proceeds from his annual charity golf tournament.

 

“We want to personally thank Mayor Lauretti and the supporters of his golf tournament for their generous donation to The Kennedy Center,” said Martin D. Schwartz, President and CEO of The Kennedy Center.  “This substantial contribution has been earmarked for general operating expenses, which will benefit the 2,000 people with disabilities we serve throughout the region.”

 

Mayor Lauretti added, “I have been involved with The Kennedy Center for several decades.  This major rehabilitation agency provides people with disabilities many employment and community resources throughout the region, including in Shelton. In fact, several years ago, I hired an outstanding Kennedy Center worker in my office at City Hall.  I am honored to provide this worthwhile organization with a $5,000 donation from the Mayor’s Golf Tournament, so they can continue helping others.”

 

The Kennedy Center, founded in 1951, is an internationally accredited, non-profit, community-based rehabilitation organization that currently serves over 2,000 individuals annually. The agency actively responds to the needs of the community by offering innovative, comprehensive service options to persons with disabilities and special needs, from birth to senior years.

 

The Kennedy Center operates 31 community experience programs, 16 group homes, an industries program composed of six businesses, supported and competitive employment and job placement services, a family support and respite service, travel training, and a variety of children’s programs. 

 

Visit www.thekennedycenterinc.org for more information. 

National Walk-in Healthcare Center Opens in Shelton

SHELTON - American Family Care (AFC), the nation’s leading provider of walk-in urgent care and occupational medicine, celebrated its grand opening July 10 at its newest Connecticut center at 389 Bridgeport Ave. in Shelton.

 

Mayor Mayor Mark Lauretti and Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell were among the invited guests for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.  

 

AFC provides fast, affordable care for sprains, fractures, concussions and many illnesses as well as routine health needs.  Board-certified physicians and other medical professionals treat patients efficiently and with compassion in a clean, family-friendly environment.  Patients appreciate the walk-in convenience, avoiding the extensive wait times and high copays of hospital emergency rooms or longer lead times for primary care appointments. 

 

The Shelton site will be open seven days a week from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.   

 

AFC’s state-of-the-art urgent care facility administers on-site X-rays and lab tests; sports and school physicals; vaccinations; travel medicine; occupational health tests such as employment physicals and drug screening; and workers compensation services that save time and money for both employees and employers.  With comprehensive care options and in-house lab capabilities, doctors can spend more time focused on patients.  The urgent care accepts most insurance plans and self-payment.  AFC’s goal is to be a one-stop medical resource for children, adults of all ages, businesses and community groups that delivers exceptional care and a great customer experience at affordable prices.   

 

In keeping with its mission and vision, AFC looks forward to community involvement and partnering with local businesses and non-profits to help greater Shelton grow.  For example, AFC offers CPR training to interested groups and has worked with Shelton Police on emergency medical assistance policies and procedures to help them obtain accreditation as a Tier 1 Connecticut Police Department. Employees at other centers are active in local chambers of commerce, Rotary Clubs, contributing to food pantries and sponsoring youth sports leagues.  

 

Dr. Steven Heffer, M.D., AFC owner and medical director, is opening his fourth clinic in Shelton following the success of two Bridgeport centers and a Fairfield location.  Dr. Heffer has over 20 years of experience in emergency medical care and is board-certified in emergency medicine.  He finds deep satisfaction in using his expertise to improve the quality of available care and positively impact health services in each community.  

 

In 2015 Dr. Heffer was recognized with the “Doctors of Distinction” Community Service Award from the Fairfield County Business Journal for his dedication to providing the highest quality medical care, improved access to care and service to his community.  He is currently National President of the Physician Advisory Committee at American Family Care and has served as General Practitioner of the Bridgeport Bluefish baseball team for the past three years.

 

“Our goal in establishing AFC in Shelton is to offer area residents greater access to high quality medical treatment that’s also fast, convenient and saves money,” says Dr. Heffer.  “Our patients’ care and well-being are at the heart of our business.  We aim to set a new standard in urgent care, contribute to the community in multiple ways and become a trusted health resource for Shelton and surrounding towns.” 

 

For more information on AFC Shelton, please visit www.AFCUrgentCareShelton.com or call

(203) 567-4171.  

About American Family Care:

Founded by Dr. Bruce Irwin with a single location in 1982, American Family Care has pioneered the concept of non-emergency room urgent care. With its 2013 acquisition of the Doctors Express, AFC has become the nation's leading provider of urgent care, accessible primary care, and occupational medicine, with more than 170 clinics and 600 in-network physicians caring for nearly 3 million patients a year. Ranked by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S., AFC's stated mission is to provide the best healthcare possible, in a kind and caring environment, while respecting the rights of all patients, in an economical manner, at times and locations convenient to the patient. For more information, visit www.AmericanFamilyCare.com.

 

(This is a press release from AFC)

Shelton Resident Celebrates 101st Birthday

SHELTON - Margaret Csanadi, a resident of Benchmark at Split Rock, celebrated her 101st birthday March 2.

Mayor Mark A. Lauretti presented Margaret with a proclamation, while entertainment was provided by East Chicago Joe.

Margaret enjoys trips to the Shelton Senior Center, and listening to the Navy Band, where she attended a concert at Griffin Hospital last December.

Happy Birthday Margaret!

Shelton-Derby Memorial Day Parade as seen from Derby

Picture-perfect weather greets marchers

A view up Elizabeth Street in Derby before the parade. The line of march stepped off in Shelton this year.
 

Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto and Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti wave to the crowd.

 Mattatuck Drum Band of Waterbury makes its way up Elizabeth Street.

 

Army veteran Erwin 'Gus' Williams of Derby sells poppies before the parade.

 

Derby Elks Lodge mascot 'Elroy' poses with a parade-goer.

Jones Family Farms of Shelton brought a festive truck to the parade.

And here's an oldie but goodie.




 

Ansonia, Shelton mayors proclaim 'No Texting While Driving Day'

                               ANSONIA - Mayor James Della Volpe has joined Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti and AT&T today issuing a proclamation designating Sept. 19 as “No Texting While Driving Day” and called for Ansonia residents to take the pledge never to text and drive.

“Text messaging has become the way many people communicate today, which means some people are doing it at the worst possible time – while driving,” Mayor Della Volpe said. 

“We need to help spread the message and educate our community that when it comes to driving, texting can and should wait.”

According to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, those who text while driving are 23 times more likely to be involved in some type of safety critical event as compared to those drivers who don't text while they drive.

Texting while driving is involved in over 100,000 motor vehicles crashes each year, often causing injuries and deaths.

          Wireless provider AT&T launched the “It Can Wait” campaign in Connecticut and throughout the United States in 2009 to educate the public about the dangers of texting while driving by encouraging consumers to take the personal pledge not to text while driving.

The City of Ansonia, Mayor James Della Volpe and AT&T are calling on all drivers to go to www.itcanwait.com to take the no-texting-and-driving pledge, and then share their promise with others via Twitter (#itcanwait) and Facebook.  

For additional information and resources, visit www.att.com/itcanwait.