Valley Volunteers Honored

Cathi Kellett and Officer Mike Barry

DERBY - Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley Coalition recently marked its 5^th anniversary and honored its dedicated volunteers with a dinner at Griffin Hospital in Derby.

 

Operating within Griffin Hospital’s Community Outreach Program, Safe Kids Naugatuck Valley is part of Safe Kids Worldwide, a nonprofit organization working to help families and communities keep kids safe from injuries.

The local program was became a chapter 2004 and developed into a coalition under Safe Kids CT. In 2013, the program grew to include many Naugatuck Valley towns and became its own stand-alone coalition.



Cathi Kellett and Michele Holovach

 

Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley Coalition educates children and adults on variety of health and safety programs to reduce unintentional injuries among children. Program topics include anti-bullying, germ protection, teen distracted driving, bicycle and wheeled sport safety, anti-tobacco use, child passenger safety, exercise and sports safety, and internet safety.

 

Ansonia Police Officer Michael Barry, and Michele Holovach and Jamie Peterson, of TEAM, Inc., received the Volunteer Excellence Award.

 

Officer Barry has volunteered with Safe Kids since 2006 and has been very active in programs involving child passenger safety, teen driving, pedestrian safety, poison prevention, and anti-bullying.

 

“At any given community health fair, program at Griffin Hospital or in one of the Ansonia schools, Officer Barry offers his guidance, support, expertise - and most of all his time - to bring quality programs to our community to ensure safe, happy and healthy children and families,” said Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley Coalition Coordinator Cathi Kellett.

 

Holovach and Peterson have been essential in coordinating with Head Start classrooms in Ansonia, Derby, Shelton, Seymour, and Beacon Falls, to bring Safe Kids’ health and safety programs to more than 250 students every month throughout the school year. Additionally, they support major grant projects to fit every child with a new car seat and bike helmet, provide concussion protocols and water safety programs, and educate parents and caregivers at regular dinners throughout the year.

 

“Their collaboration is instrumental in keeping Safe Kids constantly moving forward.” Kellett said. “They are a vital part of our success.”

 

For more information about Safe Kids Naugatuck Valley, visit griffinhealth.org/safe-kids or contact Kellett at 203-732-1337 or ckellett@griffinhealth.org.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Ansonia police warn of danger of using phone while driving

ANSONIA - Distracted driving has become an increasingly important safety issue throughout communities in Connecticut as well as other states.

Distracted driving is inherently dangerous for not only the person talking or texting on their cell phone but for others who may be driving or walking along the same roadway, Lt. Andrew Cota, Ansonia Police spokesman, said today in a release.

In an effort to combat some of the dangers associated with distracted driving Ansonia Police have increased their enforcement of distracted driving violations. This includes, but is not limited to, talking on the cell phone without a hands free system, texting, and even using MP3 players and iPods while operating a motor vehicle.

209 infractions issued

Since March 1, 2014 Ansonia Police have issued 209 infractions for distracted driving and will continue to enforce observed violations. The first offense for distracted driving is a fineable offense at $150. Subsequent offenses and or violations in construction zones, etc. start at $300 and increase substantially for repeat offenders.

Ansonia Police are asking motorists to use care when driving on the roadways and avoid the use of hand-held mobile devices. 

Cota said that drivers are more susceptible to being involved in a crash when not paying attention to the roadway. 
Adults who are operating vehicles and using the hand-held devices with children in the car put these children at extra risk and also send the message that it is okay for their children to text/talk and drive.

"We are asking all motorists to help make our roadways safer by putting their cell phones away to concentrate on driving," Cota said.

"Please help us prevent an unnecessary tragedy by following the rules of the road. Roadway safety is of the utmost importance for the people of our community and violations will be enforced aggressively."

This is a press release from the Ansonia Police Department.