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.

Gentile hails rehab funding

HUD grant to subsidize upgrades to 10 properties in Ansonia 

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-104, joined Gov. Dannel P. Malloy Wednesday in welcoming funds for housing rehabilitation in Ansonia. 

A U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Small Cities Community Development Block Grant will subsidize renovations to 10 properties in Ansonia. 

The $300,000 grant, administered through Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development, will be used for lead testing and abatement, energy efficiency upgrades, code enforcement, electrical and plumbing improvements and window and door replacements.

“These subsidized projects create and retain local jobs that are critical to improving the distressed city of Ansonia and the local economy. I want to thank Governor Malloy for his support for local property upgrades that help protect public safety, people’s health and also keep neighborhoods livable,” Gentile said. “Projects such as this are one of the best ways Connecticut can reinvest in the community.”

“I’m very excited about the housing rehabilitation project in Ansonia, where this grant will not only underwrite energy efficiency upgrades and electrical and plumbing repairs, but also lead testing and remediation as necessary, to better protect residents from that potential environmental hazard,” state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, D-Woodbridge, said. “This seems to be a very cost-effective and creative use of public funding to help residents attain and enjoy a higher quality of life by making better housing available to them.”

“Expanding access to affordable housing is critical to strengthening the statewide economy and a major focus of my administration,” said Malloy said. “Over the next 10 years, the state will invest $500 million to revitalize and expand affordable housing options so that our cities and towns will be a better place to live, raise a family and do business.  These grants from the U.S. Department of Housing will go a long way to help us realize our goals, and we are appreciative of their recognition.”

A total of 31 Connecticut towns have been awarded a total of $10,987,840 through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program. 

The Small Cities Block Grant Program, administered by Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development, funds economic development, affordable housing, and other community revitalization projects. 

Crisco welcomes housing-rehab grants

4 towns to get federal funds

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. , D-Woodbridge, today welcomed news of state approval for federal grants applied for by four 17th District towns.
Crisco said Naugatuck will receive a $500,000 grant while Ansonia, Beacon Falls, and Woodbridge are each in line for $300,000.
In each town state funds will help underwrite housing rehabilitation projects to improve conditions for residents without impacting the municipal budget.
 “I’m delighted by news of these successful grant applications because in the modest budgets of these four small towns there isn’t always room enough to complete all the projects one might like,” Crisco said.
“The $1.4 million to be shared in our district is part of a $10.9 million grant program for housing improvements in 31 Connecticut towns.”
This federal funding originates with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and its Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program, which is in turn administered by Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development.
Crisco said the work to be completed ranges from energy efficiency upgrades to lead testing and remediation as necessary, and from electrical and plumbing improvements to kitchen and bathroom upgrades.
 “I’m particularly excited about the project in Naugatuck, where improvements will not only upgrade existing ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) units to ensure compliance, but it will add a half-dozen ADA-compliant units after conversions from six regular units,” Crisco said.
 “This seems to be a very cost-effective and creative use of public funding to help residents who require fully accessible housing by making more housing available for them.”

This is a press release from Crisco's office.