Valley Lawmakers Sworn-in for New Term

 

HARTFORD - State Representatives Themis Klarides, Nicole Klarides-Ditria and Senator George Logan took their oath of office on Wednesday, January 9^th, commencing the 2019 legislative session.

“The start of the new legislative session offers us all a chance for a clean slate and renewed opportunities to do the hard work and produce the best outcomes for the people of the state of Connecticut. I am optimistic that we can accomplish great things and complete our work on time,’’ House Republican Leader Themis Klarides said.

“It’s an honor representing the 105th district in the General Assembly,” said Rep. Klarides-Ditria. “I am hopeful that the new administration will work collaboratively with Republicans and Democrats this session. We all know the many issues impacting our state and we should all be putting our heads together to find the best possible solutions that will move our state in a better direction.”

 

“I’m excited to begin my second term as state senator.  It is an honor to serve the taxpayers of the 17th Senate District.  Please contact me George.Logan@cga.ct.gov with any questions or comments.  Sign up for my State Capitol email alerts at www.SenatorGeorgeLogan.com and friend me on Facebook.  I am fighting for you, the taxpayers.  I am trying to make Connecticut more affordable, and I want to hear from you.” 

The lawmakers will be entering a “long session”, which will run from January 9th to June 5th. During the long session, the lawmakers are able to propose legislation and will be tasked with framing a two-year state budget.

 

(This is a press release from House Republicans)

Coffee Hour with Valley Lawmakers

Coffee Hour with Local Lawmakers

Valley Lawmakers to Host Seymour Town Hall Meeting

Ansonia fire department receives funding for cameras

Blumenthal, Murphy, DeLauro applaud grant

U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, along with U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, today applauded news the Ansonia Fire Department is receiving a $17,100 grant from the Department of Homeland Security.

The grant, made through the Assistance for Firefighters Grant program will be used to purchase thermal-imaging cameras.

Blumenthal said, “This grant will help the City of Ansonia purchase two new thermal imaging cameras, replacing 12-year-old equipment badly in need of an upgrade.
"These cameras enable firefighters to see through dense smoke, allowing them to more quickly locate victims and potential hazards. This is an important, well-deserved investment in the safety of the city’s volunteer firefighters and residents. I applaud this award and remain ever grateful to the live-saving, heroic efforts of our first responders."

Murphy commented, “Few things are more important than supporting our firefighters and first responders who put their lives on the line to protect our communities. This grant will provide critical support to help Ansonia’s firefighters do their jobs more effectively, and will help to keep them safe as well. I’ll continue to fight for these heroes as they fight for us.”

“Ensuring first responders have necessary equipment is crucial to protecting not only the public, but the brave men and women who rush into buildings when others are rushing out,” DeLauro said. “This grant will keep people in Ansonia safer and better prepare their first responders for the dangerous and lifesaving work they so ably do.”

“The thermal imaging cameras are now a necessity to the fire service,” said Ansonia Fire Chief Joseph Kingston. “This technology is essential to firefighter safety.”

“We are thankful for the support of the Assistance to Firefighter Grant funds which will move our department forward in its mission to protect Ansonia residents,” Kingston added.

This information is taken from a press release from U.S. Rosa L. DeLauro's office.

Crisco, Gentile hail grant for Ansonia operations center

$50,000 to go toward emergency communications generator

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge and state Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, today welcomed news from Gov. Dannel P. Malloy of the imminent release of state funding to help Ansonia acquire a new emergency communications generator. A state grant for $50,000 will help the city underwrite improvements at its Emergency Operations Center at the John G. Prendergast School.

The lawmakers said the item is included on the agenda for next Friday morning’s meeting of the State Bond Commission and expected to receive final approval and allocation at that time.

“The serendipitous timing of this news – on the anniversary of Tropical Storm Irene’s devastation exactly one year ago – is a fitting reminder of how communications difficulties grossly compounded the response to that storm among first responders, other government agencies, and utility companies alike,”  Crisco said.
 “The old generator in Ansonia had far exceeded its life expectancy and replacement parts are no longer available – I’m grateful to Governor Malloy and the state Office of Policy and Management for their favorable consideration of this application to refortify Ansonia’s emergency preparedness in this manner.”

“Making sure that our towns and cities have the tools they need to assist residents during an emergency is absolutely essential,” said Malloy.  “With this funding in place, Ansonia will be in a better position to weather whatever Mother Nature throws our way next.”

“I'm delighted Governor Malloy is continuing his commitment to small cities and emergency preparedness,” Gentile said. “The lessons learned following last year’s October nor'easter and Tropical Storm Irene include having municipalities able to power their emergency infrastructure to better assist residents.  It is encouraging the state is taking action in Ansonia.”

The lawmakers acknowledged the leadership of Ansonia Mayor James Della Volpe and the comprehensive application prepared by city Grant Writer Eileen Krugel.

“Ansonia is in urgent need of a generator… for our emergency communications systems (that) serve the primary communications equipment for police, fire, EMS, and Department of Emergency Management Homeland Security Region 2,” Krugel wrote.
“This generator… is limited to the emergency communications equipment, the phone system, boiler and fire safety equipment. The city school bus company also relies on this equipment – this is important in the event of a disaster with evacuations.”

Crisco and Gentile said the urgent need for a new generator to power the communications equipment became undeniable during a recent, statewide emergency preparedness drill held in Ansonia.
The grant itself will be administered by the state Department of Economic and Community Development.


The above was taken from a release from Crisco's office.