Valley Veterans Receive Wartime Medals

ANSONIA - A ceremony hosted by state Sen. Joseph Crisco, D-Woodbridge, was recently held to honor the service of 40 military veterans who served in various conflicts.

The ceremony, held June 7 at the Ansonia Armory, featured Crisco and Sean Connolly, the state’s Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, presenting the Connecticut Wartime Service Medals to the men and women of the military. Also on hand were Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti and state Rep. Linda Gentile, D-Ansonia/Derby.

“I am from a family that lost a parent during the Second World War,” Crisco said. “We appreciate the sacrifices that families make. You never forget. It is a debt that we can never repay. We thank you so much for what you’ve all done for our country and ourselves.”

The event also featured a Color Guard unit from the Connecticut National Guard, who presented the U.S. and state flags. Korean War veteran Robert Marganski led the gathering in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Members of the Ansonia High School chorus sang the national anthem.

 “We salute all our veterans, of every era, those who donned the uniform so we could live free as a nation,” Connolly said. “We appreciate all of your service, without which we wouldn’t enjoy the freedoms we do today.”

The veterans who received medals hail from Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby and Woodbridge, and are listed below:   fry

Joseph Alberti, Anthony Anastasio, John Antrum, Martin Beattie, Howard Bradshaw, Edward Bustin, Henry Castiello, Robert Cavallaro, James Chiaraluce, Richard Chudoba, Lawrence Dawes, Louis DeFilippo, Dominick DeRosa, Richard Didente, Jerome Fainer, Thomas Fassbender, Mario Garofalo, Paul Head, Michael Heise, Patrick Henri, Andrew Hornak, Paul Kurbikoff, Robert Marganski, Ernest Marino, Michael Mazzola, Deryck Millan, 
Robert Moore, Rebecca Odens, Joseph Roberts Jr, George Schroeter, Edward Sharkey, Pollyann Spring, Joseph Stobierski, John Stoner, John Tiano, John Walania and Alexander Weiler.

A statement below released from Derby tax board member, Sam Pollastro, thanked fellow Derby tax board member Howard Bradshaw for his service.  
“On Tuesday June 7^th, 2016 Veterans Affairs Commissioner Sean Connolly (seen here) has awarded the Connecticut’s Wartime Service Medal to Derby’s own Howard Bradshaw at the Ansonia Armory awards ceremony. Mr. Bradshaw is also on Derby’s Tax Board and a member of the DRTC. The DRTC and its members would like to congratulate not only Mr. Bradshaw and the 30-plus members who were honored in receiving this accommodation; but also thank all the men and women who have served our country.”

City, state officials discuss Ansonia Copper site

 Cassetti seeks state help with assessment

Officials meet at Ansonia Copper and Brass site.
 / Contributed photo

ANSONIA - Mayor David S. Cassetti, members of his administration, Tim Sullivan, Director of the CT Department of Economic and Community Development Office of Brownfields Remediation, Mark Lewis from the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and state Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia met to discuss the Ansonia Copper and Brass site.

"This site occupies almost 40 acres in our downtown and we need to begin to address the issues associated with it," Cassetti said.
"I am asking the state's assistance for Brownfields' assessment funds."

"We can no longer ignore all the problems that result from unused or underutilized manufacturing buildings especially when we are so small that developable land is a rare commodity," Cassetti said.

The City of Ansonia plans to apply for assessment money to characterize the 40-acre site and determine the extent and cost of the remediation.

This is a press release from Mayor David S. Cassetti's office. 

Gentile welcomes Pre-K slots in Ansonia

HARTFORD - Gov. Dannel P. Malloy recently announced the allocation of 1,020 additional School Readiness opportunities for low-income children in 46 towns and cities throughout Connecticut. 

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile

“I am very pleased that Ansonia will be receiving three of these Pre-K slots,” said state Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia,.

 “A quality early childhood education experience is key to a young child’s educational success. I know we will see the benefit of these additional slots in our community in the years to come.”

Ansonia received three new slots in the Priority School District category (a full list is available below).

The additional 1,020 opportunities will become available at the beginning of the upcoming school year.

“Investing in high-quality education is the single most important investment we can make in our state and our economy. That has driven my efforts from day one as Mayor of Stamford and Governor of Connecticut,” Malloy said. 

“With this expansion, we are taking immediate steps to provide 1,020 additional children in low-income families with a strong start and foundation for lifelong success.”

The School Readiness Program is a state-funded program that provides high-quality preschool to low-income 3- and 4-year olds in Priority and Competitive School Districts in Connecticut. 

Priority School districts include the eight towns in the state with the largest population, the top 11 towns with the highest number of children under the temporary family assistance program, and the top 11 towns with the highest ratio of children under the temporary family assistance program. 

A Competitive School District is a town that has a priority school (a school in which 40 percent or more of the lunches served go to students who are eligible for free or reduced price lunch) or any town ranked in the bottom 50 towns in the state in town wealth.

  FY 2015 School Readiness Summary Expansion

Public Act 14-41 also established the Connecticut Smart Start Program which will expand preschool opportunities for children of low-income families in public schools. Connecticut Smart Start will provide grants in FY15 for the renovation of existing public school classrooms to accommodate public preschool programs. 

Up to $100 million for renovations will be available over a 10-year period, with a maximum of $10 million per year. Funding for public preschool classrooms will begin in FY16 with $100 million in operating funding available over a 10-year period (maximum $10 million per year) from the Tobacco Settlement Fund.

This post is taken from a press release from Gentile's office.

 

Gentile reminds developers of brownfield grants

Application deadline is June 30

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile

     State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, reminded area developers and local leaders that the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development is accepting applications for a new round of funding to help remediate and redevelop brownfield sites throughout the state.   

     Applications for the pool of $20 million in grants and loans are due by June 30.

     “Bringing these brownfield and contaminated sites back online is an important investment by the state,” Gentile said. “We know that towns and individual businesses can’t pay for the total clean-up on their own, and this funding will help to alleviate some of these costs. I strongly encourage Naugatuck Valley residents and businesses to apply for this funding. I thank the Governor and DECD for recognizing the need for cleaning up these sites.”

     According to DECD, awards made under this round of funding may be used for a range of brownfield remediation and redevelopment activities, including abatement, demolition, site investigation and assessment, groundwater monitoring, installation of institutional controls, and professional services fees associated with redevelopment including attorney’s fees, and planning, design and consulting fees.

     Eligible applicants for grant funding include municipalities and economic development agencies; municipalities, agencies and both for-profit and nonprofit developers are eligible to apply for low-interest loan funding. 

     Grants applicants can request funding of up to $4 million; loan applicants can request funding of up to $2 million.

     The rating and ranking sheet for this funding round, which provides further details on application criteria, as well as the program application, is available at ctbrownfields.gov. 

     Applications must be submitted to DECD, 505 Hudson St. Hartford, CT 06106-7106 no later than June 30.

    Questions related to the application must be submitted to brownfields@ct.gov by June 9, 2014; responses will be posted at ctbrownfields.gov by June 16, 2014.

This is a press release from Gentile's office.

Ansonia to receive Nutmeg Network grant

Gentile applauds aid from Malloy 

ANSONIA - State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, today applauded Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s announcement of a series of grants to assist municipalities throughout Connecticut with the infrastructure costs associated with connecting their town governments to the state’s Nutmeg Network and extending its availability to include all municipal services. 
As part of that grant, City Hall in Ansonia will receive $39,100.

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile

“As technology improves, government services continue to move online as a way of improving responsiveness to our state’s citizens and increasing efficiency,” Malloy said.
 “Expanding the availability of the Nutmeg Network to now include all types of municipal services is one way the state can help municipalities reduce their own costs while eliminating overlap.”

“Offering full access to the Nutmeg Network is part of an equation that gives the kinds of tools to our towns that will help them better meet their budget challenges and provide improved services to residents,” Gentile said. “I want to thank Ansonia City Hall for taking the initiative to apply.”

The Nutmeg Network is the state’s fiber-optic infrastructure that delivers reliable, high-speed internet access to its members throughout Connecticut.  
Already offered to schools, libraries and emergency services around the state, Malloy said that expanding its availability to include all municipal services will help towns, cities and regional councils of governments achieve additional cost savings while sharing services and improving efficiency.


This is a press release from Gentile's office.

Gentile welcomes federal agriculture funding for state

HARTFORD - State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, joined Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Connecticut Department of Agriculture Commissioner Steven K. Reviczky to announce an agreement allowing Connecticut to utilize more than $8 million in federal funds to keep farmland in agricultural production. 

Linda Gentile

    The agreement increases flexibility in the use of federal funds through the state’s Farmland Preservation Program.

    More than 300 state farms have been protected under the program, including nearly 100 achieved with $20 million in assistance from the federal USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Farm and Ranchland Protection Program.

     “This funding will be used to ensure that our state’s farms – some of the best in the country – will continue producing Connecticut Grown products and keep our beautiful lands and natural resources preserved,” Malloy said.  “Connecticut continues to lead New England in the growth rate of farms over the past couple of years, where the agriculture industry contributes $3.5 billion to our economy and provides nearly 28,000 jobs in our state.
"I remain committed to the growth of this crucial industry and to the hard working families of Connecticut who work in it,” she said.

          “Federal, state and local stakeholders must work together to help preserve Connecticut’s family farms,” Gentile said.  “This agreement helps local farmers keep our land productive for years to come and feed a multi-billion dollar economic engine that equals jobs in our state. I applaud the work of Governor Malloy and Commissioner Reviczky.”

     The agreement will extend all NRCS farmland-protection funds obligated to Connecticut until March 31, 2015, giving the state greater flexibility in negotiating agreements with farm owners wishing to participate in the program.

     “The permanent protection of working farms is a long-standing priority in Connecticut that has been extraordinarily successful in keeping prime and important farmland in production,” Reviczky said. 

     “With our federal partners we have preserved more than 13,000 acres of farmland, and this agreement will ensure that we continue to keep more of our working lands in productive farming.”

This is a press release from Gentile's office.

Gentile urges caution near Rt. 34 work in Derby

Crews start bridge repair

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile

HARTFORD - State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, is stressing the importance of caution to motorists and commuters navigating on Route 34, Main Street in Derby.
The Department of Transportation has begun a major bridge repair over the Naugatuck River.

The project consists of the rehabilitation of the full length of the bridge, including replacement of the concrete deck, replacement of bridge bearings, sidewalk and lighting.
New fascia girders for a new sidewalk will also be installed. Bituminous pavement will be installed after deck repairs.

 “I am well aware of how much of an inconvenience this construction will be, especially on such a major thoroughfare, but I firmly believe that public safety must always take precedence over inconvenience,” Gentile said.
“Motorists can always adjust their travel plans, either by allowing for extra time or even considering an alternate route. But serious injury or loss of life or limb is a life-altering event.”

The project was awarded to Bloomfield-based Baier Construction Co., at a cost of $8,865,000 and is scheduled to be completed in November 2016.

Lane closures will consist of alternating one-lane traffic between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The contractor will be allowed to detour traffic during six occasions on week nights between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The dates of the detour will be provided two weeks in advance of closure.

More information is available at www.ct.gov/dot.


This is taken from a press release from Gentile's office.

Gentile accepts green award for Derby

Pictured from left are DEEP Commissioner Rob Klee, John Smith, an intern in state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco's office, state Rep. Linda M. Gentile, and Pat McDonnell, a representative from United Illuminating. / Contributed photo

    The city of Derby was among 23 municipalities receiving grants for their work continuing the state’s march toward energy efficiency. 
    State Rep. Linda M. Gentile D-Ansonia, was joined by other town leaders to accept the “Bright Idea” grant of $5,000 from Clean Energy Communities, a program administered through Energize Connecticut. 
     Gentile represents Ansonia and Derby.

     “Derby has been recognized for its leadership in pursuing energy efficiency initiatives. Today's grant is simply one more example of our community's commitment to saving taxpayer money and improving quality of life,” Gentile said.

 “I thank United Illuminating for working with communities to identify ways to save on energy and their commitment to this program.” 

     Between January 2010 and December 2013, Derby saved 14,919,911 kilowatt hours of electricity and 12,944 centum cubic feet of natural gas. 
  The avoided emissions removed 7,385 tons of CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) from the atmosphere or the equivalent of taking 1,288 cars off the road for one year.

   Derby qualified for the grant by:

·        Hosting light bulb exchanges at EcoFest where residents exchange incandescent bulbs for LED’s

·        Joined the Clean Energy Communities Program

·        Benchmarking all municipal and board of education buildings through an EPA Portfolio Manager

·        424 homes (8 percent of the community) have participated in residential programs

     Energize CT is an initiative dedicated to empowering Connecticut citizens to make smart energy choices. 

This is a press release from Gentile's office.

Gentile urges use of free IRS services

HARTFORD -State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, encourages constituents to take
advantage of free tax preparation services available through the Free File program. 
Every taxpayer with a 2013 Adjusted Gross Income of $58,000 or less may visit www.IRS.gov/freefile to prepare, complete and e-file their federal tax returns at no cost.
 
Free File is made possible through a partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance, a coalition of industry-leading tax software companies. 
Since its inception in 2003, the program has offered 70 percent of taxpayers free access to leading commercial tax preparation software from Free File Alliance member companies. Free File has already saved taxpayers an estimated $1.2 billion in filing costs.

“Since Tax Day is quickly approaching, I encourage taxpayers making $58,000 or less to take
advantage of the free tax services available from the IRS and Free File Alliance by visiting
www.IRS.gov/freefile,” Gentile said. “Anyone can use Free File to electronically file a tax return or, if necessary, submit an extension – giving themselves an extra six months to prepare and file a
federal tax return. If you don’t have access to a computer, some are available at the local public
library.”
IRS Free File is available at www.IRS.gov/freefile, which provides a list of Free File Alliance
member companies and their free tax software offerings. Users may either choose the company that fits their needs or utilize the “Help me Find Free File Software” tool. 
After selecting a company, users will be transferred to the company's website to prepare, complete and electronically file their federal income tax returns. The service is also available in Spanish.

Free File also offers basic federal e-filing services with no income limitations. This basic e-filing
service, called Free File Fillable Forms, allows taxpayers who are familiar with tax law and need no
preparation assistance to complete.


This is a press release from Gentile's office.

Gentile hails manufacturing initiative

HARTFORD - State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, today applauded one of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s legislative priorities – the creation of an Advanced Manufacturing Fund, which will receive an initial investment of $25 million to help companies modernize and grow, purchase equipment and develop new technologies, and provide access to training and specialized education for workers. 

Linda M. Gentile

“This comes at a critical time because job creation must be our top priority,” Gentile said. 

“The idea helps our manufacturers find trained and educated workers and state-of-the-art equipment to operate on a level playing field with their competitors and help them obtain the capital to grow and expand.”

Historic manufacturing hubs

A key component of the proposal is to give priority to companies that locate in the 42 communities that are historic manufacturing hubs in Connecticut, such as Ansonia and Derby.  

This provision is expected to have a positive impact on local economic development and help lower the high unemployment rates in some of the state’s most distressed communities.

“Incentives like this and a strong network between investors and the state can transform Connecticut into a center of innovation that can be a magnet for entrepreneurs, talented people and great ideas to take root,” said Gentile, House Chair of the Environment Committee.

 “Not only is this initiative sound economic policy, but it most certainly is responsible and balanced environmental policy, as well.  Let's put our previous manufacturing properties back onto our tax rolls, and protect and preserve open space and pristine land.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Connecticut's manufacturing industry’s annual output rose 5 percent over the last two years and exceeds $24 billion or 10.5 percent of the state’s Gross State Product.

The manufacturing industry employs 159,200 people, representing nearly 10 percent of the state’s total non-farm jobs.

This is a press release from Gentile's office.

Gentile applauds legislative goals

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, and House Majority Leader Joe Aresimowitz, center, listen to Senate President Don Williams explain some of the Democratic goals. / Contributed photo

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, recently joined with Democratic leadership in Hartford to unveil a jobs and small business agenda for the 2014 legislative session, focusing on employment and job training, cutting red tape, and growing new markets by establishing social benefit corporations.

“Anything we can do to help small businesses will be helpful for our local economy and will create jobs,” Gentile said. “These programs have proven to be extremely effective and helpful. We’ve taken what works and made it better and used the feedback we've received directly from business owners across the state to take these programs to the next level thereby making them easier to use and faster to process.”

The jobs and small business agenda unveiled today addresses business concerns, building on pro-business public policy initiatives enacted by the legislature over the past several years.   

Democrats from both the House and Senate are now proposing:

• Re-capitalizing Connecticut’s highly successful STEP-Up program, which offers employers who hire an unemployed worker either a wage subsidy to help pay a new employee’s salary for the first six months, or provides a six-month training grant. Since its creation in October 2011, more than 2,000 unemployed people have been hired under STEP-Up in jobs like CNC operators, graphic designers, tool makers, welders, press operators, masons and engine builders. But the program needs a new infusion of capital; the original $20 million budget is down to $2.5 million, approximately enough to meet program demand through April.
• Implementing new school-to-job programs such as an accelerated certificate program (12 months) combining basic education and technical and career training; an I-Best program for adult students lacking a GED which combines GED preparation with real-world skills training; and an Advanced Manufacturing Certificate Program, where students combine paid work and college level study towards the attainment of an associate’s degree.
• Cutting Red Tape by pre-permitting business development, renovation or new construction by pre-approving zoning and environmental reviews in order to save businesses time and money. The program would be based on New York’s ‘Empire State Development’s Build Now,’ where communities select and prepare sites for specifically targeted economic development, reducing the time normally needed to develop a site.

• Establishing ‘social benefit corporations,’ a new type of corporation intended to use a portion of its profits to benefit society or the environment without fear of shareholder action. 16 states have enacted similar legislation, including Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Vermont. Examples of social benefit corporations include Cabot Creamery, King Arthur Flour, Seventh Generation household products and Patagonia clothing.

This is a press release from Gentile's office.

Gentile named to environmental committee

     State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, has been appointed by Speaker of the House Brendan Sharkey, D-Hamden, to serve on the National Council of State Legislature’s Environment Committee.

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile

     The NCSL Environment Committee is one of 12 standing committees of the National Conference of State Legislatures responsible for state and federal natural resources legislation, regulations and policies. 
      Its goal is to educate Congress and federal agencies as to state concerns regarding these issues and serve as a forum for legislators and legislative staff to learn about and share information about options being considered in other states. 
       The NCSL uses these policies as guides to advocate at the national level.

    “Few issues are as important to me as the environment,” Gentile said.  “As the House chair of Connecticut’s Environment Committee, I look forward a continued exchange of ideas and bringing them back to the state.”

     The National Conference of State Legislatures is a bipartisan organization that serves legislators and staffs of all states, commonwealths and territories.
     NCSL provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and advocate for the interests of states in the American federal system.

     “Rep. Gentile’s state legislative experience, particularly as House Chair of our Environment Committee, will allow her to represent Connecticut well as she undertakes this exciting challenge,” Sharkey said. 
      “Linda’s work on this committee will not only strengthen the effectiveness of NCSL, but also protect Connecticut's environmental interests at the national level.”

This is a press release from Gentile's office.

Crisco, Gentile hail imminent funding for TEAM

$170,000 allocation expected from state

HARTFORD – State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, and state Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, today welcomed news of imminent state funding for the early care and education center operated by TEAM, Inc. in Ansonia.

State support is to be provided through a provision of state law enacted earlier this year for facility improvements where school readiness and daycare programs operate.

The grant for TEAM, Inc. is included on the agenda for Friday’s meeting of the State Bond Commission and is expected to receive final approval at that time, the lawmakers said.

“For nearly 50 years TEAM has been helping economically disadvantaged families throughout the Naugatuck Valley by providing direct services or by referring them to other sources for help, always with the goal of increasing their clients’ self-sufficiency,” Crisco said. 

“I’m delighted we can bring these state resources to bear to the benefit of TEAM, which in turn provides essential services to more than 5,000 area families each year.”

More specifically, the $170,000 allocation expected on Friday will help underwrite a security system upgrade, playground resurfacing, and improvements to the air regulation and cooling system at TEAM’s Howard Avenue facility in Ansonia, the lawmakers said.

“TEAM provides affordable daycare and Head Start programs for many children from not only Ansonia and Derby, but also from all of our Valley communities,” Gentile said. “I am pleased these funds will be put to good use to provide a safe and healthy learning and play environment for our children. We know that a positive early learning experience is fundamental to educational achievement and success.”

“When we improve early childhood education, we set a foundation for our young people that they will build on their entire lives,” Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said.

“Early learning programs like these provided in Ansonia will significantly contribute to a child’s overall healthy development, enabling them to learn the skills needed for success that will lead them through the rest of their lives.”

TEAM, Inc. operates more than a dozen separate programs for clients of all ages, ranging from school readiness and daycare for children to Meals on Wheels and home heating assistance for seniors.

 This is a press release from Crisco's office.

Gentile named to environment panel

     State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, has been appointed to serve on The Council of State Governments’ Eastern Regional Conference’s Energy and Environment Committee from 2013 through 2014.

Linda Gentile

     “As a member of the Energy and Environment Committee, I look forward to working with my regional colleagues to ensure that CSG/ERC will focus on the key policy issues that will promote a more competitive and affordable system for Connecticut, as well as the citizens in the 104^th district,” Gentile said. 

   “Committee membership also provides a unique networking opportunity for me, to share ideas and insights with my counterparts from throughout the Northeast region and bring test practices and resources to my constituents.”

     CSG/ERC is a non-profit, non-partisan organization, located in New York City since 1937, serves legislative, executive and judicial branch officials in 11 Northeastern states. 

     Their policy staff supports nine areas of concern including Energy and Environment, economic development, transportation and education among others.

     “In this challenging economic climate, it is more important than ever that we receive and share information to promote our regional priorities at the federal level,” Gentile said.

     CSG/ERC’s mission is to promote successful state policy innovations, advocate multijurisdictional problem solving, advocate for regional interests at the federal level, offer leadership training and technical assistance and forecast policy trends that affect the Northeast.

This is press release from Gentile's office.

Gentile, Crisco welcome improvement funds for Ansonia

      Gov. Dannel P. Malloy Thursday announced $4,973,865 in Main Street Investment Fund grants to 14 municipalities across Connecticut.
      The program, administered through the state Department of Housing, provides funding to develop or improve town commercial districts, attract small businesses, and improve pedestrian access and livability in town centers. 

    State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, and state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. D-Woodbridge, were pleased Ansonia was among the cities and towns receiving assistance.

     “Main Street Investment grants play an important role in strengthening economic development initiatives on the local level,” Malloy said.

     “This program is unique in that it builds a working partnership between state government and the smaller communities that are striving to strengthen their commercial centers and attract additional business. I applaud the leadership in Ansonia for their focus on creating accessible and livable downtowns.”

      Ansonia will receive $483,000 to make improvements to the West Main Street area between Kingston Drive and Bridge Street. 

     The project includes new granite curb, brick paver strips, concrete walkway, grass planting strip, ornamental rail fencing, street trees, and other street furniture, benches, trash receptacles, new ornamental lights and a new parking layout.  

     The parking lot will provide access points to the retail, office and government services as well as to the multi-modal transportation waiting area.

Vital tool toward revival

     “The Main Street Investment Fund is a vital tool that is helping communities revive commercial centers and downtown areas and lay the foundation for expanded economic activity and housing opportunities,” said Gentile said. “This is another step in creating a vibrant downtown community.”

     “These improvements for downtown Ansonia are exactly what we had in mind when we included this program in the bipartisan 2011 Jobs Bill because we know attractive commercial districts translate directly into enhanced business conditions and more jobs,” Crisco said. 

       “Furthermore, this Main Street Investment Fund helps drive customers to the small businesses that literally define downtown Ansonia – the type of businesses that comprise a vibrant economy locally and throughout Connecticut.”

      The Main Street Investment Fund, created as part of the historic bipartisan 2011 Jobs Bill, provides financial incentives to eligible municipalities as well as owners of commercial private properties for expenditures that directly support and enhance a qualified project. 

     Awards are not more than $500,000 and can be used for expenses such as building improvements, signage, lighting, and streetscape improvements.

     “I’m grateful to Rep. Gentile and Sen. Crisco for their help in securing these funds,” said Ansonia Mayor James Della Volpe. “This new look will build on the location of some new businesses to downtown Ansonia.”

This is a press release from Gentile's office.

Builders association honors Gentile with Dream Award

Linda Gentile speaks on floor of the state House.

    HARTFORD - The Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Connecticut honored state Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, with the Connecticut Dream Award. 
    This award, the highest honor given to public officials by the association, recognizes those who have demonstrated consistent support for the policies of the HBRA of Connecticut and who have made significant contributions to the home building industry and the production of more housing for Connecticut’s citizens.

     “Representative Gentile has exhibited common sense and reason as co-chair of Planning & Development in 2011 and 2012. Moving over in 2013 to co-chair the Environment Committee, she brought a desperately needed measure of balance and fairness to the historically anti-business Environment Committee,” said Bill Ethier, HBRACT’s Chief Executive Officer.

     “I am very pleased and humbled to even be considered for this award,” Rep. Gentile said.  “Our home builders play an important role as we look to revitalize Connecticut.”

     The 2013 Connecticut Dream Award was presented at the association’s Leadership & Legacy Dinner.
     The event gathered current and future leaders of the statewide association and the five local HBRA chapter associations: Eastern CT, Fairfield County, Greater Hartford, New Haven County, and Northwest CT.

     The Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Connecticut is a professional trade association with 900 member firms statewide.

    Members, all small businesses, are residential and commercial builders, land developers, remodelers, general contractors, subcontractors and suppliers 
     The HBRACT’s officers, members and staff work to solve industry problems and promote Connecticut’s economic growth.


This information is taken from a press release from Gentile's office. 

Lawmakers co-sponsor bill to combat human trafficking

         Naugatuck Valley female legislators were joined by all of their female colleagues in an unprecedented show of bipartisan cooperation.

        State Representatives Linda M. Gentile, Theresa Conroy and Themis Klarides joined with 54 of their female colleagues in co-sponsoring legislation to combat human trafficking.

       HB 5666 An Act Concerning the Forfeiture of Moneys and Property Related to Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking, combined two other bills on the same topic, HB 6696 and SB 1158.  
   The unanimous consensus and relative ease with which the bill made it through both chambers bespeaks a unilateral intolerance for the crime of trafficking in humans. 

     “Since females of any age are the predominant targets of this terrible crime, it just made perfect sense for this issue to be a priority of the women’s caucus,” said Gentile, D-Ansonia. 
     "Coming together and working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to achieve one common goal demonstrates that although we have our differences, the women in our legislature are not paralyzed by partisan politics.”

     Among its provisions, HB 5666 will:

• Increase criminal penalties for persons patronizing a prostitute under the age of 18;

• Allow the Superior Court to vacate criminal convictions for prostitution involving victims of human trafficking;

• Lower the burden of proof for sex trafficking minors;

• Require the forfeiture of criminal assets derived from commercial sexual exploitation of a minor;

• Add funds and property related to prostitution and 3rd degree promoting prostitution to the types of property subject to forfeiture as tainted  funds and property related to sexual exploitation and human trafficking;

• Require public awareness and education about services for human trafficking victims;

• Direct the Trafficking in Persons Council to identify further deficiencies in general statutes and report to the Judiciary Committee by 1/2014.

    Conroy, D-Seymour, said, “Prostitution is not a victimless crime. Every year women and children are forced into the meat grinder that is the sex industry. Together we passed legislation that targets those that profit from prostitution and hits them in the wallet.”

     “Human trafficking is a disturbing and, sadly, lucrative industry that targets our most vulnerable citizens,” said Klarides, Deputy House Republican Leader. “I’m proud we were able to come together and strengthen penalties for the sick individuals who patronize and perpetuate the sex trade.”


This post is taken from a press release from Gentile's office.

Gentile to attend agriculture summit in Canada

Linda Gentile

HARTFORD - State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, will attend a Legislative Agriculture Chairs Summit this weekend in Vancouver, British Columbia. 

As the House Chair of the Environment Committee, Gentile will represent Connecticut at the 12^th annual event. 
The LACS provides a non-partisan educational opportunity on agriculture and rural issues for state and provincial officials at no cost to taxpayers thanks to scholarships from the organization awarded to invited legislators.

“As the Chair of the Environment Committee, it is critically important that I know and understand the issues and policies that impact food production, natural resources management and animal rights. This leadership conference is a perfect opportunity for me to meet and learn from legislative and industry leaders from all over the country,” Gentile said. 

  “Educational opportunities such as this provide a framework for developing sound public and economic policies. Agriculture is a billion dollar business and could provide us the opportunity to create jobs and infuse money into our economy.”

     Features over the weekend include sessions on dairy policy, animal welfare and food production.

     The State Agriculture and Rural Leaders group provides an unparalleled opportunity for elected officials with an interest in agriculture to work together, collaborate and create problem-solving partnerships. Visit www.sarl.us.

This post is taken from a press release from Gentile's office.

Gentile applauds passage of bill to help homeowners facing foreclosure

       HARTFORD - State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, Tuesday praised the unanimous passage of legislation that will increase protections for homeowners in foreclosure.
 

     “We have enhanced and expanded a state program created by the legislature that has already helped many homeowners stay in their homes and avoid costly litigation while they try to work out an agreement with their banks,” Gentile said. 

     “It will also help reduce the number of abandoned houses that can drag down the property values of neighboring homes.”

    Gentile explained the legislation (House Bill 6355) strengthens and streamlines the foreclosure mediation process by creating rules to reduce needless delays and endless requests for paperwork.

     In addition, all parties must mediate in good faith or face sanctions, fines or dismissal of the foreclosure. 

    The bill ensures that homeowners engaged in mediation will not simultaneously face foreclosure-related litigation. It also streamlines the foreclosure process on abandoned houses to let banks sell properties in an effort to reduce neighborhood blight.

  

This post is taken from a press release from Gentile's office.

House passes bow hunting on Sundays on private property

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile speaks on the House floor. / Contributed photo

Legislation (HB 5412) that would allow deer hunting on private property on Sundays was approved this week by the House of Representatives.

The bill permits bow and arrow hunting on Sundays in accordance with Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) guidelines. 
The DEEP Commissioner could authorize landowners to engage in deer management programs on private property with landowner permission.  The bill now heads to the state Senate for consideration. 

     “This bill allows for the humane culling of the deer population in Connecticut,” said State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, House Chair of the Environment Committee. 

      “Deer cause significant damage to property and agriculture and bring with them the danger of Lyme disease.”

     Potential deer hunters would need to meet certain conditions:

·       Hunting cannot take place within 40 yards of a blazed hiking trail.

·       Hunters would need written consent of the private property owner

·       Hunters would need a DEEP bow and arrow permit

If enacted, the bill would take effect Oct. 1, 2013.

This post is taken from a press release from Gentile's office.