I want to share some highlights including state and local updates.
In this email you'll find updates on district resources and news. Please click the links below to read the section that corresponds with the highlighted headline.
A NOTE: If you're having trouble clicking through the following links, open this email in a browser, use a computer or scroll through this email to the relevant section.
I always look forward to the opportunity to meet with residents face-to-face and really talk about your concerns and ideas – it’s what helps me to best represent our community. I’ll be hosting Virtual Office Hours. If you’d like to participate, sign up for a time slot here.
$3M was awarded to the East Hartford Housing Authority to finish Phase III of Veterans Terrace (2 Columbus Circle)
Parks improvement in Manchester
These funds will allow the continuation of improving Bigelow Brook Greenway, a gem that offers birding, hiking, and running with scenic views.
Paying Down Pension Debt
Last week, Connecticut transferred more than $1.3 billion to pay down its long-term pension debt.
Since the legislature enacted the state’s “fiscal guardrails” in 2017, more than $7 billion in excess contributions captured from volatile revenue sources have been made to pay down pension debt, resulting in far-reaching savings for Connecticut taxpayers.
Future generations will save more than $600 million per year over the next 25 years while supporting retirement benefits for teachers, state troopers, nurses, correction officers and more.
While enormous progress has been made in addressing our long-term liabilities, more work remains. But what we have achieved is benefitting taxpayers today and long into the future.
Greater Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade
After the recent postponement of the Greater Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade and Festival del Coqui, we are pleased to announce the rescheduled date. The event, originally planned for September 10, 2023, was delayed as a mark of respect for the fallen officer of the Hartford Police Department.
The parade and festival will now take place on Sunday, October 8, 2023, promising a vibrant celebration of Puerto Rican culture and community. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone for their understanding and support during this time.
In the coming days, we will release further details regarding the updated festivities and itinerary, ensuring an enriching experience for attendees. Expect an exciting lineup of entertainment, delicious cuisine, and engaging activities that showcase the beauty and traditions of Puerto Rico.
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all the participants, sponsors, volunteers, and community members for their patience and cooperation during this change. We value their unwavering support as we strive to organize a memorable and inclusive event for the Greater Hartford community.
Stay tuned for further updates on our official channels, including our website, social media platforms, and local news outlets. For any inquiries or media requests, please reach out to our Public Relations department at (860) 904-7860.
We are eagerly looking forward to celebrating the Greater Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade and Festival del Coqui on Sunday, October 8, 2023. Let's come together to honor our heritage, embrace our diversity, and create unforgettable memories.
PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA
Después del reciente aplazamiento del Desfile Puerrtorriqueno de Hartford y el Festival del Coquí, nos complace anunciar la nueva fecha programada. El evento, originalmente planeado para el 10 de septiembre de 2023, se pospuso como muestra de respeto hacia el oficial caído del Departamento de Policía de Hartford.
El desfile y festival ahora se llevarán a cabo el domingo 8 de octubre de 2023, prometiendo una vibrante celebración de la cultura y comunidad puertorriqueña. Agradecemos de todo corazón a todos por su comprensión y apoyo durante este tiempo.
En los próximos días, daremos a conocer más detalles sobre las festividades actualizadas y el itinerario, asegurando una experiencia enriquecedora para los asistentes. Esperen una emocionante selección de entretenimiento, deliciosa comida y actividades interesantes que exhiban la belleza y tradiciones de Puerto Rico.
Queremos expresar nuestro sincero agradecimiento a todos los participantes, patrocinadores, voluntarios y miembros de la comunidad por su paciencia y colaboración durante este cambio. Valoramos su apoyo inquebrantable mientras nos esforzamos por organizar un evento memorable e inclusivo para la comunidad de Greater Hartford.
Estén atentos a más actualizaciones en nuestros canales oficiales, incluyendo nuestro sitio web, plataformas de redes sociales y medios de comunicación locales. Para cualquier consulta o solicitud de prensa, por favor contacten a nuestro departamento de Relaciones Públicas al (860) 904-7860
Estamos ansiosos por celebrar juntos el Desfile del Día de Puerto Rico y el Festival del Coquí de Greater Hartford el domingo 8 de octubre de 2023. Unámonos para honrar nuestro patrimonio, abrazar nuestra diversidad y crear recuerdos inolvidables.
Sammy Vega
President of CICD
Connecticut Institute for Community Development – Puerto Rican Parade, Inc.
80 Cedar Street
Hartford, CT 06106
Today In History
The national spotlight landed on Hartford, Connecticut on the evening of October 6, 1996, as the nation’s presidential candidates held the first presidential debate of the campaign season at the Bushnell Theater. Thanks in part to the influence of Connecticut senators Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman, the city of Hartford won the right to host the debate over the much larger city of St. Louis.
The debate, moderated by PBS’ Jim Lehrer, was the first of two presidential debates scheduled that year, and began promptly at 9:00pm. The Republican candidate, former senator Bob Dole, hoped to diminish Clinton’s sizable lead in the polls with a strong debate performance and fiercely criticized the incumbent president’s record on the domestic economy, foreign policy, crime prevention, and the War on Drugs. Clinton, who had already established a reputation as a savvy debater, parried Dole’s criticisms with equal ferocity.
This image, taken from C-SPAN’s coverage of the October 6, 1996 debate in Hartford, shows Bob Dole and Bill Clinton greeting each other before the main event.
For 90 minutes the two men went back and forth in front of a live television audience of millions of Americans, at times viciously attacking the other’s policy platforms — but never each other. When Lehrer asked Dole if he could think of any significant issues regarding Clinton “in the more personal area” that were relevant to the election, Dole demurred, replying: “I don’t like to get into personal matters. As far as I’m concerned, this is a campaign about issues. It’s about my vision for America and about his liberal vision for America. And not about personal things.” Later on, Clinton similarly refused to take the bait when asked about Dole’s character, stating, “I like Senator Dole, you can probably tell we like each other. We just see the world in different ways. And you folks out there are going to have to choose who you think is right.”
The heated — but ultimately civil — tone of the debate did not go unnoticed by the press: the next day, CNN reported, “For much of the 90 minutes that [Bob Dole] and Bill Clinton debated on Sunday night, the two agreed as much as they disagreed.” While partisan pundits lamented the opportunity for their respective candidates to score easy political points by attacking the other’s character, many other Americans appreciated the mutual tone of respect exhibited by Clinton and Dole during the Hartford debate. A rare victory for political civility was won at the Bushnell Theater, on this day in Connecticut history.
Please arrive early to be in line for 9 am as the truck leaves promptly at 9:30 am. Open to the public--bring a sturdy grocery bag! This program is made possible by Foodshare and Winn Residential - Resident Service Program. For more information call 860-646-1280.
Squire Village, 48 Spencer Street, 06040 (1st parking lot off Imperial Drive #78)
Town Offices will be closed today in observance of the holiday.
Please visit the Library, Recreation, and Sanitation Dept. for information on their specific holiday schedules, including curbside trash and recycling schedules.
Old Manchester Museum Open House
May 6 and the first Saturday of each month through December, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Open house and socializing at the 1859 former school, located at 126 Cedar Street. There are exhibits, artwork, old maps, and a small museum shop with local-history items for sale. Come for a few minutes, or stay longer. Our hosts may be able to help you with some research -- there is a collection of Town directories at the museum.
The Manchester Registrars of Voters is looking to hire residents to be paid election officials to work at the polls for the upcoming local election, Tuesday, November 7, 2023 and any other future elections. We are looking for good people who care about their community, who want to ensure that each vote counts, and who want each voter to have the best possible voting experience. This is an opportunity to fulfill an important civic duty and to get paid as well. It is very satisfying day, as you assist in the ultimate democratic right and process—voting.
Before you apply, and we hope that you do, here is some information you should consider:
You must be a US Citizen and Manchester resident. Positions are Full-Day positions, which means you must arrive at the polling location at 5:15 am and stay until the close of the poll. The poll usually closes at 8:00 pm, but can stay open later if voters are still in line at 8:00 pm. Most poll workers have some paperwork to complete and then are free to leave, approximately 30 minutes after the close of the poll.
A training class must be taken by all poll workers before the election.
For more information contact the Registrars of Voters office at 860-647-3025 or email registrar@manchesterct.gov
Parking Enforcement Constable
Downtown Manchester Special Services District is seeking to hire a friendly, customer-service-oriented, physically active individual to manage parking Downtown.
This person will serve as a Parking Enforcement Constable by monitoring Downtown parking and enforcing regulations by issuing tickets. A parking enforcement constable is an employee of the Downtown Manchester Special Services District that is authorized by the Town Manager to issue parking tickets.
This role also serves as an Ambassador for Downtown, representing the Downtown District to the patrons and customers.
For more information and to apply check out the link below
Manchester has launched planning efforts for its 2023 Bicentennial Celebration. This year long celebration will consist of a variety of opportunities to remember the past, celebrate the present, and dream about the future. Festivities will include historical and educational programs, special events, and commemorative projects.
It was a wonderful summer in the town of East Hartford! To celebrate the upcoming fall season, East Hartford Parks & Recreation would like to invite you in welcoming the fall season at their Annual Fall Festival Event. The event will take place on Saturday, October 7th from 11:00am-3:00pm, at the East Hartford Town Green, 1021 Main Street. Fall Fest is one of the Town’s largest events, averaging over 2,000 participants the past few years and there is always loads of fun activities for the entire family to keep you busy celebrating the autumn season all afternoon. There is a $5-fee for visitors that provides an unlimited access to attractions, games and a pumpkin decorating activity that participants will get to take home.
The Fall Festival is the perfect family-friendly, community event that offers fun activities for children and adults alike.
Among many activities, this year there will be a variety of vendors, food, pumpkin decorating, scarecrow decorating, pumpkin bounce house, inflatable corn maze, face painter, glitter tattoos and more. Crafters, vendors and non-profit organizations are welcome to participate in this event.
If you are a vendor interested in participating in the event, please fill out a vendor application form below or call Parks and Recreation at 860-291-7160:
In case of inclement weather, the event will be Sunday, October 8th from 11:00am-3:00pm.
East Hartford, CT— The Town of East Hartford will begin the annual curbside leaf collection program on Monday, October 30, 2023. The program will feature a continuous vacuuming of leaves placed in piles on a tree belt. Leaves will be vacuumed Monday through Saturday starting October 30th continuously through December 9, 2023.
The leaf collection program will commence on roads in the northwest corner of town in the area of Pitkin Street and then proceed north and east through the Burnham and Goodwin Street areas. Leaves will be vacuumed along each street, weather permitting. Collection will proceed in a clockwise direction around town. There will be no leaf collection on two (2) Town-observed holidays—Veterans Day, November 10, 2023 and Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2023.
The schedule for leaf pickup can be found on the Department of Public Works Weekly Advisory Map, that will be live for October 30, 2023, and on the Facebook page. The map will show completed areas as well as the areas where leaf collection is anticipated the following week. Residents should note that the map is tentative and dependent on the weather and the speed of collection and should not be considered a set collection schedule. Progress of the collection is weather-dependent and will be affected by rain or snow. Snowfall before mid-December may cause a suspension or cancelation of leaf collection. The map will be updated with address-specific collection information, such as whether collection has been completed or is anticipated by close of business on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Residents, please look for leaf program lawn signs! Leaf collection lawn signs will be posted in neighborhoods to notify residents that curbside leaf pickup is coming, and to encourage raking to the curb and paper leaf bag collection.
This information will also be communicated via our EH Alert platform as a text, call or email to those subscribed to “town services.” To receive those notifications, please select "Town Services" during registration in the drop down menu.
Residents also have two (2) additional options for leaf disposal:
OPTION 1: Curbside Brown Bag Collection for six (6) weeks
Town crews will pick up leaves placed in biodegradable brown paper bags beginning October 30, 2023 through December 9, 2023 on your regular waste collection day, weather permitting. Leaves, in biodegradable brown paper bags only. No grass clippings, branches or other waste items can be placed in the paper bags nor will the Town collect leaves in plastic bags.
OPTION 2: Resident Transport to The Transfer Station for FREE Disposal
Residents may also bring their leaves to the Transfer Station on Ecology Drive between 8 AM to 1:45 PM on the following days:
Every Saturday in November
First three Saturdays in December
Transfer Station will be open on November 11 & 25 for leaves only.
The Map will show your property- click on it to pull up the anticipated collection week.
To find out if the leaf collection has already been completed in your area, please click on the road centerline, which will indicate if the street has been completed.
For any additional information, please call Public Works Administration, 860-291-7374.
East Hartford Farmers Market
The East Hartford Farmers’ Market are excited to present to you their new and improved Farmers' Market, with new vendors and updated hours. The 2023 farmers’ market dates are held Tuesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00p.m. They invite residents to celebrate Connecticut-grown fruits, vegetables and locally produced foods, as well as enjoy our market - a place to connect with others in our community.
Location: Raymond Library at 840 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06108
East Hartford Social Services Invites Local Families to
Sign up for Koats 4 Kids Program
The East Hartford Youth and Social Services Department is accepting applications for the Back to School Koats 4 Kids program! The program provides qualifying parents with assistance up to $60 per child to purchase a new coat for their children entering grades K-12 this fall 2023.
The Koats 4 Kids Program is sponsored by the East Hartford Rotary Club in collaboration with Burlington Coat Factory.
Social Services will work with parents of eligible children in grades Pre-K to 12th to receive a coat. The coats will be distributed to the first 100 registered families on Sunday October 15, 2023 starting from 8:00 AM at the Burlington Coat Factory (940 Silver Lane, East Hartford).
Participants must be an East Hartford Resident and attend a school within the East Hartford Public Schools system, graded Pre-K to 12th grade. Children can be referred by their school, East Hartford Youth Services, church, or be self-referred.
Deadline to register is Wednesday, October 11 at 4 PM. Please call the Social Services Department at 860-291-7248 with questions.
East Hartford Partners with East Hartford Tennis Club
to Offer Indoor Pickleball
The Town of East Hartford once again partnered with the East Hartford Tennis Club to offer indoor pickleball for local senior residents 55 years of age and older.
The program will be held at the East Hartford Tennis Club, 151 Roberts Street on Tuesday & Thursday from 1:00pm – 3:00pm, at a cost of $5.00 each day.
The program will run from Tuesday, October 10th and through March 2024.
This will be another positive boost to a very popular program for seniors as the town has opened up six new first-class concrete courts located at Hockanum Park on High Street.
Please contact the Tennis Club can be contact with any questions (860) 528-9251.
My office is always open if you or your family are in need of assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email atJason.Rojas@cga.ct.govor by phone at 860-240-8541.
