Poulos Photo Gallery | Connecticut House Democrats

I visited YMCA Sloper to see the progress on the new camp office and infirmary. I helped secure $520,000 in federal funding to make this project possible.

On Small Business Saturday, I visited Just for You Gift Shoppe, chatted with the owner, and browsed the carefully selected items that make the shop a true gem.

I was grateful for the opportunity to attend The Calvanese Foundation’s Annual Veterans Thanksgiving Dinner to share a meal, greet veterans, and hear their stories.

I spoke at a student-led panel at the Educators Rising Leadership Symposium at Wesleyan University to discuss a variety of issues including addressing the teacher shortage and strengthening the educator pipeline.

I had a conversation with the Young Democrats at Southington High School about public service, leadership, and how young people can get involved in shaping our community.

I helped the Southington Elks set up their Veterans luminary display in front of their lodge.

It was a privilege to thank to honor the men and women who have served our country and hear their stories of dedication, sacrifice, and commitment to our nation.

I spoke about my role as an elected official to a Southington Girl Scout troop last week as they work on their “Daisies in Democracy” badge.

It was fascinating to see the first-ever photo booth, invented right here in Southington, at the Southington Historical Society’s 60th Anniversary Open House.

The Veterans’ and Military Affairs Committee held a forum to hear how we can better support Connecticut’s veterans, service members, and their families.

I welcomed robotics teams from across New England to a CyberKnights Invitational event hosted by Team 195 at Southington High School.

I congratulated and thanked Councilors Jack Perry, Bill Dziedzic, and Val DePaolo for their years of service and dedication to our community.

I helped park cars as a volunteer at Halloween Fest at the Southington Drive-In.

I presented several awards at the 32nd Annual Music of the Knight Marching Band Competition.

I attended a Community Drug Awareness Event, which focused on ways to keep medications secure at home and prevent misuse.

I met members of the Marriott leadership team and learning more about what makes Southington an ideal location for their operations.

I was honored to attend the 2025 Southington High School Wall of Honor induction ceremony to celebrate this year’s remarkable honorees.

I was proud to attend the 34th annual Southington Red Ribbon Rally and recognize Southington STEPS Prevention Coordinator Megan Albanese on her lasting impact on our youth.

I worked as a celebrity server at the annual Leading Ladies Luncheon, which recognizes women who have made a meaningful impact on Southington.

I joined Southington Bread for Life to help deliver nutritious meals to local residents who may be homebound or in need of support.

I had a terrific time at the Southington Lions’ 60th annual pancake breakfast, which supports the organization's work from vision screenings and youth programs to disaster relief and scholarships.

I served up UNICO sausage and peppers at the second weekend of the Apple Harvest Festival.

I spoke to members of Boy Scout Troop 32 about my involvement in public service.

I spoke to 5th graders at Oshana Elementary School about the legislative branch, my role as a state representative, and how government works at the state and local levels.

I visited Infinite Growth Club on Center Street, met co-owners Alicia Diaz and Brandi Nik, and was impressed by their unique mix of fitness and mindfulness.

It was an honor to present an official state citation to Southington’s Teacher of the Year, Kim Padroff.

I stopped by the STEAM for All event and saw so many families enjoying hands-on science and technology together.

I toured Amazon’s BDL4 fulfillment center in Windsor, which plays a critical role in the company’s supply chain as part of the “first mile” network in Connecticut.

I attended a Public Safety and Security Committee forum reviewing the results of the statewide fire safety survey which provided insight into the challenges and needs of fire services across the state.

The meal and mariachi band at the newly operated and re-opened Señor Panchos on Queen Street was a treat.

I had the pleasure of joining the Orchard Valley Garden Club for a special presentation on Sustainable CT.

I had the honor of participating at several Connecticut Veterans Stand Down events, thanking our veterans directly for their service.

It was a privilege to present an official proclamation from the governor recognizing September 28 – October 4 as Frontotemporal Dementia Awareness Week.

Southington’s own Kim Padroff has been named a 2026 Connecticut Teacher of the Year Semifinalist, reflecting her outstanding dedication to her students and profession.

I was glad to join the Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington’s open house at their new office and education space.

I made it a goal to meet as many constituents as possible to hold candid, thoughtful, and inspiring conversations.

I was honored to present a citation celebrating the Barnes Museum’s 50th anniversary.

I enjoyed stopping by the Southington Farmers Market to catch up with familiar faces, meet new friends, and take in the welcoming atmosphere.

Music on the Green featured amazing energy, fantastic music, and a crowd that couldn’t stop dancing and singing along.

The 22nd Annual Taste of Southington at the Barnes Museum brought together a fantastic lineup of local restaurants and food trucks.

I presented my neighbors, Lance and Alice Flaherty, with an official citation celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

I learned about an innovative registry designed to support residents with mobility, sensory, or cognitive needs.

I visited Southington Community Cultural Arts, which the state awarded a $10,000 grant to buy a new kiln for its ceramics studio.

I met with Esther Harvey as well as Lewis and Kathleen Schassler to learn about Frontotemporal Dementia, a rare and incurable brain disorder affecting people under 60.

I had a fantastic time at the recent grand opening of SoLA Karaoke at Factory Square in Southington. This exciting, new business offers private karaoke suites and party options.

I had the great honor of awarding a citation to Anthony Longo, a World War II Navy Veteran, who celebrated his 103rd birthday.

I set out visiting neighborhoods across the 81st District and reconnecting directly with residents.

I had the honor of touring C.V. Industries, a family-owned manufacturer in Southington with a long history of excellence in Connecticut’s aerospace and defense sectors.

It was a treat to meet members of the CT Restaurant Association as local restaurants showcased samples from their menus.

The House unanimously passed HB 5001, a bipartisan reform bill that makes historic investments in special education and gives schools the tools they need to better serve every student.

I was honored to meet with representatives from the American Council of Engineering Companies where we discussed how they’re working to select the most qualified firms for transportation projects.

: I was proud to attend the annual Memorial Day parade and ceremony on the steps of the American Legion Kiltonic Post 72.

I caught up with my Southington friend Lottie Prushinski over coffee and pastries as we discussed AARP’s legislative priorities for this legislative session.

I welcomed Southington YMCA CEO Mark Pooler and his team to the Capitol to hear their legislative priorities and to hear the update on the status and timeline of the new infirmary and camp office project at Camp Sloper.

I had the privilege of presenting an official citation to Mark Ramsay, the 2025 recipient of the UNICO Gold Medal of Honor. He is the founder of LEAF, an organization promoting education through agriculture, and has displayed unwavering dedication to inclusion, education, and public service.

I had the privilege of joining residents and staff at The Summit at Plantsville for a special breakfast in honor of National Nursing Home Week.

I attended Nonprofit Advocacy Day at the Capitol with other members of the Southington delegation and met with Patricia Gibney, CEO of the ARC of Southington.

The 4th Annual Kickball Classic at Dunkin' Park was a home run in every sense. House Democrats won and thanks to the legislators from both sides of the aisle who played, the fans and supporters that cheered, and everyone who donated to Connecticut Foodshare.

It was a privilege to attend this week’s Academic Awards Night at Southington High School, where I had the honor of presenting official state citations to the Class of 2025 Valedictorian Kai Onnen, Salutatorian Kriti Gupta, and Essayist Emily Thompson.

On Wednesday at the Capitol, I joined fellow legislators for the STOP THE BLEED press conference and training with the American College of Surgeons — a hands-on session focused on lifesaving skills for emergencies like accidents, shootings, and medical crises.

Earlier this week at the Calendar House, I was honored to present a proclamation on behalf of Gov. Ned Lamont to Southington resident Jacqueline Willametz, declaring May as Myositis Awareness Month in Connecticut.

The Connecticut Hero Act passed the House of Representatives unanimously on Wednesday, and it is legislation that helps, empowers, and recognizes our Veterans. As a member of the Military and Veteran Affairs Committee, I am proud to be a co-sponsor of this legislation.

This week, I had the privilege of speaking at Connecticut Education Association (CEA) Lobby Day at the State Capitol—an inspiring event that brought together active, retired, and aspiring educators from across Connecticut. As both a legislator and a teacher, I know firsthand how essential it is for policymakers to hear directly from those who live the realities of our classrooms. The stories, passion, and dedication shared by educators help guide our work and underscore why strong public education must always be a top priority.

This week, I had the honor of attending the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity’s “Autism: Raising Awareness at the Capitol” event, centered on the theme of “Transitioning”—highlighting the key life stages individuals on the autism spectrum navigate, from education to employment and independent living. The stories shared by self-advocates and families were powerful reminders of the ongoing work needed to support true inclusion and equity. An added bonus: I had the pleasure of welcoming Caleb Miller to the House chamber—the son of my SHS Class of ’93 friend and fellow graduate, Jimnahs (Herron) Miller.

As Distracted Driving Awareness Month comes to a close, it's the perfect time to highlight important legislative efforts aimed at making our roads safer. I'm proud to cosponsor HB 7060, a comprehensive Transportation Committee bill that aims to promote roadway safety awareness and make Connecticut’s roads safer for everyone. This legislation includes my proposal to name Southington’s Jude Lane overpass in honor of TFC Aaron Pelletier, a dedicated Connecticut State Trooper and member of our community who gave his life in the line of duty. HB 7060 also supports my broader efforts to protect drivers, passengers, and highway workers.

This week, the Select Committee on Special Education held both a press conference and a public hearing focused on HB 7277 and SB 1561. These proposals have drawn significant public interest, and the committee was honored to hear directly from nearly 200 individuals — parents, students, educators, district administrators, and advocates — who shared their personal experiences, professional insights, and passionate perspectives.

Thank you to everyone who joined me this week at the new Southington Public Library for another great stop on my Legislative Session Q&A Listening Tour. It was a productive conversation filled with thoughtful questions and important feedback, as the General Assembly prepares to head into the next critical phase of the 2025 legislative session.

It was a privilege to honor Missy Cipriano as the Southington Elks Citizen of the Year at their annual awards dinner last weekend. While her numerous contributions on town boards and her role at Bread for Life are impressive, her record of kindness to others is unmatched. Congratulations Missy!

I was honored to be invited to join the Southington Lions Club at their meeting this week. At the gathering, I shared a legislative update, answered their questions, and then presented them with an official state citation recognizing their 80th anniversary and many contributions to our community.

A moving moment of the Annual Veterans Coffee Hour & Resource Discussion was a tribute to Colonel Richard Anderson for his 42 years of service to our state and nation. I was honored to present an official state memoriam to his family, who joined us for the event. My father, Ret. LTC Chris Poulos, Sr. and a member of the Southington Veterans Committee, shared reflections on Colonel Anderson’s legacy of service, hard work, and commitment to family— a reminder of the selfless dedication and strong values of those who serve.

This morning’s Annual Veterans Coffee Hour & Resource Discussion at the Southington Calendar House was a productive and heartfelt gathering — and another powerful stop on my 2025 Listening Tour. I’m incredibly grateful to the state officials who joined us, including John Carragher from the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), State Representative Jaime Foster, Chair of the Veterans Committee, and Major General Francis Evon, Adjutant General of the Connecticut National Guard.

I had the privilege of attending the graduation of the Connecticut State Police 136th Training Troop at Southern Connecticut State University. It was an inspiring event, recognizing the dedication, sacrifice, and hard work of these new troopers as they step into their roles to serve and protect our communities.

This week, I had the pleasure of joining Spring Lake Village residents for a great discussion on legislation impacting Southington and the State of Connecticut. It was a valuable opportunity to connect, share updates on key issues, and hear directly from constituents about what matters most to them.

This week I was proud to share that Southington has been awarded an $8,000 state grant through the neglected cemeteries program for the maintenance of the Merriman Cemetery in Plantsville. I am proud to have worked with Town Historian, Phil Wooding, to support this initiative.

This week, I had the pleasure of joining Spring Lake Village residents for a great discussion on legislation impacting Southington and the State of Connecticut. It was a valuable opportunity to connect, share updates on key issues, and hear directly from constituents about what matters most to them.

This week's Legislative Session Listening Tour stop with Southington teachers offered an insightful and productive conversation. I truly appreciate everyone who took the time to share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas about the challenges and opportunities facing our schools, teachers, and students.

This week I joined with my fellow Greek Americans in the north lobby of the Capitol to commemorate the 204th anniversary of the Greek Revolution and the founding of the Hellenic Republic.

A huge congratulations to Nick Martino on being named the Riccio Brothers Businessperson of the Year at last night’s Southington Chamber of Commerce event! His dedication to the community and leadership at Crystal Restoration have made a lasting impact, and this recognition is well deserved.

I had a great time catching up with friends at the Southington Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours networking event at Smoke & Muddle on Liberty Street. Back in September 2023, I assisted owner Robin Cimino in obtaining her permit and later attended the restaurant’s grand opening. Today, she confirmed that everything is going well—and judging by the size of the crowd, I’d say she’s right!

Last Saturday, we enjoyed perfect weather and a fantastic turnout for the 8th annual O’Shenanigans 5K! A huge thank you to the organizers and volunteers, including the team from the Hartford Marathon Foundation, Kinsmen Brewing, and Sauced, for putting together a great community event.

It was a highlight this week to welcome Southington High School students to the State Capitol, along with Superintendent Steven Madancy and Board of Education Chair Colleen Clark.

I enjoyed checking in with my Southington AARP friends – Laura Schiavone, Janet Ferracci and Lottie Prushinski – earlier this week. Over coffee at the Lions Den, they shared their feedback on the previous legislative session along with their updated priorities for this year.

Join me at the O’Shenanigans 5K on Saturday, March 8. While the race is at capacity and registration has closed, residents and friends are invited to come down and cheer on the runners and walkers.

Early in March, I was invited to attend the Champions for Public Education Day of Action at the Legislative Office Building hosted by the Connecticut Education Association (CEA). As a teacher, I am committed to sharing my classroom experiences with my legislative colleagues in an effort to promote policies that give our students and educators the resources they deserve.

This week, I met with members of the Connecticut Association for the Deaf (CAD) and fellow legislators at the Capitol to discuss HB 6932, which would establish a State Interpreting Standards Board to set clear qualifications, improve oversight, and ensure interpreters are certified for specialized settings.

It was informative to attend an event hosted by the Connecticut Auto Retailer Association and had the pleasure of connecting with Southington resident Chuck Dortenzio.

I enjoyed many one-on-one conversations at the second stop on my 2025 Legislative Session Listening Tour in late February.

As a member of the Public Safety and Security Committee, I had the opportunity in February to tour the state’s Emergency Operations Center, located in the State Armory.

I had the pleasure in February of visiting Mrs. Chavez's and Mrs. Sullivan’s 5th grade classes at Oshana Elementary School to talk about my role as a State Representative and how our government works here in Connecticut.

I had the honor in February of presenting an official state citation to Patricia Pettit, Southington High School’s 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year. I was joined by Superintendent Madancy, Assistant Superintendent Pepe, and Principal Aroian.

In February, joined by legislative colleagues, I had the privilege of attending LiveWell’s special film viewing of "Human Forever" — a documentary that explores the challenges of cognitive change while celebrating the compassion, resilience, and deep humanity of those living with dementia.

The Select Committee on Special Education in February heard great input from educators and families on our statewide listening tour.

Gov. Ned Lamont presented his biennial state budget priorities to a joint session of the General Assembly. His proposals focus on affordability, economic growth, and transformative investments while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Key priorities include early childhood education and tax relief.

The legislature passed HB 6932, an important reform to how Connecticut regulates and delivers interpreting services for the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing communities.

In early February, I attended the quarterly meeting of the Governor’s Advisory Board for Persons who are Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing. We discussed the group’s priorities, and I provided an update on HB 5578, a bill I introduced to establish a State Interpreting Standards Board.

In early February, I had the pleasure of welcoming Southington STEPS students and advisors to the State Capitol. We met to discuss the status of HB 5427, a bill I introduced to address the sale of Kratom, an unregulated, addictive and harmful substance.

The advocacy of students and advisors of Southington STEPS helped the House pass HB 6855, which places important restrictions on the sale of Kratom and its derivatives by designating them as scheduled substances.

In January, I attended a gathering hosted by the Association of Retired Teachers of CT (ARTC). I met with members to learn about their legislative priorities, in particular the high cost of insurance for retirees.

In January, I attended a press conference of the bipartisan Feeding CT Caucus, highlighting Connecticut Foodshare’s vital work in feeding our neighbors. Despite their incredible efforts, many in our state still face food insecurity. I’m proud to support this effort through my co-sponsorship of HB 5831, which would increase funding for the Connecticut Nutrition Assistance Program.

Congratulations to 8th graders Ekam Singh (Kennedy MS) and Vaidehi Patel (DePaolo MS), this year's recipients of the First Baptist Church's Martin Luther King Jr award.

This week, I met with the Southington STEPS Youth Council to learn more the dangers of kratom, an unregulated substance with significant health risks.

On Jan. 22, I joined state officials in celebrating the life of Ella Grasso, a trailblazing American politician and a beacon of leadership, best known as the first woman elected as governor of a U.S. state.

At Mount Southington in January, John Galuska and his team walked me through “The Shop,” showcasing the pumps, compressors, and computer systems that move the right combination of water and air through pipes enabling them to cover the trails with snow.

Great news on my "I-84 Traffic Safety Corridor" initiative! Public Safety Bill HB 7204, which includes a provision to establish a traffic safety corridor program, passed unanimously out of committee and will now be considered by the full legislature. My proposal aims to improve highway safety by increasing awareness and enforcement between Waterbury and New Britain.

Working closely with Committee Chair Rep. Maryam Khan (Hartford, South Windsor, and Windsor), committee members, and legislative staff to plan the agenda for our work on the Select Committee on Special Education.

This week (Jan. 15) at the Capitol I spent my time in committee meetings, developing and introducing bills, collaborating with colleagues, and consulting with advocates and state agencies on how we might work together to move our priorities forward.

Attending the Southington High CyberKnight’s Kickoff Event and First Robotics Competition (FRC) Game Reveal alongside students and parents of Team 195 in January.

Swearing in at the Capitol on January 8, 2025.

State Representative

Chris Poulos

Proudly Serving Southington

PHOTO GALLERY

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State Representative

Chris Poulos

Proudly Serving Southington

PHOTO GALLERY