Updates from State Rep. Aimee Berger-Girvalo for Aug. 29, 2025

August 29, 2025



 

 

It would be impossible to send a note to you all and not acknowledge the horrific shooting in Minnesota this week, which resulted in the deaths of two young children and the injuries of 18 more.
 
Following the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook in 2012, Connecticut implemented multiple measures to prevent gun violence, and established one of the strongest frameworks for gun safety in the nation. These laws have made it significantly more difficult for individuals to obtain the weapons used in mass shootings. The CDC reports that Connecticut consistently maintains one of the lowest firearm mortality rates in the country, underscoring the effectiveness of our policies in protecting the lives of residents, statewide. The argument against implementing these measures typically states that we simply need to address mental health. But at the same time, the very folks who tout mental illness as the only cause of our absurd and unmatched mass shooting problem in this country, have voted time and again to cut funding to mental health programs. And the thing is, we can do both – strengthen gun laws AND support mental health. I am grateful and proud to be part of a legislature that prioritizes both of these issues.

But right now, I just can't stop thinking about the latest community to experience this avoidable tragedy, and all of the others who have already experienced this horror, who are being re-traumatized by the news. My love to you all.
 

Women's Equality Day

This week we recognized Women's Equality Day. On Aug. 26, 1920, the 19th amendment was certified, giving women the right to vote. But the fight was not easy, nor was it truly on behalf of ALL women. Activists and reformers took to the streets of Washington, D.C., for over 100 years to win that right but it wasn't until the Voting Rights Act, an entire 45 years later, that our country finally prohibited racial discrimination in voting. Racial discrimination in voting rights in the U.S. remains a significant problem, with recent court cases, restrictive state policies, and widening turnout gaps continuing to affect communities of color, especially Black and Hispanic voters. In fact, while the Supreme Court has recently upheld the ability of voters to sue under the Voting Rights Act, it is also directly considering whether some core protections should be rolled back. Specifically under target is Section 2 of the VRA, which bans race-based discrimination in voting.

I don’t take our right to vote for granted these days, and neither should you. I am grateful for our efforts to ensure that all who are eligible have access to voting, here in Connecticut, and will continue to fight for this foundational right for us all, and for democracy itself.
 

Back to School!

I wish all our Ridgefield students, teachers, faculty, staff, and parents an enthusiastic welcome back to school!

I hope everyone is inspired and energized as the new school year begins in town.
 
🚌 As a reminder, we all have to stop for school buses. Never go around a bus when they have their stop sign out and always be cautious there may be students nearby even if the stop sign signal isn’t active.

🚸 Slow down in the school parking lots.

Here’s to a year full of connection and growth!

Also wishing college students an awesome, productive 2025-26 school year. And for their parents, a nod and a hug. I dropped off my baby at college (the metal head, rocker kid pictured below) last week for his sophomore year. Even though I've said goodbye to my children many times as they’ve returned to their respective schools and new homes, it has never gotten easier for me.
 

Art Walk 2025

The Ridgefield Guild of Artists' 12th annual Art Walk runs through Sept. 7. Downtown Ridgefield has turned into a strolling art gallery, featuring 39 artists displaying in 34 stores along Main Street, Bailey Avenue, and beyond.

All artwork on display will be available for purchase to benefit The Ridgefield Guild of Artists. 

More information here.
 

Veterans Stand Down

On Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs will host its annual Stand Down event. This event is a commitment to serving Connecticut’s veterans, military personnel, and their immediate families by providing “one-stop” access to a range of programs and services offered by state and federal agencies, veterans organizations, and community-based nonprofits at regional sites across the state.
 
A formal ceremony will be held at the Rocky Hill Stand Down location at 9:30 a.m.; however, you're welcome to attend any of the six Stand Down locations at any time throughout the day.

Stand Down locations are:

  • Bridgeport: University of Bridgeport, Wheeler Recreational Center, 400 University Avenue
  • Southington: Southington Armory, 600 Woodruff Street
  • Danbury: Danbury War Memorial 1 Memorial Drive
  • Norwich: Easter Seals Veterans Rally Point, 24 Stott Avenue
  • Rocky Hill: Connecticut Veterans Affairs campus, 287 West Street
  • Stamford: UConn at Stamford, 1 University Plaza

Click HERE for more information. 
 

Fairs in Connecticut

Fair season is in full swing in Connecticut. Get your fill of (sometimes decadent) food, rides and entertainment. Many also showcase livestock, crafts, exhibits, pie-eating contests, spelling bees (!) and other things unique to Connecticut!

This weekend features three fairs, Woodstock, Haddam Neck and Goshen. Details are below. For more fairs scheduled into mid-October, visit here.

Woodstock Fair
Aug. 28 – Sept. 1
Celebrating its 163rd year, the state's second-oldest agricultural fair has food, livestock shows, a petting zoo, free stage shows, a midway, strolling entertainers, plenty of vegetables, flowers, and more.

Haddam Neck Fair
Aug. 29 – Sept. 1
The Haddam Neck Fair is celebrating its 105th year and is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, beautiful setting, live music, and food. Events include tractor and truck pulls, horse and oxen pulling contests and a horse show. Contests include women’s skillet throwing, and more. Vendors will be on hand offering vegetables, flowers, canned goods, and handmade arts and crafts.

Goshen Fair
Aug. 30 – Sept. 1
This is a major agricultural fair with livestock judging, draft horse show, woodcutting competition, entertainment, food vendors, midway, arts and crafts, home exhibits, and more. This fair also has an adult spelling bee, fireworks, hay bale toss contest, parade, pie-eating contest, and a skillet throw contest.
 

As always, if you have any comments, questions or concerns, please reach out to my office.

Sincerely,

Aimee Berger-Girvalo
State Representative

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