Early Voting Underway, 'Time To Own' Program Returns, Valley Update and Policy Highlights

October 25, 2024


 
 
I am heartbroken for the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department, Hartford Fire Department and the family and friends of Firefighter Robert Sharkevich Sr., who lost his life this week while fighting the Lamentation Mountain brush fire in Berlin. My heart is with all of the courageous and dedicated firefighters and first responders still working to control this fire through impossible grief. Sending my love from one fire family to another.
Seymour Firefighter and Valley Fire School Instructor Robert Branch also sadly passed away this week after a very courageous battle against cancer. 

Bob specialized in hazardous materials and rescue programs like rapid intervention team training. He was a very active and extremely respected member of the Valley Fire School staff and will be forever missed. 
 
EARLY VOTING IS UNDERWAY
Your say! Your day! Early Voting is underway!️

Early voting, which runs through November 3, allows you to vote in person safely and securely before Election Day.

You can vote early at the following locations in Ansonia and Derby:
  • Ansonia: Hilltop Hose Firehouse, 80 Pulaski Highway
  • Derby: Derby City Hall, 1 Elizabeth Street 

Early voting hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily with the exception of October 29 and 31, which feature extended hours from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
 
'TIME TO OWN' PROGRAM REOPENS
Great news for low and moderate-income homebuyers in the 104th District and across Connecticut!

The State Bond Commission approved this week $40 million in funding that will be used to reopen the popular Time To Own program to a new round of applicants.
 
Time To Own has helped thousands of people buy their first homes since launching in 2022. The program provides forgivable loans for down payments and closing costs and has enabled individuals and families to achieve the dream of homeownership, fostering long-term financial stability and contributing to stronger communities.
 
To date, Time To Own has helped more than 4,800 homebuyers in 149 towns buy their first homes, more than half of whom are people of color. With the new funding allocation, Connecticut has invested $195 million in the program.
For more information on eligibility, additional considerations, and how to apply, visit chfa.org/TimeToOwn.
 
GATISON PARK SURVEY RESULTS
I want to share the results of my Gatison Park survey in which nearly 100 Ansonia residents responded to what they believed were the most-needed improvements to the park. The majority of the residents who responded live near Gatison Park, or close by in Wards 1 and 2.

There were 17 questions centered on the park’s amenities. Respondents rated their answers on a scale of 1-5, ranging from 1 for “Not Important” to 5 for “Very Important.” The three highest-rated selections of importance were upgraded playground equipment (4.49), well-maintained grounds and cleaner facilities (4.45), and signs instructing patrons to clean up after their dogs (4.29).

I’m very proud to see our community so involved and hope the City of Ansonia sees these results and plans for the improvements of the park, accordingly, keeping in mind what the community has asked for through this survey. Their wants and needs serve as guides.

During the 2024 Legislative Session, I secured $100,000 in state-designated ARPA funding for improvements for the park as part of the Spending Stabilization Bill. I also held a community series with Ansonia Alderman Dan King in June and July to discuss the funding and gather feedback from local residents. Together, a community survey was launched, including an online form and volunteers having paper surveys filled out by their neighbors in the north end of Ansonia.

It is important to ensure that every neighborhood resident has a seat at the table and the ability to give their input on how to improve their community park. Below is a chart of the complete survey results for the park’s amenities:
The survey additionally asked respondents how satisfied they were with the current condition of the park on a rating scale of 1 for “Not Satisfied” and 5 for “Very Satisfied.” Most of the respondents trended toward “Not Satisfied” (1.79).
 
I appreciate everyone who took the time to answer these questions regarding how they’d like to see these state-sent funds spent to improve Gatison Park, so that it's welcoming to the community and thrives as a neighborhood asset. This was a true grassroots effort where the exchange of feedback and ideas with residents yielded invaluable insight for the City of Ansonia when it decides what improvements to make with this state-sent funding.
 
THE JOY OF READING
It was a JOY to stop at Julia Day Nursery & Kindergarten this week to read to our amazing young people for Jumpstart’s 19th annual Read for the Record! Our littlest ones are so important, as is having a love of reading and learning. It fills my heart to see their smiles, and to work hard to deliver for their families in this community. 
 
NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG
TAKE BACK DAY 

Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which allows the public to dispose of expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medication in an environmentally safe manner. When flushed, these drugs can contaminate our waterways and, when used illegally, pose a potential risk to public health and safety.

The collection closest to the 104th District is Bradley School in Derby at 155 David Humphrey Road. You can also visit DEATakeBack.com to find a collection site or for more information.

The program is anonymous and free of charge. Volunteers will be on hand to take items from your vehicle.

Prescription and over-the-counter dosage medications, such as tablets, capsules, vaping products, and liquids are accepted for disposal. Intravenous solutions, injectable medicines, Epi-pens, and needles are not accepted.

Please take pills out of prescription bottles for disposal. Sealed plastic bags are recommended.
 
HIGHLIGHTING LOCAL EXCELLENCE

Please join me in thanking nurses Katie Grant and Paula Rossi for saving the life of an Ansonia boys' soccer player. Our deepest gratitude to these women, and well wishes that our young athlete has a speedy and full recovery.

For more on these two heroes, click the button below the photo (credit to Hartford HealthCare) for a story from the New Haven Register.
'Surreal' moment for Connecticut soccer moms who saved high school player in cardiac arrest at game
 
COMMUNITY EVENTS