Upcoming Contests for Students, Internship Opportunity, and More!
March 20, 2026
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Dear Neighbor,
Happy Friday!
Happy Friday! Eid Mubarak! May this day bring peace, happiness, and the blessings of family and community to you and your loved ones. It is also the first day of Spring. While this winter was snowy and cold, spring is sure to follow a long winter. Enjoy the warmer weather this weekend and the hope brought by the first crocus blooms!
The Women's March Madness Tournament kicked off earlier today. Connecticut has two representatives in this year's tournament - UConn and Fairfield University. Both teams will play on Saturday. Best of luck to all to the young women who will be playing over the next few weeks!
Please read below for information on upcoming contests for students, a scam alert, and more!
Upcoming Contests for Students
Attention middle and high school students - the Liver and Health Innovation Consortium is accepting submissions for the Love Your Liver Youth Creative Challenge. Students from grades 6-12 can choose to submit an essay, a visual art piece, poetry, or a song with the theme of how they can make healthy choices to protect their liver. Submissions should include the student’s first and last name, school and grade level, best contact information, and the information of the parent or guardian giving permission to enter the contest. Top prizes include gift cards and a citation recognizing the winning students’ efforts. Click here to enter your submission.
Are you a young artist interested in showing off your talent? Western Connecticut State University is now accepting submissions for their Student Art Showcase. Selected students will take part in a special art exhibition at The Gallery at the Visual and Performing Arts Center. The showcase will accept art pieces in the following artistic categories - drawing and illustration, 3D small works, painting, and photography.
The top selected artists will be featured and presented with noteworthy recognition and awards at the opening reception.
The showcase is open to all Connecticut students in grades 9-12. There is no entry fee. Entries must be submitted by April 12. Click here to learn more.
Press Conference Recap
Over the past few weeks, I've attended a few press conferences that centered on some of your legislative priorities I am working on for our District.
Earlier this month, I had the honor of speaking at the Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day gathering at the Capitol.
Last Friday, I stood with lawmakers and environmental advocates for a press conference concerning the growing waste crisis in Connecticut. As it currently stands, Connecticut produces more waste than it can process. HB 5524 would help address this issue.
This legislation introduces a food donation plan aimed at reducing food waste and redirecting edible surplus food to communities in need, including to our food banks. HB 5524 also expands eligible uses of grant programs administered by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to support waste reduction by including cold storage for food donation and dishwashers in public schools for reusable foodware.
Click the link below to see my remarks.
Later on that day, I joined Rep. Blumenthal and other legislators for a press conference about HB 5001, which would enact the no excuse absentee voting overwhelmingly supported at the ballot box in 2024 and other election and voting protections.
Last but certainly not least, I joined Speaker Ritter and other legislators in support of adjusting the education cost sharing (ECS) grant for our schools in the state, supporting additional education funding for our District, and property tax stabilizing grants for our cities and towns.
Click here to watch the press conference.
CTDOT’s Draft 2027-2030 Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan Open for Public Comment
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has released the 2027-2030 draft Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for public comment. The draft STIP compiles all highway and public transit projects that CTDOT intends to pursue over the next four years, utilizing Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding.
CTDOT is conducting two hybrid public informational meetings regarding the draft STIP on Wednesday, June 3 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at CTDOT Headquarters, 2800 Berlin Turnpike in Newington.
Both meetings will also be held on Zoom; registration is required. To register, please click here. CTDOT staff will be available in-person 30 minutes prior to each meeting to informally discuss the draft STIP with members of the public.
Green Workforce Internship with Norwalk Recreation & Parks
The City of Norwalk is now accepting applications for a Green Workforce Internship with Norwalk Recreation & Parks. This paid internship will support and help lead the Green Workforce Apprenticeship Program, a hands-on job training program focused on trees, landscaping, and environmental careers.
Click here to apply.
Scam Alert
Attention Norwalk residents - the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning regarding a scammer who is impersonating the Norwalk Seaport Association.
This individual has been contacting festival vendors, asking them to submit vendor applications and pay booth fees through unapproved, non-traditional payment methods.
The scammer has been using vendor contact information, possibly obtained from previous years' festival records, to reach out to unsuspecting vendors. Some of these vendors were asked to pay $535 for booth space and electricity through unconventional online payment platforms, including the App Store. These requests are not associated with the legitimate Norwalk Seaport Association.
The scam began last year and has continued through a fake social media ad. The scammer’s email address associated with this fraudulent activity is vendoreventshow@gmail.com, while legitimate communications from the festival will come from a @seaport.org email address.
The Norwalk Seaport Association's Executive Director, Jerry Toni, has already reported the matter to local police and the Norwalk Health Department, who are monitoring potential fraudulent food vendor permits. The investigation has traced the scam back to Kenya.
To protect yourself and others, here are a few tips:
- Be cautious with peer-to-peer payment systems—especially when asked to use the "friends and family" option or to pay via an unfamiliar email.
- Verify the legitimacy of events before submitting personal information or payment.
- Do not fall for intimidation tactics—legitimate event organizers will not pressure you to make payments in non-standard ways.
Stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
Construction Updates for East Norwalk
Attention Norwalk residents - below are a few construction updates - please note that the schedule is subject to change:
- The Ft. Point Street detour will continue through April 3. Use Reynolds Street or Van Zant Street. Follow police direction. Crews are working along the retaining wall between Ft. Point Street and Moore Place.
- East Norwalk Connectivity Enhancements along East Avenue from Winfield to Cemetery Street and Gregory Blvd. has begun. The traffic island at East Ave./Cemetery Street twill be removed removed. Work will take place during the day, Monday through Friday. All local residence and business access maintained.
Click here for more information.
Citywide Flood Resilience Plan Recap
If you missed the listening session for the citywide flood resilience plan, you can watch a recording of the meeting here.
If you are interested in filling out the flooding survey, click here. The survey will close on April 1.
Finally, there will be another listening session on Monday, April 20 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the at Dr. Ruby Shaw Elementary School.
Upcoming Library Events
The Norwalk Public Library will hold several events over the next few weeks. If you want more information, click on the corresponding flyer or visit the Norwalk Public Library website.
Westport Public Library also has a robust lineup of programming. Please visit their website to learn more.
ICYMI
Norwalk Recreation & Parks are looking for camp counselors for this summer. If you have a lot of energy and enjoy working with kids, this position is for you. Click here to apply for a position.
Westport Hazardous Waste Day is fast approaching. This day is a great opportunity to safely dispose of old paint, chemicals, gasoline, and other hazardous materials. The event will be held on Saturday, April 11 from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM at the Greens Farms Railroad Station - Parking Lot #1.
Residents from Westport, Norwalk, New Canaan, Darien, Stamford, and Greenwich will be able to drop off items for free!
Click here for more information.
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Please don't hesitate to reach out to me with any questions and concerns you may have - I can be reached at Dominique.Johnson@cga.ct.gov, or through my office phone - 860-240-8585.
Sincerely,
Dominique Johnson
State Representative
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