Chris Poulos

This week, the Drive In Community Pavilion was renamed the Joseph J. Laporte Community Pavilion, in admiration of Mr. LaPorte’s enduring impact on our town. His unwavering commitment to youth sports, town parks, and civic engagement has left an indelible mark on the fabric of our community well deserving of this recognition.
 
To commemorate the occasion, I requested two official state citations on behalf of Southington’s Legislative Delegation: One for Mrs. LaPorte and her family, and a second to be hung in the pavilion. Earlier this week, I visited Mrs. Laporte and her son, Dan, at her home and presented the family’s citation to them. Due to a long-standing conflict, I was unable to attend the dedication ceremony on Wednesday, so I asked Town Councilor Chris Palmieri to publicly read and present the citation that will be hung in the pavilion.
 
Let this be a call to all residents of Southington to reflect on Mr. LaPorte's spirit of service and to strive to emulate his dedication to making Southington a better place for all.
 

Please continue reading below for other noteworthy items, and thanks as always for taking the time to read them!

At Monday’s Town Council meeting, my father and Veteran, U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Chris Poulos Sr., was appointed to Southington’s Veterans Committee. I was honored and proud to attend and congratulate him. At the meeting, Town Manager Mark Sciota, Veteran’s Committee Chair Rachel Wache, and members of the Town Council cited his record of service: Dad served in the honorably in the Army for 27 years, where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During the Vietnam Era (1967-1969) he served in West Germany and when he came home continued his service in the Army Reserve and National Guard (1969-1994).

At the end of the meeting, I presented the Town of Southington lapel pin that I wore when I served on the Town Council to my Dad, as a gesture of my gratitude for his commitment to Southington and for the gift of his example of service that has guided me in my elected and volunteer roles.

Congratulations to the Class of 2024! On Thursday, I attended the Southington High School graduation ceremony. It was a perfect evening to celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of our students and teachers. Best wishes to all graduates!

It was great to catch up with Southington friends and business owners this week and welcome Morava Restaurant & Bar as the latest Southington Chamber of Commerce member. The food and refreshments were excellent and the conversation even better. If you are planning a night out, why not support one of our newest local restaurants and give Morava a try!

Reminder! This Saturday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. is the fifth annual Cheryl Jankura Memorial Food Drive. I am privileged to play a small role in helping to collect items for the Bread for Life Summer Lunch Program by serving as an Honorary Alumni Ambassador, along with my good friend, Dawn Derynoski Anastasio (Class of 1995). I invite you to stop by Bread for Life and make a donation. Hope to see you there!

The Southington Farmers Market season starts June 21 from 3-6 p.m. on the Town Green !

Wishing all of the fathers a great day on Sunday!