Chris Poulos

It was an incredible privilege this week to recognize retired Deputy Chief Bill Palmieri as Southington UNICO’s 2024 Gold Medal Award winner. At the event, I highlighted a number of Bill’s contributions to our community before presenting him with an Official State Citation:
 
Unity: Bill’s work as President of Southington STEPs, which endeavors to unite our community around the noble cause of substance abuse prevention.
 
Neighbor: Bill’s nearly four decades of service to the Southington Police Department, not just as a Deputy Chief and officer, but as a good neighbor and friend to our residents.
 
Integrity: Bill’s embodies the Service Above Self mantra.
 
Charity: Bill’s leadership with the Dementia Friendly Southington initiative and his acts of charity and good will to our elderly residents.
 
Opportunity: Bill’s volunteer role at Bread For Life and his commitment to bringing opportunities to those facing food insecurity.
 
Thank you, Bill, for all of you do for our great town of Southington!

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

I'm proud to say we passed a bipartisan spending stabilization plan that will ensure our two-year state budget's historic tax cuts are protected, and we invest in the priorities that matter to you.
 
Remember, last year we passed a two-year budget, which includes:

• The Largest Income Tax Cut in State History
• Investments in Public Education
• New supports for the IDD community
• Expansion of Debt-Free Community College
• A Strong and Vibrant Safety Net of Programs
• Expanded Tax Relief for Seniors on Social Security and Retirement Income

This year, we used remaining federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to provide support to some important priorities such as:

• Higher Education - $160 million
• Early Childcare - $21.8 million
• Mental Health - $24 million
• Nonprofit Organizations - $50 million

The ARPA funding for Southington includes $99,7000 to Calendar House for an outdoor fitness initiative and building improvements.

All that and we are putting more than a billion dollars into the state's Rainy Day Fund and paying down pension debt.

I am proud to report that Connecticut is set up to succeed financially in the present as well as the future

This week was National Skilled Nursing Care Week, and I was grateful for the opportunity to visit The Summit At Plantsville, where I met with residents and recognized the hardworking staff members with an Official State Citation. Thank you to all nursing home workers for all you do.

Later on in the week, my father, retired Army LTC Chris Poulos, Sr., attended the Veterans Wall of Honor Ceremony at The Summit. As the Eucharistic Minister assigned to The Summit, he delivered the invocation and benediction, and in between, he shared both his and my gratitude with the Vets in attendance for their service.

I know that Connecticut law enforcement officers have our backs every day. We owe it to them to support their families and stand by them. From now on, when police officers or troopers are killed in the line of duty in our state, the Fallen Officer Fund, which was signed into law by Governor Ned Lamont, will offer immediate support to their families.

The fund will:

• Provide $100,000 to the surviving family members or beneficiaries of any Connecticut local or state police officer killed in the line of duty or who sustained injuries that were the direct and proximate cause of the officer's death.
• Allow the surviving family members of police officers killed in the line of duty who were covered by that officer’s health insurance at the time of their death to remain on that coverage for up to five years.

The Fallen Officer Fund will be administered by the Office of the State Comptroller.

May is ALS Awareness Month. This is a dedicated time to raise awareness about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness, loss of motor function, and difficulty speaking, swallowing, and breathing. During this month, various organizations and communities come together to educate the public, support research efforts, and advocate for improved care and treatments for those living with ALS. 

In most cases, the mind of a person with ALS remains sharp and alert, but voluntary muscle control becomes completely lost. As people with ALS lose the ability to walk, talk, and even breathe, the disease requires them to rely on caregivers, often their family members, to provide the care and assistance needed to perform normal daily activities. In many cases, particularly in the later stages of the disease, people with ALS have a need for continuous care, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

To defeat this disease, our community must be educated about ALS, as well as the issues confronting those who are affected by it. To learn more, please click the button below.

Saturday is Armed Forces Day.
 
Join me in honoring the members of our armed forces on this special day. We thank you for your courage, sacrifice, and dedication to defending our nation's freedom.