We are on the home stretch of our legislative session and I wanted to share this update on what we have been working on.
As always, please feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or concerns.
The topics covered are as follows:
Legislative Updates
Today in CT History
Community Resources
CT Foodshare
Manchester Community Events
East Hartford Community Events
Legislative Updates
No one should have to choose between going to work sick and exposing others or losing pay and being unable to pay their bills. We passed House Bill 5005to prevent workers from having to make these decisions by allowing for the accrual of paid leave, up to 40 hours each year, for those working at least 120 days annually.
There has been a cultural change in the workplace since the pandemic where we don't want our coworkers showing up to work sick. This legislation promotes better public health outcomes while allowing workers to care for themselves or a sick loved one without adding financial strain.
And we listened to businesses, the measure will be phased in for employers with 25 employees or more in 2025, 11 or more in 2026, and one or more in 2027. Again, businesses that are already offering at least 40 hours of paid time off each year are exempt from this law.
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration, where it must be voted on before the 2024 legislative session ends on Wednesday, May 8th, at 12:00am.
Today In CT History
During the American Revolution, the western Connecticut town of Danbury served as a critical supply depot for Continental Army troops stationed in New England and the strategically important Hudson River Valley.
In early 1777, Royal Governor William Tryon of New York moved to sever the Americans’ Danbury supply line. He did so by launching British forces’ deepest raid of the American Revolution into the interior of Connecticut. On April 25th, 1777, Tryon landed with over 1,800 British and loyalist troops on the shores of Compo Beach in modern-day Westport and began a grueling 24-hour march north to Danbury.
A 1924 map depicting the route of William Tryon’s raid of April 1777. (Click to enlarge.)
Tryon’s raid was bold and unexpected. American forces were confident that because Danbury was 25 miles from the shore, it was too far inland to be at risk from British attack. As a result, the depot was guarded by only two small companies of militia. Local minutemen and scouts who spotted the British force marching inland raced to warn their local communities of the incoming threat, but the Americans were unable to muster an effective or organized resistance before Tryon reached the Danbury depot.
Thanks to the scouts’ warnings, Danbury patriots were able to move a few critical items — including a considerable number of medical supplies — out of town before Tryon’s troops stormed in. But with the English outnumbering the depot’s defenders by over 10 to 1, the fate of the depot was certain. The British quickly brushed aside the patriot defense and took control of the Continental Army provisions.
Lacking the wagons needed to transport the captured supplies back to the Connecticut coast, the British opted to destroy them. They stacked huge piles of dry goods and military material in Danbury’s streets and set them on fire. Later, as it became clear gathering colonial forces were about to launch a counter attack, the British hurriedly set fire to nearly two dozen homes believed to be storing more patriot supplies. (They were careful, however, to spare the homes of known loyalists.)
Though the town was spared from complete destruction, the Danbury Raid of April 26, 1777 was a major setback for a Continental Army desperately struggling to supply its troops with food, equipment, and munitions. And after the town was burned, the threat from (and to) Tryon’s forces was far from over. A contentious running battle erupted between the march-weary British and furious American forces in the nearby town of Ridgefield the very next day that would dog the British all the way back to its original landing site.
A memorial near Westport’s Compo Beach, where William Tryon landed in April 1777 with over 1,800 troops, commemorates the local minutemen who warned nearby communities about the impending British raid.
Below is the list of locations in Manchester that are open to the public; Bring a sturdy grocery bag! This program is made possible by Foodshare and Winn Residential - Resident Service Program. For more information call 860-646-1280.
Get mobile pantry updates in your area by texting the word Foodshare to 85511.
Squire Village, 48 Spencer Street, 06040 (1st parking lot off Imperial Drive #78)
Faith Tabernacle – Manchester 110 Utopia Rd, Manchester, CT 06042
New River Community Church -314 Woodbridge St, Manchester, CT 06042
East Hartford
Below is the list of locations in East Hartford that are open to the public; Bring a sturdy grocery bag! This program is made possible by Foodshare and Winn Residential - Resident Service Program. For more information call (860) 291-7295 or (860) 291-7248
Hockanum Park- 75 Hamilton Park
Mayberry Village –St. Isaac Jogues Church Parking Lot (41 Home Terrace East Hartford)
Summerfield Townhouse (66 Plain Drive East Hartford, CT)
Veterans Terrace -102 Columbus St, East Hartford, CT 06108
Region 3, CRCOG will be hosting a CERT basic training class for anyone interested in becoming a trained CERT member.
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may occur where they live. CERT trains volunteers in basic disaster response skills, such as: Fire safety. Light search and rescue. Team organization.
This is a great opportunity to aid your community in a way that you may not have thought about.
Please contact your local team leader or Emergency Management Director for signup or email Koplowitz.s@gmail.com(put CERT class in the memo line); Be sure to include your email and contact phone number. Classes start April 27th.
Musical Play at Cheney Hall
Legally Blonde - The Musical is coming to CT!
Based on the smash hit movie, Legally Blonde: The Musical follows the transformation of Elle Woods from a pink-loving SoCal sorority girl to a Harvard law student, all on her own terms. In this fabulously fun, award-winning Broadway musical, our blonde heroine tackles any obstacle, all while staying true to her dreams through rousing songs and dynamic show-stopping dance numbers.
This feel-good musical comedy will be the most fashionable ticket in town — and is so much fun, it should be illegal!
April 12 — 28
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM
Sundays at 2 PM
Tickets: $24 - $37
Discounts for Seniors, Students, Military, and Groups
We work with low income homeowners to make their homes warmer, safer and drier. The services we provide help to stabilize affordable home ownership and help seniors age in place. We pride ourselves on being an organization that encourages neighbors helping neighbors.
The Town of East Hartford in collaboration with the East Hartford Veterans Commission are excited to announce that the third annual East Hartford’s Memorial Day parade and series of events will take place Monday, May 27, 2024 at 10 AM.
The event will consist of three parts, including a parade, program at the Fallen Star Memorial and celebration of East Hartford. The parade will begin promptly at 10 AM, proceeding from 9 Riverside Drive to the Fallen Star Memorial located at Goodwin University.
“It was the Town's priority to bring back the Memorial Day parade 3 years ago and it has now become a tradition that the community looks forward to every year," said Mayor Connor Martin. "I have a lot of respect for our Veterans and the Memorial Day Parade is a small gesture in which we honor their service and sacrifice."
PARTICIPANTS:
Those who would like to march in the Memorial Day Parade are asked to register by Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
To make the event possible, the town would like to extend sponsorship opportunities to local businesses and organizations. Those who wish to sponsor the event or offer in-kind services, please fill out the electronic form below by Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
East Hartford is also accepting applications from vendors who wish to participate in the Memorial Day event. Vendors will have to set up and disassemble their own tables, tents and chairs. Vendors who wish to participate are asked to register Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
The parade will be followed by a program at the Fallen Star Memorial and a family-friendly celebration of East Hartford with food trucks, music and activities.
The Town of East Hartford in collaboration with East Hartford Parks and Recreation, the East Hartford Black Caucus, the Commission on Culture and Fine Arts, and the East Hartford Public Library, invites you to attend the town’s third annual Juneteenth Celebration. Juneteenth, officially known as Juneteenth National Independence Day, is also known as Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, and Black Independence Day is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans.
The event will take place on Saturday, June 15th from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, at Alumni Park. Admission is FREE.
A family-friendly stage lineup will honor Juneteenth through a diverse array of performances. Enjoy music, dance, spoken word, and historical interpretation! Bring a chair or a picnic blanket and stay all afternoon.
The Juneteenth Fest is the perfect family-friendly, community event that offers fun activities for children and adults alike. Among many activities, there will be a variety of vendors, food, entertainment, bounce house, face painting, powerful storytelling and so much more.
In case of inclement weather, this event will be held inside at Community Cultural Center (50 Chapman Place).
VENDORS AND PARTICIPANTS:
East Hartford is accepting applications from vendors who wish to participate in the Juneteenth celebration. Vendors who wish to participate must submit the applicable form to East Hartford Parks and Recreation.
Celebrate National Poetry Month with a virtual library event! Join featured poets Marilyn Johnston, Jane Schneeloch, John L. Stanizzi, and Elizabeth Thomas over Zoom on Tuesday, April 30, from 6:30 - 7:30 PM.
Poets are invited to submit poems, raps, or spoken word pieces on the theme of GARDEN.
An open mic will follow the presentations of the featured poets. For more information, contact Adult Services librarian Rolande Duprey: rduprey@easthartfordct.gov. Audience members should register on the library's online event's calendar:
My office is always open if you or your family are in need of assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email atJason.Rojas@cga.ct.govor by phone at 860-240-8541.
