Here is a list of news releases The Valley Indy received from lawmakers representing Ansonia, Derby, Seymour and Shelton this week!
Seymour Lawmakers, First Selectwoman Applaud State Approval Of Funding For Train Station Renovations And Sidewalk Improvements
SEYMOUR (March 31) — Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly (R‑21), Senator Eric Berthel (R‑32), Representative Nicole Klarides Ditria (R‑105), and First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis applauded the state bond commission’s approval of a $250,000 grant-in-aid to the Town of Seymour for train station renovations and sidewalk improvements.
“I want to thank the Bond Commission for approving these funds to improve the safety and accessibility of Seymour’s train station and for improvements to the surrounding area, including to repair sidewalks,” Rep. Klarides-Ditria said. “Smart infrastructure investments like these bring benefits to the entire Valley community by making travel along the Naugatuck Line safer and easier.”
“Improving access to public transportation makes traveling to and from work, visits with family and entertainment easier and more affordable for many when gasoline is still more than four dollars a gallon,” said Sen. Eric Berthel.
“I appreciate the state’s recognition and support of the town of Seymour and the importance of investing in public transportation and local infrastructure,” said Sen. Kevin Kelly. “Enhancing all elements of transportation is vital to support economic development and jobs in our town and throughout our region.”
First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis said, “We appreciate our delegation’s efforts on the residents’ behalf as well as the Bond Commission’s decision to invest in the Town of Seymour. As we work to stimulate economic development, investments in the Naugatuck Valley Line, our railroad station and our downtown orbit are crucial to our success.”
Kelly, Berthel, Klarides-Ditria Award Seymour Middle School Essay Contest Winners
Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria and State Senator Kevin Kelly present citations to the four winning essayists at Seymour Middle School.
SEYMOUR (March 30) – In honor of National Women’s History Month, Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly, Senator Eric Berthel and State Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria hosted an essay contest for 6th grade students at Seymour Middle School.
All 6th grade students were invited to participate by writing a 300-word essay on the topic, “Important Women in Connecticut’s History and How Their Contributions to the State and Nation Affect Me.”
During a ceremony on March 29 with the entire 6th grade gathered in the auditorium, Victoria Bertapelle, Samantha Pastick, Jacob Olson, and Melody Ramos were recognized for their winning essays. They read their essays in front of gathered friends and their parents before the legislators presented State Citations and awards of recognition along with General Assembly lapel pins.
The four winners include sixth graders Victoria Bertapelle, Samantha Pastick, Jacob Olson, and Melody Ramos.
Winners:
1st Place – Victoria Bertapelle. Victoria wrote about Kristen Griest of New Haven who was the first woman infantry officer in the U.S. Army.
2nd Place – Samantha Pastick. Samantha wrote about Dorrit Hoffleit, astronomer at Yale University.
3rd Place – Jacob Olson. Jacob wrote about Margaret Frances “Peggy” Bacon of Ridgefield, artist winner of the Guggenheim Fellowship for Creative Arts.
4th Place – Melody Ramos. Melody wrote about Harriet Beecher Stowe of Litchfield, famed author and abolitionist.
“Listening to the passion in each student’s voice as they read their essay was inspiring,” Rep. Klarides-Ditria said. “The time and effort the students put into their work was evident, and each entry was interesting and informative. Great job.”
Essay contest winners with their families at Seymour Middle School.
“Congratulations to all the students for their excellent work,” said Sen. Kevin Kelly, “It was moving to hear the winning essayists share their writing with us, and tell the stories of so many accomplished women who overcame obstacles and paved the way for others. In the words of our 1st place winner Victoria, ‘women are strong, and we can do whatever we put our mind to without being held back.’ Great work by all the students who submitted essays and to our four impressive winners.”
“The written words of our winners, and every student that took the time to put pen to paper, were very impressive and informative. I commend them for so thoughtfully telling the stories of some of the very accomplished women of Connecticut. Their insight was equally impressive in connecting these accomplishments over time, and how they affect us today. I hope that every student who participated takes this lesson and goes on to shape Connecticut’s future themselves. I’m certain that they have the talent and drive to do it,” said Sen. Eric Berthel.
For the essay, students were asked to focus on one notable Connecticut woman, detailing her life and accomplishments and what those contributions meant to them.
Shelton Lawmakers, Mayor Applaud State Approval Of Funding For Constitution Boulevard Extension, Commerce Park
SHELTON (March 31) – Representative Jason Perillo (R‑Shelton), Representative Ben McGorty (R‑Shelton), Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly (R‑Stratford), and Mayor Mark A. Lauretti applauded the state bond commission’s approval of a $5 million state investment in Shelton’s 306 Constitution Boulevard extension and Commerce Park.
Rep. Perillo said, “This has been a great team effort that included the mayor, Rep. McGorty and Senator Kelly whose help was invaluable. We made our pitch to the Governor’s office and they agreed that this was a great economic development opportunity that could not be missed. This will keep a Connecticut business right here in Fairfield County (Bigelow Tea) and lead to additional business development. Additionally, these projects keep taxes on residents low while also providing more tax revenue to pay for city services.”
Rep. McGorty said, “The Bond Commission, with help from Governor Lamont and through Mayor Lauretti’s leadership, sees the City of Shelton as a great place to live, retire, raise a family, or run a successful business. With this additional funding, we can help to make necessary upgrades which bridge the gap between North Constitution Blvd and Constitution Blvd, including additions of local businesses and a new firehouse. This investment in the City of Shelton will absolutely improve the quality of this thriving area in our beautiful city.”
“I appreciate my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for investing in this important local project,” said Sen. Kelly. “This project is vital to building a long planned for economic development corridor and supporting further job growth in Shelton. Reps. Perillo and McGorty have done an outstanding job advocating alongside the Mayor and Shelton community for this important state investment. We all look forward to seeing this important project advance.”
Mayor Mark A. Lauretti said, “I want to offer a special thank you to Governor Lamont for his recognition that the prosperity enjoyed in Shelton spills over to the State of Connecticut in terms of tax revenue, job growth, business retention and expansion that is so vital to the future growth of our state. The extension of Constitution Boulevard will allow businesses to come here and grow here, thereby perpetuating the evolution of an old industrial blue-collar city into a diverse employment hub in the State of Connecticut.”
The State Bond Commission today approved the lawmakers’ $5 million request to provide a grant-in-aid to the City of Shelton to support the construction of a road to extend Constitution Boulevard.
