Conroy: Dems restore state funding to Griffin Hospital in Derby

HARTFORD - State Rep. Theresa Conroy, D-Seymour, Beacon Falls, Derby today announced Democrats in the General Assembly have restored significant funding to the state’s hospitals, including $3.5 million in funding for Griffin Hospital in Derby. 

Theresa Conroy

The legislature met in special session Tuesday night to approve a package of spending cuts and reforms to close a deficit in the current year’s state budget. 
Included in the package is the restoration of approximately $50 million in hospital funds.

“On September 23, I pledged to fight Governor Malloy’s cuts to Griffin Hospital; in October we secured funding for small hospitals; and now the legislature approved a budget reform package that restores $3.5 million of the Governor’s cuts to Griffin,” Conroy said.

In June of this year, Legislative Democrats approved a state budget that included $4.8 million for Griffin Hospital. In September, Gov. Dannel Malloy unveiled a package of budget rescissions that included up to $84 million in cuts to hospitals and reduced Griffin’s state funding to $1.2 million. 

Conroy worked to ease the impact to Griffin Hospital and by early October, Malloy agreed to restore $14.1 million to the state’s small hospitals. 

Last night, the Legislative Democrats approved a bill that restored funding for Griffin to $4.72 million.

“We appreciate Rep. Conroy’s continued advocacy on behalf of Griffin Hospital,” said Patrick Charmel, Griffin Hospital President and CEO. 

“The reduction in the Governor’s rescission cuts contained in the legislation passed today will help to preserve Griffin’s ability to fulfill its care giving mission.”

“This week in 1909, Griffin Hospital opened a 24-bed hospital on Seymour Avenue in Derby,” Conroy said. 
“The first patient was admitted on Dec. 9 where the price was 31 cents a day. The Connecticut General Assembly has always had a part in the history of Griffin, from granting the charter in June 1901 to today – ensuring that we maintain funding to keep this great institution in the Valley to serve our residents.”

This is a press release from the office of Connecticut Democrats.

Take a hike at Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby

DERBY - The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection invites families, friends, Scouting groups, and other organizations to participate in a Fur, Feathers, and Ferns hike Dec. 30.

Kellogg Environmental Center, Derby
 Photo from website

The hike will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 1 p.m. at the Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave.

Please bring a beverage and an eco-friendly lunch which is one that uses recyclable or reusable items for containers. 

Participants will explore trails in nearby fields and woods to see how organisms are suited for survival and learn about ways plants and animals are adapting due to habitat or temperature variations.  

Participants will create a nature journal for use on the trails and will be able to borrow binoculars and magnifying glasses or bring your own to observe animals along the way. Participants are asked to be accompanied by an adult or to be part of an adult lead group such as Boy or Girl Scouts.   
Registration is required; the fee is $5 per child.

For more information, directions, or to register, call the Kellogg Environmental Center, 203-734-2513, or email donna.kingston@ct.gov.


This is a press release from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Community choir to perform concerts in Naugatuck, Waterbury

My husband, Ralph, and I enjoyed the choir's 'Sounds of Liberty' concert in May that featured patriotic music.

And we look forward to attending the program celebrating Christmas. 

According to the choir's website "Silent Night," "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing," and my favorite carol, "O Come All Ye Faithful," are some of the songs to be performed.

Admission is free, with good will offerings accepted.

Gentile attends leadership conference in Boston

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile of Ansonia, fourth from left, poses with other legislators at a recent Women's Leadership Conference in Boston./ Contributed photo

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, Derby, recently attended a pair of leadership development conferences in her role as Deputy Speaker of the House. 

She was one of a handful of invited women legislative leaders from across the country.
“In my role as State Representative for the 104th District and Deputy Speaker in the House of Representatives, I must be the very best that I can be. That means learning new and innovative ways to represent govern and lead,” Gentile said. 
“Participation in these scholarship training and professional development conferences was really beneficial and rewarding.”
Gentile was selected along with only 12 other legislative leaders from throughout the country by the National Conference of State Legislatures to attend the summit in Boston. 
Similarly, she was one of 26 women legislators from across the country to attend the conference in Santa Fe, N.M.
“My attendance was made possible by professional scholarship and personal funds,” Gentile said. 
“The policy was invited legislators only and I attended on a full scholarship.” 


This is a press release from Gentile's office.