Conroy joins officials to honor Vietnam veterans at ceremony in Hall of Flags in Hartford

Dignitaries honor veterans of the Vietnam War today in the Hall of Flags at the state Capitol in Hartford./Submitted photo

HARTFORD - State Rep. Theresa Conroy (D- Seymour, Beacon Falls, Derby) joined state and military officials and other dignitaries to honor the veterans of the Vietnam War in the Hall of Flags at the state Capitol.

Conroy served on the Legislature’s Veterans Committee in 2010 when the General Assembly approved legislation designating every March 30 as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day. 

State Rep. Theresa Conroy

“The annual ceremony pays homage to the service and sacrifices made by thousands of men and women who served in Vietnam,” Conroy said.

The day was chosen because it was on March 30, 1973, that the last American combat and combat support troops left South Vietnam, although some U.S. Marines remained to serve military advisors and protect U.S. installations. 
South Vietnam fell a little more than two years later.

Conroy continues to fight for Vietnam War veterans with the Blue Water Navy Resolution and she expects the Connecticut House of Representatives to vote on the resolution in the coming weeks.  
Sailors who patrolled Vietnamese bays and harbors and were exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War are not classified as Vietnam War veterans by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and do not receive care and benefits for Agent Orange-related illnesses.  

The Connecticut Blue Water Navy Resolution calls on the U.S. Congress to stand by the Blue Water veterans and restore their benefits.

This is a press release from Conroy's office.

Master's Table to host dinner April 17 at Assumption Church hall in Ansonia

Are you dense? Breast health seminar slated at Griffin Hospital in Derby

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Seymour Public Library offers playgroups, art, magic, music, more

SEYMOUR - The Seymour Public Library has announced its April activities planned for children.

April 5 -10:30 a.m.- Family Place Playgroup for infants -5 year olds.  Experience many different types of play in a free play style program.  
Interact, develop social skills and make new friends! Possible visit from a child care or health advisor. A short circle time at the end of the session. Last of spring session.

April 7 - 4 p.m. - StoryKids’ Book Club for K-Grade 2 . Book talks, craft and a snack. Child must have some reading ability.

April 13 - 4 p.m. - Nutmeggers’ - YA Book Club for Grade 5 and up. Book talks, craft and a snack, features the Intermediate Nutmeg Nominees.

April 14 - 10:30 a.m. - Science Snoopers - ‘Neat Feet’ - All kinds of feet! Natural science and a craft for ages 2 and up. Children must be able to sit and listen.

April 14 - 4 p.m. - BookChatters’ Book Club for Grades 2-4. Book talks, craft, and a snack; features the Magic Tree House Series.

April 19 - 10:30 a.m. - “It’s Manga Smanga Time.” Learn to draw the art of Manga Cartooning with Seymour’s resident artist, Debi Hamuka-Falkenham - ages 7 and up.

April 19 - 6:30 p.m. - “ Danny Magic” an amazing Family Night Magic Show. Fun for all ages!

April 20 - 10:30 a.m. - Lionheart Puppets presents ‘The Brave Little Tailor’ a puppet show for all ages!

April 21 - 10:30 a.m. - Animal Show on the Go – ‘Meet the Animals’ live animals – to see, learn about, and touch!  For all ages.

April 22 - 3:45  p.m. - YA Origami – Learn and create cool Origami art! For ages 8 and up.

April 27 - 10:30 a.m. - Lynn Lewis - Music and Movement for ages newborn-6. A fun time for everyone.

All programs are free, fun and formative!

Some programs have limited enrollment; registration is required for all programs.

For information call 203-888-3903, visit us on Facebook or at www.seymourpubliclibrary.org.

This is a press release from Ann Szaley, children's librarian, Seymour Public Library.

Derby strengthens economic development team

Dugatto appoints former Hamden official as Chief of Staff
DERBY – Mayor Anita Dugatto favors a multi-faceted team approach to economic development.

Business retention and recruitment, strategic grant applications, and well-planned infrastructure investments are critical to advancing the well-being of the Derby community in a fiscally responsible manner.

However, responsive city services, attractive community amenities, a strong public transportation system, and long-term planning are also key components of a successful economic development program.
“These components allow us to market Derby as an attractive place in which to live, work and invest,” Dugatto said.
Dugatto believes successful economic development arises through a collaborative process between city departments, boards and commissions, and outside agencies including the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments, Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, and Connecticut’s Department of Community and Economic Development. 
Derby citizens are part of this collaborative process as well.

“As I see it, Derby needs an economic development team, rather a single person, to adequately address all of the important components of a comprehensive economic development program. It doesn’t make sense to assign responsibility for the advancement of our community to just one person,” Dugatto said.

Derby’s economic development team was recently strengthened by Dugatto with the appointment of Leslie Creane to the position of Chief of Staff.
Though titled Chief of Staff by city ordinance, the position’s description aligns it with the role of a community and economic developer.

Creane has extensive experience in municipal community development, most recently serving as Town Planner for the Town of Hamden for the past 10 years. She has served on anti-blight enforcement, civic improvement, and neighborhood revitalization task forces. 

Creane was also a liaison to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection on the largest environmental remediation project in Connecticut state history. Her professional experience includes writing successful grant proposals.
“I’m excited about being part of a team that is passionate about advancing opportunities that exist in the community. That’s what attracted me to Derby,” Creane said.
Dugatto said it took her longer than she had hoped to fill the position. 
“I was determined find the right person for the job,” Dugatto said. “I believe Ms. Creane’s extensive skills and municipal experience will complement our economic development team very well.”

As Chief of Staff, Creane’s responsibilities will include coordinating local brownfield initiatives, conducting outreach to the local business community, recruiting new investment, and seeking out grant opportunities that align with city initiatives.
Creane will work with Derby’s Building and Land Use Office to enhance the delivery of municipal services critical to doing business with the city.
According to Dugatto, the work Creane will be doing will add to the successes her administration has had to date.

The city’s business community has grown with new establishments such as New England Auto World (at the site of the former blighted Dworkin Chevrolet property), The Hops Company, River Rock Tavern, and Connectikidz Pediatric Dentistry. 
These new businesses are in addition those along Pershing Drive, including Panera Bread, Planet Fitness, Jersey Mike’s Subs, ALDI, and PhysicianOne Urgent Care. Recent growth includes the expansion of existing Derby businesses including the The Edge Fitness Clubs and On Time Printing.
Derby has been awarded a number of grants under Dugatto’s administration. 
One notable award is a $445,000 grant from the Connecticut Department of Community and Economic Development. This grant is being used to revitalize the long dormant south side of Main Street. Additional funds have also come to Derby to support education and road improvement projects, important components of economic development.
Progress in the city is not exclusive to commercial investment. Residential neighborhoods have been improved through the efforts of Derby’s Blight Subcommittee, established under Dugatto’s administration. Five deteriorated properties have been demolished and numerous others cleaned up under the recently adopted Clean & Lien ordinance.

Long-range planning is also important to the economic development process, according to Dugatto. Such planning sets a framework for growth that is consistent with the vision of the Derby community. Comprehensive planning is defining priorities for seeking grants, identifying opportunities for improvements to the City’s existing zoning regulations and ordinances, and determining the most efficient allocation of municipal investments. Furthermore, it is letting investors know where the City is headed.

“Planning, though not as glamorous as brick and mortar projects, is essential to creating a path for efficient, sustainable development,” Dugatto said.
Dugatto said that is why her administration has put so much time and energy into drafting an update to the City’s Plan of Conservation and Development, which was last addressed in 2002. The draft document will be available for public review and comment shortly.

“My administration is always looking to advance the things that make Derby a desirable place to live, work, and play. The results of these efforts strengthen our ability to retain and attract residential and commercial investment. That’s how the economic development process comes full circle,” Dugatto said. 


This is a press release from Dugatto's office.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to offer Soft Touch workshop

Griffin Hospital will offer training for basic level Soft Touch therapy April 16. / Contributed photo

DERBY – Griffin Hospital will offer a basic level Soft Touch workshop from 1-4 p.m. April 16 at the hospital, 130 Division St.

Soft Touch is a therapeutic, relaxing and gentle massage that can be given to an individual's hands, feet, or back. Griffin Hospital offers the therapy to patients and their caregivers as a way to reduce their anxiety, pain and stress.

The workshop is led by Licensed Massage Therapist Joanne Halstead, R.N., BSN, and Physical Therapist Nancy Corvigno, MSPT, PRPC. 
This basic-level training includes a demonstration of various Soft Touch techniques as well as opportunity for hands-on practice.

The cost is $30. There are no prerequisites to attend the workshop and it is open to the public.

Space is limited; sign-ups are due by April 8. Contact Laura Murphy, Planetree Services Supervisor, at 203-732-7466 to enroll.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Crisco lauds bipartisan vote to solve state budget deficit

Plan preserves funding for hospitals

HARTFORD - On an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote by Democrats and Republicans, state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, Tuesday joined his colleagues in the state Senate and the House of Representatives to approve a deficit mitigation plan to close the Fiscal Year 2016 mid-year budget shortfall of $220 million, which has been caused by lower-than-expected tax revenue collections.

State Sen. Joseph Crisco, Jr.

The compromise legislation – negotiated between Democrats, Republicans and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s office – restores proposed cuts to hospital funding, preserves millions of dollars in state aid to towns, and protects funding for core social services.

The final vote was 33-3 in the Senate and 127-16 in the House.

“The vote today in both chambers on both sides of the aisle is indicative of the fact that we do remember why we were elected to serve: to make life easier for people,” Crisco said. 
“I’m exceptionally pleased that we were able to preserve funding for hospitals like Griffin Hospital. That funding goes a long way toward ensuring that people will continue have adequate access to health care.”

Highlights of today’s bipartisan deficit mitigation package include:

• Closes the state’s $220 million current year (ending June 30, 2016) budget deficit as estimated by the governor’s office and the state comptroller.

• Restores all hospital cuts as proposed by the governor, of which the state’s portion is $31.6 million, and which was being withheld. This funding is partial reimbursement for hospitals’ Medicaid expenses and the care they provide to those most in need.

• Preserves core government services and protects funding for vital social services.

• Eliminates proposed cuts to town aid.

• Replaces the governor’s unilateral rescissions that he proposed on March 16.

• Is made up of approximately 60 percent in budget cuts that can be rolled out into future years for long-term budget savings.


This is a press release from Crisco's office.

Church, Master's Table to host community breakfast in Ansonia

VSAAC to host youth mental health forum at Ansonia High School

ANSONIA - The Greater Valley Substance Abuse Action council will host a forum entitled “Mental, Emotional, & Behavioral Disorders in Young People" at 6:30 p.m. April 5 at Ansonia High School. 

Guest speaker Dennis Embry, Ph.D., President, PAXIS Institute, will discuss the mental, emotional, and behavioral epidemic that touches one out of two young people by age 18, with lifetime effects for every Connecticut family and community. 

 “For the first time in North America, more children have mental illnesses than physical illnesses...”  Canadian Broadcast Corp., DOC ZONE CBC-TV, July 25, 2014.

Learn how Connecticut can be the first state to launch a public health prevention strategy to protect all children.

For more information, contact VSAAC at 203-736-8566.

This event is funded by Valley United Way and supported by Valley Council for Health and Human Services.

VSAAC, a program of BHcare, is a public/private partnership comprised of community leaders and citizens who develop and carry out strategies to reduce alcohol, tobacco, drug use, suicide, risky behaviors, and promote good mental health among youth and, over time, among adults through community education, community mobilization, public awareness, and advocacy in the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Greater New Haven, and surrounding communities. 

For more information, visit www.VSAAC.com. 

BHcare is a regional community provider of behavioral health, addiction prevention, and domestic violence services for the Shoreline, Greater New Haven, and Lower Naugatuck Valley communities. 

For more information, visit www.bhcare.org.

This is a press release from BHcare.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host workshop on planning for health care decisions

Griffin Hospital will host a free educational workshop April 14 on how to plan for future health care and medical decisions. /Contributed photo

DERBY - The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., will host a free presentation on how to plan for future health care and medical decisions at noon April 14.

Diane Betkoski, MS, RD, director of Planetree Programs and Services at Griffin Hospital, will present “Advance Care Planning,” an open discussion of the process in which individuals discuss and decide their future health care wishes in the event that they unable to speak for themselves.

“In life, we plan for our careers, our families, and for retirement,” Betkoski said. 

“In effort to honor one’s health care wishes, to promote quality of life and provide peace of mind, it is important to begin these conversations about how we want to live sooner rather than later to ensure one’s wishes are honored.”

This program is part of a series of free, educational forums hosted by the Community Health Resource Center in an effort to help improve the health of the community.

To register or for more information, call Kerry or Deborah at 203-732-7399.

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital is a traditional library that provides an array of medical and health information, including a large collection of easy to read health and lifestyle related materials. 

The Center is open to the public to educate themselves on ways to enhance their well-being, prevent illness and play an active role in decisions about their health.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

PKD Challenge for March: Day 30 ~ Share photo of someone who inspires

March 30

Use #PKDfighter and share a photo of someone who inspires you in the fight to end PKD.