Salvation Army in Ansonia distributes food, friendship

As an advisory board member I visited the Greater Valley Salvation Army's food pantry Thursday morning. I witnessed needy community members getting assistance in the form of frozen meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, yogurt, canned goods, rice, beans, peanut butter, pasta, pastries, and bread. 
In this photo volunteer Brenda Tennyson of Ansonia, left, helps a client select canned goods. 


You can support the Salvation Army's good work here in the Valley by attending our third annual recognition breakfast April 28 at Molto Bene Italian American Kitchen, 557 Wakelee Ave., Ansonia. 

Tickets for the fundraiser are $35 per person; $200 for a table of eight.

Hope to see you there! 

Derby selects urban planners for downtown revitalization project

DERBY - In January, the City of Derby issued a Request for Proposals (RFP #2015-034) seeking a multi-disciplinary consultant team to develop and steward a credible detailed development plan for the revitalization of the long-dormant south side of Main Street.

“The ultimate goal of this project is to create a clear path for development - one that residents can rally behind - that best positions the City for private investment,” Mayor Anita Dugatto said.

On Wednesday the City announced that DPZ PARTNERS has been selected for the Downtown Derby Revitalization Planning Project.

DPZ is a major leader in urban planning, having designed over 400 new and existing communities in the U.S. and internationally. Among the qualities that distinguish DPZ is their volume of built and implemented work.

“It wasn’t an easy decision,” said Ted Estwan, selection committee member and Derby Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman. “The project attracted a tremendous amount of talent.”

Eleven firms from across the United States submitted proposals in response to the City’s request. 
Most proposals were comprised of a team of experts including representatives from transportation, housing, environmental studies, urban planning and design, real estate, and economic/market analysis fields.

To aid in the firm selection process, Dugatto appointed a bi-partisan selection committee. The committee reviewed the proposals, rated them on criteria that reflected the project’s objectives, and interviewed the top six firms to further evaluate their approach.

Carmen DiCenso, selection committee member and Derby Board of Aldermen President pointed to the value of the interview process. “Not only did the interviews allow us to ask important questions of the firms and their team members, but they also provided us with insight which ultimately strengthened our approach to the project.”

Following the interviews, the committee once again rated the firms and selected DPZ PARTNERS. 
The committee concluded that DPZ had the right mix of highly qualified sub-consultants and a unique approach to the project; their implementation record was likewise impressive.

DPZ is partnering with the following firms for the Downtown Derby project: Robert Orr & Associates, Gianni Longo & Associates, CDM Smith, Urban3, The Williams Group Real Estate Advisors, and Good Earth Advisors.

The City of Derby will soon enter contract negations with DPZ PARTNERS for the project, which is being funded by a grant from Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development. 


This is a press release from Mayor Anita Dugatto's office.

Crisco hails grant for film festival at Jewish Community Center in Woodbridge

WOODBRIDGE - State Sen. Joseph Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, Wednesday welcomed a $4,999 grant from Connecticut Humanities for the Jewish Community Center of Greater New Haven – headquartered in Woodbridge – to host seven films that relate to Jewish and Israeli issues.

State Sen. Joseph Crisco

The 2016 Beckerman Jewish Film Series is a diverse collection of Jewish and Israeli films to be shown in locations that span all of Greater New Haven including Cheshire, Hamden, Woodbridge, Madison, and New Haven. 

The series will run through May 17, and scholar-led discussions exploring of the films’ themes will follow each screening. 

Films to be screened include a variety of comedy, drama, historical and modern themes, both classics and new releases.

Each month, Connecticut Humanities distributes money allocated by the Connecticut state legislature through a highly competitive, merit-based application process. The Jewish film festival grant is one of 10 organizations in eight Connecticut towns that will share more than $210,000 in Connecticut Humanities grant money.

“One of the reasons why Connecticut consistently ranks so high in national quality of life rankings is because we have the ability to balance the business, education and arts investments that make Connecticut such an attractive and vibrant place to live,” Crisco said. “I’m grateful to Connecticut Humanities for recognizing the excellent work that the Jewish Community Center of Greater New Haven does in seeking to expand the health of each person’s mind, body and spirit.”

“The JCC of Greater New Haven is very fortunate to have received support from Connecticut Humanities for the Beckerman Jewish Film Series,” said Mara Gross Balk, program director for the JCC of Greater New Haven. 
“This grant enables us to bring Jewish arts and culture to seven locations across our catchment area, and the selections offer something for everyone. Our 12 partners in this series are an indication of the strength of film to bring communities together for meaningful, shared experiences.”


This is a press release from Crisco's office.