Newsletter features story on Seymour child, Homes for the Brave fundraiser

Dear readers,

Please check out today's Valley Voice newsletter here.

We write about a Seymour child recently diagnosed with a rare cancer and the community support the family has received. 
We also have a story about an event to benefit Homes for the Brave in Bridgeport.

Happy reading!

Ansonia's Mark Lanzieri to sing at church fundraiser in Shelton

VSAAC to change name to Alliance for Prevention & Wellness

Community program is part of BHcare

ANSONIA - BHcare’s Greater Valley Substance Abuse Action Council will become the Alliance for Prevention & Wellness on Aug. 1. 

The new mission of the program will be: We foster positive mental health by preventing substance misuse and other health-risk behaviors and by building resources that promote wellness.  

The decision to change the name was decided by a committee made up various community members including Michael Gulish, Chair, BHcare Board of Directors, John Scott, concerned citizen, Nancy Phund, Director, Woodbridge Youth and Family Services, Bill Nimons, Treasurer, BHcare Board of Directors, Jack Walsh, President/CEO Valley United Way, Mark Holden, local business owner and BHcare board member, Carol Cruz, Recovery Community, Veronica Parsloe, Parent Child Resource Center, Joni Nordstrom, Bethany Orange Woodbridge Drug and Alcohol Council and VSAAC staff.

“We felt it was necessary for the program’s name to reflect all that we do,” said Pam Mautte, Director of VSAAC. “VSAAC has a long history of substance abuse prevention activities and continues to expand its programs to address substances of abuse, suicide, risky behaviors and to promote good mental health. Our service area continues to grow throughout the Lower Naugatuck Valley and Greater New Haven. The Alliance for Prevention & Wellness is a direct result of our donors’ and community partners’ commitment to improving our communities,” Mautte said. 

VSAAC was formed in 1990 as a result of a community retreat held by the Valley United Way with concerned citizens to address substance abuse issues in the Valley. 
It operates as one of 13 Regional Action Councils across the State of Connecticut. 

The program has engaged churches, schools, businesses, human service agencies, neighborhood organizations, government offices, law enforcement, and concerned citizens of all ages, races, and ethnic backgrounds in prevention activities. 
The program maintains strong collaborative relationships with area police departments, the local prevention councils, social service agencies, and youth service bureaus and has an extensive repertoire of culturally competent substance abuse/high-risk behavior prevention programs. 

Over the past 25 years, VSAAC helped more than 150,000 youth and adults in our communities.

The Alliance for Wellness and Prevention is a program of BHcare. 

For more information, visit APW-CT.org.

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

For more information, visit www.bhcare.org.


This is a press release from BHcare. 

Eat at Giove's Pizza Kitchen today, support Shelton High School Pom Pon squad

Giove's Pizza Kitchen is located at 494 Bridgeport Ave., Shelton. 


*Sharing this info from the In and Around Shelton Facebook page.  

Crisco opposes idea of vehicle mileage tax

HARTFORD - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, Wednesday declared his opposition to any sort of “vehicle mileage tax” while also seeking to end what he believes are public misperceptions about the issue.

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr.

“The idea of a vehicle mileage tax was one of many options that was offered last year by a non-partisan transportation group as a means of paying for the huge commitment that Connecticut has to improving its transportation infrastructure. And the idea of instituting a VMT was rejected a year ago by both Democrats and Republicans; the press has already reported this,” Crisco said. 

“Just last week, our Democratic Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff leader made it clear that the legislature has no intention of ever instituting such a program in Connecticut.”

“Let’s end this mileage tax talk right now. There is no debate about the possibility of implementing a mileage tax. Democrats and Republicans in the legislature have already rejected the concept,” Crisco said.  

He said it’s unfortunate that, in May, the Connecticut Department of Transportation joined 16 states on the East Coast and the District of Columbia in applying to the federal government for a pilot program to recruit 50 volunteer motorists in each state to experiment with a VMT program who would receive fake invoices.

“News of the application confused the public who - like me - are wondering why the DOT would apply for a program they say they have no plans to implement,” Crisco said. “Maybe this VMT study will give Connecticut some useful information on how to reduce air pollution or reduce traffic congestion or prevent accidents, but the DOT hasn’t said that, and even then, I wonder if the money is worth it.”

Crisco also said Gov. Malloy should be more clear in ruling out a VMT as a way of financing Connecticut’s road and bridge improvements.

“The governor understands that improving Connecticut’s transportation infrastructure is what residents and businesses want, and that these improvements are going to drive a lot of economic development in the state,” Crisco said. “But a vehicle mileage tax is not the way to go.”

This is a press release from Crisco's office.

Help Spooner House in Shelton fight hunger this summer

You can drop donations off at Spooner House, 30 Todd Road, Shelton, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 
If you cannot make this time frame, supervisors are on duty 24/7 and can assist you.

Questions? Call 203-225-0453 or check www.actspooner.org.


This is a press release from Spooner House.

St. Mary-St. Michael School in Derby seeks vendors, donations for Festival of Trees

Annual fundraiser is Nov. 19

DERBY - St. Mary-St. Michael School is seeking vendors and donations for its popular Festival of Trees fundraiser this November.

Christmas is coming!

Set for Nov. 19, the Annual Festival of Trees is attended by hundreds of parishioners from St. Mary and St. Michael Church as well as residents in the community looking for unique gifts, ornaments, wreaths and artificial trees for the holiday season. 

The event also features raffles, food and photos with Santa.

Raffle donations are also greatly appreciated. Proceeds benefit St. Mary-St. Michael School.

To rent a table or for more information, contact Denise Bottone, 203-231-3810 or dbottone@sbcglobal.net.

This is a press release from the school.

Sharing updated map for Saturday's Townwide Tag Sale in Ansonia

*Note: This map was posted on the City of Ansonia's Facebook page.