Klarides, Klarides-Ditria support bill to aid CT federal workers

State Rep. Themis Klarides, left, and Nicole Klarides-Ditria.

HARTFORD - State Representatives Themis Klarides and Nicole Klarides-Ditria today voted in favor of public-private partnership with banks that will aid Connecticut federal employees who are currently not receiving pay because of the federal government shutdown.

Under the bill, affected employees are eligible for up to three loans from banks, each equal to their monthly after-tax pay, up to $5,000, less unemployment benefits. 

The bill prohibits interest on the loans for 270 days after the shutdown ends.

"Not paying federal workers who help protect our national security is something we can't just sit back and watch happen," Klarides-Ditria said. "I wish lawmakers in Washington, D.C. would open government back up, but in the meantime, Connecticut federal workers can be rest assured that they can pay their bills. We should continue to keep the pressure on our federal delegation to work together and compromise to locate a way to get our federal government open."

The bill also authorizes municipalities and municipal subdivisions to establish a tax-deferment program for such employees’ real and personal property or motor vehicles taxes, or water or sewer rates, charges or assessment payments; and if federal law or guidance allows them to do so, authorizes such employees to receive unemployment compensation benefits (generally, federal employees that must work without pay during a shutdown are ineligible for unemployment benefits).

This is a press release from the General Assembly.

'Turnback Tuesday' features commemorative plate for Derby's 300th

Turnback Tuesday this week is sharing a commemorative plate for Derby’s 300th Anniversary (1675 - 1975). 
A huge celebration in 1975 lasted 10 days from May 30 to June 8. The plate shows some of the most iconic buildings and landmarks in Derby.


Thanks go to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week. 

Ansonia students raise funds for Griffin Hospital Health Initiative for Men

John G. Prendergast School Assistant Principal John Coppola poses with students who helped collect $340 for Griffin Hospital’s Health Initiative for Men./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital Health Initiative for Men (HiM) recently received a $340 donation from John G. Prendergast School in Ansonia.

Students raised the funds by selling fake mustaches throughout November. 

Across the country during November, men take pledges to refrain from shaving or grow mustaches as a way to raise money and awareness for men’s health issues, especially prostate cancer.

About The Health Initiative for Men

In an effort to help inspire men to have an annual physical and to raise awareness about men’s health issues such as prostate cancer and colorectal cancer, Griffin Hospital launched the HiM in 2011. 

The goal of this community-wide preventive health care effort is to influence men to see their physician annually, and to be screened for various diseases that respond better to treatment if detected early. 

For more information about HiM, visit griffinhealth.org/him.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

BHcare offers medication-assisted treatment in Ansonia, Branford

Medication-Assisted Treatment is now available at BHcare sites in Branford and Ansonia. 

MAT combines behavioral therapy and medications to treat substance use disorders.

MAT is the use of FDA-approved medications such as naltrexone (Vivitrol), buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) or methadone - along with comprehensive counseling and behavioral therapies - to help to provide a “whole-person” approach to address issues related to opioid use disorders, including withdrawal, cravings, and relapse prevention. 

BHcare offers buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone®) or naltrexone along with counseling and supports for treatment of opioid use disorders. 

Individuals who want to stop using opioids and other substances may find it very difficult. Their need to satisfy cravings or avoid withdrawal can be so intense that they feel hopeless and overwhelmed. At the right dose, and with behavioral therapies, medication assisted therapy can suppress opioid withdrawal symptoms and suppress cravings to help individuals continue treatment and avoid illicit opioid use.

MAT helps people maintain recovery, saves money, reduces crime, and helps people regain their health and their lives. The U.S. surgeon general’s Spotlight on Opioids report calls MAT the “gold standard” for treatment.

“Our approach is truly comprehensive, looking at all aspects of a person’s recovery including treatment of co-occurring conditions,” said Dr. Sandra E. Gomez Luna, Medical Director at BHcare. “We understand the need for support within the community. We provide individualized care, attending to everyone’s unique needs.”  

Call to make an appointment today: Ansonia, 203-736-2601; Branford, 203-483-2630.

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.

Master's Table offers food to residents of Valley, Milford, Woodbridge

Sharing a message from James Fedak, Jr., President, Master's Table:

Are you in need of some food?  Master’s Table is here to assist you:

Master’s Table will provide 1 bag of nonperishable food for anyone in need. 

This isn’t a food bank and we don’t deliver, but can meet with you at Assumption Church Hall in Ansonia or an agreed upon place in the community. 

Simply call 203-732-7792 leaving your name and phone number (make sure you say it slowly and clearly) and someone from Master’s Table will return your call. 

This is a 1 time offering to anyone who needs that extra “little” help to get by. The food provided will last for a couple of days. A list of food banks will also be provided that can assist you further or on a more monthly basis.  

Thank you for contacting Master’s Table Community Meals, Inc.

God’s Blessings.

Below are towns that we serve, any further questions on food resources in your area please call the info line at 2-1-1. Thank you for your understanding.

Ansonia, Derby, Shelton, Seymour, Woodbridge,

Beacon Falls, Oxford, Naugatuck, Milford.