Master's Table to host Halloween-themed dinner, costume contest in Ansonia

Gentile, Conroy hail 'historic' deal with Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford

Helicopter manufacturer to stay in state at least 16 years

HARTFORD - State Rep. Linda M. Gentile (D-Ansonia, Derby) and state Rep. Theresa Conroy (D-Beacon Falls, Derby, Seymour) are very pleased to announce the General Assembly has approved a deal that Sikorsky Aircraft, which has made its home in Stratford since 1929, will remain here until at least 2032. 

"This deal is historic,” said Gentile. “It ensures a long-term presence and a long-term commitment to hiring. The agreement is good for the present and for generations to come. It gives me great comfort to think that maybe someday in the future one of my grandchildren may be working at Sikorsky and earning a good living."

“There is a ripple effect with this deal,” Conroy said. “There are the jobs down in Stratford as well as jobs at small manufacturers and suppliers around the state – and right here in Seymour - that depend on Sikorsky.”

The helicopter giant will be eligible for financial incentives in exchange for building nearly 200 CH-53K King Stallion helicopters, in Connecticut. 
The deal will:

• Build nearly 200 CH-53K King Stallion Helicopters – the largest maritime helicopter in the world - in Connecticut for the United States Navy until at least June 2032 
• Keep the Sikorsky headquarters in the state and maintain its Stratford site as a primary production facility for its government based helicopter business
• Retain and grow its full time employment in Connecticut to more than 8,000 by the end of year 14
• Nearly double its spending of $350 million per year with local Connecticut suppliers throughout the state
• Increase its capital spending for machinery and equipment by 22 percent
• Drive an estimated $69.2 billion between 2016 and 2032 into the Connecticut economy
• Allow Sikorsky to spend an estimated $21.1 billion on wages and benefits between 2016 and 2032
• Support approximately 24,601 jobs directly and indirectly
• Invest an estimated $744.8 million in contractor employment
• Inject an estimated $384.4 million in direct and indirect average annual tax revenue into the Connecticut economy, totaling $6.54 billion from 2016 and 2032

The incentives, worth up to $220 million, include exemption from sales and use taxes and annual grants during the term of the deal. 

In turn, Sikorsky and Lockheed will keep its HQ and primary manufacturing in the state, retain and expand its full-time staff, increase capital spending and give top priority to its Connecticut-based suppliers.

This deal was approved in a Special Session today by the General Assembly.

This is a press release from Connecticut House Democrats.

Crisco votes to keep Sikorsky Aircraft jobs in Connecticut

HARTFORD - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, cast a historic vote in the state Senate today to retain and grow approximately 8,000 jobs at Sikorsky Aircraft until 2032, keep the Sikorsky headquarters here in Connecticut, and substantially increase Sikorsky’s spending with its network of 302  in-state suppliers - nine of which are located in Crisco’s District.

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr.

The agreement with Sikorsky will infuse an estimated $69 billion into Connecticut’s economy, generate $384 million per year in annual tax revenue, generate $21 billion in employee wages and benefits, and directly and indirectly support 24,600 jobs.

This agreement presents an opportunity to strengthen one of three critical components of Connecticut’s defense industry sector and to shore-up the state’s standing as a leader in fields of aerospace technology and manufacturing.  
The increased spending by Lockheed Martin in Connecticut’s supply chain alone will exceed the totality of the state’s full incentive package.

“Sikorsky’s front door is literally 10 miles from my home, and I know a lot of people in my district – Ansonia, Bethany, Hamden, Naugatuck – who either work at Sikorsky or who work at one of its many subcontractors in the region,” Crisco said. 
“This is a great deal for Connecticut; we’re getting back nearly a billion dollars in economic impact for a pretty modest state investment of grants and sales tax exemptions. And we’re doing this while beating competing offers from South Carolina and Florida and other states. That shows Connecticut’s economy is on the upswing, and the legislature is working hard to keep it moving.”

Today’s agreement with Sikorsky comes on the heels of recent announcements by Pratt & Whitney and Electric Boat that they plan on hiring several thousand employees in the next several years and expanding operations in Connecticut, thereby reinforcing Connecticut’s standing as a leader in fields of aerospace technology and manufacturing.

Under the terms of the new agreement, Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin will:

• Keep the Sikorsky headquarters in the state and maintain Connecticut as a primary production facility for its government-based helicopter business.
• Retain and grow its full time employment in Connecticut from a minimum of 6,500 employees in 2019 to just over 8,000 by 2032.
• Increase its spending with Connecticut subcontractors from $300 million per year beginning in 2019 to $470 million per year beginning in 2030.
• Increase its capital spending for machinery and equipment by 22 percent.

In exchange, Connecticut will provide financial incentives totaling up to $220 million over the term of the agreement:

• Sikorsky will earn grants of up to $8.57 million on an annual basis over the term of the agreement by meeting certain benchmarks, such as retaining at least the minimum level of each category; growing jobs; payroll spending; utilizing in-state suppliers; and deploying capital for machinery, equipment, and other long term investments
• Sales and use taxes will be exempted up to $5.7 million per year over the term of the agreement
• If Lockheed Martin exceeds the target level employment by 100 to 550 jobs in any given year of the agreement, it will be eligible for a performance incentive grant of up to $1.9 million, for a total of up to $20 million

Under terms of the new agreement between Sikorsky and the state - an agreement which is still pending U.S. Navy and labor union approval - Sikorsky will build nearly 200 CH-53K King Stallion helicopters in Connecticut for the United States Navy until at least 2032.

The King Stallion is approximately the size of two passenger buses; it is capable of lifting 36,000 pounds and can carry a fully loaded Humvee and a platoon of 48 Marines. 
During the construction and testing of four King Stallion prototypes at Sikorsky’s West Palm Beach, Fla. facility, Connecticut subcontractors provided more $161.4 million worth of product design, development, and parts.

Sikorsky presently has 7,855 employees at its facilities in Stratford, Bridgeport, Shelton, and North Haven. 
Those employment figures will decline slightly, then grow, over the next several years as Sikorsky transitions its work in Connecticut from building the Blackhawk helicopter for the U.S. Army to the new, larger King Stallion helicopter for the U.S. Navy.


This is a press release from Crisco's office.

Lawmakers expect state funding for Ansonia High School upgrades

HARTFORD - State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, Derby, and state Sen. Joseph Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, are expecting the State Bond Commission to approve funds for Ansonia High School.

A $381,000 grant-in-aid will be used by the school district for improvements at the school. It is discretionary money that can be spent for general improvements, building alterations, repairs, needed technology, new equipment or any project that addresses building or site deficiencies that will promote the health, safety, and learning of the student population.

"I know that this funding will be put to good use," Gentile said. “AHS is a beautiful facility that needs to be carefully maintained to remain an attractive building and campus where students can be safe, inspired to learn and grow into young productive adults."

“State aid for our schools isn’t just confined to ECS grants. It’s also reflected in state investments like this bonding for Ansonia High,” said Crisco. 

“I’m committed to investing in Ansonia’s students and their public education.”  

Crisco’s district includes Ansonia and seven other towns.

Bonding for this project was part of the 2016 state budget adjustment.

This is a press release from Crisco's office. 

Valley United Way kicks off annual campaign in Ansonia

Valley United Way Community Campaign Chairman Jimmy Tickey speaks Tuesday at the 49th annual kickoff reception in the newly-renovated Emmett O'Brien Technical High School in Ansonia. Tickey said the fund-raising goal is $1 million this year.


Stay tuned for more in an upcoming Valley Voice newsletter.

Seymour schools to streamline registration process

DETAILS: On Oct. 1, 2016 - Seymour Public Schools will begin a new four-step student centralized registration process. 
Centralized registration will now be available for all Seymour schools and will make it possible to enroll all children in a Seymour family at one time in one central location.   

Parents/Guardians can now follow these four steps for a simple enrollment process:

STEP 1: Obtain a Seymour School’s registration packet and school information packets at the Central Office building, located at Seymour Board of Education, 98 Bank St., Seymour. We ask that you please call ahead for handicap accommodations.  All district forms must be processed for official enrollment registration. Packets may also be mailed or emailed upon request.

STEP 2: Parents/Legal Guardians must return in person with all completed district forms and required documents to the Centralized Registration Center.  We ask that when possible call ahead to let registration staff  know the time you are coming so that staff can be available to process your information more efficiently.  A notary will be on site for parents/legal guardians who need documents notarized.

STEP 3: The Centralized Registration Center staff will review and file legal documentation of each child (birth certificates, etc). Verification of documents and records may take up to three (3) days before notification to parents regarding acceptance can be made.  

STEP 4: Parents/ Legal Guardians will receive via phone and email a communication of acceptance and completion of the registration process, and will contact the child’s school administrator for a welcome and a date to report to school. Parents/Legal Guardians will be provided school forms/school-based information at this initial school meeting.

Parents are asked to contact the Centralized Registration Center for any questions regarding student enrollment and registration at 203-888-4564, ext. 1900.  

Information is available at www.seymourschools.org.

This is a press release from Rich Kearns, Public Information Officer, Seymour Public Schools.

Downtown Seymour shop to mark First Saturday event

SEYMOUR - We have reached another First Saturday! 
Please join us at Lizzie's Corner Consignment and Gifts, 19 Bank St., for a fun night of shopping.
For anyone not familiar with the tradition, the shops in downtown Seymour stay open late on the first Saturday of every month. 
We will be serving wine and refreshments and having some great deals as well as a raffle. 
Come start your holiday shopping - you don't want to miss it!

This information is shared from a Facebook event page.

Teens to create 'robotic spiders' at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library invites all young adults ages 12 to 17 to Teen Maker Space from 4-5:30 p.m. Oct. 20 to learn basic electronics by assembling and activating micro-electronic robotic spider kits. 

Light refreshments will be provided. 

Registration is required.

For more information stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482 or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.

This is a press release from Tony DeLos, young adult librarian, Derby Public Library.

Vigil on Huntington Green to raise awareness about domestic violence

SHELTON - Every October, the nation observes Domestic Violence Awareness Month to bring light to an issue that effects all of our communities. 

Every nine seconds, a woman is battered in the U.S. One in four women and one in seven men in the U.S. are victims of domestic violence at some point in their lives.

To raise awareness about domestic violence, BHcare’s The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services will hold a vigil to honor survivors and remember the victims of domestic violence. 

A candlelight vigil will be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Gazebo on the Huntington Green. 
In the event of rain, the vigil will be held at Huntington Congregational Church Fellowship Hall, 19 Church St. 

Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney Laura DeLeo will be the keynote speaker. 
The vigil will include recognition of law enforcement officials and community members.

For more information about the vigil, or about domestic violence services call 203-736-2601, ext. 1381, or visit www.bhcare.org. 
If you need immediate assistance, call the 24-hour domestic violence hotline 1-888-774-2900.

UCDVS is a program of BHcare that provides services for victims and children of domestic violence free of charge. Each year, over 6,000 abused women and their children walk through the door of UCDVS looking for shelter, help and hope. 
Learn more at bhcare.org.


This is a press release from BHcare.