'Turnback Tuesday' on Wednesday features bank in Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features The Home Trust Co., which was incorporated by a special charter of the Connecticut General Assembly in 1893. The company was located on the corner of Main and Elizabeth Streets in Derby. 

In 1901, Home Trust Co. built its own building at the same location and occupied half of the first floor. In 1922, an addition was built so the company could make use of the entire first floor. 
The bank dealt with "savings, real estate management, insurance and trust department functions." 
In the 1970s, the bank was merged out of existence. Today, the building is home to the Derby Senior Center.


Thanks to the Derby Public Library for sharing this local history! 

Newsletter features Silver Tea in Derby, TEAM fundraiser in Ansonia

Dear readers, 

Today The Valley Voice features fireworks photos, the Silver Tea to benefit the Derby Historical Society, St. Mary's Church summer fest, and more.

Thanks for reading!

~ Patti and Ralph

Insomnia is focus of study with MS patients at Griffin Hospital in Derby

Volunteers needed 
DERBY - The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center and Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St. are seeking volunteers for a study on Multiple Sclerosis and insomnia.

The study will involve using mindfulness meditation to address insomnia. 

Volunteers will receive $200.

To participate, volunteers must have a diagnosis of MS and suffer from chronic insomnia, come to Griffin Hospital for three assessments throughout the study, be willing to attend a weekly, two-hour training session for eight weeks and wear a Fitbit activity monitor (provided to volunteers).

For information, call Sue at 203-732-1265 x220 or Rocky at x300.

About The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center

The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center is committed to research pertaining to the primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of chronic disease that is responsive to the priorities of the Lower Naugatuck Valley residents, the residents of Connecticut 's major cities, and other communities throughout the state. 

The center is dedicated to participatory research methods, to a robust research agenda inclusive of developmental/determinant, intervention, and translational research; to community involvement in public health; to the eradication of disparities in health and health care in the communities served; and to the dissemination of effective interventions in support of the national objectives of Healthy People 2010.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

12th annual Wheel-A-Thon in West Haven to benefit youth with disabilities

My husband, Ralph, and I are longtime members of the Center for Disability Rights and I hope Valley residents will consider joining us to walk at this beautiful location at the beach in West Haven.
Last year proceeds funded seven scholarships for disabled teens, among other services.

To register you can print out this form and mail it to CDR, 369 Highland St., West Haven, 06516.

Recuperation journey: Learning about fairy rings

We currently have this phenomenon occurring in our front yard. Our son who was home for the weekend knew what it was, he had read about it. That was lucky because I was stumped! It's called a fairy ring.

Quoting from Wikipedia: 

"A fairy ring, also known as fairy circle, elf circle, elf ring, or pixie ring, is a naturally occurring ring or arc of mushrooms. 

"The rings may grow to over 10 metres (33 ft) in diameter, and they become stable over time as the fungus grows and seeks food underground. They are found mainly in forested areas, but also appear in grasslands or rangelands. 
"Fairy rings are detectable by sporocarps in rings or arcs, as well as by a necrotic zone (dead grass), or a ring of dark green grass. Fungus mycelium is present in the ring or arc underneath.

"Fairy rings are the subject of much folklore and myth worldwide—particularly in Western Europe. While they are often seen as hazardous or dangerous places, they can sometimes be linked with good fortune."

Well that clears that up! 

If you squint you can see the dark green grass forming a circle where the mushrooms are growing. 

I started to get silly and I put one of my gnomes in the ring, to see if anything magical would happen. See below:

So far, all's quiet.

Resume workshop slated at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library offers Resume “Right”-ing Workshops on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. 

During these sessions, participants are welcome to either start from scratch or bring copies of their existing resumes, cover letters as well, for review and optimizing.  

Often times a new resume can be created simply by making a number of subtle tweaks versus a whole new change.  
The next class will be held at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 2.

Registration is not required.  
For more information, stop by the Library, 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482, or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org. 


This is a press release from Cathy Williams, Director, Derby Public Library.

Opinion: Gentile says Dems 'want to work in a bipartisan manner' on budget

By Linda M. Gentile

State Representative

104th District   

HARTFORD - Last Thursday, State Reps. Themis Klarides and Nicole Klarides-Ditria made a statement in which they criticized the Democrats for not proposing a balanced budget. 

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia

However, that same day, the House Democrats presented a revised budget proposal that was honest, balanced, and had the support of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities.

Democratic leadership additionally welcomed Republicans, including Minority Leader Themis Klarides, to discuss this proposal. 

For myself and my fellow Democrats, it is important to have a budget that maintains our commitment to our public schools, helps businesses thrive, includes structural changes, and avoids taxing hospitals or increases in property taxes. 

This budget proposal also protects the critical services that thousands of residents rely on and invests in Connecticut’s future.

In fact, CCM, (Connecticut Conference of Municipalities) has called it the most honest of budgets that has been presented, as it includes level funding of municipal aid, a new additional revenue option for towns from a portion of the sales tax, and promotes vital economic growth and development.  

'Unrealistic numbers'

The Republican caucus has touted their three proposed budgets, but the truth is, those budgets did not have all of these critical components. 
Additionally, the Republican budget was using unrealistic numbers and therefore could not be achieved. 

It is important to note that the House Democrats' proposed budget includes ideas from all legislative caucuses, as well as input from municipalities, the business community, hospitals, and other constituencies. 

This is why this budget proposal is honest and fair. It combines the ideas of all parties so that everyone will benefit.

House Democrats have acknowledged that good ideas are not exclusive to a political party and therefore, we have made ourselves available to the Republicans to discuss this budget. We want to work in a bipartisan manner. We want to work collaboratively. Republicans need to come to the table.

The Democrats plan to call for a vote on our proposed budget on Tuesday, July 18. 

In the meantime, I urge Republicans, including Klarides and Klarides-Ditria, to meet with Democrats to discuss our budget proposal. 

I hope they are willing to collaborate with us to pass this balanced and honest budget.

This is a release from the House Democrats' office.

Cassetti appoints Lundeen fire marshal in Ansonia

Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti, left, congratulates Darrick Lundeen after appointing him the city's new fire marshal./ Photo from the City of Ansonia Facebook page

The following information was posted Wednesday on the City of Ansonia Facebook page: 

"Mayor David Cassetti is pleased to announce the appointment of Darrick Lundeen as Ansonia’s Fire Marshal, which is effective immediately. 

"Mr. Lundeen has been acting Fire Marshal since late February 2017, upon the retirement of predecessor Ray Tingley. The appointment culminates a three-month interviewing process involving a handful of applicants. 
“With more than 31 years of firefighting service, beginning with Eagle Hose in Ansonia, Darrick brings extensive experience and professionalism to this most important public safety position,” said Mayor Cassetti.
"He is a lifelong City resident, having climbed the ladder of fire service training, and experience including career firefighter in East Hartford, and Deputy Fire Marshal in Fairfield and Ansonia.

"The Mayor also announced the appointment of Joseph Kingston III as Deputy Fire Marshal to the City. Mr. Kingston, also a City resident, is the son of former Ansonia Fire Chief Joe Kingston, whose term expired in 2015 and remains active within the City’s Fire Department."

Lawmakers meet with residents at post-session event in Seymour

Pictured from left, state Sen. Eric Berthel, state Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, state Sen. Kevin Kelly./ Contributed photo

SEYMOUR - State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria and state Sens. Eric Berthel and Kevin Kelly held a wrap-up event last week to talk to residents about the 2017 legislative session, which ended June 7. 

The Republicans also gave an update on the state budget during the meeting at Seymour High School. 

“The number one issue facing the state of Connecticut is the $5.1 billion budget deficit for the next two fiscal years,” Klarides-Ditria said. 

“I was extremely disappointed that a budget was not passed during the regular session. Republicans repeatedly produced balanced, no-tax-increase budget proposals and were ready to vote on them before the June 7 deadline, but the Speaker failed to call for a budget vote. We need to act quickly to pass a budget, and I will continue to fight to implement a budget that controls state spending and borrowing and makes real long-term structural changes.”   

“It was great to join Rep. Klarides-Ditria and Sen. Kelly to hear directly from taxpayers in Seymour,” Berthel said.  

“At the State Capitol, we are fighting to pass a budget which does not raise taxes. We are fighting to restore cuts to town aid and cuts to local education funding. We are working to protect core services for seniors, the disabled, children, and our most at-risk residents. We can turn Connecticut around and put our state back on a sustainable path. We thank Seymour taxpayers for attending our forum.”

“I think the conversation at our town hall meeting was productive,” Kelly said. “All eyes are on us, whether it’s large corporations with headquarters here or the Wall Street credit agencies, all are watching anxiously as the Connecticut economy continues to flounder," he said. 

"We cannot fail to do our jobs; we must put Connecticut on a path to prosperity. Connecticut Republicans have a plan to do this. Our plan lays the foundation for a new Connecticut, a plan that will put hard-working families first, a plan that creates jobs through a stable and predictable economy. Connecticut needs a new direction, and Connecticut Republicans are ready to lead the way.”

The lawmakers handed out the 2017 Major Public Acts report, which provides brief descriptions on a number of issues including legislation on opioid drugs, education, transportation, and the state’s business climate, among others. 

Residents can read the full document by visiting www.cga.ct.gov/olr. 

A major concern amongst legislators and residents is what happens if the legislature does not pass a budget before the end of the fiscal year July 1.* 

The delegation provided residents with another document from the Office of Legislative Research that gives a summary of what has happened in the past.  

In opinions issued in 1991 and 2003, former Attorney Generals have ruled that the governor may issue an executive order to ensure continued essential and necessary government operations and the General Assembly may adopt continuing resolutions for that same purpose. However, the governor has the authority to veto the resolution. In the absence of an override, the resolution would have no legal effect.

Klarides-Ditria, Berthel, and Kelly all said their caucuses are calling on a budget to be passed by the June 30 deadline. They noted that if a budget wasn’t adopted by June 30, it would be the first time in modern history that a biennium would expire without the legislature taking action on a budget.

*Note: The Speaker of the House failed to call a budget vote before the end of the fiscal year June 30. The Speaker is now looking to pass a budget by July 18.

This is a press release from Klarides-Ditria's office.