Shelton Democrats to sponsor conversation at Plumb Memorial Library

SHELTON - Shelton Democrats are sponsoring a series of Community Conversations as part of their commitment to educate and engage the community on issues that matter most to residents on a local, state, and national level.

The first Community Conversation will be 'Building a Community of Respect: Why Words Still Matter,' presented in partnership with the Anti-Defamation League at 6:30 p.m. March 20 at Plumb Memorial Library, 65 Wooster St. 

This conversation will take an important look at the rise of hate speech, intolerance, and the role community organizations and citizens play in standing together against hate. 

This conversation will feature a panel of speakers including Steve Ginsburg, Director of the Anti-Defamation League;  Shawn Sequeira, Acting Chief of Shelton Police; Christopher Clouet, Superintendent of Shelton Public Schools; and the Rev. Lucille Fritz, Pastor, Huntington Congregational Church.

David Gioiello, Chairman of the Shelton Democrats said,  "Members of the public are invited to attend and participate in this free event, and we look forward to beginning the Community Conversation series." 

This is a press release from Jimmy Tickey.

Shelton school superintendent to chair Valley United Way campaign

Freeman Burr

Valley United Way announced today that Shelton Superintendent of Schools Freeman Burr will chair the 2015-2016 Community Campaign which kicks off officially on Sept. 16. 

In making the announcement, Valley United Way Board Chair Janice Sheehy said Burr has been a supporter and advocate for Valley United Way ever since he came to Shelton. 

"The campaign in the Shelton schools is one of the finest in the entire campaign, and we hope that it can serve as a model for others during the upcoming campaign," she said.

United Way President and C.O.O. Jack Walsh said that, "Freeman has been involved with United Way as a member of previous campaign cabinets, as a board member and even as a participant in the Leadership Greater Valley program which we do with the Valley Council and the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce. We are extremely fortunate to have his leadership for this year's campaign."

Burr began his tenure in Shelton in August of 2009. Previously, Burr held a variety of administrative and executive leadership positions in the Hartford Public School System from 1995-2009 including House Principal, Principal, Supervisor of Elementary Principals, Director of Human Resources and Director of Secondary and Intervention Schools. 

A career educator, Freeman is known for his vast experience in urban education, working with diverse student populations and school and organizational reform.

Freeman began his professional career in Hartford teaching Grade 6 for 12 years. He served in his first administrative position with the Capitol Region Education Council, in 1988 working with “at-risk” youth and young adults in pursuit of High School Credit and/or General Equivalency Diplomas. 
While at CREC he was actively involved with the CT Business and Industry Association on Workforce Development working with a number of companies to develop job-related curricula in an effort to upgrade employee skills to meet the demands of the changing workforce in the early 1990s. 

Burr returned to Hartford as a middle school House Principal before becoming principal of the Noah Webster Magnet School from 1998 through 2005.

Currently, he resides in Bloomfield with his wife and has many family members and friends in both the greater Hartford and Bridgeport areas. He has been involved with United Way in a variety of capacities since 1975.

This is a press release from Valley United Way, the leading philanthropic resource for the Valley towns of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton matching the needs of the community and the interests of donors to improve the quality of life in the community. United Way supports and creates initiatives addressing youth, families and people in crisis. Each year Valley United Way funds programs and organizations that make a measurable difference in the lives of people living and working in the Valley.