Local lawmakers to host blood drive at Seymour Land Trust Hall

State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, state Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly, and state Sen. Eric Berthel, are asking the community to join them Feb. 17 during an American Red Cross Blood Drive at the Seymour Land Trust Hall. “The Red Cross needs your help and they’re making it even easier for all of us by once again bringing this important mobile blood drive to the Land Trust Hall in Seymour,” Klarides-Ditria said. “Every donation helps save lives and I hope you’ll join me and my legislative colleagues by also donating on Thursday.” “The Red Cross is experiencing its worst blood shortage in over a decade. Low blood supplies could mean deferred surgeries that jeopardize people’s health. Supporting those in medical need by donating blood can be a lifesaving act of kindness. Please consider donating if you can,” Kelly said. “We all have the opportunity to lend a hand to those in need. The Red Cross will be right in our backyard to accept blood donations that can save someone’s life and I hope that you’ll support this important cause,” Berthel said. According to the Red Cross, the entire process takes about one hour. The donation itself is only about 8-10 minutes on average.  Restrictions due to weight, health, or travel may apply and donors are urged to check their eligibility beforehand by going to https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html or by contacting a local chapter. ***Donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive. You can make an appointment by visiting https://www.redcrossblood.org/ and using the sponsor code “Seymour.” Donors can also download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. This event is free and open to the public. For information about blood donation or other ways to help, please go to https://www.redcrossblood.org/

Sincerely,

Berthel opposes extension of Lamont''s emergency powers

HARTFORD- State Sen. Eric Berthel, R-32,  Tuesday issued a statement on the Senate's passage of a Democratic resolution extending Gov. Ned Lamont's COVID emergency executive powers through Feb. 15, 2022. 

This is the sixth time that these powers have been extended, which will now total nearly two years of state government under the emergency executive authority of Governor Lamont.

“It is time to move on. Our state boasts the highest vaccination rate in the nation, a fact of which Governor Lamont continues to be vocal. Meanwhile, the state is kicking off a $1.4 million fall season marketing campaign, enticing out-of-state residents to visit Connecticut's local attractions, hotels, restaurants and other public places. These conflicting messages defy logic. If we are truly in a public health emergency, the legislature has proven to be capable of convening in short order to debate and vote on policies relative to public health or otherwise," said Berthel.

 "These debates and decisions must be made in the 'People's House' by their elected representatives; not by unilateral edicts from a Governor and select individuals. Today, I voted 'no' on this measure, as I have done each time it has come before the legislature. I will continue to use my seat to support the ideals of co-equal branches of government, which allow the collective voices of those in the 32^nd District to be heard."

 The resolution, which passed the House on Monday, cleared the Senate 18-15 with three absent.

 

Berthel represents Connecticut's 32^nd Senatorial District, which includes Bethlehem, Bridgewater, Middlebury, Oxford, Roxbury, Seymour, Southbury, Washington, Watertown, and Woodbury. www.senatorberthel.com

This is a press release from his office. 

 

State senators announce proposed Rte. 8 safety improvements in Seymour

HARTFORD - State Senators Eric Berthel, R- 32, and Kevin Kelly, R-21, announced proposed safety improvements to a dangerous section of Route 8 in Seymour. 

The changes are a result of the legislators’ request for a Department of Transportation traffic study of the high-incident section of the highway.

“The section of Route 8 near Exit 22 contains a sharp, horizontal curve that has seen a growing number of accidents as traffic increased,”  Berthel said. “My colleagues and I asked the DOT to study conditions and traffic patterns in the area to find ways to make it safer for drivers.”

In a letter from the DOT, Commissioner James Redeker writes that staff performed pavement surface testing in both directions of the highway. Tests found the section of the roadway provides sufficient friction to help vehicles slow down and stop.

“I am glad that the DOT looked beyond the surface condition of the roadway for opportunities to make the area safer,” Kelly said. “We know that a number of factors can contribute to vehicle accidents, including weather, speed, and visibility. Providing a more advanced warning of the approaching curve and including the DOT’s proposed retroreflective delineators on the media barriers could go a long way to addressing divers’ ability to see and respond to the roadway.”

The letter noted that the speed limit on Route 8 is 55 mph and the curved portions of the road specifically are marked 50 mph. However, monitoring of the area found a large number of vehicles exceed 70 mph.

The senators acknowledged that increasing State Police presence, as suggested by the DOT, should prompt drivers to slow down in the area. They also applauded the proactive measures the DOT is suggesting to help make the highway safer for drivers and passengers.

The letter stated that DOT would continue working with Seymour’s Local Traffic Authority and Seymour Police to improve safety in the area.

Berthel represents the communities of Bethlehem, Bridgewater, Middlebury, Oxford, Roxbury, Seymour, Southbury, Washington, Watertown, and Woodbury.

Kelly represents the communities of Monroe, Seymour, Shelton, and Stratford.

This is a press release from the CT Senate Republican Office.

Seymour Middle School students' essays recognized

Pictured from left: state Sen. Eric Berthel, R-Watertown, Colin Stewart, Assistant Principal Ernie DiStasi, Adelina Barreira, and state Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, R-Seymour./ Contributed photo


SEYMOUR- In honor of Women’s History Month, state Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, R-Seymour, and state Sen. Eric Berthel, R-Watertown,  hosted an essay contest for Seymour sixth graders. 
The theme was “How a Connecticut Woman Made a Contribution to the State and/or Nation and How it Has Influenced Me.”

The winner and runner-up finishers were picked by Seymour Middle School teachers and were presented with an official state citation and pin. 

The winner and runner-up and who they profiled are:

First Place – Adelina Barreira – Caroline Maria Hewins

Runner-Up – Colin Stewart – Ella Tambussi Grasso

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

Congratulations go out to the two essay contest winners!

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.