Ansonia residents show spirit of season

Decorating contest draws 21 participants

ANSONIA - Congratulations go out to John and Ann Marie Checkley of 209 Wakelee Ave. for capturing the overall winner spot in the Cultural Commission's annual House and Yard Decorating Contest. 

Beautifully decked out properties in all seven Wards - including 20 homeowners and Charters Hose Company 4 firehouse - were entered into the annual competition judged by members of the Cultural Commission and the Valley Arts Council.

A view of the decorations at 209 Wakelee Ave.

All eight winners will be honored at the Jan. 13 Board of Aldermen meeting in City Hall. 
They will receive a certificate of recognition and a gift certificate from local merchants, Cultural Commission chairman Judy Nicolari said.

Many thanks to Cultural Commission member Melissa Torres for submitting the great photos! 

Overall winning entry is this home at 209 Wakelee Ave.

Wishing a Merry Christmas to all!

May your day be filled with fun, food, family, friends, and the spirit of the Yuletide season!

A message from Seymour first selectman

"Christmas is a time to reflect on all that is good in our lives, some things big and others small. It is a time for family and friends, for good cheer and happiness. It is a time we wish joy to all. 

"But, unfortunately, this spirit only seems to last a few days. Please join me in working to keep this wonderful holiday spirit all year long. Together, let's make 2015 the best year yet. Tara, Drew, Kaitlyn and I would like to wish you all a joyous holiday season. From our family to yours, may you have a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year."

- Kurt Miller

* Note: This is taken from the Office of the First Selectman's Facebook page.

A message from Ansonia mayor

Happy Holidays to all! 

I would like to take this opportunity to say Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. 

As we celebrate this holiday season, focus on all the accomplishments achieved in 2014 and strive harder for a prosperous new year. Enjoy the time you spend with family and friends, but let us not forget our neighbors these holidays. A holiday season greeting may go a long way for those alone. I believe the holiday season is about giving and sharing PEACE and HAPPINESS.

My family and all of the dedicated City Hall staff wish you joy and happiness throughout the holiday season and New Year.

2014 was a great year for Ansonia and I am predicting an even brighter future in 2015. We witnessed a milestone last week when a portion of the buildings were demolished at the former Ansonia Copper and Brass site. 

We said good bye to a part of our history, but we are also welcoming a bright new future with economic growth into Ansonia. 

Join with me to help make Ansonia a better place to work and live.


- Mayor David S. Cassetti

Job seekers: Career Coach to visit Derby Library

DERBY - The CT Works Career Coach returns to the Derby Public Library from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Jan. 16.

During both the morning session, 10 a.m.-noon, and the afternoon session, 1-3 p.m., instructors will be offering Job Search Assistance. 

Learn where to look for jobs, how to get the job you want, and how to search for jobs on the Internet.

The workshop is free and open to the public.  

Registration is requested but walk-ins will be welcomed on a first come, first served basis.

The CT Works Career Coach is a project of  The WorkPlace, Inc. operated by Career Resources.  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 Cathy Williams, Director, Derby Public Library.

Seymour students win fire prevention poster contest

2 posters will compete on county level

Photos submitted by Bungay Elementary School.

SEYMOUR - Congratulations go out to the talented students who recently were recognized for winning a fire prevention poster contest. 
The town has been participating in the Connecticut Fire Prevention Poster Recognition Program for at least 15 years.  

This is a cooperative effort between the Office of the State Fire Marshal, CT Fire Marshal’s Association, Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, Connecticut Board of Education, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and the Connecticut Fair Plan representing the Insurance Industry.  

This year the Seymour Fire Marshal’s office chose four winners (two of which will be forwarded to the state program to compete in the New Haven County portion of the contest).  
These four students, a fourth and fifth grader from Chatfield-LoPresti School and Bungay School were selected as the town winners.  

They had the opportunity to ride a fire truck to school along with a parent. This was a joint effort with the Seymour Fire Department and Fire Marshal’s office.

It is events like this that create lasting memories and will hopefully impress upon the students how important it is to practice fire safety activities.  

This year’s winners were fifth grader Sara Kochiss and fourth grader Louis Zhu from Chatfield-LoPresti Elementary School, and fifth grader Gabriel Sand and fourth grader Camille Grandy from Bungay Elementary School. 

Gabriel Sand and Camille Grandy’s pictures were chosen as the town winners and will be forwarded to the New Haven County competition. 

This is a press release from the Seymour Fire Marshal's office.

Needy Valley families receive holiday help

Volunteers Kaitlyn Marcinko, 13, left, and Brittany LaChance, 15, Friday carry gifts out to clients of St. Vincent De Paul, Helping Hands of the Valley.


DERBY - Christmas came early at St. Vincent de Paul, Helping Hands of the Valley as the nonprofit distributed food and gifts Friday to more than 100 Valley families.

Please check out my story posted today in the Valley Independent Sentinel.