Kidney disease runs in the family ~ I wish I could run from it

I didn't post anything today because I was "out of town" for a while, and away from my computer.

My husband, Ralph, and I spent more than seven hours at the transplantation clinic at Yale-New Haven Hospital. 

We learned about kidney transplants, nutrition, medications, and had private consultations with several health professionals. 
I had an EKG and chest X-ray and gave what seemed like a lot of blood, twice.

I have PKD - Polycystic Kidney Disease - which is an unfortunate family trait. I wrote about it here in October, and again here in February. 

Two wonderful people have offered to give me a kidney, but we have no idea if either of them will be able to do so.

My nephrologist referred me to the Yale clinic to get started on a journey that I know many, many people have taken before.
There were more than 17,000 kidney transplants performed in the United States in 2014, which is a much bigger number than I had thought.

In March I published a month of posts to help raise awareness of PKD. I hope it did.

Ralph and I now are armed with more information and a better sense of what this journey will eventually entail.

It's not easy to write about myself. I take that back...it's easy to write, just not easy to hit the "publish" button. But I'm about to do so.

Thanks for reading.

Opinion: Lawmaker opposes state mileage tax idea

By State Rep. Linda M. Gentile

HARTFORD - Recently, there has been a lot of talk about a mileage tax – the idea of taxing drivers based on the distance they drive their vehicles.  

Let me be clear. 

I am absolutely against any consideration of a mileage tax! 

Talk about the tax is a political ploy aimed at getting voters riled up.  

Leadership in both the House and Senate chambers of the General Assembly insist that they have no interest or plans to institute a mileage tax.  

Let me just say, I have no interest or plans to institute a mileage tax, as well.  

In fact, I believe it is a half-baked, crazy idea and I think using this idea as a political ploy to rile up voters is shameless!

Unnecessary burden 

I am against a mileage tax for many reasons. 

First and foremost, I believe it would be an unnecessary burden on motorists and taxpayers.  

It is unclear to me how such a tax would be implemented and it is certainly unclear how much it would cost to implement.  

I have heard suggestions of a tracking-type device being attached to cars to record the number of miles driven.  I firmly believe such a device would be an infringement on personal privacy.  

Furthermore, any device or computer chip attached to a vehicle could probably be circumvented or hacked, creating opportunity for vandalism and fraud.  

And, what if a motorist travels out of state for personal business or vacation? Would it be fair to tax the driver for miles driven on non-state roads? I don’t think so!  

I do not believe a mileage tax is fair nor do I think it should ever be considered as an option to raise funds for any transportation project!  

I want to assure you that I am absolutely not in favor of a mileage tax and I will work to defeat any attempt to implement any such proposal.  

Talk of mileage tax began last year when the Governor’s Transportation Finance Panel recommended studying its potential implementation.  

ConnDOT applied for a federal grant ($300,000) to pay for the study, joining with Vermont, Delaware, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania.  

I did not support the idea then, and I most certainly do not support the idea now. 

DOT officials say the mileage tax could be an option to raise revenues. I think not!  

The mileage tax proposal is simply an idea that is under consideration by the state Department of Transportation as a means to raise funds to pay for the maintenance of our highways, roads and bridges.  

But it is nothing more than that - an idea. An idea that I can’t and simply won’t support.

Gentile represents Ansonia and Derby in the General Assembly. This column was sent by Gentile's office.

Demo at Derby Public Library to offer techniques on saving summer produce

DERBY - The Derby Public Library, 313 Elizabeth St., has scheduled another cooking demo at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 29.

The topic will be Saving Summer.  

Stacey Ference of Savour Catering will offer ideas and techniques for freezing the last of your garden’s bounty to enjoy long after summer is over. There will be samples of all demonstrated foods.

The class is for ages 18 years and older.  

Registration is required.  

For more information visit the Library or call 203-736-1482.

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

August community dinner in Ansonia to feature movie

Back to School Rally slated at Gatison Park in Ansonia

Newsletter features fund-raising tag sale in Ansonia

Hi readers,

The latest Valley Voice is now available.

Here's the link.


Happy reading!

Great Hill United Methodist Church in Seymour to host BBQ

SEYMOUR - A Chicken or Ribs BBQ will be held from 5-7 p.m. Aug. 6 at Great Hill United Methodist Church, 225 Great Hill Road.

The menu will include choice or chicken or ribs, homemade coleslaw, baked beans, dessert, and beverage. 

Price per dinner is $14 for adults, and $7 for kids 8 and under. Take-outs gladly provided.

Reservations are appreciated by calling Bob at 203-888-4159 or 203-906-2958.


This information is shared from an online community calendar sponsored by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and The New Haven Independent.