Month: June 2018

Stratford News: Police Award

Mayor Laura Hoydick and Chief Joseph McNeil and his staff had the pleasure of meeting with descendants of former Officer Edward Manchester who was a member of the Stratford Police Department in the early 20 th century. Officer Manchester was shot in the line of duty trying to apprehend a robbery suspect and later returned to work to finish his career. The incident happened on November 15, 1924. “Officer Edward Manchester’s service is exemplary and represents the unbroken blue line of service that forms the foundation of the Stratford Police Department to this day,” said Mayor Laura R. Hoydick. “It was an honor to join with Officer Manchester’s family and the Stratford Police Department to recognize his service, and to make this award. These are the stories of service and sacrifice that we all should remember.” Officer Manchester’s family included his granddaughter Irma “Chicky” Frasca and great-granddaughter Gracie Fulljames who was accompanied by her husband Greg Fulljames. Officer Manchester was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart award for injuries received during the incident as a well as a retirement badge. It was an honor to meet Officer Manchester’s family and have the opportunity to recognize his sacrifice and dedication.

 

Fairfield Legislators Vote to Override Governor’s Veto of Bill Preventing Mid-Year Cuts

HARTFORD – State Representatives Brenda Kupchick (R-132) and Laura Devlin (R-134) voted on Monday to override Governor Dan Malloy’s veto of a bill prohibiting future governors from making cuts to education aid in the middle of a fiscal year.  State Senator Tony Hwang (R-28) also voted to override the veto in the Senate.

Although there was enough support in the House on a 103-33 vote margin to override the governor’s veto, the override effort failed to achieve 2/3rd support in the Senate and was ultimately unsuccessful, meaning Governor Malloy’s veto will stand.  The legislature also failed to override vetoes on several other pieces of legislation that passed this year when Senate Democrats sided with Governor Malloy.

Public Act 18-35 was legislation intended to impede a Connecticut governor from withdrawing Education Cost Sharing funds already promised to a municipality for the school year, and was a key priority for the legislators.

“Fairfield schools and social service programs have been routinely targeted for the governor’s mid-year education holdbacks that cause uncertainty for town officials and local school boards.  I was proud to stand with my colleagues in the House for taking a positive step towards predictability and stability,” said Rep. Kupchick.  “Unfortunately, Governor Malloy and his allies in the legislature are still major roadblocks to progress in our state.  I’m very disappointed the majority in the Senate decided to not stand up against the governor’s vetoes.  In addition to stopping education cuts in the middle of the school year, these were bills that would have reduced the taxpayer bailout of Hartford, offered incentives for manufacturing companies and created an animal abuser registry.”

“Governors – Malloy and future ones – need to be put on notice that making unilateral mid-year cuts to education funding can devastate our communities.  Reductions during the fiscal year are particularly difficult and leave few options for administrators and teachers,” said Rep. Devlin. “I was proud to cast a vote to override the governor’s veto. Unfortunately, the Senate Democrats refused to join us today in protecting our children’s educational priorities.”

“I voted to override Governor Malloy, and I did so on behalf of Fairfield educators, children and families,” Sen. Hwang said.  “I was proud to stand in opposition to the governor on this crucial school funding issue. This bill would have created stability and predictability for Fairfield beyond the current budget.  I was pleased to see the governor’s ill-advised veto get overridden in the House.  Shortly after the House’s override, I was bitterly disappointed to see many Senate Democrats reverse their prior votes.  There were not enough votes for the bill to get to the finish line in the State Senate.  That’s truly a shame, but I can promise Fairfield’s taxpayers this:  I am not deterred, and I will continue to stand with in support of common sense policies like this one.”

All seven of the governor’s vetoes were sustained in a special session of the General Assembly on Monday.

State Representative Brenda Kupchick represents the 132nd district, which includes Fairfield and Southport.

 State Representative Laura Devlin represents the 134th district, which includes Fairfield and Trumbull.

 State Senator Tony Hwang represents the 28th Senate district communities of Fairfield, Easton, Newtown, Weston, and Westport.

 

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Bridgeport News: Road Paving To Begin!!

Bridgeport, CT – Mayor Ganim today announced that the City of Bridgeport will begin the process of milling Thursday, June 28th through Friday, July 6th to prepare roads for paving.   The milling process will remove the current surface area of the road to level and smooth for pavement.  Following the milling process throughout the city, roads will be paved during the week of July 16ththrough July 20th.

During this time, drivers are advised of the following:

o   Adhere to “No Parking” signs that will be posted to roadways 24 hours prior to milling and paving.  These areas will be enforced and towing will take place if a car is parked on a road that is planned to be milled or paved.

o   Follow the detour signs that will be posted while milling and paving are taking place.  Please plan accordingly and understand that it may take extra time to get to your destination.

o   Drive carefully and look out for raised structures and manhole covers that may be exposed and raised during the milling process.

A second phase of milling and paving will take place in September 2018   For more information, visit the City of Bridgeport Public Facilities website at www.Bridgeportct.gov/PublicFacilities.

 

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#Bridgeport Seeks Input On 10 Year Master Plan

Bridgeport, CT – Mayor Joe Ganim announced today that the City of Bridgeport will be seeking community input to create a new Master Plan of Conservation and Development that will guide City policy related to building and economic development over the next 10 years. The Master Plan will be created with extensive input from the community, identifying the most pressing issues of today and the next decade, and proposing policies to address those issues and achieve a communal vision of how Bridgeport should grow, evolve, and change over time.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Bridgeport residents to take ownership of the Master Plan for their own community,” said Mayor Joe Ganim. “The Master Plan will serve as the framework for growth and development for the next decade. We want to hear directly from individuals who live, work or play in Bridgeport because the policies derived from this document will impact them.”

A six-month effort will be dedicated to update the City’s current Master Plan of Conservation and Development created in 2008,Bridgeport 2020: A Vision for the Future. The updated document will strive to merge equity, environmental integrity and the health of the community with economic goals of growth and future development.

The City has contracted with the Hartford-based consulting firm Fitzgerald & Halliday, Inc. (FHI) to assist in updating the Master Plan, and to undertake a robust public outreach campaign.

Bridgeport City Planning Director Lynn Haig said, “FHI set itself apart in the City’s selection process by demonstrating an understanding of the importance of obtaining genuine input from community members and creating an inclusive plan that accounts for the diverse aspirations of all Bridgeport’s residents.”

FHI Principle and Vice President Ken Livingston said, “This is an exciting time for Bridgeport. At FHI we’ve been impressed by the City’s commitment to involving the public in shaping Bridgeport’s future, and look forward to assisting in its equitable, sustainable, and resilient development.”

Project tasks will include engaging the public in conversations on such topics as public health, community resiliency, economic development, and equitable growth; and developing clear, achievable priorities and action items based upon that community dialogue. A broad group of community representatives is advising the project team and supporting public outreach efforts. The City will host public meetings and appear at various community events throughout the duration of the planning process and encourages all to participate.

For more information about the Plan of Conservation and Development update, including participation opportunities and meeting schedules, visit www.PlanBridgeport.com.

 

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Bridgeport News: Pedestrian Hit Driver Flees But Then Calls Cops

11:38pm–#Bridgeport CT– It’s a tough night for pedestrians, one was hit at Park and North Avenue, the driver got scared and fled to Captial and North Avenue when the driver regained composure and called the police to report the accident.  No word on the pedestrian’s injuries.

 

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