January 2020 – Page 15

Bridgeport News: Health Director Steps Down

Bridgeport CT –Maritza Bond has announced her resignation as Health Director for the City of Bridgeport, effective January 23, 2020. Maritza was hired under the Ganim administration in November 1^st, 2016. Since taking on the position as Health Director, Maritza has made many visible and strategic improvements in the Health Department which is also now in its final stage of being state accredited.

Mayor Ganim stated, “I want to thank Maritza Bond for her dedication to our city and particularly for her passion, innovation and professionalism over the past three years. As the Health Director, Maritza always went above and beyond her role and always displayed passion for her staff, our city, and the well-being of the residents of Bridgeport. She will be sorely missed throughout the city and as a leader in our administration.”

Albertina Baptista will fulfill the role of Acting Health Director while a search and selection is conducted for a new Health Director. Information will follow regarding the posting of this position immediately.

This press release was made possible by:

Shakespeare Property Subcommittee

STRATFORD – The Shakespeare Property Subcommittee, formed by the Redevelopment Agency (RDA), will hold its first meeting on Thursday, January 16^th, at 6:00pm in the Town Council Chambers at Town Hall. The meeting is open to the public.

The Subcommittee has been formed to develop steps in the next phase of redevelopment of the vacant property that once was the site of the historic American Shakespeare Festival Theater, which was lost to arson on January 13, 2019.

“We are very thankful to those who volunteered and served on the Task Force, as well as the many residents who made their voices heard concerning what they want to see at the former site of the theater,” said Stratford Mayor Laura R. Hoydick. “The time has come to develop a plan that answers the collective wishes of residents. I appreciate the commitment of the members of this new subcommittee – we will be supporting them in every way possible as they begin their work.”

Members of the Subcommittee include Tony Nizzardo, Tom Dillon, Patti Sorrentino-Galello and Peter Wood, who are joined by two new members- Richard Tahlberg and Greg Reilly.

Throughout most of last year, the Shakespeare Property Task Force, appointed by Mayor Hoydick, held multiple community forums and workshops to determine what Town residents wanted to see happen with the property following the loss of the theater. An online survey was also conducted of residents to learn their preferences.

The community was very engaged, and the predominant sentiment of residents was that the property be used for a multi-purpose facility including a theater, and for open space. Such uses are in keeping with the deed restrictions on the property when the Town received it from the State of Connecticut in 2005. Those restrictions include a minimum of 20% preserved as open space, and the entire property being accessible by the general public.

This press release was made possible by:

Fairfield News: Minor Sexually Assaulted At Regal Care of Southport

On 01/09/2020 Dino Carlo Gioia was arrested and charged with Third Degree Sexual Assault, and Risk Of Injury to a Minor, Second Degree Unlawful Restraint, and Breach of Peace after he turned himself in on an active arrest warrant at Fairfield Police Headquarters.

The investigation began on December 24 th , 2019 at about 5pm when the incident was reported from the juvenile victim’s parent to a staff member at Regal Care of Southport.

It was reported that Gioia inappropriately touched a juvenile female while she was at Regal Care of Southport visiting a grandparent. Gioia was processed and transported to Bridgeport Superior Court for arraignment.