Month: July 2018
Osten, Others Seek Virginia Pardon for Lisbon Abolitionist
Osten, Others Seek Virginia Pardon for Lisbon Abolitionist
State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) and a group of Norwich-area officials have applied to the Commonwealth of Virginia for a pardon for Aaron Dwight Stevens, the Lisbon-born Connecticut abolitionist who joined John Brown’s historic raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia in 1859 and who was subsequently executed for “advising slaves to rebel.”
“The one obvious and all-encompassing purpose of his actions and resultant prosecution was to rid the United States of slavery,” says the application for a ‘simple pardon’ in which the governor grants official forgiveness for a crime. “Since his hanging, the country has passed the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which certainly ensures that slavery has now been eradicated by law in our country.”
The pardon application was submitted by Sen. Osten, state Rep. Doug Dubitksy (R- Chaplin), Norwich Mayor Peter Nystrom, Lisbon First Selectman Thomas Sparkman, Norwich City Historian Dale Plummer, and Stevens’ biographers Paul Victor Butsch and Thomas M. Coletti.
“I give Paul and Tom full credit for this pardon application. They know Aaron’s story better than anyone, and they know the injustice of his conviction,” Sen. Osten said. “It’s like seeking a pardon for someone involved in the Boston Tea Party. Yes, you violated the laws of the state at the time, but we now realize how heinous those civic norms and those state laws were. Aaron Stevens should be lauded as a hero for doing the right thing, not forever listed as a convicted criminal in some slave-era legal record.”
The pardon application was spurred in large part by the work of Butsch and Coletti, who co-wrote a biography of Stevens’ life titled “A Journey to the Gallows.”
“Dwight Stevens, a Connecticut man, born in Lisbon and raised in Norwich, along with John Brown and 20 other men, both black and white, woke the nation up to the beginning of a new chapter in American history—the end of slavery,” Butsch and Coletti said regarding their petition. “That is what he gave his life for, and that is the way he should be remembered.”
The two authors noted that Stevens was one of John Brown’s lieutenants during the raid, which is viewed by many as having led to the Civil War. At the time of his arrest, they wrote, Virginia accused Stevens of treason, murder, advising slaves to rebel, conspiring with slaves to rebel, and conspiring with certain persons to induce slaves to rebel. The murder and treason charges were dropped, and Stevens was convicted only on the slavery-related charges; he was hanged in Charlestown, Virginia on March 16, 1860, one day after his 29th birthday.
Virginia notes in its pardon application that “there is no reliable method of predicting how long a pardon petition investigation will take to complete. The investigation process may take a year or longer.”
Sen. Osten Joins in Grand Opening of New Regional Jobs Center
Sen. Osten Joins in Grand Opening of New Regional Jobs Center
MONTVILLE—State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) today joined in the grand opening of the new American Job Center East in Montville, which features a wide variety of employment services and programs for jobseekers and employers.
The facility, located at 601 Norwich-New London Turnpike, offers a fully equipped career center and conference rooms for holding regional hiring events and employment workshops. Services for jobseekers include career counseling, résumé-writing assistance, apprenticeship programs, special services for veterans, on-site employer recruitments and a self-service career center with computers, internet service, research materials and phones.
“Today is another great day for eastern Connecticut. This job enter offers one-stop shopping for people who are looking to realize their dreams by securing a job in advanced manufacturing, of which there are plenty of jobs in the area,” Sen. Osten said. “I and other members of the legislature have been working for years to help secure these types of opportunities for people to get jobs in the area. This week’s approval of $8 million in state bonding for workforce training programs to support Electric Boat is another example of that commitment. The private sector has added 2,000 jobs in the Norwich-New London area in the past year alone. We’ve got more work to do, but we’re on the right trajectory.”
“This center showcases the tremendous impact organizational partnerships have within a region, both public and private,” Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board President John Beauregard said. “On average, 11,000 people visit our region’s centers annually and the comprehensive services offer many career opportunities for our residents. The centers also serve as a talent pipeline for employers, with the public-private nature of this center making it unique. For example, Electric Boat and other employers will have personnel on-site to recruit and hire jobseekers as part of the region’s manufacturing pipeline program.”
The new American Job Center East is staffed with a specialist offering in-person unemployment insurance assistance in answering questions, assisting those using the online filing system, and referring them to job center services. For local employers, business service specialists can meet with businesses interested in hiring qualified employees, tax credit programs, or taking advantage of training incentives and apprenticeship programs. More than a dozen workforce partners are located at the center, providing employment services for jobseekers and employers, and job-related services that include adult education, transportation solutions, pipelines to manufacturing careers, and disability employment services.
The American Job Center East is open Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Members of the public are welcome.
Sen. Moore Celebrates Approval of $16M State Funding for Bridgeport & Trumbull Projects
Sen. Moore Celebrates Approval of $16M State Funding for Bridgeport and Trumbull Projects
Celebrating the approval of funding for local projects after the State Bond Commission meeting at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. Right photo (L-R) Senator Marilyn Moor and Barnum Museum Executive Director Kathy Mahe. Left photo (L-R) Discovery Museum Executive Director Bill Finch, Sen. Moore, and Discovery Museum Board Chairman Tom Vos. (July 25, 2018)
HARTFORD— Senate Chair of the Finance Committee’s Bonding Subcommittee Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) today applauded the approval of more than $16.6 million in state bond funding for several projects in Bridgeport and Trumbull.
“As Senate Chair of the Bond Commission, I am proud to secure funding for these excellent projects in my district and across the state.” Sen. Moore said. “Thanks to this funding, our local museums, schools, and senior housing facilities can now move forward with making much-needed improvements so that residents of Bridgeport and Trumbull may continue to enjoy their services for many more years.”
Bridgeport
- $6,900,100 grant-in-aid to the Barnum Museum to assist with design and construction of infrastructure repairs and improvements, ongoing building stabilization and site improvements.
- $1,854,000 grant-in-aid to the Discovery Museum to assist with renovations including upgrades to the planetarium, improvements to exhibit, classroom and theater spaces, HVAC and energy conservation improvements, elevator upgrades and replacement of the roof on the Wonder Workshop building.
The Barnum Museum and the Discovery Museum and Planetarium can now go forward with long-awaited renovations and improvements. Sen. Moore and Bridgeport delegation members submitted a request for the funds in April. These projects will result in 55 construction and other temporary jobs at the Barnum Museum while retaining 50 full and part-time positions at the Discovery Museum.
The Barnum Museum’s executive director, Kathy Maher, credited Bridgeport’s legislators for their unflagging advocacy. “This grant is a testament to our delegation’s efforts, and the unyielding work they’ve done in support of the Barnum Museum. We are truly grateful.”
CT State Historian, Walter Woodward responded, “This investment solidly advances the bold and spectacular vision of a Barnum Museum that will be a “must see” tourist attraction and an economic engine for all of downtown Bridgeport. It is the needed catalyst for the kind of future Barnum himself would have created for the city and state he loved above all others.”
- $850,000 grant-in-aid to assist Achievement First Bridgeport Academy with capital improvements and repayment of debt.
- 850,000 grant-in-aid to assist Capital Prep Harbor with window, HVAC/electrical replacement
- $775,592 grant-in-aid for improvements to Barnum, Batalla, Geraldine Johnson and Waltersville schools, which are Commissioner’s Network Schools. Projects will include alterations, repairs, improvements, technology and equipment to help address building and site deficiencies, and to promote the health, safety, and learning of the students.
- 175,869 grant-in-aid to assist The Bridge Academy with exterior improvements and oil tank removal
Trumbull
- $5,286,139 grant-in-aid to the Housing Authority of the Town of Trumbull to assist with improvements to the Stern Village elderly rental development.
Stern Village Stern Village has 186 units for residents 62 and older, and also for disabled residents 18 and older.
Senator Winfield E-News: July Update
New Haven Legislators Welcome $28M in State Funds for Local Projects
New Haven Legislators Welcome $28M in State Funds for Local Projects
Members of the New Haven delegation today announced that o $28.7 million in critical state funding for 11 local initiatives and projects is set to be approved by the State Bond Commission at its upcoming meeting on July 25.
Included on the commission’s agenda is:
- $10,000,000- Grant-in-aid to Cornell Scott Hill Health Center Corporation in New Haven to assist with development of a new 52 bed, 43,800 sq. ft. Recovery and Wellness Center for substance abuse patients.
- $8,000,000- Flood control and shoreline rehabilitation at East Shore Park and Long Warf in New Haven. Improvements will increase the resiliency of these areas through improved storm water management and will include the design and construction of new innovative living shorelines.
- $5,900,000- These funds are requested to provide a supplemental grant-in-aid to the New Haven Parking Authority for renovations, improvements and repairs to its unrestricted parking structures.
- $1,464,510- These funds are requested to provide a grant-in-aid to the Connecticut Children’s Museum in New Haven to assist with renovations and improvements to its facility. The project consists of exterior masonry repairs, window restoration, accessibility improvements, site improvements, interior renovations and new mechanical and electrical systems.
- $957,063- New Haven—Beecher, Rogers, Fair Haven and Truman Schools—Grants-in-aid to assist targeted local and regional school districts for alterations, repairs, improvements. Technology and equipment.
- $850,000- Amistad School—New Haven—debt repayment
- $850,000- Elm City College Prep—New Haven—debt repayment- These funds are requested to provide grants-in-aid to assist Charter Schools with capital improvements and repayment of debt
- $751,000- Purchase of four parcels of Department of Transportation surplus properties adjacent to the Port of New Haven for maritime-related uses.
“The Children’s Museum not only provides quality childcare, but also a variety of programs that are both educational and enriching,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven). “This funding will allow the museum to update and improve its facility to better serve the children of our community by making it more accessible, more energy-efficient, and generally more up-to-date.”
Sen. Looney continued, “The Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center offers a uniquely cost-effective combination of behavioral health counseling, primary medical services and temporary housing that have helped thousands of greater New Haven residents with substance abuse disorders achieve and maintain sobriety. In particular, the center offers substance abuse treatment for New Haven’s most economically disadvantaged residents who have few, if any, other treatment options.”
“This round of state investment is great news for the City of New Haven. Each of these projects represents the kind of growth and progress our community wants and needs,” Sen. Gary Winfield (D-New Haven) said. “Better schools, parks, museums, and increased access critical substance abuse programs will enhance the quality of life for our city residents.”
“I’m really excited about the state investments that are being made in New Haven. The $10 million grant to the Cornell Scott Hill Health Center will help strengthen our capacity to deal with unprecedented addiction issues in our area,” Rep. Patricia Dillon (D-New Haven) said. “The $8 million investment for costal resilience at East Shore Park and Long Warf is also critical to our shoreline.”
“I want to thank the governor for his continued investment in the City of New Haven and in the critical matters where we need help such as the parking garages, the schools and the Cornell Scott Hill Center, which desperately needs renovation. It’s important that we keep our cities vibrant and replenish those areas that have been worn down by time and usage, and maintain them so that all people in Connecticut can have access to services, not just in New Haven but in all the cities where they seek services,” said Rep. Toni Walker (D-New Haven), a member of the State Bond Commission who will vote for the bonding.
“The people of New Haven can look to the State Bond Commission’s funding and be proud to see the investments made in our city,” stated Rep. Robyn Porter (D—New Haven, Hamden). “With our schools, parking garages, the Cornell Scott Hill Center and the Connecticut Children’s Museum on the list, we can see a clear message from the state that New Haven and its residents are worth investing in.”
“This vital funding we have worked to secure will go a long way toward flood prevention and protecting our shoreline. This will address two critical issues for the East Shore Park and Long Wharf area for residents, businesses and visitors.” said Rep. Alphonse Paolillo (D-New Haven). “I am also glad to see that the project will use the latest green, environmentally friendly technology that will benefit our natural ecosystem.”
“The needs of the New Haven area and its residents are blessed to have the governor’s strong support,” Rep. Roland Lemar (D-New Haven). “All of these projects are critical not only to preserving but also moving our communities forward. especially at a time when money is tight. I applaud all of the people who helped make this bonding possible.”
New Haven Legislators Welcome $28M in State Funds for Local Projects (2)
New Haven Legislators Welcome $28M in State Funds for Local Projects
Members of the New Haven delegation today announced that o $28.7 million in critical state funding for 11 local initiatives and projects is set to be approved by the State Bond Commission at its upcoming meeting on July 25.
Included on the commission’s agenda is:
- $10,000,000- Grant-in-aid to Cornell Scott Hill Health Center Corporation in New Haven to assist with development of a new 52 bed, 43,800 sq. ft. Recovery and Wellness Center for substance abuse patients.
- $8,000,000- Flood control and shoreline rehabilitation at East Shore Park and Long Warf in New Haven. Improvements will increase the resiliency of these areas through improved storm water management and will include the design and construction of new innovative living shorelines.
- $5,900,000- These funds are requested to provide a supplemental grant-in-aid to the New Haven Parking Authority for renovations, improvements and repairs to its unrestricted parking structures.
- $1,464,510- These funds are requested to provide a grant-in-aid to the Connecticut Children’s Museum in New Haven to assist with renovations and improvements to its facility. The project consists of exterior masonry repairs, window restoration, accessibility improvements, site improvements, interior renovations and new mechanical and electrical systems.
- $957,063- New Haven—Beecher, Rogers, Fair Haven and Truman Schools—Grants-in-aid to assist targeted local and regional school districts for alterations, repairs, improvements. Technology and equipment.
- $850,000- Amistad School—New Haven—debt repayment
- $850,000- Elm City College Prep—New Haven—debt repayment- These funds are requested to provide grants-in-aid to assist Charter Schools with capital improvements and repayment of debt
- $751,000- Purchase of four parcels of Department of Transportation surplus properties adjacent to the Port of New Haven for maritime-related uses.
“The Children’s Museum not only provides quality childcare, but also a variety of programs that are both educational and enriching,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven). “This funding will allow the museum to update and improve its facility to better serve the children of our community by making it more accessible, more energy-efficient, and generally more up-to-date.”
Sen. Looney continued, “The Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center offers a uniquely cost-effective combination of behavioral health counseling, primary medical services and temporary housing that have helped thousands of greater New Haven residents with substance abuse disorders achieve and maintain sobriety. In particular, the center offers substance abuse treatment for New Haven’s most economically disadvantaged residents who have few, if any, other treatment options.”
“This round of state investment is great news for the City of New Haven. Each of these projects represents the kind of growth and progress our community wants and needs,” Sen. Gary Winfield (D-New Haven) said. “Better schools, parks, museums, and increased access critical substance abuse programs will enhance the quality of life for our city residents.”
“I’m really excited about the state investments that are being made in New Haven. The $10 million grant to the Cornell Scott Hill Health Center will help strengthen our capacity to deal with unprecedented addiction issues in our area,” Rep. Patricia Dillon (D-New Haven) said. “The $8 million investment for costal resilience at East Shore Park and Long Warf is also critical to our shoreline.”
“I want to thank the governor for his continued investment in the City of New Haven and in the critical matters where we need help such as the parking garages, the schools and the Cornell Scott Hill Center, which desperately needs renovation. It’s important that we keep our cities vibrant and replenish those areas that have been worn down by time and usage, and maintain them so that all people in Connecticut can have access to services, not just in New Haven but in all the cities where they seek services,” said Rep. Toni Walker (D-New Haven), a member of the State Bond Commission who will vote for the bonding.
“The people of New Haven can look to the State Bond Commission’s funding and be proud to see the investments made in our city,” stated Rep. Robyn Porter (D—New Haven, Hamden). “With our schools, parking garages, the Cornell Scott Hill Center and the Connecticut Children’s Museum on the list, we can see a clear message from the state that New Haven and its residents are worth investing in.”
“This vital funding we have worked to secure will go a long way toward flood prevention and protecting our shoreline. This will address two critical issues for the East Shore Park and Long Wharf area for residents, businesses and visitors.” said Rep. Alphonse Paolillo (D-New Haven). “I am also glad to see that the project will use the latest green, environmentally friendly technology that will benefit our natural ecosystem.”
“The needs of the New Haven area and its residents are blessed to have the governor’s strong support,” Rep. Roland Lemar (D-New Haven). “All of these projects are critical not only to preserving but also moving our communities forward. especially at a time when money is tight. I applaud all of the people who helped make this bonding possible.”
Senator Looney and Rep. Paolillo Announce East Shore Park and Long Wharf Flood Control Improvements
Senator Looney and Rep. Paolillo Announce East Shore Park and Long Wharf Flood Control Improvements
Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and state Representative Al Paolillo, Jr. (D-New Haven) today announced that the State Bond Commission is set to approve $8 million in funding for flood control and shoreline rehabilitation at East Shore Park and Long Wharf in New Haven. The improvements will increase the resiliency of these areas through improved storm water management and will include the design and construction of new innovative living shorelines.
“A living shoreline will better protect East Shore Park and Long Wharf from flooding and erosion while demonstrating how nature can be incorporated into a more resilient shoreline,” said Senator Looney. “Investing in this type of green infrastructure is a smart strategy to combat the persistent flooding New Haven has experienced.”
“This vital funding we have worked to secure will go a long way towards flood prevention and protecting our shoreline. This will address two critical issues for the East Shore Park and Long Wharf area for residents, businesses and visitors.” said Rep. Paolillo. “I am also glad to see that the project will use the latest green, environmentally friendly technology that will benefit our natural ecosystem.”
“The $8 million investment for costal resilience at East Shore Park and Long Warf is also critical to our shoreline,” said Representative Pat Dillon (D-New Haven).
According to The Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA), which was formed in 2014 to better help the state study and adjust to the rising sea level and other environmental issues at the local level, living shorelines are nature-based erosion control techniques. Living shorelines are not a new concept, though they are new to Connecticut and the Northeast. As much of the State’s shoreline is armored with hardened structures, there is a growing interest in preserving the natural elements of the shore while also providing protection from erosion.
This 2017 presentation from the City of New Haven outlines some of the project details: https://circa.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/1618/2016/01/Designing-for-the-Future-City-of-New-Haven.pdf
Sen. Osten Awaits State Bonding for Norwich-Area Veterans Center
Sen. Osten Awaits State Bonding for Norwich-Area Veterans Center
State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) announced today that the State Bond Commission is expected to approve a $2.5 million state grant for the Easterseals’ Veterans Rally Point program at its Norwich campus in order to renovate 18,000 square feet of space and provide a comprehensive, regional service center for veterans, service members and their families in eastern Connecticut.
The State Bond Commission is scheduled to meet at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 25 in the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.
“There are about a quarter-million veterans in Connecticut, all of them with different needs. Some are older and need help getting benefits. Some are younger, having done several tours in Afghanistan or Iraq, and they need education, job-training, housing or counselling—things like that. That’s what this expanded Rally Point center is going to provide,” said Sen. Osten, who is a U.S. Army veteran. “I’ve spoken with the folks at Easterseals, and they made the case that eastern Connecticut has a lot of Gulf War veterans. I think this is a great location for the program and I thank the governor and the Bond Commission for their consideration of this project and the benefits it will bring our military veterans and their families.”
Beth A. Pritchard, the executive vice president and chief marketing & philanthropy officer for Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut, said she is grateful for the
“steadfast support and outstanding leadership” of Sen. Osten in seeking to secure the state bonding.
“This is an expansion of the philanthropy-funded, free, life-changing services that we currently provide and which will create a ‘one-stop’ holistic center for veterans, military service members and their families that provides a hand up to live their best life.
Services at the expanded center will include employment, emergency financial assistance, mental health, peer-to-peer support, education and job-skill training, navigating military benefits, legal services, service coordination, caregiver training and support, a fitness center, social activities, and more,” Pritchard said. “This buildout will allow us to increase our impact footprint in a region of Connecticut that has the highest per-capita veteran population in the state.”