Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) is excited to announce area-residents to three Task Forces, one Commission, and one Committee. Each person appointed has a knowledgeable background and will apply their past and present experience to uphold each task force, commission, and committee.
“Each person selected has certain qualities that will translate into a successful leader to help the future of our state,” said Sen. Duff. “I look forward to see what is to come over the course of the next few months and I am certain that those chosen to lead each task force, commission, and committee will do a commendable job.”
Senator Duff has appointed the following residents:
The Task Force to Study Ways to Protect Senior Citizens from Fraud establishes a 10-member task force to not only study ways to protect seniors from fraud but will also require the study to include available planning services for Medicaid applicants. Michele Jakab has been appointed to this task force. Jakab is a Norwalk resident who has over 17 years of experience as a Clinical Social Worker working with older adults, caregivers, and families.
“I look forward to being a part of something in the state that helps those who are of vulnerability,” said Jakab. “I would like to thank Senator Duff for giving me this opportunity to lead others to protect our seniors against any future scams. I will do whatever it takes to reduce risks and eliminate fraud all together from the elderly folks who live in our state.”
The Task Force to Study the Comprehensive Needs of Children in the State will study the comprehensive needs of children in the state and study the extent to which the needs are being met by educators, community members, and local and state agencies. This task force was built in response to COVID-19 in order to develop new programs and identify changes needed to existing programs to better address children’s needs. The task force will work to identify and advocate for funds and other resources needed and identify redundancies in existing services or programs for children. Colin Hosten, a resident of Norwalk, has been appointed to this task force. He is a dedicated Public Servant and Nonprofit Executive currently serving as Chair of the Board of Education of Norwalk.
“It is a great pleasure and honor to lead this task force as part of a larger process identifying what is needed for the children in our state to flourish,” said Hosten. “I am grateful to Senator Duff for the opportunity to be a part of this effort to create a better future for our youth, and for Connecticut overall.”
The Task Force to Study the Shortage of Employees in Various Tourism-related businesses will work to identify and create an inventory of job opportunities, exploring efficient ways to advertise those jobs and examining and making recommendations on affordable, reliable transportation options for employees. Sabrina Church, a resident of Norwalk, has been appointed to this task force. Church currently is the Director of Business Development & Tourism in Norwalk and provides guidance to over 500 business owners.
“The shortage of employees in various tourism-related businesses in Connecticut is concerning and with this role, I will divulge into learning more about this business and figuring out how to fix this issue,” said Church. “Senator Duff was kind enough to believe in me for taking on this task force and I will work hard to strive to come up with a solution to ensure employment rates improve in this industry.”
The Commission on Connecticut’s Development and Future will be dedicated to looking at policies related to housing affordability including looking at 8-30g which is the state’s affordable housing statutes, the state plan of conservation and development, land use, and infrastructure. Among other things, the commission must look at alternative sewage systems and the state’s sewer and septic oversight, guidelines, and incentives for affordable housing plan compliance and must develop model design guidelines for buildings and streets. Steven Kleppin, a New Milford Resident appointed to this commission, has over ten years of experience and leads the Town of Norwalk’s Planning and Zoning Department. Lamond Daniels, a Bridgeport resident, has been appointed to this commission along with Kleppin. Daniels is the Chief of Community Services in Norwalk.
“I am thankful to Senator Duff for entrusting me to lead the commission along with Lamond Daniels to rebuild Connecticut,” said Kleppin. “Our state has been through a lot over the past year and a half, and I am ready to sit down and work on a resolution to rebuild our economy and help those in need get back on their feet.”
“Connecticut has been through hardships this past year and working toward our future begins with what is happening now,” said Daniels. “I look forward to working with Steve Kleppin to help our state recover financially with a plan that includes strategies for the restoration and growth of employment. I would like to thank Senator Duff for allowing me this opportunity to work to resolve the issues our state has been facing.”
The Level of Need Assessment System Advisory Committee establishes a level of need assessment system advisory committee to advise the Department of Developmental Services commissioner on matters relating to the system. Katie Banzhaf, a Trumbull resident, has been appointed to this committee. Banzhaf is an Executive Director for a Non-profit organization in Norwalk and supports over 600 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
“I am thrilled to be a part of a new team that will work to help guide very important services for individuals with developmental disabilities in Connecticut,” said Banzhaf. “Thank you to Senator Duff for appointing me and giving me the opportunity to improve our system to help those and their families in need.”
