NIANTIC – In a December 11th ceremony at the Civil Air Patrol Thames River Composite Squadron in Groton, Niantic resident Christopher Munzner was named the recipient of the Brigadier General Billy Mitchell award in recognition of his accomplishments as a Civil Air Patrol (CAP) cadet.

State Representative Holly Cheeseman (R-37) and State Senator Paul Formica (R-20) presented Munzner with an official state citation, citing his dedication, commitment and hard work.

“You set a fine example for other cadets to follow and are a role model for young people throughout your community,” the lawmakers wrote in the citation.

Munzner joined CAP when he turned 12 years old in January 2017.  He quickly worked his way up through the squadron and is currently the Commander of Cadets. An accomplished string bass player in the East Lyme Middle School orchestra, Munzner is a member of the recreational junior rifle team at the Niantic Sportsman’s club, volunteers at a local food pantry and through the Niantic Community church. He hopes to eventually attend the United States Air Force Academy.

The Brigadier General Billy Mitchell Award honors a fearless pilot whose patriotism, foresight, and tenacity surpassed the ridicule he faced. The “Father of the Independent Air Force,” Billy Mitchell led an aerial bombing demonstration resulting in the sinking of the surplus German battleship Ostfriesland in 1921. The Navy had said such a feat would be impossible, and the Army remained skeptical toward airpower. Mitchell continued his all-out public campaign for airpower, even facing court-martial for his persistence. Not until World War II did the full U.S. military establishment realize how right he was. After the Allied victory, and by a special act of Congress, Mitchell was posthumously awarded a gold medal. With General Mitchell as their role model, cadet officers know that speaking truth to power is a moral duty.

The Mitchell Award marks completion of Phase II of the CAP Cadet Program, recognizing sustained excellence in all four areas of cadet life: leadership, aerospace, fitness, and character.

EAST LYME – State Representative Holly Cheeseman (R-38) and State Senator Paul Formica (R-20) will be volunteering to raise money for local residents in need by collecting for the Salvation Army at the Flanders Stop and Shop on December 8^th. All proceeds collected during the one hour of bell ringing will be donated directly to the Salvation Army.

When: Saturday, December 8, 2018 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Where: Stop & Shop, 248 Flanders Road, East Lyme

Rep. Cheeseman welcomes all constituents to stop by the store and help make the fundraising event a success! If you are unable to make it on December 8^th you can donate on the Salvation Army’s website at www.salvationarmyusa.org, which also lists other ways to do good this holiday season; for example, by donating cars, clothing, household goods, airline miles, bonds and stocks, or volunteering for the community.

The House Republican Caucus as a whole has raised nearly $200,000 for the Salvation Army over the past several years. The Salvation Army responds to natural disasters such as wildfires and tornadoes, provides meals and toys to families in need, and conducts research and analyses regarding human needs around the country. They also provide adult rehabilitation, veteran services, elderly services, missing person searches, housing assistance, youth recreation, sponsorship, and support in the fight to end human trafficking.

For more information on the event, please contact Rep. Cheeseman at 800-842-1423 or Holly.Cheeseman@housegop.ct.gov, or Sen. Formica at 800-842-1421 or Paul.Formica@cga.ct.gov.

Connecticut currently has the second highest energy costs in the nation. With colder weather on the way, many residents will struggle to pay their heating bills. However, fuel assistance is available to those in need.

 

Operation Fuel is now accepting applications for one-time grants of up to $500 per household for deliverable fuel, gas and electric utilities. Qualified individuals are those who have received a shut-off notice, have no utility service, or need assistance to maintain payment arrangements or have a past due balance of 30 days or more.

 

In order to apply for an Operation Fuel utility or deliverable fuel grant, you must submit an application through a fuel bank. To find the fuel bank that serves your town, please either use the Fuel Bank Finder or call 2-1-1.

 

You will need to provide proof of the last 4 weeks of income for all household members, the name of your fuel vendor (for deliverable fuel customers only), or your utility bill and payment history (for electric and gas utility customers only).

 

Operation Fuel is a non-profit organization that partners with local government and community-based organizations at more than 100 sites throughout Connecticut to ensure that families in need have access to year-round energy assistance. Their partner agencies may also be able to connect residents with programs that provide assistance for food, clothing, health services, childcare, and more.

 

Please share this information with those who may benefit!

Reps. Cheeseman and McCarty Congratulate Dominion Energy and New Apprentices

WATERFORD– In honor of Veterans Day and the state’s “Registered Apprenticeship Week”, Dominion Energy’s Millstone Power Station celebrated the establishment of its first-ever….on station equipment. This certification also allows veterans participating in the training to apply for federal GI Bill benefits. State Holly Cheeseman (R-East Lyme) and Representatives Kathleen McCarty (R-Waterford) were in attendance at the matriculation ceremony on Wednesday to congratulate the four veterans now participating in the program, Benjamin Cregger of Mystic, Jeffrey Fluet of Waterford, Grannis Richardson of Niantic, and Joshua Wilkinson of Westerly, R.I. According to Millstone Site Vice President John Daugherty, Dominion sees military veterans as an experienced pool of potential employees and feels that this program provides them an “earn while you learn” experience. He also attributes the possibility of making this program happen to the public-private cooperation between Dominion and state and federal government entities. “As a member of the Legislature’s Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, workforce development is of course a great interest and priority of mine,” said Rep. Cheeseman. “I am particularly passionate about supporting our veterans and their families, who sacrifice so much for our freedom and safety, in finding quality employment. We should continue working with the federal government to offer more programs like this one.”

“This is a memorable occasion to celebrate success for our veterans here at Millstone,”said Rep. McCarty. “It is rewarding to witness top talent being recruited from our United States military through the apprenticeship program at Dominion. Millstone has always been a great community partner involved in mentorship programs and advancing education in collaboration with our local schools. The apprenticeship program is another positive employment training initiative. In addition, with approximately one-third of Connecticut’s military population living here in Southeastern Connecticut, this is an extraordinary program that will continue to bring valuable job opportunities to our local veterans. Congratulations to Millstone, the Department of Labor and our veterans for their participation in the apprenticeship program.”

State Representatives Kathleen McCarty (left), and Holly Cheeseman (far right) congratulate Joshua Wilkinson, Benjamin Cregger, Jeffrey Fluet, and Grannis Richardson all of Dominion Energy for their participation in the Connecticut Department of Labor certified maintenance apprenticeship programs at Millstone Power Station.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is continuing their tree and vegetation removal work in Southeastern Connecticut along I-95 Northbound. The next location will be at the Exit 82A off-ramp in Waterford on Tuesday, November 27th. The rain date will be Wednesday, November 28th.

 

This exit ramp for the Frontage Road in New London will be closed on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please expect traffic delays. Crash attenuator vehicles and signing patterns will be utilized to guide motorists around the work zone.

 

Modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Please maintain a safe speed when driving in this vicinity.

Open enrollment for coverage starting January 1, 2019 under Access Health CT is open now through December 15, 2018.

 

Click here to get connected with an Enrollment Specialist (Certified Application Counselor) or a Certified Broker who can answer questions, help you select a health care plan for you and/or your family, and help you enroll.

 

Please know that you do not need an appointment at weekday Enrollment Centers or Saturday Enrollment Fairs, but you can register for a Saturday Enrollment Fair ahead of time to make sure you get the help you need.

 

Get free, in-person help at the following local center:

 

Groton Senior Center

102 Newtown Road

Monday-Friday

9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

1-855-909-2428

 

Or, register here for the following local fair:

 

New London Fair

Saturday, November 17, 2018

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

OIC of New London

106 Truman Street

 

Access Health CT (AHCT) is Connecticut’s only official health insurance marketplace. AHCT offers Connecticut residents and employers a range of affordable health and dental insurance options from several health insurance partners. Current health plans are offered through Anthem and ConnectiCare Benefits Inc. Dental policies can also be purchased through AHCT. Anthem is the dental insurance provider in the individual market and both Anthem and MetLife offer dental plans in the employee group market.

 

AHCT’s affordability programs include: Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTC), Cost-Sharing Reduction Plans, and a number of programs offered through the Department of Social Services, i.e. Medicaid (known as HUSKY A and D) and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (known as CHIP or HUSKY B).

 

Please pass this information along to those who may benefit!

Seniors can now enroll in Medicare’s Annual Part D/Advantage Plan! Enrollment is only open until December 7th, so I encourage interested constituents to reach out to the Eastern Connecticut Agency of Aging’s Senior Resources office for assistance. Their office is located at 19 Ohio Avenue in Norwich and they can be reached at 860-887-3561 ext. 132 or seniorinfo@seniorresourcesec.org.

 

The organization is also holding some local Medicare Annual Enrollment Events to work one-on-one with seniors:

 

November 7, 2018

New London Senior Center

120 Broad Street, New London, CT

Call 860-447-5232 to register for an appointment

 

November 9, 2018 and November 30, 2018

Colchester Senior Center

95 Norwich Avenue, Colchester, CT

Call 860-537-3911 to register for an appointment

 

November 14, 2018 and November 28, 2018

East Haddam Senior Center

15 Great Hillwood Rd, Moodus, CT

Call 860-873-5034 to register for an appointment

 

Please pass this information along to those who may benefit!

Join us today at the St. John’s Green in Niantic (400 Main Street) between 12:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. for the Niantic Bay Oyster Festival! 100% of the proceeds will benefit the Miracle League of Southeastern Connecticut.

 

The Miracle League of Southeastern Connecticut is working to build a multi-sports field behind Flanders Elementary School in East Lyme, serving families from Guilford to Pawcatuck. It will be a space where children with physical, cognitive and developmental challenges can participate in recreational, educational and cultural activities in an accessible, nurturing and noncompetitive environment where families can also come together, cultivate new friendships and experience the joy of play. 

 

 

There will be nearly a dozen local oyster vendors, as well as a variety of food and beverages. Festivities include an oyster shucking contest, live music, a kids’ corner and an inaugural Golf Ball Drop! Up to 5,000 numbered golf balls will be dropped onto the “putting green” with 9 flags – each with a designated prize. If your numbered golf ball is closest to one of the flags, you could win up to a $2,000 visa gift card!

Today’s Schedule

12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Kid’s Corner

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Live Music by Whiskey, Wine & Coke

2:30 p.m. Oyster Shucking Contest

3:00 p.m. Live music by The Paul Lussier Band

5:30 p.m. Golf Ball Drop

6:00 p.m. Live Music by Andre, Eddie & Friends

 

Click here to buy tickets before arriving!

Safe Futures’ Annual 4K Walk in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month is coming up next Sunday, October 14th at the Crystal Mall in Waterford.

 

Participants can walk alone or register a team. Awards will be given for the top three fundraisers as well as for the largest team. Those wearing purple are also eligible to receive a special prize. Door prizes, refreshments, and music by Q105 Cumulus Radio make this a fun, family event!

 

Join now or on the day in the Crystal Mall food court at 8:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 9:15 a.m. Registration is $25 for individuals and $15 for students. The first 300 paid registrants will receive a t-shirt.

 

For more information, please contact Jane Cable at jcable@safefuturesct.org or 860-447-0366 x 242.

 

Safe Futures operates two 24-hour hotlines, an emergency shelter, and transitional living programs for families working to rebuild lives shattered by domestic violence or sexual assault. Safe Futures also provides counseling and advocacy, case management, court support services, support groups, and educational programs for schools and community groups. All 21 cities and towns in New London County are served by this agency.

 

I hope to see you there!

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is beginning a tree and vegetation removal project on I-395 Southbound in Montville and Route 693 (Montville Connector) Northbound & Southbound in Montville and Waterford on Tuesday, October 9th.

 

Work is scheduled to take place Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. until Friday, October 26th. Please expect lane closures on I-395 Southbound from the Moxley Road underpass to the Junction of State Route 693 in Montville. Lane closures on the Connector will occur between Route 32 and the end of the Connector in Waterford/Montville.

 

Modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Please maintain a safe speed when driving in this vicinity.