NORWICH – Last weekend, local lawmakers and members of the Legislative caucus on Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) State Representatives Kathleen McCarty (R-38) and Mike France (R-42) served on the “Decisions and Debates: A Legislative Forum on Disability Issues” panel hosted by the Norwich Commission on Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) at the Otis Library.

This forum was held as a part of Disability Awareness Week, a series of educational and cultural events that focus on independence, civil rights and self-determination for I/DD individuals.

Reps. McCarty and France joined State Senators Paul Formica and Cathy Osten at this event to discuss the compliance of local services with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as well as available access to healthcare, housing, public transportation and educational and employment opportunities. The legislators also touched on key disability-related legislation from this past session and addressed topics likely to come up in 2019. The discussions were moderated by Elanah Sherman, NCPD Chairwoman, and Melissa Marshall, Coordinator of the Connecticut Cross-Disability Lifespan Alliance.

“It is so crucial that we keep advocating for the needs of our I/DD community,” said Rep. McCarty, who co-sponsored Special Act 18-3 and who is a long-time supporter of Camp Harkness, which provides programs to I/DD individuals. “I have held several similar forums in my district to speak with my constituents and local organization leaders. As we continue to find gaps in our services it is important that state spending be prioritized so that funding for critical services such as employment, transportation, and housing that support the ID/D Community, can be protected within available resources.”

“We need to bring regional efforts together to collaboratively ensure mobility and appropriate services for the disabled,” said Rep. France, who voted in favor of Special Act 18-3, which established a task force to study best practices to provide transportation for disabled persons, senior citizens and veterans. “I believe some important first steps include determining how to effectively differentiate a learning disability from a mental illness, expanding ADA-compliant access to state buildings, enabling opportunities to participate in the legal process by providing ADA-compliant jury boxes, determining possible alternative solutions to the Southbury Training Facility, and exploring the option of offering private insurance coverage with sufficient duration of coverage.”

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.

I just received an advisory from Millstone Power Station that I would like to share with you. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Ken Holt, Millstone’s Manager of Communications, at 860-440-0132.

Dear Millstone neighbor,

As a neighbor of Millstone Power Station, you may have noticed increased activity at the station over the past several weeks. These activities are associated with the upcoming regularly scheduled refueling outage on Unit 2. During the course of the outage, we will be using the specialized skills of more than 900 supplemental staff in addition to our full time personnel to perform maintenance and prepare the unit for the next 18 months of operation. The outage is expected to last about a month.

We will be taking Unit 2 off-line later today. As you know, this process requires the venting of steam, which can be noisy. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause you.

Please pass this information along to anyone who may be impacted!

HARTFORD – The Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) has officially marked 2018 as the Year of the Woman. As such, they are extending honor and gratitude to women who have made a positive difference in their work to assist survivors of domestic Violence in the state. State Representative Kathleen McCarty (R-38), who was nominated by “Safe Futures,” has been selected as one of these honorees and will receive a 2018 First 100 Plus leadership award for her efforts in the domestic violence awareness movement that is working to improve the lives of survivors.

According to the CCADV, domestic violence shelters in Connecticut are operating at 123% capacity with over 50% of the 1,000 children residing there annually being six years of age or younger.

“Organizations like Safe Futures, which work to save lives by protecting the privacy and safety of domestic violence victims, are indispensable in our community,” said Rep. McCarty, who co-sponsored Public Act 17-31, which, as of October 2017, strengthened domestic violence laws by increasing penalties and broadening definitions of violent acts that cause physical, emotional and mental harm. “As a state representative it is my privilege to support and advocate for legislation that protects individuals from all forms of domestic violence. I will continue to support efforts that work to eliminate domestic violence through crisis intervention, support groups and education programs. Knowing how much of a struggle – and how much suffering – families working to rebuild lives shattered by domestic violence or sexual assault go through, it is critical to enact legislation and support domestic violence programs that seek to eliminate violence in our community.”

Rep. McCarty will receive this recognition at the CCADV’s 8^th Annual First 100 Plus Breakfast & Awards Ceremony on November 9^th at the Hartford Marriott Downtown. All funds raised through the ceremony will be utilized to support comprehensive responses, public awareness efforts and the services necessary to meet the complex needs of survivors and their children.

For the second year, the UConn Department of Women and Philanthropy is hosting a free program for the public called Successful Women Making a Difference. This event consists of a panel discussion and networking opportunities with strong and successful women in the region who will share their stories, contributions, and ideas about success.

When: Friday, September 28, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where: UConn Avery Point Auditorium, 1084 Shennecossett Road, Groton

Fran Pastore, CEO of the Women’s Development Council, will serve as the keynote speaker while Susette Tibus, Owner of Simply Majestic Jewelry in Mystic, will be the moderator. Panelists include:

• Kia Baird, Certified Employment Support Professional and President of the New London County Section of the National Council of Negro Women
• Rain Daughterty, Outdoor Program & Outreach Coordinator, L.L. Bean and former director of the Office of Development and Planning for the City of New London
• Maryam Elahi, President & CEO, Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut
• Lisa Tepper-Bates,Consultant, Fio Partners and recent CEO of the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness

Please RSVP by September 21st here. If you require an accommodation to participate or have any dietary needs, please specify this in your RSVP. For questions, please contact Marcy Jarzabek via email or at (860) 486-3905.

NEW LONDON – State, local and military officials gathered yesterday at Fort Trumbull for the 2018 Annual Maritime Heritage Festival‘s official Welcoming Ceremony. State Representative Kathleen McCarty (R-Waterford), a former Civil Air Patrol pilot and member of the Legislature’s Tourism Caucus, attended to show her support for Southeastern Connecticut’s shoreline economy, spirit of innovation and history.

This event, which runs from September 5th to September 9th, allows partners from the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard to come together and work as partners for the city of New London and Southeastern Connecticut region.

(L to R) Sen Paul Formica, Chairman of the CT Maritime Heritage Festival Chairman John Johnston, Rep. McCarty, CT Maritime Heritage Festival Honorary Co-Chair Scott Bates and Waterford First Selectman Dan Steward.

Rep. McCarty Tours the USS Lassen at Fort Trumbull in New London.

Rep. McCarty with the on-duty pilots of the USS Lassen.

Festival events include:

• Unique tours aboard a fleet of boats including U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard ships, merchant marine vessels, and historic schooners
• A U.S. Coast Guard search & rescue demonstration
• A Music on the Pier main stage Americana concert
• A “Swingin’ on the Pier” dance party
• A “Meet the Crew” party
• A parade of ships
• The Morgan Cup Yacht Race
• A Maritime Career Opportunity Expo
• A burning of Benedict Arnold by costumed reenactors
• The 6th annual “Chowder Challenge.”

Rep. McCarty also joined a tour of the USS Lassen, U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer that was docked at Fort Trumbull for the festival, and met with officers on board. The Lassen is named for Medal of Honor recipient Commander Clyde Everett Lassen and is the 32nd vessel in the class.