Tom O'Dea

REP. O'DEA CELEBRATES OPENING OF INCLUSIVE WAVENY PARK PLAYGROUND

New Canaan public-private partnerships have delivered generations of park improvements Deputy Republican Leader Tom O'Dea (R-125) , who has represented New Canaan in the Connecticut General Assembly since 2013, today celebrated the opening of the new inclusive playground at Waveny Park. The opening of the new playground is the latest chapter in improvements that have transformed Waveny into one of the region's finest community parks since its purchase in 1967 by the town. The playground, located near Orchard Field, is designed so children of all ages and abilities can play together. It features accessible play structures, inclusive swings, a poured-in-place rubber surface, picnic and seating areas, and a donor walk honoring the families, businesses, and organizations that helped make the project possible. The roughly $775,000 project was financed through a combination of town funds, privately raised dollars, and a $300,000 grant from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development under the Small-Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP). First Selectman Dionna Carlson publicly thanked the New Canaan legislative delegation — including Representative O'Dea — for writing in support of the town's DECD grant application and for helping secure state funding. O'Dea joined town officials, Parks and Recreation staff, the Friends of Waveny Playground, donors, and families in welcoming children onto the new play space. "Waveny has always been more than a park to me. It is where New Canaan comes together. This playground is a shining example of what happens when residents, volunteers, town government, and the state pull in the same direction,” Rep. O’Dea said. “My three publicly educated children all attended South, Saxe and the High School and spent hours weekly at various playgrounds throughout town but there was no opportunity to play at a playground here in Waveny. Every child should have a place to play, and today New Canaan delivered one of the finest inclusive playgrounds anywhere here at Waveny." A Record of Public-Private Partnership at Waveny O'Dea's support for the playground continues a personal and public commitment that began when he moved to New Canaan in 1998, continued through his service on the New Canaan Town Council from 2006 to 2012, and has defined his work in the General Assembly from 2013 to the present. Over that span he has backed and helped advance public-private projects that have raised millions of dollars for Waveny and related town recreation facilities, including: • The town pool at Waveny, now the Steve Banko Pool; • Turf fields at Waveny; • Paddle tennis courts and hut; • Lighting for the Water Tower fields; and • Most recently, securing funding and personally forming NCRink Inc., the nonprofit that has operated the New Canaan Ice Rink for the past four years. Those projects share a common model: limited public dollars leveraged by private generosity, volunteer leadership, and a clear commitment to facilities that families actually use. The new playground follows that same path. Friends of Waveny Playground, Parks Superintendent Ryan Restivo, Parks and Recreation Director John Howe, the Department of Public Works Director Tiger Mann, local donors, and state partners all played essential roles. "Public-private partnership is not a slogan in New Canaan. It is how we built the pool, the fields, the courts, the lights, the rink, and now this playground. I am proud to have supported these projects as a neighbor, as a Town Council member, and as State Representative. The millions raised over the nearly thirty years I have been a resident are a testament to this town's civic spirit," Rep. O’Dea said. Representative O'Dea thanked First Selectman Carlson, Parks Superintendent Ryan Restivo, Parks and Recreation Director John Howe, Public Works Director Tiger Mann, the Friends of Waveny Playground Committee including Monica Capela, Hilary Ormond and Meredith Tobitsch, the Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto, and the many New Canaan families and businesses whose names appear on the donor walk.

Reps. O’Dea, Marra to Host Legislative Forum in Darien

<p class="x_MsoNormal"><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">HARTFORD – <b>State Representatives Tracy Marra (R-141) </b>and<b> Deputy Republican Leader Tom O&#8217;Dea (R-125) </b>are hosting residents from their districts for a legislative forum<b> </b>at the Darien Town Hall Room 119 on Tuesday, January 14^th from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.</span></p> <p class="x_MsoNormal">Residents of the 141^st and 125^th districts looking for information about the 2025-2027 legislative session, or with questions about state government, are encouraged to attend the forum on the 14^th. Darien Town Hall is located at 2 Renshaw Road, Darien</p> <p class="x_MsoNormal">&#8220;Being able to connect directly with constituents as the session opens provides a unique opportunity to incorporate ideas from our community to help us craft new, or modify existing, laws, &#8221; <b>Rep. Marra</b> said. &#8220;I look forward to a thoughtful, productive discussion and encourage everyone to join us.&#8221;</p> <p class="x_MsoNormal">&#8220;With important state budget negotiations on the table for the 2025 legislative session, it is paramount that lawmakers hear from the public to inform our work at the State Capitol. With your input, we can make more conscientious decisions that impact taxpayers, businesses, schools, and communities across Connecticut. I hope you will join us for this positive discussion on state issues,&#8221; <span class="x_contentpasted0"><b>Rep. O&#8217;Dea </b>said.</span></p> <p class="x_MsoNormal"><b> </b></p> <p class="x_MsoNormal" align="center"><b>Legislative Update with Reps. Marra and O&#8217;Dea</b></p> <p class="x_MsoNormal" align="center">Tuesday, January 14^th</p> <p class="x_MsoNormal" align="center">7:00 – 8:00 p.m.</p> <p class="x_MsoNormal" align="center">Darien Town Hall, Room 119, 2 Renshaw Road, Darien</p> <p class="x_MsoNormal" align="center"> <p>This event is free and open to residents of the 141^st, and 125^th districts, and the public. If you are unable to attend but would still like to contact the legislators, please email <a title="mailto:Tracy.Marra@housegop.ct.gov" href="mailto:Tracy.Marra@housegop.ct.gov" data-linkindex="0">Tracy.Marra@housegop.ct.gov</a> or <a title="mailto:Tom.Odea@housegop.ct.gov" href="mailto:Tom.Odea@housegop.ct.gov" data-linkindex="1">Tom.Odea@housegop.ct.gov</a> or you can call: 800-842-1423.</p> <p align="center">-30-</p> <p><i>Rep. Tracy Marra represents the 141^st district covering Norwalk and Darien.</i><i></i></p> <p><i>Rep. O’Dea represents the 125^th district covering New Canaan, Stamford, and Darien.</i></p>

Rep. Tom O’Dea Announces Funding for Local Infrastructure Upgrades in Stamford

<p><strong><em>State Local Bridge Project allocation includes two projects in Stamford</em></strong></p> <p><strong>STAMFORD – </strong>On Thursday, <strong>State Representative Tom O&#8217;Dea</strong> announced a new allocation of state funding from the CT Dept. of Transportation (CTDOT) to improve locally-owned bridges across Connecticut. The $15.8 million funding injection through the State Local Bridge Project will benefit 18 projects in Connecticut, including <strong>two in Stamford</strong>.</p> <ul> <li><strong>Bridge #135008, Mill Road over an unnamed brook ($978,750)</strong></li> <li><strong>Bridge #135007, Old Long Ridge Road over an unnamed brook ($507,500)</strong></li> </ul> <p><strong><a href="https://portal.ct.gov/dot/ctdot-press-releases/2024/ctdot-awards-state-local-bridge-funding-for-18-projects-in-connecticut"><em>Click here for a full list of bridge repair projects from CTDOT</em></a></strong></p> <p>&#8220;I am thrilled to announce this critical funding for local infrastructure improvements. The State Local Bridge Project has been an incredible success in helping to revive and improve communities across Connecticut. I want to thank Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto for his great work and valuable partnership,&#8221; <strong>Rep. O&#8217;Dea </strong>said.</p> <p>Rep. O&#8217;Dea serves as Deputy House Republican Leader and is a member of the Transportation Committee.</p> <p>###</p>

Join us for a 2024 Legislative Session Roundup in New Canaan!

<p>NEW CANAAN – On Wednesday, May 30^th, <strong>State Representative Tom O&#8217;Dea </strong>will join other members of the New Canaan delegation to hold a legislative roundup, covering all the pressing issues debated in the recently-concluded session.</p> <p>Hosted by the New Canaan Library, residents will get an inside look to the legislative initiatives affecting New Canaan and have the chance to speak with their state lawmakers.</p> <p>&#8220;I am always thrilled to join our community members for these legislative updates, which are vital to keeping the public informed and also guiding the work that we at the State Capitol. I encourage everyone to attend this great event and thank the New Canaan Library for hosting us,&#8221; <strong>Rep. O&#8217;Dea </strong>said.</p> <p>The event will begin at 6:00 pm and is open to the public.</p> <p>###</p>

Rep. O’Dea, Filling in the Blanks to Host Food Donation Drive in New Canaan

<p><strong><em>O&#8217;Dea to partner with Filling in the Blanks to benefit Stamford residents in need</em></strong></p> <p><strong>NEW CANAAN – </strong>For the rest of the month of May, <strong>State Representative Tom O&#8217;Dea </strong>(R-New Canaan) will partner with local non-profit <a href="https://www.fillingintheblanks.org/">Filling in the Blanks</a> to host a food donation drive.</p> <p>The donation drive will culminate on <strong>Saturday, June 1^st </strong>from<strong> 9:00 to 11:00 AM </strong>at the <strong>New Canaan Public Library</strong>, 151 Main Street, New Canaan.</p> <p>Rep. O&#8217;Dea and Filling in the Blanks are asking for donations of boxes of cereal, boxes of granola bars, and pancake mix &amp; syrup. These are cited as in-demand items in advance of the summer months.</p> <p>&#8220;I am so thrilled to partner with Filling in the Blanks, who does such incredible work in our community to benefit in-need residents and families,&#8221; <strong>Rep. O&#8217;Dea </strong>said. &#8220;I hope that our neighbors will join us in supporting this effort and the good that it will provide.&#8221;</p> <p>While many food donation drives are centered around fall and winter holidays, many providers contend that spring and summer months create a lull in donations, leading to increased demand.</p> <p>Rep. O&#8217;Dea represents the 125^th Assembly District consisting of New Canaan, Darien, and north Stamford.</p> <p>###</p>