Photo of the Day

A locomotive crosses the Connecticut River from Portland to Middletown.  Photo from 2011

If you have a great photo from anywhere in Connecticut that you would like to share, please forward it for consideration for the Photo of the Day to MiddletownInsider@gmail.com. 

(Unless otherwise credited, all photos are by the editor.)

The White House - 1600 Daily: Tax reform in time for Christmas

President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visit the U.S. Coast Guard Station Lake Worth Inlet in Riviera Beach, Florida | November 23, 2017 (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)

Tax reform in time for Christmas
With the holiday season upon us, President Donald J. Trump is working hard with Congress to cut taxes for middle-income families and fix our Nation's broken tax code in time for Christmas. The new bill – currently making its way through the Senate – will slash taxes by some $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years and is projected to boost household incomes significantly after nearly two decades of stagnation. The new code will allow families to spend more of their hard-earned dollars toward the success of their children, while restoring America's competitive business edge and stimulating job growth. 

Today, the President is meeting to discuss the bill with Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Pat Toomey (R-PA), Rob Portman (R-OH), Tim Scott (R-SC) and John Cornyn (R-TX) of the Senate Finance Committee. The Administration is pleased with the growing momentum behind passing these historic tax reforms, and it looks forward to continuing to support the Senate in getting this important work done as quickly as possible. 

President visits with service members on Thanksgiving
On Thanksgiving Day, President Trump traveled to Station Lake Worth Inlet in Palm Beach County, Florida, to visit Coast Guard service members and hosted a video teleconference with U.S. military personnel on missions abroad. The President spoke with members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard gathered on the video conference from bases in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Turkey, as well as from ships in the middle of the ocean. President Trump expressed his gratitude on behalf of the American people for these heroes’ dedication to our country. 

“It’s an honor to speak with you all and to give God thanks for the blessings of freedom and for the heroes who really have this tremendous courage that you do to defend us and to defend freedom,” said the President. 

State Senator Len Suzio Small Business Spotlight Pine Valley General Store

State Senator Len Suzio interviews Todd and Kathy Gentes of The Pine Valley General Store in Meriden.

Goodspeed Musicals - "Rags"

Editor's note:  Christian Camporin, who plays David, is tutored by my friend Lea.

(I was a member of the Goodspeed for some 15 years.  It was a wonderful experience.)

Opinion: Rep. Rob Sampson

 

If you have been following my previous columns, then you know that back in September, history was made in Connecticut’s General Assembly. For the first time in modern history, and perhaps ever, a minority party successfully passed their own budget proposal with members of the majority crossing over to provide bipartisan support. Both chambers of the state legislature finally passed a budget that, albeit not perfect, was fiscally responsible and would begin the process of implementing structural changes that Connecticut desperately needs.

The GOP plan accomplished a nearly impossible task. It balanced the state budget and erased a $3.5 billion deficit WITHOUT raising taxes or imposing new ones. It fully funded towns for education aid and included meaningful structural changes to state government. It also addressed labor costs despite the passage of the irresponsible SEBAC agreement crafted by the governor and approved by the majority party on a party line vote.

Assuming you read the papers, you probably know that Governor Malloy then vetoed this perfectly acceptable budget plan in favor of his executive order. As a result, towns and cities were left to suffer, fearing the potential of huge cuts in state aid that would upend their budgets and potentially force layoffs and property tax hikes.

Then on October 26, after months of negotiations, needless delays, and political posturing and foolishness, the General Assembly finally passed a state budget that was signed into law by the governor.

As I said the morning of the vote in my speech on the floor of the House, this budget was the result of that pressure and I felt that the desire to just “do something” got in the way of “doing something right and good.”

The document does accomplish some goals that Republicans, including me, have been fighting for, such as mandatory votes on labor contracts and a cap on future spending. Additionally, it successfully blocked some damaging tax proposals supported by the majority including increases on the sales and income taxes, and new proposals to tax restaurants, second homes and cell phones.

Many of the “good” components of this compromise budget branched from the Republican budget that passed in September. Unfortunately, it fails to go far enough to address the structural and long term financial problems we face as a state and because it also continues the failed approach of increased spending and taxes, I voted NO.

Sadly, this budget will not solve our problems and I fear that we will be back in no time addressing the same issues, along with continuing deficits and a lack of economic growth. The solutions necessary are much harder for many to face and until the state government has the courage to take the necessary actions, we will continue to falter.

Senator Hwang - Lunch and Learn ("I'm just here for the food")

Photo of the Day

Scullers on the Connecticut River across from the Meriden Motor Boat Club.  Photo from 2005

If you have a great photo from anywhere in Connecticut that you would like to share, please forward it for consideration for the Photo of the Day to MiddletownInsider@gmail.com. 

(Unless otherwise credited, all photos are by the editor.)

The White House - 1600 Daily: A special message for the holiday season

President Donald J. Trump welcomes Native American Code Talkers to the White House | November 27, 2017 (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)

A few days ago, Americans counted our blessings as we sat down for Thanksgiving dinners with our families and friends across the country. Today, many will choose to go one step further in celebrating their good fortune by honoring #GivingTuesday, a global day of charitable giving.

This year’s #GivingTuesday is especially important. “Earlier this year, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria devastated communities across the southern United States and in the Caribbean, and vast wildfires ravaged California,” said President Donald J. Trump in a statement. “We saw millions of Americans lose everything, from homes to businesses . . . [to] the unbearable loss of loved ones.”

The President thanks all those who have contributed to charitable organizations this year, including our houses of worship. If you would like to take part in #GivingTuesday, please consider supporting one of the great organizations partnering with us to help communities rebuild: https://www.nvoad.org. 
 
As the President said, “Together, we can ensure that the blessings of this holiday season are shared around the world.”

President Trump meets with members of the Senate Finance Committee
Yesterday, President Trump hosted Vice President Mike Pence and five members of the Senate Finance Committee at the White House for lunch in the Private Dining Room. The topic on everyone’s mind? “A tremendous tax cut – the biggest in the history of our country,” said President Trump.

The President reiterated his support for the tax bill proposed by Republican leadership and is pleased with the momentum it has inspired for passing crucial legislation well before the year’s end. As part of the Administration’s continued support, President Trump will join Senate Republicans today for lunch at the U.S. Capitol, where he’ll make the case for swift action.

Senator Hwang - Pints and Politics (Mmmm, beer!)

This Week's "American Political Zone"

The American Political Zone - A Political Commentary on Current Events

One of the best political discussion programs you can find, our hosts possess a vast knowledge of current affairs and they share this with us in a lively and interesting fashion.  Featuring Daria Novak, 2nd District Congressional Candidate and President of the Institute for American Politics, and Frank Vernuccio, New York Analysis Policyand Government, The American Political Zone is now a regular feature in the Middletown Insider.

A 20-year-old Board of Ed Member? Meet Middletown’s Ed Ford, Jr.

On the latest edition of "The Senate Reports", Senator George Logan interviews Ed Ford, Jr.

• Ed is from Middletown.
• Ed is 20 years old.
• And Ed recently made national news.
• Ed recently became one of the youngest black Republicans ever elected to public office in Connecticut.

Please watch and share Ed’s inspiring story!

http://ctsenaterepublicans.com/2017/11/watch-interview-with-20-year-old-middletown-boe-membe/#.Wh22K4Kotjo   

Editor's Note:  Young Mr. Ford is a breath of fresh air, much needed not only in Connecticut, but across the country.  He, (and Tyrell Brown) give us hope for America's youth.

Photo of the Day

"The Lake" - Photo by Dani McEvoy  To see more of her photography or to purchase her work, visit Fine Art America.

If you have a great photo from anywhere in Connecticut that you would like to share, please forward it for consideration for the Photo of the Day to MiddletownInsider@gmail.com. 

(Unless otherwise credited, all photos are by the editor.)

Town Hall Meeting Tomorrow - Sen. Markley, Reps. Sampon and Fusco

Roots in Ripon - An Acid Test

Image from ffmag.com

Roots in Ripon

Chuck Roots

20 November 2017

www.chuckroots.com

The Ripon Bulletin

A few months ago, my wife Isaura and I decided to go through with having our DNA tested. It’s not like we didn’t have a pretty good idea what the results would be. After all, she was born on the island of San Miguel in the Azores, Portugal. As for me, the names in my background were all very British sounding. 

Several years ago, our oldest daughter, Laura, signed up with Ancestry.com to begin researching our family’s heritage. We knew very little about the Roots family, primarily because we couldn’t get past my Grandfather. Little was known of him since he had left my dad and grandmother when my dad was only five. He was never heard from again within our family. Back in the ‘90’s I eventually traced several documents to him through the Internet. I found a copy of his draft card dated 1917, stating he was married and living in Houston, Texas. Since he was born in 1883, he would have been 34 years old, therefore, too old for military service. Another document was when he signed up for Social Security in 1935. And the final document I discovered was his death certificate dated 1964. Other than that, we knew nothing about the Roots family.

My mother did not have any family information, nor had she ever heard anything from my Grandmother Roots about the Roots family line. 

My wife was born Isaura Maria Rodrigues Matos Cabral. Since her family was from an island in the Atlantic nine hundred miles from the Iberian Peninsula, we assumed her DNA test would have her at 80% or higher full-blown Portuguese (The Iberian Peninsula consists of Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar and Andorra).

So, just what is DNA? I wasn’t real sure, so I began to check into it. First off, DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic Acid. “It is a molecule that carries the genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning and reproduction of all known living organisms.” In a word, it is the hereditary material found in all humans. 

Russell Library - December Events

 

 Russell Library 123 Broad Street, Middletown, CT

COMING EVENTS AT RUSSELL LIBRARY

Russell Library Hours for December 2017

Russell Library, 123 Broad Street in Middletown has hours: Mondays 10am – 6pm; Tuesdays 10am – 8pm; Wednesdays 1pm – 8pm; Thursdays 10am – 8pm; Fridays 10am – 6pm; Saturdays 10am – 2pm. Sundays 1pm – 4pm. The library will be closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas day on Sunday and Monday, December 24 and 25, and for New Year’s Eve on Sunday, December 31. All library programs are free of charge.

PROGRAMS  

Donate New Socks and Mittens!  

Throughout December. The Lobby, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Come celebrate the holidays by donating new socks and mittens. Russell Library staff will be collecting them throughout the month and pass them along to the local shelters.

 

Art Party!  

Friday, December 1, 4:00pm. The Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Come celebrate your artistic side by creating something beautiful. Art Party! will celebrate each month with a new creative project. Bring your imagination and a willingness to get messy.

For grades K - 3 (ages 5 - 9).

Drop in; no registration.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Russell Library. 

Jazz Up Close: Robby Ameen Trio  

Saturday, December 2, 1:30pm. The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  Resonant Motion, Inc. presents the final event in its 2017 “Crossing Cultures” program. Drummer and composer Robby Ameen leads a trio featuring bassist Henry Lugo, pianist and series curator Noah Baerman, plus special guest Jay Hoggard on vibraphone. Grammy award-winning Robby Ameen’s recording career stretches from Dizzy Gillespie to Paul Simon. Of Lebanese origin, Robby is best known for his unique and powerful Afro-Cuban jazz style. He has recorded numerous albums and co-authored the best-selling instructional book and CD: Funkifying the Clave: Afro Cuban Grooves for Bass and Drums, which has sold over 40,000 copies worldwide.

This event is supported in part by the Middletown Commission on the Arts.  

Wonderful Ones

Mondays, December 4, 11 and 18, 10:30am. The Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. One-year-olds and their caregivers will enjoy literacy-based, age-appropriate activities and toys in the company of other families in this supportive, nurturing library program. 

For one year olds (12 to 23 months). Siblings welcome! 

Drop in; no registration required. 

Sponsored by the Friends of the Russell Library.

Totally Teen Time

Mondays, December 4, 11 and 18, 3:00 – 5:00pm. The Totally Teen Area, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Take back the Totally Teen Area! Mondays from 3 to 5 pm, Heather, Russell Library’s Teen Librarian, will be available in the Teen Area. Laptops will be on hand for homework or gaming--whatever you need!

For teens in grades 7 - 12 (ages 12 - 18).

Drop in; registration is not required. Just stop by!

Sponsored by the Friends of the Russell Library.

Twos are Terrific

Tuesdays, December 5, 12* and 19, 10:30am. The Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. This librarian-led program is designed to increase two-year-olds’ literacy and social skills as they enjoy story time, movement, music and play time with other toddlers and their families.

For two year olds (24 - 35 months). Siblings welcome! 

Drop in; no registration required. 

*December 12^th will meet in the Hubbard Room.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Russell Library.

Cornell Lab of Ornithology - #Giving Tuesday! Double Your Impact

JUST ANNOUNCED: Every gift will be doubled until midnight! Make your matching gift now >> Today is #GivingTuesday! In celebration of this meaningful day, one of our generous donors has agreed to match every gift made today, up to $100,000! Now is your chance to double your impact! Here at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology we are working each and every day to conduct research, educate, gather information, and make connections to better understand birds and wildlife and help protect our planet. Your gift of $30 to the Lab will not only help us further our vital work for the birds we love, but will also be matched dollar for dollar -- DOUBLING your impact. Please hurry and make your gift today before the match runs out. You won’t want to miss your chance to enable twice the amount of change this #GivingTuesday! Thanks again for your support, John W. Fitzpatrick Director Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Cornell Lab of Ornithology   159 Sapsucker Woods Rd.    Ithaca,  NY   14850   

Red Notes from a Blue State - Why Texas Matters

 
by Don Pesci

Almost immediately after a gunman entered a Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas and mowed down the congregation with what the media refers to imprecisely as “an assault weapon” – what weapon used in the commission of a mass murder is not an assault weapon? -- Senators Dick Blumenthal and Chris Murphy of Connecticut unscrolled their pitch: 1) assault weapons are murderous, 2) prayer is pointless and 3) send campaign cash our way.

Prescinded from their analysis was the nub of the matter – the truth which, like the devil, lies in the details.

Many of the important details arrived, as usual, late, days after the slaughter, long after the two senators had made their pitch. Both were, in fact, reading from the same well-worn script: If the nation, which is unalterably stupid and prayerful, would simply and manfully face down the satanic influence of the National Rifle Association (NRA), the political bugaboo of both senators, and pass legislation very much like that passed in Connecticut after Adam Lanza had assaulted the staff and school children of Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, the tragedy that occurred In Sutherland Springs need not have happened.

This analysis fails at almost every point.

Adam Lanza could not have been prevented from deploying his AR15 by any law proposed by either senator. The rifle was legally purchased by his mother, whom he murdered with a non-prohibited .22 rifle. Like Devin Kelly, the shooter in Sutherland Springs, Lanza carrier other lethal weapons with him in his car to Sandy Hook Elementary School. Both had psychological problems; recent reports indicate Kelly had escaped from a mental hospital in New Mexico.

Owing to a reporting error, Kelly was able to pass background checks four times during separate purchases of four weapons Under federal law, Kelly should not have been able to make these purchases because he had been convicted in 2012, while in the Air Force, of assaulting his first wife and her toddler son and served time in a military prison. The Air Force admitted on Monday, November 6, that “it had failed to forward information about him to the national databases used for gun purchase background checks,” according to a report in The New York Times. The slaughter of the innocents in the Baptist Church in Texas occurred because of an enforcement error; the law that would have prevented the mass murder in Texas was available, but it was not enforced.

The church was attacked because it was a safe target, so the attacker thought, until he in turn was shot twice and disabled by a man armed with a banned-in-Connecticut AR15 rifle, a remarkably accurate weapon. The killer, an atheist not given to praying, was armed with a semi-automatic rifle and wearing body armor when he was shot and forced to flee.  It is a matter of plain fact that mass murderers choose soft targets that have been, so to speak, deweaponized. Mass murderers are selective in his regard, not necessarily because they lack courage, but because they wish to accomplish their aim, mass slaughter, without interruption. Perhaps they do not mind going out in a blaze of gory glory – but they NEED the blaze.

Murphy candidly admits that legislation he and Blumenthal have been promoting will not pass in the US Congress. He argues that Congress can agree on such matters as background checks for released convicted criminals and mentally ill persons but  yet insists on a bill that contains, according to a Channel 3 Eyewitness News report,  such provisions as: “Banning the sale, manufacture, transfer and importation of 205 military-style assault weapons by name. Owners can keep existing weapons” and  “Banning any assault weapon that accepts a detachable ammunition magazine and has one or more military characteristics, including a pistol grip, a forward grip, a barrel shroud, a threaded barrel or a folding or telescoping stock. Owners can keep existing weapons.”

Author Don Pesci

In politics, nothing succeeds like failure. A measure that will not pass in the U.S. Congress can have no adverse real-word consequences, but its proponents will never-the-less be able to reap rich political rewards. Gun control has been a money-maker for both Murphy and Blumenthal. It also permits the two senators to engage in value shaming. False promises create a media effervescence that surrounds ambitious politicians with moral auras. They, like John Lennon – and unlike people who live in real time -- can imagine a world in which there is no Heaven or Hell, only blue skies above, where people live only in the moment, where there are no countries, nothing to kill or die for, where there is no religion, no possessions, and where everybody lives in peace and harmony.

To read the rest of Don's commentary, visit his web site. 

The Old Farmer's Almanac: Upcycling Projects: Turn Your Trash into Garden Treasures!

Gardeners are a pretty thrifty bunch and it’s in the garden where repurposing old items into new really comes into its own.

From transforming tins into planters to repurposing old furniture for storing produce, there are countless ways to put worn out or unwanted items to good use in the garden.
In this short video we share some of our favorite garden upcycling ideas.

Let's Beat the Pests Together Want a warning when pests are heading towards your garden? Then get involved with the Big Bug Hunt research project! Report any bugs you've seen at: BigBugHunt.com

Other Videos to Help You Get the Most from Your Garden Learn essential gardening techniques in Under 5 minutes with our Gardening How-To video series:

Growing Garlic from Planting to Harvest How to plant, harvest and store for perfect garlic every time: Watch the video here >>

6 Proven Strategies for Year-round Harvests Tricks and techniques to keep your home-grown harvests coming all year round: Watch the video here >>

National Reciprocity - Licensing, State's Rights and The Second Amendment

Image from AmmoLand.com

In a recent discussion with Hoot Gibson* on the topic of national reciprocity for concealed carry permits, he posited the following question;  "If the Federal Government mandates a "National Right to Carry" wouldn't that be a violation of the Ninth and Tenth Amendments to the US Constitution?  Just like the national mandate to purchase healthcare was/is?  Now, with that said...The Second Amendment already gives a national right to "bear" (carry) without any permit."
 ___________________________________

*Hoot is a retired USAF Master Sargent and  "First Shirt".  He was one of the Tech School instructors who taught me the finer points of weaponry and instructing.  We later served together and shot together on our unit's pistol team.  He was then and remains today a friend and mentor.
____________________________________

I replied; "Given that there is a Second Amendment, as you mention, it wouldn't violate the 9th or 10th; it would simply create a uniform standard, similar to a driver's license.  But I'm with you; there is already a national right to carry."

Hoot informed me I was wrong about driver's license reciprocity being federally mandated;  "There is no federal government requirement for state-to-state reciprocity.   These are agreements between the states".   I thought the driver's license issue might fall under the interstate commerce clause, and Hoot offered to do some research.

His research lead him to an article from "IT geek" and former law student, Kelly Kinkade.  In her article, she advises us that "Reciprocity of US state driver licenses across state lines is due to agreement between the several states and is not the result of any federal legislation."  The federal government does, however exercise a certain amount of leverage against the states via federal funding requirements.

Ms. Kinkade goes on to say,

"It is likely impossible—that is, unconstitutional—for the federal government to mandate that one state recognize a license issued by another state for any purpose, no matter what that be . . . (including) the possession of a firearm.  If the activity is one which the state is empowered to require (emphasis added) its own citizens to have a license to do, it is equally empowered to require citizens of another state to also be equivalently licensed . . .”

She believes it might be possible for the Supreme Court to establish a national right to carry via an interpretation of the Second Amendment by interpreting it as prohibiting the states from requiring a carry permit, at all.


"As long as the Constitutional right to bear arms does not preclude states from having the authority to grant or withhold licenses for concealed carry, states will have the right to do so on any terms, agreeable to that state, that do not violate the Fourteenth Amendment’s guarantees of equal protection and due process."

She believes the president or Congress, acting together or alone, do not have the authority to change the current practice; "any change here would have to come from the Supreme Court, using its power to interpret the Constitution to clarify the extent and scope of the Second Amendment’s guarantee, or in the form of a Constitutional Amendment to do the same thing."

Ms. Kinkade deserves credit for addressing the issue in an intellectual fashion, without bias.


While I concede the federal government cannot mandate that one state recognize a license issued by another state for such things as driving, the practicing law or medicine, plumbing and so forth, I must

State Police Detectives Arrest Willimantic Man following Juvenile Sexual Assault Investigation

Suspect Devin Quirk

 Meriden, CT (November 24, 2017): Connecticut State Police detectives from the Computer Crimes Unit arrested a Willimantic man following the investigation of an attempted juvenile sexual assault.

On November 6, 2017 at approximately 11:30 p.m., State Police computer crimes detectives initiated an investigation into an alleged under-aged prostitution/trafficking business run by a registered sex offender on parole. The Connecticut Department of Parole assisted with the investigation.

Through the course of the investigation state police detectives identified Devin Quirk as the suspect. Detectives also learned that Quirk made attempts to acquire a date rape drug to use for drugging a pre-teen prostitute.

On November 22, 2017, Devin (a.k.a. Devon) Quirk (dob 8/9/79) of 29 Mountain St., Willimantic, CT., formerly of Hartford, was taken into custody and transported to Troop H – Hartford, where he was charged with Risk of Injury to a Child, Criminal Attempt at Sexual Assault 1st Degree, Patronizing a Prostitute and Conspiracy to Commit Trafficking Persons. Quirk was held on a $200,000.00 bond and scheduled to appear at Hartford Superior Court on November 24, 2017.

Meet The Democrats’ New Gubernatorial Frontrunner:

Convicted Felon Joe Ganim

With Dan Malloy’s Top Enabler Nancy Wyman announcing that she will not enter the race to succeed him in 2018, Democrats have their sights set on a new frontrunner: convicted felon Joe Ganim. The CT Post reports that Joe Ganim, the mayor of Bridgeport who served seven years behind bars after being convicted on corruption charges, is now being touted as “a candidate with a household name” that Democrats can get behind.

With all of the party’s top-tier candidates like Ted Kennedy Jr., George Jepsen, Wyman, and even Malloy too afraid to enter the race, their party is so desperate that they’re willing to pin their hopes on a convicted felon just so they can avoid being forced to run on the Democrat administration’s eight year record of failures.

 The CT Post reports:

 “Ted Kennedy Jr. said thanks, but no thanks.  Ditto for State Comptroller Kevin Lembo and now Lt Gov. Nancy Wyman, leaving Connecticut Democrats with a void of headliners willing to step forward to run for governor in 2018.

But the party in power appears poised to have its wish granted for a candidate with a household name — for better or worse. His name is Joe Ganim.

The mayor of the state’s largest city, Bridgeport, said Wyman’s decision to rule out a run puts him on the cusp of entering the wide open race. Since April, Ganim has been exploring statewide office, touting his efforts to bring jobs and development to his city while owning up to his 2003 corruption conviction that cost him the mayor’s office and his freedom for seven years.

“You should know that it does in fact move me closer toward ultimately making decision that could be a exploratory to a full announcement,” Ganim told Hearst Connecticut Media. ‘You said January and I didn’t disagree with you.’”

Paid for by the Connecticut Republican Party.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Small Business Saturday is this weekend

Provided by 100th District Representative, Matt Lesser.
 
This Saturday is Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to helping small businesses and their communities. And for Middletown that means free parking downtown.

The annual event falls between the traditional Black Friday shopping frenzy that occurs the day after Thanksgiving and before Cyber Monday when Internet shopping sees a boost in activity with online deals.

Now in its eighth year, Small Business Saturday has become a major economic driver for smaller companies around the country. Last year's Small Business Saturday saw record participation from consumers and businesses with 112 million shoppers and diners taking part -- a 13 percent increase over 2015. 
 

Small business is the engine that drives the economy and that’s why the legislature created the Small Business Express program, which has had great success in promoting job growth and encouraging economic development. The program continues to create and retain thousands of jobs across the state.

The program was created in 2011 to help Connecticut companies with fewer than 100 employees hire more employees and fund capital investments with low-interest loans and matching grants with more than 1,690 participating companies and more applicants being considered.

If you have a small business or you’re considering owning one, then check out Connecticut’s Small Business Express. Learn more about small business growth in Connecticut here: http://www.housedems.ct.gov/small-business-2017

Small Business Saturday also was created to foster economic growth by helping to focus shoppers’ attention on the locally owned, small businesses in our communities.

These businesses make up the backbone of our economy. By supporting local, independently-owned small businesses, we’re helping to create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country.

Connecticut State Police Thanksgiving Holiday Enforcement Report

      STATE OF CONNECTICUT

Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection

Connecticut State Police

Public Information Office

Dr. Dora B. Schriro                                                                                                

Commissioner            

                                                                                         

Colonel Alaric J. Fox

Deputy Commissioner

Division of State Police

 

Connecticut State Police Thanksgiving Holiday Enforcement

MIDDLETOWN, CT (November 24, 2017): The Connecticut State Police are supplementing the normal patrol force with additional State Troopers throughout this Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. The increased patrols began at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, 11/22/2017, and will conclude at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday 11/26/2017. 

Troopers are patrolling the roads and highways across Connecticut focusing on drunken driving violations and aggressive drivers. 

These State Police stats cover the time period starting at midnight on 11/22/17 to 11/24/17 8:00 a.m.

SPEEDING violations: 311

SEATBELT violations:   5

OTHER HAZARDOUS violations:   696

 (to include unsafe lane change, following too closely, cell phone usage, texting, failure to signal, etc.)

DUI arrests: 22

ACCIDENTS investigated:   235

w/injury: 33

fatality: 1 (11/22 Killingly)
 

These 2016 State Police stats cover the time period starting at midnight on 11/23/16 to 11/27/16 9:00 a.m:

SPEEDING violations: 896

SEATBELT violations:   311

OTHER HAZARDOUS violations:   2503

 (to include unsafe lane change, following too closely, cell phone usage, texting, failure to signal, etc.)

DUI arrests: 51

ACCIDENTS investigated: 392   

w/injury: 42  

fatality: 1

About the Connecticut State Police

The Connecticut State Police, founded in 1903, is the largest law enforcement agency in the State of Connecticut. More than 1,100 troopers from eleven barracks patrol more than 7,000 miles of roadway and serve as the primary law enforcement agency for 81 towns in Connecticut, totaling 2,600 square miles. The agency has a variety of specialized resources which enhance the ability of Troopers to investigate and solve crimes as well as assist local, state and federal agencies. Our goal is to deter and solve crime, promote highway safety and build relationships with the community through professionalism, respect, integrity, dedication and equality.