Senator Dan Champagne

A very Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

Please stay safe on the roads this Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!

☀️ Don't let the sunshine fool you. If it looks wet - it's ice. ⚠️ Watch out for slippery sidewalks and streets. Don't roll the dice when there's ice, take it slow!

A happy, joyous and blessed Hanukkah to all of our neighbors that celebrate this Festival of Lights!

Stafford-area: Connecticut Department of Transportation is holding an informational meeting on its Hydeville Rd. bridge replacement project TOMORROW, Dec. 1 at 7 PM.

You can also submit comments and questions during the two-week public comment period following the meeting. Please direct comments and questions by December 15, 2022.

Register & more info here:

https://portal.ct.gov/DOTStafford134-149

Please get out there today to support all local businesses for Small Business Saturday!

These businesses create thousands of jobs that support the livelihoods of our friends, family and neighbors. Be sure to “shop small” today and throughout the holiday season!

Why CT Leaders Say Small Business Saturday Is Important for the State The Small Business Association says when people shop small it benefits many aspects of the state’s economy.

I hope that you have a joyful, safe and healthy Thanksgiving.

Despite our continued challenges, we have much to be thankful for: importantly, our loved ones and the freedoms that we enjoy as Americans. Wishing a happy Thanksgiving to you and your families!

Please stay safe in your travels to give thanks with family and friends!

Shop local in Ellington this holiday season with the chance to win a gift card!

Check with the Town of Ellington, CT for an updated list of participating local businesses for your gift-giving needs.

Thank you to ALL Veterans, and their families, for the sacrifices made in the name of our freedom!

Tomorrow is Election Day!

Your polling location may have changed because of recent redistricting—use this link to make sure you’re heading to the right location tomorrow.

Most importantly, get out and vote!

https://portaldir.ct.gov/sots/LookUp.aspx

Happy Halloween! Please have fun and be safe!

Halloween 2022 may be a bit different, as edible cannabis products have been made available in our state. Some packages of THC products closely resemble familiar candy labels that children may receive on Halloween night. Any THC products are mandated to have a marking of the milligram level and a California Medical Ma*****na warning label as well. Parents or guardians, please take note and carefully inspect ALL treats before giving them to children to consume.

Today we recognize and thank all first responders: police officers, firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), 911 dispatchers and medical professionals.

These men and women put the safety of our community ahead of their own. We also honor those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Please consider an act of kindness toward these professionals today or any day: write a letter of thanks, buy a coffee, provide a home-cooked meal, or simply say "thank you.” A little can go a long way.

DEA prescription drug takeback is happening THIS Saturday (10/29), 10 AM - 2 PM

Area drop-offs are:

Bolton Resident State Trooper
South Windsor Police Department
Connecticut State Police - Troop C Tolland

Follow the link for more information.

This Saturday, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., stop by any CT State Police Troop to safely and anonymously dispose of expired, unwanted or unused medications. Or visit https://takebackday.dea.gov/ for additional drop-off locations, including some Resident Trooper Towns.
*Please note: liquids, inhalers, patches and syringes cannot be accepted*

The Bidwell Tavern Coventry Ct is celebrating two centuries of history in our community.

What’s your favorite memory of this local institution?

Here’s more on how to join the festivities on Thursday.

A historic celebration COVENTRY — For two centuries, the Bidwell Tavern has been a cornerstone of social gathering in downtown Coventry, and in honor of the tavern’s 200th birthday, the restaurant is holding

We are keeping the families, friends, Bristol PD and the entire community in our prayers.

Congratulations to Captain Spadjinske!

Please have caution and be patient so that students can get to and from school safely.

Watch out for students this week and every week!

My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the two Bristol police officers tragically killed in the line of duty, the officer who is critically injured, Bristol PD and the Bristol community.

In case you missed this:

My former legislative colleague Whit Betts clearly states CT’s crime problem and its root cause, which Republicans and I predicted in 2020.

Republican American:

Gov. Ned Lamont recently released crime stats, carefully picking which of those stats to highlight in order to show a supposed decrease in the overall crime rate in Connecticut.

The governor applauded what he said is a reduction in violent crime and thefts in 2021. But our eyes and ears tell us a different story. When we see the daily media stories about terrible crimes, and we talk with our neighbors, we know those stats don’t tell us everything.

Don’t believe the situation in our state is rosy based on what the governor said. He was careful about which stats he focused on because the statistics also show that homicides and rapes actually increased from year to year.

It’s true that motor vehicle thefts decreased when comparing 2020 to 2021. But there were 7,577 vehicles stolen in Connecticut in 2021, drastically higher than the 6,001 vehicles in 2019. That works out to more than 20 vehicles stolen per day in 2021.

But there were 7,577 vehicles stolen in Connecticut in 2021, drastically higher than the 6,001 vehicles in 2019. That works out to more than 20 vehicles stolen per day in 2021.

What was the change in 2020 that led to such a leap in stolen cars and other crimes?

It was the police accountability bill that handcuffed our officers from doing their jobs.

Criminals know that they can get away with far more than they did before that bill was passed into law and citizens are paying the price for that each day.

Rep. Greg Howard, R-Stonington, was correct when he said with the passage of the police accountability bill, “legislative Democrats fostered a complete distrust of law enforcement across Connecticut and specifically in urban and high-crime areas.”

Officers are dissuaded from pursuing criminals, face incredible scrutiny when they make split-second decisions and can be personally sued for damages in court. Republicans said in 2020 that this bill would hurt recruitment, and it has; police departments across the state are constantly short-staffed.

If you are a police officer right now, how can you do your job with the restraints placed on you?

Officers risk their lives each day and after 2020 they risked their personal assets and livelihood by trying to arrest someone.

It’s unacceptable and it needs to change because our safety is at risk.

Lamont distorts stats to cover up state's increase in major crimes Gov. Ned Lamont recently released crime stats, carefully picking which of those stats to highlight in order to show a supposed decrease in the overall crime rate in Connecticut. The governor applauded what he said is a reduction in violent crime and thefts in 2021. But our eyes and ears tell us a di

Connecticut continues to innovate and lead the way in many industries. The men and women in CT’s manufacturing workforce make this happen because of their hard work.

It’s important to make sure that this evolving industry and its workforce can succeed in the state. The Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board - EWIB is a great example of how to accomplish this, and I was proud to support programs like our Senate Republican “Better Way” proposals that share similar elements—www.betterwayct.com

Thank you again to the many manufacturers in our area and statewide!

To our Veterans of Foreign Wars: thank you for all you have done in service to our nation overseas, and then in your community.

We are a great nation because of you, and also the advocates and volunteers who support these efforts. Much thanks and gratitude!

TOMORROW (9/24): get outside and learn the history of Talcottville—the hike starts at 1 PM.

Northern Connecticut Land Trust (NCTLT)

EVENTS: Take a walk in historic Talcottville A fall foliage walk that takes in Talcottville history will be held Saturday, Sept. 24, at 1 p.m. beginning in the Talcottville section of Vernon.

Happy Autumn! What’re your favorite places in and around the “quiet corner” to enjoy the foliage or other classic fall activities? Feel free to tag in the comments!

CT VETERANS/Active Duty:

CT Stand Down 2022 THIS Friday, Sept. 23
8 AM - 2 PM @ 5 locations across the state

This will be “one-stop” access to a range of programs and services offered by state and federal agencies, Veterans organizations, and community-based non-profits at these regional sites across the State.

Connecticut’s Veterans, Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve military personnel, and their immediate families can all take advantage of these services.

More info on services and locations/transportation is here:

https://portal.ct.gov/DVA/Pages/Veterans-Stand-Down

CT Veterans Affairs

As Americans, we take great pride in our democratic process and how we exercise our right to vote.

Register today so that you can make your voice heard!

More information available here:

https://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Election-Services/Voter-Information/Voter-Fact-Sheet

A staple of the Vernon business community is making a return—a new and improved CT Golfland is in the works for 2023.

Read more here for an update:

Revived Golfland to open in Vernon next year The revived Golfland, which will include a revamped miniature golf course featuring a 32-foot dinosaur, is expected to fully open sometime next year, depending on when building supplies arrive, the developers say. Located near the Manchester line on Hartford Turnpike, Route 83, the original version....

Definitely “an important day for all the victims”!

(From the Journal Inquirer)

With the recent restoration of a concrete foundation in Ellington, the captive insurance company fixing the widespread safety hazard has reached another milestone — replacing 600 foundations in the state, officials announced on Wednesday.

Anna Hyde of Ellington originally applied to the program on Aug. 29, 2019, and waited patiently before having her foundation replaced, Michael Maglaras, superintendent of the Connecticut Foundations Solutions Indemnity Co., said.

“This is an important day in the history of CFSIC, and for Anna, and an important day for all the victims of the crumbling foundations” disaster, he said.

With more than 2,200 total claimants since launching on Jan. 10, 2019, CFSIC officials are expecting to reach the 1,000 foundation restoration milestone in the next 18 months.

As foundations are repaired, families are not only returning to safe homes, but municipalities are also beginning to see their property tax rolls return to normal as homes that were reassessed are returned to their true market value.

On Wednesday, Hyde praised the CFSIC staff, particularly claim adjuster Nicole Carrozza, for making the process “seamless.”

“I am so grateful to the state of Connecticut and CFSIC,” Hyde said.

Insurer marks 600th foundation fix With the recent restoration of a concrete foundation in Ellington, the captive insurance company fixing the widespread safety hazard has reached another milestone — replacing 600 foundations in the state,