As we conclude March, let's celebrate our local Board of Education that continues to ensure our schools are the best possible.
Ledyard board members are dedicated to excellence in public education. And we would also like to applaud the women on BOE in honor of Women's History Month! Kate DiPalma-Herb Joanne Kelley Mary Harris Alex Rode Thank you for all you do for Ledyard schools! Last November, Ledyard got new State House district lines. No more 40th or 42nd district. Now, Ledyard is in the 45th, 43rd, and 139th.
The House Districts are new, but that's the only change. Ledyard remains in Cathy Osten's 19th State Senate District and in Joe Courtney's 2nd Congressional District. Check out the map below - see which State House district you are in! View the entire State House Districts Map at: https://www.cga.ct.gov/.../House%20Districts_Ledyard.pdf 𝙒𝙝𝙤 𝙞𝙨 𝙧𝙪𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙨 in November?
This week, the Ledyard DTC elected its leaders for the upcoming term (2022-24).
The DTC’s new chair is Jake Troy and new vice-chair is Wendy Hellekson. Thank you to both for stepping up into leadership roles! Jake Troy grew up in Ledyard, works as a 911 dispatcher for the East Lyme Police Department, has worked as a 911 dispatcher for the Ledyard Police Department since 2010, volunteers as an EMT with Mystic River Ambulance and Gales Ferry Fire Department, and serves on the Ledyard Nursing Board. Jake previously worked as Director of Choral Activities for Westbrook High School and serves as Organist for The United Methodist Church of Gales Ferry. Wendy Hellekson is an English Language teacher at Ella T. Grasso Technical High School who has lived in Ledyard for 12 years. The DTC is committed to electing Democrats up and down the ballot in Ledyard. We have three whole new State House seats representing the town, and numerous opportunities to build on our 2021 successes!
Joanne Kelley, Ledyard BOE member, said “Since the beginning of Covid in March 2020, I have heard from concerned parents, educators and medical professionals about the impact that the pandemic has had on the emotional well-being of our children…The existing resources in this area are not adequate - we must create something that does not exist. There is not one thing on the current proposed list that I think is as important as this or more appropriate for use of these funds.”
Dr. Adrienne Parad, Ledyard parent, said “We have an opportunity to utilize the ARPA funds to make a meaningful positive impact on our community for years to come…We need to delegate these special funds to invest in our future…For our town to continue to thrive, we need to invest in our health and well-being.” Read more about this issue:
Councilor Mary McGrattan reported that the walkway between the senior center and senior housing is no longer safe. The Ledyard Rotary will be replacing it! Mary also reported from Ledyard Interchurch Emergency Assistance Fund - the board approved grants for 9 Ledyard families last year to help with rent and household necessities. Unite CT and other government programs are ending, while there is an uptick in need for rental assistance. Councilor Naomi Rodriguez noted that there will be a celebration of life ceremony honoring Linda Davis on April 2, at Ledyard High School, 12-3 pm. Councilor Marshall recognized the work of Gales Ferry Fire Chief Tony Saccone for his advocacy that succeeded in the passage of a new law that protects fire police. Read about it here: Much more was discussed! Click here to watch the video of the full meeting. Send your input, ideas, questions, and thoughts to: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected]. The EDC is organizing a celebratory food truck festival/market style event at Sweet Hill Farm for the Harvard Yale Regatta on June 11, 2022.
The Regatta Day Festival so far has about 14 interested vendors and 8 confirmed vendors, all Ledyard based small businesses so far! At their recent meeting, the team discussed Fireside Pizza, which sadly needs to be rebuilt due to a fire. The Fireside owners are working on completing their new restaurant, Sunnyside Diner, in the same plaza on the opposite side of the building. EDC member Jessica Buhle proposed that residents could show financial and moral support by purchasing gift cards for Sunnyside Diner, once they are available, in order to provide cash flow and show that we believe in their restaurant and plan to support it. Town Councilor Naomi Rodriguez also attended the meeting and asked if there is a way to run a complimentary ad for them in the Ledyard Events Magazine. This idea is being explored. The EDC is also eager to know more about the businesses in Ledyard and what the Town can do to make it easier for them to do business here. Business owners in Ledyard can take the survey here: bit.ly/LedyardEDCBusinessSurvey2022. Please share the link with any local business owners you know! |