First Selectman's Report - December 10, 2012
First Selectman’s Office Holiday Open House – Monday, December 17, 2012 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
I would like to invite all of you to attend a Holiday Open House in the First Selectman’s Office on Monday, December 17 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. We will provide coffee and festive cookies if you are willing to come with a festive holiday mood, a can or two of non-perishable goods or some used skates. It is always good to have the opportunity to meet with you outside of the formal meeting setting – I look forward to seeing you on the 17th!
‘Tis the Season! Come Celebrate and Help Our Town Employees Help Others!
Every year our employees put together events to celebrate the holiday season and to make sure we’re doing something to help those in need in our community and beyond. Here are two of my favorite events in December!:
Simsbury Police Department’s Stuff-A-Cruiser
The Simsbury Police Department is holding its annual “Stuff-A-Cruiser” food and toy drive this Wednesday, December 12, 2012. Non-perishable food items and toys can be dropped off at the Simsbury Stop & Shop at 530 Bushy Hill Road from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. If you have any questions about the event, please contact Officer John Mimnaugh at here at the Police Station at (860) 658-3131.
Skate & Share 2012
Join the Simsbury Recreation, Social Services and Police Departments on Friday, December 21, 2012 at the Simsbury Farms Ice Rink. There will be free skating, free pictures with Santa, refreshments and the always popular turkey bowling from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. The entrance fee is a canned food item that will be donated to Simsbury families in need.
Donate Your Used Skates
You can also help by donating your used skates. Skates will be collected at the Skate & Share, or they can be dropped off in boxes at Simsbury Farms and Town Hall. These skates will be given to inner-city kids so that they can enjoy this wonderful activity.
Recognition of the 100th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation went into effect 150 years ago on January 1, 1863. The Amistad Committee is coordinating a commemoration of this important event in American history and is asking all municipalities and other institutions to ring their bells for one minute at noon on January 1, 2013. The Emancipation Proclamation was a turning point – it defined the Civil War as a war against slavery in addition to a war to unify the nation, and it was the first step in a long journey towards creating a just and equal society – a journey that continues for many to this day. If you belong to an organization with a bell tower, please encourage that organization to toll its bell at noon on Tuesday, January 1, 2013. You can view the request from the Amistad Committee by visiting the First Selectman’s web page on the Town’s website at www.simsbury-ct.gov.
Nominate a Hero for the American Red Cross Community Heroes of Connecticut
The Red Cross is asking you to help identify local heroes. If you know somebody who has performed a heroic act, particularly during an emergency, you have an opportunity to nominate that person for recognition. The Red Cross in Connecticut will be honoring local heroes at a Heroes Breakfast for Northern and Central Connecticut on Thursday, March 28, 2013.
Simsbury certainly has its share of heroes. If you have somebody you would like to nominate, you can get a copy of the nomination form by visiting the First Selectman’s web page on the Town’s website at www.simsbury-ct.gov.
Town of Simsbury Updates its Website
If you visit the Town’s website at www.simsbury-ct.gov you will find a new look and a website we believe will be much easier to navigate. Among other things, you will see that the most current events appear in what is called a “slideshow” on the first page of the site. The site is much more interactive; it allows Town Staff to post information easily; and outdated items will just expire. If you have a chance, please visit the website and tell us what you think. I would like to thank Rick Bazzano and Brett Marchand on our IT staff for their hard work on the site upgrade.