First Selectman's Report - November 26, 2012
FIRST SELECTMAN’S REPORT
November 26, 2012
Opportunities to Give – and Thanks to Those Who Have Given so Generously
During these difficult economic times, we are grateful for the generosity and thoughtfulness of those in the community who reach out to help others less fortunate.
We would especially like to remember Marion E. Strindberg – a passionate bird watcher and nature lover who was a fixture at our Senior Center – who died earlier this year at the age of 90 and who donated $10,000 to the Town’s Social Services Department. Marion’s generosity will go a long way to sustain the Town’s Senior Center lunch programs, and the Senior Center plans to remember her by naming the Wednesday lunch program the “Strindberg Lunch” for the upcoming calendar year.
There are many ways for those in our community can help those in need through the Simsbury Social Services Department:
- You can participate in our “Help Your Neighbor” program: empty canning jars are available for pickup at the Social Services Department that can be filled with spare change. The donations are then distributed through the Social Services Department.
- You can help with the “Adopt a Toy” program, where individuals can sign up to help fill a family’s “wish list” of toys for children.
· Starting this week, you can drop off non-perishable food donations here at Town Hall as part of a joint drive spearheaded by the Salvation Army, Main Street, the Simsbury Masons and the Avon Chamber of Commerce.
· On Saturday, December 1, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. trucks will be parked in the Wal-Mart parking lot on Route 44 in Avon and at the Hampton Inn & Suites on Route 6 in Farmington to accept cleaning materials, construction materials, health and safety materials, baby materials and other goods to assist families on Staten Island affected by Hurricane Sandy. This is a joint effort of the Rotary Clubs of Simsbury-Granby, Farmington and Avon-Canton. To see the list of materials for donation, please visit the Simsbury-Granby Rotary Club website by searching for Simsbury-Granby Rotary.
As we enter the holiday season, anything you can do to help those in need will be deeply appreciated.
Recognition of Veteran’s Status on Driver’s Licenses, ID Cards should help Veterans Access Benefits
Beginning on January 2, 2013 the State of Connecticut’s Department of Motor Vehicles and AAA offices will begin issuing drivers’ licenses and ID cards that include the symbol of the American Flag to identify veterans. The goal is twofold: first, to make sure that veterans of our armed services always have the documentation they need to access the services to which they are entitled; and second – equally important – to honor them for everything they have done for this country.
Department of Veterans’ Affairs Commissioner Linda Schwartz stressed that the flag identifier will help first aid responders, emergency rooms and healthcare providers to identify veterans eligible for programs and services from both the Department of Veterans’ affairs and the VA.
If you are a veteran and you are interested in the designation, you need to submit a completed application and proof of honorable discharge, such as a DD-214, to the Department of Veteran’s Affairs at least 30 days prior to visiting a DMV or AAA office. You can obtain an application from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs website at www.ct.gov/ctva by clicking on the “Application for Veteran’s Flag” link. Once you submit the application by mail to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department will verify your military status and electronically notify DMV of your request prior to the driver’s license or ID card being issued. The flag symbol will be added to your license or ID card at no additional cost at renewal time or when it is first issued.
Veterans can find other helpful information at www.veterans.ct.gov and the First Selectman’s Office will of course be happy to help any veterans who need assistance with this process.