Mayor's Community Update Week of January 4, 2016
Lunch with the Mayor to Resume in January
With the hectic Holiday Season behind us, I wanted to remind all of our residents that Lunch with the Mayor will be resuming again on Thursday, January 28, from 12-1 in the Welling Conference Room. For all of those who have never been, it is a chance for residents to interact directly with the Mayor, in a Question and Answer style forum and get updates from Department Directors. With the New Year upon us, we hope to see all of our regulars and any new faces!
Mayor’s Ball Date Announced
Dust off your dancing shoes and mark your calendar for the 2016 Mayor’s Charity Ball, which is scheduled for March 12 at the Pratt & Whitney Stadium Club at Rentschler Field.
I will once again host the event that draws over 400 attendees and raises significant funds for local charities. In 2014, the Mayor’s Charity Ball raised over $65,000 for local non-profits such as the East Hartford Interfaith Ministries, the East Hartford YMCA, TRACS Regional Animal Shelter, Friends of Center Cemetery, East Hartford Summer Youth Festival, Friends of East Hartford Senior Centers Inc., Believe 208, the Raymond Library Company and other local charities.
Pratt & Whitney has once again stepped up to be the presenting sponsor for the Charity Ball. The Event is black-tie optional and tickets will be $100 per person. More information on sponsorship opportunities and tickets will be available in the coming month.
Retirement of John Choquette
It is with great sadness that I announce the retirement of John Choquette. John has served the Town of East Hartford as the Assistant to the Mayor, the Director of Development and the Director of Social Services throughout his 22 year career. His career has overlapped four administrations and he has been a valuable asset to the function of my office and this town. While he will be missed, I also wish him happiness in his retirement.
John will be replaced by Dorian Lockett, who is joining us from the Connecticut General Assembly where he worked there for several years, but most recently worked as a Policy Advisor to House Majority Leader Joe Aresimowicz. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Connecticut in 2011 and through his work experience and his time with the General Assembly, Dorian has gained a wealth of knowledge which will be an added benefit to the town and to this office.
Closure of Route 2 West Exit 2W Ramp to the Founders Bridge
As construction on the Rt. 2/I-84 interchange continues, I wanted to encourage all of our residents to be mindful of construction on the Rt.2/I-84 interchange that will impact traffic flow over the next 11 months in East Hartford. According to the state Department of Transportation, on January 18, 2016, there will be a planned closure of the Route 2 Westbound ramp to the Founders Bridge, which is expected to last until November 2016, at the completion of the project.
According to the DOT, the closure, which is part of the $22 million bridge replacement and rehabilitation project and is one aspect of the work on Route2/I-84 which may cause lane closures on Route 2, I-84 and associated ramps nightly, from 10 p.m.-6 p.m., lane closures on adjacent streets and unassociated ramps Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. or 6 p.m.-6 a.m. Motorists can expect intermittent ten minute traffic shutdowns on I-84 East near exit 55 and periodic weekend closures of the I-84 East connector from Founders Bridge and the connector of I-84 West to Route 2 East, with detours being implemented in those scenarios.
For the closure of the Route 2 West Exit 2W ramp, the Department of Transportation will be directing all traffic to take Exit 3 to Pitkin Street to Darlin Street to the Route 2 Westbound on-ramp (Founders Bridge).
Additionally, in East Hartford, the onramp to Route 2 East from Governor’s Street has also been shut down until June 30, 2016. For more information on these detours or the Route 2/I-84 interchange project, please visit the Department of Transportation website.
East Hartford Police Department Promotion and Swearing-In Ceremony
On December 17 and December 22 the East Hartford Police Department held a promotion ceremony and a swearing-in ceremony for its current officers and brand new officers. At both of these ceremonies, I had the pleasure of speaking to and congratulating all these fine men and women.
Of the people promoted on December 17 were: Lt. Michael DeMaine, Sgt. Craig R. Browning, Detective Christina Johnston, Detective Daniel Ortiz, Detective Paul J. Sulzicki and Detective Patrick C. Sullivan.
On December 22, in front of family and friends, the following people were sworn-in as officers of the East Hartford Police Department: Jason R. Hawley, Matthew D. Tanner, Patrick J. Twohig and Justin Santiago.
It was a pleasure and an honor to shake every individual’s hands that day and I wish them the absolute best in their new roles.
East Hartford Senior Center Wii Bowling Team
The East Hartford Senior Center Wii Bowling Team, the Wiizards, competed in the Connecticut Senior Wii Bowling League Individual Tournament on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at the Bristol Senior Center. Ten of the 13 Towns in the league sent Wii bowlers to the tournament. Approximately 85 individuals representing those ten Towns competed. Our very own Jan Knowlton placed 4th overall and brought home a trophy and bragging rights to East Hartford.
Members from the team include: Peter Moutafis, Glo Benson, Norma Prisk, Janice Prisk, Janet Ritchie, Jan Knowlton, Philomena “Phyllis” Tyrseck, Bob Tyrseck, Betty Pyrek, Diane Pansullo.
Congratulations to all involved!