Uncommon Knowledge
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The following is an open letter from State Rep. Tony Scott, R-112th, to the residents of the district:
I am excited to announce my candidacy for a third term in Connecticut’s General Assembly representing the 112thDistrict. I take a lot of pride representing all my constituents in Monroe, Easton and Trumbull and look forward to doing so for another two years. Most importantly, with all the candidate paperwork and fundraising completed, and the session just starting last week, I can now turn my total focus on what the people sent me to Hartford to do … be their voice!
My goals this term, and if I get reelected, will be the same. Firstly, I want to be mindful of the over taxation that continues to keep happening in Connecticut to both businesses and individuals. I was able to support Governor Lamont’s budget last year because it had no tax increases and in fact a tax decrease for some. Along those lines, I will also be fighting against unfunded mandates that continue to hamper all municipalities. Those dollars have to come from somewhere and mostly come from your property taxes that in part go up every year due to these hidden costs to towns.
Last year, I was once again recognized by the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA) as having a 100-percent voting record on pro-business legislation, as well as preventing job-killing taxes and voting against harmful mandates.
Secondly, as the Ranking Member on the Housing Committee, I was able to work in a bipartisan fashion to support more funding to address Homelessness in Connecticut. Sadly, numbers have risen the last two years and we need to make sure we are doing everything we can to support those that are most vulnerable during the harsh wintertime.
On the other hand, I have vigorously fought against many in the majority party who blatantly want to strip local control for zoning decisions in the district. Most Democrats in Hartford feel they know what’s better for our towns, but we elect members to the Planning & Zoning Commissions and we should allow them to make those decisions.
Lastly, there will be many hot topics we will face this upcoming session, but one in particular is a direct attack on personal choice of all residents of Connecticut. The EV (Electric Vehicle) mandate that by 2035 all new car purchases must be electric or plug-in hybrid is preposterous. Our grid is nowhere close to being ready to be able to handle that new demand and there are not even 10% enough charging stations throughout the state.
Taking away the freedom of consumer choice should be eye opening to everyone. In full transparency, I personally own a 100-percent electric vehicle, but that is my choice as it is a really cool and fun car to drive. I would never vote to mandate everyone in the state to do what I did by choice. I will be an absolute NO if this bill ever makes it out of committee and to the House floor for a vote.
During the past year, I have enjoyed meeting and working with folks from the new part of my district in Easton and Trumbull. I have worked closely with the elected leaders there and in Monroe to help bring millions of additional funding via grants, bonding, etc. directly home to the 112th District.
Some recent projects that I helped get funding for were: $500,000 STEAP grant for Monroe’s animal control facility, $500,000 in bonding for the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Trumbull, $396,000 to replace septic system at Easton’s EMS facility and $35,000 for two local charities that help the homeless.
I am fully invested in the 112th District as I have lived here for over 16 years, started a family and have kids in the public schools. I care deeply to make sure we take the right path to make everyone prosperous and want to stay here for many years to come. Thank you for your continuing support and I ask for your help again in the race ahead!
For information on the Tony Scott for State Rep campaign, visit TonyScottforStateRep.com or reach out at [email protected].
You might want to ‘Compromise Elsewhere’, Boar’s Head deli meat fans. Numerous grocery store chains are temporarily shutting down their deli departments for a deep-cleaning following a reported multi-state outbreak of listeria.
Big Y has announced that their deli’s will be temporarily closed after Boar’s Head Provisions Co recalled all of their liverwurst product. Boar’s Head has also more of their deli meats that may have been produced on the same production line. According to Big Y, the USDA has recommended a deep-cleaning/sanitization of all surfaces, and to discard any open meats and cheeses in the deli. The other Boar’s Head meats that have been recalled are:
All of the Boar’s Head deli meats have sell-by dates of “AUG 10”, and the Heat & Eat Bacon has a sell-by date of “AUG 15”.
Big Y did not offer Boar’s Head deli meats in their Connecticut markets for the longest time, I recall that it’s only been a year or two that I’ve been able to buy my favorite – Boar’s head low-sodium ham, at the Big Y – Torrington and New Milford locations.
Stop & Shop supermarkets around Connecticut will also temporarily close their deli’s for a deep cleaning according to nbcconnecticut.com. The good news is that if your local deli does not carry Boar’s Head deli meat, there should be a pile of clean, shaved beef waiting for you.
The 2024 Paris Olympics are underway, and while watching the opening ceremonies, I started imagining what kind of games, celebrities, and venues our state would present as our finest. What would an Olympics look like if the games were held in Connecticut?
Gallery Credit: Getty Images/Google
Gallery Credit: Ethan Carey
Amid rising bear encounters in the state, an adult black bear and its cub were found trapped inside a car outside a home in Winsted, Connecticut, on July 15, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).
DEEP environmental conservation officers were called by the vehicle owner in the northwestern town. Upon arrival, officers opened the car door, releasing the two bears. The bears reportedly ran off with a third bear that had been running around in distress while the two were trapped.
State officials believe that the bears opened the car door themselves to enter the vehicle.
AP Photo
Newsweek reached out to DEEP’s communications team for comment via email on Friday.
The car’s interior was completely torn apart from the bears thrashing. The bears appeared to blare the horn and play the radio.
The northwestern part of the state has the highest concentration of black bears, according to DEEP. Last year, bears were found in all but three cities and towns across the state, with sightings in 165 of 169 municipalities. This past week, there have been three publicly reported bear-related incidents.
The black bear population is growing in the state, and based on data published in DEEP’s 2024 State of the Bears, there are an estimated 1,000 to 1,200 bears in the state, adding that “the population has a high potential for growth,” given their habitat and food sources.
In June 2023, a state law passed that allows individuals to seek permits to kill a bear if it is damaging livestock and agriculture, as well as establishing the right to use deadly force in defense of an attack.
A year after the law was passed, this June, a Connecticut resident shot and killed a 450-pound adult male black bear, claiming it was in self-defense.
This past week, three bear-related incidents were publicly reported, including a bear being killed after being hit by cars and another euthanized after reportedly biting a woman.
DEEP requests residents to report bear sightings on its website. So far this year, there have been 7,674 reported bear sightings, with 2,255 “bear conflicts” in the state, according to the state’s wildlife sighting public viewer.
In February 2023, DEEP launched it’s “Be Bear Aware” public campaign to raise awareness and lower the total human-bear conflicts in the state through education programs and conflict management advice.
In an email to CT Insider regarding the July 15 incident, DEEP Senior Advisor Ethan H. Van Ness said: “DEEP would like to remind residents to remain bear aware. Always lock your car doors, particularly if you live in areas with regular bear activity.”
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
CONNECTICUT — Since 1940, the Connecticut Sports Media Alliance (formerly the Connecticut Sports Writers’ Alliance) has presented Gold Keys to deserving individuals who had made a considerable impact on the state’s sports landscape. In addition to the Gold Keys, other awards are meted out in various categories, and the CSMA has named the final nine recipients who will be honored at the 82nd annual dinner this fall.
Receiving accolades at the dinner will be:
Gold Key Award recipients for 2024, announced in the spring, are former Daniel Hand High School and Yale University football coach Larry Ciotti, longtime Windham High School wrestling and football coach Brian Crudden, retired Pomperaug High School field hockey coach Linda Dirga, award-winning sportscaster George Grande and Wesleyan University women’s basketball coach Kate Mullen.
Proceeds support the Bo Kolinsky Memorial Sports Media Scholarship, a $3,000 annual award named in memory of the noted high school sports editor of the Hartford Courant and past CSMA president, who passed away in 2003 at age 49.
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