On February 27th the Old Saybrook Fire Department learned that they are the recipient of an $82,595 grant from FEMA for Firefighter Recruitment and Retention.

One part of the grant, $60,000, is earmarked for College and Trade School Tuition reimbursement for Firefighters wishing to commute from Old Saybrook for their education. About $15,000 per year for four years will be divided among firefighters who will apply for the program.   Affordable housing for firefighters in Old Saybrook is difficult to find and the grant application explained that obtaining higher education may assist firefighters in obtaining better employment allowing them to continue to reside in town.  Also, several firefighters each semester leave Old Saybrook to attend colleges and universities and choose to live on campus.  This grant will encourage some of those firefighters to commute and remain active in the all volunteer department during the semester.

The second part of the grant, $22,595, is dedicated to produce a thirty second professional recruiting television commercial in conjunction with Sonalysts Inc, Waterford.  The commercial will benefit the 13 fire departments that make up the Valley Shore Mutual Aid Association.   Many of the departments will be featured in the commercial which will lead prospective firefighters to www.joinyourfd.com, a website currently being developed.  The site will guide people to their town’s fire department for recruitment information.  The commercial will air on local television stations as a public service announcement when completed.

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story & photo
by Amy Pjura

As Dr. Suess’ Cat In The Hat and the Read Across America Team toured across the United States to give the gift of reading to school children, many local schools participated in their own reading events. I was invited to join the children of the 5th grade class from St. Micheal’s School, Mystic to read to their pen pals at Pendleton Health and Rehabilitation Center, Mystic.

For the Read Across America event, students brought their favorite book to share with their pen pals. They also enjoyed a short book discussion and social time. Shirley Scoken, resident, Pendleton, says that she, “really appreciates the time spent with her pen pal” Victoria.

Concetta Franchetti BS, TRS, Recreation Supervisor, Pendleton is the Pen Pal Program Leader and started the program in 1998 with the St. Patrick’s Cathedral School, Norwich. After 8 years, the students involved in the programmed graduated and Concetta chose St. Michael’s for the new Pen Pal Program. The residents of Pendleton and the students get together two to three times a year for the Christmas holiday, Read Across America and during the National Nursing Home Week in May. Students also visit their pen pals on their own time with their families and stay connected through letters. Concetta is excited that the program has been very successful.

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Tourism Works For CT

As CT and the nation continue on an economic decline, it is essential that government and business leaders take every opportunity to preserve and protect our economic base. Predictions of increased unemployment and the devastating effects it has on people and their families must be minimized to the fullest extent possible. Decisions made now are likely to have impacts lasting into the next decade and beyond. It is important that our state government leaders be aware of potential impacts their decisions may have as they prepare to deal with income shortfalls, balancing the state budget and preserving the quality of life in CT.

As spending reductions are considered it is vitally important that funding for tourism marketing on statewide and regional levels be preserved. Here’s why:

• Culture and tourism activities account for over $14 billion in CT economic activity each year.

• 170,000 jobs – 10% of the CT labor force – $9.4 billion of personal income – $1.7 billion of state and local revenues depend on culture and tourism.

• Many employees whose jobs depend on the culture and tourism industry are the most vulnerable in a declining economy. Losing their jobs will increase the demand and cost for other state and local support services.

• Quality of life in CT is rated among the best in the US. Quality of life based on our cultural, historic and entertainment opportunities, attracts people and businesses who select CT above other states. Preserving our quality of life through our investment in culture and tourism is a key to rebuilding our economic future.

• Numerous state, regional and national studies show that, unless an investment is made to sustain the culture and tourism economy, it will decline rapidly. In the past, $9.30 in net state and local revenue was leveraged by each $1.00 invested.

• For the past 15 years, CT has invested millions of dollars in the culture and tourism infrastructure. Without support many of these organizations and institutions are likely to fail and thereby negating the investments previously made.

We must all work at preserving and protecting the building blocks of CT’s economic future by supporting and preserving tourism marketing on a statewide and regional level.  We ask for your support, please go to www.tourism4ct.org to sign a petition that shows your agreement that Tourism Works for CT.

Best Wishes,

Eliza Cole
Marketing Manager

Mystic Country, CT

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