Opinion: Democrats Call on Town Republicans to Demand Giuliano Resignation

The following is an open Letter to the Middletown Republican Town Committee from the Executive Board of the Middletown Democrat Town Committee, submitted for publication in The Eye by Amy Albert.
----------------------
In response to South Fire Commissioner Seb Giuliano's insensitive and inappropriate remarks regarding the Ghanian minister’s invitation to African-Americans to come to her country, we ask that you hold him responsible for his comments. When he wrote “who would want these malcontents?” He refers to people who have been moved to act by witnessing George Floyd’s murder. This has become a nation- and world-wide uprising against police brutality and racism in the United States. When he wrote, “Why would they want that in their country?” he misses the point - these are human beings who are suffering under racism here. They wouldn’t suffer the same in Ghana.  He then defends his comments as a “pretty much private conversation” which indicates he does not understand that social media is the most public of forums. 

As a publicly elected official, his racist comments are offensive to the people he was elected to represent. The Union has fielded complaints, the South Fire District has fielded complaints and he has been asked to apologize or resign which he has failed to do.

We call on the Republican Town Committee to demand he resign. Anything short of his resignation will communicate to Middletown that the Republican Town Committee agrees with his comments, condones them and are proud to have him represent their organization.

Children's Circus Week One Registration is LIVE!

Oddfellows Playhouse is excited to announce its first ever, completely digital circus! “From the BIG TOP to the LAPTOP”, the 32nd annual Children's Circus of Middletown will offer young people ages 5 to 15 opportunities to explore not only circus arts, but also dance, capoeira, fitness, digital animation, visual art, and more.

The program’s goal is to provide children with a variety of arts-based activities that will keep them active and independently engaged and connected to others in the community through project-based fun and dynamic, virtual instruction from our international team of incredible teaching artists.

The program will run from July 6^th to August 7^th, with unique online content and instruction available from 9:00am – 3:00pm Monday through Friday. Children ages 5-15 will be able to choose up to 4 classes a day from an exciting list of choices. The program is free, but registration is required.

The Children’s Circus of Middletown is run in partnership with the City of Middletown’s Kids Arts program, but this year’s virtual programming is available for free to all young people anywhere. Funding to support the Children’s Circus is provided by the Middletown Commission on the Arts, the Middlesex United Way, Oddfellows Playhouse, and the Evan Boyd Knoll Memorial Circus Fund.

Each day there will be 4 blocks of classes available, and young people can sign up for as much or as little as they want. Each class will meet at the same time every day for an entire week.  Class registration will happen on a week-by-week basis, and every class session will feature an option for the “Teeny Tiny Troupe” of kids ages 5 - 7.

The 9:30 – 10:30 am block will focus on MOVEMENT, including dance, capoeira, fitness training and flexibility. The theme for the 10:45 – 11:45 am block is MUSIC AND MEDIA, featuring classes in drumming, body rhythms, singing and stop-motion animation. After “Lunch with Friends” (an option to eat lunch together online), MANIPULATION is the theme for the 1:00 – 1:50 pm session, which will include juggling, balancing, plate spinning and other eccentric arts. The final daily session, MAKING AND MANIA, runs 2:00 – 2:50 pm and will include drawing, painting, costume creation, storytelling, clowning, puppetry, games and more zany and unpredictable activities.

Every day, in keeping with long-held traditions of the “live” Children’s Circus, will also include an “Opening Circle” at 9 am, and a “Closing Circle” at 3 pm. Class offerings will change from week to week, and each Wednesday registration will open for the next week’s classes.

Registration for the first week is live at www.oddfellows.org 

For more information, or to register for the 32^nd Annual Children’s Circus of Middletown, go to www.oddfellows.org or email circus@oddfellows.org.

Middlesex Community College Virtual Info Day

Join Middlesex Community College on Saturday, June 20, at 10 a.m. for a unique online experience and learn more about the college, the registration process, payment options, and more. Open to students and parents,  guests are invited to stay for the entire event, or just log on to the Webex for a specific session. The virtual event will start with an overview of the college and the admissions process, and then move into half-hour sessions focusing on financial aid, the business office, PACT (Connecticut's free community college program), followed by an open Q&A.

Click to RSVP

Link to join Webex

Nominations Sought for Environmental Champion Awards

The Rockfall Foundation Opens its Annual Call for Nominees

The Rockfall Foundation is currently seeking nominations for the 2020 Environmental Champion Awards. Nominations are being accepted from now until July 29. The awards recognize individuals, groups, organizations, and businesses for environmental efforts that contribute to the quality of life in the Lower Connecticut River Valley. Areas recognized include preservation , conservation, ecosystem restoration, and environmental and sustainability education. The Tom ODell Distinguished Service Award will be awarded for outstanding ongoing or long-term accomplishments. Certificates of Appreciation are awarded, as appropriate, to recognize significant programs or projects. Awardees will be recognized at The Rockfall Foundation’s Annual Meeting, Grants and Awards celebration on October 8th.

The nominee’s contributions must impact the Lower Connecticut River Valley, which includes the following towns: Chester, Clinton, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Lyme, Middlefield, Middletown, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland, and Westbrook. Impacts to the Connecticut River corridor or Long Island Sound are also eligible as long as there is a benefit to at least one of the listed towns.

Nomination forms must be received by noon on July 29 at amanda@rockfallfoundation.org or at The Rockfall Foundation, deKoven House Community Center, 27 Washington St., Middletown, CT 06457. Nomination forms can be downloaded at www.rockfallfoundation.org or one can be requested by calling 860-347-0340.

---

The Rockfall Foundation supports environmental education, conservation and planning initiatives in the Lower Connecticut River Valley through public programs and grants. Founded in 1935, the Foundation is celebrating its 85^th anniversary in 2020. As one of Connecticut’s oldest environmental organizations, it continues its mission set by founding philanthropist Colonel Clarence S. Wadsworth. The Rockfall Foundation also operates the historic deKoven House Community Center that offers meeting and event room rentals and office space for non-profit organizations.

The Rockfall Foundation Named Outstanding Organization of the Year

The Connecticut Outdoor & Environmental Education Association (COEEA) has named The Rockfall Foundation as the 2020 recipient of the Outstanding Organization of the Year Award. The Rockfall Foundation, based in Middletown, has been serving the Lower Connecticut River Valley community for the past 85 years, since 1935. Amongst other contributions cited by COEEA, Rockfall was noted as supporting schools and outdoor education programs with its environmental grants programs. While the awards ceremony could not be held in person, click here to see COEEA's Board of Directors share the honor with Rockfall’s Executive Director, Tony Marino. Learn more about The Rockfall Foundation at www.rockfallfoundation.org or email amanda@rockfallfoundation.org.

“Replace Our Trees” Raises $19,256

87 local residents and groups have stepped up to address the alarming loss of trees in recent years. Online gifts have been matched dollar for dollar by Sustainable CT, yielding $11,220 for Middletown and $8,036 for Portland. 

Site selection in coordination with each municipality will take place during the summer, so that planting can begin in September. More info here. Thank you to everyone who contributed. 

There is still time to get your gift doubled if you contribute by June 7. Or send a check to The Jonah Center, PO Box 854, Middletown CT 06457. Contributions will be used for trees in the municipality of the donor.