Bring Back Clean Elections

Witkos, Simanski wants to bring back clean elections Connecticut can improve its so-called clean elections laws, according to Granby area state legislators Senator Kevin Witkos (R-8) and Representative Bill Simanski (R-62). Republicans recently called for a series of reforms to restore transparency and to level the playing field for those seeking state elected office. Since the original clean elections law was enacted in 2005, the program has suffered from numerous erosions. Republican leg […]

CTVV Interviews FOIC

CTVV interviews Freedom of Information Commissioner The Freedom of Information Commission is simply one of the most valuable entities available to people in the State of Connecticut. Tom Hennick, the Public Education Officer for the Commission is a dedicated veteran member of the FOIC and with a prior career as a journalist for his family owned newspaper, The Naugatuck Daily News, his desire to seek the truth and all the facts has been a key mission in his professional career. In fact, it […]

CTW: AARP Makes Legislative Advances

CTVV: AARP MAKES LEGISLATIVE ADVANCES CT seniors and their families are fortunate to have a support system to represent them through the well-established national AARP profile and the strong local voice of the AARP CT organization. Susan Regan, host of CT Valley Views recently visited with Claudio Gualtieri, Associate State Director for Advocacy and Jean Caron, an AARP volunteer and Advocacy Leader to bring CT residents up to date on the Public Policy Institute studies, research and legislativ […]

BOE Faces Budget Shortfall

BOE faces budget shortfall By Kim Becker The Board of Education listened with concern as Harry Traver, Business Manager, outlined shortfalls in the current budget. The $248,000 cost overrun is due to Special Education costs. Regular education is favorable by $45,000 due to spending freezes in “conferences, supplies, books, and library books”. At this point, the weather may not be a large cost factor as the schools’ roofs are bearing the snow load well, saving the District as […]

Granby PD Welcomes New Officers

Granby chief with new officer Michael DeSimone Granby PD welcomes new officers Granby Police Chief Carl Rosensweig welcomed two new officers at police department ceremonies in December. Officer Michael DeSimone has been a resident of Southwick, Mass. for most of his life. His experience growing up nearby will serve him well as a Granby police officer. DeSimone graduated with honors from Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., with a degree in criminal justice. He studied […]

Public Works Director Named

Kirk Severance, director of Public Works Public Works director named Town Manager William F. Smith, Jr. has appointed Kirk Severance as Granby’s director of Public Works. Severance served as deputy director of operations in Granby for seven years and has been with the Department of Public Works since 1984. Severance maintains several certifications relating to roads, hazard communications, tree-warden, and an environmental protection certificate to operate a landfill […]

VNA Director Leaving Post

VNA director Muir FIN Farmington Valley VNA director leaving post By Andrea Boyle After more than 25 years of service as Executive Director of the Farmington Valley Visiting Nurse Association, Incy S. Muir has announced her retirement from the agency, effective July 10, 2015. She and her husband plan to relocate to the White Mountain region in Maine next summer. A life-long resident of Granby, Muir describes this transition as “bittersweet” since she will be leaving a community […]

VNA Holiday Donations

The Farmington Valley VNA accepted a donation for the Granby Food Bank Program from GMMS X-Factor Boys Club members. Pictured are: (back, from l.) Xavier Jurado, David Stewart, Conrad Ginz, Mark Torres, Mrs. Volikas, and Layne Cramer; (front) Aaron Murdock, Ayden Lidesri, Alex Stelly, and Francis Mikalonis. Submitted photo […]

Senator John Kissel Interview

Senator John A. Kissel (R) District 7 with CTVV Host Susan Regan at the Legislative Office Building. Submitted photo Senator John Kissel—an honest dialogue with CT Valley Views Senator John Kissel, (R) 7th District, one of the longest serving senators in the Connecticut State Senate, provides his view of our state’s status and the fiscal hurdles and options confronting the legislature in the 2015 session. In his interview with CTVV’s host Susan Regan, Senator Kissel, as […]

Bill Simanski named Assistant Rep Leader

Simanski named Assistant Republican Leader Bill Simanski recently began his third two-year term representing the 62nd General Assembly District that includes Barkhamsted, Granby, Hartland and New Hartford. Connecticut House Republicans assigned Simanski to four legislative committees. He was also named Assistant Republican Leader by House Minority Leader Themis Klarides. Simanski will serve as the ranking member of the legislature’s Banks Committee. This committee deals with issues […]