By Dave Mullane

Editor’s Note: On November 7th, 8th and 9th: the Stratford Housing Authority Opens wait list for Senior Housing. The Stratford Housing Authority number is: (203) 375-4483

Let Stratford SHA develop the Ella Grasso complex for local seniors and veterans!

From this month’s SHA (Stratford Housing Authority minutes) “Paul Hoydick reported that the maintenance staff has been busy with inspection work orders and vacant units. He estimated that there may be a total of 65 vacant units this year.”

How can there be 65 vacant units? People are homeless?

Back in 2015 SHA Chairman Malloy brought Paul Hoydick into SHA employment by hiring him has a “construction consultant” and prior to being exposed as fraudulently still serving as SHA chairman in 2017 Malloy made Hoydick the Maintenance Director of Housing how can Hoydick explain there being 65 vacant units in SHA when people need a place to live, and the cold weather is coming now too. WTF?

Now onto the Ella Grasso property. The minutes speak for themselves:

“STRATEGIC PLAN / ITEM #13

Chairman Crudo reported that he spoke to State Representative Gresko about the Ella Grasso property, who expressed to the Chairman that he is also frustrated with the length of time this process is taking. Chairman Crudo was informed that this property is deed restricted for either senior housing or veterans housing.

Commissioner Sonja Devitt asked if we have received an answer to whether or not the Authority will have to compete with private developers if Stratford gets this property.  Chairman Crudo stated that he was told in a previous conversation that it would be a competitive bid process.

Commissioner Devitt stated that several commissioners have been fairly emphatic that they do not want this project railroading ahead with us having to compete with private developers without having a chance to sit down and discuss this with the Mayor. She added that as long as she is on the board, she wants to emphasize that we should be informed if this will definitely be a competitive bid process, and if it is not, we need to request a seat at the table.

Chairman Crudo assured Commissioner Devitt that he will make certain we know ahead of time. Commissioner Beth Daponte asked if we can invite State Representative Gresko to our next board meeting. She believes that one way to avoid the issue of competitive bidding is to ask the state to transfer the deed directly to the Stratford Housing Authority. “This way, we would have a more compelling case than the Town of Stratford, given the state’s emphasis on affordable housing.” Chairman Crudo stated that he will extend the invite to State Representative Gresko. “

If Mayor Hoydick really wants to help Stratford Seniors and veterans, she should sit down with SHA and work out a plan instead trying to give the property to a private developer.

The optics of these minutes makes it look like the SHA already has 65 vacant units so there’s no need to give them the Ella Grasso property to help seniors and veterans stay in Stratford.

For complete minutes click here: https://www.stratfordct.gov/…/SHARegMtgMinutes.10242022…

Affordability For Seniors

Chris Green
Democratic Candidate for State Senate District 21 in Stratford, Shelton, Seymour and Monroe

We must push for affordability- especially for seniors.

Affordability is an issue impacting everyone — especially seniors on fixed incomes. It’s an issue I’m glad to see our Governor and the Democratic leadership in Hartford taking steps to address.

In particular, this year’s budget expedited a plan to exempt most retirees in CT from state income tax on their pensions, social security and annuities with a similar exemption rolling out for 401ks over the next few years. More information can be found here: bit.ly/ctretireetaxcut. The state also has moved to cap the price of insulin and the Inflation Reduction Act will cap out-of-pocket pharmaceutical costs for those on Medicare.

As a Democrat running to be the next State Senator in District 21, which includes most of Stratford, I believe more needs to be done. Specifically, we need to continue to find ways to increase transparency surrounding healthcare price tags, follow through on our efforts to benchmark costs, and continue to push for screening and preventative care as a way to improve health outcomes while decreasing spending. Beyond health care expenses, we also should consider a property tax break for seniors and find ways to increase the supply of senior housing in the area, as the current waiting lists are unacceptably long.

I will fight to protect our seniors while also continuing to push for a path that looks out for all of our families and our future  Not only did this year’s budget include a tax break for our seniors, it also helped families with children and made historic payments on the state’s pension debt.That payment helped all taxpayers by saving us almost half a billion dollars a year moving forward and increasing in our bond rating, which will make continuing to repay the debt more affordable.

My opponent voted against this budget, calling for more tax cuts now funded entirely by more debt for later. This is a gimmick, not a tax cut. He also opposed CT’s new paid family leave program.  Given the crisis of affordability that is pushing so many families to the brink, reasonable safety nets that ensure workers have something to make ends meet in case of injury, illness, or the birth of a child are more important than ever.

I look forward to working hard for seniors and residents of all ages in this district. You can find more information on my campaign at www.cgreen4senate.com.