Old Lyme Democrats In Action
Community Outreach
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The OL-DTC is proud to help our neighbors during the pandemic.
Shoreline Soup Kitchen & Pantries Our Chair, Christine Gianquinto presented the pantry manager, Audrey Brainerd, $1075.00 worth of Big Y gift cards from the OL-DTC. Audrey stated that the donations were "perfect timing," and would go a long way to helping those in need. Click the link above if you want to donate! |
Standing Up
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The Old Lyme DTC Responds to the January 6, 2021 Attack on Our Democracy
Last Wednesday's violent insurrection and assault on our democratic principles, incited by the President of the United States, will go down as one of the darkest moments in our nation's history.
The Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee condemns this cowardly attack and the deadly consequences it wrought. Now more than ever, we need to speak with a common voice against this unprecedented assault on our American democratic ideals. We commend leaders, in particular Republican leaders, such as George W. Bush, Lisa Murkowski, Mitt Romney, and Liz Cheney who have put country before party and denounced these acts and the role of the President in instigating them.
The Old Lyme DTC requests you, and invites our Republican legislators and the Old Lyme Republican Town Committee, to stand with us in a unified and unequivocal voice in acknowledging that these riotous acts do not represent patriotic service to a legitimate cause, but rather a criminal rebellion and attack on the Constitution of the United States.
Post this message on your social media with a call to bring to justice all those involved in this traitorous act including the immediate removal of Donald J. Trump from office.
The Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee
Last Wednesday's violent insurrection and assault on our democratic principles, incited by the President of the United States, will go down as one of the darkest moments in our nation's history.
The Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee condemns this cowardly attack and the deadly consequences it wrought. Now more than ever, we need to speak with a common voice against this unprecedented assault on our American democratic ideals. We commend leaders, in particular Republican leaders, such as George W. Bush, Lisa Murkowski, Mitt Romney, and Liz Cheney who have put country before party and denounced these acts and the role of the President in instigating them.
The Old Lyme DTC requests you, and invites our Republican legislators and the Old Lyme Republican Town Committee, to stand with us in a unified and unequivocal voice in acknowledging that these riotous acts do not represent patriotic service to a legitimate cause, but rather a criminal rebellion and attack on the Constitution of the United States.
Post this message on your social media with a call to bring to justice all those involved in this traitorous act including the immediate removal of Donald J. Trump from office.
The Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee
Note: As of March 5th, the Old Lyme DTC has not seen a response from the Old Lyme RTC
Letters and Testimony
NEW!
The Resolution Declaring Racism A Public Health Crisis
https://www.theday.com/local-news/20210419/old-lyme-selectmen-refuse-to-consider-racism-resolution
https://lymeline.com/2021/04/op-ed-systemic-racism-and-old-lyme-past-present-and-future/
The Resolution Declaring Racism A Public Health Crisis
https://www.theday.com/local-news/20210419/old-lyme-selectmen-refuse-to-consider-racism-resolution
https://lymeline.com/2021/04/op-ed-systemic-racism-and-old-lyme-past-present-and-future/
Submit letters to the Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee at: Contact Us
The views expressed may or may not represent the views of The Old Lyme DTC (OL-DTC). Publication of any submission is at the sole discretion of the OL-DTC.
The OL-DTC reserve's the right to make modifications, verification and material placement.
The OL-DTC reserve's the right to make modifications, verification and material placement.
Testimony before the Committee on Higher Education and Employment Advancement
On HB 6402 An Act Concerning Higher Education
Submitted by Meghan Finley, PhD, Associate Professor of Sociology, Manchester Community College
March 4, 2021
My name is Dr. Meghan Finley, I am an associate professor of sociology at Manchester Community College. I urge you to pass HB 6402 with the substitute language provided in my written testimony.
The CSCU system office has asked, and continues to ask, for blind allocation of funds to grow the central office coupled with blind acceptance of consolidation as a solution to reducing system costs and putting “students first” while ignoring the proverbial elephant in the room: Enrollment. Increased enrollment will do far more to make the CSCU system self-sustaining than consolidation of services.
We have an enrollment problem at the CSCU system. The national and state birth rate is declining; Connecticut has seen a population decline over the past five years; and fewer students are enrolling in colleges amidst the many hardships created by COVID-19. The number of students in our system is shrinking and was shrinking prior to COVID-191. Enrollment is critical to sustaining and growing the CSCU system. Where is the specific plan to increase enrollment? Who is the expert with a proven track record (be it in a community college system or a state university) of increasing enrollment and how are they addressing it? Where is the evidence that enrollment efforts, if any, are working? What is the plan for enrollment management during and after the transition to consolidation?
A decade or so ago, the CSCU system implemented, at great cost, the Transfer Articulation Program (TAP) to create a pathway for students to seamlessly transfer to a 4-year institution. TAP was designed to ensure that all credits would transfer from a CT state community college to a 4-year university (CSU). The BOR insisted that this would have a net positive effect on the student population (just as they now insist consolidation will) and would lead to increased enrollment. For almost a decade, hundreds of faculty members invested their time and energy to build TAP programs and taxpayers have funded numerous administrative positions to run TAP.
My non-teaching work currently has me co-writing a required report to our regional accreditor, NECHE2 (New England Commission of Higher Education). I requested data including what percentage of credits transfer from community colleges to the CSUs and if TAP students graduate within two years and received no information. I have not seen this data as a Framework Implementation Review Committee (FIRC) representative that helped develop TAP pathways. I have not seen this data as the MCC Sociology contact for the TAP Sociology pathway.
I cannot answer, for NECHE, the most basic question—a question that EVERY student who might enroll in the community college system deserves to know and every taxpayer would likely demand to know: For TAP students who transfer to a CSU, will their credits transfer so they can graduate in two years? If TAP students are able to attend a community college for 2 years and transfer to a CSU with all their credits accepted (which was the goal of TAP) that should be shouted from the rooftops as a way to increase enrollment as a low-cost alternative to a 4-year education. NECHE will want to know this information. Students will want to know. The taxpayers should want to know. This is, as they say, low hanging fruit. Instead, the system office asks for more and more money to create a top-heavy bureaucracy that neither increases enrollment nor best serves the students of Connecticut.
___________
1The Condition of Education - Postsecondary Education - Postsecondary Students - Undergraduate Enrollment - Indicator May (2020)
2NECHE is the body that accredits regional colleges, including the CSCUs.
On HB 6402 An Act Concerning Higher Education
Submitted by Meghan Finley, PhD, Associate Professor of Sociology, Manchester Community College
March 4, 2021
My name is Dr. Meghan Finley, I am an associate professor of sociology at Manchester Community College. I urge you to pass HB 6402 with the substitute language provided in my written testimony.
The CSCU system office has asked, and continues to ask, for blind allocation of funds to grow the central office coupled with blind acceptance of consolidation as a solution to reducing system costs and putting “students first” while ignoring the proverbial elephant in the room: Enrollment. Increased enrollment will do far more to make the CSCU system self-sustaining than consolidation of services.
We have an enrollment problem at the CSCU system. The national and state birth rate is declining; Connecticut has seen a population decline over the past five years; and fewer students are enrolling in colleges amidst the many hardships created by COVID-19. The number of students in our system is shrinking and was shrinking prior to COVID-191. Enrollment is critical to sustaining and growing the CSCU system. Where is the specific plan to increase enrollment? Who is the expert with a proven track record (be it in a community college system or a state university) of increasing enrollment and how are they addressing it? Where is the evidence that enrollment efforts, if any, are working? What is the plan for enrollment management during and after the transition to consolidation?
A decade or so ago, the CSCU system implemented, at great cost, the Transfer Articulation Program (TAP) to create a pathway for students to seamlessly transfer to a 4-year institution. TAP was designed to ensure that all credits would transfer from a CT state community college to a 4-year university (CSU). The BOR insisted that this would have a net positive effect on the student population (just as they now insist consolidation will) and would lead to increased enrollment. For almost a decade, hundreds of faculty members invested their time and energy to build TAP programs and taxpayers have funded numerous administrative positions to run TAP.
My non-teaching work currently has me co-writing a required report to our regional accreditor, NECHE2 (New England Commission of Higher Education). I requested data including what percentage of credits transfer from community colleges to the CSUs and if TAP students graduate within two years and received no information. I have not seen this data as a Framework Implementation Review Committee (FIRC) representative that helped develop TAP pathways. I have not seen this data as the MCC Sociology contact for the TAP Sociology pathway.
I cannot answer, for NECHE, the most basic question—a question that EVERY student who might enroll in the community college system deserves to know and every taxpayer would likely demand to know: For TAP students who transfer to a CSU, will their credits transfer so they can graduate in two years? If TAP students are able to attend a community college for 2 years and transfer to a CSU with all their credits accepted (which was the goal of TAP) that should be shouted from the rooftops as a way to increase enrollment as a low-cost alternative to a 4-year education. NECHE will want to know this information. Students will want to know. The taxpayers should want to know. This is, as they say, low hanging fruit. Instead, the system office asks for more and more money to create a top-heavy bureaucracy that neither increases enrollment nor best serves the students of Connecticut.
___________
1The Condition of Education - Postsecondary Education - Postsecondary Students - Undergraduate Enrollment - Indicator May (2020)
2NECHE is the body that accredits regional colleges, including the CSCUs.
What Are We Reading?
The Sum Of Us:What Racism Costs Everyone And How We Can Prosper Together
by Heather McGhee
related article of interest:
https://www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-protests-for-racial-justice/2020/09/23/916022472/cost-of-racism-u-s-economy-lost-16-trillion-because-of-discrimination-bank-says
by Heather McGhee
related article of interest:
https://www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-protests-for-racial-justice/2020/09/23/916022472/cost-of-racism-u-s-economy-lost-16-trillion-because-of-discrimination-bank-says
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents
by Isabel Wilkerson
"Efforts to Ensure Housing as a Right in Connecticut Intensify, Would Be first in Nation"
https://ctbythenumbers.news/ctnews/
https://ctbythenumbers.news/ctnews/
Join our book club and discussions! Click here
Take A Knee
BLACK LIVES MATTER RALLY
Human Rights Attorney and Democratic Candidate for the 23rd House District, Dave Rubino, speaks to the student organized BLM rally in Lyme, CT. Other speakers included Senator Richard Blumenthal and State Senator Norm Needleman.
Old Lyme Peaceful Rally and March For Racial Justice
lymeline.com/2020/06/hundreds-turn-out-to-join-peaceful-march-rally-for-racial-justice-in-old-lyme-2/
lymeline.com/2020/06/hundreds-turn-out-to-join-peaceful-march-rally-for-racial-justice-in-old-lyme-2/
We Remembered Those Who Died For U.S.
Although we could not honor those who gave their lives for our freedom in person, we gathered virtually to remember those who gave everything for us.
Human Rights Attorney, Dave Rubino, offered words on hard earned freedom.
We listened to the Town of Old Lyme Poet Laureate, Roger Singer, read the following elegant poem, and appreciated the Lyme-Old Lyme High School Band performance of taps. Finally, there was a poignant moment
of silence at 3 PM to observe the National Moment of Remembrance.
Thanks to all who joined us for this moving event.
The following special poem is written by Old Lyme Poet Laureate, Dr. Roger Singer.
It is shared here with his permission.
GOODBYE, TOO SOON
roses cut short
like youth,
passed on before achieved
the worst of pain
the image of love lost
like satin folded, soft
the angels know, circling among us,
grieving to the song unfinished
with tears unable to revive
life
Although we could not honor those who gave their lives for our freedom in person, we gathered virtually to remember those who gave everything for us.
Human Rights Attorney, Dave Rubino, offered words on hard earned freedom.
We listened to the Town of Old Lyme Poet Laureate, Roger Singer, read the following elegant poem, and appreciated the Lyme-Old Lyme High School Band performance of taps. Finally, there was a poignant moment
of silence at 3 PM to observe the National Moment of Remembrance.
Thanks to all who joined us for this moving event.
The following special poem is written by Old Lyme Poet Laureate, Dr. Roger Singer.
It is shared here with his permission.
GOODBYE, TOO SOON
roses cut short
like youth,
passed on before achieved
the worst of pain
the image of love lost
like satin folded, soft
the angels know, circling among us,
grieving to the song unfinished
with tears unable to revive
life
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Next Old Lyme DTC Meeting
Wednesday May 12, 7:30PM The Old Lyme DTC meets regularly on the second Wednesday of the month. We are meeting on Zoom during the pandemic. To Join us on Zoom, register at: oldlymedtc@gmail.com Your interest and participation are always welcome! |
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Did You Know?
The Old Lyme Economic Development Commission has produced a comprehensive study. Click, Read and Share! This study provided valuable data and expert analysis of current economic conditions and recommendations for the future economic development of Old Lyme. Review the results of all three reports on the EDC's webpage. Please feel free to contact the EDC at edc@oldlyme-ct.gov. Thanks again for your participation and interest in the future of the Old Lyme, a town we all treasure. Justin Fuller & Howard Margules, EDC Co-Chairs HALLS ROAD UPDATE
The Halls Road Committee has the data from last year's well attended workshops on what we in Old Lyme want our center of town to become.
www.oldlymect.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3616/f/uploads/display_boards_06152019_with_feedback_both_oh.pdf Get involved and join the conversation!
Protecting Our Town
www.theday.com/local-news/20180902/survey-of-historic-properties-to-be-conducted-in-old-lyme Old Lyme's Fiscal Health is Rated Among the Most Healthy in CT!
Check out the study results by the Yankee Institute For Public Policy www.theday.com/local-news/20180827/fiscal-analysis-ranks-old-lyme-among-states-healthiest-municipalities Have You Seen Hartford Avenue Lately? Sound View Gateway sidewalk project video update www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh6BE0UqFrM
Check it out! www.theday.com/local-news/20200805/residents-raise-concerns-as-old-lyme-sidewalk-project-moves-forward
www.theday.com/article/20180504/BIZ02/180509632/ Have You Seen The New Cross Lane Playground?
Check it out! http://lymeline.com/2018/04/community-comes-out-to-celebrate-cross-lane-playground-opening/ 
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