The Ridgefield League of Women Voters’ candidate forum on September 27, highlighted immense quality differences between the Democrats and Republicans vying to represent Ridgefield in the Connecticut State Legislature. On the Democratic side, State Representative Aimee Berger-Girvalo (111th House District), State Senator Julie Kushner (24th Senate District), Ceci Maher (26th Senate District), and Keith Denning (42nd House District) […]

With the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act by Congress this week, we will see the largest investment ever in climate change by the federal government. This is particularly exciting for us in Connecticut where innovation has been a hallmark for generations. Eli Whitney’s cotton gin may be the best known invention in our history,

Early this past February, I recalled what it was like on my first day in Hartford four years ago. I remember sitting at my desk in the Legislative Office Building for the first time and thinking that the task before me was overwhelming. I was elected to serve the people of Connecticut’s 24th State Senate

Have you ever worked to prepare yourself for the inevitable, but when it ultimately came you felt completely blind-sided? In a 6-3 decision today, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, and eliminated the constitutional right to an abortion after nearly 50 years. This devastating opinion also casts doubt on the future protections of

This essay was published the day before the Supreme Court issued its final ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Abortion is legal – for now — in the United States, thanks to Roe v. Wade. The 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision was based on the privacy rights established in the 14th Amendment of

As chair of Ridgefield’s Affordable Housing Committee, I’ve been puzzled by the politicization of Ridgefield’s affordable housing plan—and by the misinformation that has been spread to undermine it (nobody is going to build 1,000 units or take away the dog park!). If we step back and take stock of what’s actually in the plan, we’ll

There’s a story behind every single name on Ridgefield’s war monuments and honor rolls. For some of them, there’s a relative or friend—perhaps even you—who still lives here in town and can tell the story behind the name. Others who live here now do not have a Ridgefield hero to cite. But they can recall

Sunday, April 24, 2022: Ridgefield’s State Representative Aimee Berger-Girvalo was joined by First Selectman Rudy Marconi, Planning & Zoning Chair Robert Hendrick, 24th district Senator Julie Kushner, 26th district State Senator Will Haskell, Democratic 26th district State Senate nominee Ceci Maher, Democratic 42nd district State Assembly nominee Keith Denning, and a large team of local

The Board of Finance has approved the 2022-23 operating budgets for the town and the school district,  as well as the 2022-23 annual capital budget, a move that sends all three to the annual Town Meeting (on Monday May 2) and the annual budget referendum (on Tuesday May 10). Building the Budgets The development and approval

[Photo image credit: Angela Liptack] “My child is having a hard time and you’re the sixth person to tell me you’re not accepting new clients.” Mental health workers rejoiced three years ago when Governor Ned Lamont signed legislation that made the emotional wellbeing of Connecticut residents equal to the medical needs of their bodies. The

Firearm deaths in the United State occur at 10 times higher rate than in countries with similar socioeconomic profiles, according to data compiled in 2019 by the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. Fortunately, firearms deaths in Connecticut are fewer than in most other states, because of our favorable gun safety laws. Even so, in

(March 10, 2022, Ridgefield, CT): Ridgefield Democrats unanimously elected a new leader and Chair, Carina Drake, at their meeting of March 10, 2022. Carina served as an elected member of Ridgefield’s Board of Education from 2017-2020, and was noted for her passionate advocacy for parents, teachers, and children as well as her ability to work

In the coming weeks, town voters have the opportunity to participate in an important part of local governance, the annual budget process.  This is a months-long process that starts with the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Education each developing their respective budget proposals, which then come to the Board of Finance for review in

Every single American should be alarmed, outraged and spurred to action to discredit, and to defeat at the polls, the Republicans who, actively or by their conspicuous silence, continue their assault on democracy. The Republican National Committee’s (RNC’s) amoral February 7, 2022, resolution censuring Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger—the only Republicans with the courage and

Hello Ridgefield. My name is Julie Kushner.  I’m running for re-election to a third term representing the 24th Connecticut Senate District. Newly drawn district lines will include Danbury, part of Ridgefield and part of New Fairfield for the upcoming election.  I am very pleased that I will be on the ballot in November 2022 for Ridgefield, so

Ridgefield’s State Representative, Aimee Berger-Girvalo, Announces Her Re-Election Campaign and Qualifies for Citizens Election Program in Under 15 Hours After Announcement On Monday, January 31, 2022, at 6:30 am, State Representative Aimee Berger-Girvalo announced her plans to run for re-election to the Connecticut House of Representatives, serving Ridgefield’s 111th district.  Support for her re-election amongst Ridgefield voters

The year 2022 opens with mixed news and unwise acceptance of a “new normal.” Though the COVID-19 pandemic lingers, fast deployment of effective vaccines has saved lives and helped stabilize our healthcare system, economy, and daily routines. Our mild mid-winter weather is “weird,” but not obviously catastrophic. In Hartford—and thankfully, for the past year, in

Please click the Ridgefield Food Pantry / Emergency Fund contribution link on this page in order to visit the SEPARATE Town of Ridgefield Food Pantry / Emergency Fund website to make your contribution to aid our neighbors in need. Ridgefield Funds for Food Drive 2021 is an effort by Ridgefield Democrats to promote contributions directly

Photo: 2022 Ms President US Valentina McManus reads as (left to right) Selectman Sean Connelly, American Legion Post 78 Commander George Besse, Selectwoman Maureen Kozlark, Ridgefield State Representative Aimee Berger-Girvalo, First Selectman Rudy Marconi, and RHS Choir member Graham Kitchin, look on at the Ridgefield Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11, 2022. Like Memorial Day,