January - December 2011

    
 

Mothers Against Drunk Driving Supports Drayton-Rogers

Recently Oxford’s First Selectman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers made a life-saving decision by asking town police to drive home an intoxicated patron of a local Oxford establishment. First Selectman Drayton-Rogers made a bold effort to stop one of the nation’s deadliest crimes: drunk driving.

Despite a more than 40 percent decline in alcohol-related traffic fatalities since MADD was founded in 1980, the threat still remains. Every year, nearly 12,000 people are killed by drunk drivers with an illegal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or above and countless others are injured. This represents more than 1,000 families every month that must live with the tragic consequences of drunk driving.

Currently in Connecticut, 44 percent of all motor vehicle crashes are alcohol related. In 2009, 99 individuals were killed in alcohol-related fatalities. Behind every statistic there is a son or daughter, a parent or grandparent or a friend who will be sadly missed. MADD Connecticut is committed to clearly and powerfully advocating for victims of alcohol-related crashes.

We are reminded all too often of the prevalence of drunk driving. Unfortunately, the public often gives first-time offenders a pass, yet research has shown that first-time offenders have driven drunk an average of 87 times before their first arrest. We can prevent this behavior and prevent these tragedies from happening. Currently, MADD on a local and national level is involved in the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving by calling for high-visibility law enforcement, mandatory alcohol ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers and an increase in public awareness and education. Research clearly supports court initiatives treating a first DUI offender not as a person who made a simple mistake, but as someone who in all likelihood has driven impaired before, and, without serious intervention will likely drive impaired again, endangering themselves and innocent motorists.

It is with these startling statistics in mind that Mothers Against Drunk Driving is grateful for the actions of First Selectman Drayton-Rogers, who stopped yet one more drunk driver from getting on the road. The elimination of drunk driving will only be achieved with the full support of the American public.


 Janice Heggie Margolis
Executive Director, MADD Connecticut.

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Empowering Girls to Change the World

Members of Oxford Brownie Troop 60273, led by Jessica Margiotta and Maureen Vizvary, recently earned their World Thinking Day patch by participating in activities based on this year’s theme: empowering girls to change the world. World Thinking Day is a special day for Girl Scouts from around the world to think about scouting in a global context and to focus on issues that affect girls and women.

Oxford Brownie Troop 60273 members pictured with First Selectman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers and Administrative Assistant Joe Calabrese. In the back row from left are Alexis Sanders, Madeline Haefele, Meghan Kostka, Olivia Federici, Tess Williams, Roula Tzepos, Isabella Aversano and Rachel Eighmy. In the front row from left are Stephanie O’Connell, Victoria Alves, Oksana Vizvary, Colleen Muller and Kassidy Schiavi. Missing from the photo are Audrey Ray and Nicole Petronis.
To earn their patch, the girls had to research countries around the world and learn how different life is for women from other cultures. Facts the troop found surprising were that in many countries women are not allowed to go to school, to have jobs or to participate in government. At a March 2 meeting, special guest speaker First Selectman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers talked to the girls about how they can begin to change the world by helping others. Drayton-Rogers also emphasized that having confidence in one’s self and in one’s convictions can help young women become leaders.

The girls learned how fortunate they are to live in a country where they have the freedom and encouragement to live their dreams. If you would like to learn more about Girl Scouts, visit www.girlscouts.org.



 Article prepared by the Oxford Brownies for Patch.com.

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Celebrating Oxford Brings People Together !

ODTC vice chair Tomas Reyes, selectman Dave McKane, first selectman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers , former judge of probate John Fertig

On Friday January 21, 2011, Oxford Democrats sponsored an all-inclusive event that attracted Democrats, Republicans and Independents voters as well as businesses and bi-partisan government officials. John Fertig, former Judge of probate was honored by all as well. Republican Joseph Andreana was a “master” as Master of Ceremonies for bringing people together to enjoy one another. All listened to progress made in the Town of Oxford and future challenges we face as one people.

It was a full house at the Colonial Tavern that evening. Presenters included First Selectman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers, Selectman David McKane, Representative Rob Kane, Oxford’s Economic Development Director Herman Schuler, ODTC Vice Chairman Tomas Reyes, and former candidate Gerry Garcia. U.S Senator Richard Blumenthal and Kenn Maher

Dignitaries in attendance were United States Senator Richard Blumenthal -D, Representative Rob Kane -R, Democratic State Chairman Nancy DiNardo, and State-Central Representatives Drew Morten, Sharon Sherman. United States Congressman Jim Himes  D.4  sent a congratulatory letter to the Town of Oxford, thanking our people for the progress made during the last three years.  State Comptroller Keven Lembo sent a congratulatory note to John Fertig as well. Their letters were read aloud to the crowd, adding to the pride we already have as Oxford residents or from surrounding towns. Please see Congressman Himes’ and State Comptroller Keven Lembo's letters below.

 

JohU.S Senator Richard Blumenthal and Paula Guilletn Fertig was honored for his 31 years of service as probate judge and was presented with a gift by the Oxford Democratic Party. John spoke his gratitude to the party and the crowd.

Special thanks to all those committee members who assisted the lead event manager Maura Satkowski for bringing all of us together to Celebrate Oxford!

 

 

The Oxford Democratic Party believes that the greatest values are found not so much in where we are today but in what direction we are moving. We are moving forward so please join us on our collective journey. Together we can make a positive difference for our town, our state and federal governments and most importantly, for humankind… Together, we succeed!

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To see a photo impression of this event,

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Connecticut Remains True Blue !

November 2010

    
       
     
 

Dan Malloy
Governor

 

 Nancy Wyman
Lieutenant Governor		 Denise Merrill
Secretary of the State		 Kevin Lembo
State Comptroller		    
     
  George Jepsen
State Attorney General		   Dick Blumenthal
U.S. Senator		   Jim Himes
U.S. Representative District 4

Denise Nappier
State Treasurer

 
 
   
   
  The 4th Annual Made in Connecticut Fair.. a growing success!

October 2010

  
 

The 4th Annual Made in Connecticut Fair was a terrific success for all participating vendors and attendees!
There were very few attendees who left the Fair empty-handed, and that was not a surprise since our vendors had so many beautiful and tasteful products to offer.

Thanks to all of our vendors for putting on a great Fair. Thanks to all our attendees who enjoyed it. Thanks to the Colonial Tavern for hosting the event. Thanks to the music provided by the George Lesiw Band and sax player Ken Carter. And thanks to the Oxford Democratic Town Committee team for working hard and long to make this event a successful one! Go...team!

To see a photo impression of the Fair,