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Community Corner

Update on Sunrise State Park, Friends Group and Clean-Up Day

Good Afternoon,

I wanted to take a moment and update you on the public hearing that was held last week regarding Sunrise State Park. First, thank you to those who were able to join us and to those who have sent me additional comments or concerns. I have compiled those and have sent them on to the appropriate staff at DEEP.

The overwhelming majority of those who attended the hearing were of the opinion to keep Sunrise State Park in its natural state. There was a desire for some modest improvements like bathrooms and opening the roadway for kayak launching, to name just a few. Deputy Commissioner Whalen has forwarded all of the comments they collected and my office continues to communicate with her on a regular basis. One thing that was heard loud and clear is that mowing the front field is a priority and I will continue to monitor their progress to make sure this happens right away.

In addition, we discussed the need to form a Friends group, which would continue advocating for Sunrise State Park. I have spoken to the President of the Friends of Connecticut State Parks and she is more than willing to assist in those endeavors, as am I. There is some great information on their website which may interest those who would like to start this group of dedicated volunteers: http://www.friendsctstateparks.org/FCSP/New_Friends_Handbook.html I look forward to assisting in any way that I can.

Lastly, we have confirmed the date for the Community Clean-Up at Sunrise. It will be on October 27, 2013 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Please meet near the remaining buildings by the entrance and come dressed to pick up litter or remove debris. Please make sure you bring gloves and water. Delicious chili, soup, and sandwiches will be provided to all volunteers courtesy of the Moodus Sportsman Club following the clean-up. A big thanks to Jim Ventres for volunteering to provide refreshments to our volunteers. In order to plan accordingly, please RSVP to melissa.ziobron@housegop.ct.gov and please feel free to share this email to help us spread the word! Check back on my blog www.melissaziobron.blogspot.com in case of inclement weather.

Sunrise State Park will continue to be a special place for me and for countless folks who spent their youth employed there or who were a guest. While I have spent countless hours focused on Sunrise State Park, there are other state parks in our district which deserve my time and attention. I took the opportunity to talk about the lack of adequate funding in our state park system when I testified last week. You can watch that here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah2iNhsrBEQ&feature=c4-overview&list=UUx4UpJT5ZlMYgwaHjlhieAA If you see an issue in a state park within the district, please feel free to contact me.

I am honored to be your State Representative and voice in Hartford.

State Rep. Melissa Ziobron

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