August 14, 2009

Tech school to stay open under Rell's new budget

Press release from state Rep. Bill Hamzy, a Plymouth Republican whose 78th District includes northwestern Bristol:

Rep. Hamzy, CT BOE's Bobroske: Bristol Technical Education Center to Remain Open Under Gov's New Budget Plan

Funding for the Bristol Technical Education Center has been restored under Governor M. Jodi Rell’s most recent budget plan, making it unlikely that the facility will be closed as part of the effort to eliminate the state’s projected $8.5 billion deficit, said state Representative William A. Hamzy and state Board of Education member Beverly R. Bobroske.

Representative Hamzy and Mrs. Bobroske worked with Bristol Mayor Art Ward, Central Connecticut Chamber of Commerce officials, former and current Bristol Tech students, Mike Suchopar of the Bristol Boys and Girls Club, local business people and other area legislators to keep the school open.

“When the Bristol Technical Education Center was threatened with closure as part of the state’s effort to eliminate its budget deficit, I worked with other area legislators, state education officials, and state Board of Education member Beverly Bobroske of Bristol in a bipartisan effort to save the school,” said Representative Hamzy, R-78thDistrict. “I’d like to thank my Democratic colleagues in the state House of Representatives and the state Senate who represent towns that send students to Bristol Tech for the role they played in our successful effort to keep the school open. When we work together in a bipartisan effort on behalf of our towns, good things happen. Saving Bristol Tech was a very good thing.”

“Over the years, the Bristol Technical Education Center has provided a steady stream of well-trained graduates for jobs with area employers. Bristol Tech partners with businesses and industries throughout the Greater Bristol-Plymouth region to make sure its academic programs keep pace with local employers’ current, emerging, and changing global workforce needs and expectations. The Bristol Technical Education Center is located in my district and I have always worked with school and state education officials to ensure its students train on the most up-to-date equipment possible. Bristol Tech makes an important contribution to the regional economy. We could not afford to let it be closed down,” Representative Hamzy said.

“As a member of the state Board of Education, I am totally committed to ensuring Connecticut students not only graduate from our public schools with the skills they need to be accepted at the most academically rigorous colleges and universities or well-prepared to enter the workforce, but also that they have access to a variety of educational options – including technical high schools like the Bristol Technical Education Center, which I strongly support,” Mrs. Bobroske said.

“Bristol Tech plays a major role in educating a substantial number of students in Bristol, Plymouth and 20 other surrounding communities who want to go on to careers in business, manufacturing, or other skilled trades,” Mrs. Bobroske said. “College is not for everyone, and for many years, Bristol Tech has provided an alternative path to success for young people and adults with different career goals. There always has been a steady demand for Bristol Technical Education Center graduates from area businesses, industries and manufacturing firms and that will not change. The school is an integral part of Bristol and Plymouth’s education community and I was pleased to play a role in enabling it to continue serving our young people.”


*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

You know the Republicans will try to take credit for this . They did help but they were also late comers.

Anonymous said...

With say Zoppo or Dense-ski in office (as State Rep., 79th), this school would be gone.

Thank Bill Hamzy for it's continued existence.

Anonymous said...

11::55 You gotta be a real Jerk to think it was Hamzy that saved this school. We all know it was Colapietro. But we take all you Jerks with a grain of salt!

Anonymous said...

Bobroske for Mayor

Anonymous said...

August 15, 2009 7:10 PM

Excuse me, I mean 78th.

And yes thank you Colapietro and your AFL-CIO bosses for driving GM and Accurate Forging out of Bristol. And let's not forget the Torrington Co., Winchester and now Pratt out of Connecticut.

But Tommie's in favor of the tech school. Hey but we need to train kids who'll then find jobs in Texas.

Sorry August 15, 2009 7:10 PM, but unfortunately the "jerk" is YOU.

Tim Gamache said...

Maybe a little credit is due to a gentleman by the name of Art Marino who circulated a petition to keep the school open and gathered over a thousand signatures in just over three weeks.

Anonymous said...

To 5:24

Hey naysayer Jerk ! Are you still here? Complaining and lying as usual. You must like to hear your useless self moan......Jerk !

Anonymous said...

August 17, 2009 5:43 AM:

If you are one of "them people", you've screwed only yourselves by listening to Colapietro.

Anonymous said...

8:22 Still naysaying ????? Ho Hum !!!!

Anonymous said...

Allow Mr. Hamzy to take credit for everything.(As long as it's good)