Mayor addresses Cold Weather Alert from Governor
Bristol, CT, January 14, 2009— In a prepared release, Mayor Arthur J. Ward stated, “The Governor has issued and extreme weather alert for the next three days. Connecticut is expected to have temperatures way below zero with a wind chill factor that will hold it in the single and possibly negative digits.” The Mayor has contacted the Chief of Police, John DiVenere, the Executive Director of Bristol Community Organization, Thomas Morrow, Katherine Plourde of Bristol Community Services and Phillip Lysiak of the Saint Vincent DePaul Shelter. These are the key sources for keeping the Mayor’s Office apprised of the homeless situation and heating requests for the disadvantaged and elderly.
Chief DiVenere told the Mayor’s Office, “The police have regular interaction with many of the homeless in Bristol. As we locate them we will be directing them to the local shelters. We also respond to complaints from residents who have no heat or oil and direct them to the proper agency.”
Tom Morrow, Executive Director of the Bristol Community Organization stated, “Due to the extreme cold weather BCO will be giving priority assistance to any household in our catchment area (Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth and Farmington) that is in danger of running out of fuel oil. Any household in this situation should call BCO at 584-2725 or come into our offices at 55 South Street, Bristol, Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. We will be closed Monday, January 19, for the Martin Luther King holiday.”
Phil Lysiak, Executive Director of Saint Vincent DePaul Shelter in Bristol told the Mayor’s Office that they are holding steady and are ready to address any emergency situations. Katherine Plourde of Bristol Community Services and co-Chair with Tom Morrow of the Mayor’s Winter ’09 Meeting stated, “The Winter 09 Committee has been planning for the very cold weather since July. This is specifically what we have been tasked to address. We are confident that there are agencies and systems in place to meet the needs of Bristol residents who find themselves with no heat. We also have referrals for people who need meals and warm clothing.”
The Governor stressed in her message to the cities that agencies and citizens use "211" as a resource for information on the shelters and also for individuals and families looking for heating oil or energy assistance.
Mayor Ward said, “This is extremely harsh weather and hard on many more families and individuals than in past years, due to the dismal economic climate. The City of Bristol has caring, competent agencies to help those in need. Please stay in contact with family members, relatives and friends, especially the elderly and families with small children who may be in a perilous situation.”
In addition, the Mayor stated, “We ask that all citizens take care of their pets in this frigid weather and keep them safe from the plummeting temperatures.”
Bristol, CT, January 14, 2009— In a prepared release, Mayor Arthur J. Ward stated, “The Governor has issued and extreme weather alert for the next three days. Connecticut is expected to have temperatures way below zero with a wind chill factor that will hold it in the single and possibly negative digits.” The Mayor has contacted the Chief of Police, John DiVenere, the Executive Director of Bristol Community Organization, Thomas Morrow, Katherine Plourde of Bristol Community Services and Phillip Lysiak of the Saint Vincent DePaul Shelter. These are the key sources for keeping the Mayor’s Office apprised of the homeless situation and heating requests for the disadvantaged and elderly.
Chief DiVenere told the Mayor’s Office, “The police have regular interaction with many of the homeless in Bristol. As we locate them we will be directing them to the local shelters. We also respond to complaints from residents who have no heat or oil and direct them to the proper agency.”
Tom Morrow, Executive Director of the Bristol Community Organization stated, “Due to the extreme cold weather BCO will be giving priority assistance to any household in our catchment area (Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth and Farmington) that is in danger of running out of fuel oil. Any household in this situation should call BCO at 584-2725 or come into our offices at 55 South Street, Bristol, Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. We will be closed Monday, January 19, for the Martin Luther King holiday.”
Phil Lysiak, Executive Director of Saint Vincent DePaul Shelter in Bristol told the Mayor’s Office that they are holding steady and are ready to address any emergency situations. Katherine Plourde of Bristol Community Services and co-Chair with Tom Morrow of the Mayor’s Winter ’09 Meeting stated, “The Winter 09 Committee has been planning for the very cold weather since July. This is specifically what we have been tasked to address. We are confident that there are agencies and systems in place to meet the needs of Bristol residents who find themselves with no heat. We also have referrals for people who need meals and warm clothing.”
The Governor stressed in her message to the cities that agencies and citizens use "211" as a resource for information on the shelters and also for individuals and families looking for heating oil or energy assistance.
Mayor Ward said, “This is extremely harsh weather and hard on many more families and individuals than in past years, due to the dismal economic climate. The City of Bristol has caring, competent agencies to help those in need. Please stay in contact with family members, relatives and friends, especially the elderly and families with small children who may be in a perilous situation.”
In addition, the Mayor stated, “We ask that all citizens take care of their pets in this frigid weather and keep them safe from the plummeting temperatures.”
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Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
