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05/25/2014 12:00 AM
State Rep. Pat Widlitz (D-Guilford, Branford), a member of the State Bond Commission, announced today that the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Guilford is in line to receive a $1,347,479 state grant for extensive repairs to its 1925 building.
Widlitz, who secured Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s support for the project, said the grant is among a number of allocations that she and the other commission members are expected to approve when they meet next Friday at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.
“Governor Malloy understands the challenges that face our veterans today. I am so appreciative that he is coming to the assistance of the Guilford VFW in serving these veterans,” Widlitz said. “It makes me feel good about the state of Connecticut and its willingness to help out people who have given service to our country.”
Widlitz said members of the committee for rebuilding Edward A. Norton VFW Post 7666 asked for her help last year in securing a state grant for the project. Widlitz submitted a request to the Malloy Administration and when she found out recently that the governor had the grant placed on the commission agenda for next week she was ecstatic.
“There are many veterans returning home now and this VFW is so supportive of not only Guilford veterans but those in surrounding communities who need help,” Widlitz said.
“The Guildford VFW provides programs, assistance and a place of fellowship for the men and women in uniform who defended our country, our values and our freedoms abroad,” Malloy said. “Approving this funding for much needed renovations will allow the local VFW to continue to serve those who have served.”
Sen. Ed Meyer (D-Guilford) and Rep. Vincent Candelora (R-North Branford) joined Widlitz in hailing the state grant.
“Representative Widlitz has worked very hard to facilitate this funding for our veterans and I am thrilled to join her in congratulating the Guilford VFW on their grant award,” Candelora said.
“As the Town of Guilford celebrates its 375th Anniversary, I am proud to announce that we have secured the state support needed to build a new VFW hall in Guilford and to construct a monument commemorating the signing of the Guilford Covenant,” Meyer said.
The Town of Guilford is also in line to receive $85,000 from the bond commission to assist in the construction of a monument commemorating the signing of the Guilford Covenant and a tourist information kiosk for the Guilford Preservation Society heritage tourism program.
Widlitz said the committee for rebuilding the VFW hall has been working since 2008 to raise money for the project with the goal that it would be at no cost to the veterans that it serves. The fundraising, however, has been very difficult, and the committee finally decided last year to approach Widlitz, the House chair of the legislature’s Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.
“We owe Post Commander Larry Santamaria and local builder Stephen Spurrell a great deal of gratitude for bringing this project forward. Helping our veterans will mean a great deal to the community of Guilford,” Widlitz said.