AGENDA REQUEST
GENERAL DISCUSSION ITEM
Subject:
title
Continued discussion regarding the October 9, 2022 “First Responders Clam Chowder - Fish Fry”.
end
Background:
Department Comment/Recommendation:
Meeting Action Detail:
Community Relations Committee Meeting 10/19/2022:
File #: 22238 Version: 1
Type: General Discussion
Title: Continued discussion regarding the October 9, 2022 “First Responders Clam Chowder - Fish Fry”.
Minute Note:
Councilor Saums addressed the First Responders Clam Chowder - Fish Fry that was held on Sunday, October 9, 2022. He stated the event was great noting they had great weather, great attendance and great food. He provided some background explaining the objective of the “National Faith and Blue Weekend”(First Responders Clam Chowder Fish Fry) was to pro-actively engage community members, faith-based organizations, civic organizations, and law enforcement in activities to connect on a personal level and create a safer and stronger community. He stated Chief Rich learned about the national program scheduled for the weekend of October 7 - 10 at the Police Chief’s Association Meeting. He stated in thinking about putting together an event for Ledyard that Chief Rich came up with the idea to incorporate the Police Union Fish Fry with the Ledyard Congregational Church Chowder. He stated Chief Rich asked the Congregational Church to host the event and to make the Chowder in the Chowder House. He stated it was a tremendous amount of work to organize and host the First Responders Clam Chowder - Fish Fry in recognition of the “National Faith and Blue Weekend”.
Councilor Saums went on to state that he was struck by the Welcoming Statement Chief Rich gave before the meal was served. He noted that Chief Rich remarked that “In Ledyard we feed everyone” and he read the Webster Dictionary’s definition for “Community” as follows: “A feeling of fellowship with others as a result of having common attitudes, interests, and goals”. However, he stated Chief Rich noted that although Webster Dictionary’s definition was close to defining Ledyard as a “community” that in his eyes the dictionary’s definition fell a little short. He noted that Chief Rich stated in thinking about Ledyard that he would add “People who come together, support one another in times of crisis, sorrow or loss, that was what he has seen in Ledyard…And that was why it was such an honor for all on the Ledyard Police Department to serve this community”.
Councilor Saums went on to note that Chief Rich also mentioned during his opening remarks that Ledyard was one of the greatest communities he has ever been a part of; and he thanked the following people: Ms. Tammy Brannon and everyone at the Ledyard Congregational Church, the Ledyard Town Council Community Relations Committee Gary Paul, Bill Saums, and John Marshall, Police Sergeant Jason Pudvah and the Ledyard Police Union, the Ledyard Center and Gales Ferry Fire Companies, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Police and Fire Departments, the Ledyard Boy Scout Troop #16; and Parks & Recreation
Director Scott Johnson, Jr. who provided support for the whole event, Senator Cathy Osten for attending the event, Connecticut State Police Troop E Lieutenant Albert Gosselin, the Congregational Church’s Chowder House Crew: Jim Ball, Scott Ingalls, Alex Dozier, Dolly Haze, and Toby Duncan, Chaplin Bob Petrel, Recruit Matthew Burchell, and the One and Only Sergeant Michael McKinney “Big Mac” for preparing the food for everyone. Councilor Saums stated in closing Chief Rich asked that everyone enjoy the food, company, and the beautiful day. He stated Chief Rich then introduced Councilor Gary Paul who played a beautiful rendition of “Amazing Grace”. Councilor Saums stated it was a great event, noting that a lot of people came and stayed noting it was great way to spend a Sunday afternoon in October.
Councilor Paul stated that he agreed with Councilor Saums’ comments regarding Chief Rich’s opening remarks. He stated it was refreshing to see the level of community within their Police Department and Fire Departments, volunteers and elected officials. He stated it was an awesome community event and he was humbled to play his rock version of Amazing Grace, noting that their first responders put their lives on the line every day. He thanked Councilor Saums for all his work, the Congregational Church, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, and everyone who helped out and who attended the event. He stated next year that he hoped that they would have more time to prepare for the First Responders Clam Chowder Fish Fry Community Event and that the Community Relations Committee would be able to be more involved.
Action: Completed
Community Relations Cmt Meeting 9/21/2022
File #: 22238 Version: 1
Type: General Discussion
Title: Review and discuss National Faith and Blue Weekend - Tool Kit
Action: Recommend to Approve
Minute Note:
The Community Relations Committee and Police Chief John Rich reviewed their work to plan and organize the upcoming First Responders Fish Fry Community Event scheduled for Sunday, October 9, 2022 noting the following:
• First Responders Fish Fry will be held October 9, 2022 from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the Holdridge Pavilion, Ledyard Town Green, and the Ledyard Congregational Church
• Chief Rich would send out Invitations to the Community via social media.
• Chief Rich has invited the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Police Department and Fire Departments and the Ledyard/ Gales Ferry Fire Department to participate in the Community Event.
• Ledyard Police Union would provide fish for the Event and would fry in the Holdridge Pavilion.
• Ledyard Police Department would coordinate tickets at no charge for the Community Event via Eventbrite Registration (all were welcome, but attendees must register in advance for tickets for any meal served to them to obtain a headcount for food).
• Would contact Parks & Recreation Director Scott Johnson, Jr. to reserve the Holdridge Pavilion, Town Green, and parking areas.
• Councilor Saums would contact Parks & Recreation to ask about using the mobile restrooms.
• Need to contact Ledge Light Health District to ask about a permits.
• Councilor Saums would invite the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation to dance/ drum in celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day, and have children’s games as well.
• Boy Scout Troop 16 would be asked to manage a campfire next to the Chowder House.
• Town Council Community Relations Committee would provide the Sound System and some music (determine location for setup).
Councilor Saums stated the Congregational Church Board would be discussing and voting on their participation in the First Responders Fish Fry Community Event Proposal on Sunday, September 25. 2022 as follows:
• Ledyard Congregational Church would provide the Clam Chowder and it would be cooked in the Church Chowder House.
• The Congregational Church would coordinate cooks for the chowder, and the Church would prepare the Chowder House on October 1, 2022 for cooking.
• Ledyard Congregational Church would open their Fellowship Hall and Kitchen for use during the Community Event.
• Ledyard Congregational Church would invite area churches.
The Committee noted they looked forward to the upcoming First Responders Fish Fry Community Event as it was a great opportunity to engage residents, faith-based organizations, civic organizations, and law enforcement in activities that would allow them to connect on a personal level and would help to create a safer and stronger community.
Councilor Paul thanked Chief Rich for all the work he was doing to coordinate this town-wide community event and for attending tonight’s meeting.
Chief Rich left the meeting at 6:57 p.m.
**POST MEETING NOTE 9/25/2022
From: William Saums <WSaums@ledyardct.org>
Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2022 12:04 PM
To: John Rich <chief.rich@ledyardct.org>; Gary Paul <gpaul@ledyardct.org>; Crystal Whipple (Cwhipple@mptn-nsn.gov) <Cwhipple@mptn-nsn.gov>; Scott Johnson <Scott@ledyardrec.org>
Cc: Roxanne Maher <council@ledyardct.org>
Subject: RE: Reminder - Church Council Meeting
All:
The congregational church council met and approved the details of the First Responders Fish Fry. This event is only two weeks away and there is still much to do!
Thank you,
-Bill
__________________________________________________________________________
Community Relations Cmt Meeting 8/17/2022
File #: 22238 Version: 1
Type: General Discussion
Title: Review and discuss National Faith and Blue Weekend - Tool Kit
Action: Continued
Minute Note:
Councilor Paul stated in a conversation with Police Chief John Rich they discussed the “National Faith and Blue Weekend” initiative. He stated this was a great program for the Community Relations Committee to participate in; and therefore, he invited Chief Rich to provide some information regarding the program this evening.
Police Chief John Rich provided some background regarding the “National Faith and Blue Weekend” which was scheduled for the weekend of October 7 - 10, 2022. He stated he first learned about the program at the Police Chief’s Association Meeting. He stated the objective was to pro-actively engage community members, faith-based organizations, civic organizations, and law enforcement in activities that would allow them to connect on a personal level, and in doing so, to create a safer and stronger community. He stated Reverend Markel Hutchins, Chief Executive Officer, of Movement Forward, Inc., has put together a Faith Blue Tool Kit to provide activity ideas for the community and step by step guidance to plan and host a National Faith and Blue Weekend, which was attached the Agenda on the Meeting Portal for tonight’s discussion.
Chief Rich noted that during one of the Ledyard Fairs he recalled a conversation with Councilor Saums regarding the history of the Congregational Church’s Clam Chowder Supper; and that he thought it would be good to try to honor that in some way. He also noted last summer (2021) the Police Department hosted a Fish Fry behind that Police Facility, which was a great success. Therefore, he suggested for the Ledyard’s National Faith and Blue Weekend, they plan a Community Clam Chowder-Fish Fry Supper for the designated weekend of October 7 - 10, 2022.
Councilor Saums noted Chief Rich’s comments regarding the history of the Congregational Church’s Clam Chowder Supper, noting that it dated back to the 1800’s. He stated the Bill Family would put up a big tent between what was today the Bill Library and the Congregational Church, noting the Fellowship Hall now stands in that location. He stated the Church would host a Clam Chowder Supper along with other foods that were a typical church meal at that time. He stated it was his understanding that Clam Chowder Supper eventually became the Ledyard Fair.
Chief Rich went on to state that the Police Department was partnering with the Congregational Church to plan a Faith and Blue Event. He stated that he also contacted Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Police Chief Brooks about partnering with Ledyard in the “National Faith and Blue Weekend”. He stated that the Police Department would continue to reach out to involve other faith-based organizations and civic organizations in Ledyard to interest them in participating in the Event.
Councilor Saums stated depending on the weather that the “National Faith and Blue Weekend” could be held at the Congregational Church Fellowship Hall or perhaps at the Holdridge Pavilion.
The Committee and Chief Rich discuss the next steps as follows:
• Selected Sunday October 9, 2022 from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. as the date for the Ledyard National Faith and Blue Weekend Event.
• Continue to reach out to involve other faith-based organizations and civic organizations in Ledyard.
• Solicit sponsorship to financially support the event.
• Solicit entertainment such as Inter-Faith Worship Bands; Tribal Drummers, and others
Chief Rich noted that Sergeant Mike McKinney was excited and looking forward about putting the Fish Fry together for National Faith and Blue Weekend.
Ms. Nicole Cruz-Glacken, 5 Allyn Lane, Ledyard, questioned in the “Chat Box” whether the National Faith and Blue Weekend Event would be political event. The Community Relations Committee and Police Chief Rich stated that it would not be a political event.
Action: Continued