Governor Selects Paul Robertson as Chair for the Social Equity Council
Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is selecting Paul O. Robertson, deputy commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), to serve as chair of the state’s Social Equity Council when the leadership position becomes vacant at the beginning of next year.
Deputy Commissioner Robertson will succeed Andréa Comer, deputy commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), as council chair. Deputy Commissioner Comer plans to depart her job at DCP and her membership on the council to become chief of staff for Treasurer-elect Erick Russell when he takes the oath of office on January 4, 2023. State statutes require the governor to select one of the council’s members to serve as its chair.
Since joining DECD, Deputy Commissioner Robertson has worked closely with Deputy Commissioner Comer and the members of the council to lay the groundwork for an equitable cannabis entrepreneurship ecosystem. Deputy Commissioner Robertson will serve on the council as the designee of the DECD commissioner.
“Connecticut’s adult-use cannabis program is at a pivotal time right now, and I appreciate the steps the Social Equity Council has taken to date to ensure that it is rolled out in an equitable manner as we envisioned when we enacted this law,” Governor Lamont said. “Paul will bring relevant experience and strong existing relationships with council members to his role as chair, and I thank him for agreeing to take on this leadership position.”
“I am grateful to Governor Lamont for entrusting me with this important role and I look forward to serving the state in this new capacity,” Deputy Commissioner Robertson said. “Deputy Commissioner Comer has done a tremendous job leading the Social Equity Council to this point, and I plan to continue to work alongside its members and our partner agencies to ensure the adult-use cannabis market grows equitably.”
The Social Equity Council was created in 2021 by the enactment of a state law legalizing and safely regulating the adult-use of cannabis in Connecticut. It was developed to ensure the adult-use cannabis program is grown equitably and to bring funds from the program back to the communities hit hardest by the “war on drugs.”
Morning Weather Report
Today
Sunny. Highs in the mid 30s. West winds 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 20 mph in the morning.
Tonight
Mostly clear in the evening, then becoming partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 20s. West winds around 5 mph.
Tomorrow
Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 40s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 20s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph.
Mort Silverberg, 92, Died; MIT Graduate, Y’s Men Member
Morton Silverberg, age 92, passed away on December 25, 2022 from heart disease. Mort had a lively, perceptive and deeply intelligent mind. After graduating from MIT in 1953, he began an impressive professional career as an engineer working at Remington Rand, RCA, Xerox and Pitney Bowes. He has over 100 patents in his name, ranging from copier technology to the perfect paper clip. When he and his wife Phyllis moved to Westport, Connecticut in 1985, they began the best years of their lives. He sailed and played tennis. He became involved in Y’s Men of Westport / Weston, an organization of retired and semi-retired men. He frequently remarked that he never had so many friends in his life and loved participating in the club’s activities. They both loved Westport and all it had to offer.
He is survived by his two daughters, Judy Ross, Lynn McDonald, and by three grandchildren, Ben Ross, Tyler Ross and Amy McDonald. His wife Phyllis Silverberg passed in November of 2022. Memorial contributions may be made to the Y’s Men of Westport / Wilton. (www.ysmenwestportweston.org)
Governor Urges Towns to Continue to Provide Warming Centers as Needed
Press ReleaseGovernor Ned Lamont is urging towns and cities with residents who are continuing to experience power outages resulting from Friday’s storm to continue their work providing warming centers and shelters as needed.
As of noon on Saturday, the utility companies are reporting that residents in 93 towns and cities in Connecticut are experiencing outages. A total of 39 of them have an estimated time of power restoration of 6:00 p.m. on Saturday; 38 have an estimated time of power restoration of midnight Saturday night; and 16 have an estimated time of power restoration for 8:00 a.m. on Sunday.
“Warming centers and shelters are open throughout the state, and anyone in need of shelter can call 2-1-1 to find the nearest available locations,” Governor Lamont said. “The extreme cold being experienced right now by a vast majority of the nation poses a threat to the health and safety to those without heat, and our municipalities must continue to offer warmth and shelter to those who need it, especially as Christmas Eve approaches. I’ve spoken with the utility companies, and they have promised to get power restored as soon as possible, including with the help of thousands of out-of-state line workers who are spending their holiday to help with restoration. I am truly grateful for our state and municipal employees, partners, and utility providers sacrificing their holiday weekend and time with families to serve the people of Connecticut.”
Governor Lamont has activated the state’s severe cold weather protocol beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, December 23, 2022, and continuing through 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 27, 2022. The purpose of the protocol is to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from the severe cold conditions. While enacted, a system is set up for state agencies and municipalities to coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 and Connecticut’s network of shelters to make sure that anyone in need can receive shelter from the outdoors, including transportation to shelters.
Anyone in need of shelter or a warming center is urged to call 2-1-1 to find the nearest available locations. This list can also be found online by visiting 211ct.org and clicking the link at the top of the page that says, “Cold Weather Information.”