Bailey Wright, Record-Journal
Local companies team up, loan generators during outage SOUTHINGTON — Southington PowerSports helped over 30 families since last week by loaning generators to those with medical conditions or who were without power following the storm. Jaime Sewell, owner of the company, said they worked for four days straight setting up the generators at families homes. The generators were being used to power medical equipment, air conditioners and refrigerators during the power outage. Sewell said he didn’t initially plan on leaving Southington, but they re-
ceived a great number of calls asking for help. They set up units in towns including Southington, Cheshire, Bristol, and Manchester. There was no charge to the families, Sewell noted. “We were just trying to give back to the community,” Sewell said Monday. “We’ve been very blessed here … We enjoy helping people out.” Sewell said they started by helping one family that lives on Flanders Road, where his business is located, and it “snowballed” from there. Sewell said he received help from Washington Concrete
Products in Plainville, who donated the use of three generators as well. Matt Strasser lives near Southington PowerSports and has used them to service his equipment, such as his lawnmower. He said Sewell reached out to him, knowing that he was likely out of power if the business was out. Strasser said his fiance has been out of work due to coronavirus, so living on one income they were grateful not to have to replace all of the food in their refrigerator. See Generators, A15
Child care industry may be headed for financial collapse By Matthew Zabierek Record-Journal staff
With roughly half of child care providers still closed due to the coronavirus pandemic and advocates warning the industry is headed for financial collapse, members of the state’s Congressional delegation are backing a $50 billion bailout that would help providers stay afloat. The U.S. House voted last week to pass the Child Care is Essential Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., which would create a $50 billion “Child Care Stabilization Fund” through which providers could receive grants to cover operating costs, pay staff, and comply with virus mitigation guidelines. The legislation would also provide some tuition and copayment relief for working families. Republican lawmakers unveiled a stimulus package last month that would provide a total of $15 billion to the industry.
“This is a crisis,” DeLauro said during her testimony on the House floor. “More than half of child care programs could close if we do not act quickly. And if we cannot make families feel that their kids are going to be safe and secure in their child care setting, we are not going to get our economy on track.” DeLauro’s district includes Wallingford and North Haven. The bill, which now heads to the Republican-controlled Senate, passed 249163, with 18 Republicans and all Democrats voting in favor. Republicans proposed a stimulus package last month that would provide $15 billion to the child care industry. The political news website The Hill reported last week that while Republicans said they agreed access to child care is important, they criticized the bill as partisan. See Child care, A10 R232002
Jaime Sewell, owner of Southington PowerSports, holds up a sign on Aug. 10 that a resident in need had hung outside their home. The resident gave him the sign to remember how he helped them, by loaning a generator while power was out.
By Lauren Sellew Record-Journal staff
Thursday, August 13, 2020
www.plainvillecitizen.com
Volume 19, Number 27