Rep. McGee: I'm All Ears

State Representative Brandon L. McGee Jr. kicked off his first term representing Windsor residents by conveying the importance lending his ear to the collective concerns of constituents in the fifth assembly district, which covers portions of Windsor and Hartford.

"This is not about me," McGee told attendees of the first in a series of neighborhood meetings designed to give residents a direct line to the freshman representative. "It's about how we all come together to have a frank discussion about how to make a better Windsor."

Coordinated in collaboration with the town, Windsor Federal Savings Bank and the Chamber of Commerce, the meeting offered residents an opportunity to fire questions at McGee and learn about town initiatives that could directly impact life in the southern end of town.

Town Manager Peter Souza informed attendees of the L.P. Wilson meeting of plans to improve infrastructure on Rt. 159 (Windsor Avenue), which will not only work to improve aesthetics approaching the Hartford-Windsor line, but also property values.

Director of Windsor Recreation and Leisure Services Paul Norris detailed plans to beautify Sharshon Park — incorporating a water fountain and improvements to current facilities.

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Both town representatives were followed by a presentation from Chamber Director Jane Garibay and Windsor Federal Savings Vice President Mark Walker

In light of tough economic times, the local bank has decided to sponsor Chamber memberships to businesses in Wilson — businesses that might not othewise be able to afford to become members and thus reap the associated awards.

According to Windsor Federal Vice President and Regional Branch Manager Mark Walker, the bank will sponsor interested Wilson businesses through June (when the Chamber membership year ends) in hopes of getting them involved in the greater Windsor community and enhance the overall business environment of Windsor's south end.

The hope, Walker said, is that those businesses will come to give back to the community and their involvement will bring the entire community closer together.

McGee has scheduled a number of similar meetings to be held in fifth-district voting districts in Windsor and Hartford.

The meeting schedule is as follows:

Rep. McGee also will hold Town Hall Meetings from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, at 330 Windsor Ave. in Windsor and from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, at Windsor Town Hall at 275Broad St.