MAYOR PEREZ TOUTS BENEFITS TO HARTFORD:

CUSTOMER SERVICE, WELLNESS, HARTFORD CHARITIES, AND JOBS FOR HARTFORD RESIDENTS

---NEWS ADVISORY FOR 4/26/07---

9:00 a.m.--- Mayor Eddie A. Perez will welcome the Connecticut Town Clerk Conference to Hartford.  The Mayor will congratulate the group for focusing on the importance of customer service and keeping ahead of the curve when it comes to new technology.  About 250 city and town clerks from across the state will attend the spring gathering that is being held at the Marriott Downtown Hartford on Columbus Boulevard.    

10:30 a.m.--- Mayor Perez will join national, state, and local health leaders to stress how prevention is the best medicine.  The Medicare “Healthier U.S. Starts Here” is a special bus tour to promote screenings as a way to avoid chronic illnesses later in life.  Mayor Perez will highlight his Healthy Communities Initiative that provides a medical home to the 27,000 Hartford residents who are uninsured or underinsured.  A news conference will be held in front of the Medicare tour bus that will be parked in front of City Hall, 550 Main Street, in Downtown Hartford.

1:00 p.m.--- Mayor Perez takes the ceremonial first swing to raise money for Hartford charities.  “Birdies for Charities” is part of the Countdown to a Championship where community leaders and celebrities tee-off marshmallows.  This Greater Hartford Jaycees event leads up to The Travelers Championship, Connecticut’s PGA Tour Event, starting June 18th.  Over the past 55 years, the tournament has donated more than $25 million to Greater Hartford organizations, helping to improve the quality of life of Hartford residents and those in need of services based in the Capital City.  “Birdies for Charities” will be held at the Connecticut Convention Center on Columbus Boulevard in Downtown Hartford.

6:00 p.m.--- Mayor Perez will receive the President’s Award from the Connecticut Minority Suppliers Organization for his leadership in opening the doors of opportunity through jobs.  Mayor Perez says that thanks to the school construction and renovation projects, Minority Women Business Enterprises (MWBE) have thrived through Hartford residents learning valuable trade skills.  The first phase of the program that utilized a MWBE set aside is now complete with more than $40 million being awarded to these firms. Mayor Perez says this has meant almost 319,000 working hours so far for city residents and that translates to almost $8 million in new wages.  The banquet will be held at the Aqua Turf Club on Mulberry Street in Plantsville.

For more information on the Mayor’s role, please contact Sarah Barr, Director of Communications at (860) 522-4888 x6217.