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Canton appoints Mark J. Penney as new Chief Administrative Officer

Town Clerk Tracy Morrocco swears in new Canton Chief Administrative Officer Mark Penney. Next to Penney are his daughters Hannah and Charlotte and wife Christine. (Photo courtesy of Kevin Witkos)


Submitted release


The Canton Board of Selectmen is pleased to announce the hiring of Mark J. Penney as Canton’s next Chief Administrative Officer, following the retirement of longtime CAO, Robert Skinner. The Board of Selectmen officially voted to hire Penney at its meeting on October 23, 2024. Penney will start his new role as CAO on Monday, October 28, 2024.


Mr. Penney has a career which spans over 40 years in federal, state and municipal organizations. He served as a Sergeant in law enforcement for 20 years before joining the City of Bristol as their Director of Human Resources. Mr. Penney was also a First Sergeant in the Connecticut Air National Guard when he retired after 28 years of service. He holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Connecticut, a Juris Doctor, with a concentration in Employment Law, from Quinnipiac University School of Law, and is a Certified Municipal Officer through the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities. Mr. Penney resides in Canton with his wife, Christine, and two daughters, Charlotte and Hannah.


Mr. Penney says that his first order of business when he arrives in Canton will be to meet with the town staff and to engage with the community. First Selectman Kevin Witkos said that “Canton is lucky to have a forward thinking, highly educated, devoted family man who resides in Canton to lead Canton in the future. We have many things to accomplish with limited funds and I believe Mark is the right man for the job.”


More to come.

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Valley Happenings

Winter Schminter. Beat the Winter

Doldrums with Lifelong Learning.

Stay cognitively engaged with a course or lecture at Presidents’ College, the adult Lifelong Learning Program at the University of Hartford. Taught by professors and community experts, the program’s 1.5-hour lectures and short 2-3 session non-credit courses include topics like the arts, history, current events, literature, science, and engineering. There’s no membership fee, and students pay a modest amount for only those courses they wish to take.

During the Winter/Spring Semester, you can Indulge your love of travel with a course on Art & Music Along the Silk Road or European Literary Excursions. Delve into Why Poetry Matters with Connecticut’s Poet Laureate, or into the Effects of Declining Birth Rates. Explore the Art & Science of Color or Artificial Intelligence & the Future in Media. Take a look at How Race and Place Influenced Pop Music or Immigration Stories in Film. These are just a few of the offerings. Go to hartford.edu/pc. for details. Email pcollege@hartford.edu to be added to the mailing list. Registration opens Jan. 8.

 

Simsbury Public Library programs

SIMSBURY –  Here are a variety of upcoming programs to enjoy at the Simsbury Public Library! Unless noted otherwise, these events are free and open to all. Please register by calling 860-658-7663 ext. 2 or visiting the library online at www.simsburylibrary.info.

• Warm up and enjoy The Lost Forests of New England by Ray Asselin with Susan Masino on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 6:30 p.m. (snow date Thursday, Jan. 16, 6:30 p.m). The film follows the evolution of New England forests from the first Europeans to present day and the explorers and scientists who have rediscovered some real treasures. Sponsored by the Simsbury Land Trust.

• Have a magical moment with New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. as he chats about The Magic of Found Family and his Cerulean Chronicles, with special emphasis on the newest in the series, Somewhere Beyond the Sea. This is a virtual program and registration is required to receive the Zoom link.

• Do you love to cook and try new recipes? Come join the Cookbook Club on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m. and explore new cuisines each month, share techniques, and expand our culinary skills. This month we will be exploring East African cuisine. Please see the event page for more information.

• Come play against fellow chess enthusiasts at the Adult Chess Club on Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. All skills are welcome and chess sets, as well clocks, will be available. Note this is not a class to learn how to play chess. Please register as space is limited.

• Join us on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 2 p.m. as we chat with the New York Times bestselling author, Amanda Montell about her newest book, The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality as she turns her erudite eye to the inner workings of the human mind and its biases. This is a virtual program and registration is required to receive the Zoom link.

• Join Andrea McKay from YDF Center for an Introduction to Belly Dance Workshop on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m. Belly Dance is an expressive, energizing and empowering form of movement that will burn calories and tone your body. All ages, shapes, and sizes are welcome and no prior dance experience is required.

• An armchair journey to the birds and wildlife of the Galapagos Islands with photographer Bert Sirkin on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. In partnership with the Simsbury Senior Center.

• You’re writing a book (or thinking about it), but what happens next? Connect with Seth Fishman, Vice President and Literary Agent at The Gernert Company on Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. and gain an inside look into working with an agent and the beginning stages of the publishing process. This 90-minute presentation includes 30 minutes of Q&A. This is a virtual program and registration is required to receive the Zoom link.

• Protecting our brains and nature are important for long-term well being. On Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m., in addition to practical information on brain health, experts will discuss Why We Need Nature and how history, science, and fiscal responsibility can work together to inform public policies. Cosponsored by The Gardeners of Simsbury and The Simsbury Land Trust.

• Are you interested in learning how to access more ebooks and audiobooks through Libby? Come on down Thursday, Jan. 30 at 6:30 p.m. for Libby 101 and feel free to bring your device (phone or tablet) with you.

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At the Farmington Libraries

 • Remember When...Conversation Group –Call up your friends and join us at the Farmington Library, 6 Monteith Drive on Mondays, Jan. 13 and 27 at 10 a.m. for our new conversation group. Do you remember when you could get together and talk about the good old days? Or how about talking about the things you remember about Farmington and Unionville? Register to let us know you’re attending at www.farmingtonlibraries.org

• Garmany Music Series: Randy and Millie Calistri-Yeh – Enjoy an afternoon of music on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. at the Farmington Library, 6 Monteith Drive. Featuring Broadway tunes, classical music, international folk dances, and classic rock songs, along with fascinating stories behind the music. Find out more at www.farmingtonlibraries.org.

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