Riley O'Connell

There's only 8 hours left to support Soul Friends as part of the Great Give 2025. I can attest firsthand to the life changing impact that these animal-assisted services have on the community, services we would never be able to provide without your generous support. Thank you!

Only 8 hours left to multiply the impact of your support in this year's Great Give!

www.thegreatgive.org/organizations/soul-friends

Every donation, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. Thank you to everyone who has already donated or helped spread the word, we are getting very close to our goal! 💚💚


Greatgive06492

Let me start off by acknowledging, while I don’t agree with many aspects of what’s been proposed, Mayor Cervoni has an extremely difficult task in setting this year’s budget. There are many legitimate arguments to be made for or against the proposal: did we need to spend so much money on the new police station, is funding for education sufficient, is this a reflection of a shrinking local business sector, etc.

Reasonable people can disagree over any of these points, but to have these discussions we need to all be operating with the same set of facts, and that is where the true problem lies. Instead of facing these conversations head on, our mayor has hidden behind the deceitful statements made by his usual spokespeople. These are individuals who have formal roles on the campaign and/or have made substantial financial contributions to the campaign (it’s not difficult to determine who they are).

It’s one thing to be in your candidate’s corner, it’s another entirely to be spreading misinformation rather than making an honest argument. Just because there are no consequences to lying at the federal level in this day and age doesn’t mean Wallingford should sink to that standard. The budget is complex and deserving of legitimate discussion for or against, but it’s impossible to have that conversation when those speaking loudest are snake oil salesmen.

The facts:
1) This is a 5.6% increase in the total budget, the largest increase Wallingford has ever had (as far I could trace modern records).

2) The corresponding 19% average residential tax increase is also the largest increase Wallingford has ever had (as far I could trace modern records).

3) This has absolutely ZERO to do with the revaluation, and anyone suggesting otherwise is either intentionally misleading or simply does not understand how taxes work.

Several people have asked me over recent weeks if I was running for mayor again, and my answer is certainly not. I will always, however, call out bs when it poses a real threat to good decision making on behalf of our town.

Be curious. Be informed. Be honest.

Thank you to all who joined!

Giving Tuesday is as good a time as any to announce that I've recently taken on the role of Executive Director at Soul Friends, an animal-assisted therapy nonprofit based right here in Wallingford. My dog Brunswick and I have volunteered with Soul Friends at Wallingford schools for the last 3 years, so I've seen first hand how this work can forever change the lives of so many.

None of this is possible without your help, so I hope you will consider supporting us today. And please stay tuned for other events and volunteer opportunities we have coming in the near future. Thank you!

Soul Friends – Animal Assisted Therapy Programs of Connecticut – Healing the Hearts of Children and Families One Wagging Tail at a Time Welcome to Soul FriendsAnimal Assisted Programs of CT Healing the hearts of children and families one wagging tail at a time Giving Month! SOUL FRIENDS DONATEYour donations will help provide essential therapeutic services to Connecticut children who are in need. ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPYAnimal assiste...

My wonderful grandfather passed away surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday. As many of you know, one of the reasons I came back to CT years ago was to spend more time with him and my grandmother as he battled Alzheimer’s. It was the best decision I ever made. It’s impossible to do his incredible life justice in a short statement; there are no words that could possibly encapsulate his creativity, his humor, or above all, his love for his friends and family. So I will just say this: among many other things, he taught me how to find the beauty in everything, laugh as much as possible, and never take life too seriously. I will continue to live by these tenets, and I invite everyone to do the same.

Obituary information for Raymond Wayne Glenn View Raymond Wayne Glenn's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

Please check out Brandi Mandato, running for the 34th Senate District (covering Wallingford)! She is precisely the kind of exciting new leadership we need to represent us up in Hartford. I hope you will join me in supporting this incredible woman.

Link to contribute to her campaign: secure.anedot.com/mandato-for-the-34th/mandato34th

Thank you all for yesterday’s birthday messages! Being away from home on military orders since the New Year (for the second consecutive year) has only made your kind wishes even more meaningful. What an eventful year it has been, and I can’t wait to continue the great work we’ve started when I return to CT next month. I look forward to seeing you all again soon!

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas. Hope everyone has an amazing day with their friends, family, and loved ones.

Hanukkah Sameach! Wishing your family peace and light this holiday season.

Volunteering with Soul Friends, is the single most rewarding experience Bruno and I share together. We were thrilled to be part of this Giving Tuesday event, and there's still time to support this incredible Wallingford-based organization (donation link in the comments below).

With a growing need for animal assisted therapy across town and across the state, Soul Friends could use your support now more than ever. Thank you!

Wallingford organization holds therapy dog drive-thru for Giving Tuesday Wallingford residents celebrated Giving Tuesday with therapy dogs from a local non-profit organization, Soul Friends.

Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you to all service men and women who have served or continue to serve. We honor you not only today, but every other day. 🇺🇸