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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Fellow Members:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>After you submit your testimony to save our Library for the Blind today or tomorrow morning, anyone interested in BESB should mark their calendars for Monday, March 28 at 7:00 P.M. for a community conversation with Amy Porter and the interim BESB director. The Zoom link to register is:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUofumgqT0uGtTyKAEtuM91vgjuLcO9V424">https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUofumgqT0uGtTyKAEtuM91vgjuLcO9V424</a> or </span><a href="https://bit.ly/37G6K2w">https://bit.ly/37G6K2w</a><span class=MsoHyperlink><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>This conversation is hosted by the vice-chair of the Assembly’s oversight committee for BESB. I have let thhe staffer know that the attached flyer is NOT accessible, and he is working to correct that. In the meantime, please register—and submit your testimony to save the Library for the Blind first.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Nathanael<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> Knight, Jason [mailto:Jason.Knight@cga.ct.gov] <br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, March 23, 2022 11:32 AM<br><b>To:</b> ntwales@omsoft.com<br><b>Cc:</b> Rep. Leeper, Jennifer; Rossignol, Audrey; maryanne.melley@gmail.com<br><b>Subject:</b> RE: Please Conduct Oversight of the Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind in the Upcoming Session<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Hello Nathanael, I hope all is well.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Representative Leeper wanted for me to sent the attached invite flyer and details for next Monday’s Community Conversation on Disability Services along with guests Commissioner Amy Porter, Aging and Disability Services and Interim Director Cheryl Cepelak, Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Below you will also find the Zoom link registration for the event.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUofumgqT0uGtTyKAEtuM91vgjuLcO9V424">https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUofumgqT0uGtTyKAEtuM91vgjuLcO9V424</a> or </span><a href="https://bit.ly/37G6K2w">https://bit.ly/37G6K2w</a><span class=MsoHyperlink><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Please feel free to share this event with anyone who you think might be interested and please let us know if you have any questions.<br><br>Thank you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:#9D2235'>Jason Knight,</span><span style='font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:#404040'> <i>Constituent Engagement Coordinator</i></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:black'><br></span><span style='font-family:"Georgia","serif";font-variant:small-caps;color:#9D2235'>Connecticut General Assembly</span><span style='font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:#7A2426'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:#404040'>300 Capitol Avenue | Hartford, CT 06106<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:blue'><a href="mailto:Jason.Knight@cga.ct.gov">Jason.Knight@cga.ct.gov</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:#404040'>Work: 860.240.8568 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:#404040'>Cell: 860.559.4832</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:#404040'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:#404040'>______________________________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:#404040'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:blue'>State Representative Jennifer Leeper, 132<sup>nd</sup> District<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=478 height=269 id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01D83ED5.5D1A7200"><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> Nathanael T. Wales <<a href="mailto:ntwales@omsoft.com">ntwales@omsoft.com</a>> <br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, February 16, 2022 5:05 PM<br><b>To:</b> Rep. Leeper, Jennifer <<a href="mailto:Jennifer.Leeper@cga.ct.gov">Jennifer.Leeper@cga.ct.gov</a>><br><b>Cc:</b> <a href="mailto:maryanne.melley@gmail.com">maryanne.melley@gmail.com</a>; Rossignol, Audrey <<a href="mailto:Audrey.Rossignol@cga.ct.gov">Audrey.Rossignol@cga.ct.gov</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> RE: Please Conduct Oversight of the Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind in the Upcoming Session<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Jennifer,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Thank you very much for your follow up and diligence. And thank you for your work coordinating with Commissioner Porter. I, and my colleagues, would look forward to a community conversation with her and also hearing what she has to say.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Enjoy your time away this holiday weekend. I myself will be traveling next week, so thank you in advance for understanding that any reply would come over the following weekend (the 26<sup>th</sup>/27<sup>th</sup>).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Again, thank you, and I look forward to working with you further to address these concerns and find tangible solutions for blind residents.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Nathanael Wales<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> Rep. Leeper, Jennifer [<a href="mailto:Jennifer.Leeper@cga.ct.gov">mailto:Jennifer.Leeper@cga.ct.gov</a>] <br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, February 15, 2022 10:40 PM<br><b>To:</b> Nathanael T. Wales<br><b>Cc:</b> <a href="mailto:maryanne.melley@gmail.com">maryanne.melley@gmail.com</a>; Rossignol, Audrey<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: Please Conduct Oversight of the Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind in the Upcoming Session<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>Nathanael,<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>I apologize for my delay in getting back to you. I had a very productive meeting with the Commissioner and we discussed hosting a community conversation so that we can public address the concerns that you and other advocates raised. Commissioner Porter and I are still trying to connect to get that planned and I will keep you posted. We will want to make sure that all relevant parties are invited to tune in so I will certainly update you as soon as I have additional details. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>Thank you again for your advocacy. I will be traveling through Monday but will be in touch upon my return.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>Kindest regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>Jennifer<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id=Signature><div><div id=divtagdefaultwrapper><p><b><span style='color:black'>Jennifer Leeper</span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b><span style='color:black'>State Representative, 132</span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='color:black'><a href="mailto:jennifer.leeper@cga.ct.gov">jennifer.leeper@cga.ct.gov</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='color:black'>(203) 418-7743<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#212121'>To sign up for my electronic legislative updates, please visit my state webpage at:</span><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Segoe UI","sans-serif";color:#212121'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#212121'><a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.housedems.ct.gov%2FLeeper&data=04%7C01%7CJason.Knight%40cga.ct.gov%7Ca8b225d53e504c5ad67908da0cdfc779%7C3ec76714b1b4418a883232c46ec84226%7C0%7C0%7C637836452498361139%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=TJ4ORaCzYet8lNXjQnovFCOOuVfvJRgT708rzbnM3%2F0%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.housedems.ct.gov/Leeper</a></span><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Segoe UI","sans-serif";color:#212121'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><hr size=2 width="98%" align=center></div><div id=divRplyFwdMsg><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> Nathanael T. Wales <<a href="mailto:ntwales@omsoft.com">ntwales@omsoft.com</a>><br><b>Sent:</b> Sunday, February 6, 2022 5:23 PM<br><b>To:</b> Rep. Leeper, Jennifer <<a href="mailto:Jennifer.Leeper@cga.ct.gov">Jennifer.Leeper@cga.ct.gov</a>><br><b>Cc:</b> <a href="mailto:maryanne.melley@gmail.com">maryanne.melley@gmail.com</a> <<a href="mailto:maryanne.melley@gmail.com">maryanne.melley@gmail.com</a>>; Rossignol, Audrey <<a href="mailto:Audrey.Rossignol@cga.ct.gov">Audrey.Rossignol@cga.ct.gov</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> RE: Please Conduct Oversight of the Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind in the Upcoming Session</span> <o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div></div><div><div><p class=xxmsonormal>19 Patrick Drive<o:p></o:p></p><p class=xxmsonormal>Fairfield, Connecticut 06824<o:p></o:p></p><p class=xxmsonormal>(530) 219-2573<o:p></o:p></p><p class=xxmsonormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=xxmsonormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=xxmsonormal>Dear Jennifer:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=xxmsonormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Thank you for your time a week and a half ago, along with your staff, to discuss my and colleagues’ concerns about the Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind. I am e-mailing to follow up and make sure I have answered any questions that you may have had for me and any that may have come up as you’ve looked into the concerns about BESB’s leadership and ineffective services. I look forward to working with you and your colleagues in the legislature to oversee and ensure that BESB reaches its full potential to serve the residents of Connecticut. Please let me know how I can assist in any way further at this time.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Respectfully,</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Nathanael Wales</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=xmsonormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div></body></html>