Mayor Ruais Announces Ward 9 Town Hall
Manchester NH- Mayor Jay Ruais will be holding a Ward 9 Town Hall on Wednesday, May 15th at the Bishop Leo E. O’Neil Youth Center 30 S. Elm Street, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The Aldermen and School Board Members representing Ward 9 have also been invited.
Mayor Jay Ruais Announces the Launch of a Weekly Resource Fair and New Community Partners at the Engagement Center
Manchester, NH -Today, Mayor Jay Ruais announced the launch of a weekly Resource Fair at the Engagement Center. The Resource Fair will be the first time all of the community partners will be there together to provide consistent assistance. During these sessions, the Resource Fair acts as temporary central point where individuals can access essential services like healthcare, job counselling and treatment services streamlining support for those in need. The goal is to continue to attract new community partners to expand the days and times these resources are available. Additionally, a resource data base has been compiled with all the community partners, contact names and phone numbers to facilitate connections even when they are not present in the building.
Lastly, a white board will be stationed in the facility which will provide all of the dates and times the groups will be present as well as contact information when they are not in the building. This will further facilitate the connection of service providers to those experiencing homelessness.
“I am excited to announce the launch of this Resource Fair. Homelessness should be brief, rare and one time. In order to achieve this goal, we have to break the cycle and tear down barriers to building a sustainable life. Impediments to success include, but are not limited to, access to treatment, employment, identification, and education. Today’s announcement provides structure to the services available at the Engagement Center and welcomes 10 new partners such as The Doorways, Workpath Staffing and Amoskeag Health.” Stated Ruais
The resource fair will be held every Thursday from 9-11 a.m. at the Engagement Center located at 39 Beech Street.
New partners in this effort include:
- Workpath
- Hope for NH Recovery
- Anthem
- Better Life Partners
- Granite State VNA
- Telephone Network/Next Level
- Wellsense
- Avenues
- The Doorways
- Amoskeag Health
Previous partners in this effort include:
- Gatehouse
- Greater Manchester Mental Health
- CMC Healthcare for the Homeless
- Meals on Wheels
- HarborCare
- Easterseals
- Manchester Housing Authority
- Manchester City Welfare
- Live Free Recovery
- VA Homeless Outreach
- Light of Life Ministries
- Carelon Behavioral Health
- NH Respite LLC
- Health Market Connect
- Do You Know Him Ministries
- 603 Legal Aid
- Farnum Center
“This follows our recent launch of the identification collaboration with Members First Credit Union and Catholic Charities and represents yet another step forward in the way our city is addressing the challenge of homelessness. I’m excited to announce that 19 people have already signed up for, and are on their way to getting some form of identification. Tomorrow, staff at the Engagement Center will take a portion of this 19 to the Department of Motor Vehicles and City Hall to move forward in this process. “ added Ruais
Mayor Ruais Announces Ward 12 Town Hall
Manchester NH- Mayor Jay Ruais will be holding a Ward 12 Town Hall on Thursday, May 9th at Northwest Elementary School, 300 Youville Street from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The Aldermen and School Board Members representing Ward 12 have also been invited.
Manchester, NH - The City of Manchester has been at the forefront of combatting the opioid epidemic, a challenge experienced nationwide. In 2016, the City released the "2016 City of Manchester: Response to the Opioid Crisis”. While the community has lead program specific initiatives since then, a city-wide investment strategy has yet to be created.
In 2022, the City of Manchester Health Department secured renewed funding and technical assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO). This support enabled the City to implement comprehensive overdose prevention strategies tailored to its local community needs.
Furthermore, Manchester, along with states and communities across the nation, has participated in the National Opioid Settlement against pharmacies, resulting in the establishment of the Opioid Abatement Trust Fund. While this fund provides vital resources, we recognize the importance of strategic investment to ensure sustainable and measurable impact on the ground.
“I am thrilled to announce the release of the 2024 City of Manchester Overdose Prevention Strategy. This strategy is not only an opportunity to highlight what is working locally, but also to identify and implement additional evidence-based best practices to reduce overdoses, and save lives. Year to date, 52% of all overdoses in the city were experienced by those without a fixed address. This updated strategic effort will form a core component of our response to the homeless crisis. In the last 12 months, there has been an overall reduction in suspected overdose fatalities of 25%, we must build on this momentum, and this strategic update allows us to do just that. The recommendations stemming from this strategy will serve as a blueprint for a healthier community, fostering increased access to mental health and substance use disorder care for all residents of Manchester. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Anna Thomas and the dedicated team at the Health Department for their incredible efforts in developing this crucial strategy. Together, we will continue to work tirelessly to address the opioid epidemic, and homelessness, while ensuring the well-being of all Manchester residents,” stated Mayor Ruais.
Anna Thomas, Public Health Director for the City of Manchester stated “It is well documented that preventing overdoses in a community requires a multidimensional and unified approach. This guide will lead the City toward strategies proven to save lives.”
“This data driven roadmap will help guide decisions that can give people the opportunities proven most effective for them to enter and sustain recovery, “added Chris Stawasz, Regional Director of Government Affairs at American Medical Response, Inc.
To view the report, please click here: https://www.manchesternh.gov/Departments/Health/Public-Health-Data
MANCHESTER WATER WORKS
A public participation meeting of the Board of Water Commissioners
Is to be held on Thursday, April 25th, 2024 beginning at 3:30 p.m. in
The Board Room at 281 Lincoln St., Manchester, NH.
The regular meeting of the Board will follow the public participation meeting.
Gary Hamer, Clerk
04/25/2024
If a reasonable accommodation is needed, please notify Mia Lee,
(603) 792-6494, 8:00a.m. – 4:30p.m.
For the hearing impaired with TDD access, call Relay NH at 1-800-735-2954.
Mayor Ruais urged the Supreme Court to Decide in Favor of Allowing Cities More Latitude in Enforcing Anti-Camping Ordinances in Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson
Manchester, NH – Yesterday, oral arguments were heard by the United States Supreme Court in the case of City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson. The case revolves around the issue of whether a municipality’s enforcement of generally applicable laws regulating camping on public property, constitutes “cruel and unusual punishment” prohibited by the Eighth Amendment.
Mayor Ruais Released the Following Statement:
“The issue of homelessness must be addressed in a comprehensive way, and we have already taken steps to address several of the drivers of homelessness including two initiatives just last week: one pertaining to affordable housing, and the other to provide resources to obtain identification for those experiencing homelessness. The ability of a city to ordain and enforce ordinances pertaining to quality-of-life issues is a key component of a comprehensive response. Encampments are not healthy or safe for those in them and they are certainly not good for the community. Manchester needs to possess the capability to uphold the integrity of our public spaces, guaranteeing safety, cleanliness, and an inviting atmosphere for all residents, visitors, and businesses alike. This is not a partisan issue. Local leaders, Republican and Democrat, from across the country have filed Amicus Briefs in support of giving cities more latitude to enforce laws regulating camping on public property.”
Mayor Ruais urged the U.S. Supreme Court to decide in favor of allowing cities more latitude in enforcing anti-camping ordinances, permitting them to strike a balance between compassion for those in need and the maintenance of public order.
“We cannot ignore the importance of enforcement mechanisms in upholding the well-being of our city and its residents. We urge the Supreme Court to consider the needs of cities like Manchester and to affirm the vital role of enforcement in creating a safe and welcoming environment for all. I eagerly await the ruling in June and am ready to take steps to strengthen our ordinances," stated Ruais
FSIS Announcement
WASHINGTON, April 20, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers are aware that these products should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.
The raw ground beef items were produced on March 28, 2024. The products have a “Use/Freeze by” date of April 22, 2024, and packaging date of “032824.” The list of products that are subject to the public health alert can be found here. The labels for these products can be found on the FSIS website [view labels].
The products subject to the public health alert bear establishment number “EST. 960A” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to food service institutions and retail locations nationwide.
The problem was discovered by the establishment while conducting an inventory of product that was on hold because it was found positive for E. coli O157:H7. The company notified FSIS that they inadvertently used a portion of the contaminated beef to produce ground beef products that they subsequently shipped into commerce.
There have been no confirmed reports of illness due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.
E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2–8 days (3–4 days, on average) after exposure the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.
FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ and food service institutions’ freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them and food service institutions are urged not to serve these products. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160 F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature, https://www.fsis.usda.gov/safetempchart.
Consumers and members of the media with questions about the public health alert can contact Gina Adami, Greater Omaha Packing Co., Inc. Representative, at 402-575-4702 or gadami@gmail.com.
Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ground-beef-products-due-possible-e--coli-o157h7-0?permalink=5C4F77DCF522B442F4653BB533773C13B5B1E415C93CAB4916303B5B0E8BE7DB
Manchester, NH - Today, the Mayor’s office is proud to announce a collaboration with Members First Credit Union and Catholic Charities NH to launch a pilot program for those experiencing homelessness and utilizing services at the Engagement Center. Members First has generously donated $1,000 to this cause and Catholic Charities will play the fiscal agent for this important initiative. This significant contribution will support a new program at the Engagement Center to support those seeking identification, a crucial step in aiding those experiencing homelessness to reclaim their independence and stability.
“In our city, homelessness is not merely a statistic; it's a tragic reality faced by too many. The purpose of a shelter should be to break the cycle the individual is currently in, while helping to transition them into a sustainable life. Self-sufficiency should be the goal, and access to identification is essential. It can serve as a gateway to employment, housing, and vital social services.
“I commend Members First Credit Union for their unwavering commitment to our community's well-being. Their generous donation will undoubtably impact the lives of those most in need. Earlier this week we launched an affordable housing initiative to help address homelessness and today we are taking another important step to tackle this crisis in a comprehensive way.” stated Ruais
We believe in the power of community and the potential of every individual," said Courtney Fifield, President, and CEO of MFCU. "By providing access to essential identification, we are illuminating a path towards employment, housing, and a brighter future for people who are rewriting their stories.”
“Catholic Charities NH is deeply committed to collaborating with the Manchester community and our partners to improve the lives of those facing homelessness and other challenges,” said Tom Blonski, President and CEO of Catholic Charities NH. “Securing a driver’s license, birth certificate, or other forms of identification is a crucial step for individuals stuck in the cycle of homelessness, enabling them to access vital services and opportunities. We are thrilled to be the fiscal agent for this initiative to pave paths forward for many of our neighbors in need.”
“Catholic Charities has been a committed partner in our city's efforts to combat homelessness, and this contribution from Members First Credit Union further strengthens our collective resolve to address this pressing issue. Together, we are not only providing immediate relief but also fostering sustainable pathways out of homelessness.
As Mayor of Manchester, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Members First Credit Union for their generosity and to Catholic Charities for their tireless dedication to serving our community. Let us continue to work hand in hand, ensuring that no one is left behind as we strive for a brighter future for all,” added Ruais.
Get Ready for Summer! This season’s first Wellness on Wheels Resource Fair will be held on May 22nd from 4-6 p.m. at the Gossler Park School. Stop by for helpful health and wellness information and fun for all ages. See the flyer for more details and additional event dates!
Manchester Wellness on Wheels 2024 Events
Mayor Jay Ruais Requests Sale of Surplus City-Owned Lots for Affordable Housing Initiative to Address Homelessness
Manchester, NH - Mayor Jay Ruais has taken an important step towards tackling the shortage of affordable housing in Manchester by initiating the sale of surplus city-owned lots. In collaboration with key city departments including Tax Collector, Assessing, Planning and Community Development, Public Works, and the Solicitor’s Office, the City has identified 23 lots, comprising of 16 sites, that can be deemed surplus to the City’s needs.
Mayor Ruais outlined the primary objectives behind the proposed sale, stating, "This initiative aims to transition these properties into productive use, single family, and multi-family homes while also alleviating the City of maintenance responsibilities and generating tax revenue. Additionally, 50% of the profits from the sale will be allocated to the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund."
Acknowledging the urgency of the affordable housing crisis and its impact of homelessness, Mayor Ruais emphasized, "We recognize the pressing need for affordable housing in Manchester. By utilizing a portion of the sale proceeds to incentivize the construction of affordable housing units, we will make a difference on behalf of those in need."
Accompanying the list of surplus lots is a proposed ordinance that authorizes their disposal and directs half of the net proceeds from the sale to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, with the remaining half deposited into the Special Revenue Account.
Mayor Ruais expressed confidence in the initiative, stating, "This effort will not only enhance the utilization of city-owned resources but also foster tangible progress in addressing the affordable housing crisis in Manchester. I want to thank all of the departments for their work these last several months for bringing this effort to fruition.”
Background:
This initiative begins this evening in the Committee on Lands and Building in the Aldermanic Chambers at 5:15 p.m.