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THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 03, 2018 - January 09, 2018

Lincoln-Bassett Stand-Up Dads Financial Justice a KeyHonors Focus at 2016 NAACP Convention INNER-CITY NEWS July 27, 2016 - August 02, 2016

New Haven, Bridgeport

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Volume 27 . No. 2260 Volume 21 No. 2194

Harp Sworn In

“DMC” Color Struck?

Mullins Elected

Ganim

Malloy To Dems: Malloy To Dems: Says He’s ‘An Ignore “Tough On Crime”

Ignore “Tough On Crime”

Snow in July?

Heroes We Lost in 2017:

Worshipful Master Activist Erica Garner, Daughter of Eric Garner, Died December 30 FOLLOW US ON 1

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 03, 2018 - January 09, 2018

Mullins Elected Worshipful Master

by Frank J. Andriulli, III Secretary of Annawon Lodge

At its annual year end election, Annawon Lodge, #115 Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of West Haven have elected Brother Steven R. Mullins, 43 to serve as Worshipful Master for the year 2018. He succeeds Worshipful Brother Frank Mangiero, who has served as Worshipful Master for the past two years. Mullins has been a member of Annawon Lodge since 1998.

In Masonic Lodges, the Worshipful Master is the senior officer of the Lodge. He sits in the Oriental Chair in the East, where he presides over business meetings, rituals and ceremonies of the organization.

“I am truly humbled and honored that the brethren of Annawon Lodge have put their trust and confidence in me to lead them in 2018.” Mullins said in an interview. His father, grandfather and great-grandfather were freemasons.

Mullins is a longtime West Haven civil servant. He is currently the city’s longest serving Planning & Zoning Commissioner and has been elected either Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Commission since 2012. He has

also served as West Haven Justice of the Peace since 1999. Until last week’s change of Mayoral administration, he served on the West Haven High School Building Committee, where he was Chairman of the Finance Sub-Committee.

Mullins is a communicant of the former Christ Church, now Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit in West Haven, where he served ten years as a vestryman, Junior and Senior Warden. He is President of the Southern Connecticut Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians.

He is also a member of the Allingtown Volunteer Fire Association.

For the last three years, Mullins has chaired the West Haven Black Heritage Celebration at West Haven City Hall.

Annawon Lodge was chartered on March 24th., 1873 in the Village of West Haven in the Town of Orange. The Lodge’s first location was on the second floor of what is now called the Altshuler Building on the corner of Campbell Avenue and Main Street.

As Worshipful Master, Mullins follows in the footsteps of such notable West Haven citizens as former First Selectman Elmer R. Scranton

PHOTO CAPTION: The Hon. Steven R. Mullins in full MaAsonic Worshipful Master Dress Regalia, with gavel in hand. PHOTO CREDIT: Chris Randall

and educator Harry M. Bailey.

Mullins will be installed in an elaborate and colorful ceremony, presided over by the Reverend and Brother Bruce Bellmore, Right Worshipful Grand Junior Deacon of the Grand Lodge AF&AM of the State of Connecticut. The rites will include a farewell to Mangiero, honoring his tenure as Master. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, January 6th 2018 at noon at the West Haven Masonic Building, 263 Center Street, (former Knights of Columbus Building) West Haven. Dinner and reception are immediately following.

In addition to Mullins, other officers being installed are Senior Warden Richard X. Biela, Junior Warden Kyle J. Podpolucha, Treasurer Gerald A. CalabrItto, Secretary Frank J. Andriulli, III, Senior Deacon Michael J. Cotela, Jr., Junior Deacon Mark Homburg, Senior Stewart Anthony P. King, Marshall James V. Jennette, Tiler Jonathan Belmont, Historian William K. Barr, Chaplain Richard C Memmott, Jr., Trustee Frank Mangiero and Almoner Robert Gundersen..

The attire for the Installation Ceremony business casual and is open to the public.

Harp Sworn In, Warns Of “Storm Clouds”

by PAUL BASS

New Haven Independent

Toni Harp kicked off 2018 by taking the oath of office for her third two-year term as mayor and invoking a different year, 1968, to enlist New Haveners in a “moral” and “spiritual” quest to “unify a fractured society” as “storm clouds loom” on the state and federal horizons.

Harp made that pitch Monday afternoon in an inaugural address after taking the oath before hundreds of onlookers at a ceremony held in the auditorium of Hill Regional Career High School, a building her late husband Wendell designed.

City Clerk Michael Smart also took the oath for his third term in office. Reelected Board of Education member Edward Joyner, newly elected Probate Judge Clifton Graves Jr., and the 30 members of the Board of Alders nine of whom did not serve during the previous term were inaugurated as well.

Politics-watchers examining the tea

leaves of Harp’s address found no hints of a quest for higher office in this gubernatorial election year: No list of personal accomplishments as mayor, no sound bites hinting at campaigncommercial-ready slogans.

Rather, Harp issued a call for people in the city to prepare for “perilous times” by pulling together.

She sounded like a mayor, not a candidate.

“In Washington, the current federal government has taken steps seemingly with an intent to consolidate wealth in this nation, as well as voting rights, meaningful education, and effective healthcare. The sinister byproduct of these steps is a consolidation of opportunity itself. I don’t believe it’s an understatement to say we’re living in perilous times in this regard,” Harp said.

Meanwhile, she noted, the budgetstrapped state government has delivered “insufficient state aid to cities and towns, shortchanged social services,

and infrastructure maintenance deferred statewide.”

In an improvised break from her prepared remarks, she noted that New Haven is “joined at the hip” with the state, because “54 percent of our property is nontaxable.” Yet the state has been cutting back on promised municipal aid through the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program.

Harp quoted San Diego Catholic Bishop Robert W. McElroy describing public service as a “profoundly spiritual and moral undertaking” requiring putting the needs of the poor and the “common good” above special interests or “self-aggrandizement.”

That mission takes on special importance in 2018, she argued, because of “ominous circumstances” that remind her of America’s political climate a half-century ago, in 1968 — “when racial tensions, an unpopular president, and furious disagreement over federal policies, including a controversial war,

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MARKESHIA RICKS PHOTO Reitred state Supreme Court Justice Lubbie Harper Jr. swears in Mayor Toni Harp Monday, with daughters Jamil and Djana at her side.

started to split families, cities, and these United States.” She called for heeding the “clarion calls for justice” provided by two leaders who were murdered that year: Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy.

“In a community like this one,” Harp said of New Haven in 2018, “there is the extraordinary ability to pool resources, assemble talent, and direct a collective energy toward the common good.”

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 03, 2018 - January 09, 2018

Lincoln-Bassett Honors Stand-Up Dads

by CHRISTOPHER PEAK New Haven Independent

William Lathrop’s parents weren’t involved in his education. When he started playing hooky, ditching class as soon as his teacher marked him in homeroom, he didn’t hear about it. “I did what I wanted to,” he recalled. “I had Fs.” Soon, he stopped going altogether, and it took a three-month stint in jail for him to realize he needed to get his GED. Now, as a stay-at-home dad with a son and two daughters, Lathrop walks his daughters to class every morning, makes sure they finish their homework, and communicates the importance of schooling.

“I don’t want my kids to go through what I did,” Lathrop explained. “It’s not whether the school wants me there or not. It’s about me being involved in their education.”

Along with DeShanin Coleman, the father of a kindergartner with special needs, Lathrop is one of the first recipients of Lincoln-Bassett School’s new Parent of the Month award. In a drive to engage more parents, the school is recognizing the moms and dads who get involved in their kids’ education.

The first awards were given in a ceremony two days before Christmas break.

But unexpectedly for an award about engagement, the honorees are not always the ones who logged the most

volunteer hours. Instead, in the last two months, the certificate has gone to two dads, largely for being a visible presence at Lincoln-Bassett, a place where guys aren’t usually as involved.

Keith Young, the school’s parent engagement director, said he’d chosen to recognize the two guys because their involvement felt “real,” not like role models on television. Students might hear from someone wearing a suit and a bow-tie, he said, but the ones who connected with the elementary-school students were relatable guys like Lathrop and Coleman, two single dads who’d turned their lives around. They were men who’d do anything for their kids, despite facing incarceration, evictions and divorce, and the kids could sense that, Young said.

Lathrop has been raising his 14-yearold son, a student at Barnard, as well as 9-year-old and 5-year-old daughters, both at Lincoln-Bassett, alone since last January. That’s when his wife left him after an 11-year marriage. He quit his job making sandwiches at People’s Choice to take care of his kids.

“I’d like to be working,” he said, “but I don’t have anybody to deal with my kids.”

With his extra time, he’s gotten involved in the PTO, helping to put on fundraisers like a recent coat drive and events like Daddy’s Night Out. He chaperones on field trips and occasionally stops by the lunchroom.

“I wish I could be here all the time. I

CHRISTOPHER PEAK PHOTO

Parents of the Month: William Lathrop and DeShanin Coleman.

really do,” he said.

Through his involvement, Lathrop’s hoping to get a job in the school kitchen on day. And he hopes his daughters can get a scholarship through New Haven Promise to go to college.

“Everybody should be involved in their kid’s education. You got some parents that just don’t care. They send their kids off to school for however many hours a day, and even when they come home, they still don’t participate in their life,” Lathrop said. “That’s

kind of hard for me. My advice to parents that want to get involved is to go to the front office, try to find a counselor and get information. Just ask questions.”

That’s exactly what Coleman did when his five-year-old son, who’s been diagnosed as hyperactive, started at Lincoln Bassett. He too has been raising his kid as an only dad. His wife walked out one day, saying, “By the way, he’s not yours.”

“It didn’t matter to me, because I was

taking care of him from the day he was born,” Coleman said. “I just stepped up and did what I had to do.”

But that doesn’t mean raising his son alone has been easy, he stresses.

He worked two jobs, as a dishwasher at Yale’s Graduate Club and a cook at Burger King. He wasn’t eligible for a promotion at the fast-food chain because of his record. He’d used the Alford Doctrine, by which he denied his Con’t on page 05

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THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 03, 2018 - January 09, 2018

Cowboys Fans Bring Bikes, Toys & Football Love To Preschool

bike.

When Essence Tucker’s name was called, the 5-year-old rushed to the front of the room to pick up her new pink bike. Parting the crowd of black-and-blue-clad Cowboys fans, she peddled back across the room to her cubby, where her dad was waiting with a hug.

by THOMAS BREEN

New Haven Independent

Essence Bennett arrived at preschool on Thursday expecting a regular day of reading, singing and naptime.

The Newhallville 5-year-old left preschool at the end of the day with a free new bicycle, courtesy of a local group of hardcore Dallas Cowboys fans who are as dedicated to community service as they are to professional football.

On Thursday afternoon at the Harris and Tucker School, a preschool, afterschool and childcare center on Newhall Street near the Hamden border, the CT Cowboys Fan Club held their first ever toy drive and bicycle give away.

The 16-person group of Dallas football fans gave away eight new bicycles and dozens of new toys to the Harris and Tucker students as parents, teachers and other Newhallville community members looked on in support.

The club was founded in February 2016 by a group of New Haveners who love the Dallas Cowboys, have been watching games together for years, and wanted to turn their football fandom into something more than just a weekly celebration of their team of choice.

Though they do do plenty of that.

Every Sunday, the club meets at Charlie and James Place on Dixwell Avenue to root on the Cowboys.

They travel together to attend Cowboys games in person at least once per season, having just gotten back from a trip to Atlanta.

Outside of the sports bar and the football stadium, they direct their group cohesion towards charitable events.

They participated in the 2017 Walk to End Alzheimers down at Lighthouse Point in September, then walked in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer fundraiser a few weeks later.

Earlier this year, they held a clothing and food drive for the homeless at Marrakech, Inc. on Whalley Avenue.

We want to be a very communityoriented fan club,” said club president Juan Gardner at Thursday evening’s toy drive. “This is about football, but it’s also about giving back to the community, and in particular about helping kids.”

A Newhallville native and former school security guard who is currently training to be a correctional officer, Gardner said he has been a

Nappier Not Expected To Seek Reelection

John P. Thomas Publisher / CEO

Babz Rawls Ivy

Editor-in-Chief Liaison, Corporate Affairs Babz@penfieldcomm.com

Advertising/Sales Team Trenda Lucky Keith Jackson Delores Alleyne John Thomas, III

Editorial Team Staff Writers

Christian Lewis/Current Affairs Anthony Scott/Sports Arlene Davis-Rudd/Politics THOMAS BREEN PHOTO

Contributing Writers

Essence Bennett gets a brand new bike from the CT Cowboys Fan Club.

David Asbery Tanisha Asbery Jerry Craft/Cartoons Barbara Fair

Dr. Tamiko Jackson-McArthur

PAUL BASS PHOTO

State Treasurer Denise Nappier.

by STAFF

Harris and Tucker School director Kim Harris leads Thursday’s toy giveaway.

Cowboys fan his whole life. His alltime favorite Cowboy? Butch Johnson. “I’m old school,” he said with a smile.

Club Road Captain Marvin Bennett, who works during the day at the Knights of Columbus and during the night at Yale-New Haven Hospital, said that it’s pretty easy to convince club members to pitch in for charitable events.

“If you can spend a few dollars on a beer on a Sunday afternoon,” he said, “then you can buy a bike for a kid.”

With their Cowboys hats, tattoos, and matching leather vests covered in Cowboys arcana, including a patch representing longtime Dallas coach Tom Landry’s trademark fedora, the club members filled the back area of the childcare center with the recently purchased bikes and boxes of Christmas-wrapped toys.

Kim Harris, who is the director of

the school, the chair of the Newhallville Community Management Team, a 2017 Democracy School graduate, and the sister of CT Cowboys Fan Club Vice President Kevin Wormley, presided over the gift giveaway, raising her hands and saying, “Quiet on the set,” whenever the dozens of children present started making too much noise.

Before the kids got their gifts, they first gave out a few. As part of the school’s regular “heroes luncheon” celebration of local police officers, firefighters, and other community leaders, several students gave commemorative photo albums to Fire Chief John Alston, City Clerk Michael Smart and Newhallville Alder Delphine Clyburn.

Then the kids got their turn. Harris drew names from a hat as she raffled off the gifts. One girl got a plastic toy oven. Another boy got a new black

4

Another top elected office is opening up in state government, as State Treasurer Denise Nappier has reportedly decided not to seek a sixth fouryear term.

Nappier is expected to announce her decision on Wednesday, according to someone familiar with her plans.

Nappier was first elected to the job in 1998, becoming the nation’s first African-American female state treasurer. She has easily won reelection since as the state’s chief financial officer, who oversees the management of $63 billion in state funds. She served five terms as treasure of the National Association of State Treasurers and advocated nationally for corporate governance reforms. In 2017 she announced significant gains in the state’s retirement plans and trust funds despite market instability.

Nappier’s expected announcement follows a similar decision by another apopular Democratic constitutional officer, Attorney General George Jepsen, not to seek reelection in 2018.

Nappier’s decision will also increase pressure on Democrats to include one or more candidates of color on the 2018 ticket in what promises to be a tough election year for the party.

Michelle Turner Smita Shrestha William Spivey Kam Williams Rev. Samuel T. Ross-Lee

_______________________

Contributors At-Large

Christine Stuart www.CTNewsJunkie.com Paul Bass New Haven Independent www.newhavenindependent.org

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THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 03, 2018 - January 09, 2018

Doyle Explores Run For Attorney General

Con’t from page 03 Did Someone Say Special Session?

Teachers Seek to Restore ECS Funding Lincoln-Bassett

by Christine Stuart CT. Junkie News

Sen. Paul Doyle, one of three Democratic state Senators to surprise his colleagues and vote for a Republican budget this past September, announced Tuesday that he’s exploring a run for attorney general.

The six-term state senator from Wethersfield is now one of three Democrats who are running or considering a run for attorney general following news that Attorney General George Jepsen won’t seek a third term. He joins Rep. William Tong and former federal prosecutor Chris Mattei who announced last week that they’re running for the seat.

Doyle, whose vote for the Republican budget may have made him vulnerable for re-election to his senate seat, has said he has no regrets about his vote. During the debate he said that he didn’t care if got re-elected as a result of his vote because it was the right thing to do for the state of Connecticut.

Doyle has been in private practice for over 26 years and until recently it was assumed that Jepsen would seek re-election.

“An effective Attorney General will not only stand up for the rights of all residents and defend the State of Connecticut in civil matters, but importantly, challenge in court any attempts

CTNEWSJUNKIE FILE PHOTO

Sheila Cohen, president of the Connecticut Education Association

by Christine Stuart CT. Junkie News CTNEWSJUNKIE FILE PHOTO

Sen. Paul Doyle

by President Trump or others who try to attack the laws and values of the great state of Connecticut,” Doyle said. “I look forward to speaking with citizens of Connecticut to hear their concerns about their lives and discussing my possible candidacy for the Office of Attorney General.”

Prior to serving in the state Senate, Doyle spent 12 years in the House and three years on the Wethersfield Town Council.

Winfield Stays Put For Now

PAUL BASS PHOTO

State Sen. Gary Winfield.

New Haven State Sen. Gary Winfield has his eye on higher office, but has decided not to pursue it in 2018.

So Winfield said during a conversation at Monday’s mayoral inauguration at Hill Regional Career High School.

Winfield, who has made a name for himself in Hartford as a leading advocate of criminal-justice reform, had been weighing a quest for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor. “I had been having conversations” to gauge potential support, he said.

Meanwhile, his wife Rasheda reached the six-month point of her pregnancy with, it turned out, twins. It’s been a challenging pregnancy, Winfield said, and he decided this isn’t the right year to throw himself into a quest for statewide office.

Winfield was first elected to the state legislature in 2008. He ran for mayor in 2013.

HARTFORD, CT — Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy wants the General Assembly to address the $208 million budget deficit when they return next week to restore the Medicare Savings Program and the state’s largest teacher union wants them to restore $58 million in education cuts.

The legislature has gathered enough signatures to return for a special session before Dec. 29 to restore $54 million in funding for the Medicare Savings Program, which helps the elderly and disabled purchase their Medicare Part B premiums and co-pays. The petition used to call them into special session specified that the only reason they were reconvening was to address the Medicare Savings Program.

The Connecticut Education Association and its members have been sending letters to lawmakers asking them also to restore the $58 million in education cost sharing funds Malloy withheld after he signed the budget on Oct. 31.

“While we appreciate legislators standing up for our senior citizens, our youngest and most vulnerable citizens are also facing peril with continued school funding cuts that must be addressed,” CEA President Sheila Cohen said. “The time for action is now. Our children can’t wait until next February.

Legislators must take up the issue in special session.”

But legislative leaders have already reached an agreement over the Medicare Savings Program and adding anything else to the agenda at this point would require much more negotiation.

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Legislative leaders are expected to meet today and the issue might come up, but sources close to those discussions don’t believe they will take it up.

The budget deficit is expected to worsen on Jan. 15 when the new revenue estimates are released, so restoring funding for anything more than one program could cause all sort of problems for lawmakers who have been forced to work on a bipartisan basis to balance the budget.

But the letter writing campaign continues.

As Connecticut’s cities and towns struggle to make up these costs, many are planning to cut school resources, eliminate educational programs, and lay off teachers, according to CEA officials.

“These funding cuts are creating chaos in our schools and causing disruptions for students, parents, teachers, and communities in the middle of the school year,” Cohen said. “Every day our teachers are being asked to do more with less, and every day our students are being shortchanged by cuts in education funding. Education funding is being strangled in a budget nightmare that has created an economic crisis in our schools.”

Hundreds of teachers have also reached out to legislators. In phone calls and emails, teachers are asking legislators to restore the funding.

Cohen stressed, “Without providing critical funding, the state is irreversibly jeopardizing the future of Connecticut’s students and the future of our state. Our children and our public schools are too important to cast aside and just hope for the best. We need to support the education of our children.”

involvement while taking a plea, but that didn’t show up next to his felony.

“I was young, of course, and I wanted freedom,” he said of that teenage mistake. “But it wasn’t actually freedom, because once you’re out, you can’t really get jobs.” To make more time for his son, he recently quit after a decade at Burger King.

Coleman also got evicted from his apartment, after he found out that the woman he’d been subletting from hadn’t paid the landlord for six months. An explanation to the judge didn’t work, and a court marshal put all his belongings out on the curb.

He’d long been involved with kids, taking out his five nephews on excursions to East Rock “because I didn’t want them standing out there watching the drug dealers,” he explained.

But Coleman said he felt “awkward” and “out of place” when he first showed up. For one, he was one of the only active dads, when so many of the other parents he ran into were moms.

And his son could cause disturbances in class.

“It gets hard. He has a low attention span, and I just have to keep him focused,” he said. “When I’m around, he straightens up. He’s different now.

He done came a long way. Before he wouldn’t really sit, and he hit and all that other stuff. Now, he calms down, and I work with him on his education.”

Getting involved at the school has helped both Lathrop and Coleman.

Young has directed them toward support services, like food banks, and helped them write a resume to apply for jobs.

Beyond holding up these two parents as examples, the awards also mean a great deal to their recipients. Lathrop said the award is one of the first times he understood he wasn’t like his own parents.

“It’s helped me to know that I’m a good father, that I’m doing the things I’m supposed to, providing the things that my kids need and making sure that they have a stable home,” he said.

“I’m doing the best that I can, and a lot of people see me. That makes me feel good.”

Coleman agreed. “Before I started doing this, I felt bad on myself always, hearing at jobs, ‘You’re a felon so we can’t hire you.’ All that kind of put me down,” he said. “When I started doing this with my son, I heard, ‘Oh, you’re doing a good job. I always see you with the kids.’ It lifted my spirit up. I was like, OK, it’s going to get better.”

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 03, 2018 - January 09, 2018

A tarnished hospital tries to win back trust

NEW HAVEN’S GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY RADIO STATION!

Yale New Haven Hospital, once reviled for hounding low-income patients for money, wants to be a model for community outreach.

NEW HAVEN, Conn.— Fifteen years ago, this city’s flagship hospital became a national punching bag.

Yale New Haven Hospital — a teaching hospital that got big tax breaks because it was supposed to be serving the community — was found to be hounding low-income patients, suing them for unpaid bills, even putting liens on their houses and hoarding money meant to help them. The hospital’s nearly two-century-old reputation as a charitable organization was ruined overnight. What followed instead: embarrassing billboards, vocal protests and a wave of angry lawmakers, as hospital leaders worked to survive the mushrooming scandal.

“We learned a lot about ourselves,” said Marna Borgstrom, who took over as CEO in 2005 and worked to repair the hospital’s broken reputation.

Today, both the hospital and its community partners see a remarkable success story, one that’s helping revitalize New Haven’s dilapidated neighborhoods. The hospital has poured millions of dollars into clinics and free care, but also into nontraditional investments, like homes and college scholarships, in an effort to help its impoverished neighbors.

“We’re focusing on education, on safe housing,” Borgstrom said. “It’s just a nobrainer.”

But not everyone is satisfied. While Yale New Haven may be a model for other teaching hospitals in extending its health care mission beyond its walls, some local political leaders, health care providers and

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even national critics say its community programs, while generously funded, don’t begin to offset the tens of millions of dollars in state, local and federal taxes that it would have paid on its annual profits of $460 million and its New Haven campus.

Even compared to some other teaching hospitals, whose economic success often stands in sharp contrast to the poverty of their host cities, Yale New Haven dominates the New Haven economy, while paying proportionally little back to the city. That’s why local politicians have pushed the hospital to pay millions of additional dollars to help close budget gaps, while health officials say Yale New Haven should do more to address health disparities and chronic illnesses like diabetes, which are found in high levels across the poor city and especially near the hospital.

That unfulfilled wish list makes Yale New Haven an illustration of the limits of current tax policy, which relies mainly on goodfaith negotiations between rich hospitals and largely poor communities to decide what constitutes community benefits. The hospital and its partners believe it’s doing a lot; critics insist it’s still too little. But there’s no federal rule or law that says what’s enough.

“They’re doing better than 15 years ago,” said Martin Looney, the state Senate president pro tempore and a Democrat who represents New Haven. “But there’s always room to improve and to expand their commitment and to make it even stronger.” ***

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Yale New Haven Hospital is an illustration of the limits of current tax policy, which relies mainly on good-faith negotiations between rich hospitals and largely poor communities to decide what constitutes community benefits. | Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images

“YouA Trip Gotta Know What You’re Doing” To The Hill Museum of Arts - Ali Oshinskie, The Arts Paper THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 03, 2018 - January 09, 2018

Straight down New Haven’s Congress Avenue, then down a tree-lined street, then down a fat asphalt driveway, that’s where you’ll find the Hill Museum of Arts.

It’s there that Gregory “Krikko” Obbott has decided to display his life’s work, a series of giant pencil cityscapes that line the walls. Rather than finding a museum to show the pieces, Obbott—who prefers to go by Krikko—decided to build his own. For that, he’s been able to feature not just his pencil drawings, but works from the artistic journey that led to them.

The tour starts in his lobby, on the other side of a large, creaky front door with pillars on both sides. Bright white columns rise to the third floor rafters and warm light streams in, illuminating the drawings. Guests find themselves face-toface with The Super Big Apple, an aerial view of New York City that measures 20 x 15 feet. In it, New York City stands as it was in the 1990s, with Manhattan dipping out into the viewer’s field of vision.

Landmarks crowd the space: the Empire State building and heavy bridges, with Lady Liberty saluting her viewers from the drawing’s right. Krikko spent years (and 2,496 pencils, he said) working on the piece, which includes 10,000 buildings and 150,000 windows.

The Super Big Apple is just Krikko’s starting place. Across the room hangs a scene of New Haven, measuring 20 x 10 feet. It too is incredibly detailed, with tiny people walking down Crown, College and Elm Streets. Itty bitty students hoist up their backpacks and businesspeople their satchels and briefcases.

There are scenes that still ring true, like a hot dog vendor parked in front of the courthouse on Elm Street.

In creating the museum, Krikko said he sought a space large enough to both hang his drawings and display his multimedia talents. He’s also a skilled saxophonist—he lists Coltrane as an influence and talks frequently about his love for abstract music. Some days as he works or leads tour groups through the museum, tracks from an original jazz album that he recorded with his friends play from a speaker up on the third floor.

Krikko drew his first cityscape as part of a school project in 1980. Originally from Surulere, Nigeria, he moved to America in 1974 to study architecture at University of Southwestern Louisiana (now known as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette). There, he learned techniques that he still uses today. He makes schematics to plan out his drawings and only works on small sections of the drawing at a time. Since his first drawing, his work has only grown in size and popularity. His larger-than-life drawings

are made famous by widely distributed prints, shrunk down to postcard size.

His background in architecture isn’t just useful for drawings, he said in a recent interview at his museum. He also designed and restored the museum in 2013.

He said that the choice to do so was personal: he has lived in the Hill neighborhood for over 20 years, close to and in the museum’s digs on West Street. When he started looking for a place to hang his drawings, he didn’t have to look far to find the right location.

A then-vacant carriage house on West Street was protected by the city for it’s historical architecture. Residential developers looking to build apartments had been turned down, said Krikko—“So I came up with the concept” to do something else with it.

“I’m gonna use it for an art studio,” he told city officials. “From an art studio, then it evolved to a museum.”

He reopened an expanded museum, with plans for a nearby garage, in stages between 2013 and 2015. The renovations were an undertaking: longtime friend and assistant Curtis Woods did the wiring and plumbing, and friends and neighbors helped with construction. In the next few years, he plans to open an animation studio in the empty garage out back for local kids to create and build art in.

He has a pre-rehearsed tour, ready for groups that enter the space. The first two stories of the three-story house are filled with Krikko’s art, mostly drawings of

cities and buildings with a few portraits in the mix. The second floor houses a gift shop, a corner filled with postcards and prints of his drawings.

But it’s up on the third floor where Krikko spends most of his time; his studio and home are there. His decision to live in the space was motivated by his hunch, fed by decades of experience, that creativity may strike at any time.

“There’s no way you’re gonna live in the suburbs and come here and draw for a few hours,” he said in a recent interview.

“You gotta draw at night. I was up at 2:30 last night drawing.”

From the across the open airspace on the third floor, he called to Woods, sitting in the stairwell below.

“Curtis! Ask him. Where do I sleep?,” Krikko said.

“Under his drawing!,” Wood shouted back.

That drawing, still nascent, is a new perspective of New York City. On the third floor, panels sit on a desk suspended by chains from the ceiling. Unlike his Super Big Apple, Krikko has shifted the perspective to sit above Central Park with the rest of the city shrinking in the distance.

At this workbench, the scale of Krikko’s work is broken down. The drawings are done in sections, on 60 x 40 inch pieces of four-ply paper. Next to the four sections on the table are tattered maps, frayed and retaped, and his collection of pencils.

On a recent tour of his desk, Krikko

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grew quiet, leaving the sounds of his shading and the recording of his jazz group to fill the silence. He was working on the Columbia University neighborhood, shading a section, rubbing the paper with a blending stump, a stick of tightly wrapped felt paper, and then glancing at the map before he repeated the process.

“It’s almost like you’re dancing, your hands have to move in rhythm,” he said. Only the tip of the Staedtler pencil touched the desk to avoid smudging.

“Staedtler, Staedtler pencils. Staedtler is the best!”

The love is reciprocal: His work is featured on Staedtler’s advertisements and pencil packages. And that kind of expanded vision of his work, he said, dovetails with the expanded museum, and an equally expanded mission statement.

“I’m an artist, I couldn’t be that reserved, you know, otherwise you incubate creativity and energy,” he said.

“You gotta come out of the box.”

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THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 03, 2018 - January 09, 2018

Board Prez Reelected; Mayor’s Office Next?

by MARKESHIA RICKS New Haven Independent

The Board of Alders reelected a president Tuesday night — and, in the process, may theoretically have elected New Haven’s next mayor.

At their first meeting of 2018, the alders unanimously elected West River Alder Tyisha Walker-Myers to a third term as board president. Walker-Meyers, the first woman board president, vowed to tackle affordable housing, jobs, and board development during the upcoming two years.

As board president, Walker-Myers serves as mayor when the mayor leaves town. Leading Democrats running for governor in 2018 have openly floated the idea of Mayor Toni Harp serving as their lieutenant governor running mate. Harp has avoided stating whether she would accept such a slot on the ticket. If she were chosen, if she were to say yes, and then if the Democratic ticket were to win the 2018 election and Harp resign as mayor in 2019 all big ifs Walker-Meyers would automatically assume the mayor’s job.

Walker-Myers said Tuesday night she hasn’t focused on that question since the mayor has not indicated whether or not she’ll run for statewide office.

“If it’s something that I have to do

I will,” she said. “But right now, it doesn’t matter.”

In addition to Walker-Myers’ reelection, Dixwell Alder Jeanette Morrison was reelected as the board’s president pro tem. Beverly Hills/Amity Alder Richard Furlow is the new majority leader, taking the reins from now State Rep. Alphonse Paolillo Jr. Hill Alder Dave Reyes Jr. is the deputy majority leader.

In nominating Walker-Myers for the board presidency Tuesday night, Dwight Alder Frank Douglass, who worked with Walker-Myers at Yale University before he retired, alluded to her work as a UNITE HERE Local 35 steward. He said he considers her a “little sister” and “a very important person in my life.”

Walker-Meyers became the first female president of the board in April 2015 after longtime Board President Jorge Perez stepped down to become the state banking commissioner, then was elected in 2016 to her first full term.

Morris Cove Alder Sal DeCola echoed Douglass Tuesday night, saying that Walker-Myers pushes alders to be their best.

“I truly admire her strength and fortitude for our city,” he said.

Walker-Myers said last term the board focused on taking the pulse of

Walker-Myers: There’s work to do.

the community by conducting a legislative agenda review. She said going forward she wants to re-enforce what alders learned from that review.

“I want to make sure that we’re all moving in the same direction,” she said. She said she wants more people on the board to be capable of leading

8

and serving in various positions to “give people more accountability and more things to do.”

She cited as issue priorities tackling affordable housing and boosting jobs, including by engaging more firmly with an entity alders created to address that issue: New Haven Works.

“One of the things that always comes up with this board a lot is affordable housing,” she said. “We’re going to look at different opportunities for affordable housing throughout the city.

Jobs are always important to this board. The thing that always comes back is ‘Can people feed their families?’”

Above all, she said the board has the hard work ahead of dealing with tough financial decisions responsibly as state and federal money dry up.

“We have to do the work,” she said.

“We have to say ‘no’ where we have to say, ‘no,’” she said. “I know it’s going to be tough, and when it’s tough the mind starts thinking creatively.”

One of the controversial decisions facing alders is whether or not Mayor Toni Harp should get a raise. Harp has asked alders to bump up her salary by $10,000 to make it more comparable with what other mayors in similarly sized cities. The third-term mayor’s salary would increase to $141,000 if alders approve it.

They had the chance to do so Tuesday night, but Walker-Meyers said the vote was held off so that alders could receive more information.

Alders have yet to elect what is known as the “third officer,” the Democrat who occupies the minority-party position on committees and delivers an annual address to the board. That position was last held by Yale Alder Sarah Eidelson because the board had no non-Democrats at the time. Now the board has two members who are registered Democrats that did not get the party endorsement and ran and won as independent candidates. Those new board members are Yale Alder Hacibey Catalbasoglu and Newhallville/Prospect Hill Alder Steve Winter.

After her uncontested election to board president, Walker-Myers congratulated her colleagues—seven of them new to the board and two of them returning veterans who had previously left—on being elected and reminded them of the important responsibility they’d all been given.

“I am really excited about being the president and helping ... with moving the city forward because it’s not one person that can really do that,” she said. “It’s about a team and I’m really proud to have you guys be a part of my time. I’m really excited and I’m looking forward to the next two years and I hope you are too.”

“That is my way to say there’s a lot of work to do,” she said. “Don’t get comfortable. You will be helping to complete that work.”

“Thank you very much for reelecting me,” she added. “Let’s get ready to work.”

dependent

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 03, 2018 - January 09, 2018

Ganim Says He’s ‘An Imperfect Candidate’

by Christine Stuart

New Haven Independent

Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim says he’s an “imperfect candidate,” but believes he’s in the best position to win the Democratic nomination and turn the state around by focusing on cities.

Ganim, 58, was first elected mayor in 1991. He later served seven years in federal prison for corruption while he was mayor in Bridgeport. But he ran again and won his old job back in November 2015 by a nearly 2-to-1 margin over his closest opponent.

“I took my knocks,” Ganim said. “I put myself out there as one with experience, but an imperfect candidate who has something to offer.”

After officially filing his campaign paperwork with the State Elections Enforcement Commission, Ganim came to the state Capitol press room to speak with reporters.

During the availability, Ganim said he believes he offers the best opportunity for Democrats to win in November.

Many may disagree with that statement despite Bridgeport re-electing him as mayor in 2015.

Ganim is unable, according to a federal judge, to use the public financing system based upon his criminal conviction.

Republican Party Chairman JR Romano said the judge was wise to deny Ganim access to public funds.

“But with the Democrat field filled with the likes of a failed mayor from Hartford and a mayor currently under investigation by his own Common Council I can see why Joe Ganim thinks he has a shot,” Romano said.

Despite Romano’s rhetoric, Ganim remains confident in his chances.

“I haven’t seen an election that’s determined by someone’s past,” Ganim said. “It’s really going to collectively be about who can project the most positive and credible future for Connecticut.”

He said it’s an opportunity for Connecticut’s “second chance.”

City contractors, unlike state contractors, aren’t barred from giving money

to Ganim’s campaign under the state’s fundraising rules.

“If they’re not barred then they have a right to contribute if they want to,” Ganim said. However, he said he’s not actively soliciting them.

“I have not been soliciting city employees or city contractors particularly,” Ganim said.

According to his July report, at least 103 City of Bridgeport employees had donated to Ganim’s campaign. A tally of city employees who contributed to Ganim’s exploratory committee from the October report has not been calculated.

The press conference was interrupted toward the end by Eric Connery, facilities administrator for the Office of Legislative Management who said Ganim was not able to have a press conference in the building.

“Once he’s the endorsed candidate he can hold it anywhere he wants,” Connery said.

Av Harris, a legislative liaison for the City of Bridgeport and a former WNPR reporter who tagged along

CHRISTINE STUART / CTNEWSJUNKIE

Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim

with the campaign Wednesday, said there is no restriction against an impromptu conversation with the media.

“I have a problem because we’re getting beat up at the moment,” Connery told Harris.

Harris said it wasn’t a press conference.

After the event Ganim headed to a

Waterbury pizzeria to continue his campaign announcement and on the way his vehicle with a reporter from the CT Post in tow was pulled over for going around 100 mph.

According to reporter Neil Vidgor, Ganim was not driving and they didn’t receive a ticket or a warning.

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INNER-CITY NEWSDecember January 03, 09,19, 2018 THETHE INNER-CITY NEWS 13, 2018 2017 -- January December 2017

New Voice, New Album

For more information on ACES schools, programs and services, please visit our website.

(203) 498-6800 | www.aces.org

Con’t from page 11

PAUL BASS PHOTO

Thabisa and Steve Mednick Thursday in the WNHH studio.

When Thabisa performs her music in Xhosa, the language from her native South Africa, people in Westville understand what she’s singing.

Even if they don’t understand the words.

“People who love music do not care what language you sing in,” she said. “Music is language.”

Thabisa, who recorded two albums and toured in South Africa, moved with her family this past year to New Haven’s Westville neighborhood. She’s starting to build a local following for her music and powerful, soulful voice; this Saturday, Dec. 16, she’s performing a show at Kehler Liddell Gallery in Westville Village beginning at 7 p.m.

Some of the songs will be in Xhosa, some in English. She wrote may of them; others may be by some of her favortie artists whose music she covers, like Miriam Makeba. Steve Mednick sings in the language of protest and introspection. An attorney and former Westville alder, he has launched a successful side career as a recording artist and performer. He has a new politically-themed album coming out this week called Following the Thunder.

Thabisa and Mednick crossed paths spoke about their musical missions, sang some of their songs, weighed in on the implications of recent political events Thursday on WNHH FM’s “Dateline New Haven program.”

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THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 03, 2018 - January 09, 2018

Black Women and Girls Deserve More Respect, Visibility in the

By Ed Gray, North Dallas Gazette/NNPA Member This has been a monumental year for the reaffirmation of women’s rights in the workplace and the ballot booth. This is long overdue. The battle for the rights of women, and specifically Black women and girls, has gone on for centuries. In America, the spotlight on this fight for women’s rights shines brightly on White women, while Black women, who have often fought more vigorously for equality and justice, are largely consigned to the shadows of the movement.

TIME magazine placed “The Silence Breakers” on their cover, noting that the tenacity and courage of the women’s voices could be heard over the walls of systemic oppression.

Still, in the stories of Dajerria Becton, a teenager who was violently handcuffed and thrown to the ground by an overzealous McKinney, Texas police officer and Sandra Bland, who was arrested and died in police custody in Prairie View, Texas, that oppression seems unsurmountable.

Most acts of extrajudicial violence and aggression towards Black women never become national headlines and many Black women suffer in quiet silence as their complaints of sexual harassment are ignored and discounted, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

Mainstream America labels Black women as angry Jezebels unfit for normal, social interactions. Black American pop culture hypersexualizes our young girls while condemning them for being too fast. There is a deafening silence in the Black community that is complicit in the degradation of our

Black women.

When we do speak, instead of a healing, sometimes our words just cause more wounds.

One of the most influential hip-hop artists of all time, Tupac Shakur, spoke directly to Black women in “Wonda Why They Call U Bytch”: You leave your kids with your mama ‘cuz your headin’ for the club In a skin-tight miniskirt lookin’ for some love Got them legs wide open while you’re sittin’ at the bar Talkin’ to some n**ga ’bout his car I guess he said he had a Lexus, what’s next?

You headin’ to his car for some sex Today, some people would criticize Shakur for slut-shaming, while others would applaud him for telling it like it is.

White women have been applauded for coming forward to tell their stories of sexual assault and harassment under the #MeToo flag. The movement would be much stronger and more credible, if its leaders forced mainstream media to also carry the stories of Black women on their morning shows and popular websites.

Black men must bear some of the blame for mainstream media’s ignorance and apathy towards the plight of Black women. We band together, as brothers, ignoring the anguished cries of our sisters. We must stop, look and listen.

We must reject R. Kelly for his alleged abuse of Black women and girls with the same unanimity that Black voters in Alabama rejected the alleged sexual predator Roy Moore.

We must step in the name of love and in the name of justice with respect for our

#MeToo Movement

Black mothers, wives, sisters and daughters. This respect must begin in the Black community; we must clean our own house, first. We must elevate our women from social media hashtags to highly-valued and respected members of the global community.

In “Keep Ya Head Up,” Shakur offers a critique on the exploitation of women in the Black community: And since we all came from a woman Got our name from a woman and our game from a woman I wonder why we take from our women Why we rape our women, do we hate our women?

I think it’s time to kill for our women Time to heal our women, be real to our women And if we don’t we’ll have a race of babies That will hate the ladies that make the babies And since a man can’t make one He has no right to tell a woman when and where to create one So will the real men get up I know you’re fed up ladies, but keep your head up.

Black women and girls are sick and tired of being sick and tired; it’s time for us to heed Shakur’s advice and heal our women and be real to our women.

This is Ed Gray, and this is straight talk.

Ed Gray, the host of The Commish Radio Show airing Saturdays 1-3 p.m. on FBRN. net, can be reached at eegray62@att.net.

The North Dallas Gazette is a member publication of the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

Jenifer Lewis Shares Secrets to Hollywood Success in New Memoir

By Lauren Poteat, NNPA Newswire Contributing Writer

Jenifer Lewis, affectionately nicknamed “Auntie” in Black Hollywood, recently made a special appearance at the Duke Ellington School of Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. where she shared the trials, tribulations and triumphs of her journey to superstardom, while sending a strong message to millennials to stand up and find a purpose.

“There’s no foolproof way to live this thing called ‘life.’ I can’t save the world, I can’t save you and ain’t nobody coming to rescue you,” said Lewis. “Do the work, look in the mirror and know this ain’t no rehearsal. This is life.”

Lewis continued: “Live, pursue happiness—sometimes it’s easier said than done—but we have to strive for that.

You’ve laid down in front of these police barricades, now get up, stay up and keep it moving, but don’t miss the beat of feeling…don’t just go willy nilly into the world.”

Detailing traumatic and heroic moments from her past throughout her special performance, Lewis talked about being molested as a teenager, her first encounter with illegal substances and growing to understand and cope with a bipolar disorder diagnosis.

“Feel your feelings. If you’re disappointed you feel, if you’re hurt you feel,” said Lewis. “Don’t you stay in a dark room and be quiet and if somebody inappropriately touches you or abuses you, you tell somebody.”

Compelled by the actress’s gripping, yet comedic words, audience members gushed over the opportunity to engage with the Hollywood legend and to share their own personal stories.

“Ms. Jenifer, I just wanted to say my daughter—she would of been 27—she was bipolar,” one district resident said.

“We discovered it when she was 13.

When she was about 16 or 17 she heard you talking about being bipolar and it made her feel a little bit more comfortable with her treatment. She didn’t get

all the way better, she passed away, but I’ve always wanted to meet you just to tell you, ‘Thank you,’ for giving my daughter that little extra amount of time on Earth to feel better.”

The always amusing co-star of the hit ABC sitcom “black-ish,” recently published a deeply personal memoir titled “The Mother of Black Hollywood.”

Filled with comedy, sex, glamour, sorrow, pain, and good advice, Lewis’ latest over the top production—the story of her life—is a terrific read for anyone who has ever felt like they were ignored, but longed to have a voice.

Lewis said that she recently completed work on a new Disney animated TV series based on the movie “Big Hero 6” and plans to reprise her role as Jackie Washington in the mockumentary “Jackie’s Back! 2,” that will pick up where the original 1999 Lifetime channel movie left off.

11

Jenifer Lewis,

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 03, 2018 - January 09, 2018

New Partnership Helps Low Income Families Find Help With Expensive Medications

By Jeffrey Lewis, BlackNews.com

Nationwide — If you or someone you love is one of the millions of Americans with a chronic disease or a lifethreatening condition, pharmaceutical manufacturers and their partners offer you a gift of hope in 2018.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are criticized as Scrooge or the Grinch in our country’s health care system.

Elected officials and advocacy organizations want to blame somebody for rising Rx costs, and the most obvious target is the Big Pharma.

But in this blame game, very little attention is given to the help the pharmaceutical industry and its partners quietly provide to patients in need through a variety of programs.

Such programs are often based on the patient’s household income, but not always. Patients with no health insurance coverage are often the first group considered eligible. Likewise, those with one or more chronic or life-threatening conditions are a high priority.

If you fall into one of these categories, check out the Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) found on individual pharmaceutical company websites or through Partnership for Prescription

Assistance (www.PPARX.org), the website created by PhRMA, the trade association representing pharmaceutical manufacturers, linking patients to more than 475 different assistance programs.

On most of these websites, you can be connected with a customer support team member who can help determine if you are eligible and get you enrolled. You will be asked to verify that you are insured or uninsured and, in some cases, provide proof of income. You may need your physician to validate your condition. But once approved, access to medication is almost immediate. (Note: Patients enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid may not be eligible.)

Pharmaceutical manufacturers also offer co-pay assistance, in which the patient is offered help with the cost of medication co-payments. Some copay assistance programs do not limit who is eligible. And, it is important to know that some co-pay assistance programs will not help people on Medicare. Each program sets its own rules.

People searching for an online provider should check out www.RxAssist.org. This site was developed by AstraZeneca, a pharmaceutical manufacturer, with the sole purpose of help-

ing people access needed medications.

It is one of the best sites available.

The California Chronic Care Coalition (CCCC) has launched the website www.MyPatientRights.com and is taking it nationwide to help people who have been denied treatment or medicines, experienced delays or are dissatisfied with the decisions made by their health plan. Today, this pro-

gram is operating in 17 states. It helps patients get the care or treatment they need if denied, or if their plans don’t cover their meds and force them to pay full price. The program is available in 17 states – check the website to see if your state has a program.

If you need help with your medications, you are not alone. Go to the

websites cited throughout this article.

They can help connect you with lowcost and free alternatives. It is worth your time to explore these options.

Feel free to e-mail me with your questions.

Jeffrey Lewis, CEO of Legacy Health Endowment in Turlock, California can be reached at jeffrey@legacyhealthen-

The Difference Between Plant-Based, Vegan, Vegetarian & Pescatarian obesity and cardiovascular disease.

by Shawna Davis

Thanks to documentaries such as “Black Fish,” “What the Health,” “Forks Over Knives,” and a host of other educating documentaries, you may have begun to rethink the ethical treatment of animals, as well as, the food in which you’re putting into your body. And after watching such documentaries, it makes perfect sense as to why you may be curious about living a non-carnivorous lifestyle.

With so much knowledge available at our finger tips and with a drastic increase of vegan and vegetarian eateries across the world, it’s easier now more than ever, to cut back on eating meat. Not sure where to start? Here are four different lifestyles to choose from if you’re interested in living a meatfree life.

Pescatarian Eating a pescatarian diet means you’re able to eat any type of fruit, vegetable, legume or grain, as well as fish. While pescatarians’ diet is a focus on that of a plant-based diet with the inclusion of fish, some pescatarians

still consume dairy and eggs. Some benefits of this type of lifestyle includes meeting your need for B-complex vitamins and obtaining plenty of protein; a three-ounce raw Atlantic salmon fillet has 17 grams of protein.

Some fish, including salmon, tuna and herring, provide healthy omega-3 fatty acids which help reduce the risk of developing high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart problems.

Vegetarian A person who identifies as a vegetarian abstains from consuming any type of meat including poultry, seafood, red

meat and the flesh of any other animal.

There are different versions of this type of diet that includes an ovo-lacto vegetarian in which this version of vegetarianism includes consumption of eggs and dairy; ovo-vegetarian – a person who eats eggs but not dairy; and lacto-vegetarian – a diet in which a person consumes dairy but not eggs.

Depending on your beliefs, some vegetarians also refrain from by-products of animal slaughter. Some benefits of maintaining a vegetarian diet include decreasing your chances of developing kidney stones and lessening the risk of experiencing strokes, diabetes,

12

Plant-Based Very similar to a vegan diet, individuals who choose to live a plant-based lifestyle avoid meat, dairy, eggs, gelatin and processed foods such as white flour and refined sugar. People who follow this lifestyle eat unprocessed or minimally processed vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds, legumes, beans and whole grains. To break the distinction between plant-based and veganism down a bit further, a vegan can eat Oreos, since in essence they are vegan, however, a person who follows a “plant-based” lifestyle may choose not to eat Oreos because it’s not a product that resembles it’s original plant form.

Although a “plant-based” meal may be vegan by definition, a big difference between the two are a person who follows a plant-based diet is not necessarily a vegan which means they may consume only plant-based foods but may still wear or use products that are derived from animals. A plant-based diet can help with diabetes prevention and weight loss, improving heart health and skin health as well.

Vegan Again, vegan and plant-based are strongly similar, except, being vegan is a philosophy devoted to animal rights that involves diets, ethics and politics.

As a vegan, you not only eliminate animal food from your diet, but you also extend the elimination process across all aspects of your life. So, this means a vegan doesn’t use honey or beeswax because it’s derived from insects; any household goods, toiletries or beauty products or wear any type of clothing that derives from animals, such as leather, fur or silk if any of the products are tested on or derived from animals. Being a vegan can help you lose excess weight, lower your risk of heart disease and may protect again certain cancers.

There are different options to help start your journey to living a life that doesn’t include eating land-based animals and plenty of benefits associated with each lifestyle. If you’re interested in starting any of these lifestyles, consult with your doctor and research to determine which option is a better fit for you.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 03, 2018 - January 09, 2018

Dental Services are now available at our Dixwell Health Center

Questions about your bill?

Yale New Haven Hospital is pleased to offer patients and their families financial counseling regarding their hospital bills or the availability of financial assistance, including free care funds.

By appointment, patients can speak one-on-one with a financial counselor during regular business hours. For your convenience, extended hours are available once a month.

Date: Tuesday, January 16 Time: 5 - 7 pm Location: Children’s Hospital, 1 Park St., 1st Floor, Admitting Parking available (handicapped accessible) An appointment is necessary. Please call 203-688-2046.

Spanish-speaking counselors available.

Call 203-503-3420 to make your appointment today!

12929 (11/17)

226 Dixwell Avenue, New Haven • cornellscott.org 13

Heroes We Lost in 2017: THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 03, 2018 - January 09, 2018

Activist Erica Garner, Daughter of Eric Garner, Died December 30

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Contributor Erica Garner, who became an activist for all who were wronged by the American justice system, died on Saturday, December 30.

She was 27.

A Twitter account associated with Erica Garner spoke of her compassion for humanity. CNN reported that her family is controlling the account.

“When you report this you remember she was human: mother, daughter, sister, aunt,” Garner’s account tweeted.

“Her heart was bigger than the world. It really, really was. She cared when most people wouldn’t have. She was good.

She only pursued right, no matter what.

No one gave her justice.”

Garner famously and fiercely sought justice for her father, Eric Garner, who died from a police chokehold in Staten Island, New York on July 17, 2014.

She led marches and demonstrations in New York City and other places, and even appeared on national television imploring the Department of Justice to review the circumstances that led up to her father’s death.

Erica Garner’s mother, Esaw Snipes, said, “She was a fighter, she was a warrior and she lost the battle. She never recovered from when her father died,” according to CNN. Snipes said that Garner suffered from the effects of an enlarged heart after giving birth to her son three months ago, CNN reported.

“I warned her everyday, you have to slow down, you have to relax and slow down,” Snipes said.

According to Erica Garner’s Twitter account, the activist went into cardiac arrest and suffered major brain damage from a lack of oxygen.

In a statement about Erica Garner’s work as an advocate for criminal justice reform, Rev. Al Sharpton called her a warrior.

Sharpton famously joined the Garner family in their push for justice against the New York City Police Department.

“Many will say that Erica died of a heart attack, but that’s only partially true because her heart was already broken when she couldn’t get justice for her father,” Sharpton said. “Her heart was attacked by a system that would choke her dad and not hold accountable those that did it.”

On a summer day in July 2014, officers approached Eric Garner whom they said was selling loose cigarettes near a store in Staten Island.

A video released showed Officer Daniel Pantaleo grabbing Garner from

behind and applying a chokehold while other officers helped tackle Garner, whom family members said had asthma.

On the video, in a plea that has resonated around the world, Garner is

heard saying, “I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe,” repeatedly.

He died shortly after the incident.

A grand jury failed to indict Pantaleo and, in 2015, the city settled a civil

OP-ED: Lessons from the African American Vote in Alabama

By Dr. John Warren, San Diego Voice and Viewpoint/NNPA Member

The African Americans who have convinced themselves that one vote doesn’t matter, should take a very close look at what happened during the recent special election in Alabama. In spite of the endorsement of President Donald Trump and the extremely conservative White voters who supported Roy Moore, Doug Jones, the Democratic candidate won the for the United States Senate seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Jones was the first Democrat elected to represent Alabama in the U.S. Senate in 25 years. How he won is very important to African Americans across this nation.

Exit polls showed that 98 percent of African American women who voted supported Jones and 93 percent of African American men who voted chose the Democratic candidate. The Jones’ victory by 1.5 percent clearly shows

that, without the Black vote, Jones wouldn’t have won the special election. Equally important is the fact that this degree of African American voter participation in an off-season special election, demonstrates what we can do, when we choose to get involved. African Americans cannot allow “voter suppression” tactics, like additional photo identification requirements, to deter us from going to the polls.

According to Nonprofit VOTE, “In all but two states, voting age citizens convicted of a felony are barred from voting for some period of time.” In Washington, D.C., Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Utah, the voting rights of returning citizens are restored automatically once they’re

14

released. In Florida, Iowa, Kentucky and Virginia, ex-offenders are forced to petition the government to have their voting rights restored.

African Americans are disproportionately affected by voter suppression tactics and laws that deny ex-felons the right to vote; that’s why we should be focused on “voter registration” and not candidate endorsements at this stage of the game. We cannot allow apathy and indifference to take the place of the hard won battle for voter participation on the part of African Americans. Just as we rallied and voted for President Barack Obama, we must rally and vote against the policies and political candidates promoted by the Trump Administration. We have to do whatever it takes to defeat those who would continue to support a system of

economic inequality dressed up as tax reform that ultimately harms the majority of Americans.

Jones’ victory in the special election in Alabama demonstrates that Black votes matter and that Black voters cast crucial votes in elections where White voters are decidedly split; that’s the real lesson. We make our victories and define our value. Let’s not let others do that for us. Every Black vote counts and can make a difference in the Deep South and across the nation.

The San Diego Voice and Viewpoint is a member publication of the National Newspaper Publishers Association. Learn more about becoming a member at www.nnpa. org.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 03, 2018 - January 09, 2018

For the First Time Ever, More Than 50% of This Ivy League College's Freshmen Are Minorities

For the first time in history, more than 50 percent of incoming freshmen at Harvard University are minorities. If all graduate in the year 2021, it could also mean the first graduating class at prestigious Harvard with more than 50 percent non-whites.

Harvard University, founded in 1636, has been working to increase diversity among classes of students. In 2016, it’s incoming freshman class was 47.3 percent minorities. This year, they have increased this number to 50.8 percent.

What’s more, their reasoning is not based on just legal standards.

Educating diverse future leaders Although Harvard recognizes the need to be “consistent with the legal standards established by the U.S. Supreme Court,” the university has also

expressed the importance of diversity in society and their role in ensuring that all students, regardless of background, have an opportunity to receive the education necessary to become future presidents, CEOs, and world leaders.

Harvard spokeswoman Rachael Dane said in a recent statement, “To become leaders in our diverse society, students must have the ability to work with people from different backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives. Harvard remains committed to enrolling diverse classes of students.”

Read more about Harvard’s Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion programs and initiatives by visiting http://diversity.college.harvard.edu/ programs-initiatives

Back to Active: Here’s Your Motivation to Start

by Jasmine Danielle, BDO

“I’m too tired.” “It’s too cold.” “I have no time to spare.” “The gym is too far.” “I don’t own any workout clothes.”

Sound familiar? They’re all common excuses as to why we won’t commit to starting a new workout routine.

We all fall victim to our excuses from time to time, and while some excuses may be valid, they should never keep us from executing a goal we established back in January 2009. It’s a new year and the perfect time to step into a new mindset. We can overcome our excuses and finally make it through those gym doors, even if that means hacking our way there.

The first step is to set a goal. By setting goals, we’re able to intentionally move through our fitness journeys, which is especially important when mapping out our workouts, maximizing our gym time, creating a realistic timeline and ultimately seeing results.

Goals should be SMART, meaning they should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound.

When listing our goals we must be clear and practical and we must be able to track our progress on a timeline.

Once we’ve set our goals it’s time to decide on a plan of action! What

15

fitness formats will we choose to be part of our routine? How many days of the week will we work out? How much time are we willing to spend in the gym? It’s important, to be honest with ourselves. We’re less likely to fall short and let ourselves down if we commit to a realistic number of days. If we decide on formats that we truly enjoy, we’ll give ourselves something to look forward to those three or four active days of the week.

This will also help eliminate some of the confusion surrounding our new fitness routine because we already know what to expect from ourselves and our workout before we even start.

Another great motivation hack is choosing an accountability partner.

Perhaps you know someone who desires a healthier lifestyle or maybe you know someone who’s already submerged. Either way, it’s nice to have someone to hold us accountable for executing our fitness plans.

A good accountability partner is also going to be there for us when we’re frustrated and ready to give up.

They’ll help keep us motivated and push us to fight for our goals.

It sounds vain, but you may notice you’re more enthusiastic about showing up for your sweat sessions if you do it in workout gear you actually like, and as long as you know

where to look, it doesn’t have to be costly. Purchasing activewear that looks good and fits even better will inspire you to get moving if only to show off your new coordinates. Hey, at least you accomplished the hardest part, which is showing up!

Finally, don’t be afraid to treat yourself! It’s not a bad idea to have a system in place that rewards when milestones are met. Frozen yogurt, a bubble bath, a massage or facial, even a new (gym) bag are great ways to honor yourself for successfully executing your plans. Initiating a healthy lifestyle is challenging and following through takes the cake so celebrate your wins each time you’ve hit your mark!

Jasmine Danielle is a Los Angeles based dancer and fitness trainer. She received her BFA in Dance from the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign and has studied with FiTour, the National Federation of Personal Trainers, and the Equinox Group Fitness Training Institute. Jasmine is currently a Group Fitness Instructor for Equinox, Everybody Los Angeles, and Sandbox Fitness. Her fitness modalities include ballet, dance cardio, barre fitness, TRX, treadmill interval training, cardio kickboxing, jump rope, indoor cycling, and metabolic conditioning.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 03, 2018 - January 09, 2018

Assistant Facilities Manager

PUBLIC NOTICE

Project: 11 Crown Street Meriden, CT SUBCONTRACTOR PRE BID MEETING Thursday, January 11, 2018 6 to 7:00 pm Location: Meriden Housing Authority 22 Church Street, Meriden

INVITATION TO BID:

New Construction 3 Buildings, 81 Units, Approx 122,000SF This is our Project, Taxable & Residential Wage Rates apply.

This contract is subject to state set-aside and contract compliance requirements.

Bid Due Date: Subcontractor bids due: January 25, 2018 @ 5 pm Project documents available via ftp link below: http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=11crown street Fax or Email Questions & Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 dlang@haynesct.com HCC encourages the participation of all Veteran, S/W/MBE & Section 3 Certified Businesses Haynes Construction Company, 32 Progress Ave, Seymour, CT 06483 AA/EEO EMPLOYER

Listing: Logistics Assistant - Immediate Opening High Volume petroleum oil company is seeking a full time skilled Logistics Assistant with previous petroleum oil, retail or commercial dispatching experience for days, shared on call duties and weekends required also. Must possess, excellent attention to detail, ability to manage multiple projects, excel proficiency and good computer skills required. Send resume to: Human Resource Dept., PO Box 388, Guilford, CT 06437. ********An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer**********

The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport Invitation for Bid (IFB) Three Tab Roof Replacements at Various Sites Solicitation Number: 093-PD-17-S The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport d/b/a Park City Communities (PCC) is requesting sealed bids for Roof Replacements at Various Sites. A complete set of the plans and technical specifications will be available on October 23, 2017. To obtain a copy of the solicitation you must send your request to bids@parkcitycommunities.org, please reference solicitation number and title on the subject line. A MANDATORY pre-bid conference will be held at 150 Highland Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06604 on November 8, 2017 @ 10:00 a.m., submitting a bid for the project without attending conference is not in the best interest of the Offeror. Additional questions should be emailed only to bids@parkcitycommunities.org no later than November 20, 2017 @ 3:00 p.m. Answers to all the questions will be posted on PCC’s Website: www.parkcitycommunities.org. All bids must be received by mailed or hand delivered by December 7, 2017 @ 2:00 PM, to Ms. Caroline Sanchez, Sr. Contract Specialist, 150 Highland Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06604, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. No bids will be accepted after the designated time.

KMK Insulation Inc. 1907 Hartford Turnpike North Haven, CT 06473

Mechanical Insulator position.

Insulation company offering good pay and benefits.

Please mail resume to above address.. MAIL ONLY This company is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer.

Common Ground seeks an Assistant Facilities Manager/Custodian to be responsible for the care, upkeep and maintenance of Common Ground’s facilities. The Assistant Facilities Manager/Custodian will supervise part time custodial staff.

This is a full time, year round 40-hour per week position with benefits. Work hours will generally run from noon until 8 pm with some weekend hours required. For a more detailed job description and how to apply, please visit http:// commongroundct.org/2017/10/common-ground-seeks-an-assistant-facilitiesmanager/Common Ground seeks an Assistant Facilities Manager/Custodian to be responsible for the care, upkeep and maintenance of Common Ground’s facilities. The Assistant Facilities Manager/Custodian will supervise part time custodial staff. This is a full time, year round 40-hour per week position with benefits. Work hours will generally run from noon until 8 pm with some weekend hours required. For a more detailed job description and how to apply, please visit http://commongroundct.org/2017/10/common-ground-seeks-an-assistantfacilities-manager/

Construction Truck and Equipment Head Mechanic

Large CT based Fence and Guard Rail contractor looking for experienced, self-motivated, responsible Head Mechanic. Responsibilities will include maintaining and repairing all company equipment and vehicles, updating asset lists and assuring all rolling stock is in compliance with state and federal regulations. Must have extensive diesel engine, electrical wiring and hydraulic systems experience.

Top wages paid, company truck and benefits.

AA/EOE

Please send resume to Mpicard@atlasoutdoor.com

The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport Request for Proposal (RFP) for Security Guard Services- Harborview Towers Solicitation Number: 095-SEC-17-S The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport d/b/a Park City Communities (PCC) is currently requesting proposals from qualified security firms to provide security guard services at Harborview Towers a public housing complex in the city of Bridgeport. Solicitation package will be available on December 18, 2017. To obtain a copy of the solicitation you must send your request to bids@parkcitycommunities.org, please reference solicitation number and title on the subject line. A pre-proposal conference will be held at150 Highland Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06604 onJanuary 10, 2018, @ 10:00 a.m.Although attendance is not mandatory, submitting a bid for the project without attending conference is not in the best interest of the Offeror. Additional questions should be emailed only to bids@parkcitycommunities.org no later than January 20, 2018 @ 3:00 p.m. Answers to all the questions will be posted on PCC’s Website: www.parkcitycommunities.org.Proposals shall be mailed or hand delivered by February 1, 2018 @ 3:00 PM, to Ms. Caroline Sanchez, Director of Procurement, 150 Highland Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06604. Late proposals will not be accepted.

TOWN CLERK

TOWN CLERK-Responsible for public records and management of the Town Clerk’s Office. The position requires a H.S. Diploma or GED and five (5) years of responsible office work experience in municipal Town Clerk Office performing duties as indicated in the job description to include one (1) year of supervisory experience. Must possess State of CT. certification as a Notary required within six (6) months of appointment. Must possess and maintain State of CT. certification as a Municipal Clerk within three (3) years of appointment. $59,138- $75,665 plus an excellent fringe benefit package.

Apply: Personnel Department, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492. The closing date will be the date the 50th application/resume is received, or December 27, 2017 whichever occurs first. EOE

16

Union Company seeks: Tractor Trailer Driver for Heavy & Highway Construction Equipment. Must have a CDL License, clean driving record, capable of operating heavy equipment; be willing to travel throughout the Northeast & NY. We offer excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits Invitation for Bids Phone: Contact: Dana Briere 860-243-2300 Email: Snow Removal ServicesValley dana.briere@garrityasphalt.com and Waverly Townhouse Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply The Housing Authority ofAction/ the City ofEqual New Haven d/b/a Elm City ComAffirmative Opportunity munities is currently seekingEmployer Bids for Snow Removal Services-Valley and Waverly Townhouses. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at 3:00PM

ELM CITY COMMUNITIES s

GARRITY ASPHALT RECLAIMING , INC Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming, Inc seeks: Reclaimer Operators and Milling Operators with current licensing and clean driving record.

We offer excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits Contact: Rick Tousignant Phone: 860243-2300 Email: rick.tousignant@garrityasphalt.com Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming Inc Employer

seeks: Construction Equipment Mechanic preferably experienced in Reclaiming and Road Milling Equipment. We offer factory trainingAsphalt on equipment we operate.

Garrity Reclaiming Inc Location: Bloomfield CT seeks: Construction Equipment Mechanic Contact:experienced James Burke Phone: 860preferably in Reclaiming and 243-2300 Road Milling Equipment.

We offer factory email: jim.burke@garrityasphalt.com training on equipment we operate.

Women & Minority Applicants are Location: Bloomfield CT encouraged to apply Contact: James Burke Phone: 860Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity 243-2300 Employer We offer excellent hourly rate & email: jim.burke@garrityasphalt.com excellent Women & Minoritybenefits Applicants are encouraged to apply Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer We offer excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits

Union Company seeks: Tractor Trailer Driver for Heavy & Highway Construction Equipment. Must have a CDL License, clean driving record, capable of operating heavyCompany equipment; be willing to travel Union seeks: Tractor Trailer throughout the Northeast & Construction NY. We offer Driver for Heavy & Highway excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits Equipment.

Must have a CDL License, Contact: Dana Briere Phone: clean driving record, capable of operating 860-243-2300 Email: heavy equipment; be willing to travel dana.briere@garrityasphalt.com throughout the Northeast & NY. We offer Women & Minority are excellent hourly rate & Applicants excellent benefits encouraged to apply Contact: Dana Briere Phone: Affirmative Action/ EqualEmail: Opportunity 860-243-2300 Employer dana.briere@garrityasphalt.com Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 03, 2018 - January 09, 2018

Field Engineer

PUBLIC NOTICE

BA/BS in Civil Engineering or Construction Management.

2-5 yrs. experience. OSHA Certified.

Proficient in reading contract plans and specifications.

Resumes to RED Technologies, LLC, 10 Northwood Dr., Bloomfield, CT 06002; Fax 860.218.2433;

State and Park Streets Meriden, CT

Project Manager Environmental Remediation Division

Project: Meriden Commons 2 SUBCONTRACTOR PRE BID MEETING Thursday, January 11, 2018 5 to 6:00 pm Location: Meriden Housing Authority 22 Church Street, Meriden

INVITATION TO BID:

New Construction 3 Buildings, 75 Units, Approx 106,000SF This is our Project, Taxable & Residential Wage Rates apply.

This contract is subject to state set-aside and contract compliance requirements.

Bid Due Date: Subcontractor bids due: January 25, 2018 @ 5 pm Project documents available via ftp link below: http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=meridencommons2 Fax or Email Questions & Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 dlang@haynesct.com

HCC encourages the participation of all Veteran, S/W/MBE & Section 3 Certified

Businesses Haynes Construction Company, 32 Progress Ave, Seymour, CT 06483 AA/EEO EMPLOYER

The Wallingford Police Department is seeking qualified applicants for Police Officer. $1,206.80 weekly plus an excellent fringe benefit package. The physical performance, written and oral board exams will be administered by the South Central Criminal Justice Administration. Candidates must register at: www.PoliceApp.com/WallingfordCT. Registration/Application deadline is Wednesday, January 17, 2018. The registration requires a fee of $85.00. EOE

Assistant Facilities Manager Common Ground seeks an Assistant Facilities Manager/Custodian to be responsible for the care, upkeep and maintenance of Common Ground’s facilities. The Assistant Facilities Manager/Custodian will supervise part time custodial staff.

This is a full time, year round 40-hour per week position with benefits. Work hours will generally run from noon until 8 pm with some weekend hours required. For a more detailed job description and how to apply, please visit http:// commongroundct.org/2017/10/common-ground-seeks-an-assistant-facilitiesmanager/Common Ground seeks an Assistant Facilities Manager/Custodian to be responsible for the care, upkeep and maintenance of Common Ground’s facilities. The Assistant Facilities Manager/Custodian will supervise part time custodial staff. This is a full time, year round 40-hour per week position with benefits. Work hours will generally run from noon until 8 pm with some weekend hours required. For a more detailed job description and how to apply, please

TRANSFER STATION LABORER Off load trailers, reload for trans/disp. Lift 50 lbs., operate industrial powered trucks and forklift. Asbestos Worker Handler Training a +. Resumes to RED Technologies, LLC, 173 Pickering St., Portland, CT 06480; Fax 860-342-1022; or Email to lkelly@redtransfer.com RED Technologies, LLC is an EOE.

Email resumes to info@redtechllc.com. RED Technologies, LLC is an EOE.

3-5 years exp. and Bachelor’s Degree, 40-Hr. Hazwoper Training Req. Forward resumes to RED Technologies, LLC, 10 Northwood Dr., Bloomfield, CT 06002;

Fax 860.218.2433; or Email to HR@redtechllc.com

RED Technologies, LLC is an EOE.

Class A CDL Driver

with 3 years min. exp. HAZMAT Endorsed. (Tractor/Triaxle/Roll-off ) Some overnights may be required. FAX resumes to RED Technologies, at 860.342-1042; Email: HR@redtechllc.com Mail or in person: 173 Pickering Street, Portland, CT 06480. RED Technologies, LLC is An EOE.

Common Ground High School seeks a PART TIME

Special Education Teaching Assistant (TA). The TA is responsible for supporting the Special Education teachers in general education and special education classes. Support will include individual and small group instruction, facilitation of on-task behavior, and implementation of students’ IEPs, including accommodations, goals, etc. Click here for more details and how to apply http://commongroundct. org/2017/10/cghs-seeks-a-part-time-special-educationteaching-assistant/.

Wait list Coventry Housing Authority is accepting applications for its Section 8 Elderly/Disabled housing until November 30, 2017. To qualify, you must be either 62 years of age or disabled. Annual income limit is $19,250 (one person) & $22,000 (two people). Interested parties may pick up an application at the Coventry Housing Authority, 1630 Main St., Coventry, CT, or have one mailed. Completed applications must be returned no later than 3 p.m. on November 30, 2017. For more information call 860-742-5518.

KMK Insulation Inc. 1907 Hartford Turnpike North Haven, CT 06473

Mechanical Insulator position.

Insulation company offering good pay and benefits.

Please mail resume to above address.. MAIL ONLY This company is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Housing Authority of the City of Norwalk, CT is requesting proposals for the painting of interior vacant units.

Proposal documents can be viewed and printed at www.

norwalkha.org<http://www.norwalkha.org> under the Business section RFP’s/RFQ’s Norwalk Housing is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Curtis O. Law, Executive Director.

School Security Greeter- Seeking qualified individuals to perform a variety of duties associated with monitoring access to the building or assigned station, implementing security protocols as provided by district and building level administrative staff. Requires graduation from high school, plus a minimum of one year experience working with the public. Individual considered for the positions will be required to be fingerprinted and undergo background checks.

Hourly Rate: $10.23 - $10.56 plus benefit package. Apply to: Personnel Department, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492. Fax #: (203) 294-2084. Closing date will be December 20, 2017 or the date the 50th application is received, whichever occurs first. EOE.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT - Portland Knowledge of Haz. Waste Regs., Manifests, AP & Billing. Send resumes to RED Technologies, LLC Fax 860-218-2433; Email to HR@redtechllc.com RED Technologies, LLC is an EOE.

Construction Truck and Equipment Head Mechanic Large CT based Fence and Guard Rail contractor looking for experienced, self-motivated, responsible Head Mechanic. Responsibilities will include maintaining and repairing all company equipment and vehicles, updating asset lists and assuring all rolling stock is in compliance with state and federal regulations. Must have extensive diesel engine, electrical wiring and hydraulic systems experience.

Top wages paid, company truck and benefits.

AA/EOE

Wait list Coventry Housing Authority is accepting applications for its State Elderly/Disabled housing until November 30, 2017. To qualify, you must be either 62 years of age or disabled. Annual income limit is $47,600 (one person) & $54,400 (two people). Interested parties may pick up an application at the Coventry Housing Authority, 1630 Main St., Coventry, CT, or have one mailed. Completed applications must be returned no later than 3 p.m. on November 30, 2017. For more information call 860-742-5518.

Please send resume to Mpicard@atlasoutdoor.com

ELM CITY COMMUNITIES Invitation for Bids

Snow Removal Services- Valley and Waverly Townhouses The Housing Authority of the City of New Haven d/b/a Elm City Communities is currently seeking Bids for Snow Removal Services-Valley and Waverly Townhouses. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at 3:00PM

Listing: Receptionist/Office Assistant

Petroleum Company has an immediate full time opening. Previous experience in a very busy office handling multiple telephone lines and dealing with customers required. Excellent customer service skills a must. Previous petroleum experience a plus. Applicant to also perform administrative/clerical tasks as assigned. Please send resume to: H.R. Manager, Confidential, P O Box 388, Guilford CT 06437.

********An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer**********

17

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 03, 2018 - January 09, 2018

LeBron James: “Commitment Is The Key To Anything”

by Marcus Williams, BDO Staff Writer

LeBron James’ stats are downright staggering. He has won three NBA championships, four NBA Most Valuable Player Awards, three NBA Finals MVP Awards, two Olympic gold medals, an NBA scoring title, and the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. He has also been selected to 13 NBA All-Star teams, 13 All-NBA teams, and six AllDefensive teams, has made it to six consecutive NBA Finals, is the Cava-

liers’ all-time leading scorer, and is the NBA career playoff scoring leader. He could even win MVP again, and become the fourth player ever to do so at his age or older (Michael Jordan, Karl Malone and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar).

But even still, critics and fans alike hate on LeBron, not knowing all the work he puts in behind the scenes.

“From the day I started playing basketball, I never wanted to be a one-hit wonder,” James said. “I knew I was born with a gift, but I was like, I want to keep it going. I want to be as great

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as I can be and I always wanted to be the greatest player that everybody has ever seen.”

James was born to 16-year-old Gloria Marie James, who raised him on her own at that young age. When James was growing up, life was often a struggle for the family, as they moved from apartment to apartment in the seedier neighborhoods of Akron while Gloria struggled to find steady work. Realizing that her son would be better off in a more stable family environment, Gloria allowed him to move in with the family of Frank Walker, a local youth football coach, who introduced James to basketball when he was nine years old.

As a youth, James played Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball for the Northeast Ohio Shooting Stars.

The team enjoyed success on a local and national level, led by James and his friends Sian Cotton, Dru Joyce III, and Willie McGee. The players dubbed themselves the “Fab Four”, promising each other that they would attend high school together. In a move that stirred local controversy, they chose to attend St. Vincent–St. Mary High School, a predominately white private Catholic school.

From there LeBron made move after move, from signing a seven-year, $93 million deal with Nike right out of high school to creating controversy with his “Decision” special broadcast from the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich, Connecticut, the show raised $2.5 million for the charity.

He teamed up with Octavia Spencer to bring to life Madam C.J. Walker’s story to the big screen.

– His Lebron James Family Foundation “I Promise” program provides a guaranteed four-year scholarship to the school for students who qualify.

The scholarship covers tuition and the university’s general service fee — currently $9,500 per year. James told ESPN he plans to provide this for 1,100 kids, which would cost his foundation a total of $41.8 million at the school’s current rates.

– James’ is opening up a school. The Akron school board approved plans for a new “I Promise school” in coordination with… …the LeBron James Family Founda-

“Commitment is the key to anything,” James said.

It’s that same committment he has on the court that he has off the court as well in his business ventures.

For example: – James signed a lifetime endorsement deal with Nike worth more than $1 billion — a move that was so big it is more like the merger of two corporations — becoming the first athlete in the company’s 44-year history to do so.

– James decided not to renew his multi-million dollar endorsement deal with McDonald’s and will instead become a spokesman for Blaze Pizza, a company where he was a founding investor.

– His new media venture got $16 million from Warner Bros.

He’s an executive producer for the hit STARZ network show, Survivor’s Remorse.

18

(Photo credit: @KingJames instagram)

tion that will serve third- and fourthgraders identified as “at risk” of failing to graduate high school, according to the Associated Press. The school is scheduled to open next fall.

– But he insists that he drives a Kia, even to work.

He built good habits both mentally and physically and looks beyond the court to leave his mark on this world.

“I got enough motivation, and while I’m playing this game, while I keep suiting up, while I keep doing what I’m doing, I’m going to give it everything I got,” James said. “And when I’m done, you know, we can sit here and debate about who is the greatest to ever play this game.”

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 03, 2018 - January 09, 2018 Con;t from page 14

Heroes We

claim by Garner’s family against New York for nearly $6 million.

Before and despite the settlement, Erica Garner pushed for justice and, with a national platform, her voice became as big as any in the fight for freedom, justice and equality.

“I had the honor of getting to know Erica and I was inspired by the commitment she made working towards a more just world for her children and future generations,” Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders tweeted. “She was a fighter for justice and will not be forgotten.”

Erica Garner supported Sanders’ 2016 campaign for president, even appearing in an ad for his campaign.

“Though Erica didn’t ask to be an activist, she responded to the personal tragedy of seeing her father die while being arrested in New York City by becoming a leading proponent for criminal justice reform and for an end to police brutality,” Sanders said.

The police “killed her unarmed, nonviolent father with an illegal chokehold and got off with nary a word,” activist Brittany Packnett wrote in a Twitter post. “Erica had to fight for justice. Then for her own life…she didn’t deserve this, her father didn’t deserve this. Her family doesn’t deserve this. All this for being Black in America. I can’t.”

In a March 2015 interview on NBC News, Erica Garner spoke passionately about the Black Lives Matter movement and other protests that sought justice.

She recalled the August 2014 shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., and how it wasn’t until months later, when the video of her father’s death was released, that the Eric Garner incident received national attention.

Garner described seeing her father die via a cellphone video “a thousand-million times,” and when a grand jury failed to indict police officers, she said it was time to take her fight for justice to the streets.

“To me, it was just saying, ‘you know what? I’m just going to march,” she told NBC News.

Even when there weren’t television news cameras, Garner said she was determined to keep marching, to keep fighting.

“That’s the most annoying question I get. People ask, ‘when will you stop marching? What do you want from marching?’ He was my father,” Erica Garner said during the interview. “I will always march.”

19

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 03, 2018 - January 09, 2018

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with a 2-year agreement

Call 1-800-XFINITY, visit your local Xfinity Store or xfinity.com

Offer ends 1/7/18, and is limited to new residential customers. Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. Limited to Starter XF Triple Play with Digital Starter TV, Performance Pro Internet and Xfinity Voice Unlimited services. Early termination fee applies if all Xfinity services (except Xfinity Mobile) are cancelled during the agreement term. Equipment, taxes and fees, including Broadcast TV fee (up to $8.00/mo.) and Regional Sports Fee (up to $6.75/mo.) extra and subject to change during and after promo. After promo, or if any service is cancelled or downgraded, regular charges apply (subject to change). Service limited to a single outlet. May not be combined with other offers. TV: Limited Basic service subscription required to receive other levels of service. Xfinity On Demand selections subject to charge indicated at time of purchase. Streaming Netflix subscription required. Internet: xFi requires Xfinity Internet with compatible Wireless Gateway. Based on download speeds measured by over 111 million tests taken by consumers at Speedtest by Ookla. Actual speeds vary. Voice: $29.95 activation fee applies. If there is a power outage or network issue, calling, including calls to 911, may be unavailable. Prepaid card offer limited to new customers. Must subscribe to Starter TV (or above), Xfinity postpaid Internet and Xfinity Mobile. Requires porting of phone number. Mobile order required within seven days of Internet installation. Š 2017 Comcast. All rights reserved.

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