INNER-CITY NEW

THEINNER-CITY INNER-CITY NEWSNEWS January 24, 2018 - January 30, 2018

Financial Justice aTax KeyPlan; FocusWill at 2016 NAACP Convention The Republican Connecticut Sue? July 27, 2016 - August 02, 2016

New Haven, Bridgeport

INNER-CITYNEWS Women’s

Volume 27 . No. 2263 Volume 21 No. 2194

March in Hartford New Ed Board Prez Vows Transparency

“DMC”

Jamell Cotto passes Goldson a note during Monday’s meeting.

Malloy Malloy To To Dems: Dems:

Ignore Ignore“Tough “ToughOn OnCrime” Crime” Porter Challenges The Women’s March

Color Struck?

Snow in July?

Congressional Black Caucus Plans Protest of Trump at State of the Union

FOLLOW US ON

1

Miriam Makeba

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 24, 2018 - January 30, 2018

Lawmakers Wary Of Move To Make DECD Job Permanent

by Christine Stuart CT. Junkie News

The job description says it’s a “unique management position” for someone “who has a passion for the arts, culture or preserving the historic assets of Connecticut.”

But critics say it would make permanent a position in the Department of Economic and Community Development at a time when the state is facing massive budget deficits.

The job for a Community Development Administrator was posted Dec. 27 and is expected to be filled later this month. It comes with an annual salary of $105,623 to $144,021 and only employees already in the department were allowed to apply.

The creation of the new position may not impact the bottom line for the department, but it would make more permanent one of the positions before Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s term expires.

The Department of Economic and Community Development said in a statement that it’s “been working to make this a classified position for several years now, a task that has been driv-

CHRISTINE STUART / CTNEWSJUNKIE

DECD Commissioner Catherine Smith at a recent event in Manchester

en by a 20-percent reduction in headcount and the loss of key managers in arts and preservation over the years.”

The department defended its decision to convert the job from that of a political appointee to a classified

manager position. A political appointee can be hired or fired on the whim of the governor’s office, while a classified manager is protected.

“Having a permanent leader for the Office of the Arts, the State Historic

Preservation Office, and the four stateoperated museums is important for several reasons,” the department said in a statement.

“First, these units need continuity and the presence of permanent, skilled leadership. These offices manage millions in federal and state funding and have critical oversight and regulatory functions. We need a permanent manager in place to ensure that our relationships with the federal government and many other state and local partners continue unimpeded, as well as to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the offices and boost employee morale in the process. Frankly, if we don’t create the new role, these offices could be left with no manager if the Executive Assistant position, that now leads the group, were to be changed or eliminated.”

The department said it followed the internal process to create the new position with the Department of Administrative Services and the Office of Policy and Management.

But House Minority Leader Themis Klarides, R-Derby, said “it’s wrong.”

She said the state is facing a “blistering deficit” and its hands are tied by

the agreement the governor made with the state employee unions, which limits its ability to privatize services and downsize the workforce.

“He was the first person to be critical of Republican governors before him, so he should be the first to dismiss this type of practice,” Klarides said.

House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz, DBerlin, said “it’s problematic.”

“Anytime they’re adding new positions that are protected positions it’s troublesome,” Aresimowicz said. “If they can demonstrate a true reason for it then I’ll consider it, but at this point any new position that’s locked in I think is problematic.”

Senate Republican President Len Fasano, R-North Haven, said he’s going to express greater concern if there is a proliferation of classified positions over the last 11 months of Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s term.

At the same time, if this is a unique situation than he’s less likely to be critical.

But “if this is going to become the norm in all this agencies, then I’m going to have a problem,” Fasano said.

He said he received assurances this was a unique situation.

The Republican Tax Plan; Will Connecticut Sue?

by Brian Woodman Jr. CT. Junkie News

HARTFORD, CT — Will Connecticut join other “blue” states in considering legal action against the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed by Republicans in late 2017?

The governors of New York, New Jersey, and California have been vocal about their desire to pursue legal action regarding the bill’s $10,000 cap on state and local taxes as a deduction, but Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has not signaled which direction he’s leaning.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo indicated in his Jan. 3 state-of-the-state address that New York would pursue legal action and called the cap on state and local tax deductions “an assault on New York.”

“By gutting the deductibility of state and local taxes, the law effectively raises middle class families’ property and state income taxes by 20 or 25 percent, and undermines a critical foundation of state and local government finances in New York and across the nation,” a statement from Cuomo’s office reads.

“New York is already a top “donor

state” in in the nation — contributing $48 billion more annually to the federal government than it gets back — and under the new law the state will pay an additional $14 billion per year.”

The statement indicates that Cuomo considers elements of the bill unconstitutional and will challenge it in court. He will also participate in a national “repeal and replace” campaign against the bill and examine how to possibly shift state tax policies.

Jaclyn Severance, director of communications for the Office of Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen, declined to comment about whether Connecticut would pursue legal action regarding the plan.

But Leigh Appleby, a spokesperson for Malloy, didn’t rule it out.

“Like many states negatively affected

by Republican tax plan, Connecticut is exploring a number of options to protect middle-class residents from burdensome and unnecessary tax increases,” he said. “That could potentially include legal challenges or legislative changes.”

But Professor Richard Pomp, a tax

expert with the University of Connecticut School of Law, expressed skepticism about Cuomo’s statement and legal strategy.

“These lawsuits are creative but tilting at windmills,” Pomp said. “The federal government can do what it wants, even if it has a disproportionate impact on certain states. After all, Connecticut pays more in taxes than what it receives back and no one has ever thought that was unconstitutional.”

2

He described the current situation as an opportunity for Connecticut to examine its corporate tax rates, combined reporting, tax credits and other elements of the state tax structure. He said that’s where there’s a chance for real reform.

“The legislature should immediately impose a moratorium on corporate investment tax credits and incentives, and not reinstate these or not adopt any new ones unless they are approved ahead of time by a panel of disinter-

ested tax experts,” Pomp said. “Almost all of these incentives cannot survive a cost-benefit analysis. The legislature is struggling to cut critical programs and no one is focusing on these corporate handouts.”

He also expressed disdain for the bill in general, adding that corporations did not need a tax rate decrease to encourage capital investment.

“Even if it did not directly impact Connecticut, which it does, it would still be an abomination,” Pomp said. “Corporations are sitting on record piles of cash in a low-interest environment.

They are quite capable of expansion if they thought there was a reason to do it.”

He added that higher education was a better way of stimulating startup business growth than tax cuts or other taxrelated incentives.

“Most startups are created where the founders went to school or where they live,” he said. “Build up the type of programs at our colleges and universities that will attract the next generation of Bezo’s and the start-ups will follow.”

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 24, 2018 - January 30, 2018

Porter Challenges The Women’s March

by STAFF

New Haven Independent

New Haven State Rep. Robyn Porter didn’t play to the crowd at Saturday’s Women’s March in Hartford. She instead challenged the crowd to examine its own actions toward black women along with Donald Trump’s actions.

Porter delivered her passionate remarks before 10,000 people outside the state Capitol, at one of the marches nationwide a year after the first Women’s March brought millions to the streets to seek to launch a feminist counter-movement to the policies of Trump and the Republican Party.

Porter told the crowd that many black women like herself have felt excluded by those largely white events. She folded that into a broader critique of how liberal white women have built a movement on the groundwork laid by black women and then proceeded to downplay the most important issues facing black women in America, from voting rights to deadly police brutality and gang violence.

The crowd responded to Porter’s remarks with cheers and applause and, when Porter finished, chants of “Black lives matter!”

You can watch her deliver the remarks beginning just before the 45-minute mark point in Facebook Live video shot by blogger Al Robinson and posted below.

Well, hello Hartford! Woooo! My God! My God! This is more than a full house.

They said they weren’t expecting a crowd but I was. And I have to tell you when I was asked to speak at the march today, I must admit I was conflicted.

It was a thorny subject for me. And when I look out into the crowd – this massive crowd, I am reminded of one of the things I thought about. And that was what I had heard many of my black and brown sisters express about the Women’s March, and how they felt that it was a Women’s March that had left them out and that they wanted nothing to do with it.

I felt like I could relate but I needed to listen a little more. And then they went on and they asked me things like: Why haven’t we been asked to participate in something? Why haven’t we been able to come to the table and help in planning the menu? Why don’t we have any input? Why aren’t our voices being summoned? Especially since

GARY WINFIELD PHOTO

Robyn Porter addresses Saturday’s Women’s March.

DOUG HARDY PHOTO

Porter at the mic.

this movement and so many others were birthed out of the bowels of black women.

And then it dawned on me and I thought to myself and I had to say, We have been at the table planning the menu. Heck, the table was set by us for us, and when we led, white women didn’t show up for us.

This is part of the reason why they told me they wouldn’t be here today.

Because frankly, they were sick and tired – sick and tired of what they felt were white women hijacking their history and work and discounting their worth.

See, for far too long black women have been held back, pushed aside, and counted out – hidden figures kept in the dark and only to be brought out for validation and clout.

Nevertheless, I had a decision to make, and it wasn’t done in a split second. I had to pray on it. In a nutshell, this is what I got back was this: Nobody can speak for your experience, so it is crucial that people that look like you and have experiences like you not only have access to power but that they also have access to the mic.

So, here I am – to speak to you all today on behalf of the black women who feel left out and left behind –- black women whose voices have not been heard and whose issues have not garnered white women’s staunch support. Issues that mainstream women’s rights movements often dismiss – the issues affecting black women, like, maternal mortality, infant mortality,

3

police brutality, mass incarceration, the War on Drugs aka the War on Black People, gang violence, unemployment, education, voting rights.

The AIDS epidemic because it is still an epidemic in communities of color. And the heroin epidemic: Yes, the epidemic has seeped into communities of color and heroin overdose rates have more than doubled said doubled among Blacks, Latinos, and Native Americans, and the media isn’t talking about that.

See, for us, the denial of our people and our plights is déjà vu, it’s nothing new. And it’s time for a reckoning and a change.

Leslie Mac said it best when she said, “This movement needs a wake-up call. When organizing is

measured in actions and attendance and success is tallied in crowd size, how can black women ever be free?

How long can we continue to be the backbone of this movement and its whipping post? How long can we endure our own pain being ignored?

This situation is untenable. It is time to clear the air and start over.”

And I have to say, I wholeheartedly agree with her. It is time.

It is time for white women to start showing up and showing out on the issues that impact black and brown women’s lives – like the death of Jayson Negron. When’s the last time you said his name? Why? Because Black Lives Matter. And believe it or not that is the one movement we would love for you all to hijack, especially since we have stood in solidarity with you all on every issue under the sun bar none.

Yes, it is time. White women must use their privilege in this movement to demand justice for the causes of the women whose very shoulders they have consistently stood on over the centuries.

Some names were called today: Fannie Lou Hamer, Sojourner Truth. I mean this has been a movement in our communities for a very long time.

Since the 1800s, until now, black women have been at the forefront of many movements to make their lives and the lives of others more equitable and less marginalized – with or without the recognition. Today, I say we recognize and make room for black women and their issues in this movement. And that we make sure that black and brown women do not feel left out, that they do not feel like they have been left behind and discounted and that they are expendable and that the issues in their communities are second fiddle.

Because we must be included.

So, I want to know: Are you with us?

I want to know, Can we start over and clear the air?

I sure hope so, because it’s the only way we’re going to win.

We are going to have to work together in spirit and in truth. Together. In unity and in love. Agape love.

Because that’s what it’s going to take to make America great for once, and for all! Submitted in love.

Thank you and God bless you. And God bless the United States of America.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 24, 2018 - January 30, 2018

Ten Dollars For The Contents Of A Life

by ANEURIN CANHAM-CLYNE New Haven Independent

“It’s ten dollars,” Shaun Brown said, gesturing to a pallet stacked with cardboard boxes, waiting for one of the prospective buyers to respond.

Neither said anything, and Brown moved on.

Inside those boxes were the belongings of a family who lost their home to foreclosure or eviction since early December. Brown, a city public works employee, was seeking bids at a monthly sale Tuesday morning in the department’s storage facility at the Goffe Street Armory.

Seven lots were on sale at the auction.

Two bidders showed up. Brown led them through the freezing warehouse, where they examined the lots. Bidding started at ten dollars for each lot, most of which contained just a single pallet.

As Brown stepped around patches of ice on the floor, the two buyers debated the relative merits of furniture or closed boxes.

Joseph Spain, who runs a thrift shop and attends most Department of Public Works (DPW) auctions, said he

ANEURIN CANHAM-CLYNE PHOTO

DPW’s Shaun Brown at the January

was looking for appliances, furniture and other durable goods that he could resell reliably.

He and a second bidder, who declined to give his name, ended up not competing. They didn’t even bid on most of the pallets; Spain was looking for pallets with durable furniture, while the other bidder sought pallets with sealed cardboard boxes, which would be easier to trasnport and might contain worthwhile surprises.

They each ended up purchasing one pallet each without driving up the price.

After signing the papers for his newly acquired pallet, Spain said the auctions ae a good chance to pick up affordable household goods.

The second buyer acknowledged that the cardboard boxes could contain trash, or valuables from books to good shoes.

“That’s why you take the chance,” he said. He said he expects to make $50 or $60 reselling the contents of his box, based on past experience. People call him regularly to see if he has items to sell.

He added that what he can’t resell he gives away or leaves on the curbs for people to pick up. He said he finds it frustrating to see stuff donated to

Goodwill marked up and sold back to working people.

Brown said January was one of the slowest months for auctions, as the city tried not to evict people during the holiday season. DPW collected boxes for only two weeks in December.

The belongings sit in the DPW warehouse for a month, where tenants can go to reclaim them. After that, the belongings sold or taken to the dump.

Brown said she often grants a month’s extension to people who have had trouble reclaiming their belongings because of illness, short-term incarceration or lack of transport.

“You see their stuff, you see their whole lives,” Brown said. She added that she understands people’s frustration with DPW and the auction process, given the indignity of seeing one’s life sold off for ten dollars a pallet.

“Other cities don’t do this as often as we do,” Brown said. New Haven has a high rate of evictions, according to Brown, which necessitates monthly auctions.

The five unsold pallets in Tuesday’s auction will go to the dumpp.

Journo Rebounds After Meme Misstep

by MERCY A. QUAYE

New Haven Independent

Do plagiarism laws apply to memes?

That’s the discussion that Tyrell WaldenMartin, an Emmy Award-winning producer and New Haven native, sparked when he repurposed a Michael Phelps meme during the 2016 Olympic games.

He shared his story on the latest “#FailMonth” edition of WNHH FM’s “Werk It Out” program with Mercy Quaye.

Walden-Martin was fresh off graduation and had recently secured a contract to work with the NBC Olympic coverage team as a mobile content producer. His job was simple: Provide rich and engaging content for the Prime-Time Companion app, the two-screen experience platform NBC uses during the games.

“While everyone’s watching the prime time hours of the Olympics, I was funneling content to the app,” Walden-Martin said. “So whatever athletes were appearing on TV, I had different cards and trivia — everything was ready to go.”

Before he started coverage of the games, Waldren-Martin said, he recalls a piece of advice from his supervisor: “I had been told to be careful what [I] do on social media, and that [I] have a lot of people watching [me] now.” His supervisor’s words would soon reveal their

value.

Walden-Martin said the fail came in two parts. First, he reposted a photoshopped “Crying Jordan” meme of South African swimmer Chad le Clos created by Fox Sports’ Dan Carson on his own feed with no comment or credit. Then he vehemently defended himself to his Twitter critics, saying “once it’s on the Internet, it’s on the Internet.”

“I literally just saved the picture and put it back out there, because, ‘Yo, this is hysterical,’” he said. “And it ended up getting a whole bunch of retweets.”

Carson called him out on it.

“Instead of just sitting back, letting it go, or not responding and letting it be, I responded,” he said. “And that was my biggest mistake.”

The incident went viral and was featured on Awful Announcing, a website that covers news about sports and entertainment.

After catching heat from all angles, Walden-Martin said he knew the situation graduated from a Twitter beef to a potentially career-changing incident.

As his worries about being a young black journalist and being fired from his first post-grad job mounted, he resorted to deleting the Twitter thread and then his account altogether, as advised by his supervisors.

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

Contributing Writers David Asbery Tanisha Asbery Jerry Craft/Cartoons Barbara Fair

Dr. Tamiko Jackson-McArthur 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

Memberships

National Association of Black Journalist National Newspapers Publishers Association Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce Greater New Haven Business & Professional Association Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Walden-Martin (at right in photo) preparing to work a Quinnipiac Athletics game with his students.

“I think deleting it at the time is what was best for me,” he said.

For the rest of the games, he laid low and tried to rebuild the following he lost during the incident. Once the games ended, Walden-Martin decided it might be time to go back to school to get a better grip on journalism. He’s now attending Quinnipiac University and working public relations for the athletic department.

Although his troubles won him an

4

Emmy as a part of the digital team at NBC, Walden-Martin said he doesn’t see himself getting into another Twitter beef anytime soon.

“Those days are over,” he said. “Now I mainly use Twitter to push and promote my own content, the content that we push for QU Athletics and to just have fun and enjoy the laughs that Twitter brings.”

The Inner-City Newspaper is published weekly

by Penfield Communications, Inc. from offices located at 50 Fitch Street, 2nd Floor, New Haven, CT 06515. 203-387-0354 phone; 203-3872684 fax. Subscriptions:$260 per year (does not include sales tax for the in State subscriptions). Send name, address, zip code with payment. Postmaster, send address changes to 50 Fitch Street, New Haven, CT 06515. Display ad deadline Friday prior to insertion date at 5:00pm Advertisers are responsible for checking ads for error in publication. Penfield Communications, Inc d.b.a., “The Inner-City Newspaper” , shall not be liable for failure to publish an ad or for typographical errors or errors in publication, except to the extent of the cost of the space in which actual error appeared in the first insertion. The Publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason and to alter advertising copy or graphics deemed unacceptable for publication. The entire contents of The Inner-City Newspaper are copyright 2012, Penfield Communications, Inc. and no portion may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the publisher.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 24, 2018 - January 30, 2018

Helping the homeless regain health, independence and a home.

Having an illness can be difficult, especially if you’re experiencing homelessness. Which is why Columbus House and Yale New Haven Hospital partnered to create the Medical Respite Program.

The program gives Yale New Haven Hospital patients who are experiencing homelessness a clean, safe place to foster healing after discharge. Each resident receives nursing care and a continuum of services that prepare them for life in their own permanent homes. Thanks to the program, more than 200 patients have benefitted, resulting in fewer return stays at the hospital. Best of all, they are on a path to a healthier life.

Through the Medical Respite Program, Columbus House and Yale New Haven Hospital strive to ensure that every New Haven resident has the opportunity and place to heal. It’s another example of our commitment to caring beyond the bedside. ynhh.org/community

Alison Cunningham, CEO, Columbus House with Keith Churchwell, MD, Senior Vice President, Operations and Executive Director, Cardiovascular Services, Yale New Haven Hospital.

5

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 24, 2018 - January 30, 2018

New Ed Board Prez Vows Transparency

by CHRISTOPHER PEAK New Haven Independent

Darnell Goldson, elected as the new Board of Ed president, pledged to make the schools’ finances more transparent and to avoid conflicts of interest.

Newly organized parents vowed to make sure Goldson keeps his word.

Those vows surfaced at the Board of Education’s first meeting of the year, heralding a new political order.

With the last of her predecessor’s appointees gone, Mayor Toni Harp finally consolidated her numbers on the school board. At the same time, she faces a mounting backlash from those who feel shut out from decision-making.

Strengthened by the swearing-in of Tamiko Jackson-McArthur, Harp and her allies immediately ousted Ed Joyner from the presidency and installed their choice of leaders during Monday night’s meeting at L.W. Beecher School.

Just in time for Carol Birks’s arrival in March as the next schools superintendent, the new dynamic could quell the infighting that last year ground the superintendent search to a halt, led to a duel

challenge, and largely overwhelmed discussion of issues like school security, transportation and counseling with hours of bickering.

That doesn’t mean the board won’t see any pushback this year. In fact, a new group is mobilizing to hold the board accountable.

During the late stages of the superintendent search, when they said board members ignored them in picking Birks, parents and teachers linked up and got organized. Calling themselves NHPS Advocates, the group is now recruiting volunteers to observe committee meetings, where contracts are allocated, bylaws are revised and instructional methods are debated.

NHPS Advocates is also petitioning the Board of Alders to block Harp’s next board appointee at least until there are clearer expectations about the investment in public education that they believe all board members should demonstrate.

Board’s New Direction ...

As soon as Jackson-McArthur spoke the last words of her oath as a new member, Harp’s allies requested that

CHRISTOPHER PEAK PHOTOS

Darnell Goldson, the school board’s new president.

the board rearrange its agenda and elect new leaders immediately, before the public had a chance to comment. That motion passed unanimously.

Frank Redente nominated Goldson as president. Reading from a pre-written statement, he said Goldson would “bring the board back on track, in the right direction for all our children and families.” Goldson’s election passed 5-1, with Joyner voting against him and the two non-voting student representatives saying they’d have done the same.

Goldson then nominated Cotto as vicepresident. “I think he’s a smart young man who’s taken on leadership in this city,” Goldson said. “He worked with children in various positions. I think he would make a good addition to the leadership of this board, and hopefully one day as leader of this board.” Once again, no one else ran against him. That vote, too, passed 5-1, with another dissenting vote from Joyner.

For the final leadership position, Harp offered Jackson-McArthur’s name as secretary. That one passed unanimously, with Joyner and both student representatives in agreement with the rest of the

board.

After the meeting, Goldson said he’ll do his best to make the board work more cordially, efficiently and transparently, in the hopes of developing a strong working relationship with the incoming superintendent.

“I am not an educator,” he said. “My strength is not determining the best methods for educating kids. What I am is a process guy. I’ve managed organizations and boards, and I’m going to work on getting this board to the position where we can be helpful to the superintendent, as opposed to a detriment.”

“Our job is to make their job easier, and their job is to make sure that we get the information we need to do that. Making their job easier doesn’t mean taking shortcuts, taking care of friends, doing the status quo; it means you don’t have no-bid contracts and all this other stuff,” he continued. “We’re going to follow our rules.” ... And New Members The board’s newest member, JacksonMcArthur, a pediatrician and a mother Con’t on page 8

Connecticut Voices for Children: black-white education disparities persist in state

NEW HAVEN — A new study by Connecticut Voices for Children concludes the black-white achievement gap in the state is because of a gap in opportunity — and the state’s future could be at risk if changes aren’t made.

“The Black-White Education Gap in Connecticut: Indicators of Inequality in Access and Outcomes” author Camara Stokes Hudson, associate policy fellow with Connecticut Voices for Children, said data made available by the state Department of Education shows black students in Connecticut have less access and opportunity than their white counterparts.

Stokes Hudson said, for instance, that black students are four times more likely to be suspended than their white counterparts and although black students are 13 percent of the Connecticut public school population, only 3.5 percent of teachers in the state are black.

“We wanted to link those outcomes,” Stokes Hudson said. “This is a larger systemic problem (Connecticut is) creating.”

Stokes Hudson said she believes the cause for issues such as low access to same-race teachers, chronic absenteeism, access to challenging coursework and exclusionary discipline stem predominantly from “a lack of attention.”

“There is good work being done, like in minority teacher recruitment, but because of funding cuts in the future the state won’t be able to do the good work,” she said.

In 2016, New Haven Public Schools held a hiring summit with deans from historically black colleges and universities. Southern Connecticut State University also joined NHPS as a partner in working to attract more teachers of color into its education program in 2017.

Stephen Hegedus, dean of SCSU’s

school of education, told the Register in March 2017 he was shocked to learn there were no black, male teacher candidates applying to the school of education that year.

“I knew maybe the number was going to be low, but zero (black male applicants) for me revealed something that’s systemic,” he said.

Stokes Hudson said the value of having a same-race teacher for students is “a value of shared experiences” and reduces the likelihood of a student dropping out.

6

“I think the value of black teachers is in the relationships they can build with black students, that they share an experience with black students other teachers might not,” she said.

One area where Stokes Hudson said available data falls short is the reasons cited for discipline data. In 2015-16, 1,674 students from pre-K through second grade who were suspended or expelled in Connecticut, and 1,188 were black or Latino, the report said.

However, it is unclear whether black and Latino students are being made to face steeper punishments for the same actions as their white peers.

“Bringing a weapon to school is very different from violating school dress code policies,” she said.

Black girls in particular are disproportionately expelled nationwide, “frequently for small, discretionary offenses,” she said.

“I think the things we need to know more about specifically are breakouts by race and gender, because what we’re seeing from SDE reports is an alarming rate of black girls expelled from schools and we need to understand. We don’t have any trends, like whether it’s for long-term problems or over something that happened just yesterday,” she said.

Stokes Hudson also said Connecticut must close its gaps or it will face economic problems in the future. In 2015, 48 percent of 3- and 4-year-olds in the state were black or Latino, she said, which represents a significant portion of the future workforce.

“To allow black people to not have a substantial education or a meaningful education is only going to hurt us and our communities; those children will be our tax base,” she said.

Stokes Hudson said New Haven in particular has been a leader in reducing suspensions and expulsions — according to state data, in the last two years in New Haven’s schools, suspensions fell by 981 from 3,584 and expulsions fell by 23 from 40 to 17 — as well as reducing its rate of chronic absenteeism.

“Education is something that needs to be fixed with a sense of urgency, because kids don’t have a lot of time.

You can’t postpone the solution,” said Roger Senserrich, communications director for Connecticut Voices for Children. “Connecticut has some of the best school systems in the country.

If we’re not getting students of color ready for attending college, we are not going to be the state we are now.”

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 24, 2018 - January 30, 2018

New Poll Finds Support For Tolls

by Christine Stuart CT. Junkie News

HARTFORD, CT — A poll of 980 Connecticut drivers found that 47 percent of them support the idea of adding electronic tolls.

The poll was conducted by AAA Allied and AAA Northeast, Jan. 12-14. It has a 3.1 percent margin of error.

The 47 percent who support tolls was more than the 30 percent who don’t support any increase in fees. Another 16 percent said they would support an increase in federal and state gas taxes instead of tolls and five percent said they would pay a fee based on the annual number of miles they drive. Another 2 percent don’t believe any funding is needed.

The survey also found that 87 percent of drivers support a constitutional amendment to create a “lockbox” to ensure that gas tax receipts and other transportationrelated fees are used to finance state transportation projects. Voters will have an opportunity to approve the constitutional amendment at the ballot box this November.

The poll comes just ahead of the 2018

legislative session where Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and the General Assembly are expected to tackle the shortfall in the state’s Special Transportation Fund. If no changes are made to the current methods of raising revenue, the fund will be about $38 million in deficit by 2019 and the red ink is expected to grow to $216 million by 2022.

“It is critical that the motoring public, those who pay hundreds of millions in motor vehicle taxes and fees, have a voice in how transportation funds are collected and protected,” Amy Parmenter, public and government affairs manager for AAA, said. ”AAA’s intention in conducting the survey was to help make motorists’ opinions known to lawmakers and transportation stakeholders.”

In the next few weeks, Malloy is expected to unveil his proposal to resolve the deficit. In the meantime, he’s canceled $4.3 billion in transportation projects that impact every community in the state.

The Connecticut House came close to approving highway tolls last year, but after a few hours of debate the bill was removed from consideration without a vote.

Back In The Water ya l e i n st i t u t e o f s a c r e d m u s i c joins the

inner city news The community organization LEAP is resuming public lessons for children and adults who seek either to learn how to swim or to improve their skills.

The five-week classes begin Jan. 29. You can sign up to swim on Mondays and Wednesdays; or on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Forty-five-minute children classes start at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on both sets of evenings. Adult classes begin Monday and

in celebrating the accomplishments of African Americans to the cultural and spiritual life of New Haven and the world.

Wednesday evenings at 8.

The classes cost $100 per child, $120 per adult, payable in advance. Swing up by stopping by the LEAP office at 31 Jefferson St. to fill out an application and child waiver form; you can print out and fill out the form found here beforehand.

For more info, including what spaces and times remain available, call (203) 773-0770.

e v e n t l i st i n g s at ism.yale.edu

7

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 24, 2018 - January 30, 2018

Parole Holds A Key To Reentry Puzzle

by THOMAS BREEN New Haven Independent

Cynthia Farrar and her colleagues at the documentary production company Purple States knew that they wanted to make a movie about prison reentry.

What she and her colleagues did not know until they started putting the movie together was that any documentary about the challenges of leaving prison, reintegrating into society, and avoiding recidivism inevitably needed to focus on the day-to-day realities of life on parole.

“Most people leaving prison now are on parole,” Farrar said on the latest episode of WNHH FM’s “Criminal Justice Insider with Babz Rawls-Ivy and Jeff Grant.” “And the public doesn’t know anything about what happens on parole, and that story needed to be told. The single most frequent reason why people end up back in jail is parole violations.”

In 2014, Purple States collaborated with New York City filmmaker Matthew O’Neill, the PBS “Frontline” series and the New York Times to produce the hourlong documentary Life on Parole. The movie aired on PBS in 2017.

Life on Parole follows four Connecticut residents in the year after they are released from prison, documenting their struggle to abide by the various rules, regulations, and stringent oversight imposed by the conditions of their parole.

The entire series, which includes articles and videos produced specifically for the Times, follows a total of 12 Connecticut residents, including several New Haveners, in their journeys to rebuild their lives outside of prison but within the restrictions of parole.

Parole refers to the temporary, conditional release and adult supervision of a prisoner before the completion of a prison sentence. According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, over 850,000 prisoners were out on parole nationwide in 2015.

In Life on Parole, the conditions for each prisoner’s release range widely from prohibitions on spending time with a girlfriend to prohibitions on entering certain convenience stores.

The movie also focuses on the relationships between the parolees and their parole officers: men and women who are committed to helping their

HARRY DROZ PHOTO

Cynthia Farrar (left) with “Criminal Justice Insider” hosts Jeff Grant and Babz Rawls-Ivy.

wards stay out of prison, but who are often overworked, frustrated, and simply unable to provide the complex array of mental healthcare, addiction support, and family counseling services necessary for a former prisoner’s complete rehabilitation.

Farrar said that she and her fellow producers for Life on Parole picked 12 former inmates who represented a typical cross section of America’s parolee population. They sought to avoid unusual, high-profile stories and instead focus in on what life is typically life for Americans immediately after they are released from prison.

“Connecticut, like every other prison system in the country, is keen to move people out of prison who are not deemed a danger to public safety,” Farrar said as she explained why her team chose the Nutmeg State as the location for this investigation of parole. “There is more supervised release than there has been.”

Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy has prioritized “Second Chance Society” initiatives and criminal justice reform throughout his two terms in office in an effort to reduce the state’s prison populations, especially for non-violent and drug-

related offenders. According to the state Department of Corrections (DOC), those efforts have been pretty successful: the state’s incarcerated population has decreased from around 16,500 in Dec. 2012 to around 13,800 in Dec. 2017.

But with that decrease in the number of people behind bars has come an increase in people trying to navigate parole.

Farrar said that one of the revelations that she had while working on the movie was that the current system of parole asks parole officers to walk a difficult tightrope between being a correctional facility officer and a social worker.

She praised Connecticut’s DOC for allowing the filmmakers to attend parole meetings (with the parolees’ and parole officers’ consent), and recognized that it was in the DOC’s best interest to show the challenges that people on both sides of the table face in the days, months, and years following a prisoner’s release.

“The DOC decided to give us this access,” she said, “because they need the public to understand what array of supporting services have to be in place for people for whom the core issues contributed to their ille-

8

gal behavior, but also underly it and have to be addressed separately.”

She said that many parolees suffer from drug addiction, and that, besides the methadone clinics at the New Haven Correctional Center and the Bridgeport Correctional Center, there are not many services available to inmates to help them overcome their addictions while behind bars.

All too often, she said, addiction leads to new crimes that land the parolees right back in prison.

Farrar said that her goal, with this particular movie and with Purple States in general, is to change the public conversation around complex, abstract social issues like prison reentry. She wants people who actually experience the impact of public policies around criminal justice to share their stories, concerns, and ideas for how to make their lives, and their communities, safer and happier.

“We do documentary filmmaking that shows what it looks and feels like from the vantage point of the person going through it,” she said.

“We always try to capture an authentic experience that people by and large have not had access to.

We want viewers to both feel and reflect.”

Con’t from page 6

New Ed Board Prez Vows Transparency

of two schoolchildren, said she couldn’t wait to get started. “I’m all over this,” she said after the meeting.

During the next four years, through 2021, she said, she plans to champion equity throughout the district.

“I want equitable education for every child in every school. It shouldn’t matter what school you’re in; there shouldn’t be that school where everybody wants to go to. Every school should be the destination school,” she explained. “That’s in academics, money, enrichment. That’s really important to me.”

Jackson-McArthur said she looks forward to advocating for that position while keeping the discussions civil. “I’m a peacekeeper, naturally.

I don’t see myself having to keep the peace here, but I’m hoping to help the flow,” she said. “I don’t look forward to unnecessary disagreement, but I like healthy debate. Debate moves things along, because it brings in everyone’s ideas.”

While Jackson-McArthur received many words of congratulations on Monday night, several members of NHPS Advocates questioned why they didn’t get to weigh in at a Board of Alders public hearing first.

That’s because the city charter states that alders have a two-month window to vet all mayoral appointments. A nomination that isn’t acted upon within 60 days “shall be deemed to have been approved,” the charter states. That’s exactly what happened with JacksonMcArthur. The alders never took an up-or-down vote on her appointment, so she was sworn in exactly 67 days after her nomination letter was written.

The Aldermanic Affairs Committee will still question Jackson-McArthur at its next meeting, but they won’t have a chance to vote.

“Our alders failed to play their role as a check on executive power in this process,” said Sarah Miller, the parent of two children at Columbus School who helped organize NHPS Advocates.

Through an online petition, the NHPS Advocates have asked alders to reject Harp’s next school board appointee unless the person possess three basic qualifications: (1) an expertise in the field of education, either through academic study or job experience; (2) a commitment to public education, such as sending one’s own children to city schools; and (3) no entanglements in personal and financial conflicts of interest.

As of Tuesday morning, a day after the petition went live, nearly 300 people had signed their names in support.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 24, 2018 - January 30, 2018

Harp Endorses Treasurer Candidate

Mayor Toni Harp made her first endorsement of the campaign season, throwing her support behind a candidate for state treasurer.

Harp announced in a Wednesday morning email blast that she is supporting attorney and former Hartford City Council President Shawn Wooden to succeed Denise Nappier.

Democrat Nappier announced at the beginning of the year that she will not seek reelection. Wooden is seeking the Democratic nomination to succeed her. Nappier served in the job 20 years; since the 1960s, Democrats have nominated African-Americans for the treasurer job.

Following is the full text of Harp’s endorsement: Today I’m announcing my support for Shawn Wooden for State Treasurer of Connecticut. I’ve known Shawn for many years and can unequivocally say he has a deep commitment to public service and a proven record of accomplishment.

Throughout his career Shawn has always shown honesty and integrity. It’s evident both during his tenure on the Citizens Ethics Advisory Board, which oversees the State’s Ethics Office, and in his former role as President of the Hartford City Council.

Shawn is a nationally recognized public pension plan investment lawyer with an extensive record of

Saturday, February 10th FACEBOOK Wooden

fighting on the side of working families. His passion for fairness was on display while he worked at the AFL-CIO’s Office of Investment, throughout his 20 years as a lawyer, and as a public servant. I believe Shawn is the most qualified candidate to seek the office of Treasurer and that he’ll serve the state with distinction.

New Haven, like the rest of Con-

necticut, has a great deal at stake in this year’s election. That’s why we need to support candidates with real experience and a proven history of helping working people. There’s no doubt in my mind Shawn meets this standard - that’s why he’s my endorsed candidate for State Treasurer.

I’ll be supporting Shawn in any way I can and I hope you’ll join me.

Tickets on sale Friday at 10:00am at ticketmaster.com

1.800.745.3000 TICKETMASTER.COM | MOHEGANSUN.COM

Are you turning 65 and need help with Medicare?

Let me help you better understand your Medicare options so you can find the right plan.

You can get more from your health and prescription drug coverage with a Medicare Advantage plan. I guide people to Medicare plans that fit their lifestyle. I’ll explain your choices to help you get more from Medicare.

9

Call me today.

Karen J Bellamy 1-203-288-5290 ext. 202 (TTY: 711) Calling this number will lead you to an independent licensed insurance agent.

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET, Mon. - Fri. kjbassociate@aol.com

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 24, 2018 - January 30, 2018

Vaccine Call Issued

by ANEURIN CANHAM-CLYNE New Haven Independent

The worst is yet to come this flu season, state epidemiologist Matthew Cartter said Friday morning, as part of a public call for New Haveners, especially kids, to get vaccinated.

Cartter, speaking on behalf of the Connecticut Department of Health, said the flu season will likely get over the next four weeks before gradually dissipating by early April. Cartter added that this flu season, while not catastrophic, is more severe than usual.

Cartter spoke at a press conference at Yale-New Haven Hospital on Friday morning along with Richard Martinello, the hospital’s director of epidemiology and infection control, and Byron Kennedy, who runs the New Haven Department of Health.

“There has been a dramatic rise in the number hospitalized in Connecticut this year,” Cartter said. Six hundred and fifteen people have been hospitalized for the flu in Connecticut in the last five months, according to Carter. Sixty-nine people were hospitalized in New Haven.

Kennedy said that even though the state is deep into the flu season, people can take steps take to prevent infection.

“Influenza is preventable, and the best thing you can do is vaccinate,” Kennedy said. Kennedy added that

10

vaccines late in the season can still prevent an infection and lessen symptoms.

Kennedy said that many people at risk for the flu never get vaccinated.

“This disproportionately affects old people, young children, and vulnerable people including pregnant women, immune-compromised people, and people with low socioeconomic status,” Kennedy said.

Black and hispanic people also tend to be more at risk, Kennedy said.

Richard Martinello said Yale New Haven Hospital is restricting visitors below the age of 12 who might have the flu as part of infection control procedures. Martinello said this is a standard hospital policy during the flu season and was not caused by the increased severity of this year’s flu. The virulence of the disease was compounded by an early start to the flu season this year, he said..

Cartter said that the flu has caused 20 pediatric deaths nationwide this year, including one in Connecticut.

He said most pediatric deaths were due to the flu exacerbating underlying medical conditions, like asthma or neurological problems. Cartter said the vaccine reduces symptoms but is no guarantee of protection from infection.

“Pediatric deaths happen even among vaccinated children,” Cartter said.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 24, 2018 - January 30, 2018

N e w P u b l i c

H av e n S c h o o l s

2018 SCHOOL EXPOS You are invited to discover all that New Haven Public Schools can offer families and students. Please join us at a School Expo.

Thur • Jan. 25, 5:30-8pm Floyd Little Athletic Center • 480 Sherman Pkwy

6 - 7pm High School Info Session

Sat • Feb. 3, 11am-2pm

1:30 - 2:30pm Kindergarten Info Session

John Martinez Magnet School • 100 James Street Choice.NHPS.Net 11

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 24, 2018 - January 30, 2018

West Rockers Organize For Safer Streets

by ALLAN APPEL

New Haven Independent

West Rockers agreed that their neighborhood needs speed bumps. Bus service that actually gets people where they need to go. A shuttle bus to Hamden.

As for more cops and a substation?

Opinions were divided.

That animated back-and-forth about a range of public transportation and safety issues and neighborhood priorities unfolded Saturday morning at a community meeting convened at the Brennan-Rogers School on Wilmot Avenue.

The organizers were Southern Connecticut State University graduate student in public health Maedesha Mitchell and Rockview resident Makia Richardson. The two have stepped up as area leaders through the overall supervision of Alycia Santilli, the director of CARE (Community Alliance Research and Engagement), a grantfunded public health organization active out of Yale University and for the last year at Southern.

Saturday morning’s meeting, which drew two dozen neighbors, was one in a series of focus groups and community-building events that have been held over the last six months. Their aim: to highlight poor public transportation, inadequate sidewalks and street lighting, and dangerous traffic that have long plagued this bucolic yet isolated neighborhood on the western edge of New Haven by the Hamden border.

A bike crash last fall in which Common Ground High School’s Farm Director Deborah Greig was struck by a car on Springside Avenue catalyzed students to research and submit

a Complete Streets application to the city, which is now pending.

Joel Tolman, Common Ground’s director of impact and engagement, was in attendance Saturday along with representatives from nearby Job Cops and Solar Youth’s Joanne Sciulli. He said that Common Ground’s application “lines up” pretty nicely with the concerns and suggested ameliorative measure outlined at Saturday’s meeting.

Much of the discussion centered on the need for bus service that is safer and that connects the area’s schools and other institutions. There are a lot of assets, dots, as it were in the area and the challenge is to connect those dots, Tolman said.

Tolman said that for the last decade students and teachers could rely on what was known then as the B1 bus, which daily wound its way from Whalley Avenue to Southern Connecticut State University’s campus and out to a stop right in front of the Common Ground campus on Springside, to get to school on time.

That all changed last year when CT Transit changed the route.

“I think it is part of the change of bus service, which is awesome, that brought service to Rockview” housing development, Tolman said at the time.

But now students are given a choice by bus drivers: get dropped off just across from the Wintergreen Avenue bridge, which is not a bus stop, and walk over to school without the benefit of a sidewalk. Or ride the bus for an extra 20 minutes through Brookside and Rockview, past the New Haven Job Corps Center, and finally down to the bus stop in front of Common Ground’s campus.

Changing that emerged as a top pri-

ALLAN APPEL PHOTO

Westville Manor resident Asia Melton explains how she got pothole fixing results.

ority at the meeting that honed down to three from about 11 concerns that CARE staffers had previously elicited — from new bus shelters to the need for more job training and better community communication.

In addition to public transportation changes, the two other priority issues that emerged Saturday were physically safer streets and public safety in general.

The rebuilt Rockview and Brookside public-housing developments have emerged as thriving new complexes after previous decades of blight and neglect. Participants cited continuing problems and made lists on construction paper of specifics to call to the at-

Tickets at XLCenter.com

12

tention of city officials.They called for reconstituting the old bus route and for more frequent CT Transit bus service in general.

Under safer streets, residents called for speed bumps on Level Street, better lighting at the store at Wilmot and Brookside, which has endured at least one robbery, and speed bumps on both Brookside and Wintergreen, which both run along the campus of Job Corps.

One audience member suggested more cops on walking beats and officers who engage with the community, rather than look past residents. Tolman asked if trying to recruit an officer who lives in the West Rock community as the Housing Authority of New Haven has done at other developments should be among the priorities. That specific suggestion did not make the list. Asa Melton, 23, said she didn’t see a need for more cops in the neighborhood. Eddie Moore, who grew up on Ashmun Street in the old Elm Haven “high/low” projects recalled finding the “project cops” helpful.

“We are a school. Most schools have speed bumps,” said Renee Venturino, who manages outreach and admissions for Job Corps. She said a car crashed into the school’s welcome center on Wintergreen last year. There were no injuries but it was a harbinger of accidents to come, she said unless safety concerns are addressed.

The revitalized Rockview and Brook-

side developments do have speed bumps on various streets. Still, Kerry Sterling-Walker, who lives on Jennings Way in Brookside, said speeding continues, right outside her window.

“God forbid somebody hit the gas and not the breaks, they’d be in my kitchen,” she said of one recent close call.

Resident Yvette Emory reminded everyone that nothing would be accomplished unless the ear of the mayor is filled with residents’ sense of urgency.

Santilla and Sciulli both spoke about the importance of individual residents emailing and calling downtown as well as urging their neighbors to attend future meetings.

Sciulli reminded the group that issues posted on SeeClickFix are regularly attended to by the city. Proof was in the room.

“Asia posted on SeeClickFix, right?”

Sciulli said.

“I posted a pothole and they came to fix it the next day. On Level Street. In 2015,” Asia Melton responded.

Facilitators Mitchell and Richardson drew the meeting to a close by recruiting three teams to represent the three issues—public transportation, safer streets, and public safety—to the city and CT Transit officials whom organizers will invite to the next meeting.

“What about activities for kids?” said Melton, who volunteered to be the group’s speaker next month on public safety concerns.

“We’ll add that to public safety,” said Mitchell.

Twenty-year-old Asia Melton thinks there should be more programs for little kids under five, but no more cops, and certainly no police substation.

Eddie Moore, about three times her age, who grew up on Ashmun Street in the old Elm Haven “high/low” projects, where Monterey Place is today, and where he found what he called the “project cops” helpful, really likes the idea of more cops including a substation.

However, they, along with absolutely everyone else in the room, agreed that CT Transit service in the area is an inconvenient mess, and minimally should revert to the old routes so high school kids at Common Ground don’t have to walk across an un-sidewalked bridge and a dangerous intersection to get to school.

And a shuttle bus directly to Hamden, saving time and irritation, would also be nice.

That meeting is scheduled for Feb. 7 at 5:30, also at the Brennan-Rogers School.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 24, 2018 - January 30, 2018

Stetson Library: The Next Chapter

ellington jazz series

The Wayne Escoffery Quintet featuring Jeremy Pelt

HELP STETSON LIBRARY MOVE INTO THE NEW Q HOUSE “We don’t just need a place for books—we need a space for people to learn, to be challenged, to come together.

A library is not just a home for books, it’s a home for the community.” - Diane Brown, Stetson Branch Manager

Thanks to a generous challenge grant from the Seedlings Foundation, you can double the impact of your donation. All gifts between $50 - $10,000 will be matched dollar for dollar!

feb 2 friday at 7:30 pm

Donate online at nextstetson.org or by check to: NHFPL Foundation - Stetson Library, 133 Elm St, New Haven, CT 06510

Tickets from $20, Students from $10 Morse Recital Hall 470 College Street, New Haven Box Office: 203 432-4158

music-tickets.yale.edu

The NHFPL Foundation is a 501(c)(3) exempt organization; gifts are fully deductible under federal tax regulations.

RP inner city news jan.qxp_Layout 1 1/10/18 3:13 PM Page 1

THE RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE

JORGENSEN

Center for the Performing Arts jorgensen.uconn.edu | 860-486-4226

Valentine’s Day Party with

LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO

THE FIRST LADIES OF DISCO starring

martha Wash

thE WEathEr girls

§ it’s raining men

§

Everybody, Everybody

Sat, Feb 10, 8 pm

liNda Clifford

§ if my friends Could

see me Now § red light

“It isn’t merely the grace and power of their dancing or the beauty of their singing that rivets the attention, but the sheer joy and love that emanates from their being.”

- Paul Simon

Norma JEaN Wright formErly of ChiC

§ le freak

§ good times

February 14 § 6:30pm Gala § 8pm Performance

LaKisha Jones:

To Whitney, With Love

Tribute to Diana Ross, Donna Summer, Tina Turner and Whitney Houston

April 7

Only 30 minutes from Hartford

Dianne Reeves

Sat, Feb 17, 8 pm

Always & Forever: An Evening of Luther Vandross

A Cabaret Event

Starring Ruben Studdard On sale Friday 1/19!

Jazz diva Dianne Reeves, adored by audiences and critics worldwide, is a natural wonder not to be missed!

May 3

203.438.5795 • RIDGEFIELDPLAYHOUSE.ORG 13

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 24, 2018 - January 30, 2018

‘Orange Is The New Black,’ To Speak At Quinnipiac University On Jan. 26

Hamden, Connecticut – Jan. 17, 2018 – Two formerly incarcerated women who were inspiration for characters in either the book or the popular Netflix television show, “Orange is the New Black,” will speak at Quinnipiac University on Friday, Jan. 26.

The program is part of Quinnipiac’s Prison Project, which includes several projects, including college classes in which criminal justice students spend a semester learning with incarcerated students, classes for incarcerated women who are survivors of violence, and re-entry program development for formerly incarcerated citizens returning to the community.

Beatrice Codianni and Carol Soto will discuss health care for incarcerated women from 9:30-11:30 a.m. in the auditorium in the Center for Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences on the North Haven Campus, 370 Bassett Road. The event is free and open to the public.

The women also will speak about the experiences of incarcerated women in the United States from 2-4 p.m. during a private lecture in the Clarice L. Buckman Theater on the Mount Carmel Campus.

Codianni and Soto served time with Piper Kerman, author of the book, “Or-

ange is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison,” on which the hit Netflix series is based.

Codianni, of New Haven, is the founder and executive director of Sex Workers and Allies Network, a grassroots harm reduction organization committed to the voices and needs of people involved in survival sex work. She is also co-founder and a board member of the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls, as well as a JustLeadershipUSA 2017 Leading with Conviction Fellow.

Incarcerated for 15 years for her dealings as a former Latin Kings gang leader, Codianni spent her time advocating for other women in prison.

Codianni taught an AIDS prevention course at the Danbury Federal Correctional Institution and used her Literacy Volunteers of America training to help teach reading skills to incarcerated women. She successfully sued the Federal Bureau of Prisons to exempt people who are survivors of sexual abuse from cross-gender pat searches.

While incarcerated, Codianni became friends with Kerman and is referred to as “Esposito” in Kerman’s book.

Codianni is a co-founder of The Real Women of Orange Is the New Black, an organization that seeks to educate high

school and college students, as well as others, about the harsh truth behind the over-incarceration of women and girls in America.

Soto is a holistic health counselor, scenic artist, project coordinator and administrative support professional.

She has owned and operated her own adventure tour company, Dakini Tours, bringing trekkers to Nepal and Tibet and guiding small groups to Himala-

yan destinations as high as 20,000 feet.

Soto is “Yoga Jane” in the book, “Orange Is the New Black.”

She was arrested for possession of and conspiracy to distribute 80 grams (2.8 ounces) of marijuana under the RICO statutes with 20 co-defendants whom she had never met. She is a founding member and chapter leader in New York of the National Council of Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated

Women and Girls.

Codianni and Soto will be joined by Jackie Lucibello, who served time at York Correctional Institution, where she gave birth to her son. Lucibello is one of the leaders of the Women’s Resettlement Working Group, an organization that focuses on providing support for formerly incarcerated women in New Haven.

Mama Africa: Miriam Makeba Reverential Biopic Chronicles Rise, Fall and Triumphant Return of Legendary South African Singer/Activist Film Review by Kam Williams

Zenzile Miriam Makeba had the misfortune of being born black in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1932, which relegated her to second-class citizenship. In fact, she spent the first six months of her life behind bars with her mother, a sangoma (witch doctor), sent to prison days just after her birth.

Luckily, her mom was also an amateur singer, and that was a gift Miriam inherited. She married at 17 and had a child a year later, but was soon abandoned by her abusive husband. So, she started singing professionally to support her young daughter.

After performing and recording with several different bands, she found a measure of fame as the lead singer of an all-girl group called The Skylarks.

Then, while on tour out of the country in 1959, Miriam’s passport was revoked after the release in Italy of Come Back, Africa, a secretly-filmed, anti-apartheid docudrama in which

she appeared.

Despite the ban, Miriam’s career would catch fire while in exile, with the help of such influential entertainers as Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier. Soon, international audiences were appreciating her unique sound, an eclectic mix of jazz, pop and traditional African tunes.

But because of the continued civil strife back in her homeland, Miriam used her platform to criticize the South African government. In 1963, she even testified at the United Nations, imploring the organization to impose economic sanctions on the country for its imprisonment of attorney Nelson Mandela and thousands of other political activists lobbying for equality.

However, Miriam would fall out of favor in 1968 after marrying Stokely Carmichael, the controversial leader of the Black Power Movement. For, she made many powerful enemies in the U.S. by virtue of that union.

After all, it was one thing to point

out all the injustice in her native South Africa, but quite another to complain about the mistreatment of AfricanAmericans. Almost overnight, Miriam’s concerts were canceled and her records were pulled off the shelves, too.

Hounded by the FBI and her career ruined, she abandoned the States with Stokely for Guinea, but would have to wait for the fall of the Apartheid regime to be welcomed home with open arms by outlawed freedom fighterturned-President Nelson Mandela. A fitting tribute to a rare talent who dedicated her life to the liberation of oppressed people all over the world.

Excellent (4 stars) Unrated Running time: 90 minutes In English and French with subtitles Production Studios: Starhaus Filmproduktion / Millennium Film / Marianna Films Distributor: ArtMattan Productions

14

Miriam Makeba

New Haven Ind

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 24, 2018 - January 30, 2018

This Haiti Earthquake Anniversary, Black Immigrants are Under Threat

by Luce Janvier Special to the AFRO

In so many ways our lives as immigrants in the United States, are the same as anyone who works hard to take care of their families. My story is an example of this.

I first visited the U.S. in 2004, amidst the coup d’etat against President JeanBertrand Aristide. I didn’t know at the time that I would have to stay here. But by the time Aristide was ousted from power, I was forced to seek refuge in this country because I feared for my life. As someone who belonged to a community group that supported his political party (Lavalas) I became a target.

When I started to build a life here, it was very difficult. Within a year Hurricane Wilma damaged the house where I was staying and I lost my papers in the storm. During that time I started going to a Catholic church, where I found a school whose staff told me where to go for help. The school helped me get a bus card so that I could get back and forth and they also helped me find a lawyer who informed me that I was here too long to file for asylum.

In order to feed myself and support my family in Haiti I had to work in the bean fields for two years. It was very difficult work, at times my lips would crack and bleed from the products they used.

Eventually, a lawyer helped me file for a work permit, that enabled me to find a job as a housekeeper and rent a room to live in. But I still didn’t have enough to eat. I would go to church and school on an empty stomach. The minimum wage I made was just enough to pay for transportation and to send money for my three kids in Haiti.

Then the earthquake struck in Jan. 2010. It destroyed the home in Delmas (in the greater Port-au-Prince area) where my kids lived. So for several months they had to live in a tent. My son’s foot was injured, almost broken in the earthquake. My family didn’t receive any of the aid that was sent to support survivors. And because I didn’t have all my papers, I couldn’t be there with them. All I could do was send money.

Things began to turn for the better once I found out about TPS (Temporary Protected Status). Through my church I got connected with Catholic Charities, which helped me file for TPS. For the

first time in 12 years, I would be able to travel and see my children.

And then I applied for permanent residence. Though I built my life here and paid taxes, there were some basic services I still didn’t have full access to.

For example, I couldn’t afford health insurance so I couldn’t go to the doctor.

I haven’t been able to afford a decent apartment, so I still have to rent a room.

I’m sharing my story for one simple reason: to let you know that immigrants like me want what every person wants and deserves. We want to live and work to provide for our families. And for those of us who have made our lives here, we want a path to permanent residence and a path to citizenship. We want to live with dignity, not just to survive.

As we work towards that permanent solution, we’re asking you to stand in solidarity with us now.

Thousands of residents are fearful that they may lose their jobs because they haven’t been able to renew their work permits. The Department of Homeland Security neglected to provide Haitian TPS holders with updated information on the work authorization renewal period. We need the Department of Home-

land Security to update the Federal Register, with the start date the 60-day re-registration period beginning on the day the Federal Register is updated.

We also need Congress to enact legislation that provides a humane, holistic solution for Haitians and other TPS holders. We need legislation that formalize what TPS holders already are—permanent residents of the United States.

Luce Janvier is a Haitian North Miami resident, a member of the Black Alli-

ance for Just Immigration and recipient of Temporary Protected Status. This essay was written as part of a national initiative of the Black Immigration Network.

Immigration advocates rally in New York on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 to protest the decision by the Department of Homeland Security to terminate Temporary Protected Status for people from Haiti. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

dependent

It’s not too late to Fall in love with your future!

Register now!

LATE START Classes Start

January 31st GatewayCT.edu • (203) 285-2010 • 20 Church Street, New Haven, CT 15

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 24, 2018 - January 30, 2018

Danny Davis Pushes Back on Cash Bail System with New Bill

By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Contributor

During a recent press conference on Capitol Hill, Rep. Danny Davis (DIll.) said that at any given time there are roughly 500,000 people sitting in local jails waiting for their day in court.

“These are people who have been charged with a crime, but are not convicted,” said Davis. “Many of the people waiting in jail are forced to wait simply, because they cannot afford to post bail.”

On January 18, Davis introduced the Bail Fairness Act of 2018 to alleviate some of the burdens associated with the cash bail system.

The Chicago congressman was joined on Capitol Hill by Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) and Dwight Evans (D-Pa.) and Chicago businessman and philanthropist Dr. Willie Wilson. The four of them were flanked by two large posters; one poster read: “Taxpayers Spend $17 billion on Pre-trial Detentions”; the other poster simply said, “Bail Fail” in large letters. Wilson said that he has paid the bails of non-violent Cook County Corrections inmates who were too poor to bail themselves out.

Davis’ legislation would require states to release individuals charged with a non-violent misdemeanor on non-monetary conditions prior to their court date.

Civil rights groups and lawmakers

are increasingly putting pressure on businesses operating in the cash bail system and becoming more vocal about problems in the industry.

As more cities begin to do away with the cash bail practice, some federal legislators are taking notice. Senators Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) have voiced similar concerns regarding the problems of money bail in the Senate. In September 2017, Harris joined with Republican Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on the Pretrial Integrity and Safety Act. The bill would overhaul America’s bail system just as Rep. Davis’ legislation hopes to do.

A May 2017 report by Color of Change and the ACLU entitled, “Selling Off Our Freedom: How Insurance Corporations Have Taken Over Our Bail System,” outlined the for-profit incentives behind the bail system in America.

The report revealed that there are fewer than 10 companies involved in the administration of over $14 billion in bonds posted by for-profit bail each year. The bail industry collects approximately $2 billion in profit, annually.

“The result of bail corporations’ control is that millions of people are no longer free: people stuck in jail and families stuck in debt to create profit for these corporations,” the report read. The study also pointed out that, “the national median for bail for a felony arrest is now $10,000, while the

Federal Reserve has found that nearly half of Americans would be unable to pay for an unexpected expense of $400.”

The United States remains number one in the world in the rate of incarceration, with over two million people behind bars, in large part, because poor people are unable to pay their way out of incarceration. The money bail system disproportionately impacts the poor. There are currently over 43 million Americans living under the poverty line; nearly 30 percent of African Americans live in poverty.

“The original purpose of bail was to serve as an incentive to return to court when a person is arrested, released,

and their case proceeds. However, the current money bail system has little to do with this original intent…people with money can almost always buy their way to freedom, regardless of the charges against them,” wrote ACLU Deputy National Political Director Udi Ofer on December 11, 2017.

Rep. Davis has continued to focus on justice reform issues during his 20 years in Congress. Davis’ “Second Chance Act” was signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2007.

The legislation assisted formerly incarcerated individuals to successfully re-enter society.

In November 2016, after his 15-yearold grandson was murdered in Chi-

cago, Rep. Davis pushed for more funding for neighborhoods struggling with poverty. His focus was on the “10-20-30” policy proposed by South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn. The “1020-30” plan would focus cash on 10 percent of all government funding to be allocated to areas where 20 percent of the residents have lived in poverty for over 30 years.

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist, political analyst and contributor to the NNPA Newswire and BlackPressUSA.com. She can be reached by email at LBurke007@ gmail.com and on Twitter at @LVBurke.

Actor And Activist Danny Glover To Serve As Black History Month Keynote Speaker At Quinnipiac University On Feb. 6

Acclaimed actor and leading social justice activist Danny Glover will be the Black History Month keynote speaker at Quinnipiac University on Feb. 6.

Hamden, Connecticut – Jan. 18, 2018 – Acclaimed actor and leading social justice activist Danny Glover will be the Black History Month keynote speaker at Quinnipiac University on Feb. 6.

“From Abolition to #BLM: A Conversation with Danny Glover,” will take place at 7 p.m. at Burt Kahn Court on the Mount Carmel Campus, 275 Mount Carmel Ave. The event is free and open to the public.

Driven by activists like Harriet Beecher Stowe, Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman, early abolitionist efforts became the foundation for contemporary debates over the meaning of freedom. The Black Lives Matter movement, named for the hashtag started on Twitter, is steeped in the American tradition of using free speech and social

actions to further the fight for justice and equality.

In a fireside chat-style program with Khalilah Brown-Dean, associate professor of political science, Glover will explore the similarities of the #BlackLivesMatter movement and its early abolitionist roots –– particularly Frederick Douglass –– to build connections, increase dialogue and end racism.

Glover said he often recites the powerful Douglass speech, “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro,” from July 5, 1852 in Rochester, N.Y. “It’s the greatest Fourth of July speech ever,” he said. “It’s pretty obvious when we look at what’s happening today, it’s relevant, not only as we look at the issues around race that are happening in this country, but the issues

16

around race that are happening in the rest of the world. Are the people of color the ones who are the most vulnerable and the most marginalized in this system of capitalism? Of course, they are. It’s historic.”

Glover has been a commanding presence on screen, stage and television for more than 25 years. As an actor, his film credits range from the blockbuster “Lethal Weapon” franchise to smaller independent features, some of which Glover also produced. In recent years, Glover has starred in an array of motion pictures, including the Oscar-nominated hit “Dreamgirls.”

Glover has gained both respect and renown for his wide-reaching community activism and philanthropic efforts, with a particular emphasis on advocacy for economic justice and

access to health care and education programs in the US and Africa. Currently Glover serves as UNICEF Ambassador.

“I remember visions of my greatgrandmother, who was born in 1853,” Glover said. “She was freed by emancipation like my great-grandfather. I remember my mother telling me how grateful she was for her mother and father because she didn’t pick cotton in September, she went to school in September. All that changed me. My legacy goes back from slavery on to the end of slavery, my direct context, through my great-grandmother.”

Quinnipiac is marking the 200th anniversary of Frederick Douglass’ birth with a series of events to honor his life and his many achievements.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 24, 2018 - January 30, 2018

NEW HAVEN’S GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY RADIO STATION! www.newhavenindependent.org SUNDAY MIRROR

IN THE MORNING Weekdays 6-9 a.m.

THE TOM FICKLIN SHOW Mondays 10 a.m.

MAYOR MONDAY!

MERCY QUAYE

Mondays 11 a.m.

Mondays 1 p.m.

“THE SHOW”

“DJ REL”

MICHELLE TURNER Tuesdays 9 a.m.

“WERK IT OUT”

ELVERT EDEN Tuesdays at 2 p.m.

MORNINGS WITH MUBARAKAH

“JAZZ HAVEN”

Wednesdays 9 a.m.

Wednesdays 2 p.m.

STANLEY WELCH

“TALK-SIP”

LOVEBABZ LOVETALK

Thursdays 1 p.m.

Mondays-Fridays 9 a.m.

ALISA BOWENSMERCADO

STARRING

Deborah Cox is not scheduled to perform at the Saturday matinee and Sunday evening performances.

FEBRUARY 20-25

FRIDAY PUNDITS

BUSHNELL.ORG 860-987-5900

Fridays 11 a.m.

Part of The Bushnell Broadway Series co-sponsored by

17

© THE BODYGUARD (UK) LTD. Designed by DEWYNTERS

JOE UGLY

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 24, 2018 - January 30, 2018

Congressional Black Caucus Plans Protest of Trump at State of the Union

By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Contributor

During a lengthy, members-only meeting on Capitol Hill on January 19, members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) discussed various options to protest the current President of the United States. Their protest plans centered around the annual State of the Union address.

President Donald Trump’s second State of the Union address is scheduled for January 30.

The meeting the CBC held to talk over State of the Union protest plans occurred only hours after 66 members of the House voted to act on impeaching the President. That effort was led once again by Black Caucus member Rep. Al Green (D-Texas). Rep. Green’s second impeachment try failed 355-66.

Three Democrats voted “present.”

Weeks after Donald Trump reportedly called Haiti, El Salvador and the continent of Africa “shithole countries” during a meeting on immigration with members of Congress in the Oval Office, many members have had it.

CBC members who attended the discussion confirmed that several options of protesting President Trump were discussed including walking out, wearing African themed garb and even not showing up to the State of the Union at

all. The more vocal members included Reps. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), Greg Meeks (DN.Y.) and Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.).

During an interview with Buzzfeed on January 17, days before the meeting, Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Cedric Richmond (D-La.) mentioned the CBC might hold its own State of the Union.

“We will…discuss how we want to respond to the president’s State of the Union. We could go, we could go and walk out, we could go and hold up fists…or we could not go, or we could hold our own ‘State of the Union,’” Richmond said.

A few Black Caucus members have already stated that they will not attend the president’s State of the Union address. They include Reps. John Lewis (D-Ga.), Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) and Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.).

Some CBC members are concerned about Congress’ largest caucus not being unified in protest, whatever form the protest may take. Other members wanted to make sure serious issues are highlighted and expressed concerns about the protest taking attention away from serious policy discussion. But in the age of former reality TV star turned President Donald Trump, others say that the best response is to fight fire with fire.

With protests in the air and in the streets around the first anniversary of the start of the Trump presidency, the timing of any protest the CBC may undertake on the night of the State of the Union is likely to receive serious media attention.

Regarding Rep. Green’s impeachment attempts, which House leadership is in opposition of, Green pointed out that Trump, “has by his statements brought the high office of president of the Unit-

ed States in contempt, ridicule, disgrace and disrepute; has sown discord among the people of the United States; has demonstrated that he is unfit to be president; and has betrayed his trust as president of the United States to the manifest injury of the people of the United States and has committed a high misdemeanor in office.”

Rep. Green’s form of protest was a

legislative one. On the night of the State of the Union, we are likely to see a more theatrical display.

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist, political analyst and contributor to the NNPA Newswire and BlackPressUSA. com. She can be reached by email at LBurke007@gmail.com and on Twitter at @LVBurke.

they were not as excited or motivated to do so.

Take Alabama’s recent special U.S. Senate election race involving Republican Roy Moore and Democrat Doug Jones, where people were overwhelmingly surprised to see the exit polls that showed that Black voters made up 29 percent of the overall voter turnout in the entire election—18 percent of Black women and 11 percent of Black men. Exit polls also showed that 98 percent of Black women cast their vote for Jones, while 93 percent of Black men cast their vote for Jones.

These were phenomenal numbers, and definitely the type of numbers that Jones needed to pull off an unexpected victory in a historically and traditionally red state like Alabama.

It was exciting to see this type of political difference making by the Black community, but that excitement was immediately quenched and short-lived, after reading reports that a letter was sent to Jones on Dec. 19 from the Joint Center for Political and

Economic Studies and 16 other organizations practically begging him “to commit to hiring a staff that reflects his constituents’ racial diversity.”

Why wasn’t this letter sent before Jones won? Why not get this type of commitment from Jones before engaging the Black community to come out and vote for him, and doing what the Black community always does when it is expected to deliver the turnout and votes necessary to secure a victory for select candidates or select issues on the ballot? I believe it is, because the Black community has grown accustomed to not being respected, especially within the Democratic Party where they are the most loyal. And before “loyal” Democrats come for my head, because they consider this an attack on the Democratic Party or as an opportunity to try and have us compare the Democratic Party to the Republican Party, I believe the Black community needs to ask itself some really tough questions.

When it comes to the Black community’s involvement in the Democratic Party, how are Blacks truly viewed within the

party? Despite the Black community having such a strong and dedicated voting bloc across the nation, how many Blacks actually hold key positions within the Democratic Party on a local, statewide and/or national basis? How many Black people are senior staff members in county, state or federal offices across the country?

According to a detailed report released by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies last year, the majority of White Democratic lawmakers in the U.S. Senate, who have millions of Black constituents, have no Black senior staff members at all. The report also found that while Blacks make up 13 percent of the U.S. population, they only make up 0.9 percent of the top Senate staffers.

Is this by design or just an unfortunate oversight?

See, it is one thing to look out at these local, county, state and federal Democratic meetings and conventions and see this sea of diversity, with Black faces mixed in with faces from all

other races and backgrounds, but it is an entirely different thing to know that Blacks are not given opportunities to have a real impact in the Democratic Party from within, other than just voting.

Secondly, as I see it, it is abundantly clear to me that the Black community is oftentimes ignored, disrespected and disregarded by both major political parties until they are needed in the midnight hour to deliver for those who only want their vote but nothing else.

This is important to highlight because, over the last several decades, Black people have voted for Democratic candidates 94 percent of the time in critical federal and state elections.

Black voters turned out in record numbers in 2008 to elect Barack Obama as the first Black president of the United States, with the primary belief that by letting their voices be heard, they would experience the

Blacks and Politics: Either Get Engaged or Get Left Behind

By Jeffrey Boney, Houston Forward Times

Okay everyone, if you are reading this, welcome to 2018. You made it, and with that being said, I feel that this is the perfect opportunity for us to be honest about an important truth.

First of all, as I see it, it is extremely clear to me, and should be quite evident to anyone who would just simply open up their eyes to see it for themselves, that the Black vote can either make or break an election.

If you don’t believe me, I would encourage you to take a look at previous elections where the Black community was actively engaged and driven to get out and vote in a local, county, state or federal election, versus the times where

18

Con’t on page 22

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 24, 2018 - January 30, 2018

Imagine.

Inform.

Invest.

Inspire.

at

Working together to build a stronger community – now and forever.

“But the end is reconciliation; the end is redemption; the end is the creation of the beloved COMMUNITY. It is this type of spirit and this type of love that can transform opposers into friends.”

-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Come be apart of our COMMUNITY.

Spring Jazz Series MARCH

24

PIECES OF A DREAM

13

BONEY JAMES

5

VINCENT INGALA

1

SPECIAL EFX ALLSTARS

SAT APRIL FRI MAY

SAT JUNE FRI

Contact us to learn about the many ways you can strengthen our community and create a personal legacy that benefits the nonprofit(s) that matter most to you.

Four amazing shows for one low price of $120!*

plus $1.50 per ticket Handling Charge*

On Sale - January 20th @11:00a.m.

Single event tickets on sale JANUARY 29th at 11a.m.

ORDER TICKETS AT

LYMANCENTER.ORG

203-392-6154

www.cfgnh.org | 203-777-7068

19

UR GET YOTS E K TIC AT TO GRE MENT! AIN T R E T N E

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 24, 2018 - January 30, 2018

The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport Invitation for Bid (IFB) PT Barnum Apartments Unit 205 Renovation Solicitation Number: 080-PD-17-S The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport d/b/a Park City Communities (PCC) is requesting sealed bids for Renovation of unit 205 at PT Barnum Apartments. A complete set of the plans and technical specifications will be available on May 8, 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 May 23, 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 May 30, 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 June 6, 2017 @ 2:00 PM, to Ms. Caroline Sanchez, 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.

The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport Invitation for Bid (IFB) Moving and Storage Services Agency Wide Solicitation Number: 097-AM-18-S The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport d/b/a Park City Communities (PCC) is currently seeking bids from qualified moving companies for Moving and Storage Service. Solicitation package will be available on January 16, 2018. 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-bid conference will be held at 301 Bostwick Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06604 on January 30, 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 February 14, 2018 @ 3:00 p.m. Answers to all the questions will be posted on PCC’s Website: www.parkcitycommunities.org.

Seal bids will be received until February 28, 2018 @ 2:00 PM, at which time the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport

Request for Proposal (RFP) for Security Guard Services – Trumbull Gardens Solicitation Number: 098-SEC-18-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 Trumbull Gardens a public housing complex in the city of Bridgeport. Solicitation package will be available on January 16, 2018. 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 at 505 Trumbull Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06606 on January 31, 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 February 14, 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 28, 2018 @ 3:00 PM, to Ms. Caroline Sanchez, Director of Procurement, 150 Highland Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06604. Late proposals will not be accepted.

20

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 Invitation for Bids benefits excellent hourly rate & excellent Contact: Dana Briere Phone: Snow Removal ServicesValley 860-243-2300 Email: dana.briere@garrityasphalt.com and Waverly Townhouse Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply The Housing Authority of the City of New Haven d/b/a Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Elm City Communities is currently seeking Bids for Snow Employer 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 Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming Inc Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity seeks: Construction Equipment Mechanic Employer

preferably experienced in Reclaiming and Road Milling Equipment. We offer factory training on equipment we operate.

Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming Inc Location: Bloomfield CT seeks: Construction Equipment Mechanic Contact: James Burke Phone: 860preferably experienced 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 to apply Contact:encouraged James Burke Phone: 860Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity 243-2300 Employer We offer excellent hourly rate & email: jim.burke@garrityasphalt.com Women excellent & 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 Union Company seeks: Tractor Trailer heavy equipment; be willing to travel Driver for Heavy & Highway Construction throughout the Northeast & NY. We offer Equipment. Must have a CDL License, excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits clean driving record, capable of operating Contact: Dana be Briere Phone: heavy equipment; willing to travel 860-243-2300 Email: throughout the Northeast & NY. We offer dana.briere@garrityasphalt.com excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits Women & Minority Applicants are Contact: Dana Briere Phone: encouraged to apply 860-243-2300 Email: Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity dana.briere@garrityasphalt.com Employer Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 24, 2018 - January 30, 2018

The Town of East Haven is currently conducting examinations

to fill the following positions: Secretary III, Grade Level 11-Qualified candidates must possess an Associate’s Degree or higher and 2 years of experience. The starting salary is $38,945.30/ year.

Accountant I-Qualified candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting plus 2 years of experience. The starting salary $58,366.44/year.

Candidates bilingual in Spanish are encouraged to apply. The town offers an excellent benefit package. The applications for both positions are available at http://www.townofeasthavenct.org/civil-service-commission/pages/job-noticesand-tests or The Civil Service Office, 250 Main Street, East Haven CT and the deadline to apply is February 9, 2018. The Town of East Haven is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities, Females, Veterans and Handicapped are encouraged to apply.

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**********

Meterman II Position involves the installation and repair of all types of water meters, including outside reading type, used on the water system. Requires graduation from H.S., GED, or vocational school plus four (4) years employment in the water department of which two (2) years shall be in the Meter Department or an equivalent in experience and training. $23.12 to $28.06 hourly plus an excellent fringe benefit package. The closing date for applications is February 20, 2018 or the date we receive the fiftieth (50) application whichever occurs first. Apply: Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492, (203) 294-2080. EOE.

Assistant Facilities Manager

Field Engineer

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

Project Manager Environmental Remediation Division 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.

Town of Bloomfield

Custodian $22.31 hourly For details go to www.bloomfieldct.org

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.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (Attendant II): Operates and maintains equipment and processes in a municipal sewage treatment plant. Requires a H.S. diploma or GED. In addition, must possess a State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Class II Operator or higher certification; or a Class II Operatorin-training or higher certification. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license. $25.38 to $30.24 hourly / $22.59 - $30.24 based on certifications & experience plus an excellent fringe benefit package. Apply: Personnel Department, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492. The closing date will be that date the 50th application form/resume is received, or February 13, 2018, whichever occurs first.

EOE

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.

Contract Administrator

1907 Hartford Turnpike North Haven, CT 06473

Galasso Materials is seeking a motivated, organized individual to be its next Contract Administrator. This position provides administration associated with our paving division. Responsibilities include billing, payroll, collection, lien tracking, coordinating with outside legal counsel, and job cost. Experience is preferred but willing to train the right candidate. Salary commensurate with experience and educational achievement. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. Reply to Hiring Manager, PO Box 1776, East Granby, CT 06026. EOE/M/F/D/V.

Insulation company offering good pay and benefits.

Dispatcher

KMK Insulation Inc. Mechanical Insulator position.

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

Common Ground seeks an Assistant Fa-

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

TRANSFER STATION LABORER

Waste Treatment

Help Wanted. Immediate opening for operator for Heavy and Highway construction. Please call PJF Construction Corp. @ 860-888-9998.

We are an equal opportunity employer M/F. 21

Galasso Materials is seeking a motivated, organized, detail-oriented candidate to join its truck dispatch office. Responsibilities include order entry and truck ticketing in a fast paced materials manufacturing and contracting company. You will have daily interaction with employees and customers as numerous truckloads of material cross our scales daily. We are willing to train the right individual that has a great attitude. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. Reply to Hiring Manager, PO Box 1776, East Granby, CT 06026.

EOE/M/F/D/V.

Hot Mix Asphalt Plant Technician & Paving Inspector There are multiple openings in Galasso Materials Quality Control Department. NETTCP certification is preferred, with at least one year of experience. Full time positions available. Your schedule must be flexible as sometimes night shifts are required. Must be able to lift and carry 50lb buckets.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. Reply to Hiring Manager, PO Box 1776, East Granby, CT 06026. EOE/M/F/D/V.

Equipment Operators and Laborers Galasso Materials is seeking applicants for the 2018 paving season. Experience in paving operations is required. Must possess current OSHA 10 card, have a valid driver’s license, and own transportation. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. Reply to Hiring Manager, PO Box 1776, East Granby, CT 06026.

EOE/M/F/D/V.

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 INNER-CITY NEWS January 24, 2018 - January 30, 2018 Con’t from page 18

Blacks and Politics:

Shutdown allowed Trump to play poisonous political game

Either Get Engaged or Get Left Behind

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE. IT’S WHAT WE DO. Insured or uninsured.

We’ve got you covered.

LEARN MORE. PPSNE.ORG • 1 (800) 230-PLAN

“Hope and Change” he campaigned on. As a result of this record turnout, Black voters helped elect President Obama to the highest office in the land and they helped elect Democrats to other key positions that helped Democrats gain control of both the House and the Senate. And what did the Democratic Party do as soon as they got control of the House, Senate and the White House? You guessed it!

Respective groups within the Democratic Party began advocating for their own competing interests and could care less about Black issues.

And how were Black people rewarded for their 96 percent voting loyalty in 2008? Subsequently, the many issues impacting the Black community were ignored and got pushed further and further to the back of the bus, and Black people were pushed to the bottom of the totem pole.

During a time where Black people should have been experiencing tremendous gains, we saw Black unemployment at its highest point, increased poverty, property loss and home equity loss at record-numbers in the Black community, and the wealth gap tripled between us and Whites.

Sadly, as I see it, the role of Blacks within the Democratic Party has been one that has relegated us to only being good for faithfully voting Democratic that is known for hitting the pavement to rally the voters in the hood and in the church, while not having a true voice within the Party. That has to change starting in this New Year of 2018. It’s extremely clear to me that we as Black people need to wake up and get more actively involved with politics, because if we don’t do it, we will continue getting screwed over by people who don’t have our best interest at heart and who would rather see us “begging” them for scraps from the table, rather than demanding a seat at the table. We can complain all day about how “White” and “not culturally diverse” the Republican Party is, but the one thing I can respect about them is when they choose to come together about the things that are collectively important to them—they come together.

Don’t get historical amnesia on me.

Lest we forget that there was a time, not long ago, where the Republican Party once advocated for Black people and Black issues, while the Democratic Party served as the home of the

22

Ku Klux Klan and advocated for segregationist policies that violated and went against the Civil Rights of Black people.

As I see it, the Democratic Party is getting more and more fragmented, while the Republican Party remains consistent with their message and their actions, even if it costs them votes or support. They have conviction and stick to their guns for the whole of the Party. At the end of the day, the Republican Party appears to be on one accord publicly, even when there may be discord internally. This has not been the case with the Democratic Party over the last several decades.

As I see it, Blacks cannot be political squatters, sitting with our hands out, begging for scraps from the table and waiting to be given our next assignment and told our next move.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick said it best at the last Democratic National Convention, when he told attendees that they needed to get some “backbone.”

All I know is this, Black folks had better get some “backbone” and wake up before we find ourselves becoming comfortable with sitting at the back of the bus again, while the Hispanic community and Asian community figure out a way to work collectively together to advance their political and social position in this country. If we find ourselves in the back of the bus, sadly, it won’t be the Republicans’ fault or the Democrats’ fault. This time, it will be no one’s fault, but our own.

Dear Black people: We either get engaged or get left behind.

What’s it going to be for 2018 and beyond?

Jeffrey L. Boney serves as Associate Editor and is an award-winning journalist for the Houston Forward Times newspaper. Jeffrey has been a frequent contributor on the Nancy Grace Show and Crime & Justice with Ashleigh Banfield and also hosts a national daily radio talk show called “Real Talk with Jeffrey L. Boney.” If you would like to request Jeffrey as a speaker, you can reach him at jboney1@forwardtimes. com. Follow Jeffrey on Twitter @realtalkjunkies.

The Houston Forward Times is a member publication of the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

by Jesse Jackson Donald Trump had the government shutdown that he wanted. No one should be confused about this.

The shutdown allowed Trump and Republicans to ply their poisonous politics of division. And the shutdown provided occasion for a shakedown of Democrats, with Trump willing to shut the government down until he got billions for the wall that he had preposterously promised the Mexicans would pay for.

The record here is quite clear. Long before the deadline, Trump tweeted that a “good shutdown” might be necessary to “fix mess!” His White House and the Republican Congress have utter scorn for federal employees, so treating these public servants shabbily is, to them, a feature, not a bug. When Americans find public services less available, Social Security claims delayed, water systems fouled, that’s a benefit too — because it just provides fuel for Trump’s attack on government.

The blowup was utterly unnecessary.

Trump postured publicly as a supporter of the Dreamers, the hundreds of thousands of innocents, brought here as infants, who now — because of Trump’s executive order — face deportation to countries that they have never known. Trump claimed he was ready to support a bipartisan agreement.

Democrat Dick Durbin and Republican Lindsay Graham, representing a bipartisan group, brought him that agreement. That’s when Trump purposefully blew up the process, scorning immigrants from “s—hole countries.” Even when Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer agreed with Trump’s demand for billions for the wall, there was still no deal. He “couldn’t take yes for an answer,” Schumer concluded.

Why would Trump and Republicans force the shutdown? The Trump campaign made that clear, rolling out a vicious television ad calling Democrats “complicit” for slayings committed by undocumented immigrants. The Con’t on page 23

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 24, 2018 - January 30, 2018

Jay-Z Will Be the First Guest on CNN’s New “The Van Jones Show”

Nationwide — The Van Jones Show is off to a great start. With Jay-Z as the first guest on its debut episode on January 27, it would surely be a show to watch out for. The new CNN series will be hosted by no other than Van Jones, an activist and former Obama administration policy adviser.

He will be joined by the famous rapper, Jay-Z, on the first episode to plug and discuss his latest album 4:44. The album “is a real social justice classic, and I want to talk to him about that,” Jones said. Aside from that, they will also be discussing issues about economics and race.

Jones is Jay-Z’s client on Roc Nation, his entertainment company. And so he joked, “I didn’t have to Google to find the phone number.”

Jones described the show as “an opportunity to really reflect on where we are and where we are going. We will

have cultural icons and political leaders on the one hand, but we will also be going out into the country, talking to ordinary people.”

The show which will be taped in front of a live audience will be using social media, live-crowd interaction, and taped segments of visits with people across America to be able to observe the trends shaping the upcoming 2018 and 2020 elections.

The Van Jones Show will be airing opposite Fox News Report on Fox News Channel every 7 pm starting January 27.

Previously, Jones was one of the panelists of CNN’s revival of Crossfire and some other town hall programs.

He is also looking forward to launching a new CNN series called The Redemption Project which is about criminal justice later this year.

Aggressive prenatal care to help Battle Preterm Births

by Lauren Wicks, Babykixx Content Writer and Freelancer

Over 200,000 women go into preterm birth each year, oftentimes leading to health issues for both mother and baby. Factors like age, weight, medical conditions, stress, and lifestyle all can contribute to risk for preterm labor. One of the most shocking, however, is that black women have a 50% increased chance of preterm birth than white mothers, as well as other complications. Even tennis superstar, Serena Williams, has faced some of the complications that many black women face.

Dr. Jamil Abdur Rahman, OB/Gyn,

and TV personality, said, “AfricanAmerican women are at higher risk for pregnancy complications and therefore need to be more aggressive about prenatal care. Simple things like taking your prenatal even before conception and making sure the prenatal formulation is adjusted for any risk factors you might have.” While we cannot do much to change our environments or genetic predispositions, we can take charge of our diet and lifestyle. Listed below are several of the most essential nutrients for creating a happy environment for a developing baby: Folate- Folate (or Folic Acid) is most widely known for being an essential part of pregnancy nutrition, as

B Vitamins- The spectrum of B Vitamins are essential in your child’s hormonal, macular, spinal, brain, and heart development. It is crucial that you are watching your B vitamin intake to ensure proper development.

Checking off the boxes of each vital nutrient can be tough. Eating less processed foods and saturated animal fats will help give you more room for eating nutrient-dense foods, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins. These foods will help you cover the whole spectrum of prenatal nutrition, but we also suggest taking a daily prenatal vitamin to assist you in your quest for a healthy baby and you!

it helps protect the fetus from neural tube defects. Studies have also shown that taking the recommended amount of 600-800 mg per day, can decrease a woman’s chances of preterm labor by up to 70 percent.

DHA- DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid that helps babies develop in a timely and proportional manner and if taken at the proper dosage, has even shown to allow mothers to spend less time recovering in the hospital postpartum. Aim to take about 600mg per day.

Calcium– Calcium is well-known for its help in developing the skeletal system. Take the recommended about of 1200 mg per day to help your child develop according to the proper timeline.

Con’t on page 23

Shutdown allowed Trump to play poisonous political game White House and Republican legislators repeated endlessly scurrilous talking points that they knew were a lie: Democrats favor protecting illegal immigrants over funding our soldiers, supporting our veterans and providing services for Americans.

This is ugly, race-based politics at its worst. Republicans reveled in it, claiming they had the upper hand.

It’s worth remembering that many recent mass murders in America — in Newtown, Orlando, Las Vegas, Charleston and Sutherland Springs — involved U.S.-born assailants.

Are Republicans, who in league with the National Rifle Association block any reform of our ridiculous gun laws, responsible for all of those murders? That’s the logic of the Trump campaign ad slurring Democrats on immigration.

Now a deal has been reached to reopen the government, at least until Feb. 8. In theory, Democrats will gain relief for the Dreamers that is favored by some 85 percent of Americans. Trump will probably shake out billions to waste on his wall. Government will reopen, with the same

distorted priorities.

Whether the government will finally get a real budget for the remainder of this fiscal year (which ends on the last day of September) remains to be seen. Will Trump finally take yes for an answer?

Trump and his campaign aides clearly see the political gain from parading as tough on immigration over and over again. He said in the public meeting he held that he’d be willing to “take the heat” of a bipartisan immigration deal. But he has preferred constantly to sow division rather than

23

solve problems.

The second obstacle is the House leadership and caucus. There’s a majority in the House for good immigration reform, but the Republican leadership refuses to take up a measure that would pass unless a majority of Republicans alone support it. That makes the leadership hostage to the most right-wing faction in the party.

And a large number of them don’t want any deal, period.

Trump’s aides say he is the great dealmaker. There’s no question if he wants a deal, there is one available.

The question remains is he prepared to make a deal. Now, he’ll have until Feb. 8 to make up his mind.

The sad product of all this is that America’s politics will grow uglier and more divisive. The White House and Republicans see themselves as having profited by appealing to our fears, by playing race-bait politics, by peddling hate. They will surely keep doing what they think works.

Trump will continue to drive Americans apart — until we come together to call him and the Republicans who echo him to account.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS January 24, 2018 - January 30, 2018

Floogals available on Universal Kids on Xfinity Stream app

A limited-time offer on limitless entertainment Today we stream in more places than ever before. That’s why Xfinity delivers the fastest Internet, so you’ll have the speed you need to stream at home. Or watch on the go with easy access to millions of Xfinity WiFi hotspots nationwide. Plus, with the Xfinity Stream app, you can stream live sports and hit TV shows, or even download your favorites to watch when you’re offline.

Right now, you can get a limited-time offer on Xfinity, with a FREE upgrade to faster speed included, for two whole years — through January 2020! Xfinity delivers the speed and streaming experience you want, at a price you can’t miss.

L I M I T E D -T I M E O F F E R

Get started with TV Internet Voice

89

$

99

a month

FOR 2 FULL YEARS

Enjoy this special rate through January 2020

FREE upgrade to 200 Mbps download speed for 2 years

with 2-year agreement Equipment, taxes and other charges extra, and subj. to change. See details below.

Hurry! This sale ends February 4th .

Go to xfinity.c om, call 1-800-XFINITY or visit your local Xfinity Store today.

Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. New residential customers only. Limited to Starter XF Triple Play with Digital Starter TV, Performance Pro 100 Mbps Internet upgraded to Blast! 200 Mbps Internet, and 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.), Regional Sports Fee (up to $6.75/mo.) and other applicable charges extra, and subject to change during and after promo. After promo, or if any service is cancelled or downgraded, regular rates apply. TV: Limited Basic service subscription required to receive other levels of service. Internet: Fastest Internet claim based on Xfinity’s fastest available download speed. Actual speeds vary and are not guaranteed. Xfinity WiFi hotspots included with Performance Internet and above. Performance Starter and below not eligible. Available in select areas. Voice: $29.95 activation fee applies. If there is a power outage or network issue, calling, including calls to 911 may be unavailable. © 2018 Comcast. All rights reserved. NPA211612-0001 DIV18-1-AA-JanSale-A2

124649_NPA211612-0001 Jan Sale ad AA A2 9.25x10.5.indd 1

24

1/5/18 1:36 PM