INNER-CITY NEWS

Black Children’s Book Week, With A Bionic Assist

by Lucy Gellman. Editor, The Arts Paper newhavenarts.org

Dawn Staton-Dailey spent years finding the right words to say when kids noticed her son’s hearing aid. Usually, they were just curious, intrigued by the shell-sized piece of plastic and tubing that helped him hear. Sometimes they thought it was strange. Then a light went off in her head.

“If my friends start to stare, you tell them, That’s my bionic ear!” The words had a ring to them. She wrote them down—and then she kept writing.

Carter—who is now six, and very much a young superhero—is the protagonist in Carter and His Bionic Ear, a children’s book Staton-Dailey published last year through Imagine Her and Aspenne’s Library. Saturday, it took center stage during a Black Children’s Book Week meetand-greet and author fair, held at Possible Futures Bookspace at 318 Edgewood Ave.

The week also included multiple read aloud sessions, held both on Zoom and at the Stetson Branch Library on Dixwell Avenue. While Black Children’s Book Week is a national event, this marked the second annual iteration in New Haven, where it centered and celebrated Black Connecticut authors.

“I think it’s something that, it really tugs at my heartstrings, to be able to share it like this,” said Staton-Dailey, who grew up in New Haven and is now raising her two sons in the city. Around her, children’s books seemed to multiply, from Aspenne Colors the Neighborhood and A Worm Named Small to I May Not Be Like You But We Could Be Friends. Nearby, Carter sat in a gray sweatshirt, sinking into the deep couch cushions as he savored his Saturday morning.

Born last year in New Jersey, Black Children’s Book Week is the brainchild of author Veronica Chapman, who started the event as a way to increase representation in children’s literature. For Chapman, the approach is tied to research that shows Black children who see themselves reflected in books and media have higher self-esteem, socialize more easily and are less likely to be angry or depressed.

Last year, it came to New Haven through Rebekah Moore, a lifelong resident of the city who is also an educator, toddler mom, avid reader, podcaster, and the program director at the Arts Council of Greater New Haven. (In the interest of full disclosure, the Arts Paper receives support from the Arts Council of Greater New Haven but is editorially independent from it.)

For Moore—who was building her son’s book collection before he was even born—it was a chance to connect with Black authors from around the state, from Staton-Dailey and Darius Good to Patricia Bellamy-Mathis and Melissa-Sue John. After starting in the Arts Council’s 70 Audubon Street space last year, she

said she was excited to branch out to Possible Futures and Stetson. As a parent, she’s part of the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, a movement to catalyze early childhood literacy.

“Who better to tell our stories than ourselves?” she said as the sun streamed through into the bookspace, light dancing across the floor and on the snugly packed shelves. Next to her, a trio of new books waited to come home with her.

Around the space, authors set up by the street-facing windows and bookshelves, excited for their littlest readers to arrive. Close to the door, author Stacy Graham laid out pastel-colored copies of A Day With My Mom, inspired by her deep love for her mom, the late Naomi Kelly, and her own time as a mother. While her mother was not able to see the final copy—Kelly passed away in May 2021, just months before the book was published—she became the foundation for both the book and Graham’s belief that she could write it.

Born and raised in the city’s Westville neighborhood, Graham “always dreamed of being a writer,” she said Saturday— but for years, life got in the way. There was her career as an educator, which has spanned over three decades at Ross Woodward Classical Studies Interdistrict Magnet School. She was also a mom herself, and a very active member of her church. And yet, she knew that there was a story inside of her.

“The first thing I had to do was believe that I could write,” she said Saturday.

When Covid-19 hit New Haven in March 2020, she found herself with more time on her hands. So she wrote—and wrote, and wrote, and then wrote some more. Her words filled the silence that followed school closings, shuttered businesses and

houses of worship, and online-only classes. The book poured out of her.

As she wrote, stories from her childhood materialized, blooming across the page with the help of illustrator Kavion Robinson. She credits Latoya Wakefield, an author and publisher based in Jamaica, for helping her cross the finish line. While

That book joy radiated across the room, jumping from A Day With My Mom to tables for Staton-Dailey, Aspenne’s Library, and Lauren Simone Publishing. Just feet from Graham, Staton-Dailey laid out signed hardcover and paperback copies of Carter and His Bionic Ear, the illustrations from Miss Monica exploding in a superhero blue-and-red on the front cover.

A lifelong New Havener, Staton-Dailey was inspired to write the book after the birth of her second son, Carter, who is now six. After she gave birth to him, Carter suffered neonatal meningitis, ultimately losing some of his ability to hear in one ear. With a background in both nursing and early childhood education, Staton-Dailey understood what doctors were telling her, and felt like she had a handle on his medical treatment.

What she didn’t always have the words for—at least initially—was telling him why it was important to wear his hearing aid. Often, kids were puzzled by it, because it was different. But without it, she knew Carter would miss out on much of the world around him. Carter And His Bionic Ear grew out of some of those conversations.

She found the time to write the book during the first year of lockdown. When she looked for a publisher, she found support from Bellamy-Mathis, a fellow Connecticut mom and author who runs Aspenne’s Library, LLC in honor of her young daughters, Aspenne and Nova. In the book, a little boy springs out of bed, arms extended to their full wingspan. His bedroom is the bedroom of a loved, dreamy child, complete with prints of astronauts and superheroes gliding through space, their capes and costumes full of color. Before he heads to breakfast, he slips in his blue hearing aid, ready for another day.

Suddenly, he’s ready to greet the world—and it’s ready to greet him. With his bionic ear, Carter can hear everything: his brother Devin eating his cereal, hushed cell phone conversations and the bell chime of notifications, the whisper of his toothbrush and the meditative buzzing of bees as they fly low over the city sidewalk.

Kelly died just months before the book was published, Graham knows her legacy lives on through the book.

“It was so exciting [to finish it],” she said, bursting into a smile as a few young readers came through the door. “I can’t believe it. When the first copy came, I cried.”

With his aural superpower, he imagines himself in a superhero, as if Joy the Black Boy has teamed up with Captain America after a happenstance meeting. The hearing aid is no longer a strange-looking nuisance: it’s a life-saving device, powerful enough for Carter to hear far-away protestations, kids in distress, and the mewing of cats trapped in the city street. When his classmates peek curiously at it, he explains what it does.

“When my friends ask about it or start to stare, I tell them it helps me hear sounds that I wouldn’t normally be able to hear,” Carter explains in the book. For Staton-

Lucy Gellman Photos: Authors Dawn Staton-Dailey, Stacy Graham, Patricia Bellamy-Mathis, Rosamund White, and Melissa-Sue John. Books from Lauren Simone Publishing House.

Colon In Line For Assistant Police Chief

by PAUL BASS

Police Chief Karl Jacobson has tapped Lt. Manmeet Colon to serve as an assistant chief.

The Board of Police Commissioners is scheduled to vote on Jacobson’s recommendation at a meeting Tuesday night. If approved, Colon will join Bertram Ettienne and David Zannelli as number-two cops in the chief’s suite. Her first assignment will be to oversee the patrol division while Zannelli (who currently does that) spends two months in training at the national FBI academy.

Jacobson said he’s hoping the commissioners approve the appointment, based on Colon’s accomplishments in the department her “philosophy of how the police and the community should interact”

in a way that promotes respect and trust. “She gets it,” Jacobson said.

Colon, a 37-year-old Mumbai native who moved with her family to Queens when she was 11, graduated from the police academy in December 2008. She studied criminal justice at the University of New Haven.

She started walking a beat in the Hill. She worked her way up through the ranks, including overseeing the detective division’s robbery and burglary unit, investigating sexual assault and family violence cases for the Special Victims Unit, working on recruitment and background checks, serving as district manager in Westville, Dixwell, and then Newhallville/ East Rock, and running internal affairs (her current assignment).

Jacobson said he hopes Colon’s appoint-

ment will inspire more women to join the NHFD, which is currently 17 percent female. The department’s goal is “30 by 30” — 30 percent female by 2030.

Colon (nee Bhagtana) said she also hopes her status as the department’s first Indian-American assistant chief inspires others from similar backgrounds to pursue careers in law enforcement. “I come from a Sikh family. I speak Punjabi. I’m very proud of my heritage,” Colon said.

“More important is the mission and the values of the department. To me, it’s all about being fair and impartial. My background, my morals, my family values and traditions … I feel like I bring a lot to the table. I’m glad there’s a space for me at the table.”

2 New Haveners Promoted To Asst. Fire Chief, Asst. Drillmaster

by NORA GRACE-FLOOD

Two New Haven natives have been promoted to top spots in the city’s fire department, with Dan Coughlin filling the role of assistant chief of operations and Shytan Floyd becoming assistant drillmaster.

Mayor Justin Elicker swore those two individuals into their new jobs Tuesday afternoon in a promotion ceremony on the first floor of City Hall.

“This is a moment for us to reflect on the service so many individuals give to the community,” he stated to the audience of public safety officers and their families who attended the swearing-in. “Every day you put yourselves at risk for all of our safety.”

He then asked the each newly promoted fire department staffer to raise their right hand and promise to “faithfully and impartially perform the duties” of each respective job “to the best of my abilities, and according to the law, and that I will at all times strive to use the power entrusted to me as such officer for the best interest of the city so help me god.”

Daniel Coughlin, a 21-year veteran of the New Haven Fire Department (NHFD), will jump immediately into the position of assistant chief of operations following the retirement of Terrence Rountree, who departed from the role on Feb. 13.

“This is a guy who’s from New Haven through and through,” Fire Chief John Alston said of Coughlin.

While Alston said he intends to do a nationwide search for a second assistant chief position that will soon open when Assistant Chief of Administration Justin McCarthy leaves the post for another job in Greenwich, he had to hire

internally for the assistant chief of operations in alignment with the department’s union contract.

Alston said he was choosing between two candidates: Deputy Chief Bruce Galaski and Coughlin himself.

“It was a tough decision,” he said.

“They’re both excellent at what they do.”

He said he went with Coughlin not only due to his “technical acumen but his long-standing service in the city of New Haven. His commitment to the city speaks volumes to me.”

On Tuesday, Coughlin, 49, was joined by his father, William Coughlin. Both worked in the Lombard Street fire sta-

tion, with the elder retiring in 1998. Coughlin, who grew up in Fair Haven, is the product of multiple generations of family who have served in public safety roles in New Haven. His grandfather, for example, was a police detective in the city.

Coughlin, meanwhile, has worked as a lieutenant, captain and battalion chief during his 21 years in New Haven’s fire department.

As he sets out on his new job of determining daily operations, such as dayto-day fire ground training, and responding to technical calls and multiple alarm fires, Coughlin said his aim is “just to get

all these men and women home safely.”

Shytan Floyd, meanwhile, was sworn in as the second woman and second woman of color to take on the title of assistant drillmaster in the history of the department.

In that role, she will oversee training logistics for all of the department’s firefighters, help with recruitment of new hires, and oversee procurement and maintenance of equipment.

Prior to joining the department five years back, during which time she has worked as an adjunct temporary drillmaster and a driver for Engine 15, Floyd worked at the community health clinic

BHCare as an intervenor in domestic violence disputes and substance abuse issues.

“I was born and raised here with no ambition of being a firefighter,” Floyd said. “We didn’t know you could do that!” she said of the girls and women she grew up with in New Haven.

She said she hopes her promotion will show “other women of color in the city that this is possible.”

“It’s like a seesaw,” she said of working in the department. “When you’re up, you’re up. But you have to have thick skin. Working in a male-dominated population is not always the easiest.”

“We serve all types of people in the community,” she said, and there should be a variety of individuals on the force to support the city’s diverse population. “At the end of the day we’re out here saving lives.”

“I’m ecstatic,” she said of the promotion. “I’m gonna rise to the top of this department! There’s no emotional test I’m not gonna take.”

“One of the reasons I was hired was to increase opportunity for New Haveners, people of color and women,” Alston noted at the end of the ceremony. Tuesday’s event marked the promotion of two individuals with roots and dedication to New Haven, he said, as well as the rare advancement of a Black woman into a role that would interact directly with every member of the department.

According to a January report of the fire department’s demographics, 27 percent of New Haven’s firefighters are Black and 57 percent are white; 27 percent of the firefighters are from New Haven; and under five percent of the firefighters are women.

THOMAS BREEN FILE PHOTO Lt. Colon on the job in Newhallville.

Asst. Chief Justin McCarthy, Mayor Justin Elicker, Asst. Chief Dan Coughlin, retired firefighter William Coughlin, Asst. Drillmaster Shytan Floyd, and Chief John Alston.

New Haven Independent

New Haven Independent

Connecticut Small Business Boost Fund offers relief growth opportunities and financial support to business owners

The Connecticut Small Business Boost Fund offers flexible, low-interest loans and free business support services to small business owners seeking working capital. Supported by the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development with a focus on business owners in historically underbanked communities, the Fund has already distributed$23 million in loans to more than 190 Connecticut small businesses and nonprofits.

One of those business owners is Chaquanzha Stephenson, whose story illustrates just how important a flexible, low-interest loan can be to a small business in need.

In 2021, Stephenson left a career in HR and launched Point Transportation and Logistics out of Milford, operating a single flatbed vehicle that hauled lumber, heavy machinery, steel, bricks — “things that make the world go round,” as she explains it.

After a successful first year, Stephenson decided to scale the company and add a second commercial vehicle to her fleet. Unfortunately, the truck was a lemon: It cost over $30,000 in out-of-pocket repairs, and it meant that she wasn’t bringing in the revenue that she had projected.

It was around that time that Stephenson applied for her first business loan, which got her capital quickly but came with a high interest rate and a lien on her company.

“I needed the loan because we were in a

crisis,” she says, “and I didn’t realize how much interest was on it.”

That’s when Stephenson turned to the Connecticut Small Business Boost Fund. Following the application process, she was paired with a community lender and business advisor through the Fund. They worked with her to create financial projections and organize her documents so she could finally take on the right loan to get Point back up and running.

Now she’s looking ahead to the future with plans to increase her workforce and broaden her reach, and she hopes her business can generate some generational wealth that she can eventually pass down.

“The Connecticut Small Business Boost Fund was truly a blessing. It turned this negative situation into something great,” Stephenson says. “I can’t stress enough how grateful I am, just being able to sleep at night. Without it, I wouldn’t have a business right now. They were able to put the pieces back together and give me hope.

$125 million in loans is still available to Connecticut-based businesses and nonprofits that have been in business for at least a year, have no more than 100 employees and have annual revenues of less than $8 million are eligible to receive loans of up to $500,000 at a fixed interest rate of 4.5%.

Learn more at CTSmallBusinessBoostFund.org.

Bipartisan Coalition of Lawmakers Seek to Improve Access to Autism and IDD Services

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Connecticut residents seeking services for autism or intellectual and developmental disabilities may face waiting lists with as many as 2,000 names. Others may be disqualified from services based on an IQ score. Those were among the concerns lawmakers hoped to address through a bipartisan bill debated Thursday.

The wide-ranging proposal, raised for a public hearing in the Human Services Committee, attempts to tackle the issues on a number of fronts from encouraging state agencies to use their funding to reduce waiting lists to promoting an adequate workforce to serve the IDD population.

Another provision asks state agencies to recommend new service eligibility criteria that does not hinge on the results of an IQ test.

Thursday’s hearing prompted personal testimony from several impacted families. Eilene Kleva of Windsor described how her adult son Paul did not qualify for certain services because his IQ score exceeded 69 even though his autism meant he required assistance in most matters.

“He couldn’t do most of life’s business by himself. He couldn’t be trusted to walk

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in and breathing out everything that you hear today,” Eagan said. “What happens to my child when I’m gone? What happens if the help we need isn’t there? What happens when I don’t have the capacity that I have here today to do what she needs every single day? And I’m just here to say: We have enormous work to do.”

More than a dozen legislators of all political stripes held a press conference earlier that morning and committed to beginning that work.

Rep. Jay Case, R-Winchester, said he felt personally invested in the issue in part because of his brother, who had special needs before he died in a group home five years ago.

“That fired me up even more to get more people out into group homes and get them staffed properly,” Case said.

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across the street without looking both ways but under Connecticut’s current system, just one number is all that counted,” Kleva said.

Currently there are 948 people on a waiting list for services through the Department of Developmental Services.

There are around 2,000 waiting for autism services through the Department of

Social Services. In many cases, how long someone waits on these lists depends on their situation and the available resources.

State Child Advocate Sarah Eagan described some of her own experiences as a parent of a child with multiple developmental disabilities.

“Every single minute of the day whether I think about it or not, I am breathing

Rep. Lucy Dathan, D-New Canaan, said advocates and impacted families had helped proponents gather the support of all the lawmakers crowding the legislative conference room.

“I am committed to finding solutions and alternatives and working with all my colleagues to get this measure to the finish line this session,” Dathan said in a press

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Rep. Lucy Dathan and Rep. Jay Case Credit: Hugh McQuaid / CTNewsJunkie

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Bysiewicz, Bond Back Birth Control Bill

by THOMAS BREEN

“Let’s be the 21st state to pass this legislation!”

With those words of encouragement, city Health Director Maritza Bond joined Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz in Fair Haven to call on Connecticut to allow pharmacists to prescribe birth control pills. That press conference took place Friday morning at Hancock Pharmacy at 306 Grand Ave. It marked the latest stop in Bysiewicz’s statewide tour promoting Gov. Ned Lamont’s proposal to allow pharmacists to prescribe oral contraceptives so that women don’t have to visit a doctor in order to obtain birth control.

“We think that it’s going to increase access to healthcare that is important for women,” Bysiewicz said while standing alongside Bond and Hancock Pharmacy owner Raj Appalaneni. Making a doctor’s appointment in order to get birth control can be a barrier to such healthcare, Bysiewicz said, not least because “some people don’t even have a family doctor.” Pharmacies like Hancock are accessible to community members, she continued. “Pharmacies are trusted places in the community. And they’re places that people visit often.” She stressed how important it is to “increase access to healthcare” at a time when federal courts and state legislatures across the country are curbing access to birth control. The presser took place as a federal judge in Texas is expected to soon rule in a case that could turn back the FDA’s approval of the abor-

tion medication mifepristone. Connecticut Pharmacists Association leader Nate Tinker agreed. “This is not just about making pharmacies more visible in the community,” he said. “It’s about making women’s access to health-

care more available.”

Bond describe the legislative proposal as another example of the Lamont Administration “continuing to be progressive in really trying to get Connecticut to be able to expand access to an array of things.”

Health Director Bond and Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz on Friday.

Perez Calms The Bank Waters

by PAUL BASS

Jorge Perez had a message for Connecticut Monday: “Don’t panic.”

Perez has served as Connecticut’s banking commissioner since 2015. That puts him at the center of the response as banks open for business this week in the wake of two bank failures in other states over the past three days including the second-largest failure in U.S. history, at California’s Silicon Valley Bank (SVP).

The failures have officials worried enough about a rush on other banks that President Joe Biden held a press conference Monday morning to reassure people that no 1929-style string of bank failures is imminent.

Perez, a former New Haven Board of Alders president, sounded a similar note in an interview on WNHH FM.

“The first thing I would like to say to people is don’t panic. The banks in Connecticut are strong. The situation [that] happened in California and New York is much different than what you find in Connecticut,” Perez said.

He noted that SVP relied on exclusively on a narrow base of customers: high-tech and fintech startups, most of which had deposits exceeding the $250,000 maxi-

mum covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The other failed bank, New York’s Sovereign Bank, relied heavily on the crypto industry.

“This is a bank that grew real fast in the last six to eight years because of the fintechs and the high tech companies,” Perez said.

“It took their money and invested it in U.S. bonds. They did that two, three years ago when the rates were lower. And the average yield on the portfolio was 1.79, which was a good yield back then when the prime rate was zero. But today the prime rate is 7.75. On Friday the three-month T bill was 4.89. The one-year T bill has been going back and forth between 4.9 to 5.18. So in today’s market, that 1.79 yield is no longer good. … Because they were having cashflow issues, and some real famous big-time brokerage firms were starting to recommend that people withdraw the money, on Thursday alone $42 billion was withdrawn from the bank. So they tried to sell their bonds to come up with cash to try to sell part of their portfolio. Because they were selling early and the rates have gone up and their yield was so low, they sold at a $1.8 billion loss, which only made the cash flow problems worse.”

Connecticut’s chartered banks are far smaller than SVP, which had $212 billion in assets. And larger regional banks have diverse customer bases, Perez said.

He said he knows of no Connecticut banks demonstrating any of the danger signs similar to those at Sovereign and SVP. His staff is putting together a more “concrete analysis” that will offer a detailed picture to be released later Monday.

Also Monday, Perez was scheduled to meet via Zoom with CEOs of statechartered banks and regional presidents of national banks doing business here, along with the Connecticut Bankers association. They plan to review the developments of the weekend, share what they’re hearing. Perez plans to “encourage” them to “communicate with customers” better than SVP did.

Perez knows what it’s like to work at a failing bank: He was starting out as an assistant vice-president at New Haven First Constitution Bank when the FDIC took it over three decades ago due in part to losses suffered in risky “co-development deals” in which it took ownership shares in projects to which it was also lending money.

“It was not fun” to watch colleagues worry about their jobs, to see local businesses and charities worry about support they depended on from the bank. As of Monday morning, Connecticut’s banking commissioner wasn’t seeing similar storm clouds in sky this time around.

Lawmakers Seek

release.

The bill has broad support with 40 cosponsors including House Speaker Matt Ritter. However, it’s unclear how much financial support will be attached to it. Although proponents said it would eventually include significant funding, many of its provisions designed to reduce waiting lists are currently written to direct agencies to make changes within their current funding levels.

In written testimony submitted to the committee, Department of Developmental Services Commissioner Jordan Scheff said the bill would continue work that was already underway at his agency.

“DDS makes every effort to reduce the waiting list for residential services each year, within available appropriations, and would welcome the opportunity to continue this work throughout the biennium,” Scheff wrote.

During the press conference, Case acknowledged that alleviating the lengthy waiting lists would take time but said the bill was an important step in the right direction.

“Connecticut has been known to have this waiting list and hopefully by the time we’re done with this bill — we know it won’t happen overnight, we know it won’t happen in one year but we hope that that wait list will no longer be talked about and we can move forward,” Case

Book Week

Dailey, it’s a way to teach kids not to fear that which is different, or may at first seem strange. She called it a full-circle moment, after years writing poetry for both herself and others.

At a wing-bedecked bench beside her, Bellamy-Mathis beamed watching Staton-Dailey interact with young readers and adult ones alike. When she started Aspenne’s Library with her book Down South for the Summer, she never wanted it to just be for her. She wanted it to be part of a bigger push to amplify and support Black authors across the state.

Saturday, it seemed to be working in real time. No sooner had Hamdenite Sarah Kochin entered the bookspace with her fiancé, Ryan Brown, and their 18-monthold daughter Ruby, than Aspenne Colors The Neighborhood had a new fan. As she wriggled in her mother’s arms, Ruby caught Bellamy-Mathis’ eye and grinned as a copy of the book landed in her tiny hands.

It’s an interest that Bellamy-Mathis shares with bibliophiles like Melissa-Sue John, whose East Hartford-based imprint Lauren Simone Publishing House has grown to include educational books on animal habitats, modes of transportation, global migration and cultural customs in both English and Spanish.

Recently, John said, some of those authors have felt more welcome publishing in Connecticut than in their home states of Florida and Texas, where their books may be banned from the classroom.

Since founding the publishing house in 2017, John and her authors—including her daughters—have been working to get the books into classrooms and school libraries around Connecticut. Several of them dovetail with grade-specific curricula, including a new guide to animal habitats from her daughter, Olivia Lauren. “It’s giving back to the community,” she said, adding that she was recently tapped as a participant in Goldman Sachs’ One Million Black Women initiative.

Author Rosamund White, whose book Home, Where Is Home? celebrates her own journey from Antigua to Brooklyn to East Hartford, said that she was excited to be at the fair, and to connect with other Black authors. She added that she hopes her book resonates with all readers, no matter their background.

“If you know where you’re from, then you know where you’re gonna go, because the earth is yours,” she said. “You bring something with you to each [new] place that you live in. It’s important that children understand that we all came to America, the melting pot, to share our

“When I created a publishing agency, that’s what I wanted to do,” she said.

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LAURA GLESBY PHOTO Banking Commissioner Perez at a New Haven Hill neighborhood housing groundbreaking.

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Students Time Travel At Black History Museum

by MAYA MCFADDEN

Tuskegee Airmen uniforms, Greensboro sit-in chairs, and historic newspaper clippings provided Brennan-Rogers fifth graders with an up-close look at Black history at a museum dedicated to African Americans past and present.

Two dozen students from West Rock’s Brennan-Rogers Magnet School traveled to Stratford last Wednesday morning to travel through the time periods of slavery and civil rights and so much more at the Ruby & Calvin Fletcher African American History Museum at 952 East Broadway.

The students learned the details of several of history’s landmark periods for African Americans from the museum’s owner, longtime collector, and former New Haven police officer Jeffrey Fletcher.

The museum opened in October 2021. Fletcher plans to expand to another location in Stratford next year.

The students were accompanied by three Brennan Rogers teachers and by Family Resource Center staffer Lensley Gay. Fletcher and his museum colleague Liz Lrouike and board member Ricardo Curry led the students on their field-trip tour of the museum.

In one exhibit room students viewed authentic newspaper clippings from a Louisiana Thursday morning paper that dated back to November 1860, half a year before the start of the Civil War. Several pages of that 1860 newspaper advertised the sale of enslaved African Americans.

“This was so normal then it was just right in their faces in the morning newspaper,” Lrouike said to the class.

Several students took turns reading the explanatory exhibit plaques detailing the history of the transatlantic slave trade and the Tuskegee Airmen.

Fletcher thanked the fifth-grade class for the idea to have youth read the exhibit plaques and said he plans to make it a museum tradition going forward when schools visit.

Fifth-grader Miguel read the museum’s excerpt about the Tuskegee Airmen, who helped to defend America during World War ll.

The museum’s exhibit displayed the authentic uniforms of two Tuskegee Airmen: Hartford native and second Lt. Edward Thornton Dixon and Fletcher’s cousin, First Lt. and bomber pilot Henry Fletcher.

After learning that Henry Fletcher was a bomber pilot, Miguel asked Fletcher, “Is that a grenade on his uniform?”

Fletcher said the part of the uniform Miguel referred to was not a grenade but instead a dye pack used if pilots were lost at sea and could better be spotted by other planes.

“When they went over to Europe to fight World War II, Jim Crow laws followed them all the way over to Europe where they were assigned to digging

to travel through the time periods of slavery and civil rights and

Fifth grader Mariah: "That's just wrong!"

In another room fifth-grader Mariah stood before a framed photo of a Black toddler working on a cotton plantation.

“That’s just a baby!” Mariah said.

Mariah pointed out the poor condition of the child’s clothes and shoes and the oversized bag for the collected cotton attached to the baby.

“That’s just wrong!” she added.

In the next room, students watched a short video detailing the story of the March on Washington with leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and A. Philip Randolph.

“This was a movement, not a moment,” Fletcher said.

In what Fletcher called the theatre room, authentic signage was on display showing doors and seating areas that were designated by “White” and “Colored.”

ditches, chauffeur, and kitchen patrol,” Fletcher said.

Even after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt successfully passed legislation allowing African Americans to fight in the war as pilots, he continued, Black soldiers were still mistreated.

“When they came back to the United States, they had German concentration camps in the South, these individuals when they came back they had to sit in cattle cars where animals were and German prisoners sat in passenger cars,” Fletcher said. “They thought they were

tained a small wooden body laying a top a sparsely hay-lined wooden “bed.”

“What if they were too tall to fit in there?”

fifth-grader Aiden asked.

In another room fifth-grader Mariah stood before a framed photo of a Black toddler working on a cotton plantation.

“That’s just a baby!” Mariah said.

Mariah pointed out the poor condition of the child’s clothes and shoes and the oversized bag for the collected cotton attached to the baby.

“That’s just wrong!” she added.

In the next room, students watched a short video detailing the story of the March on Washington with leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and A. Philip Randolph.

“This was a movement, not a moment,” Fletcher said.

In what Fletcher called the theatre room, authentic signage was on display showing doors and seating areas that were designated by “White” and “Colored.” The theatre room also displayed several historic movie posters on the walls that were popular around the Civil Rights movement.

One students asked: “Was there any movies that had Black people in them?”

“There were movies but they were called B- and C-rated movies which never got to the big movie theaters. Not like Gone With the Wind, The African Queen, or even The Wizard of Oz,” Fletcher said. “They were playing in places in the South in small pockets of Black communities.”

“You have all these incredible objects. Where do you get them?” Miguel asked. Fletcher said his collection started with his mother, who began collecting historic artifacts and had a collection of about 250 objects before her passing.

Since then Fletcher has increased his collection to about 7,000 objects. He said he collects items through auctions and donations.

“What happened to all the pilots who flew in the Tuskegee Airmen group?” another student asked.

Fletcher said most if not all of the Tuskegee veterans have passed away. Gay added that she brought Tuskegee Airmen Connie Napier, Jr. to New Haven in 2013.

Students asked if Fletcher ever tried on the airmen’s suits, and he said he rarely handles the uniforms and never has worn them.

‘White Men,” “White Women,” and “Colored Men.”

Beside the historic doors, the museum also displayed a bathroom door that is typically seen today without signage segregating bathroom users based on their face. The door symbolizing today’s bathroom did have a defaced Starbucks logo and sign describing the Fletcher v. Starbucks legal dispute that occurred in 2013. Fletcher told the class that at the time he was a police officer and visited a former Starbucks site at Church and Chapel Streets. While in his police uniform Fletcher said he was denied access to the Starbucks bathroom key because he was told by an employee that it was locked in a safe. However when he returned Fletcher was told by his fellow officer colleague that when he departed the coffee shop the barista allowed a white customer to use the bathroom with the key that was in the employee’s possession.

The notice on the museum’s door was a settlement letter sent to Fletcher from Starbucks offering to pay him $3,000 and requiring he never talk about the case. Fletcher said he declined the money so he could tell his story.

“I tell you this story only because 75 or 80 years ago you weren’t allowed to go in certain bathrooms if you were a certain color and same thing years later when I wasn’t allowed to use the Starbucks bathroom,” Fletcher said.

In the “Jim Crow” exhibit alongside the bathroom doors was a full jelly bean jar Fletcher put on display to replicate the voter suppression tactics used throughout history to keep African Americans from voting.

He told the class that African Americans were required to guess how many jelly beans were in the jar before they were allowed to vote and if they were wrong, they were not granted access to the voting booths.

serving the country as patriots, but again segregation followed them.”

The museum featured several exhibits that focused on the enslavement of African Americans. Those exhibits included collected artifacts of punishment instruments like leather whips and a “slave collar” that was equipped with a bell full of buckshot that deterred enslaved people from escaping.

One exhibit also featured a replica of a small wooden sleep space for those who were enslaved while being transported overseas. The wooden replicas con-

Another room housed several historic posters for advertisements and entertainment which depicted caricatures of African Americas that drew upon racial stereotypes.

“They made these to demoralize you and make Black people look bad so others would feel above them,” Curry said. “This was a form of bullying,” he added. “They wanted you to think Black people were stupid, but that’s not true. This is what your people went through.”

In the second-to-last exhibit Fletcher showed off a “Jim Crow Door” used in the past to segregate bathrooms for

The museum walkthrough concluded with a final exhibit that had several banners depicting the decades of African American influencers before, during, and after the Civil Rights movement. Students pointed out faces of such artists and celebrities as Tupac, Michael Jackson, and Oprah on the museum’s walls. Fletcher emphasized the importance of ending the museum with the success of African Americans to display the triumph and full story of those that came before.

“When you leave here I want everybody to be on a happy and good note,” he said.

Next year when the new location is opened for the museum, Fletcher said several celebrity clothes items will be on display and will tell some history of other races, women’s rights, and LGBTQ+ movements that occurred in Connecticut. The final room also displayed a sampling of the 3,000 vinyl records collected by Fletcher’s mother Ruby and two guitars played by his father Calvin.

MAYA MCFADDEN PHOTO

Fifth-grader Miguel reads aloud about the Tuskegee Airmen exhibit.

Fifth grader Mariah: "That's just wrong!”

New Haven Independent

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Russell Sees Progress In Reviving Baby Bonds

by PAUL BASS

Erick Russell isn’t holding a grudge. He’s negotiating a solution.

That’s the state treasurer’s take on how he’s working toward a deadline to revive and launch a stalled plan to create “baby bonds” for low-income kids.

Russell became state treasurer in January, the first New Havener elected to statewide office since 1986.

In that role he inherited responsibility for implementing the baby bonds program. The state legislature created the program, which sets aside $3,200 at birth for kids born into families receiving HUSKY (Medicaid). Recipients would be able to access that money estimated to accrue to $11,000 upon turning 18 and could put that money toward buying a home, attending college, or starting a business.

Even though a Democratic legislature passed the bill creating the program, the administration whose governor signed the bill set about undermining it so that the program couldn’t be funded. Its start was delayed two years as a result.

Russell took the oath of office as an eyepopping CT Mirror report revealed internal emails that showed a top state official

in an email to the governor’s chief of staff belittling Russell for thinking he’ll have any more success than his predecessor in getting the money to start the program.

Russell said in an interview Tuesday on WNHH FM that he is in fact making progress with both the governor’s office and the legislature to make good on a promise to start the program on July 1.

“I’m not one to feed into the gossip or the back and forth. I came in completely committed to this cause. We have worked diligently since coming in to make sure the program is ready to implement on July 1,” Russell said.

“I came in with a clean slate. I don’t know what all the dynamics were prior to me coming in. I’ve had conversations with the governor. We’ve been working closely with the administration.”

A key hurdle has been Gov. Ned Lamont’s refusal to place funding for the $600 million, 12-year program on the Bond Commission agenda, a required step following the legislature’s approval of using state borrowing to pay for the bonds.

Russell said his staff has had “productive” discussions with both Lamont’s staff and legislators on possible tinkering with the funding plan in order to address concerns. Those possible changes could

include borrowing more money up front to start the program at a higher level in order to cut the long-term cost closer to $400-$500 million; using a borrowing vehicle other than general obligation bonds; drawing at least in part on general funds for the annual $50 million budget. He’s open to forgoing borrowing as long as

money is found elsewhere.

“I feel very comfortable in our ability to get this done,” Russell said.

“The governor agrees with the treasurer that we should not be funding the operations of a human services program, like baby bonds, through the state borrowing.

At a time when Connecticut has finally

moved beyond lurching from one fiscal crisis to the next, it would be fiscally irresponsible to put a program like this on our credit card. Other funding mechanisms are better utilized for the program of this nature, and the governor is open to discussing that as part of a broader conversation,” stated gubernatorial spokesman Adam Joseph.

Joseph cited other initiatives Lamont has supported to address poverty-related challenges such as raising the minimum wage, “ensuring access to quality, affordable healthcare, and investing in quality childcare and public K-12 education.”

Also on WNHH Tuesday, former state prosecutor and gubernatorial aide and legislative Judiciary Committee Co-chair Mike Lawlor, currently a criminal justice professor and New Haven police commissioner, ran down how Connecticut’s cash-bail system is fundamentally corrupt and counterproductive with all the wrong incentives. He points to a move in New Jersey to replace a similar system as a possible solution for Connecticut. He also predicts that a bill supported by urban mayors and police chiefs to increase how much of court-set bonds that repeat serious gun offenders must pay would fail a court challenge if passed.

How the Caretta Carnival became one of the biggest carnivals in West Africa

by Adedeji Ademola, Face2FaceAfrica.com

The Caretta Carnival, also known as the Fanti Carnival, is an annual celebration among Afro-Brazilians in Lagos, Nigeria. It is an open, welcoming, and inclusive festival with no discriminatory tendencies. While the carnival started several decades ago, it has evolved to become one of Africa’s largest due to the luxury, colorful display, rich culture, and fanciful costumes displayed during the celebrations. The carnival’s history is interesting because the story dates back to the slave trade and its eventual abolition in the nineteenth century.

It is important to mention that there are several eventful carnivals in West Africa and even in Lagos, the home of the Caretta festival. From the Calabar carnival to the Gerewol festival, Africa, and indeed West Africa, is home to rich culture and tradition that are mostly indigenous to its people. But in Lagos, Nigeria, there is a fascinating carnival that started, not by the indigenes, but by the offspring of people captured during the inglorious slave trade, which led to the emigration of millions of able-bodied men and women to the Americas to work on plantations.

Some of these captured slaves were taken to Brazil, Cuba, El Salvador, etc., which is home to Caretta. At the end of the slave trade, some of them were taken back to Lagos, where they believed they

had come from because of similarities in language and belief. Though some were definitely not related to the indigenous people of Lagos in any way, they found themselves in Lagos and resided among the indigenous people already living in Lagos, called Isale Eko. So, how did this carnival begin?

Lagos is well-known for its rich cultural festivals and events, such as the Lagos Carnival, Eyo Festival, and Lagos International Food and Drink Festival, which are open to the public and highlight the

diversity of Nigerian culture. By the end of the slave trade, descendants of returnees who arrived in Lagos came not only with the vast expertise of Brazilian architectural design but also with a social and cultural rapport that dotted much of the activities in the later-named Brazilian quarters in Lagos Island, and indeed in other parts of western Nigeria. This sizable Afro-Brazilian community influenced the city’s culture and traditions for centuries. These cultural and historical influences can be found in a variety of

aspects of Lagosian life, such as music, dance, food, and architecture.

According to research carried out by Onadipe Titilayo (2020), the Caretta Carnival started in 1890 to celebrate “the church and the arrival of the returnees.”

The Caretta Carnival is actually a cultural relic of Brazil. When the returnees settled in Lagos, even though the indigenes were accommodating they discovered that they were mostly isolated by the people because of the differences in their character and orientation. Thus, to make the atmo-

sphere lively and celebrate the returnees, they started the Careta Festival. They engaged in this sociocultural activity during the time of their slavery in Brazil. Caretta, by the way, is an expression that connotes masks in Brazil. Thus, it is not surprising that during their carnival, most of the costumes include masks.

The Caretta Festival was soon called the Fanti Carnival due to two major reasons. Alaba Simpson (2007) ascribed the metamorphosis of the name from Caretta to Fanti to the adulteration of the word “fancy” used to describe the people that participate in the carnival and, secondly, the contribution of another group of settlers in the Lafiaji area of Lagos from Togo and Ghana in 1936 who wore Ankara instead of the elaborate costumes used by the Afro-Brazilians.

The Festival is usually held on January 1 every year. People in Lagos and their guests are entertained with costumes, music, and dance that depict a diverse blend of the city’s Brazilian and Cuban heritage. The Fanti Carnival has grown in popularity and acceptance among people of all ages and backgrounds. Not long ago, the Lagos State government showed interest in the activities during the Carnival. This portends huge potential not only for the organizers but also for the state government in terms of revenue generation in the near future.

PAUL BASS PHOTO Erick Russell at WNHH FM.

New Haven Independent

Here’s How the White House Says President Biden’s Budget Advances Equity

Written by Stacy M. Brown

While the plan has little chance of passing through the GOP-led House, the President doubled-down on a previous executive order that directs the federal government to advance an ambitious equity and racial justice agenda.

President Joe Biden unveiled a $6.8 trillion budget plan that includes aiding several social programs, raising taxes on the wealthy, and decreasing the country’s debt by $3 trillion over the next decade. While the plan has little chance of passing through the GOP-led House, the President doubled-down on a previous executive order that directs the federal government to advance an ambitious equity and racial justice agenda.

Biden reminded lawmakers that his administration has made significant progress advancing equity across the federal government, including by releasing a second executive order last month that strengthens the government’s ability to create opportunities for communities and populations that have been historically underserved, and one that “continues to build an America in which all can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential.”

Among other things, Biden’s budget seeks the following: Advance Maternal Health and Health Equity.

The Budget includes $471 million to support implementation of the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity rates and address persistent disparities; expand maternal health initiatives in rural communities; implement implicit bias training for healthcare providers; create pregnan-

cy medical home demonstration projects; and address the highest rates of perinatal health disparities, including by supporting the perinatal health workforce.

In addition, the Budget requires all States to provide continuous Medicaid coverage for 12 months postpartum, eliminating gaps in health insurance at a critical time.

The budget expands access to quality, affordable health care by investing $150 billion over 10 years to improve and expand Medicaid home and communitybased services, such as personal care services, which would allow older Americans and individuals with disabilities to

remain in their homes and stay active in their communities as well as improve the quality of jobs for home care workers.

To bolster the health care workforce, the budget provides a total of $966 million in 2024 to expand the National Health Service Corps, which provides loan repayment and scholarships to healthcare professionals in exchange for practicing in underserved areas, and a total of $350 million to expand programs that train and support the nursing workforce.

Additionally, the budget supports survivors of domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence by significantly increasing support and protect

The authors concluded that Black infants die nearly three times the rate of white babies

survivors of gender-based violence, including $519 million for the Family Violence Prevention and Services (FVPSA) program to support domestic violence survivors—double the 2023 enacted level.

The President also wants to guarantee adequate and stable funding for HIS. The budget requests an additional $3 billion in 2024 for a total of $8.1 billion in discretionary resources, and proposes all IHS resources as mandatory beginning in 2025.

Biden also proposes to provide $90 million to support State and local fair housing enforcement organizations and

to further education, outreach, and training on rights and responsibilities under Federal fair housing laws.

The budget also invests in HUD staff and technical assistance to affirmatively further fair housing and reduce barriers that restrict housing and neighborhood choice.

The White House said the budget would expand access to affordable rent through the Housing Choice Voucher Program, which currently provides 2.3 million low-income families with rental assistance to obtain housing in the private market.

Biden wants to provide $32.7 billion, an increase of $2.4 billion over the 2023 enacted level, to maintain services for all currently assisted families and—together with HCV program reserves—to expand assistance to an additional 180,000 households, particularly those who are experiencing homelessness or fleeing domestic violence.

To further ensure that more households have access to safe and affordable housing, the budget provides $9 billion in mandatory funding to establish a housing voucher program for all 20,000-youth aging out of foster care annually; and provides $13 billion to incrementally expand rental assistance for 450,000 extremely low-income veteran families, paving a path to guaranteed assistance for all who have served the nation and are in need.

To prevent and reduce homelessness, the budget provides $3.7 billion, an increase of $116 million over the 2023 enacted level, for HUD Homeless Assistance Grants to meet renewal needs and expand assistance to approximately Con’t on pape 14

Federal Researchers Find Sudden Unexplained Deaths Rose for Black Infants

Written by Stacy M. Brown

A new study has shown a huge racial difference in infant deaths.

Researchers found that babies born to African Americans had the highest rate of sudden unexpected deaths in 2020. The authors concluded that Black infants die nearly three times the rate of white babies.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released research on Monday, March 13, that found a 15 percent increase in sudden infant deaths among babies of all races from 2019 to 2020.

In the United States, SIDS is the third leading cause of infant death after congenital abnormalities and premature birth. SIDS is also the most common cause of infant death in the United States.

The authors attributed the rise in SIDS cases to diagnostic shifting, where causes of death are reclassified.

They said the rise in deaths among Black infants happened at the same time the coronavirus pandemic started in late 2019.

The virus disproportionately affected Black communities.

“Evidence does not support direct or indirect effects of the pandemic on increased rates of sudden unexpected infant death, except for non-Hispanic Black infants,” the study authors stated.

They have called for more research,

but also noted the many ways in which the pandemic wreaked havoc on African Americans.

The study found that SIDS death increased by 15%, from 33.3 deaths per 100,000 babies born in 2019 to 38.2 per 100,000 babies born in 2020.

In data collection, both SIDS and incidents of accidental suffocation or strangulation fall under the umbrella term SUID, or sudden unexplained infant death.

Unlike SIDS, the rates of SUIDs are categorized by race and ethnicity, and researchers found an increase in unexplained deaths in Black infants. They didn’t find an increase among any other group.

The study’s author, Sharyn Parks Brown, told NBC News that the finding was absolutely a surprise. She is a senior epidemiologist for the CDC’s Perinatal and Infant Health Team.

“The racial and ethnic breakdowns of

such deaths had been consistent for decades,” she said. Reasons for the jump are unknown, NBC reported.

The authors said that the increase could be a statistical anomaly. They said they would check the data for several more years to see if the increase was real or not. It could also reflect adjustments the National Association of Medical Examiners made in 2019 to how sudden infant deaths are classified on death certificates.

According to NBC News, the guidance said finding babies on or near soft bedding was not enough to say the deaths were caused by suffocation, because there was no evidence the airways had been blocked.

Those cases, according to the recommendations, should be classified as SIDS. “If the new guidance was followed, this could have led to increased reporting of SIDS,” the study authors wrote.

From a 4-year-old orphan to an international award-winning actress

The inspiring story of Thuso Nokwanda Mbedu

by Ben Ebuka, Face2FaceAfrica.com

Growing up in the early 1990s, Thuso Mbedu never dreamt of being an entertainment figure. At a very young age, she wanted to be a dermatologist, but after taking a dramatic arts class in the 10th grade, she became interested in acting.

Her acting career has earned her fame and fortune locally and internationally, rising to become one of the most sought after actresses from South Africa. At 27, she was named in the 2018 Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 List, and one of the 100 Most Influential Africans by New African Magazine.

Born on July 8, 1991, at the Midlands Medical Center in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, to a Zulu mother and Xhosa and Sotho father, she never enjoyed the care of her parents who died when she was barely four years old. She was raised by her grandmother, a very strict school principal in school and at home. Her name reflected the multicultural tribes of her parents – Thuso is a Sotho name, Nokwanda is a Zulu name, and Mbedu is Xhosa.

Mbedu went to Pelham Primary School and Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School and graduated from the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa in 2013, where she studied Physical Theatre and Performing Arts Management. Earlier in 2012, she took a summer course at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City.

Career

Her acting career began in 2014 when she played a minor role of ‘Nosisa’ in the popular South African Soap Opera ‘Isibaya’ from Mzansi Magic. In 2015, she played a guest role as ‘Kheti’ in the Second Season of the SABC 2 youth drama series ‘Snake Park.’

She got her first starring role in the teen drama television series ‘IS’THUNZI’ from Mzansi Magic where she played ‘Winnie.’ Her international debut was in ‘The Underground Railroad’ an American fantasy historical drama series based on the novel ‘The Underground Railroad’ written by Colson Whitehead.

In 2022, she starred in her first film ‘The Woman King’ an epic historical drama about Agosie, where an entire female warrior unit protected the West African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 17 – 19th century. She played ‘Nawi’, a zealous recruit in the military unit.

In 2017, Mbedu was nominated for the ‘DSTV Viewers Choice Awards’ and the ‘International Emmy Awards for the ‘Best Performance by an Actress’ for her role

‘Winnie Bhengu’ in the 2016 -2017 television drama series ‘IS’THUNZI.’

In 2018, she won the ‘South African Film and Television Awards’ for ‘ Best Actress – TV Drama’ for her role ‘Winnie Bhengu’ in the 2016 -2017 television drama series ‘IS’THUNZI.’ She was also nominated for the ‘International Emmy Awards for ‘Best Performance by an Actress’ for her role

‘Winnie Bhengu’ in the television drama series ‘IS’THUNZI.’

In 2021, she was nominated for the ‘Television Critics Association Award’ (Individual Achievement in Drama), the

Thuso Mbedu. Photo -IOL

‘Black Reel Awards’ (Outstanding Actress – TV Movie / Limited Series), the ‘Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards’ (Best Actress in a Limited Series, Anthropology Series or Television Movie), the ‘Gotham Awards’ (Outstanding Performance in New Series), the ‘Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards’ (TV Breakout Star), and the ‘Critics Choice Television Awards’ (Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Movie), all for her role ‘Cora Randall’ in the 2021 TV series ‘The Underground Railroad.’

She won the ‘TV Breakout Star’ award from the Hollywood Critics Association TV and won the ‘Outstanding Performance in New Series’ award from the Gotham Awards.

In 2022, Mbedu was nominated for the ‘Independent Spirit Awards (Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series), for her role ‘Cora Randall’ in the 2021 television series ‘The Underground Railroad.’ She won the ‘Critics Choice Television Awards’ for ‘Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Movie’ for her role ‘Cora Randall’ in ‘The Underground Railroad.’

In her keynote speech at TheWrap’s Power Women Summit, Thuso Mbedu tearfully spoke of how she overcame the loss of her dear parents, grandmother, and aunt. But her role in Amanda Lane’s ‘IS’THUNZI’ gradually renewed her hope in life.

“…my world was that blur, until Amanda Lane happened in 2016. The role that Amanda Lane gave me was the difference between life and death for me. Receiving that audition brief, I told myself that I would audition like it was my last audition. I gave it the last of everything that I had, that at the time I got the callback, I had nothing left. I secretly made the decision not to do the callback because I had nothing left to give. But fortunately, I received the callback. So I didn’t do the callback because the role was mine. I had given up. I was in a very dark place at the time, and the character, the role, the opportunity, was a much needed light. And I told myself that I will act as if it was the last character that I will play. And through a great script and an amazing director, I earned two International Emmy Awards for that role…”

Nissan provides young black men career readiness immersion during annual event

Automaker To Young Black Students: Are You Nissan Ready?

Written by Stacy M. Brown

Approximately 50 young African American men from high schools across the country converged in Nashville for three days of career readiness experiences as part of the annual Nissan Ready program, which took place February 15-17.

In partnership with 100 Black Men of America, Nissan annually hosts this event in the home state of its Americas regional headquarters.

“This event is designed to provide young black men with an opportunity to have a glimpse into the inner workings of a global business and take away valuable professional planning tips and life skills,” noted Chandra Vasser, Nissan’s first vice president and Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, and president, The Nissan Foundation.

“It’s our hope that this program ignites in these young men a desire to continually improve and strive for success.”

Local 100 Black Men chapters from Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Jackson, Middle Tennessee, and Washington DC selected the young men who would participate in Nissan Ready based on a three component rubric—an interview, aspirational resume, and their social media presence.

On the evening of their arrival, the young men heard from Emanuel Reed and Clint Gray, the entrepreneurs behind Slim & Husky’s, a black-owned restaurant chain with locations in Nashville, which provided pizza for all in attendance.

They also heard from Nissan’s Darrin Lucas, Director, Aftersales Supply Chain Operations for Nissan Americas, about his career journey.

Day two of Nissan Ready saw the young men travel to Nissan Stadium, Home of the Tennessee TITANS, for a day of presentations from black executives within Nissan and INFINITI.

Craig Keeys, Group Vice President, INFNITI, shared his advice on dressing for

Dr. Yvonne Greenstreet joined Alnylam in 2016 as Chief Operating Officer, was promoted to President and COO in 2020, and was appointed as a Director and Chief Executive Officer in late 2021. Yvonne has more than 25 years of experience in the Biopharmaceutical industry, driving strategy and innovation, bringing transformative medicines to patients, and building successful businesses in the US, Europe and globally.

Between 2011 and 2013, Yvonne was Senior Vice President and Head of Medicines Development at Pfizer serving on the executive team leading a rapidly growing $16bn division. Prior to Pfizer, she was at GlaxoSmithKline plc for 18 years, where she was Senior Vice President and Chief of Strategy for Research and Development. Yvonne had previous-

success. Erik White, Director of Business Transformation, Nissan Motor Acceptance Company, presented on putting your best foot forward, and John Hardy, Executive Director of 100 Black Men of Jackson, Inc., provided an overview on proper dining etiquette.

A highlight of the day was a panel discussion moderated by Victor Taylor, Sr. Director of Manufacturing for Nissan Canton, on recreating the black male narrative.

“At each program stop along the way, Nissan representatives shared tidbits about their own education and career paths,” explained Vasser.

“They also shared a piece of advice they would have found helpful in high school. The young men really responded to this.”

To round out day two of the program, Nissan arranged for the young men to visit the National Museum of African American Music to experience the history and sounds of this Nashville treasure, followed by dinner and networking at Top Golf.

The final day of the program included a

ly been in various positions of increasing responsibility at GSK, including Senior Vice President for Medicines Development and Chief Medical Officer for Europe.

Yvonne trained as a physician and earned her medical degree (MBChB) from The University of Leeds in the UK. She also holds an MBA from INSEAD Business school in France. Dr. Greenstreet serves on the board of directors of Pacira BioSciences, Inc., argenx SE and The American Funds. Additionally, she is in the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a member of the Discovery Council of Harvard Medical School and a member of Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) Health Section Governing Board (HSGB).

visit to Nissan’s Smyrna Assembly Plant where the Nissan Rogue, Murano, Pathfinder, Maxima and LEAF and the INFINITI QX60 are assembled.

The Nissan Ready participants toured the plant, heard from Matthew Overbay, Director of the Manufacturing Strategy & Planning Office for Nissan North America, and learned about the all-new Nissan Z from Brian Hoekstra and Chris St. Clair, Nissan Marketing Team.

“Everyone’s journey to success is different, but there are obviously common outliers that you want to have like a strong determination and strong mindset,” said Chidu Bemeze, a Nissan Ready student participant representing the Detroit chapter of 100 Black Men.

“You want to make sure you are active. You want to make sure you are inputting enough so you can get the output you want.

“Everyone who has talked to us, though their journeys to success are different, they all have had a strong determination toward what they wanted to do. That is something I admire.”

Those students with top scores were invited to participate. Nissan provides young black men career readiness immersion during annual event /NISSAN Special to NNPA Newswire

Despite Increased Black Unemployment Rate, Biden Celebrates Robust Job Market

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall unemployment rate rose to 3.6% in February from 3.4% the prior month.

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

America’s employers added 311,000 jobs last month, surpassing the 208,000 experts predicted. Further, the last two years saw more jobs created since 1940, a sign that the country has recovered soundly from the COVID-19 recession. In January, employers added 504,000 jobs, and then 300,000+ last month, robust gains that pointed to high demand for labor.

However, despite the solid report, the African American job market remained problematic. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall unemployment rate rose to 3.6% in February from 3.4% the prior month. Women over 20 saw an unemployment rate slightly rise to 3.2% from 3.1%. Unemployment rates for Black women climbed to 5.1% from 4.7%. Among Hispanic women, it jumped to 4.8% from 4.4%. The Black unemployment rate peaked at 5.7%, up from 5.4%

in January. But, President Biden said he was excited about overall progress. “I’m happy to report that our economy has created over 300,000 new jobs last month, and that’s on top of a half a million jobs we added the month before,” a celebra-

tory President Joe Biden exclaimed. “All told, we’ve created more than 12 million jobs since I took office, nearly 800,000 of them manufacturing jobs. “That means, overall, we’ve created more jobs in two years than any administration

has created in the first four years.” Biden said he believes his administration’s economic plan is working.

The President asserted that when he took office, the economy was reeling. “And 18 million people were unemployed, on unemployment insurance, compared to less than 2 million today,” he stated. “Unemployment was 6.3 percent, and the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office predicted it wouldn’t get below 4 percent until 2026. “Because of our economic plan, unemployment has been below 4 percent for 14 straight months since January 2022.”

In February, the unemployment rate remained near the lowest level in a halfcentury. “That’s really good news. People who were staying out of the job market are now getting back into the job market,” the President noted. “They’re coming off the sidelines. They’re getting back into the job market. And today’s job numbers are clear: Our economy is moving in the right direction.”

Federal Investigators Find Louisville Police Routinely Call Black People ‘Boy,’ ‘Animal,’ and ‘Monkeys

officers have videotaped themselves throwing drinks at pedestrians from their cars; insulted people with disabilities;

Written by Stacy M. Brown

A review of the Louisville police department by the U.S. Department of Justice found that officers conducted searches based on invalid warrants and illegally carried out raids without knocking and making an announcement.

In a lengthy report, which the DOJ issued on Wednesday, March 8, noted that for years, the Louisville police department “has practiced an aggressive style of policing that it deploys selectively, especially against Black people, but also against vulnerable people throughout the city.”

“Some officers have videotaped themselves throwing drinks at pedestrians from their cars; insulted people with disabilities; and called Black people ‘monkeys,’ ‘animal,’ and ‘boy,’” the DOJ investigation revealed.

Further, federal investigators discovered that police officers routinely and illegally stopped and arrested suspects while primarily discriminating against African Americans.

The department also showed little kindness to those with behavioral health disabilities, notably when dealing with a crisis.

“This conduct erodes community trust, and the unlawful practices of LMPD and Louisville Metro undermine public safety,” DOJ investigators wrote.

The review comes after two years of a DOJ investigation sparked by the shooting death of Breonna Taylor, an unarmed Black woman whom police shot and killed in 2020 after entering her apartment in a botched and unannounced raid.

Last year, the DOJ charged four officers with federal civil rights violations and perjury.

Former detective Kelly Goodlett pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges, while the Louisville department fired Sgt. Kyle Meany.

A jury acquitted officer Brett Hankinson, the only cop who discharged his weapon, on state charges, but he’s still facing a federal case.

Former detective Joshua Jaynes also faces charges of conspiring to deprive Taylor of her civil rights.

The DOJ found that one high-ranking department official lamented that Taylor’s killing “was a symptom of problems that we have had for years.”

“The findings are deeply troubling and

‘animal,’ and ‘boy,’” the DOJ investigation revealed.

Biden declared that jobs are available, and Americans are working again and becoming more optimistic about the future. He called right-wing Republicans the biggest threat to America’s economic recovery.

“The reckless talk, my MAGA friends. This is not your — as you’ve heard me say, it’s not your father’s Republican party,” Biden railed.

“But the Republicans in the United States Congress, what they want to do with regard to the debt limit. You know, they’re threatening to default on our national debt. Planning to default, as some Republicans seem to be doing, puts us much at risk.”

He continued:

“I believe we should be building on our progress, not go backward. So, I urge our extreme MAGA Republican friends in Congress to put the threats aside. Instead, join me in continuing the progress we’ve built. We’ve got a lot more to do, so let’s finish the job.”

White House

25,000 additional households, including survivors of domestic violence and homeless youth.

The budget also seeks to prevent evictions by making the legal process during eviction proceedings fairer, and mitigate future housing instability, and providing $3 billion in mandatory spending for competitive grants to promote and solidify state and local efforts to reform eviction policies by providing access to legal counsel, emergency rental assistance, and other forms of rent relief.

Also, to help ensure that every student receives a high-quality education, the Budget provides $20.5 billion for Title I, which would continue historic progress in increasing Title I funding over the past two years.

sobering, and they compromise LMPD’s ability to serve and protect the people of Louisville,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta.

“We are committed to working with Louisville on a path forward to constitutional policing and stronger police-community trust. Although police reform won’t happen overnight, focused effort and sustained commitment will bring us closer to transformed relationships, safe communities, and this nation’s promise of justice and equality under the law.”

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division added that people in Louisville deserve policing that’s constitutional, fair, and non-discriminatory.

“Our investigation found that the police

department and city government failed to adequately protect and serve the people of Louisville, breached the public’s trust, and discriminated against Black people through unjustified stops, searches, and arrests,” Clarke stated.

“The police used excessive force, subjecting people to unlawful strikes, tasings, and canine bites.

“The police sought search warrants without justification and carried out noknock warrants unlawfully, evading the constitution, defying federal law, and putting ordinary citizens in harm’s way.

“Today marks a new day and a new chapter for the people of Louisville.”

Title I provides critical funding to 90 percent of school districts across the nation, helping them to provide students in low-income communities the academic opportunities and support they need to succeed.

The administration said every child with a disability should have access to the high-quality early intervention, special education services, and personnel needed to thrive in school and graduate ready for college or a career.

The budget invests $16.8 billion in Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) grants to support special education and related services for more than seven million students with disabilities in grades Pre-K through 12, an increase of $2.1 billion above the 2023 enacted level.

“Some

and called Black people ‘monkeys,’

Black Women Owned Media and Film Production Company, Hip Rock Star, Honors the Achievements of Black Women in DocuSeries and Awards Show

MIAMI, March 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/

-- Black women are the fierce culture creators of trends, ingenuity, and innovation. In celebration of the genius of Black women, Media and Film Production Company Hip Rock Star, an award-winning Black women-owned socially conscious firm produced HBCU Honors™, Miami’s Richmond Heights: The Black ShangriLa, and HBCU Homecomings: The Journey to the Yard.

HBCU Homecomings: The Journey to the Yard travels to seven Historically Black Colleges & Universities to chronicle the ebb and flow of the ultimate family reunion. This intergenerational celebration is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From early morning parades to missed flights, it is all a part of this memorable journey back to the yard. April Garrett, a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, delegates her planning months in advance with other alumna cheerleaders and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated sorority sisters. Hampton University graduate Belinda Gordon-Battle, also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, recalls her courtship with her husband, LaTeef Battle on campus and their wedding in the 1886 Memorial Chapel at the University - Black love. HBCU

Homecomings is presented by American Family Insurance.

“It was a dream to work with other Black women producers and production crew to

produce HBCU Honors™, Miami’s Richmond Heights: The Black Shangri-La, and HBCU Homecomings: The Journey to the Yard. It was a huge undertaking and truly an honor to tell our stories through our cultural lens,” said North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University alumna Jessica Garrett Modkins, Executive Producer and Director. “As a fourthgeneration HBCU graduate, it was imperative that we produce these DocuSeries and an award show to amplify the greatness and the impact of Black excellence and HBCUs like never before,” the CEO and Founder of Hip Rock Star continued.

Spelman College alumna Michelle M. Bailey, HBCU Honors™ creator, and Co-

Executive Producer stated, “The award show is not just about amplifying current outstanding HBCU alumni. In HBCU pride fashion, the award show was created with a multi-focused purpose.”

“But, it [HBCU Honors™] is also an opportunity to support future honorees… HBCU students who are our next gen leaders,” the former BET Networks Senior Vice-President continued.

Taped live from Miami’s Black Archives-Historic Lyric Theater, the inaugural HBCU Honors™ lauds eight extraordinary alumni from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) whose ground-breaking achievements have helped change the world. Emmy®

award-winning producer and actress Wendy Raquel Robinson (“The Game”) hosts the star-studded black-tie affair that is unapologetically all about the greatness of HBCUs. She is a proud cum laude graduate from Howard University.

The Vice-Chair for the White House HBCU Initiative and Tennessee State University President, Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover received the Alumna of the Year award. The all-star night of Black excellence included tributes, awards presentations, musical performances, and featured special guests Oprah Winfrey. Other honorees include Dr. Sheila Chamberlain, the first Black Woman combat intelligence pilot; Aunjanue Ellis, Oscar nominee;

and Pinky Cole, Vegan ATL Entrepreneur Extraordinaire. The HBCU Honors™ is supported in partnership with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), which is the official, accredited destination sales and marketing organization for Greater Miami and Miami Beach.

The DocuSeries Miami’s Richmond Heights: The Black Shangri-La introduces the grandchildren of the pioneers who are living their wildest dreams and exemplifying the trajectory of the Black World War II homeowners during Jim Crow. This series highlights the achievements of the legacy. The Stirrup sisters kick off episode one.LaToya, LaTasha, and LaTrice are the co-founders of the hair tool solution, Kazmaleje. Episode two begins with Melissa McGhie Proctor, Executive Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer of the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena. The DocuSeries is based on the book, “Images of America: Miami’s Richmond Heights” by co-authors Patricia Harper Garrett and Hip Rock Star President and Film Director Jessica Garrett Modkins.

Watch the Miami’s Richmond Heights trailer here: Trailer

Additionally, all projects are supported in partnership with APEX Content Ventures to help fund diverse creators, content, and industry infrastructure. All films are streaming on Crackle, Philo, Redbox, Roku, and Plex.

NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF BRIDGEPORT (HACB) SIGNIFICANT AMENDMENT TO THE FY2022 ANNUAL PLAN

Town of Bloomfield

Assistant Director of Human Resources

The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport d/b/a Park City Communities (PCC) plans to incorporate a significant amendment into its FY2022 Annual Plan. Copies of the plan and the significant amendment are available on the agency’s website www. parkcitycommunities.org.

VALENTINA MACRI RENTAL HOUSING PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

HOME INC, on behalf of Columbus House and the New Haven Housing Authority, is accepting pre-applications for studio and one-bedroom apartments at this development located at 108 Frank Street, New Haven. Maximum income limitations apply. Pre-applications will be available from 9AM TO 5PM beginning Monday Ju;y 25, 2016 and ending when sufficient pre-applications (approximately 100) have been received at the offices of HOME INC. Applications will be mailied upon request by calling HOME INC at 203-562-4663 during those hours. Completed preapplications must be returned to HOME INC’s offices at 171 Orange Street, Third Floor, New Haven, CT 06510.

Members of the public are invited to provide written comments addressed to: Park City Communities, Significant Amendment FY2022 Annual Plan; Attn: Phoebe Greenfield, 150 Highland Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604 or via email to: agencyplans@parkcitycommunities.org. The forty-five (45) days comment period begins on February 24, 2023, and ends on April 10, 2023. All comments must be received by April 10, 2023.

Please be advised the Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday April 12, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom. The Zoom Link will be placed on PCC’s website. Please note, participants are limited to the first one hundred, (100) call-ins. The public hearing is scheduled for ninety (60) minutes and address concerns by residents and general public.

NOTICIA

VALENTINA MACRI VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES DISPONIBLES

Water Quality Inspector

HOME INC, en nombre de la Columbus House y de la New Haven Housing Authority, está aceptando pre-solicitudes para estudios y apartamentos de un dormitorio en este desarrollo ubicado en la calle 109 Frank Street, New Haven. Se aplican limitaciones de ingresos máximos. Las pre-solicitudes estarán disponibles 09 a.m.-5 p.m. comenzando Martes 25 julio, 2016 hasta cuando se han recibido suficientes pre-solicitudes (aproximadamente 100) en las oficinas de HOME INC. Las pre-solicitudes serán enviadas por correo a petición llamando a HOME INC al 203-562-4663 durante esas horas.Pre-solicitudes deberán remitirse a las oficinas de HOME INC en 171 Orange Street, tercer piso, New Haven , CT 06510

Performs responsible specialized work in protecting the quality of the water supply and distribution system for the Town of Wallingford, CT. Requires an Associate’s degree in environmental science or sanitary engineering, plus 3 years of experience in a water utility. Successful candidates must have a valid Connecticut driver’s license and be in possession or be eligible for a Class I Water Treatment Plant or Distribution System Operator Certification and Certification as a General Backflow Preventers, Tester and Cross-Connection Survey Inspector issued by the State of Connecticut. The Town offers a competitive pay rate of $27.79-$33.76 per hour plus an excellent fringe benefit package. Apply: Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main St., Wallingford, CT 06492. Forms will be mailed upon request from the Department of Human Resources or maybe downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page. The closing date will be that date the 50th application form/ resume is received, or March 7, 2023 whichever occurs first. (203) 294-2080. Fax: (203) 294-2084. EOE

NEW HAVEN

242-258 Fairmont Ave

2BR Townhouse, 1.5 BA, 3BR, 1 level , 1BA

ELM CITY COMMUNITIES

All new apartments, new appliances, new carpet, close to I-91 & I-95 highways, near bus stop & shopping center

Request for Proposals

Pet under 40lb allowed. Interested parties contact Maria @ 860-985-8258

Communications Media Consultant

$79,596

–expected starting pay maximum is mid-range Pre-employment drug testing. For more details, visit our website –www.bloomfieldct.org

Town of Bloomfield

Finance Director

Salary Range - $101,455 to $156,599 (expected starting pay maximum is mid-range)

Fully Benefited – 35 hours weekly Pre-employment drug testing. For more details, visit our website –www.bloomfieldct.org

Portland

Police Officer full-time

Go to www.portlandct.org for details

Invitation to Bid: WELLINGTON AT MADISON

131 Cottage Road

Madison, CT 6 Buildings, 27 Units Approx. 32,175sf

New Construction to include but not limited to: Site-work, concrete, masonry, structural steel, rough & finish carpentry labor and material, wood trusses, insulation, doors, frames and hardware, vinyl windows, gypsum board, final cleaning, sanitary facilities, acoustical ceilings, flooring, painting, toilet and bath accessories, signage, fire protection specialties, postal specialties, residential equipment, window shades, casework & countertops, fire suppression, plumbing, HVAC, electrical and landscaping

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

Bid Due Date: Monday, 3-27-2023 @ 3pm

Email business name phone # and email address to Dawn dlang@haynesct.com o obtain the ITB with plans and specs for the project.

HCC encourages the participation of all Veteran, S/W/MBE & Section 3 Certified Businesses Haynes Construction Company, 32 Progress Ave, Seymour, CT 06483 AA/EEO EMPLOYER

SECRETARY

Senior Clerk: Performs a wide variety of responsible clerical duties in a municipal government office. The position requires 4 years of office work experience of a responsible nature and a H.S. diploma. $23.72 to $28.28 hourly plus an excellent fringe benefit package. Apply: Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492. Applications may be obtained at the office of the Department of Human Resources or may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page. The closing date will be that date the 50th application form/ resume is received, or February 22, 2023, whichever occurs first. EOE.

Invitation to Bid: 2nd Notice

SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE

NOW!

Old Saybrook, CT (4 Buildings, 17 Units)

Steel Fabricators, Erectors & Welders

ELM CITY COMMUNITIES

Invitation for Bids

Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage Rate Project

Bid Package #3 Chamberlain and Essex Townhouses –CO and Smoke Detectors

Top pay for top performers. Health Benefits, 401K, Vacation Pay. Email Resume: Rose@qsrsteel.com Hartford, CT

CT. Unified Deacon’s Association is pleased to

a Deacon’s Certificate Program.

10

formation of Candidates in response to the Church’s Ministry needs. The cost is $125. Classes start Saturday, August 20, 2016 1:30-

3:30 Contact: Chairman, Deacon Joe J. Davis, M.S., B.S.

Elm City Communities is currently seeking proposals for a communications media consultant. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City Communities’ Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/ gateway beginning on

(203) 996-4517 Host,General Bishop Elijah Davis, D.D. Pastor ofPitts Chapel U.F.W.B. Church 64 Brewster St. New Haven, CT

Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 3:00PM.

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY

THE GLENDOWER GROUP, INC.

Sealed bids are invited by the Housing Authority of the Town of Seymour until 3:00 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at its office at 28 Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 for Concrete Sidewalk Repairs and Replacement at the Smithfield Gardens Assisted Living Facility, 26 Smith Street Seymour.

Request for Proposals Financial Underwriter

A pre-bid conference will be held at the Housing Authority Office 28 Smith Street Seymour, CT at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

The Glendower Group, Inc. is currently seeking proposals for a financial underwriter. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Glendower’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway

beginning on Monday, March 6, 2023 at 3:00PM.

Bidding documents are available from the Seymour Housing Authority Office, 28 Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 (203) 888-4579.

The Housing Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, to reduce the scope of the project to reflect available funding, and to waive any

New Construction, Wood Framed, Housing, Selective Demolition, Site-work, Castin-place Concrete, Asphalt Shingles, Vinyl Siding, Flooring, Painting, Division 10 Specialties, Appliances, Residential Casework, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection. This contract is subject to state set-aside and contract compliance requirements.

Elm City Communities is currently seeking bids for bid package #3 Chamberlain and Essex Townhouses – CO and Smoke Detectors. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City Communities’ Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on

State of Connecticut

Office of Policy and Management

The State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management is recruiting for a Municipal Finance Policy Development Coordinator

Monday, February 6, 2023 at 3:00PM.

Bid Extended, Due Date: August 5, 2016

Anticipated Start: August 15, 2016

The Town of East Haven is currently accepting applications to participate in the examinations for the following positions:

Project documents available via ftp link below: http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage

Further information regarding the duties, eligibility requirements and application instructions are available at:

Secretary II, Grade Level 10-$21.36/hour.

Fax or Email Questions & Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 dawnlang@haynesconstruction.com

https://www.jobapscloud.com/ CT/sup/bulpreview.asp?R1= 221215&R2=1581MP&R3=001

Account Clerk, Payroll-$55,412.00/year

HCC encourages the participation of all Veteran, S/W/MBE & Section 3 Certified Businesses Haynes Construction Company, 32 Progress Ave, Seymour, CT 06483 AA/EEO EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Information regarding qualifications and job duties are available along with the application online at https://www.townofeasthavenct.org/civil-service-commission/pages/ job-notices-and-tests or from the Civil Service Office, 250 Main Street, East Haven and must be returned by March 17, 2023. The Town of East Haven is committed to building a workforce of diverse individuals. Minorities, Females, Handicapped and Veterans are encouraged to apply.

offer

This is a

month program designed to assist in the intellectual

to $122,857

Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming, Inc seeks:

Construction

South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG)

“Metropolitan Transportation Plan 2023-2050” Review

NOTICE

Construction Equipment Mechanic preferably experienced in Reclaiming and Road Milling Equipment. We offer factory training on equipment we operate. Location: Bloomfield CT

We offer excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits

VALENTINA MACRI RENTAL HOUSING PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

Contact: Tom Dunay

Phone: 860- 243-2300

Seeking to employ experienced individuals in the labor, foreman, operator and teamster trades for a heavy outside work statewide. Reliable personal transportation and a valid drivers license required. To apply please call (860) 6211720 or send resume to: Personnel Department, P.O. Box 368, Cheshire, CT06410.

The public is invited to offer comments on the Region’s Metropolitan Transportation Plan 2023-2050. This plan guides major transportation and transit investment in the Region and also updates air quality conformity. A copy of the plan is available at www.scrcog.org.

Email: tom.dunay@garrityasphalt.com

Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer

Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming, Inc seeks: Reclaimer Operators and Milling Operators with current licensing and clean driving record, be willing to travel throughout the Northeast & NY. We offer excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits

HOME INC, on behalf of Columbus House and the New Haven Housing Authority, is accepting pre-applications for studio and one-bedroom apartments at this development located at 108 Frank Street, New Haven. Maximum income limitations apply. Pre-applications will be available from 9AM TO 5PM beginning Monday Ju;y 25, 2016 and ending when sufficient pre-applications (approximately 100) have been received at the offices of HOME INC. Applications will be mailied upon request by calling HOME INC at 203-562-4663 during those hours. Completed preapplications must be returned to HOME INC’s offices at 171 Orange Street, Third Floor, New Haven, CT 06510.

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V Drug Free Workforce

PVC FENCE PRODUCTION

Public comments may be emailed to jrode@scrcog.org or mailed to James Rode, Principal Planner, South Central Regional Council of Governments, 127 Washington Avenue, 4th Floor West, North Haven, CT 06473 with receipt, in both cases, by no later than April 8, 2023.

Key Dates

February 22 - April 8, 2023: Public Comment Period

March 8, 2023 @ 1:00 PM - Informal Public Meeting*

April 8, 2023 @ 12:00 PM – Transportation Committee Meeting – Review*

VALENTINA

NOTICIA

Contact: Rick Tousignant Phone: 860- 243-2300

MACRI

Email: rick.tousignant@garrityasphalt.com

VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES DISPONIBLES

Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer

Large CT Fence Company looking for an individual for our PVC Fence Production Shop. Experience preferred but will train the right person. Must be familiar with carpentry hand & power tools and be able to read a CAD drawing and tape measure. Use of CNC Router machine a plus but not required, will train the right person. This is an in-shop production position. Duties include building fence panels, posts, gates and more. Must have a valid CT driver’s license & be able to obtain a Drivers Medical Card. Must be able to pass a physical and drug test. Please email resume to pboucher@atlasoutdoor.com.

April 26, 2023 @ 10:00 AM – SCRCOG Policy Board – Approve*

*All meetings at SCRCOG, 127 Washington Avenue, 4th Floor West, North Haven, CT

Union Company seeks:

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

HOME INC, en nombre de la Columbus House y de la New Haven Housing Authority, está aceptando pre-solicitudes para estudios y apartamentos de un dormitorio en este desarrollo ubicado en la calle 109 Frank Street, New Haven. Se aplican limitaciones de ingresos máximos. Las pre-solicitudes estarán disponibles 09 a.m.-5 p.m. comenzando Martes 25 julio, 2016 hasta cuando se han recibido suficientes pre-solicitudes (aproximadamente 100) en las oficinas de HOME INC. Las pre-solicitudes serán enviadas por correo a petición llamando a HOME INC al 203-562-4663 durante esas horas.Pre-solicitudes deberán remitirse a las oficinas de HOME INC en 171 Orange Street, tercer piso, New Haven , CT 06510

Contact Dana at 860-243-2300

Email: dana.briere@garrityasphalt.com

Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer

NEW HAVEN

242-258 Fairmont Ave

AA/EOE-MF

Full Time Administrative assistant position

for a steel & misc metals fabrication shop who will oversee the daily operations of clerical duties such as answering phones, accounts payable purchase orders/invoicing and certified payroll. Email resumes to jillherbert@gwfabrication.com

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR

Exterior Insulation and Finish (EIFS) Repairs at D’Amato Building in New Britain, CT

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY of the CITY OF NEW BRITAIN (Authority) will receive sealed bids, in TRIPLICATE, The work generally consists of the repair of EIFS at one building. Bids will be received until March 7, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the office of the Authority, 16 Armistice Street, New Britain, CT 06053, at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud.

Invitation to Bid: 2nd Notice

State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management

To obtain a copy of the "Request for Proposal and drawings" visit www.nbhact.org under procurement

SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE

Old Saybrook, CT (4 Buildings, 17 Units)

Fence Installers:

Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage Rate Project

Large CT Fence & Guardrail Contractor is looking for Fence Installation helpers. Must have at least 2 years of experience installing chain link, wood, PVC and ornamental iron fencing. Work available 10-12 months per year, Pay Rates: Non Davis Beacon Work - 23.00 in state, 42.25/hr. out of state. Davis Beacon Work in CT - 32.25 + 24.40 Fringe. All necessary equipment provided. Medical, holiday, 401K, vacation & other benefits included. Must be able to pass required physical and drug test. An OSHA 10 Certification is required. A valid CT driver's license is required and must get DOT Medical Card. We are an AA/ EOE company. Send resumes/inquiries to: rhauer@atlasoutdoor.com.

New Construction, Wood Framed, Housing, Selective Demolition, Site-work, Castin-place Concrete, Asphalt Shingles, Vinyl Siding, Flooring, Painting, Division 10 Specialties, Appliances, Residential Casework, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection. This contract is subject to state set-aside and contract compliance requirements.

The State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management is recruiting for a Municipal Finance Policy Development Coordinator Further information regarding the duties, eligibility requirements and application instructions are available at: https://www.jobapscloud.com/ CT/sup/bulpreview.asp?R1= 221215&R2=1581MP&R3=001

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Bid Extended, Due Date: August 5, 2016

ELM CITY COMMUNITIES

Anticipated Start: August 15, 2016

Project documents available via ftp link below: http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage

Invitation for Bids

LIPH Carting, Rubbish & Recycling Removal Services

Fax or Email Questions & Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 dawnlang@haynesconstruction.com

HCC encourages the participation of all Veteran, S/W/MBE & Section 3 Certified Businesses Haynes Construction Company, 32 Progress Ave, Seymour, CT 06483 AA/EEO EMPLOYER

EOE Please apply in person: 1425 Honeyspot Rd. Ext. Stratford, CT 06615

Elm City Communities is currently seeking bids for LIPH carting, rubbish and recycling removal services. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City Communities’ Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on

Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at 3:00PM.

The Housing Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, to reduce the scope of the project to reflect available funding, and to waive any

NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF BRIDGEPORT (HACB) SIGNIFICANT AMENDMENT TO THE FY2022 ANNUAL PLAN

VALENTINA MACRI RENTAL HOUSING PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport d/b/a Park City Communities (PCC) plans to incorporate a significant amendment into its FY2022 Annual Plan. Copies of the plan and the significant amendment are available on the agency’s website www. parkcitycommunities.org.

ELM CITY COMMUNITIES

Request for Proposals

Fully Integrated Web Based Housing Authority Software

Members of the public are invited to provide written comments addressed to: Park City Communities, Significant Amendment FY2022 Annual Plan; Attn: Phoebe Greenfield, 150 Highland Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604 or via email to: agencyplans@parkcitycommunities.org. The forty-five (45) days comment period begins on February 24, 2023, and ends on April 10, 2023. All comments must be received by April 10, 2023.

HOME INC, on behalf of Columbus House and the New Haven Housing Authority, is accepting pre-applications for studio and one-bedroom apartments at this development located at 108 Frank Street, New Haven. Maximum income limitations apply. Pre-applications will be available from 9AM TO 5PM beginning Monday Ju;y 25, 2016 and ending when sufficient pre-applications (approximately 100) have been received at the offices of HOME INC. Applications will be mailied upon request by calling HOME INC at 203-562-4663 during those hours. Completed preapplications must be returned to HOME INC’s offices at 171 Orange Street, Third Floor, New Haven, CT 06510.

State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management

Elm City Communities is currently seeking proposals for a full integrated web-based housing authority software. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City Communities’ Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on

Monday, March 13, 2023 at 3:00PM.

ELM CITY COMMUNITIES

Please be advised the Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday April 12, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom. The Zoom Link will be placed on PCC’s website. Please note, participants are limited to the first one hundred, (100) call-ins. The public hearing is scheduled for ninety (60) minutes and address concerns by residents and general public.

NOTICIA

VALENTINA MACRI VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES DISPONIBLES

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF NEW BRITAIN

The State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management is recruiting for a Budget Analyst Trainee.

Invitation

16 ARMISTICE STREET * NEW BRITAIN, CT 06053

HOME INC, en nombre de la Columbus House y de la New Haven Housing Authority, está aceptando pre-solicitudes para estudios y apartamentos de un dormitorio en este desarrollo ubicado en la calle 109 Frank Street, New Haven. Se aplican limitaciones de ingresos máximos. Las pre-solicitudes estarán disponibles 09 a.m.-5 p.m. comenzando Martes 25 julio, 2016 hasta cuando se han recibido suficientes pre-solicitudes (aproximadamente 100) en las oficinas de HOME INC. Las pre-solicitudes serán enviadas por correo a petición llamando a HOME INC al 203-562-4663 durante esas horas.Pre-solicitudes deberán remitirse a las oficinas de HOME INC en 171 Orange Street, tercer piso, New Haven , CT 06510

HIRING • Property Manager

Occupancy Specialist for Public Housing

For the full job description and instructions to apply visit www.nbhact.org.

NEW HAVEN

Further information regarding the duties, eligibility requirements and application instructions are available at: https://www.jobapscloud.com/ CT/sup/bulpreview.asp?R1= 230222&R2=5989VR&R3=001

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Elm City Communities is currently seeking bids for bid package #1 scattered sites east – CO and Smoke Detectors. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City Communities’ Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on

Monday, February 6, 2023 at 3:00PM.

360 MANAGEMENT GROUP, CO.

Invitation for Bids Landscaping Mill River

To

242-258 Fairmont Ave

2BR Townhouse, 1.5 BA, 3BR, 1 level , 1BA

All new apartments, new appliances, new carpet, close to I-91 & I-95 highways, near bus stop & shopping center

The South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG) and a Regional Advisory Committee have updated the region’s Hazard Mitigation Plan for FEMA review and municipal adoption. Prior to State and FEMA review, the public is encouraged to review and comment on the draft plan. The plan identifies and prioritizes actions each of the 15 SCRCOG municipalities may take to mitigate the risks of natural hazards and climate change.

Pet under 40lb allowed. Interested parties contact Maria @ 860-985-8258

review and

Invitation to Bid: 2nd Notice

SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE

360 Management Group, Co. is currently seeking bids for landscaping services at Mill River. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from 360 Management Group’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems. com/gateway beginning on

Old Saybrook, CT (4 Buildings, 17 Units)

Monday, March 20, 2023 at 3:00PM.

Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage Rate Project

the draft plan, visit the SCRCOG Hazard Mitigation web page at: www.scrcog.org/hazard

comment on

CT. Unified Deacon’s Association is pleased to offer a Deacon’s Certificate Program. This is a 10 month program designed to assist in the intellectual formation of Candidates in response to the Church’s Ministry needs. The cost is $125. Classes start Saturday, August 20, 2016 1:30-

ELM CITY COMMUNITIES

The plan is available for review through March 13, 2023.

3:30 Contact: Chairman, Deacon Joe J. Davis, M.S., B.S. (203) 996-4517 Host,General Bishop Elijah Davis, D.D. Pastor ofPitts Chapel U.F.W.B. Church 64 Brewster St. New Haven, CT

The plan includes detailed information regarding twelve natural hazards and climate change and their impacts to the region and each municipality. Impacts include those to critical facilities, historic assets, and the built environment. The goals of the plan include the categories of community planning, flood hazards, trees, regional collaboration, and public awareness and preparedness.

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY

New Construction, Wood Framed, Housing, Selective Demolition, Site-work, Castin-place Concrete, Asphalt Shingles, Vinyl Siding, Flooring, Painting, Division 10 Specialties, Appliances, Residential Casework, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection. This contract is subject to state set-aside and contract compliance requirements.

Request for Proposals Payroll Services & HR Management Systems

Bid Extended, Due Date: August 5, 2016

Anticipated Start: August 15, 2016

Elm City Communities is currently seeking proposals Payroll Services & HR Management Systems. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City Communities’ Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on

Sealed bids are invited by the Housing Authority of the Town of Seymour until 3:00 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at its office at 28 Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 for Concrete Sidewalk Repairs and Replacement at the Smithfield Gardens Assisted Living Facility, 26 Smith Street Seymour.

Comments can be submitted to Rebecca Andreucci, Senior Transportation Planner at randreucci@scrcog.org or by phone at (203) 466-8601.

Construction

A pre-bid conference will be held at the Housing Authority Office 28 Smith Street Seymour, CT at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

Seeking to employ experienced individuals in the labor, foreman, operator and teamster trades for a heavy outside work statewide. Reliable personal transportation and a valid drivers license required. To apply please call (860) 621-1720 or send resume to: Personnel Department, P.O. Box 368, Cheshire, CT06410.

Bidding documents are available from the Seymour Housing Authority Office, 28 Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 (203) 888-4579.

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V

Drug Free Workforce

The Housing Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, to reduce the scope of the project to reflect available funding, and to waive any informalities in the bidding, if such actions are in the best interest of the

Project documents available via ftp link below: http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage

Monday, March 13, 2023 at 3:00PM.

The Guilford Housing Authority is currently accepting applications for one bedroom apartments at Sachem Hollow in Guilford, CT. Applicants must be age 62 and over or on 100% social security or federal disability and over the age of 18. Applications may be obtained by calling the application line at 203-453-6262 EXT: 107. Applications will be accepted until end of business day or postmark of March 20, 2023 4PM. Credit, police, landlord checks are procured by the Authority. Smoking is prohibited in the units and building.

REQUEST FOR INTEREST

NOTICE

Solar Voltaic Power Panel System Installations

Town of Bloomfield

Patrol Police Officer

Listing: Dispatcher

VALENTINA MACRI RENTAL HOUSING PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

New Haven Parking Authority

New Haven, Connecticut NHPA Project #23-049

Responses due April 11, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. EDT

Documents regarding the Request for Interest are available at no cost on the New Haven Parking Authority’s website at https://parknewhaven.com/request-forbids/. Any subsequent addenda will also be posted on this website.

New Haven Parking Authority is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

HOME INC, on behalf of Columbus House and the New Haven Housing Authority, is accepting pre-applications for studio and one-bedroom apartments at this development located at 108 Frank Street, New Haven. Maximum income limitations apply. Pre-applications will be available from 9AM TO 5PM beginning Monday Ju;y 25, 2016 and ending when sufficient pre-applications (approximately 100) have been received at the offices of HOME INC. Applications will be mailied upon request by calling HOME INC at 203-562-4663 during those hours. Completed preapplications must be returned to HOME INC’s offices at 171 Orange Street, Third Floor, New Haven, CT 06510.

$37.93 hourly ($78,885 annually) – full time, benefited Pre-employment drug testing. For more details, visit our website – www.bloomfieldct.org

Deadline: Applications will be accepted until position is filled

Town of Bloomfield

Extremely fast paced petroleum company needs a full time (which includes on call and weekend coverage) detail oriented experienced Dispatcher. A strong logistics background and a minimum of one year previous experience required. Send resume to: HR Manager, P.O. Box 388, Guilford, CT. 06437

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

Listing: Commercial Driver

Immediate opening for a Class A full time driver for petroleum/like products deliveries for nights and weekends. Previous experience required. Send resume to: HR Manager, P. O. Box 388, Guilford, CT 06437 or email:hrdept@eastriverenergy.com

Electric

NOTICIA

VALENTINA MACRI VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES

Distribution Engineer –

Finance Director

DISPONIBLES

Salary Range - $101,455 to $156,599 (expected starting pay maximum is mid-range)

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

Listing: Commercial Driver

The Town of Wallingford Electric Division is seeking a highly technical individual to work in the design and development of overhead and underground power distribution lines. The utility serves 24,700 customers in a 50+ square mile distribution area with a peak demand of 130 MW. The position requires a B.S. degree in electrical engineering plus 2 years of responsible experience in utility engineering, or an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting on a year-for year basis. Salary: $84,586- $108,221 annually plus an excellent fringe benefit package. Apply to: Department of Human Resources , Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492. Forms will be mailed upon request from the Department of Human Resources or may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page Phone #: (203) 294-2080, Fax #: (203) 294-2084. Closing date will be April 11, 2023. EOE.

HOME INC, en nombre de la Columbus House y de la New Haven Housing Authority, está aceptando pre-solicitudes para estudios y apartamentos de un dormitorio en este desarrollo ubicado en la calle 109 Frank Street, New Haven. Se aplican limitaciones de ingresos máximos. Las pre-solicitudes estarán disponibles 09 a.m.-5 p.m. comenzando Martes 25 julio, 2016 hasta cuando se han recibido suficientes pre-solicitudes (aproximadamente 100) en las oficinas de HOME INC. Las pre-solicitudes serán enviadas por correo a petición llamando a HOME INC al 203-562-4663 durante esas horas.Pre-solicitudes deberán remitirse a las oficinas de HOME INC en 171 Orange Street, tercer piso, New Haven , CT 06510

NEW HAVEN

Fully Benefited – 35 hours weekly Pre-employment drug testing. For more details, visit our website –www.bloomfieldct.org

Portland

Police Officer full-time

Go to www.portlandct.org for details

Full Time Class B driver for a fast paced petroleum company for days and weekends. Previous experience required. Competitive wage, 401(k) and benefits. Send resume to: HR Manager, P. O. Box 388, Guilford, CT 06437 or email HRDept@eastriverenergy.com

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

SECRETARY

242-258 Fairmont Ave

ELM CITY COMMUNITIES

2BR Townhouse, 1.5 BA, 3BR, 1 level , 1BA

Invitation for Bids

Scattered Site Homes Exterior and Interior Renovations – Group D

All new apartments, new appliances, new carpet, close to I-91 & I-95 highways, near bus stop & shopping center

Pet under 40lb allowed. Interested parties contact Maria @ 860-985-8258

QSR STEEL CORPORATION APPLY NOW!

Invitation to Bid: 2nd Notice

SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE

Senior Clerk: Performs a wide variety of responsible clerical duties in a municipal government office. The position requires 4 years of office work experience of a responsible nature and a H.S. diploma. $23.72 to $28.28 hourly plus an excellent fringe benefit package. Apply: Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492. Applications may be obtained at the office of the Department of Human Resources or may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page. The closing date will be that date the 50th application form/resume is received, or February 22, 2023, whichever occurs first. EOE.

Old Saybrook, CT (4 Buildings, 17 Units)

Steel Fabricators, Erectors & Welders

Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage Rate Project

Top pay for top performers. Health Benefits, 401K, Vacation Pay. Email Resume: Rose@qsrsteel.com Hartford, CT

ELM CITY COMMUNITIES

formation of Candidates in response to the Church’s Ministry needs. The cost is $125. Classes start Saturday, August 20, 2016

Elm City Communities is currently seeking bids for Scattered Site Homes Exterior and Interior Renovations – Group D. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City Communities’ Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing. cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on

Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 3:00PM.

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY

360 MANAGEMENT GROUP, CO.

Invitation

for Bids

TEMPORARY STAFFING SERVICES

Sealed bids are invited by the Housing Authority of the Town of Seymour until 3:00 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at its office at 28 Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 for Concrete Sidewalk Repairs and Replacement at the Smithfield Gardens Assisted Living Facility, 26 Smith Street Seymour.

360 Management Group, Co. is currently seeking bids for temporary staffing services. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from 360 Management Group’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https:// newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on

A pre-bid conference will be held at the Housing Authority Office 28 Smith Street Seymour, CT at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

Bidding documents are available from the Seymour Housing Authority Office, 28 Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 (203) 888-4579.

Monday, March 13, 2023 at 3:00PM.

The Housing Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, to reduce the scope of the project to reflect available funding, and to waive any informalities

New Construction, Wood Framed, Housing, Selective Demolition, Site-work, Castin-place Concrete, Asphalt Shingles, Vinyl Siding, Flooring, Painting, Division 10 Specialties, Appliances, Residential Casework, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection. This contract is subject to state set-aside and contract compliance requirements.

Invitation for Bids

Bid Package #1 Scattered Sites East – CO and Smoke Detectors

LEGAL NOTICE

Request for Proposals (RFP) for Services

The State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management, is seeking proposals to provide certain services related to a Community Engagement Training Program for municipal law enforcement units.

Elm City Communities is currently seeking bids for bid package #1 scattered sites east – CO and Smoke Detectors. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City Communities’ Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on

Bid Extended, Due Date: August 5, 2016

Anticipated Start: August 15, 2016

The intent of the request is to identify individuals or firms with the necessary expertise to provide administration of the Community Engagement Training Program within a stated timeframe.

Monday, February 6, 2023 at 3:00PM.

Project documents available via ftp link below: http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage

ELM CITY COMMUNITIES

Invitation for Bids

Fax or Email Questions & Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 dawnlang@haynesconstruction.com

The RFP is available online at: https:// portal.ct.gov/DAS/CTSource/BidBoard and https://portal.ct.gov/OPM/Root/RFP/ Request-For-Proposals or from André Simons, Office of Policy and Management, Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Division, 450 Capitol Ave., MS#52CJP, Hartford, Connecticut 06106-1379. E-mail: Andre.Simons@ ct.gov. Telephone (860) 418-6287. Deadline for response submission is 5:00 P.M., July 7, 2023.

HCC encourages the participation of all Veteran, S/W/MBE & Section 3 Certified Businesses Haynes Construction Company, 32 Progress Ave, Seymour, CT 06483 AA/EEO EMPLOYER

Scattered Site Homes Exterior and Interior Renovations – Group A – Re-Bid

Elm City Communities is currently seeking bids for Scattered Site Homes Exterior and Interior Renovations – Group A – Re-Bid. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City Communities’ Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on

Monday, February 13, 2023 at 3:00PM.

Many Kids Are Struggling in School. Do Their Parents Know?

By BIANCA VÁZQUEZ TONESS AP Education Writer

Published: 06 March 2023

BOSTON (AP) — Evena Joseph was unaware how much her 10-year-old son was struggling in school. She found out only with help from somebody who knows the Boston school system better than she does.

Her son, J. Ryan Mathurin, wasn’t always comfortable pronouncing words in English. But Joseph, a Haitian immigrant raising him by herself, did not know how far behind he was in reading — in the 30th percentile — until a hospital where her son was receiving treatment connected her with a bilingual advocate.

“I’m sad and disappointed,” Joseph said through an interpreter. “It’s only because I was assigned an educational advocate that I know this about my son.”

It’s widely known from test scores that the pandemic set back students across the country. But many parents don’t realize that includes their own child.

A parent’s trust in the system Schools have long faced criticism for failing to inform certain parents about their kids’ academic progress. But after the COVID-19 school closures, the stakes for children have in many ways never been greater. Opportunities to catch up are plentiful in some places, thanks to federal COVID aid, but won’t last forever. It will take better communication with parents to help students get the support they need, experts say.

“Parents can’t solve a problem that they don’t know they have,” said Cindi Williams, co-founder of Learning Heroes, a nonprofit dedicated to improving communication between public schools and parents about student academic progress.

A 2022 survey of 1,400 public school parents around the country by Learning Heroes showed 92% believed their children were performing at grade level. But in a federal survey, school officials said half of all U.S. students started this school year behind grade level in at least one subject.

At home, J. Ryan races through multiplication problems at his dining room table. His mother watches as he lingers for several minutes on a paragraph about weather systems and struggles to answer questions about the reading.

“Sometimes I can’t understand the writing or the main idea of the text,” J. Ryan said after putting away his homework.

The struggles that ultimately brought J. Ryan to the hospital for mental health treatment began in third grade, when he returned to in-person school after nearly a year of studying online. His teacher called frequently, sometimes every day. J. Ryan was getting frustrated, disrupting lessons and leaving the classroom.

J. Ryan displayed these behaviors during English language arts and other classes including Mandarin and gym, accord-

ing to his special education plan shared with The Associated Press. He happily participated in math class, where he felt more confidence.

Joseph changed her work schedule at a casino to the night shift so she could talk with teachers during the day. The calls continued in fourth grade. But Joseph said teachers never mentioned his problems reading.

Comprehension vs. complacency

Last spring, she sought treatment for what was becoming obvious: Her son was depressed. She was teamed up at the hospital with the parent advocate who speaks English and Haitian Creole.

The advocate, Fabienne Eliacin, pushed to get J. Ryan’s scores from the tests given each fall to monitor student learning. She explained to Joseph what it meant to be scored in the 30th percentile. It’s not good, Eliacin told her. He can do better.

To Joseph, it suddenly made sense why J. Ryan was acting out in English class. But why, she wondered, were his teachers only focused on her son’s behavior if his trouble reading was causing his distress?

“They don’t really care how much they learn, as long as they stay quiet,” Joseph concluded.

Boston Public School officials wouldn’t comment on J. Ryan’s case. “We are committed to providing families with com-

prehensive and up-to-date information regarding their student’s academic performance,” district spokesperson Marcus O’Mard said.

Before this year, it was up to Boston schools to share midyear evaluations with parents, but it’s not clear how many were doing it. In the fall, Boston rolled out a communications campaign to help teachers explain testing results to parents as much as three times a year.

J. Ryan’s former teachers did not re-

That’s consistent with findings from national teacher surveys conducted by Learning Heroes. At times, Williams said, teachers also “make assumptions” that some low-income parents don’t care or shouldn’t be burdened, or that parents won’t believe them.

Without these conversations, parents have had to rely on report cards. But report cards are notoriously subjective, reflecting how much effort students show in class and whether they turn in homework.

The progress report for Tamela Ensrud’s second-grade son in Nashville shows mostly As and a B in English, but she noticed her son was having trouble with reading. She asked to discuss her son’s reading test scores at a fall parent-teacher conference, but was only shown samples of her son’s work and told, “Your son is doing well.”

Her son’s afterschool program, which is run by a nonprofit, tested his literacy and math skills this fall and found he was reading below grade level. He qualified for their reading intervention program.

“I don’t think the full story is being told,” Ensrud said.

Pandemic aid

Metro Nashville Public Schools said it posts student test scores online for parents to see. “To our knowledge she has not shared any of those concerns with the school administration and if she had, they would be able to share information about these resources,” spokesperson Sean Braisted said.

Ensrud has looked at the scores online and found them impossible to interpret. Many districts have poured their federal pandemic recovery money into summer school offerings, tutoring programs and other interventions to help students regain ground lost during the pandemic. But the uptake hasn’t been what educators hoped. If more parents knew their children were behind academically, they might seek help.

Once Joseph and her advocate learned J. Ryan was so far behind in reading, they asked his school for small-group tutoring, an intervention believed by experts to be one of the most effective strategies for struggling students.

spond to emails seeking comment. Connecting with the parents There are many reasons teachers might not talk to parents about a student’s academic progress, especially when the news is bad, research shows.

“Historically, teachers did not get a lot of training to talk to parents,” said Tyler Smith, a school psychology professor at the University of Missouri. School leadership and support for teachers also make a difference, he said.

But they were told the school didn’t offer it. They moved him in November to another school that said it could give this help. J. Ryan says he likes the new school, since they’re learning more advanced long-division. “I like challenging math,” he said. But he isn’t understanding the texts he reads much better.

Joseph isn’t getting phone calls from the teacher complaining about his behavior, which she attributes to her son getting adequate treatment for his depression. But she hasn’t received a report card this year or the test scores the district says it’s now sending to families.

“I’m still concerned about his reading,” she said.

Evena Joseph, left, sits with her son J. Ryan Mathurin, 9, right, as he smiles while doing his homework, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, at their home, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Evena Joseph, left, sits with her son J. Ryan Mathurin, 9, as he does his homework, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, at their home, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)