INNER-CITY NEWS

INNER-CITY NEWS July 27, 2016 - August 02, 2016

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - August 25, 2021 - August 31, 2021

Financial Justice a Key Focus atLiving 2016 NAACP Convention What Do We Do Now? YNHH Update Offers Primer On With Covid In The Delta Moment New Haven, Bridgeport

INNER-CITYNEWS Volume 29 . No. 2455 Volume 21 No. 2194

Malloy Malloy To To Dems: Dems:

“DMC” Kevin Walton

Ignore Ignore“Tough “ToughOn OnCrime” Crime”

Assumes New Post as ACES Director of Equity and Inclusion

Color Struck?

Snow in July?

Scantlebury Court Family of Congressman John Lewis Calls JC Home FOLLOW US ON Continues His Legacy by Fighting for Voting Rights

Edward Trimble, Inju Yun, Jeanette Morrison.

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THE INNER-CITY NEWS - August 25, 2021 - August 31 , 2021

Brackeen Steps Toward Statewide Run

by PAUL BASS

New Haven Independent

A hundred friends and affiliated politicos poured into a newish downtown bar to wish Darryl Brackeen happy 33rd birthday — by boosting his “exploration” of seeking the office of Connecticut’s guardian of democracy.

That office is secretary of the state, Connecticut’s top elections official in an era when that’s a particularly big deal.

With most statewide incumbents expected to seek reelection last year, that position will probably be one of only a handful open on the Democratic ticket in 2022. Ambitious politicians statewide looking to move up have already started seeking support for a primary. Threeterm incumbent Denise Merrill is not running for reelection.

Brackeen, a five-term alder representing New Haven’s Ward 26 in Upper Westville, sought to leap ahead of the pack by holding Thursday evening’s birthday party/ fundraiser at Doc’s Baja Surf Shack, which opened late last year at 196 Crown St. near the corner of Temple. Brackeen is the second potential secretary of the state candidate so far to form an “exploratory committee” to begin raising money for a run. (Hamden State Rep. Joshua Elliott has also formed a committee.)

The Doc’s Baja crowd included Brackeen supporters from Hamden, West Haven, and Fairfield, but consisted most of all of New Haven campaign veterans.

Mayor Justin Elicker, whose campaigns Brackeen has supported, returned the favor with a speech that characterized Brackeen as someone primed to protect voting rights at a time “when other states are whittling away” at them. In his own remarks to the crowd, Brackeen echoed the argument that the Republican Party is “seeking to take away the rights of people to vote in underrepresented communities and disenfranchised communities.”

But then he pivoted: He spoke of how Connecticut actually lags behind red states like Georgia and Florida on some electoral measures. For instance, those states allow early voting. Connecticut doesn’t. It’s time it did, he said.

The New Haven native, who caught the civics bug and started organizing voter-registration drives as a student of the late Hillhouse High School teacher Jack Paulishen, also spoke about the long lines voters in New Haven often wait on to cast their ballots. He spoke of how he founded and chaired a group called Generation Change CT to expand voting participation, voting rights, electoral reforms, and election security here in the state.

Before his speech, he said he plans during the “exploratory” phase of the campaign to dive into specific proposals to

PAUL BASS PHOTO Darryl Brackeen announcing “exploratory” secretary of the state run.

Commercial real-estate broker Carol Horsford reviews campaign strategy with Chelsea and Gabriela Brackeen.

advance three goals as secretary of the state: expanding voting rights, ensuring clean and secure elections, and supporting the development of new small businesses, especially in cities. Besides overseeing elections, the secretary of the state is in charge of business filings and maintaining the commercial registry.

The secretary of the state also proposes and lobbies for new election laws. Perhaps as a result, for decades the position has been filled by state legislators who already had experience drafting and voting on such legislation: Merrill, Susan Bysiewicz, Miles Rapoport, Pauline Kezer. Elliott, the only other potential candidate this year to form an exploratory committee, also serves in the legislature, as does Meriden State Rep. Hilda

Campaign Treasurer Rhaonda Caldwell.

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Santiago, who is also said to be seriously considering a run.

Brackeen and his supporters Thursday night spoke of his elections/democracy experience. Besides Generation Change and voter drives, he has proposed and passed legislation as an alder, served as presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s New Haven campaign chief in 2016, served as a campaign surrogate for Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign, and worked as northeast regional director for the Young Elected Officials Network.

Supporters Thursday night were asked to donate $250 to Brackeen’s exploratory committee — and no more. That’s because the campaign wants to be ready to roll over those donations “as soon as we’re ready” to transition from the “exploratory” to the official campaign stage and still qualify for public financing, explained treasurer Rhonda Caldwell, a Hamden Democratic Town Committee member and social-justice activist. Contributions above $250 would disqualify Brackeen from participating in the public-financing Citizens’ Election Program.

Brackeen told the crowd he fully intends to participate in the program, which seeks to enable candidates to wage campaigns without relying on tainted money from corporate or other special-interest donors: “I don’t believe in dealing with corrupt individuals. I don’t believe in doing business with corrupt individuals,” Brackeen declared.

The last New Havener to mount a secretary of the state campaign, Gerry Garcia, lost to Merrill in 2010. Garcia, too, had the support of New Haven’s thenmayor and leading politicians.

Since then, New Haven has produced no statewide elected officials, despite producing the largest number of Democratic votes in statewide elections.

Another issue for the Democrats this year will be whether the party wants to have no Latinos represented on their statewide ticket, as is currently the case with the statewide constitutional offices.

Neither major party has ever had a Latino candidate on a statewide general election ballot.

“It’s high time New Haven had someone on the statewide ticket,” said Democratic Town Chair Vincent Mauro. Mauro hasn’t endorsed a specific candidate yet; he wasn’t present Thursday night at Doc’s Baja Surf Shack. When a full field of 2022 candidates emerges, he said, “it’s our responsibility to coalesce around the best candidate we can.”

In the meantime, Darryl Brackeen will be focusing on two campaigns at once.

In addition to seeking statewide support for his 2022 exploratory secretary of the state quest, he is running in the 2021 municipal election for a sixth term as Ward 26 alder. He has an energetic Republican opponent, Joshua Van Hoesen.

Scantlebury Court Calls JC Home THE INNER-CITY NEWS - August 25, 2021 - August 31, 2021

by MAYA MCFADDEN New Haven Independent

Johnny “JC” Cummings stepped on the court where he once reigned, not to sink a three-pointer, but to pass along wisdom about the game of basketball to an up-andcomer he hopes will follow in his footsteps.

Cummings, a New Haven-grown basketball talent, Wednesday joined a dozen kids looking to learn the game of basketball at Dixwell’s Scantlebury Park basketball court.

That’s where he honed his game as a kid, before going on to play high school and then college ball.

The nonprofit S.P.O.R.T (Streets Poet’s Cipher Real Truth) Academy brought Cummings on board to lead a start-up youth basketball league.

The league came together after Dixwell Alder Jeanette Morrison noticed dozens of young kids playing on the Scantlebury basketball court with no guidance from a coach or older kids.

“Most times you can’t fix something all by yourself, but you can make those connections to get the help,” Morrison said.

Morrison called up her longtime friend and community organizer Edward Trimble, S.P.O.R.T Academy’s founder and CEO. After a walk through of the park with some of the academy’s mentors, Trimble launched the league two weeks ago, adding some structure and training to summer hoops in the park.

Cummings, 62, agreed to being the head coach for the league when his nephew, a

S.P.O.R.T Academy volunteer, reached out on behalf of the program. “I’m a basketball fanatic. No wasn’t a option for me,” he said.

The other league coaches are New Haven natives; Blease Griffin, Lamar Lee, S.P.O.R.T Academy volunteers Byron, Tyrece, Randy, and Eric Myers.

“We went out and got the best of the best for the best of the best,” Trimble said.

Beginning in sixth grade, Cummings was a regular as a kid on the Scantlebury, where he honed his game. He went on to play for the basketball teams at Wilbur Cross High School (Class of’78), Nathaniel Hawthorne College, and the University of New Hampshire. He currently works in shipping and receiving for Yale University.

On Wednesdays the players do drill on fundamentals like dribbling, passing, and talking to their teammates. They put those skills to practice during unofficial scrimmage games on Saturdays. Trimble reserved the court with the city’s Department of Parks & Recreation on these days for the month of August; he hopes to continue into the fall.

The goal is for the initiative to become a free S.P.O.R.T Academy league for youth to join to get started with the game of basketball and good enough to get on a high school team.

“Most of them were out here double dribbling and traveling. That’s not going to get them on a team,” Trimble said.

Trimble gathered a group of six volunteers involved with S.P.O.R.T Academy in the

League coaches Eric Myers, Randy, Tyrece, Byron.

past to act as coaches and mentors for the team of kids ages 9 to 14.

As the fall approaches, Trimble is working on partnering with a local school or the Q House to have an indoor location for the team to play and expand.

S.P.O.R.T Academy is a youth mentorship program that offers enrichment services centered around teaching life skills through the game of chess. Even on the basketball court, the S.P.O.R.T Academy team incor-

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porated the strategizing skills of chess into the game. “We’re rooted in chess. It’s more than just a game; it’s a mindset. Strategy is not just needed on a chess board,” Trimble said.

“This league will unfold a new square on the chess board,” Trimble said.

Morrison also called on another community partner to assist with the program; Mid-K Beauty Supply store owner Inju Yun. Yun stopped by this Wednesday prac-

tice with Morrison to donate a $675 check to the league for black and gold uniforms.

“I want a good community,” Yun said. “I really hope they grow.”

As of Wednesday about 15 players make up the league, enough for two teams. Trimble’s goal is to have enough players to have at least ten teams.

For the first hour Cummings led the team in stretches and defense and rebounding drills.

A tune of dribbling balls, heavy breathing, and coach whistles synchronized. When the players’ arms got tired and drooped, the echo of the coaches’ voices made them spring back into the air.

Tips from coaches were shouted from the sidelines while the kids played: “Follow the ball.” “Slide your feet.” “Put your arms up and out.” “Talk to your team.” “Take your time.”

For the last half hour the team played a short game to practice zone defense, with each player covering a specific spot on the court.

Cummings said he hopes to teach the youth that “basketball opens doors.”

“There’s more to the world than New Haven,” he said.

And: “Basketball can keep you out of trouble and around the right people.”

Growing up, Cummings lost five brothers to street violence. They helped pushed him toward sports and away from the streets he said. “Most of us just need that someone to believe in us,” he said, as he suited up to be one of those someones.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - August 25, 2021 - August 31 , 2021

Ed Board OK’s CFO, Chief Of Staff

by MAYA MCFADDEN New Haven Independent

After five months, New Haven’s public school system has a chief financial officer again.

The Board of Education Monday night approved the appointment of Linda Hannans to the position on an acting basis.

Hannans has been working for NHPS [New Haven Public Schools] for 50 years, holding various financial positions.

The previous CFO, Phillip Penn, resigned this past March after holding the seat throughout the pandemic for a little more than a year. Penn had been hired after a year-long search by schools Superintendent Iline Tracey.

Hannans leaves behind a vacant seat as the central office business director. The school district came to a memorandum of understanding with AFSCME Local 3144 for the next six months or until the vacancy is filled while it continues its search for a CFO. Hannans’ salary in the new position will start at $185,000.

“We have been searching for a chief financial officer without much success,”

said Tracey.

Hannans has worked as an NHPS accountant, Adult Education Evening Bookkeeper/accounting instructor, and account clerk. Her NHPS journey began at age 15, said Tracey.

Hannans graduated from Wilbur Cross and attended the University of New Haven and Southern Connecticut State University.

“Linda is committed to New Haven Public Schools. You know people when they’re committed. They’re not going anywhere through the thick, through the thin. Through whatever it is, they are here. They stay with the ship, and Linda is one individuals who stayed with the ship,” Tracey said.

The hiring of a new chief of staff in central office, Michael Finley, was also approved at the meeting. Finley, an educator from Georgia, has served as an assistant principal, elementary teacher, and principal. His starting salary is $165,000.

“I’m committed to the vision and the mission of the district and look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to

Tracey Hannans produce great outcomes for our students,” Finley said during Monday’s meeting.

New Haven native Adham Conaway

was promoted from a sixth-grade teacher at Davis Street Magnet School to interim assistant principal.

Tracey described Conaway as a product of New Haven who went above and beyond for his school in and out of the classroom. Conaway’s salary will start at $123,870.

Conaway will be working alongside Marisa Asarisi, who was promoted to principal at Davis two weeks ago.

“I want to give a very special thank you to Sequella Coleman, principal of Metropolitan Business Academy. For the past six and a half years, she took me under her wings and mentored me during her time at Davis,” Conaway said.

The board approved the appointments in a 4-1 vote. BOE member Tamiko Jackson-McArthur voted against the appointments. Darnell Goldson abstained, and Larry Conaway recused his vote due to being the father of Adham Conaway.

In addition to the three administrative appointments, 52 teachers were hired (some pending certification) and 14 paraprofessionals.

Elicker: Vaccine Mandate Not Ready Yet

by PAUL BASS

New Haven Independent

On a day when President Biden called on employers nationwide to institute vaccine mandates, and four days after Gov. Ned Lamont issued one for all state employees, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said New Haven is “getting close” to following suit.

Biden issued his call Monday after the two-dose Pfizer vaccine received Federal Food and Drug Administration approval.

He called mandates crucial for protecting public health amid a Delta-fueled Covid-19 upsurge along with conspiracy-theoryfueled vaccination resistance. Republican governors and lawmakers have resisted calls for mandates.

Elicker first stated on July 30 that his administration was “exploring” instituting an employee vaccine mandate with an option

Elicker: We need to make sure we get it right.

to opt out and get regularly tested instead.

He said at the time that his administration was wrestling with “privacy” concerns.

On Monday downtown Alder Eli Sabin posted a link on Twitter to the announcement of a newly announced vaccination mandate for 148,000 New York City education employees.

“Time to get this done for New Haven city employees, @MayorElicker!” wrote Sabin, an Elicker supporter.

“It’s easy on the outside to say, ‘Why can’t we just get it done?’” Elicker told the Independent later Monday, before a police promotional ceremony at Wilbur Cross High School.

But it’s important, he said, that New Haven not roll out a mandate “before we’re absolutely sure we get it right.”

He was asked Monday afternoon what re-

maining specific obstacles face New Haven that, say, the governor was able to address in the mandate announced this past Thursday.

He responded that his administration is still making sure it can keep individuals’ vaccination status confidential; that it has the capacity to perform weekly testing for city workers who opt out, including ensuring that such testing doesn’t conflict with work time; and that the city can afford the financial costs.

Elicker noted that the governor’s mandate also covers roughly two-thirds of New Haven government’s 6,000 employees — because it covers all school teachers and staffers.

“We’re getting close,” the mayor said.

IRIS Puts Out Call For Help For Afghan Arrivals New Haven agency’s on the front lines of resettling Afghan refugees came to East Rock neighbors with a wish list for help.

Ann O’Brien, director of community engagement at Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS), put out the call Monday night during an appearance the virtual monthly meeting of the East Rock Community Management Team (CMT).

Goatville-based IRIS, a nationally recognized leader in resettling refugees, is ramping up to welcome, shelter, and counsel upwards of 100 refugees fleeing the chaos in Afghan.

That’s not counting 85 ongoing clients, mostly mothers with children, who in recent months went back to Afghanistan for funerals or other family occasions before the chaotic evacuation. They are now stuck there and needing IRIS help to return to Connecticut.

Normally IRIS receives at minimum five days’ notice to expect a new family. Then, “on Aug. 4, IRIS was put on 24 hours’ notice to expect families from Afghanistan,” O’Brien reported to the 30 participants in the CMT meeting.

That’s unprecedented short notice, O’Brien

said.

Another first for the agency is that is receiving refugees directly from a conflict zone.

“The reason for the short notice is that they filled flights as fast as possible, bringing them [the refugee Special Immigrant Visa holders] to Dulles then to Fort Lee, and then figuring from Fort Lee the best place to settle” them, O’Brien said.

IRIS has risen to the occasion.

“In the past 18 days we received four families of 32 people so far, and we expect to be receiving many more, including in other categories” other than the SIV program,

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O’Brien reported.

Eight-five current IRIS families, “mostly mothers with children who went back to Afghanistan to visit family, are now trapped,” O’Brien added. “IRIS staff are now helping them with forms, to get those families on evacuation flights and helping to file” documentation.

“What you’ve been seeing in the news is exactly what our Afghans and neighbors are telling us. Every bit as bad. One crisis to get to the Kabul airport, but to be there days on end is becoming a crisis by Con’t on page 11

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Gun Violence Display Puts Feet First THE INNER-CITY NEWS - August 25, 2021 - August 31, 2021

by MAYA MCFADDEN New Haven Independent

If you’ve ever wondered just how big the shoes of local leaders and politicians are to fill, you can now see the evidence — in the form of footwear — at City Hall.

Two display cases were filled with shoes of all styles and sizes Saturday to honor a dozen community members who are helping lead the city’s fight against gun violence.

The new display collects shoes worn

by Mayor Justin Elicker, Rev. Wayne McCrea, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, New Haven Clergy Association President Boise Kimber, State Sen. Martin Looney, Former Mayor Toni Harp, Former West Haven Mayor Richard Borer, McCrea’s aunt Mildred Miley, Interim Police Chief Renee Dominguez, Fire Chief John Alston Jr., and Fair Haven organizer Celestino Cordova.

Rev. Wayne McCrea, of Upright Ministries Outreach, came up with the idea for the exhibit. McCrea hosted a ceremony Saturday morning at the display on the second floor lobby of City Hall to bring awareness to the ongoing fight against

gun violence in New Haven.

The city was prayed over throughout the ceremony. Apostle Thelma Bromell of No Weapon International Deliverance Ministries prayed for protection and healing over the city’s residents and leaders from gun violence and the approaching Hurricane Henri.

During the ceremony, leaders placed their shoes in the display cases and talked about the impact of gun violence from a community lens and their goals for the future to combat the “long term storm” of gun violence.

Elicker placed a pair of dress shoes in the display case Saturday. He said he alternates between wearing two pairs of shoes for work; a black pair and the brown pair he wore during the ceremony.

He wears the brown pair when there is no tragedy, and the black pair when he attends funerals and wakes.

He put his black pair of shoes in the display to represent the lives lost to gun violence in the city, particularly during his mayoral term.

Elicker said he is “committed to offering a vision of peace and support” to families who have lost loved ones.

MAYA MCFADDEN PHOTO Fire Chief John Alston Jr. at Saturday’s event.

Blumenthal and New Haven State’s Attorney Pat Griffin talked about their commitments to gun violence prevention work to combat what Griffin described the “forgotten pandemic.”

“It’s not enough to simply prosecute and investigate,” Griffin said.

Blumenthal promised to continue fighting on a federal level for proactive solutions to gun violence like universal

background checks, red flag laws for emergency risk protection orders, and bans on assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and “ghost guns.”

Harp placed a pair of pink heels in the display case to represent being the first woman mayor of the city.

Harp offered an additional solution to gun violence: The city must do a better job at making residents feel entitled to safety, food, and well paying jobs.

“We’ve been talking about the same things for the past 30 or 40 years,” she said. “We’ve got to empower people so they can better themselves for their children and for our future.”

New Haven State Rep. Robyn Porter piggybacked off of Harp, adding that communities need “love, care, and respect” in the form of jobs, resourced community centers, and youth education and activities. “Love is not enough. People got to eat,” she said. “Idle time is the devil’s playground.”

Following the ceremony at City Hall, McCrea led a peace rally on the New Haven Green to “raise awareness and create peace” through prayer and community engagement.

Newhallville Corner Renamings Advance

by THOMAS BREEN

New Haven Independent

Alders fast-tracked the renamings of two Newhallville street corners after two neighborhood leaders who have dedicated decades of their lives to churchfocused community service.

Local legislators took those votes Monday night during the latest regular monthly meeting of the Board of Alders City Services and Environmental Policy (CSEP) Committee. The two-hour virtual meeting took place online via Zoom.

Now the proposals have one last stop: expected approval by the full Board of Alders.

During Monday evening’s meeting, the committee alders unanimously voted in support of renaming the corner of Brewster Street and Shelton Avenue for General Bishop Elijah Davis, Jr., who spent 35 years as the pastor of Pitts Chapel Church on Brewster Street.

The committee alders also unanimously voted in support of renaming the corner of Lilac Street and Butler Street in honor of Mary C. Griffin, longtime deacon of First Calvary Baptist Church, dedicated community management team member, polling station volunteer, and celebrated baker.

“Ms. Griffin is just a wonderful woman all the way around. She’s a beautiful queen,” West Rock Alder Honda Smith

MAYA MCFADDEN PHOTO General Bishop Eli-

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

said during the meeting, noting how she has known Griffin for three decades and has long admired her perseverance in looking after neighborhood youth in need. “This is a beautiful thing, and I truly support this 100 percent.”

“He’s a great man. He’ll do anything to help his community, the people of the community, and I just can’t say enough about him,” Deacon Joe Davis said about Elijah Davis during the public testimony section of Monday’s meeting. “If anybody deserves to have his name on a

street corner, it’s General Bishop Elijah Davis.”

Throughout the meeting, with the help of over a dozen members of the public and recently-retired former Newhallville Alder Delphine Clyburn, the pictures of two lifelong community servants took shape.

According to the proposed cornerrenaming aldermanic order, Griffin has lived on Lilac Street in Newhallville since 1972. Clyburn said neighbors have long called Griffin “the Mayor of Ne-

jah Davis, Jr.

Mary C. Griffin.

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whallville” because of her commitment to the community.

She and her husband Melvin were ordained as deacons at First Calvary in 1997.

She spent her professional career in New Haven as a public school teacher at Lincoln Bassett School and Troup Academy.

According to the aldermanic order, she volunteered at polling stations, was an active member of the neighborhood management team, helped establish a community block watch, organized community clean-ups, assisted in preparing food for the elderly, and donated her baking skills to annual Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday parties.

“She’s a beautiful person,” said Sean Hardy. “I’ve known her all my life. She is superb, very active in the community, very committed. I love myself Ms. Mary Griffin.”

Darrell McClam agreed. He said that renaming the corner after Griffin while she’s very much a part of the neighborhood she has long served is a fitting way “to give her her flowers now.” “This is such an important accolade for her,” he said.

Those who spoke up in support of Davis similarly showed the longtime Newhallville pastor in praise.

According to the proposed aldermanic

order, Davis was born in North Carolina.

He and his family moved to New Haven and joined Pitts Chapel U.F.W.B. Church in 1974.

He would become the pastor of that chapel in 1986, and, over the course of his long career, add to his list of titles Connecticut State Police Chaplain, Presiding Annual Bishop of the Northern Connecticut Annual conference, General Bishop of the Unified Freewill Baptist Churches, and Second Vice President of the National Convention of Freewill Baptist U.S.A. The order also states that, during his career helming Pitts Chapel, he’s helped establish a neighborhood food bank, winter coat drive, youth mentoring program, dand eacon training school. He’s also helped people recently released from prison find jobs and housing, provided counseling and assistance to those struggling with HIV and AIDS, held annual Christmas toy giveaways, and opened an after school center at the church.

“When people were getting shot, Bishop Davis would walk the streets of Newhallville, trying to make calm and get peace back into the neighborhood,” McClam said. “Brewster Street is not the best street in Connecticut. He wanted to be where the problems were, by his choice.

He wanted to stay in Newhallville. He let people know they can do better, that there’s a better way.”

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - August 25, 2021 - August 31 , 2021

Bishop Crowned On Corner Where He Led

by MAYA MCFADDEN New Haven Independent

The “legacy, integrity, generosity, and love” of the Bishop Lethenial McClam will now live on forever at the corner of Bristol Street and Dixwell Avenue.

“Bishop Lethenial McClam Corner” was unveiled at that spot Saturday afternoon to the family, friends, and community members whom McClam helped throughout his lifetime through unspoken acts of kindness, prayer, and his establishing of the McClam Funeral Home more than 20 years ago.

McClam, who died in 2016, began his journey as an usher, choir member, and Sunday school teacher.

As the founder and owner of the McClam Funeral Home at 95 Dixwell Ave., McClam dedicated himself to helping his community at the darkest moments in their life and gave them a sense of hope after losing a loved one.

McClam left the family business to his children Sheena, Shawneeque, Darrell, and Darnell McClam.

Rev. Boise Kimber, who met Bishop 37 years ago, described him as having a “business mind” with a goal of passing a legacy of service and entrepreneurship to his kids.

“Your daddy was an example. Your daddy walked up right. You never heard a scandal about your daddy. Your daddy lived for God and he lived for people,” Kimber said to the children at Saturday’s ceremony.

Lessons From Dad Bishop’s four children now work together running the McClam Funeral Home. Sons Darnell and Darrell joined their father in the family business before

FACEBOOK The late Bishop Lethenial McClam.

his passing.

While growing up in the Hill, Darnell recalled, he watched his father help others on a daily basis: “Whatever I asked for came after he finished helping the community.”

This motivated Darnell to aspire to the same level of selflessness and empathy as his father, he said.

“It doesn’t matter how low you start. My father was a humble man who knew that the people he helped would bless him one day,” Darnell said.

McClam eldest, Sheena, didn’t speak with her father for the first time until she was 16 years old. Bishop McClam and Sheena’s mother got divorced when she was 3 years old. Sheena’s mother told her

Mullins Withdraws from West Haven Mayoral Contes Planning & Zoning Commissioner Steven R. Mullins has withdrawn his name from the race for Mayor of the City of West Haven. In a letter to supporters Mullins stated that he withdrew due to an error on his part on a petition sheet submitted to the Registrar of Voters. Mullins was petitioning to primary Councilman Barry Cohen for the Republican nomination at the September 14th primary.

Mullins said that after spending half of his childhood and his entire adult life in service to the City in some capacity, the Mayor’s Office is not presenting itself this year, but he will never rule it out for the future. “I have spent fifteen years as Planning & Zoning Commissioner and served as Justice of the Peace for twenty-one years.

I have worked to bring ethnic groups together, forged a positive working relationship with our police and Black Lives Matter and have worked with

that she no longer had contact with her father.

At 16, on Easter Sunday, Sheena asked her mom a final time for a number to contact her father. Her prayers were answered. She called her father, and they spoke for the first time, she said. “Something inside me just told me that he wouldn’t change his number and leave me,” she said.

Bishop told Sheena he purposefully never changed his number so she could get in contact with him one day. “‘No matter how long it took I was never going to change my number,’” she recalled her father telling her.

As their relationship grew, Sheena and her father would make a yearly trip to The

Commissioner Steven R. Mullins Photograph by: Chris Randall

always going to have me or your mother around to help you get along with each other. You have to stick together always.”

Shawneeque is working to create the McClam Funeral Home After Care Program to help connect families after a loss to community resources like financial aid, and mental supports.

“We’re doing what God has called us to do for our community, our father, and to leave something behind for our grandchildren.”

Elder Sean Hardy served Saturday as the event’s master of ceremonies. Hardy knew McClam since he was 7 years old, he said. “He’s been a model figure to me since I was a boy,” he said.

McClam started a quartet group, the Sensational Pilgrims of Faith, with his brother (who died in 1969) and kept it going until 1971. He then began preaching.

In 1978 McClam established the Union Disciple Freewill Baptist Church on Dixwell Avenue.

McClam was known for supporting families who lacked the resources to bury their lost loved ones.

A citation was presented from the Board of Alders to the McClam family in honor of McClam.

“We recognize and honor a great man who walked among us,” former Mayor Toni Harp said at the Saturday ceremony.

“If you think about what it means to live and have an impact on other people’s lives, sometimes it means that you serve and that you help. And sometimes it’s by a word, a deed, or a song. And Bishop McClam, he spoke the word and optimized the room, and he sung a song that touched the hearts of people.”

Delta Variant May Contribute To More Restaurant Closures

by Christine Stuart

interfaith clergy to bring warming centers for our homeless and others in wintertime. There is so much work to do in West Haven. I will continue to do that work, just not as your Mayor.”

Mullins said.

King Center in Georgia. They would stop at Dunkin Donuts afterwards for coffee together.

“His family was always on his mind and the most important thing to him,” she said.

Darrell said he learned perseverance from his father: “He never gave up while financing the whole funeral home or when helping people.”

When his father died, Darrell worried about taking on his father’s business and legacy. “What if I fail?” he would ask himself. Then he remembered that “my father prepared us. He showed by example how to help people during their darkest time. And how to facilitate healing.”

“Still even beyond the grave he is still providing for us and helping people,” Darrell said.

The McClam children hope to open up more funeral homes across the state to help others.

Up until January of this year Shawneeque was living in Virginia as an elementary educator. After the passing of her father, her brothers began asking that she return to New Haven to help with the business.

One night last year Shawneeque had a dream about her father calling out her name. “He would always call my name a specific way was I was younger,” she said. “It sounded so real.”

Not long after that dream, Shawneeque moved back to New Haven with a plan to help out the family business for about six months. She said she now plans to stay in New Haven to help the business grow with her siblings.

She recalled her father telling her and her siblings while young, “You’re not

Six out of 10 people have changed their restaurant use due to the highly contagious delta variant, according to a new survey by the National Restaurant Association.

The Connecticut Restaurant Association is pointing to the survey released Tuesday to ask Congress to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. After distributing over $28 billion, the fund was closed on July 6.

The survey of 1,000 adults between Aug. 13-15 found 19% of adults have stopped going to restaurants and 37% say they ordered takeout or delivery rather than go to the restaurant. The survey by the National Restaurant Association found 9% canceled plans to eat out at a restaurant in recent weeks, and 19% have chosen to sit outside instead of dining inside.

Already 600 Connecticut restaurants have closed their doors since the beginning of the pandemic.

6

“The rise of coronavirus variants like delta threaten to push these restaurants closer to permanently closing their doors,” CT Restaurant Association Executive Director Scott Dolch said.

Connecticut has more than 2,066 pending applications that total more than $489 million in stabilization funding that would be addressed by the $60 billion proposed replenishment bills, according to Dolch.

“There are thousands of Connecticut small business owners stuck in limbo waiting to find out if Congress will act to provide the stability they need to make it through this new pandemic threat and into the future,” Dolch said.

Would a vaccine mandate help?

The survey found restaurant-goers are divided. The survey found 32% of adults say they would be less likely to go out to a restaurant if there was a requirement that all customers had to show proof of COVID-19 vaccine to dine inside at restaurants in their area. Thirty-three percent of

adults say this requirement would make them more likely to go out to a restaurant, while 35% say it would have no impact on their decision to go out to a restaurant.

Sean Kennedy, executive vice president of Public Affairs for the National Restaurant Association, said the industry is struggling.

“For an industry that requires a ‘full house’ every evening to make a profit, this is a dangerous trend,” he said. “These changes indicate declining consumer confidence that will make it more difficult for most restaurant owners to maintain their delicate financial stability.”

There are still 177,000 restaurant applications waiting for funding.

“The small gains that our industry has made toward financial security are in danger of being wiped out, dashing the hopes of communities, entrepreneurs, and consumers nationwide,” Kennedy wrote in the letter to Congress.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - August 25, 2021 - August 31, 2021

City “Fun Bus” Brings “Community Back After Covid”

by MAYA MCFADDEN New Haven Independent

On a normal day Criscuolo Park is filled with chess players, basketball games, and fishers. On Wednesday, dozens of neighborhood kids joined in on the park fun, for a family pop-up event.

The event was hosted by the city Youth and Recreation Department (YARD), which brought out its “Fun Bus” with arts and crafts, a bounce house, water slide, the New Haven pizza truck Jackie’s Pizza the Pie, a hot dog cart, ice cream bus, and DJ. YARD used federal American Rescue Plan pandemic-relief dollars to fund an eight-part Family Fun Day series.

It has hosted a cookout celebration every Wednesday since July. So far it has brought free food, games, and music to Edgewood, Quinnipiac Meadows, Hill, Dixwell, Annex, Newhallville, and Fair Haven.

Alexandria Brock, 73, sat in a lawn chair at Wednesday’s event watching greatgrandkids Sean Williams, 7 and Egypt Williams, 3, play in the park’s splash pad.

Brock and her great-grandkids, who live with her, have attended all seven Family Fun Day events so far this summer.

“They can’t get enough of the slide, water, and pizza,” said Brock.

Brock has lived in New Haven for more than 50 years.

“I come out here for myself too. I can’t get enough of their pizza,” Brock said after enjoying her third slice Wednesday.

“And there’s nothing better than getting to relax and watch the kids be happy.”

The next and final celebration of fun is scheduled to take place at Winslow Park on Wilmot Road between Wayfarer Street and Brookside Avenue in West Rock next Wednesday from 2:30-5:30 p.m., for kids of all ages.

YARD came to New Haven native and event coordinator Tyler Evans with the series plan. Evans and his team have been charged with set-up and break down, onsite coordinating during the events, and community outreach.

Two days before and then the day of each event, Evans walked the neighborhoods to broadcast the free outdoor celebration for families to destress this summer.

Evans described the series of events as a way to “bring community back after Covid.”

The largest celebration was at Roberto Clemente School in July. Hundreds attended the event. That event included a visit from the New Haven Fire Department (NHFD), which allowed kids to

YARD’s Ronald Huggins, Tyler Evans, Tomi Veale.

touch and learn about fire trucks.

“Parents can’t always have something fun and safe for their kids to do everyday.

Stuff is too expensive or far,” Evans said.

“Here they get entertainment for hours, and parents can meet city resources.”

The city’s health department and Griffin Hospital partnered with YARD for the event to distribute free thermometers and administer Covid vaccine doses at the event.

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YARD’s goal is to host the Family Fun Day series annually if funds are available, said Youth Services Specialist Ronald Huggins.

Since the series kicked off, the event organizers have been checking in with the health department weekly to stay updated with Covid case numbers and changes to outdoor-gathering protocols in order to keep families safe Huggins said.

Youth @ Work Coordinator Tomi Veale

joined the YARD event Wednesday to provide parents and teens with information about the program. Veale said the program is currently working through the process of engaging local nonprofits for its Year Round Work Based Learning Experience, which employs high schoolers during the school year.

Robin Moore-Evans distributed flyers to families at the event for the Elizabeth Celotto Child Care Center based out of Wilbur Cross High School. Moore-Evans, director of the center, encouraged families to apply for the free child care services for New Haven Public School (NHPS) student parents.

The program’s enrollment is down. It plans to have open enrollment going into the start of the school year until its full capacity of 32 children ages six weeks to 3 years old is reached, Moore-Evans said.

“Free child care that’s safe and secure lets them be teens and focus on school and extracurriculars,” Moore-Evans said.

“When they come to the center they’re parents but they leave as teens.”

In addition to the Family Fun Day Series, YARD this summer has hosted a free youth concert, its annual movies in the park series, and free weekly yoga with the Elm City Yogis.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - August 25, 2021 - August 31 , 2021

$50K Grant Helps Cops Crack Down On Speeders

by PAUL BASS

New Haven Independent

Lead-foot drivers beware: These officers will be out in force in coming weeks to catch you in the act of endangering lives.

The above-pictured officers are members of the police department’s traffic enforcement unit. You see them with lasers and radar guns recording speeds at hotspots around town.

You will see them more than usual through Sept. 6. A $50,000 Connecticut Department of Transportation Speed and Aggressive Driving Enforcement Grant is paying for extra shifts at six treacherous speedways: Whalley Avenue, Townsend Avenue, Dixwell Avenue, Forbes Avenue, Foxon Boulevard, Ella Grasso Boulevard.

“You have been warned,” Lt. Stephan Torquati, who oversees the unit, declared to drivers who exceed the 25 or 35 mile-per-hour speed limit on those roads (i.e. pretty much everybody sometimes).

Torquati made the declaration at a Friday afternoon press conference held at 1 Union Ave. police headquarters to announce the stepped-up enforcement. He said the extra four-hour shifts will take place during weekday rush hour and on weekends.

Connecticut has already this year matched the 192 traffic-related fatalities it recorded in 2020, Torquati reported.

New Haven has had 13 traffic-related fatalities this year; it had 26 last year. Torquati said that so far in 2021, the city has

PAUL BASS PHOTO Ready to roll: Officers Jason Jackson, Oscar Diaz and Richard Burgos with supervisor Lt. Sephan Torquati Friday as they prepared to begin stepped-up dangerous-driving patrols.

recorded 1,206 speeding-related crashes, 485 of them involving injuries. Last year the city recorded 1,564 speed-related crashes, with 786 involving injuries.

Mayor Justin Elicker, Interim Police Chief Renee Dominguez, and City Engineer Giovanni Zinn said at the press conference that this effort fits into one of the “three E’s” of the city’s strategy of tackling deadly driving: Enforcement, Education, and Engineering.

The last E refers to redesigning roads to slow drivers down. New Haven has done a lot of that with city-owned roads.

The deadliest roads — including most of those targeted in the current crackdown — are state-owned. New Haven has historically fought, with little success, to convince the state Department of Transportation (DOT) to consider the lives of pedestrians and cyclists rather than prioritizing faster car travel when designing and redesigning streets.

Elicker and Zinn said they have received assurances from the DOT’s new leaders, including Commissioner Joseph Giuletti, that the department now shares the city’s safe-streets vision. Giuletti offered a similar assurance to the Independent at this recent pedestrian/cyclistcentered event involving a city-DOT collaboration.

Zinn noted that it was the DOT’s initiative to launch a new study of Grasso Boulevard crashes in order to devise safety fixes.

“They’re committed to changing the mindset,” Elicker said.

14 Cops Promoted With Help Of Families

by PAUL BASS

New Haven Independent

For the third time in five months, a new crop of promoted cops received badges Monday at a ceremony infused with a family theme.

Mayor Justin Elicker administered the oath to nine newly promoted lieutenants, five new sergeants, and two newly hired officers inside Wilbur Cross High School’s auditorium.

Interim Police Chief Renee Dominguez said the three waves of promotions already this year are creating an opportunity to “reorganize and reimagine the police department” after a period of dramatic change, which has included a thinning of ranks. The promotions are giving Dominguez an opportunity to shape the department. The ascension of new captains, sergeants and lieutenants is replenishing supervisory ranks and, according to Dominguez, coinciding with a rethinking of some of the roles each position plays.

In remarks to the sergeants, Dominguez

spoke of a challenge facing new supervisors: “holding peers responsible.”

“You are no longer responsible for just yourself. You are responsible for molding young officers and reinvigorating older officers,” she said.

Dominguez spoke of the NHPD as a “family.” Mayor Elicker spoke of the officers’ families — the sacrifice they and their spouses and children make because of the time demands and dangers of the job.

Many of those spouses and children were present at Monday’s ceremony.

They took turns coming onstage to pin new badges on the promotees and engage in celebratory hugs.

The newly promoted lieutenants are Brendan Borer, Michael Fumiatti, Justin Marshall, Brian McDermott, David Portella, Ryan Przybylski, Dana Smith, Derek Werner, and Jason Weted.

Christopher Alvarado, Michael Criscuolo, Eric Eisenhard, Steven Spofford, and Donald White III are the new sergeants.

Former Waterbury cop Jordan Lytle and

PAUL BASS PHOTOS New white shirts: Promoted lieutenants take oath of office Monday at Cross.

former Yale Officer Stephanie James became New Haven officers (James for a second time).

8

The ceremony included an act of bravery: Officer Jennifer Giovanni tackled one of the hardest songs to perform in the

American musical canon, the National Anthem. Watch above how she made it her own.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - August 25, 2021 - August 31, 2021

What Do We Do Now? YNHH Update Offers Primer On Living With Covid In The Delta Moment

by LAURA GLESBY

New Haven Independent

The Delta variant is likely responsible for almost every case of Covid-19 among hospitalized patients at Yale New Haven Health, a quarter of which are “breakthrough” cases in people who have received the vaccine.

That raises new questions and altering risk calculations for New Haveners trying to stay healthy and protect their loved ones during the pandemic.

Yale New Haven officials revealed those numbers Tuesday — and offered some FAQ guidance and insights for people scrambling to figure out how to safe as the Delta-sparked Covid upsurge upends what we thought we knew about the pandemic.

At an online press update, the health system officials addressed how Connecticut residents’ day-to-day lives may be affected by breakthrough vaccine infections, Monday’s Food and Drug Administration full approval of the Pfizer vaccine, and the calculus of back-to-school safety precautions.

They also shared the news that over the past two months, Covid-positive patients have tripled to 137 in Yale New Haven Health-affiliated hospitals. That reflects a national trend of rising cases as the summer wanes and the Delta variant spreads.

Thirty-seven of those patients are in the intensive care unit, including 23 patients on ventilators.

Notably, 37 of the hospital system’s Covid-positive patients — or about 27 percent — became infected with the virus despite having been vaccinated against it.

That percentage has been relatively constant over the course of the summer, according to Tom Balcezak, the hospital system’s chief clinical officer. These numbers “highlight the durability of the Delta variant,” he said.

The hospital system’s cases have almost all been instances of the Delta variant, according to Balcezak. About 100 hospital-

NORA GRACE-FLOOD PHOTO Still the smartest bet: Sharie Evans vaccinated at local clinic.

ized cases are sampled to be screened for particular viral strains each week.

Of the hospital system’s 137 patients, 54 have been hospitalized in New Haven. The hospital system is also treating 50 Covid patients in Bridgeport, 12 in Greenwich, 8 at Westerly, R.I., and 13 at Lawrence and Memorial in New London.

According to the Connecticut Department of Health, New Haven currently has a Covid positivity rate of 19.7 cases per 100,000 individuals. There were 174 Covid cases detected between Aug. 7 and 14 in New Haven, and 186 new Covid cases the week before.

As of Aug. 18, 57.7 percent of New Haveners — 75,159 individuals — have received at least one dose of a Covid vaccine, according to the state Department of Health. (That statistic includes children under the age of 12 who are ineligible.)

Delta FAQs At Tuesday’s press conference, Balcezak and Yale New Haven Health Presi-

dent Chris O’Connor answered a variety of questions about what these statistics, along with the latest scientific research on the virus and its vaccines, mean for Connecticut residents’ day-to-day lives.

Here’s a summary of the questions and responses: Why are breakthrough infections occurring? Are the vaccines still effective against the Delta variant?

The three approved vaccines in the United States are only slightly less effective against the Delta variant, officials said.

Vaccination remains a critical defense against Covid.

While the rise in breakthrough cases has raised questions about waning vaccine protections over time, or the Delta variant’s ability to evade current inoculation methods, Balcezak said that breakthrough cases can be attributed mostly to the intrinsic imperfection of any vaccine.

“Even the best vaccines are only 95 percent effective,” Balcezak said — and the

Delta variant infects people with 1,000 times more of a viral load compared to other strains of the virus. “Even if you are fully vaccinated, if we bombard you with the virus, you will get sick.”

That’s why additional protections, like masking indoors and avoiding crowds, remain important, especially for people vulnerable to the virus’ worst effects.

The hopeful data about breakthrough cases that has emerged over the summer is that vaccinated people are far less likely to have severe cases of Covid-19.

“More than 75 percent of folks that we are admitting are unvaccinated,” Balcezak said. “That’s empirical evidence that joins other scientific evidence that the vaccine continues to be extremely effective at preventing serious disease and death.”

With the Delta variant spreading, is it safe to eat inside a restaurant?

Balcezak said he would recommend avoiding indoor dining in public settings at the moment. “Right now, dining outdoors is certainly safer than dining indoors,” he said.

He gave the analogy of calculating the risk of a crash while driving a car. There are common-sense safety measures while driving, like wearing a seatbelt and riding in a car with airbags. He compared these to viral safety measures like mask-wearing and vaccinations. But “there is still a chance you will get into a car accident.”

Extending the metaphor, Balcezak compared the Delta variant to an icy road: “It adds an additional risk, even with all of the safety features.”

As more and more employers — including the state of Connecticut — institute vaccine mandates, what are the legitimate medical reasons for an exemption or deferral?

There are two confirmed medical justifications for a vaccine exemption, Balcezak said.

One is if a patient has had a past episode of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare

immune disorder that typically causes muscle weakness and can sometimes lead to paralysis.

The other is if a patient has a rare allergy to a component of the vaccine — which is usually determined after an allergic reaction to an initial dose of the vaccine.

At vaccine distribution sites, patients are asked to wait for a few minutes after receiving their shots to ensure that if such an allergic reaction occurs, they can receive medical care.

Some people on immunosuppressant treatments have received medical recommendations to defer their vaccine — not because of a possible adverse reaction, but so that they can maximize the vaccine’s protective effects. Those patients may choose to wait until they can pause or end their treatments so that their immune systems can fully respond to the vaccine.

Yale New Haven Health was one of the earliest institutions to require employee vaccinations against Covid. How has that been going?

Since announcing a vaccine mandate in late June, Yale New Haven Health has given hospital employees a deadline of August 31st to either get vaccinated or to obtain a religious or medical exemption from the requirement.

About 83 to 84 percent of hospital employees have been vaccinated so far, with just a week to go before the mandate takes full effect, Balcezak reported.

That statistic may be an underestimate, officials said. Some employees are listed as “casual status” workers, who are called to work on an as-needed basis, according to Balcezak. The hospital is currently reassessing those employees to determine who actually still works for the hospital.

And O’Connor added that some employees got vaccinated outside of the Yale New Haven Health system and are simply still filing paperwork to verify their vaccination status.

Con’t on page 12

Vaccine Mandate Could Worsen Bus Driver Shortage

by Hugh McQuaid

School bus operating companies, already using the word “crisis” to describe their staffing levels, said Tuesday a new state requirement that school contractors be vaccinated against the coronavirus will hinder their recruitment and retention efforts.

In recent weeks, Gov. Ned Lamont has issued executive orders aimed in part at reducing spread of the COVID-19 virus when Connecticut schools begin opening their doors to students next week. One such order required a handful of workers to show proof of vaccination by Sept. 27 or consent to weekly COVID testing.

Among those workers are K-12 school staff and teachers, as well as school con-

tractors. A spokesman for the governor said the latter group includes bus drivers.

That is certain to compound an existing staffing shortage in the industry, according to Jon Hipsher, chief operating officer of M&J Bus, a contractor serving 24 Connecticut towns.

“I’m just going to tell you, the timing of that couldn’t be worse,” Hipsher said Tuesday. “You are most likely going to have, throughout this industry, a lot of drivers that are not going to want — if they haven’t been vaccinated — they’re not going to want to be forced to be.

That’s going to really hurt us.”

That’s because the busing industry in Connecticut and elsewhere is in the midst of a recruitment campaign in an effort to find qualified drivers to staff both trips

to and from schools as well as to youth sporting events.

Lamont’s vaccination requirement, announced last week, impacts state employees and workers at state hospitals in addition to school employees and contractors.

Coupled with a statewide school masking order, the governor said the requirement should help to ensure safe in-person learning as the more-infectious Delta variant continues to fuel a surge in cases with the first day of school approaching.

On Tuesday the infection rate remained elevated at 3.83%.

Asked about the mandate’s impact on the existing bus driver shortage, Max Reiss, Lamont’s chief spokesman, said the requirements were essential to the safe Con’t on page 12

9

School buses parked on a lot in Stafford Springs Credit: Hugh McQuaid / CTNewsJunkie

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - August 25, 2021 - August 31 , 2021

Kevin Walton Assumes New Post as ACES Director of Equity and Inclusion Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) is proud to announce the appointment of Kevin Walton Sr. as the Director of Equity and Inclusion. Walton previously served within the organization as ACES Human Resource Specialist and Minority Teacher Recruiting Coordinator.

He is the current Co-Chair of the ACES Diversity Committee.

“Kevin has been at ACES for 17 years and is the ideal candidate for this new position,” stated Dr. Thomas Danehy, ACES Executive Director. “His experience at ACES, work within the community and passion for equity and inclusion make him the perfect fit for our diverse populations of students, families and staff.

He will bring a wealth of knowledge and skills to this role that will help ACES reach its vision of creating an equitable and socially just world and establishing more accepting cultures and educational environments for all of our diverse learners.”

Walton, a New York native, is an active member in the local community, serving as the Head Boys Basketball Coach for Wilbur Cross High School for the past nine years. He is also a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., New Haven Parks & Recreation Board of Commissioners, Greater New Haven NAACP and the New Haven Scholarship Fund Board of Directors. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Corporate Communication from Southern Connecticut State University.

Kevin Walton Sr.

“ACES understands the importance of cultivating a workplace culture where everyone feels valued, included and welcomed,” said Walton. “I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the agency’s continued efforts to ensure that ACES is an equitable and inclusive workplace where all of our stakeholders, including our students and staff, are treated fairly and respectfully.”

Walton will assume the position on September 1, 2021 and will be headquartered in ACES PCY Building located at 350 State Street, North Haven.

West Haven Planning & Zoning Commissioner Steven R. Mullins at the groundbreaking

Ceremony for the future 24 hour 7-Eleven on Sawmill Road in West Haven

West Haven public officials joined with 7-Eleven corporate executives to celebrate the groundbreaking of a future 24 hour convenience store that will have twenty gas pumps and two full service sit down restaurants.

Developers chose the site, located at 480 Sawmill Road,off of Exit 42 of Interstate-95 because it is ideal for their project due to the dense population of the Sawmill Road area and the traffic flow of I-95. According to Christine Gallo, Chairwoman of the West Haven Economic Development Commission, 120,000 vehicles pass by the site a day on I-95.

The site has been vacant for over fifteen years. It was most recently a Staples Office store.

Planning and Zoning Commissioner Steven R. Mullins, a recent candidate for Mayor said that he is pleased with the 7-Eleven project. “This has been a city wide effort from multiple departments, including, but not limited to the the Planning and Zoning Commission, Mayor’s Office, City Council, etc. “Fifteen years ago, there was no reason to get off at this exit.” Mullins said. “Although this is a step in the right direction, the City of West Haven has a lot of improvement to do as far as economic development is concerned.”

Mayor Nancy Rossi said the Sawmill Road development project “brings us closer to our economic development

goals.”

Also participating in the groundbreaking ceremony was City Council Chairman Ronald Quagliani, Councilwoman-at-

Large Colleen O’Connor, Councilmanat-Large Gary Donovan, Councilwoman Chrystal Fanelli and State Representative Dorinda Borer.

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THE INNER-CITY NEWS - August 25, 2021 - August 31, 2021

Twenty Years after 9/11, Taliban Retakes Afghanistan Stacy Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Even as President Joe Biden announced earlier this year that the United States would entirely withdraw from Afghanistan, Taliban fighters made their presence felt.

Reports and videos appeared to show the Taliban coercing Afghan government forces’ surrender and summarily executing the unarmed military members in front of large crowds of civilians.

After President Biden’s April announcement, the Taliban reminded the world that it never recognized its democratic government.

Today, images of crowds of Afghan citizens – most fearing for their lives, desperately clinging to a U.S. Airforce plane as it took off, likely will never go away.

At least three people fell hundreds of feet from the aircraft and died as they attempted to secure a death-defying trip out of the country.

“Our military commanders advised me that once I made the decision to end the war, we needed to move swiftly to conduct the main elements of the drawdown,” President Biden remarked last month.

He added that “speed is safety.”

The President now faces criticism from within his party, and his own words appear to bite.

“We provided our Afghan partners with all the tools — let me emphasize: all the tools, training, and equipment of any

EXCLUSIVE:

(Photo: The President and Vice President were briefed by their national security team on the evolving situation in Afghanistan. They discussed the evacuations of U.S. citizens, SIV applicants, and vulnerable Afghans, and the monitoring of any potential terrorist threats. / White House / Instagram)

modern military,” the President declared in July.

“We provided advanced weaponry. And we’re going to continue to provide funding and equipment. And we’ll ensure they have the capacity to maintain their air force.”

As the nation awaited the President’s address on Afghanistan on Monday, Aug. 16, the White House essentially has called the middle eastern government cowards.

According to Russian officials, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the county with several automobiles and a helicopter so filled with cash that money was left

behind because it all couldn’t fit.

Ghani claimed he left the country to encourage peace and avoid death and destruction in a statement issued over the weekend.

“Afghan leaders have to come together.

We lost thousands – lost to death and injury – thousands of American personnel,” President Biden explained last week.

“They’ve got to fight for themselves, fight for their nation,” he insisted.

The President also laid the blame at the feet of former President Donald Trump.

“When I came to office, I inherited a deal cut by my predecessor – which he invited the Taliban to discuss at Camp David on the eve of 9/11 of 2019 – that left the Taliban in the strongest position militarily since 2001 and imposed a May 1, 2021, deadline on U.S. Forces,” President Biden asserted.

“Shortly before he left office, he also drew U.S. Forces down to a bare minimum of 2,500. Therefore, when I became President, I faced a choice: follow through on the deal, with a brief extension to get our forces and our allies’ forces out safely or ramp up our presence and

send more American troops to fight once again in another country’s civil conflict.

“I was the fourth President to preside over an American troop presence in Afghanistan – two Republicans, two Democrats. I would not, and will not, pass this war onto a fifth.”

Twenty years ago, in response to Sept.

11, 2021, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington, and the failed attempt in a remote area of western Pennsylvania, then-President George W. Bush, ordered the attack on the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan.

The war extended to Iraq, where American troops were instrumental in the capture – and eventual hanging death – of dictator Saddam Hussein.

After receiving concrete intelligence, nearly ten years later, then-President Barack Obama sent a Navy seal team into Pakistan, where they killed Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks.

Early Monday, the U.S. military took control of the main airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, while the Taliban seized the presidential palace.

Meanwhile the Biden administration continues attempts to remove all American personnel and certain Afghani citizens “The Taliban is back in Kabul,” analyst Stephen Collinson wrote for CNN. “Afghans are once again sliding into a new dark age of repression and persecution of women. And the United States is beating a humiliating retreat, becoming the latest superpower humbled in Central Asia’s graveyard of empires.”

Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks about his and wife’s Covid diagnosis

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent

While he and his wife remain hospitalized in a Chicago hospital after positive Covid-19 tests, the Rev. Jesse Jackson told the Black Press that he remains vigilant in fighting for freedom, justice, and equality.

In an exclusive telephone conversation from his hospital bed on Sunday, Aug. 22, the renowned civil rights leader expressed his ongoing support for vaccinations while explaining why his wife, Jacqueline, had not received the vaccine.

“I have had both my shots,” Rev. Jackson said in the telephone call from Northwestern Memorial Hospital. “My wife did not receive the vaccine because she has pre-existing conditions that were of concern.”

Jackson maintained the importance of vaccination, noting that there are more stringent variants of the coronavirus.

He said he and Jacqueline are receiving the “best of care.”

The telephone call came just one day

after his organization, the Rainbow Push Coalition, revealed the positive tests and hospitalization.

The call included National Newspaper Publishers Association President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., a longtime friend and comrade in the fight for civil rights.

Both disciples of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rev. Jackson and Dr. Chavis expressed concern that some media members would exploit Jackson’s positive tests.

Jackson issued a reassurance of his strength.

“I’m doing fine,” Rev. Jackson insisted.

“My wife is here, and she’s being cared for.”

Though he’s battling Parkinson’s disease and has now been diagnosed with Covid-19, Rev. Jackson’s voice appeared strong.

He said his battle for freedom, justice, and equality would continue.

“He’s a fighter, a warrior,” Dr. Chavis

added.

Those who work closely with the Rev. and Mrs. Jackson were tested after Jacqueline Jackson visited her doctors for a routine checkup.

As per medical protocol, Mrs. Jackson received a Covid test, triggering doctors to test Rev. Jackson and others.

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The icon said he wasn’t sure when he or his wife might be discharged.

Since news of the couple’s illness and hospitalization, social media has seen a flood of well-wishers expressing love and prayers for Rev. and Mrs. Jackson.

Texas Democratic Congressman Joaquin Castro, the Rev. Al Sharpton, and King’s daughter Bernice King, were among those who sent prayers for the couple.

“They need our sincere and intense prayers,” Rev. Sharpton said.

Castro added, “Sending strength and prayers to Rev. Jackson and his wife, Jacqueline.”

King also said she was “praying” for the family.

Rev. Jackson, 79, and Jacqueline, 77, have been married for nearly 60 years.

The couple has six children.

In November 2017, doctors diagnosed Rev. Jackson with Parkinson’s disease, a central nervous system degenerative disorder.

Actor Michael J. Fox and the late Muhammad Ali count among the more famous sufferers of the disease, which primarily affects motor skills.

“I am doing OK,” Rev. Jackson said.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - August 25, 2021 - August 31 , 2021

African American from Flynt Wins Mastercard APGA Tour Championship

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Willie Mack III once lived out of his car while dreaming of a chance to compete for a PGA title.

The African American fired a sizzling, eight-under-par 64 to sprint away from the field and captured the Mastercard APGA Tour Championship presented

by Lexus by six strokes Tuesday, capping a memorable seven-month stretch that has changed the trajectory of his career.

The 32-year-old had five birdies on the back nine to separate himself from the field with a 65-64-129 and win the season-long Lexus Cup Point Standings title in addition to the prestigious season-end championship.

He pocketed a total of $27,500 in prize money, combining the tournament winner’s purse of $10,000 and the $17,500 bonus pool prize for performance over eight regular-season events.

The Lexus Cup Points title and Player of the Year designation are his third overall. Mack used the 1,000 Lexus Cup points in the championship event to climb from seventh place in the standings.

The Lexus Cup title also includes a full scholarship into Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying School in September at Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge in Winter Garden, Florida.

Mack works to advance a career that includes winning 11 college tournaments at Bethune-Cookman University and over 65 mini-tour titles. Mack also won the use of a Lexus for one year.

Former PGA TOUR Latinoamerica star Patrick Newcomb was only two strokes behind at the turn before Mack pulled away, leaving the Jacksonville, Florida, resident in second at nineunder 135.

Tim O’Neal of Savannah, Georgia, the 2020 Lexus Cup Player of the Year, shot 67-70-137 to tie for third with Aaron Beverly of Fairfield, California, who registered a 66-71-137. Landon Lyons of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, took fifth at three-under-par (69-70-139).

“Everything came together pretty well again today,” said Mack, now looking forward to some rest after a non-stop, six-month grind.

“Including the PGA TOUR and the Korn Ferry Tour, these are the biggest events I’ve played, so this would be one of the top stretches of my career, for sure. I’ve been able to play better with the opportunities that came along.

Knowing I can play out there (on the PGA TOUR) helps my confidence.”

Mack’s rise to prominence began when he played in the PGA TOUR’S Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey

Pines in January as a sponsor exemption and continued at the Genesis Invitational, designated by Tiger Woods as the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption awarded annually to a top-tier minority player.

His following two PGA TOUR exemptions in July were stellar as he made the cut in both the Rocket Mortgage Classic (T-64) and the John Deere Classic (T-71), earning plaudits across the golf landscape.

He followed that up by winning the Billy Horschel APGA Tour Invitational at TPC Sawgrass on July 31 before heading to TPC Sugarloaf for the tour’s culminating regular-season competition.

He also played in two Korn Ferry Tour tournaments in building momentum toward the summertime surge.

A feature on Mack this year revealed that he attended PGA Tour Qualifying School several times without success.

However, he did qualify to play on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica circuit in 2018.

“But the prospect of spending a couple of thousand dollars to play in events there without the guarantee of a paycheck wasn’t feasible,” the report stated.

During his early mini-tour days, Mack began sleeping in his car or crashing on the couch at the home of friends to save money.

That wasn’t something he shared with many people until playing in his first PGA Tour event.

“My first year out, it was a good year, and then the second and third year was kind of a struggle, sleeping in and out

of my car for a year and a half when I was down here in Florida,” he told a Michigan newspaper. “Those were some tough times.

Now, he has won the Mastercard APGA Tour Championship.

Marcus Byrd of Knoxville, Tennessee, finished second in the Lexus Cup Point Standings to win $5,000 with Ryan Alford of Shreveport, Louisiana third ($4,000), Newcomb fourth ($3,000), Lyons fifth ($2,000), and Kevin Hall of Cincinnati sixth ($1,000).

The Mastercard APGA Tour Championship was the 11th tournament of the landmark 2021 season, featuring a record 13-plus events and eight exemptions for APGA Tour players into PGA TOUR tournaments. TPC Sugarloaf is the sixth TPC property that has hosted the APGA Tour this year as part of its partnership with the PGA TOUR. All activities were conducted under social-distancing and health/safety guidelines in conjunction with regional authorities.

The APGA Tour continues September 20-22, when the players will be heading to the Bluestone Country Club in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, for APGA Tour Valley Forge. The tournament marks the first time the APGA Tour will play in the Northeastern United States.

The Lexus Cup Points title and Player of the Year designation are his third overall. Mack used the 1,000 Lexus Cup points in the championship event to climb from seventh place in the standings.

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Con’t from page 09

Vaccine Mandate

operation of schools.

“Ensuring our schools are as safe as they can be for teachers, staff and students is vital for the upcoming school year and the well-being of all involved,” Reiss said.

However, Hipsher said the news would complicate the industry’s hiring efforts.

M&J and other members of the Connecticut School Transportation Association (COSTA) have retained a communications firm and launched a recruitment website, drivectkids.org in hopes of attracting applicants.

But a bus driver can’t be made overnight. Ann Baldwin of Baldwin Media said “onboarding” a new driver takes three months in some cases. Drivers need to obtain a commercial driver’s license and pass a background check. And according to Hipsher, the shortages are statewide.

“Every town is hurting,” Hipsher said.

“Each location, we could hire multiple drivers.”

Without more drivers, busing companies will need to make changes. In some cases, routes may be consolidated, resulting in more students on buses longer.

Some temporary consolidations made last year may become permanent changes.

School athletic programs pose additional problems as competitions are often scheduled around the same time as school runs. Parents and districts may need to be flexible and willing to adjust their schedules to accommodate longer bus runs and later arrivals, Hipsher said.

Busing companies are hoping to attract job seekers looking for good-paying parttime employment. Hipsher said hourly rates typically run between $18 and $24 an hour.

“It’s a job that can be very flexible. If you’re a stay-at-home mom or stay-athome dad you can bring your kids on the bus with you so you don’t need day care,” Baldwin said. “It’s a great option for retirees because it gives them some extra income.”

It is unclear to what extent a vaccine requirement will impact recruitment efforts or retention of existing drivers. Hipsher could not estimate how many drivers had so far opted not to take the vaccine.

Up until now, busing companies hadn’t asked the question, he said. The task of collecting that information would fall on a staff that’s already stretched thin and did not bode well for their efforts to bolster it, he said.

“This is going to significantly impair retention and hiring efforts for all of us,” Hipsher said.

Con’t from page 09

YNHH Update

When kids return to in-person classrooms this fall, should they be required to wear face masks?

Yes, according to Balcezak. While the majority of children don’t get bad cases of the virus, some have had severe cases of Covid-19. There is currently one 16-year-old with Covid-19 in a YNHH pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Balcezak said. The system has admitted more than 180 Covid patients under the age of 18 since the start of the pandemic.

“It’s not a trifle for children,” Balcezak said. And even kids who don’t get severely ill from Covid are often capable of spreading the disease to others.

Meanwhile, while Covid vaccines have not yet been approved for kids under 12 in the United States, “there is no doubt about the science that masking works,” Balcezak said. He argued that there is no reason to believe there is a downside to wearing masks as a kid. “There’s very little-to-no evidence that masking in kids has any influence on their ability to learn speech patterns… Kids are very adaptable.”

As the fall semester begins, an influx of university students from across the country and the globe are moving back to Connecticut. Will this affect viral spread in the state?

Balcezak said he doesn’t think so.

While Connecticut has a relatively high vaccination rate, “at this point the virus is endemic in the United States,” Balcezak said. “[I don’t think] importing new cases into the state… is going to have a large impact on us.”

Many universities in the state, both public and private, are requiring students to be vaccinated. In some cases, as with UConn, this requirement has been met with resistance. Many schools have also instituted testing regimens and masking requirements for indoor gatherings. Vaccine mandates will be an especially helpful measure in preventing community spread, Balcezak said.

Finally, what can we say about the next few months of the pandemic?

Balcezak’s most optimistic prediction is that if more people get vaccinated and stick to public health guidelines, the virus may fade away.

But realistically, he said, the pandemic will likely continue for a long time. He predicted that over the course of the next year, infection rates will ebb and flow in cycles, oscillating between a handful of hospitalized cases and over a hundred cases.

The worst case scenario, Balcezak added, is that a variant of the virus emerges with a mutation that significantly alters the way Covid should be prevented and treated — which could change the whole game. The likelihood of such a mutation increases as the virus continues to spread and mutate.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - August 25, 2021 - August 31, 2021

Con’t from page 09

itself,” O’Brien told the CMT. “We’re hoping they’re going to identify other pick-up points in Afghanistan other than Kabul, because some of our people are there, and we’re working with the State Department.”

The good news, said O’Brien, is that IRIS has also been overwhelmed with suggestions and possibilities for temporary or permanent housing.

“Our challenge is when a family gets here,” O’Brien said, “we can’t have an apartment set up within 24 hours. So we’re incurring motel expenses.”

Space at IRIS’s 235 Nicoll St.headquarters is tight, O’Brien reported, with not enough room for one-on-one meetings and other gatherings for the influx of new asylum seekers. The library and hospital have offered rooms and meeting space.

New Haven Free Public Library Public Service Administrator Gina Bingham, who was attending the meeting, asked how else New Haveners might help beyond those ideas and cash and lodging.

O’Brien noted that 70 percent of the refugee families arriving are expected to be women with children under 18. She asked for winter clothes and school prep backpacks, as well as help with storage.

Other needs include individuals who might volunteer to help ramp up in-school tutoring when the refugee children begin school in September.

She asked people to go to the IRIS site to sign up to volunteer.

“Most people are coming with just one bag,” she said. “No one saw this coming.”

COVID Vaccine or Weekly Testing Required for State Employees, Teachers

by Hugh McQuaid

State workers and K-12 teachers will need to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus by Sept. 27 or consent to weekly testing requirements under an executive order announced Thursday by Gov. Ned Lamont.

The order will impact teachers and staff at both public and private schools, early childhood staff, executive branch workers, and employees at all state hospitals. The administration said the judicial branch is expected to follow suit and legislative management was considering a similar requirement.

The new policy, announced during an afternoon press conference, allows state workers who do not wish to be vaccinated to seek exemptions either for medical reasons or their religious beliefs.

“Go get vaccinated if you haven’t been vaccinated,” the governor said. “Obviously there’s a religious exemption, there’s a health exemption — a medical exemption as needed and finally, if you’re not confident yet, you can test out. Use one of our testing facilities on a weekly basis and show you’ve been tested. That’s a lousy solution. The best solution is for everybody to get vaccinated. The vaccines work. They’re safe.”

The administration negotiated the requirement with the State Employees

Gov. Ned Lamont

Bargaining Agent Coalition, a group of unions representing state workers. In a statement, SEBAC acknowledged the administration’s authority to issue the order but demanded “effective immediately” to bargain over the requirement’s details and impact.

“SEBAC is a strong advocate of doing all we can to protect the safety of members and the public in these unprecedented times,” the statement said. “We recognize that under state and federal law, the employer has the right to create such mandates, subject to the duty to bargain its impact on employees, and we will continue to fight for safety in the workplace

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and the rights of each and every individual employee.”

Lamont’s order follows similar mandates of public sector workers in other states. California and New York announced COVID vaccination or weekly testing requirements for state employees in July. In Massachusetts, Republican Gov. Charlie Baker announced a similar requirement Thursday morning.

The University of Connecticut said Wednesday it would require the vaccine or testing of its employees at its campuses as well as at UConn Health facilities.

The administration could not estimate how many as-yet unvaccinated state employees the order would impact but expected to have more information soon as the order required workers to provide proof of vaccination. The governor estimated that around 75% of K through 12 teachers had already been vaccinated.

Employees who refuse to be vaccinated or tested will not be permitted at their work sites, Josh Geballe, Lamont’s chief operating officer, said. Resulting discipline will depend on the worker’s contract.

Employees who seek an exemption and opt for the weekly testing alternative may be required to pay for the testing, depending on their health insurance and work contract. At the moment, the state employee health care plan does not cover

asymptomatic testing, meaning workers who opted against vaccination would be on the hook for the cost of testing. However, the administration noted that could change during collective bargaining.

The announcement comes as the moreinfectious delta variant of the virus continues to fuel a surge of new infections along with subsequent hospitalizations and deaths. As of Thursday, the state infection rate was at 3.37% and 344 people were hospitalized with the virus. Over the past week, the state added another 23 COVID-related deaths.

Meanwhile, more than 22,000 people chose to take the first dose of a vaccine during the last seven days. During the press conference, Lamont pointed to statistics showing vaccinated people were less likely to experience severe outcomes as the disease continues to spread throughout the state. As of Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control considered Fairfield, Hartford, Middlesex, New Haven, and New London Counties to be high transmission areas.

“You’re five times more likely to be hospitalized and suffer complications if you’re not vaccinated than if you are vaccinated,” Lamont said. “There are some examples of breakthrough. There are nine people who are vaccinated who are in the ICU but that’s nine out of 2.3 million.

Keep things in perspective.”

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - August 25, 2021 - August 31 , 2021

Celebrating Diversity Daily J O I N T H E T E A M T H AT T R A N S F O R M S L I V E S

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ARTISTS MUSICIANS PERFORMERS & CREATIVES AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN Arts & Culture Funding is Available Apply Online newhavenct.bonfirehub.com Learn more 203.946.7172 The New Haven Department of Arts and Culture is committed to cultural equity and recognizes the importance of access to cultural and artistic activities for all city residents.

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THE INNER-CITY NEWS - August 25, 2021 - August 31, 2021

Family of Congressman John Lewis Continues His Legacy by Fighting for Voting Rights

polls. And we have to do that with even greater numbers the next election because of these laws. So we have to have a big turnout.”

Both brothers and their niece spoke somberly of what they miss most about Congressman Lewis.

For Angela Lewis Warren, it was her uncle’s desire and ability to never leave anyone out of a conversation or a greeting.

“His ability that he had to make you feel like you mattered. I don’t care how crowded a room was or if he was talking to someone else. He could look in your eyes and make you feel like you’re the only thing that mattered at that moment,” Warren recalled.

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

The late Congressman John Lewis, a Democrat, lived every moment of his life doing for others.

And, as the world knows, the Congressman gave every ounce of his time, energy, blood, sweat and tears, in fighting for all Americans to have the right to vote.

Family members of the renowned freedom fighter visited the nation’s capital, hoping to meet with lawmakers to push two crucial pieces of legislation to blunt voter suppression efforts in many Republican-led states.

“When you see something unfair and unjust, you have a moral obligation to do something,” Lewis’ niece, Angela Lewis Warren, told NNPA Newswire.

Lewis Warren joined her uncles, Henry Grant Lewis and Samuel Lewis, on the trip to Washington.

The family said they wanted to continue the Congressman’s legacy by pushing the “For The People Act” and the “John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.” Both pieces of legislation have lingered in an evenly divided Senate, where Democrats like West Virginia’s Joe Manchin have stubbornly refused to consider abolishing or bending filibuster rules to push the bills through.

“By any means necessary, they have got to get those bills passed,” Samuel Lewis, the 8th of 10 children in the Lewis family.

Samuel Lewis, who served for 28 years in the U.S. military, forcefully opined that Democratic leadership should abolish the filibuster if needed to pass critical legislation.

“I think they should,” he stated.

His brother, Henry Grant Lewis, agreed.

“Our dream is to keep the Congressman’s dream and to move his legacy forward,” Grant Lewis, a retired auto indus-

“We knew that we mattered.”

try worker and the 9th of the 10 Lewis siblings asserted.

“That means getting up in the morning, putting on our boots, and catching a plane to Washington. Whatever the case may be.”

Attorney Barbara Arnwine, the president and founder of the Transformative Justice Coalition, joined the family in Washington.

Arnwine, who also serves as co-chair and facilitator of the National Commission for Voter Justice and other voting rights organizations, noted the racist history of the filibuster and agreed that Democrats must act to either abolish it or amend the rules to pass key bills.

“The filibuster is a White supremacist notion,” Arnwine declared, adding that it was created to suppress people of color.

With GOP-controlled states like Georgia, Florida, and Texas, making it difficult for people of color and other underserved

communities to vote, the family believes Congressman Lewis would urge his party to protect what he believed a precious right.

According to the nonprofit Brennan Center, the For The People Act includes automatic voter registration and other steps to modernize U.S. elections.

It includes a federal guarantee of free and fair elections without voter suppression, coupled with a commitment to restore the full protections of the Voting Rights Act; small donor public financing to empower ordinary Americans instead of big donors (at no cost to taxpayers) and other critical campaign finance reforms; an end to partisan gerrymandering; and a much-needed overhaul of federal ethics rules.

Critically, the Act would thwart virtually every vote suppression bill currently pending in the states, Brennan Center officials declared.

“These reforms respond directly to Americans’ desire for real solutions that ensure that each of us can have a voice in the decisions that govern our lives, as evidenced by their passage in many states, often by lopsided bipartisan margins,” officials continued. “They are especially critical for communities of color. Racial justice cannot be fully achieved without a system in which all Americans have the means to advocate for themselves and exercise political power.”

If enacted, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would help protect voters from racial discrimination and vote suppression.

“We are going to keep fighting,” Henry Grant Lewis insisted. “One message that my brother would say is keeping the faith.

Even though these current voter suppression laws have been put in place to deter us from going to the polls, we have to see what’s most important and go to the

Henry Grant Lewis said he misses the intimate conversations with his brother.

“We used to have early morning conversations when I was on my way to work, and he was on his way to work,” Grant Lewis noted. “Then, we’d have late-night conversations, and they were very real and very special. We had this special bond that tied us together, and he was such a family person who loved being with his siblings and talking with his great-nieces and nephews.”

For Samuel Lewis, it’s simply his brother’s presence that he has a longing.

“I was nine years younger, but we also had a bond,” Samuel Lewis recalled. “We loved to go to ballgames together and like my niece stated. “He gave everyone his attention. I recall being at Atlanta Braves baseball games, and I would go to my seat, and sometimes it would be an hour before he would finally come back to his seat because everyone wanted to talk to him. He was really patient with everyone, and it wasn’t fake. He was really genuine.”

U.S. Census reveals majority of Americans identify as multiracial

By J.K. Schmid, Special to the AFRO

The White population of the United States fell for the first time on record, the US Census reports.

Specifically, non-Hispanic Whites have dropped from 63.7%, in 2010, to 57.8% in 2020.

The U.S. Census attributes this drop to a matching fall in White birth rates.

The number of Whites in the U.S. has dropped from 196 million to 191 million. The U.S. Census estimates there are 330 million Americans currently living in the country.

Other demographers claim these numbers are less to do with a decline

in Whites in number, but more to do with an increasing number of Americans declaring a multiracial identity.

Ten percent of Americans now claim two or more racial identities. The new 33.8 million multiracial Americans number is three times the 9 million number in 2010.

49.9 million Americans now identify as other than White, Black, Asian, American Indian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, singularly or in combination.

The census counts 49.6 million Black Americans.

White Americans dropped most acutely among those under the age of 18. There is no majority race among the nation’s youngest Americans.

Forty-seven percent of said Americans report as White.

This was a particularly challenging census, in the courts and on the ground. Census takers had to navigate wildfires and hurricanes at first, only to be confronted with the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020.

The Census remains a powerful political tool. It will serve as the foundation for every state’s redistricting project, whether these districts prove fair or gerrymandered.

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THE INNER-CITY NEWS - August 25, 2021 - August 31 , 2021

FDA Grants Full Approval of Pfizer COVID Vaccine

by Jessica Daniels, BlackDoctor.org

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted full approval for Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine on Monday. The approval is likely crucial for greater vaccine uptake and getting people more comfortable with the idea of getting vaccinated, especially with booster shots on the horizon. As we’ve reported before, despite the misinformation about hesitancy, more and more Blacks are getting vaccinated. The surge of the Delta variant has also played an important role in getting more people vaccinated.

“The FDA’s approval of this vaccine is a milestone as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic,” Acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock says in an agency news release. “While this and other vaccines have met the FDA’s rigorous, scientific standards for emergency use authorization, as the first FDAapproved COVID-19 vaccine, the public can be very confident that this vaccine meets the high standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality the FDA requires of an approved product.”

U.S. health officials hope the decision will trigger more vaccine mandates and boost vaccination rates among Americans

who remain hesitant about immunization, The New York Times reports.

“While millions of people have already safely received COVID-19 vaccines, we recognize that for some, the FDA approval of a vaccine may now instill additional confidence to get vaccinated,” Woodcock says. “Today’s milestone puts us one step closer to altering the course of this pandemic in the U.S.” As students prepare to return to college campuses across the country, some, like Indiana University, already require vaccines for students. But others, like the University of Memphis, will likely only pursue a vaccine mandate when coronavirus vaccines gain full federal approval, the Times reports.

Speaking to CNN on Sunday, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said he thought full FDA approval would definitely have a significant impact on millions of Americans who remain vaccinehesitant.

“This may tip them over toward getting vaccinated,” he says, adding that he expects companies, governors and schools to use the full FDA approval to impose vaccine mandates. “We already know that there are many businesses and universities that have moved toward vaccine re-

quirements.”

About 60% of eligible people in the United States are now fully vaccinated, according to figures from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Three in 10 unvaccinated adults said they would be more likely to get vac-

cinated if one of the vaccines currently authorized for emergency use was to receive full approval from the FDA, according to a June poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

The Pentagon also plans to make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for the

country’s 1.3 million active-duty troops by the middle of next month or when the FDA gives full approval to the vaccine, whichever comes first.

For the 45 percent of unvaccinated Americans who have steadfastly said they will not get the vaccine, full approval will likely prompt new restrictions, including limitations on employment and an increase in health insurance premiums, the Times reports.

Some states and municipalities could follow the lead of New York City, which will soon require at least one vaccine dose for those seeking to enter indoor restaurants, gyms or cultural events.

The FDA updated its authorizations of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines last week to allow third “booster” doses for some immunocompromised people, a decision backed by the CDC. Regulators are still reviewing Moderna’s application for full approval for its vaccine, and a decision could come at least several weeks after the one for Pfizer. Moderna is planning to submit its data in support of a booster shot in September, the Times reports.

FormoreinformationabouttheCOVID-19vaccines,visittheCDC.

Black Woman Succeeds in Getting Having Someone Who’ll Listen May Be Good for Your Aging Brain aging or disease-related changes in the son’s social relationships and feelings of 94% of Alabama Town Vaccinated by Jessica Daniels, BlackDoctor.org ofbrain, study authors explain. loneliness can tell you a lot about a paBlackNews.com

Nationwide — Dorothy Oliver, a Black woman from Panola, Alabama, is getting national attention and receiving high praises for her dedication to helping almost everyone in her small town to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Panola, Alabama, a small rural town that currently has about 400 residents, did not have its own vaccine center and the nearest is 40 miles away. That’s when Oliver, along with county commissioner Drucilla Russ-Jackson, took the initiative to coordinate a pop-up vaccination clinic with the nearest hospital.

“I just felt like I had to do it because the government, nobody does enough in this area,” she said, according to The New Yorker. “This area here is majority Black.

Kind of puts you on the back burner.

That’s just it. I mean, you don’t have to put nothing else with that. That’s just it. I don’t have to elaborate on that one.”

But she didn’t just stop with bringing the vaccine center to the town. As the hospital requires at least 40 people to sign up for vaccination before they could start the vaccination, Oliver did her best to eliminate vaccine hesitancy by personally talking to the residents.

Oliver, who is a retired office administrator and now a local general store owner, dedicated her time to making phone calls

and going door-to-door to convince residents to get vaccinated. If they ever have questions, Oliver would kindly answer.

Her mission in getting many people in her town vaccinated is featured in a short documentary called The Panola Project by Rachael DeCruz and Jeremy S. Levine.

Moreover, Alabama has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country, but Panola has a 94% vaccination rate thanks to Oliver. And she is working on persuading the other residents who haven’t got vaccinated yet.

Blacks are more likely than whites to develop cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s Disease later in life, but a new study suggests a simple conversation may be able to help with that.

Could the constancy of a sympathetic ear help guard your brain against the ravages of aging?

Yes, claims new research that analyzed data on nearly 2,200 American adults and found those in their 40s and 50s who didn’t have someone to listen to them had a mental (“cognitive”) age that was four years older than those who had good listeners in their lives.

“This study adds to growing evidence that people can take steps, either for themselves or the people they care about most, to increase the odds they’ll slow down cognitive aging or prevent the development of symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease — something that is all the more important given that we still don’t have a cure for the disease,” Dr. Joel Salinas, lead researcher and member of the Center for Cognitive Neurology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine in New York City, says.

Having an ear to bend when you need to talk is associated with greater “cognitive resilience,” which is a measure of the brain’s ability to function better than would be expected for the amount

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Many neurologists believe this mental resilience can be improved through brain-stimulating activities, physical exercise and positive social interactions.

“We think of cognitive resilience as a buffer to the effects of brain aging and disease,” Dr. Salinas adds.

The four years’ difference in cognitive age between people with good listeners and those without “can be incredibly precious,” Salinas says.

“Too often, we think about how to protect our brain health when we’re much older, after we’ve already lost a lot of time decades before to build and sustain brain-healthy habits,” Salinas adds. “But today, right now, you can ask yourself if you truly have someone available to listen to you in a supportive way, and ask your loved ones the same. Taking that simple action sets the process in motion for you to ultimately have better odds of long-term brain health and the best quality of life you can have.”

Doctors should also consider asking patients whether they have access to a dependable listener, Salinas suggests.

“Loneliness is one of the many symptoms of depression, and has other health implications for patients,” he explains.

“These kinds of questions about a per-

tient’s broader social circumstances, their future health, and how they’re really doing outside of the clinic.”

Can’t find someone who will listen?

If you are feeling loneliness, depression, anxiety, etc. you should voice this to not only your doctors, but family members and friends so that they can be a source of support for you. However, not everyone has the luxury of having close family or friends to vent to that will listen.

If you are having trouble finding someone that will listen, you can try seeking support from the following people: Neighbor: You can try sparking a conversation with your neighbor. You never know what you may have in common and what type of support they may be able to offer you.

Support group: Support groups provide services in finding qualified adults to those needing a valued listener.

Social apps: Social apps are a great way to make friends despite where you live. You may be able to vent to these friends without judgment.

Remember it is never too late to seek support and get the help you need. Your future self will thank you.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - August 25, 2021 - August 31, 2021

SEPTEMBER 4 & 5 | ARTIDEA.ORG/LaborDay Two nights of FREE outdoor music, dance, storytelling and spoken-word performances LIVE on the New Haven Green.

Celebrate frontline workers and help protect our whole community the best way we can: get vaxxed for FREE at a mobile clinic on the Green, in partnership with the City of New Haven.

Artist: Raheem Nelson Portrait: Lisa Bhairo

TWO PARKS, ONE GREAT PRICE!

2021 Summer/Winter

All-Day Rides & Waterpark Less Than $35

FILM SERIES!

SEE MORE & SAVE.

SUMMER OF SOUL | NR

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2021 | 7:30 PM

Purchase Daily & Season Passes Online quassy.com 2132 Middlebury Road, Middlebury CT

See the entire series (12 movies) for only $48 with the 2021 Atlantic Broadband "Winter in Summer" Cinema Series Pass.

MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM | R

MANK | R

FRI., AUGUST 13, 2021 | 7:30 PM

OSCAR SHORTS - LIVE ACTION | NR

THURS., AUGUST 5, 2021 | 7:30 PM

MINARI | PG-13

THE FATHER | PG-13

WED., AUGUST 18, 2021 | 7:30 PM

ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI | R

FRI., AUGUST 6, 2021 | 7:30 PM

MY OCTOPUS TEACHER | NR

THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7 | R

THURS., AUGUST 19, 2021 | 7:30 PM

IN THE HEIGHTS | PG-13

WED., AUGUST 11, 2021 | 7:30 PM

PALM SPRINGS | R

NOMADLAND | R

IN THE HEIGHTS | PG-13

THURS., AUGUST 12, 2021 | 7:30 PM

FRI., AUGUST 20, 2021 | 7:30 PM

WED., AUGUST 25, 2021 | 7:30 PM

THURS., AUGUST 26, 2021 | 7:30 PM FRI., AUGUST 27, 2021 | 7:30 PM SAT., AUGUST 28, 2021 | 7:30 PM

Co-Sponsors: Linda & Reid MacCluggage, Secor Auto Group, Conway, Londregan, Sheehan & Monaco, PC, Blu-Prints Unlimited, Inc, Dev’s On Main, Simply Healing with Caitlin, and Hall Communications.

1-800-FOR-PARK 17

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - August 25, 2021 - August 31 , 2021

Black Mom & Daughter Duo Make History, Open Apparel Store in One of LA’s Most Luxurious Malls Another triumph is that Katelyn, despite the ongoing pandemic, has managed to recently graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Strategic Communications from California State University, East Bay. Through the years, the two of them — both mom and daughter — have proven themselves to be resilient, tough, and determined to do what it takes to achieve their goals. This ultimately is what makes them perfect business partners in running their new company.

BlackNews.com Nationwide — Meet Lakeisha Jackson and her daughter, Katelyn, who are making history as the first African American mom-daughter duo to open a Blackowned lifestyle athletic leisure apparel store for women at the high-end Topanga Mall in Los Angeles. Their company, SGH Apparel™, is a lifestyle brand dedicated to superwomen who are movers and shakers, risk-takers, and goal-getters.

Their line of athleisure products includes trendy sports bras, leggings, shorts, tshirts, tanks, crop tops, and more for women on the go.

Empowering other women With their accomplishments in life, education, and business, both Lakeisha and Katelyn want to use their SGH Apparel™ brand to help celebrate boldness, confidence, and body positivity that’s needed to keep today’s woman on top of her game whether she’s in the office, running errands, at the gym or heading out for the evening. The She’s Got Hustle woman can walk in her power, and own her day without compromising her style.

Lakeisha comments, “Our designs feature go-to pieces that any woman can slip

A very inspirational story Lakeisha was a 16-year old teenage mom when she became pregnant and gave birth to Katelyn. However, this didn’t stop her from finishing high school, graduating from college, and going on to become a very successful entrepreneur. In addition to the SGH Apparel venture, she is also the CEO of a tech company, a Google supplier, and a government contractor.

into at any given time that represent what any girl wants to present to the world.

Once you step outside of your closet, these bold pieces allow the inner, fierce boss lady to come through.”

All of their products are made from high quality, sweat-wicking, breathable, and absorbent fabric, that hang with the best of the best with their innovative technology material.

Ultimately, the brand’s mission is to establish a network of women who love fashion and enjoy celebrating other women as much as they themselves enjoy being celebrated.

Both Lakeisha and Katelyn invite women globally to embrace their brand and share their stories of hustle-and-drive as they lead their lives.

To learn more about the brand and/or to shop online, visit their official website at SGHApparel.com Also, be sure to visit their store in person at Westfield Topanga Mall, 6600 Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Canoga Park, CA 91303. Their store is located on the first floor.

HBCU Makes Offer to Recruit Teen Basketball Player With One Arm BlackNews.com

Nationwide — Hansel Emmanuel Donato Dominguez, a 17-year old from Florida who is a star basketball player with just one arm, has been offered a full scholarship to play for Tennessee State University, an HBCU in Nashville.

At the age of 6, Emmanuel had his left arm amputated when a wall collapsed on him while he was playing in his native Dominican Republic. His father was able to rescue him but only after 2 hours of being trapped, causing him to lose his arm.

Despite the limitation, Emmanuel pushed through and became a skillful basketball

player. He moved to the United States in 2020 after receiving a scholarship to play basketball at Life Christian Academy school in Kissimmee, Florida.

Most recently, he earned his first Division I offer. He took to his Instagram, “Blessed to receive my first D1 offer from Tennessee State University.”

His parents, especially his father Hansel Salvador Donato who is a former pro basketball player in the Dominican Republic, are proud of him.

“My life fell apart when Hansel’s accident happened. I was the one with him and when they had to amputate his arm, I felt like it was all over. But God grabbed

us and led us down this path,” his father told the Orlando Sentinel. “You remember everything [from the accident] because a blow like this is not forgotten, so quickly regardless of all that he is achieving, thanks to God.” Moreover, Emmanuel is still in the process of learning the English language but said that his teammates had been helpful to him and they “understand each other between shots to the basket.” He said his faith in God also helps him to become successful in what he does.

“It’s not about what I want to achieve or do in life, it’s what God wants from me,” he said.

With the Lowest Death Rate, D.C. Ranks Among Safest States During COVID Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, and Rhode Island are the top 5 – in that order – safest states in America during Covid-19.

Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Hampshire, New York, and New Jersey rounded out the top 10, a new survey revealed.

The survey showed that the District of Columbia had the fewest Covid-related deaths in the nation during the one week from August 11 to August 17.

The personal finance website, WalletHub, compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across five key metrics: rates of COVID-19 transmission,

positive testing, hospitalizations, deaths, and the share of the eligible population getting vaccinated.

The authors of the study wrote that staying safe is one of Americans’ top concerns.

They said, “…safety is also essential for getting the economy back on track, as the lower COVID-19 transmission and deaths are in a state, the fewer restrictions there will be, and the more confidence people will have to shop in person.”

Further, while states have fully reopened, the study authors wrote that getting back to normal means a fully vaccinated population.

As of Thursday, August 19, approximately 51 percent of the American popu-

lation is vaccinated.

The authors spell out that some states are safer than others.

The District of Columbia enjoyed the least overall deaths from Covid, followed

by Vermont, California, Connecticut, and Wisconsin.

Vermont, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Jersey had the highest vaccine rate.

Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Vermont, and Maine enjoyed the lowest positive test rate.

Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, and North Dakota had the lowest hospitalizations.

18

Vermont, California, Connecticut, and Wisconsin followed Washington, D.C., with the lowest death rates.

Southern dates like Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Kentucky, Texas, and Alabama had the most unvaccinated residents, hospitalizations, and deaths.

“Following the guidance provided by public health officials at this point are the best measures to ensure safety, wear a mask, wash your hands, and maintain distance,” stated WalletHub expert James W. Keck, an associate professor of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University.

“Get the vaccine when it is available.

Facilities should be frequently sanitized and well ventilated if occupied,” Professor Keck stated.

“Limit exposure when you can, put up shields in appropriate areas if you must deal with the public. Recovery is not going to be quick even if we get a large part of the population immunized.”

Further, the media “should provide clear information about benefits, risks, knowns, and unknowns,” asserted Andreas Handel, a WalletHub expert and associate professor and associate department head and graduate coordinator in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the College of Public Health – University of Georgia.

INNER-CITYNEWS NEWS- August July 27,25 2016 - August 02, 31, 2016 THE INNER-CITY , 2021 - August 2021

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF DANBURY NOTICE Inspection Services RFP No. P21001

VALENTINA MACRI RENTAL HOUSING PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

SCOPE:

HOME INC, on behalf of Columbus House and the New Haven Housing Authority, The Housing Authority of theforCity of Danbury hereby issues this Request for is accepting pre-applications studio and one-bedroom apartments at this develsecure contract perform HQS Inspections. opmentProposal located atto 108 FrankaStreet, NewtoHaven.

Maximum income limitations apply. Pre-applications will be available from 9AM TO 5PM beginning Monday Ju;y PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL RETURN: (approximately 100) have 25, 2016 and ending when sufficient pre-applications Housing Authority of the CityofofHOME Danbury, 2 Mill Ridge Rd, CT upon 06811rebeen received at the offices INC. Applications willDanbury, be mailied Must be Marked: RFP No.P21001, Services quest byEnvelope calling HOME INC at 203-562-4663 during Inspection those hours.

Completed preapplications must be returned to HOME INC’s offices at 171 Orange Street, Third SUBMITTAL DEADLINE Floor, New Haven, CT 06510.

September 3, 2021 at 10:00am (EST)

NOTICIA

CONTACT PERSON FOR IFB DOCUMENT: Ms. Devin Marra, Director of Procurement,Telephone: 203-744-2500 x1410 VALENTINA MACRI VIVIENDAS ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES DISPONIBLES E-Mail:DE dmarra@hacdct.org [Minority- and/or women-owned businesses are encouraged to respond] 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 !"#$%&'&(")*&+','*"+(,+-('.&(/,)&&)($)&$,),'*"+(/"0)1&1(2"0( máximos.

Las pre-solicitudes estarán disponibles 09 a.m.-5 p.m. comenzando Martes 25 +&&-(3")(2"0)('),*+*+45(,%%("+%*+&6(7.&+(8"*+(01("+(/,#$01('"(4&'( julio, 2016 hasta cuando se han recibido suficientes pre-solicitudes (aproximadamente 100) '.&(.,+-19"+(&:$&)*&+/&(2"0(+&&-(3")(,(10//&1130%(/,)&&)6(;0)*+4( en !"#$%&$'(%)*%+,!'%"-%"./0.1%/1,$.0.23%!"#%40//5 las oficinas de HOME INC. Las pre-solicitudes serán enviadas por correo a petición llamando a HOME INC al 203-562-4663 durante esas horas.Pre-solicitudes deberán remitirse !" #$%$&'$"())"*+$"*$%+",$(-".$$/$/" a las oficinas de HOME INC en 171 Orange Street, tercer piso, New Haven , CT 06510 . !" 0$(-."*+$"1(2&%2"34"*+$"531"63-72"7-3,-(894-38" 0$(-."*+$"1(2&%2"34"*+$"531"63-72"7-3,-(894-38"" +(./2:3."*-(&.&.,"*3"%(87;2")&4$"(./"83-$" +(./2:3."*-(&.&.,"*3"%(87;2")&4$"(./"83-$ !" <./$-2*(./"=3;-"-3)$2"(./"-$273.2&1&)&*&$2" <./$-2*(./"=3;-"-3)$2"(./"-$273.2&1&)&*&$2"" (2"("531"63-72"2*;/$.*" !" 63..$%*">&*+"3*+$-"2*;/$.*2"(./"2*(44" 63..$%*">&*+"3*+$-"2*;/$.*2"(./"2*(44"" >+38"=3;?))"8$$*"3."%(87;2"

242-258 Fairmont Ave 2BR Townhouse, 1.5 BA, 3BR, 1 level , 1BA

https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/?

Keyword=intergovernmental& Loc=&DeptNumber=&OccList=& JobType=&KeywordFullText=0 #EmpDiv1 The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Town of Bloomfield Assistant Assessor Salary $41.82 hourly Deadline to apply 9/2/21 Pre-employment drug testing.

AA/EOE.

The Housing Authority of the City of Bristol (BHA) is accepting bids from qualified firms to perform lead-based paint testing and risk assessment services for the Cambridge Park Development located at Jerome Avenue, Davis Drive, and Quaker Lane, Bristol, Connecticut. Please find attached the Request for Proposal and information on proposal requirements.

The selected consultant shall be responsible for compliance with all federal, state and local statutes and regulations. All services provided shall be consistent with the requirements and guidelines of the HUD Office of Healthy Home and Lead Hazard Control and the State of Connecticut.

Please note that in order for the City to consider your bid to perform a risk assessment for this property, the proposal must include all items listed in the RFP. All submitted reports and documents must meet stated requirements.

Sealed bids must include technical and cost information and be submitted to Mitzy Rowe, CEO by 4:00 PM September 15, 2021 in the BHA Office at 164 Jerome Avenue, Bristol, CT 06010. All questions regarding this Request for Proposals shall be submitted via email only to Carl Johnson, Director of Capital Projects, cjohnson@bristolhousing.org.

BHA is an equal employment opportunity contractor. HUD Section 3 companies, small business, minority owned business, and women owned business enterprises are encouraged to participate.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST

For Details go to www.bloomfieldct.org

FHI Studio is actively seeking an innovative and self-motivated full-time Community Engagement Specialist to work on projects focused on improving the quality of life in communities. As a community engagement specialist, you are vital to engaging communities in developing high-quality, livable communities that support the community's QSR STEEL CORPORATION residents, employees, and visitors. You work on projects that range from major transit, bridge, airport, and related infrastructure projects to neighborhood development plans Invitationtotostreet Bid: activation and community events. You utilize your understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in planning and design to increase the diversity of community 2nd Notice voices. Your attention to detail and event planning experience fosters an engaging and Steel Fabricators, Erectors & Welders collaborative environment for a variety of stakeholders. Excellent time management Top pay for top performers. Health is your Old Saybrook, CTspecialty that is used to be a project team member, provide excellent client Benefits, 401K, Vacation Pay. service, and conduct business development. You gain great enjoyment from engaging (4 Buildings, 17 Units) others in a collaborative process through social media and various virtual and in-person Email Resume: Rose@qsrsteel.com Hartford, Tax Exempt & NotCTPrevailing Wage Rate Project mediums.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Candidates will hold a degree in planning, marketing, sociology, or related field with a minimum three years of experience New Construction, Wood Framed, Housing, Selective of Demolition, Site-work, Cast-in consulting, event organizing, or public relaCandidates will also demonstrate experience in developing and implementing in-place Concrete, Asphalttions.

Shingles, Vinyl Siding, engagement strategies and in social media, targeted publicity, and event planning. If Flooring, Painting, Division 10 Specialties, Residential youAppliances, feel you'll be perfect asCasework, our Community Engagement Specialist, apply now using Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection. our initial 3-minute, mobile-friendly application at https://fhistudio.com/join

SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE

All new apartments, new appliances, new carpet, close to I-91 & I-95 highways, near bus stop & shopping center !"#$%"&'($C/8'($1/0206/1%7)8%(9$"#29%:;8!1,$8"/+'%21(%(91%'<0//'%,.+% Pet&-0/,'*"+('.&2(+&&-(3")(,(10//&1130%(30'0)&,$P)0C$"=1$%7**%($,0.0.2% under 40lb allowed. Interested parties contact Maria @ 860-985-8258 ,)&,1Q$0C/$'&"<&*1$'&"@)?/($:"7$B)0C$0C/$.,+-19"+('),*+*+45('""%15(,+-( '&/.+"%"42('"($0)10&(2"0)(-&1*)&-(/,)&&),$!

CT. Unified Deacon’s Association is pleased to offer a! Deacon’s Certificate %"22/A0$B)0C$*2$*?1)(()"2($A"72(/8"&$0"$?)(A7(($C"B$:"7$A*2$(0*&0$!

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 $125. Classes start Saturday, August 20, 2016 1:30!"#$%"&'($@)&07*88:, 3:30 Contact: Chairman, Deacon Joe J. Davis, M.S., B.S. (203) 996-4517 Host, General Bishop Elijah Davis, D.D. Pastor of Pitts Chapel U.F.W.B. Church 64 Brewster St. New Haven,!"#$%&'(%&)"*+&,+(-./&0(%&'"/%&1#&%2(&/2*34(5 CT

Portland

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

Youth Services Administrator

!"#$%#&'#"($)*(&+,$$EFGGH"DII:5JKL"MNOADP"3-"53163-72Q,3'

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY !"#$%"&'($)($*$+,-,$./'*&01/20$"3$4*#"&$567*8$9''"&072)0:$51'8":/&$;&"<&*1,$=7>)8)*&:$*)?($*2?$(/&@)A/($*&/$*@*)8*#8/$ 7'"2$&/67/(0$0"$)2?)@)?7*8($B)0C$?)(*#)8)0)/(,$D..EDDF$0/8/'C"2/$271#/&$)($GHIIJ$HHKLMNOI,

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 ELM CITY COMMUNITIES Smithfield Gardens Assisted Living Facility, 26 Smith Street Seymour. !"#$%

Request for Proposals

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.

Quality Control Services

Elm City Communities is currently seeking proposals for quality control services. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City Communities’ VenBidding documents are available from the Seymour Housing Authority Ofdor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway fice, 28 on Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 (203) 888-4579. beginning

Monday, July 12, 2021 at 3:00PM.

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

Cambridge Park Lead Based Paint Testing and Risk Assessment Services

APPLY NOW!

NEW HAVEN

!" @&2%3'$-"*+$"-$23;-%$2"('(&)(1)$"" *3"=3;"ABCD

!"#$$#% &$'()*+$#$

The State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management is recruiting for a Manager of Intergovernmental Affairs position.

Request for Proposal

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

full-time position.

Bid Extended, Due Date: August 5, 2016 Go to www.portlandct.

Anticipated Start: August 15, 2016 org for details.

Project documents available via ftp link below:

RED TECHNOLOGIES, LLC (RED)

http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage

is accepting applications/resumes for the following positions DRIVER CDL CLASS A in our Portland, CT location: 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

CDL Drivers – Class A & B Construction Company, 32 Progress Ave, Seymour, CT 06483 Full TimeHaynes – All Shifts AA/EEO EMPLOYER Senior Project Manager – Environmental Division

Top Pay-Full Benefits EOE Please apply in person: 1425 Honeyspot Rd. Ext.Stratford, CT 06615

19

Health & Safety / Compliance Manager Technical Services Representative Diesel Mechanic

Please submit questions/inquiries and resumes to HR@redtechllc.com

THE INNER-CITY NEWS August , 2021 - August , 2021 INNER-CITY NEWS- July 27,25 2016 - August 02, 31 2016

Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming, Inc seeks:

Listing: HVAC Technician

Construction Equipment Mechanic preferably experienced in Reclaiming and Road Milling Equipment. We offer factory Fast paced Petroleum Company is hiring for a full time, CT training on equipment we operate. Location: Bloomfield CT HVAC Technician. License required – S-10,S-2 or S-1. ApWe offer excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits plicant must have experience in oil, propane, natural gas and Contact: Tom Dunay VALENTINA MACRI RENTAL HOUSING PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE A/C. Competitive wage, 401(k), sign on bonus and benefits.

Send resume to: Attn: HR Manager, Confidential, PO Box 388, Phone: 860- 243-2300 HOME INC, on behalf of Columbus House and the New Haven Housing Guilford,Authority, CT 06437.

Email: tom.dunay@garrityasphalt.com is accepting pre-applications for studio and one-bedroom Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to applyapartments at this develAffirmative opment locatedAction/ at 108 Frank New Haven.

Maximum income**An limitations ap- Action/Equal Opportunity Employer** Affirmative EqualStreet, Opportunity Employer ply. 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 reGarrity Asphalt Incduring seeks: CT Fence quest by calling HOMEReclaiming, INC at 203-562-4663 those hours.Large Completed pre- Company looking for an individual for our Reclaimer Operators and Milling Operators with current licensing PVCStreet, Fence Third Production Shop. Experience preferred but will applications must be returned to HOME INC’s offices at 171 Orange and clean driving record, be willing to travel throughout the Northtrain the right person. Must be familiar with carpentry hand Floor, New Haven, CT 06510. east & NY. We offer excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits & 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 poContact: Rick Tousignant Phone: 860- 243-2300 sition. Duties include building fence panels, posts, gates and Email: rick.touMust have a valid CT driver’s license & be able to obtain VALENTINAsignant@garrityasphalt.com MACRI VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDESmore.

DISPONIBLES a Drivers Medical Card. Must be able to pass a physical and Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply drug test. Please email resume to pboucher@atlasoutdoor.com.

Affirmative Action/deEqual Opportunity HOME INC, en nombre la Columbus House y Employer de la New Haven Housing Authority, está AA/EOE-MF 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 Tractor Trailer Driver for Heavy & Highway Construction Equipjulio,Must 2016have hastaacuando se han recibido suficientes pre-solicitudes ment.

CDL License, clean driving record, capable of (aproximadamente 100) en las oficinas HOME INC. Las pre-solicitudes serán enviadas porSeeking correo atopetición operating heavyde equipment; be willing to travel throughout the employ experienced individuals in the labor, foreman, llamando HOME INC alexcellent 203-562-4663 horas.Pre-solicitudes deberánand remitirse Northeast &aNY. We offer hourlydurante rate &esas excellent benefits operator teamster trades for a heavy outside work statewide. a las oficinas de HOME INC en 171 Orange Street, tercer piso, New Haven , CT personal 06510 . transportation and a valid drivers license reReliable

NOTICE

360 MANAGEMENT GROUP COMPANY Request for Proposals Payroll Services including HRMS 360 Management Group Co. is currently seeking proposals for payroll services including HRMS. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from 360 Management Group Co.’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on

PVC FENCE PRODUCTION

NOTICIA

Union Company seeks:

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

Construction

quired. To apply please call (860) 621-1720 or send resume to: Personnel Department, P.O. Box 368, Cheshire, CT06410.

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V

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

We all have

DREAMS.

Drug Free Workforce

Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at 3:00PM.

SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNER/DESIGNER FHI Studio is actively seeking an innovative and self-motivated full-time Senior Environmental Planner/Designer to manage projects in our environmental service line.

As a project manager, you are vital to helping clients meet regulatory requirements and identify and achieve their project goals. You focus on projects that are resilient and adaptable to meet existing and future community needs. Being a highly organized senior environmental planner, you efficiently prepare NEPA, MEPA, CEPA, SEQRA, and CEQR documentation. Excellent time management is your specialty that is used to lead project teams, provide excellent client service, and conduct business development.

You gain great enjoyment from engaging in the community with various meetings, public workshops, and public hearings.

Candidates will hold a degree in urban planning, environmental planning, environmental science, or related field with a minimum of 7 years of experience in environmental consulting or related field. Candidates will also demonstrate experience in leading environmental planning and compliance projects. Our ideal candidate preferably has experience with a variety of stakeholders, presenting public presentations, and can travel for projects. If you feel you’ll be perfect as our Senior Environmental Planner/ Designer, apply now using our initial 3-minute, mobile-friendly application at https:// fhistudio.com/join.

Custodian:

Invitation to Bid:

State of Connecticut 2nd Notice Office of Policy The Town of East Haven is currently seeking qualified applicants to participate in and Management the Civil Service Examination for the position of Custodian. Graduation from High

SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE

Old Saybrook, SchoolCTor 1 year employment in building care and cleaning operations required. The rate pay is $22.23/hour; 40 hours/week.

(4 Buildings, 17 of Units) The State of Connecticut, Office of Account Policy and Management is recruiting Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing WageClerk-Payroll: Rate Project The Town of East Haven is currently accepting applications

to participate in the examination for Account Clerk-Payroll. The current vacancy is in the Finance Department of the Board of Education but this list may be used to fill New Construction, Wood Framed, Housing, Selective Demolition, Site-work, Castother Account Clerk positions within the Town of East Haven. The starting salary is Further information regarding the duties, eligibility requirements and application $54,325/year, 40 hours per week. in-place Concrete, Asphalt Shingles, Vinyl Siding, instructions for this position is available Applications participate Casework, in the examination are available online at www.townofeFlooring, Painting, Appliances,toResidential at: Division 10 Specialties, asthavenct.org/civil-service-commission/pages/job-notices-and-tests<http://www.

Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection. https://www.jobapscloud.com/ townofeasthavenct.org/civil-service-commission/pages/job-notices-and-tests> or the ThisCT/sup/bulpreview.asp?R1= contract is subject to state set-asideCivil and contract compliance requirements.

Service Offi ce, 250 Main Street, East Haven CT and must be returned by Septem210506&R2=1581MP&R3=001 ber 10, 2021. The Town of East Haven is committed to building a workforce of diverse individuals. Minorities, Females, Handicapped and Veterans are encouraged to apply.

The State of Connecticut is an equal for a Policy Development Coordinator position.

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 1:303:30 Contact: Chairman, Deacon Joe J. Davis, M.S., B.S. (203) 996-4517 Host, General Bishop Elijah Davis, D.D. Pastor of Pitts Chapel U.F.W.B. Church 64 Brewster

Let Job Corps help you achieve yours.

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY

St. New Haven, CT

Sealed bids are invited by the Housing Authority of the Town of Seymour Now enrolling! until 3:00 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 Tuition-free at its officecareer at 28training Smith Street, High school diploma programs Seymour, CT 06483 for Concrete Sidewalk Repairs and Replacement at the College credit opportunities Smithfield Gardens Assisted Living Facility,Housing, 26 Smith Street Seymour. meals and medical care provided

A pre-bid conference will be held at the Housing Authority Office 28 Smith For more information, visit jobcorps.gov or call (800) 733-JOBS [5627] Street Seymour, CT at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

New Haven County - Jesselica Rodriguez – Rodriguez.Jesselica@JobCorps.org !"#$%&'(")*+,$*-+#".&/$*0(1,)2*3*4&//2*0(,,&"*5*Conner.Kelly@JobCorps.org Waterbury and Surrounding Areas – Abdul Shabazz – Shabazz.Abdul@JobCorps.org

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

Job Corps is a U.S. Department of Labor Equal Opportunity Employer Program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. TDD/TTY telephone number is (877) 889-5627.

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

Bid Extended, opportunity/affirmative action employer Due Date: August 5, 2016 and strongly encourages theAnticipated applications Start: August 15, 2016 of women, minorities, and persons Project documents available via ftp link below: with disabilities.

THE GLENDOWER GROUP

http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage QSR STEEL CORPORATION Invitation for Bids

APPLY NOW!

Fax or Email Questions & Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 dawnlang@haynesconstruction.com Contractor HCC encourages the participation of all Veteran,General S/W/MBE & Section 3 Certified Businessesfor Valley Street Townhomes Haynes Construction Company, 32 Progress Ave, Seymour, CT 06483 The Glendower Group is currently seeking Bids for a general contractor for Valley Steel Fabricators, Erectors & Welders AA/EEO EMPLOYER Street Townhomes. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from GlenTop pay for top performers. Health dower’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.

Benefits, 401K, Vacation Pay. com/gateway beginning on Email Resume: Rose@qsrsteel.com Hartford, CT AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

20

Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at 3:00PM.

NEWS- July 27,25 2016 - August 02, 2016 THE INNER-CITY INNER-CITY NEWS August , 2021 - August 31, 2021

ELM CITY COMMUNITIES NOTICE

Invitation for Bids

Essex Exterior Envelope and Dwelling Unit Improvements

VALENTINA MACRI RENTAL HOUSING PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

The Housing Authority of the City of New Haven d/b/a Elm City Communities is currently seeking Bids for exterior envelope dwelling unit improvements.

HOME INC, on behalf of Essex Columbus House and theand New Haven Housing Authority, A is complete copy of the requirement mayand beone-bedroom obtained fromapartments Elm City at Communities’ accepting pre-applications for studio this develVendor Collaboration Portal opment located at 108 Frankhttps://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateStreet, New Haven. Maximum income limitations apway on ply.beginning 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 August HOME INC. will be mailied upon reWednesday, 4,Applications 2021 at 3:00PM. quest 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.

LAND USE PLANNER/DESIGNER NOTICIA

FHI Studio is actively seeking an innovative and self-motivated full-time Land Use Planner/Designer to work on projects focused on improving the quality of life in communities. As a land use planner/designer, you are vital to enhancing and building FHI VALENTINA VIVIENDAS DEpractice.

ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES Studio’s land useMACRI planning and design You focus on projectsDISPONIBLES throughout New England that include local streetscape plans, complete streets projects, green infraHOME INC, en nombre de la space Columbus House y deplans la New Haven Housing Authority, está structure, and park and open plans.

Your and designs are innovative and aceptando rich pre-solicitudes para estudios y apartamentos de un dormitorio desarrollo graphically and are focused on implementation.

Your attention en to este detail and unubicado enofla diversity, calle 109 Frank New Haven. Se limitaciones de foster ingresos derstanding equity,Street, and inclusiveness in aplican planning and design an máximos.

Lascollaborative pre-solicitudes estarán disponibles 09 a.m.-5 p.m. comenzando Martestime 25 engaging and environment for a variety of stakeholders.

Excellent julio, 2016 hasta cuando se hanthat recibido suficientes 100) management is your specialty is used to leadpre-solicitudes project teams,(aproximadamente provide excellent clilas oficinas de HOME INC. Las pre-solicitudes por correofor a petición entenservice, and conduct business development.

Youserán gainenviadas great enjoyment creating community engaging others in esas a collaborative process.deberán remitirse llamando aspaces HOMEthrough INC al 203-562-4663 durante horas.Pre-solicitudes Candidates willdehold a degree urban planning/design, landscape architecture, a las oficinas HOME INC enin171 Orange Street, tercer piso, New Haven , CT 06510or. a related field with a minimum of 5 years of experience in consulting, land use planning, zoning, urban design or master planning. Candidates will also demonstrate experience in leading projects and fostering a strong team environment. Our ideal candidate preferably has experience with a variety of stakeholders, presenting public presentations, and can travel for projects. If you feel you'll be perfect as our full-time Land Use Planner/Designer, apply now using our initial 3-minute, mobile-friendly application at https://fhistudio.com/join.

NEW HAVEN

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 Pet under 40lb allowed. Interested parties contact Maria @ 860-985-8258 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 1:303:30 Contact: Chairman, Deacon Joe J. Davis, M.S., B.S. (203) 996-4517 Host, General Bishop Elijah Davis, D.D. Pastor of Pitts Chapel U.F.W.B. Church 64 Brewster St. New Haven, CT

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY 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.

DELIVERY PERSON

NEEDED

Must Have your Own Vehicle If Interested call

Listing: HVAC Technician Fast paced Petroleum Company is hiring for a full time, CT HVAC Technician. License required – S-10,S-2 or S-1. Applicant must have experience in oil, propane, natural gas and A/C. Competitive wage, 401(k), sign on bonus and benefits. Send resume to: Attn: HR Manager, Confidential, PO Box 388, Guilford, CT 06437. **An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer**

Truck Mechanic

Part Time Delivery Needed One/Two Day a Week,

(203) 435-1387 QSR STEEL CORPORATION

APPLY NOW!

Immediate opening for a full time truck mechanic. Commercial truck experience required. Work to be performed on trucks and trailers. Send resume to: Attn: HR Dept, P O Box 388, Guilford, CT 06437. **An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer**

Steel Fabricators, Erectors & Welders Top pay for top performers. Health Benefits, 401K, Vacation Pay.

Asbestos Workers wanted for upcoming year long project in Springfield, MA. Must be licensed in Massachusetts. Please call Greg at 860-214-3122 or send an email with information and certifications to lorena@hazpros.com

Email Resume: Rose@qsrsteel.com Hartford, CT AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

intervention coordinator

Town of Bloomfield

Part-time, 19.5 hours per week. The Town of Wallingford Youth and Social Services Department is seeking a responsible individual to work with youth in the Y&SS Diversion Program. The diversion program provides education, referrals, and support to youths and families on youth risky behavior matters. This position also allows the Salary $32.78 hourly ability to be involved in other youth related programs within Youth and Social SerDeadline to apply 9/9/21 vices when time allows. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in social science, criminal justice, adolescent psychology, social work or a related field plus 3 years’ Pre-employment drug testing. AA/EOE. experience working with youth involved in criminal justice matters, risky behavior, or For Details go to www.bloomfieldct.org case management with youth and families. A combination of education and qualifying experience may substitute on a year-for-year basis. This position requires a valid CT driver’s license. Rate of pay: $18.00 to $21.00 per hour. Apply by August 31, 2021 Invitation to: to Bid: Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main St., Room 2nd Notice #301,Wallingford, CT 06492. (203) 294-2080; Fax: (203) 294-2084. EOE

Assistant Town Clerk

MECHANIC TRACTOR TRAILER SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE

Heavy Cleaner Duties and Responsibilities Full Time, Benefits, Old Saybrook, CT Units) Management Company is looking for qualified Heavy Cleaner.

Top Pay (4 Buildings, 17Fusco

Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage Rate Project experience required and good communication skills.

One year custodial Apply:Pace, 1425 Honeyspot

Rd. Ext., Stratford, CT EOE offices, cell block, hallways, stairways, windows and doors. Will pick up trash New Construction, Wood Framed, Housing,Cleans Selective Demolition, Site-work, Castaround exterior of buildings and maintain cleanliness of restrooms and elevators. Will in-place Concrete, Asphaltchange Shingles, Vinyl Siding, light bulbs and other small maintenance tasks as directed by Building SuperDRIVER CDL Division CLASS A intendent.

Flooring, Painting, 10 Specialties, Appliances, Casework, MayResidential open or close building as needed. Vacuums, spot cleans and shampoos carpets, using commercial type vacuum cleaners and shampooing equipMechanical, Electrical, Plumbing andand Firefurniture Protection. ment.

Makescompliance small repairsrequirements. to bathroom fixtures, may snake drains to remove blockages.

Full Time – All to Shifts This contract is subject state set-aside and contract May order stock. Move furniture, equipment, or fixtures as required. Operates pressure Top Pay-Full Benefits washing equipment as needed. May shovel and remove snow and ice from sidewalks, EOE Please apply person: Bidin Extended, Due Date: August and 5, 2016 entryways, roofs.

Medical15, and dental benefits, 401k. Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action 1425 HoneyspotAnticipated Rd. Ext.Start: August 2016 Employer. Please submit resumes to openjobs.group@fusco.com. Phone calls will not Stratford, Project CT 06615 documents available via ftp link below: be accepted. http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage

Town ofQuestions Bloomfi eld Fax or Email & Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 dawnlang@haynesconstruction.com general contractor Heavy/Highway HCC encourages the participation of all Veteran, S/W/MBE & Section 3 Certified Businesses

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.

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

Part Time Police Dispatcher Haynes Construction Company, 32 Progress Ave, Seymour, is looking to hireCT a 06483 skilled Carpenter with willingness and eagerness to become a Pro-rated Benefits AA/EEO EMPLOYER Carpenter Foreman. Training will be provided. Prefer candidate to be familiar with

$27.80 hourly

Pre-employment physical/drug test required. AA/EOE For more information, please visit www.bloomfieldct.org

21

ConnDOT procedures, bridge, and road construction work. Must communicate effectively with clients, be well organized and safety conscious, and must be able to read plans. This is hands-on field leadership position. Top compensation and benefits are available. Full time position. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourage qualified woman and minorities to apply. Email resume to jobs@rothacontracting.com

THE INNER-CITY August , 2021 - August , 2021 INNER-CITYNEWS NEWS- July 27, 25 2016 - August 02, 31 2016

The Town NOTICE of East Haven

is currently accepting applications for the following positions:

VALENTINA MACRI RENTAL HOUSING PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

Public Safety Dispatcher: $54,953.60/year HOME INC, onPolice behalf of Columbus and the New Haven Housing Authority, OfficerHouse C: $59,025/year

is accepting pre-applications for studio and one-bedroom apartments at this develApply online at www.policeapp.com/ opment located at 108 Frank Street, New Haven. Maximum income limitations apEastHavenCT<http://www.policeapp.com/EastHavenCT>. ply. Pre-applications will be available from 9AM TO 5PM beginning Monday Ju;y 25,Assessor: 2016 and$98,377/ ending year whenFor sufficient pre-applications (approximately 100) have Tax application information please visit https://www. townofeasthavenct.org/civil-service-commission/pages/job-notices-and-tests been received at the offices of HOME INC. Applications will be mailied upon reThe Town East HOME Haven INC is committed to building a workforce of Completed diverse individquest by of calling at 203-562-4663 during those hours. preuals.

Minorities, Handicapped and Veterans to apply. applications mustFemales, be returned to HOME INC’s offices atare 171encouraged Orange Street, Third Floor, New Haven, CT 06510.

ELM CITYNOTICIA COMMUNITIES

Invitation for Bids VALENTINA MACRI VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES DISPONIBLES VDI Equipment

HOME INC, en nombre de la Columbus House y de la New Haven Housing Authority, está aceptando estudios y apartamentos de un dormitorio en este desarrollo The Housingpre-solicitudes Authority of para the City of New Haven d/b/a Elm City Communities is curubicado en laBids callefor 109VDI Frank Street, New Haven. Secopy aplican limitaciones de ingresos rently seeking equipment.

A complete of the requirement may be máximos.

LasElm pre-solicitudes estarán disponibles 09 a.m.-5 p.m.Portal comenzando Martes 25 obtained from City Communities’ Vendor Collaboration https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on 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 horas.Pre-solicitudes Wednesday, June 23,esas 2021 at 3:00PM.deberán remitirse a las oficinas de HOME INC en 171 Orange Street, tercer piso, New Haven , CT 06510 .

ELM CITY COMMUNITIES Request for Proposals

Leadership and Team Building Consulting Services

NEW HAVEN

Elm City Communities is currently seeking proposals for leadership and team building 242-258 Fairmont Ave consulting services. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City Communities’ Vendor Collaboration 2BR Townhouse, 1.5Portal BA,https://newhavenhousing.cobblestone3BR, 1 level , 1BA systems.com/gateway beginning All new apartments, newon appliances, new carpet, close to I-91 & I-95

highways, near bus stop & shopping center Monday, July 26,parties 2021 at 3:00PM. Pet under 40lb allowed. Interested contact Maria @ 860-985-8258

The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport

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 1:303:30 Contact: Chairman, Deacon Joe J. Davis, M.S., B.S. (203) 996-4517 Host, General Bishop Elijah Davis, D.D. Pastor of Pitts Chapel U.F.W.B. Church 64 Brewster

Request for Proposal (RFP) General Counsel Legal Services St. New Haven, CT Solicitation Number: 186-LG-21-S

The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport (HACB) d/b/a Park City Communities (PCC) seeks proposals from attorneys/law firms for the provision of a full cadre of legal services. Respondent(s) must have graduated from an accredited law school and be a Sealedofbids are invited Bar. by the HousingsetAuthority of the Town ofavailable Seymouron member the Connecticut A complete of RFP documents will be July 26,3:00 2021.pm To obtain a copy of the solicitation must send at your bids@ until on Tuesday, August 2, 2016you at its office 28request Smith toStreet, parkcitycommunities.org, reference solicitation number title on the at subject Seymour, CT 06483 forplease Concrete Sidewalk Repairs andand Replacement the line. A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held at PCC’s Administrative Offices at 150 Smithfield Gardens Assisted Living Facility, 26 Smith Street Seymour.

Highland Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06604 on August 10, 2021 @ 10:00 a.m. All interested parties are strongly encouraged to attend the conference. Although not mandatory, all applicants areconference encouragedwill to attend to better the PCC’s requirements under A pre-bid be held at theunderstand Housing Authority Office 28 Smith this RFP.Seymour, AdditionalCT questions should only to bids@parkcitycommunities.

Street at 10:00 am, be on emailed Wednesday, July 20, 2016. org no later than August 17, 2021 @ 3:00 p.m. Answers to all the questions will be posted on PCC’s Website: www.parkcitycommunities.org. Proposals shall be mailed, documents are available Seymour HousingSanchez, Authority OforBidding hand delivered

by August 26, 2021, from at 3:00the p.m. to Ms. Caroline Director office, Procurement, 150 Highland Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06604.

Late proposals will not be 28 Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 (203) 888-4579. accepted.

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY

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

QSR STEEL CORPORATION

APPLY NOW!

Steel Fabricators, Erectors & Welders Top pay for top performers. Health Benefits, 401K, Vacation Pay. Email Resume: Rose@qsrsteel.com Hartford, CT AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

DELIVERY PERSON

NEEDED

Part Time Delivery Needed One/Two Day a Week, Must Have your Own Vehicle If Interested call

(203) 435-1387

Town of Bloomfield Custodian

Control Room Operations/Dispatching The Town of Wallingford Electric Division is seeking qualified candidates for the position of System Operator/Dispatcher for a municipal electric utility serving 25,000 customers. Coordinates electric system switching and places equipment in and out of service during routine and emergency operations. Requires HS diploma/GED with 2 years experience in the operation of Distribution SCADA equipment and/or switchboards used in the distribution of electricity or other qualifying experience in a related field. Experience and training may be substituted on a year for year basis. Must maintain valid system operation certification from Connecticut Valley Exchange (CONVEX) or other approved agency or be able to obtain the same within 90 days of hire.

Must posses and maintain a valid State of CT Driver’s License. $34.63 - $41.15 hourly plus an excellent fringe benefits package to include a defined benefit pension plan. Apply to: Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492. Application materials can be emailed to wlfdhr@wallingfordct.gov. Application forms will be mailed upon request by calling the Department of Human Resources, (203) 294-2080 or may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page. Fax #: (203) 294-2084. Closing date will be September 10, 2021. EOE.

Large CT Fence Company

looking for a full-time individual for our Wood 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. This is an in-shop production position. Duties include mortising & drilling wood posts for fence panels, building fence panels, gates & more. Use of table saws, routers, miter saws, nail guns and other woodworking equipment is required. Some pickup and delivery of materials will be required. Must have a valid CT driver’s license and 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. AA/EOE-MF

$23.40/hourly (benefited)

Pre-employment drug testing. AA/EOE. For Details go to www.bloomfieldct.gov

Invitation to Bid: CITY OF MILFORD 2 Notice nd

Seeking qualified condidates to fill SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE numerous vacancies to include, Old Saybrook, CT Deputy Assessor, Mechanic Buildings, 17 Units) Sewer Line, Public Health (4 Nurse Exempt & Not and more. For Tax information andPrevailing Wage Rate Project detailed application instructions, New Construction, Wood Framed, Housing, Selective Demolition, Site-work, Castvisit www.ci.milford.ct.us Click on SERVICES, JOBS and in-place Concrete, Asphalt Shingles, Vinyl Siding, JOB TITLE. Flooring, Painting, Division 10 Specialties, Appliances, Residential Casework,

Portland

Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection.

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

Bid Extended, Due Date: August 5, 2016 Youth Services Administrator Anticipated Start: August 15, 2016 full-time Project position. documents available via ftp link below: Go http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage to www.portlandct.

org for details.

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

Town of Bloomfield

Assistant Director of IT

Salary $77,655 to $119,861 Deadline to apply 8/24/21 Pre-employment drug testing. AA/EOE. For Details go to www.bloomfieldct.org

22

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - August 25, 2021 - August 31, 2021

FAXON LAW NEW HAVEN ROAD RACE SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 | LABOR DAY

HALF MARATHON | RELAY | 20K | 5K | KIDS FUN RUN USATF 20K National Championship Post-race party on the Green features live music, great food, East Rock Brewing beer, and the ACES Kids Fun Zone!

New Haven kids run FREE in the Kids Fun Run courtesy of Town Fair Tire

WWW.NEWHAVENROADRACE.ORG

23

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - August 25, 2021 - August 31 , 2021

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Equipment, installation, taxes and fees and other applicable charges extra, and subject to change during and after the promo. After promo, regular charges apply. Comcast's service charge for Performance Internet is $80.95/mo. (subject to change). Service limited to a single outlet. May not be combined with other offers. All devices must be returned when service ends. Mobile: Requires residential post-pay Xfinity Internet. Line limitations may apply. For Xfinity Mobile Broadband Disclosures visit: www.xfinity.com/mobile/ policies/broadband-disclosures. Smartphone offer: Requires purchase of new qualifying Moto One 5G Ace phone between 8/5/21 to 8/30/21 or Samsung A42 phone between 8/31/21 to 9/16/21 while supplies last, new Xfinity Mobile line activation, transfer of phone number from another carrier within 30 days of purchase date and Device Payment Plan (“Device Agreement”). Device credits applied monthly to your account over 24 months so long as Device Agreement is in effect. If line is canceled, voluntarily or involuntarily, or device payments are accelerated, balance of credits associated with device payment are forfeited. Not valid with prior purchases, returns or exchanges. May not be combined with other offers. $300 Prepaid Card: Limited to new Xfinity customers who have purchased Xfinity Internet from 8/9/21 thru 9/7/2021. Requires activation of new Xfinity Mobile line and transfer of phone number from another carrier within 30 days of Internet installation. Must maintain the new line with an account in good standing for 90 days following line activation. Visa Prepaid Cards are issued by MetaBank®, National Association, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa® U.S.A. Inc. This card can be used anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Prepaid card mailed to Xfinity account holder within 16-18 weeks of activation of all required services and expires in 180 days. © 2021 Comcast. All rights reserved. NPA237041-0002 NED AAQ3 Converged V11

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