INNER-CITY NEWS by INNER-CITY NEWS

INNER-CITY NEWS July 27, 2016 - August 02, 2016 THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 07, 2020 - October 13, 2020

Kentucky Judge Orders Transcripts Released from Breonna Taylor Grand Jury Financial Justice a Key Focus at 2016 NAACP Convention New Haven, Bridgeport

INNER-CITYNEWS Volume 28 . No. 2409 Volume 21 No. 2194

Malloy Malloy To To Dems: Dems:

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Ignore Ignore“Tough “ToughOn OnCrime” Crime”

Teens Turn Fair Haveners Into Voters

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Snow in July? Dems Mobilize

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Looney, Winfield, and Cabrera.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 07, 2020 - October 13, 2020

Hundreds March To Press SCSU To Carry Out “Social Justice” Mission by MAYA MCFADDEN New Haven I ndependent

Hundreds of Southern Connecticut State University students marched to demand that their school live up to its “social justice” mission — as the campus president joined them and vowed to help make that happen. Faculty and staff joined the students Wednesday evening for the three-hour gathering, which started with a march across campus from the Hilton C. Buley Library to the front of Wilkinson Hall known on campus as the “res life quad.” The protest included a line-up of faculty and student speakers and performances at the center of campus. On the steps of Wilkinson Hall, speakers stepped up to talk systemic racism, the history of police brutality, and white complicity. In front of the microphone were easels holding posters with the names and faces of some national faces lost to police brutality and racial injustice. “We’re here because we’re a social justice institution. Prove the statement right,” said Senior Camryn Arpino-Brown who led organizing for the protest. President Joe Bertolino, who publicly delcared the social justice mission when he took the job, addressed the students with support for their demands after marching alongside them. Bertolino pointed out a sign held up in the crowd of students reading “white silence = white compliance.” “It is time for those of us that are the beneficiaries of white privilege to speak up and to act,” Bertolino said. Faculty and staff joined the protest not only to stand with the students but to learn from them, Bertolino said. “The people that are responsible for your experiences are here tonight. They’re here. They’re here to learn. They’re here to listen. And then the expectation is that they will leave here and act,” he said. Bertolino, who is white, said he is afraid for his son, who is Black, everyday. “None of us are immune from the impact that this has on our community,” he said. “All lives can’t matter until Black lives matter.” Also present was newly named university Vice-President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Diane Ariza. Bertolino promised that he will work to make SCSU be more intentional with how resources are distributed. He agreed to put more resources towards retainment and recruitment of students and faculty/staff of color, campus activism, social justice training, and the school’s curriculum for social-justice minors in the works. Arpino-Brown proposed the idea of the protest after the death of actor Chadwick Boseman in August. “I realized that we all know death and trauma all too well. It’s like we have symptoms of PTSD after being flooded with tragedy constantly on social media and the news,” she said. Arpino-Brown partnered with SCSU’s multicultural organizations and the student government association to plan.

Originally organizers planned to host the protest and vigil separately. Organizers decided on the res life quad because it is the “heart of first-year students” who didn’t get to experience a traditional welcome week this year due to Covid. “We wanted to do this for them. Protesting is what we all are growing up with but especially them,” Arpino-Brown said. The hundreds of students stood behind rows of chairs placed in front of the buildings steps for those with disabilities. “When will you stop carrying your ancestry on your back to preserve it from colonizer?,” said Arpino-Brown. “When will our voices be heard at this school, in life, in the United States, in the entire world? When will our voices be heard? The answer is now.” First-year students Chaadra Moore-Shorey, 19, Cheraynne Martin, 19, and Kiresah Bent, 18 (above) joined the protest because they said they would feel guilty if they hadn’t. “The opportunity came right to us so how could we not step up,” said Bent. “I think everyone should take the extra step to come out and support beyond social media,” said Martin. Two artists from Brooklyn, David “Rufii” Rufus and Quazel “Quality” Trower, were invited to the protest to do spoken-word performances. Rufii’s poem recalled his feelings about the murder of 22-year-old Oscar Grant in 2009 who was killed by law enforcment at the Fruitvale BART Station. After a poem about joining his first protest, Quality performed his song “Shakin” for the audience which clapped and sang along with the performance. After the lineup of speakers and demonstrations, organizers opened the stage to students with personal stories, campus experiences, and feelings for an open mic session. During the open mic, Junior Madison

Alexis brought up intersectionality. “I don’t have time to wait until it’s my brother to die for being Black. But I also don’t have time to wait for one of my Black cousins to die for being gay. I dont have time to wait for people to figure out that all injustices are equal,” she said. Alexis defined intersectionality and discussed its founding by Kimberlé Crenshaw. “If you do think you have the time to wait then I suggest you check your privilege. You are not as monolithic as you think,” Alexis said. “Please remember that Black Lives Matter is more than just signifying the importance of Black lives amid rampant injustice. But Black Lives Matter is a fight against injustice everywhere due to its intersectionality.” Freshman Kira Dawson waited in line for the open mic to share her experince as a Black student with ADHD and Epilepsy. Dawson recalled being yelled at by middle school teachers for no reason. “I knew it was wrong. I felt offended,” she said. A junior Alexsia Udeokoro and alum Katia Bagwell took the stage together during open mic to talk specfically about SCSU’s problems. Udeokoro discussed an instagram page called “Black at Southern” which anonymously shares the stories and experiences of students of color at SCSU. “Why did it have to come to students only feeling comfortable speaking up through an anonymous instagram page?” Bagwell asked. Bagwell graduated this past May. While a student she held many student leadership positions and was president of SCSU’s chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. Bagwell recalled being looked at as a token while a student advocate on campus. Udeokoro and Bagwell took part in the open mic in hopes of directly talking about working on SCSU’s issues. “All white student leaders, I need you to stop looking at that one Black person. That one Spanish person. That one multicultural student in your meetings when you want to address issues that are going on with minorities. Why do you have to look at them? Why do you have to single them out? Why do you not know what going on ar your own campus?” Udeokoro said. The rally finished with a candle-lit vigil. A group of students read off the names and brief stories describing the final moments of 20 people’s unjust deaths. Students in the crowd held up their phone flashlights as the names were read and a moment of silence was taken. Arpino-Brown planned for the event to end with the vigil to leave the crowd thinking about “why we are a part of the movement.” To avoid ending on a sad note Arpino-Brown reminded the remaining crowd to seek out positive stories of Black success. The next steps will be to follow up with the school’s leadership to continue talking and working towards a more equitable institution said Arpino-Brown.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 07, 2020 - October 13, 2020

150 Apartments Planned For Dixwell Lot by THOMAS BREEN

New Haven I ndependent

A local developer plans to build a new five-story apartment complex — with one third of its 150 units at affordable rents — atop a city-owned grassy lot on the Dixwell/Science Park border. That new housing project is detailed in a proposed Development and Land Disposition Agreement (DLDA) and accompanying tax abatement deal that the city’s Livable City Initiative (LCI) submitted to the Board of Alders in mid-September. According to those documents, the city is looking to sell roughly 1.7 acres of publicly-owned land at 291 Ashmun St., 309 Ashmun St., and 178-186 Canal St. for $500,000 to RJDA Ashmun Street LLC. The buyer is a holding company owned by the local firm RJ Development & Advisors LLC, a partnership between Yves-Georges Joseph II and Jason Rudnick. The related tax abatement deal would have the developer make a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) to the city of $400 per year for each of the project’s 50 designated affordable units. That tax abatement deal would not affect how much the developer would have to pay in local property taxes for the remaining 100 units, which the city would assess and tax at market rates. “We are excited to have negotiated a structured proposal for BOA approval that will bring development to a property that has laid dormant for many years and affords the City potentially more than 50 affordable units meeting three tiers of af-

Developer Yves-Georges Joseph II: A “renaissance of investment.”

fordability for New Haven residents,” LCI Executive Director Serena Neal-Sanjurjo wrote to the alders in a Sept. 16 cover letter describing the proposed land deal. Joseph told the Independent Monday afternoon that his company has been pursuing this project for several years, and won a request for proposal (RFP) put out by the city. “All the aspects of the deal are still being discussed,” he said. “We’re excited to be at this point to be able to submit a proposal to the Board of Alders to build a project.” The DLDA and tax agreement are list-

ed as a joint communication on Monday night’s Board of Alders meeting agenda. It next advances to LCI’s Property Acquisition and Disposition Committee, LCI’s Board of Directors, and then to an aldermanic committee for different stages of review and discussion before returning to the full board for a final vote. The planned apartment complex represents just the latest major building project slated for an area of the city that was once home to tens of thousands of factory jobs through long-gone employers like Winchester Arms and Olin Corporation. Over the past two decades, the city, Yale University and various developers like Winstanley Enterprises have built up Science Park as an office and research hub occupied in large part by the university and other academic affiliates. The former Winchester Arms plant is now luxury apartments. A long-vacant former Olin site at 201 Munson St. across the street is slated to become hundreds more largely luxury apartments. Just a few blocks west, local investors and developers including Joseph are planning on converting the Dixwell Plaza shopping canter at the heart of one of New Haven’s historically African American neighborhoods into roughly 150 new apartments, along with a new performing arts center, banquet hall, grocery store, museum, office complex, daycare center, retail storefronts.

State Short Police Supervisors As Trooper Overtime Increases by Christine Stuart Ct. News Junkie

HARTFORD, CT—Gov. Ned Lamont is proposing about $200 million in budget cuts to try to mitigate the budget deficit. The rest of the $2 billion budget deficit may be resolved by using the Rainy Day Fund. However, the administration wants to wait until next year to take any action. Support authentic, locally owned and operated public service journalism! The current deficit of $2 billion is 10% of the projected general fund shortfall. The governor must submit a deficit mitigation plan to the legislature when it reaches 1% of general fund spending. Lamont’s plan mostly uses the Rainy Day Fund to plug most of the hole, but they effort will be helped by $25 million in rescissions across state agencies, $100 million in federal funds from the Coronavirus Relief, and $30 million from hiring restrictions. Office of Policy and Management Secretary Melissa McCaw said she sees no reason for the General Assembly to come in and vote on any of the measures because new revenue projections will be available on Nov. 10 and January 15, 2021. “We all knew the state would have some financial challenges due to the COVID pandemic and the impact on our revenues and our economy,” McCaw said. “The

CHRISTINE STUART / CTNEWSJUNKIE FILE PHOTO

Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner James Rovella

impact thereof, is one that is unprecedented.” She said the state is in “unchartered territory” when it comes to estimating how the shutdown will impact the revenues. “We believe the consensus revenue will be another opportunity to understand the extent of the deficit,” McCaw said. “There’s no time sensitivity that they take

action immediately.” But the wait-and-see approach is not sitting well with Republican lawmakers. “The law is clear that when faced with the current budget problems, the governor must present a true deficit mitigation plan ‘to modify such allotments to the extent necessary to prevent a deficit.’ What the governor’s administration put forward today does not meet that requirement. It is incomplete,” Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano, R-North Haven, said. Fasano said Lamont only used “4% of his rescission authority.” Fasano said by the decision to not issue a true deficit mitigation, “the governor is creating a self-fulfilling prophesy that will put our state in a position where we have to take a significant amount from the Rainy Day Fund.” Fasano added that the deficit could be even greater than $2 billion because it doesn’t yet include the University of Connecticut’s request for additional financial assistance and assumes savings in other areas. McCaw defended the wait-and-see approach. S he said there’s little that’s predictable about COVID-19 and the impact it had on Connecticut’s economy, which is in the third phase of reopening.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 07, 2020 - October 13, 2020

OP-ED | No One Deserves Disease or Death – Including Our President OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE PHOTO BY JOYCE N. BOGHOSIAN VIA WIKIMEDIA / PUBLIC DOMAIN Marine One, carrying President Donald J. Trump, lifts off from the South Lawn of the White House Friday, October 4, 2019, en route the Walter Reed Emergency Landing Zone in Bethesda, Md.

by Jonathan L. Wharton No one should state that someone deserves to contract a disease, especially something like coronavirus. But that’s actually being posted on social media following President Donald Trump’s early Friday morning tweet that he and his wife tested positive for the disease. Before Trump contracted the virus – even before he was president – our nation’s politics had been politically splintered for decades. In fact, it has been nearly a dozen years since Congress’ approval ratings have been anywhere near 30%. This is largely due to hyper-partisanship. It’s no secret that Washington has been a political dystopia and yet I worked as a congressional aide for both parties. So I should be able to offer how our national government should successfully operate. But national politics has so turned me off that I rarely teach or write about it (at least I get to teach and study state and local government, even if few pay attention to Connecticut’s politics). Support authentic, locally owned and operated public service journalism! Our national politics have remained divisive and there’s little doubt that Trump accentuated our hyper-partisanship era as he ran and won the presidency based on our fractious political environment. In fact, we must remember that Trump is a byproduct of our dysfunctional national politics. He has also been at the center of America’s pandemic and he arguably did little to address coronavirus. Various scientific and public health agencies have been caught in the middle of Trump’s conflicting tactics. Many Americans directly blame the president for the public health crisis that we are in. And now with Trump contracting coronavirus, many are hoping the worst for our president. The spiteful comments on social media in respecting a situation like this one are tasteless and unfortunate, but they’re a sign of our political dystopia. Internationally, some political leaders and media outlets have also posted negative comments about the president being a victim to the virus. As a Chinese newspaper editor offered, “Presi-

dent Trump and the first lady have paid the price for his gamble to play down the COVID-19.” Now social media platforms – like Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok – have announced that any posts referencing Trump and “death” would violate their rules and such comments would be removed. Interestingly, the Communications Decency Act allows these companies to set guidelines for what can be posted. But should it take social media platforms and federal laws to prevent such outlandish posts? Have we hit rock bottom to post and wish that someone would contract a disease and die? This is, after all, our president of the United States. As Americans, we should remind ourselves that we elect national leaders like our president and we are the ones to blame for supporting candidates that allow for hyper-partisanship. This is especially important since a larger number of voting-age adults are engaging in politics. Generation Z will not only be voting more but also they have been and will be running for office. We need to be mindful of our tone about politics to a new generation of voters especially during an economic crisis and pandemic. Wishing our president death is not it. We should also allow this to be a learning moment that directly impacts the president, his family, his inner circle, and the White House. Trump may heed this as an opportunity to be more proactive about the pandemic. Maybe he will work more directly with Congress to address various public health initiatives and propose laws dealing with coronavirus. In other words, beyond blaming and attacking Trump, this should be a teachable moment for the president and for us to be united and not remain so bitterly divided that we wish our national leaders would die. Jonathan L. Wharton, Ph.D. is associate professor of political science and urban affairs and the School of Graduate and Professional Studies Interim Associate Dean at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven. He is also a frequent guest on WNPR’s Wheelhouse radio show. DISCLAIMER: The views, opinions, positions, or strategies expressed by the author are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reﬂect the views, opinions, or positions of CTNewsJunkie.com.

Murphy: Trump Covid Poses “Superspreader” Security Crisis by STAFF

John P. Thomas

New Haven I ndependent

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy wished Donald Trump a “speedy recovery” from Covid-19 — and warned the president’s irresponsible behavior in contracting and spreading it may create a “serious national security” threat. The Connecticut Democrat issued those warnings in a statement released Friday hours after the revelation that the president had tested positive for the coronavirus. “There is a real risk that the White House is now a superspreading site, risking the health of anyone who works at or visits the building” and extending to senators and other leaders with whom the president has had recent contact, Murphy stated. He argued that that could pose a vulnerability that the “our adversaries may attempt to exploit.” At the very least, Murphy argued, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell should require senators and staffers to wear masks and get tested. The full text of Murphy’s statement follows: Today, my thoughts are with President Trump, the First Lady, and any other White House staff who have been infected, and I wish them a quick recovery from this insidious, deadly virus. The president’s positive test is a reminder of the consequences of failing to adhere to public health guidelines. We won’t know the exact method by which the president contracted the virus until a full, transparent contact trace is done, but it has been crystal clear for months that Trump, his family, and his staff have been deliberately ignoring CDC advice, putting themselves and anyone they come into contact with at great risk. Trump’s rally in Tulsa, where virtually no one was wearing a mask and attendees were prohibited from social distancing, led to an outbreak of the virus in that city, and former presidential candidate Herman Cain, who attended the rally, contracted the virus shortly thereafter and died. There is a real risk that the White House is now a superspreading site, risking the health of anyone who works at or visits the building. In the Senate, Leader McConnell needs to require immediate tests of every Senator and staff member who has visited the White House over the last two weeks. A large group of Senators were with the president last weekend, when he could have been able to transmit the virus, and this could pose a major threat to the safety of the Capitol complex. Furthermore, Senator McConnell needs to finally move forward with a mandatory mask policy in the Capitol complex and implementation of a regular testing program for all Senators and all Senate staff,

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EMILY HAYES PHOTO Murphy: Recklessness endangers nation. including the Capitol police and cleaning, postal, and food service staff. Failing to do so puts thousands of people at risk as senators continue to conduct business, take meetings, and travel back and forth to their home states. The White House may not be taking this public health threat seriously, but we at least have the responsibility to safeguard the health and safety of the legislative branch of government and the people we interact with. No business should move forward in the Senate until we implement these protocols and have a full understanding of the scope of the White House spread. The president’s diagnosis, and his failure to protect the nation from the pandemic, present a serious national security vulnerability that our adversaries may attempt to exploit. Thus, the United States must monitor threats closely and remain incredibly vigilant in the coming days. America can beat this virus, but only if we all engage in the behaviors that have proven to be effective at stopping transmission. The president has waged a nonstop war on mask wearing and social distancing, which has been the largest contributing factor to the failure of our nation to overcome this pandemic. Until we have a vaccine, and as long as President Trump continues to thumb his nose at public health precautions, America cannot beat COVID-19. But just because he won’t set an example doesn’t mean that the rest of us can’t.

David Asbery / Tanisha Asbery Jerry Craft / Cartoons / Barbara Fair Dr. Tamiko Jackson-McArthur Michelle Turner / Smita Shrestha William Spivey / Kam Williams Rev. Samuel T. Ross-Lee

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THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 07, 2020 - October 13, 2020

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THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 07, 2020 - October 13, 2020

Dems Mobilize For National, State Races by LAURA GLESBY

New Haven I ndependent

Abby Feldman is about to move to Philadelphia for October to knock on doors for Joe Biden — and she’s a little nervous about uprooting her life for a month. But if there was ever an election to temporarily pull up stakes for, this upcoming presidential race is it, she said. “The time is now.” Feldman, a New Haven Rising community organizer who’s no stranger to canvassing, will have the support of a team of fellow UNITE HERE canvassers from New Haven who have been dispatched to campaign for Biden in Florida, Nevada, Arizona, and Pennsylvania — all swing states in the Nov. 3 election. The canvassers will be living in separate accommodations and won’t be sharing vehicles, to be safe during the Covid-19 pandemic. In a rally that merged grassroots activism with party-based political organizing, Feldman and others from UNITE HERE unions (which represent Yale University workers) and local Democratic Party leaders Saturday kicked off a final push of canvassing, phone-banking, and textbanking for Democratic candidates running for offices from the State Senate to the presidency. Ten canvassers present Saturday plan to work in other states this month. Around a hundred people showed up to the event, which took place outside the Democratic Party’s new New Haven headquarters in Dixwell Plaza. They gathered directly across from the forthcoming Q House community center on Dixwell Avenue. “Election Day is the entire month of October,” said Democratic Town Committee Chair Vin Mauro. He urged the crowd to talk to their friends, family, and neighbors to ensure not only that they are planning to vote, but that they have plans to either vote safely in person or navigate the unusual absentee ballot process this season. City Clerk Mike Smart said he has received 11,000 absentee ballot applications. Ballots started to get mailed out on Friday. Smart noted that drop boxes for absentee ballots will be available outside the Hall of Records at 200 Orange St. as an alternative to in-person voting or voting by mail. Smart also advertised part-time job opportunities to assist with the election, noting that his staff is working around the clock. Speakers stressed the high stakes of the presidential election. “It’s about education being on the ballot,” said Mayor Justin Elicker. “It’s about science being on the ballot. It’s about the environment being on the ballot. It’s about healthcare being on the ballot.” New Haven Rising organizer Scott Marks zoomed in on the impact of state and national policy on New Haven neighborhoods.

Canvassers including Feldman (below) at Dixwell HQ kick-off.

“The life expectancy in Newhallville that’s my hood, that’s where I grew up is 11 years lower than the life expectancy in East Rock or Westville. The same racism leaves unemployment higher in our neighborhoods of need, the Black and Brown neighborhoods,” he said. “Folks have been denied the quality of life or access to education. If there was ever a time to step up and talk about a different America, that time is right now.” Marks noted that the unions have sent people door to door for months. “No one has gotten sick,” he said. He gave a quick demonstration of safe canvassing techniques in the time of Covid in a role-playing moment with Edgewood Alder Evette Hamilton. “I want to talk to you about voting, but I can’t talk to you if you’re not wearing a mask,” he explained to Hamilton from six feet away. If the resident refuses to wear a mask, he added to the rally’s crowd, canvassers should politely walk away. The politicians and organizers also rallied for four party-backed candidates for state legislature seats, all of whom are running in contested elections. State Senate President Martin Looney, who is running to represent the 11th district against Republican candidate Jameson White and independent candidate Alex Taubes, highlighted legislative victories under his 27-year tenure including, more recently, the raise to a $15 Connecticut minimum wage. On a national level, he noted President Trump’s suggestion that he may not peacefully transfer power should Joe Biden win the election this November. “The only way to combat that is to work to get as decisive a victory as we can,” he said. State Rep. Al Paolillo, who’s running against Republican candidate Erin Reilly to continue representing the 97th state House district, stressed that political vic-

Shannel Evans’ sweatshirt: “Your voice matters.”

tories are impossible without grassroots organizing. “We do better in this city” because of organizations like New Haven Rising, he said. State Sen. Gary Winfield running for reelection to the 10th District seat against Republican candidate Carlos Alvarado and independent candidate Jason Bartlett. He said is looking to accomplish what others have deemed “impossible.” He cited the police accountability bill he worked to pass in the state legislature this past summer as something that was once dismissed as unachievable. “I’ve encountered people who are like,

‘It doesn’t matter,’” Winfield told the Independent of voting. “There’s some validity to what they actually feel,” he said, noting the voter suppression across the country that has already begun to loom over the November elections. But “there’s a reason they’re trying to take your vote. Don’t give away that power.” Democrat Jorge Cabrera, who is running to represent the 17th State Senate district against incumbent Republican incumbent George Logan, reminded the crowd that he lost his last election to Logan by just 77 votes. He recalled feeling horrified as

Logan voted against measures such as the $15 minimum wage and paid family leave. This past summer, Logan spoke movingly at a Black Lives Matter rally, then led an effort against the police accountability bill that Winfield championed, Cabrera said. “You can’t show me one face in the community and then another one in the Capitol,” he said. Turning to a national legislative election, Local 34 President Laurie Kennington advocated for U.S. Rep Rosa DeLauro, a longtime union ally “who is one of the toughest fighters in Washington,” Kennington said. DeLauro is running for reelection against Republican Margaret Streicker and Green Party candidate Justin Paglino. And Richard Furlow, the majority leader on the Board of Alders representing Westville and Amity, gathered his local legislative colleagues together as he rallied the crowd. “We’ve gotta get more funding into New Haven,” he said — partly by voting for candidates who will bring money to New Haven, and partly by pressuring Yale into employing more residents and paying higher taxes to the city. Downtown/Yale Alder Eli Sabin echoed these words. “I’m here to talk about this number,” he said, pointing to the $157,722,490 that New Haven Rising argues Yale should be paying in taxes to New Haven. Yale University announced a nearly $1 billion increase in its endowment last week, Sabin noted. “Meanwhile, our communities are struggling with a public health crisis and putting food on the table.” After the rally, attendees dispersed to gather lawn signs and begin canvassing in New Haven for Winfield and Cabrera. Joy Rice, who recently founded a day care center called Ross Hill Learning Academy, said she showed up because “we need change.” As a small business owner, she said, she has felt the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic that she believes Donald Trump has mishandled. Parents are scared to send their kids to day care, fearing the virus, she said, and the recession hasn’t helped. “We’re small businesses that sometimes suffer. We are the one who are the core of our community,” she said. Law Student Frankie Hedgebeth, who heard about the event through New Haven Rising and came with two friends, joked that “we were excited about this event because we could leave the house.” It felt good to do something in person that could help towards the election, he added. Newhallville activist Addie Kimbrough worked with Democratic Registrar Shannel Evans at a voter registration table. “Our Black ancestors — they died for this,” she said. “They gave us the right to vote.”

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 07, 2020 - October 13, 2020

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New Housing OK’d After Park Sale Debate by THOMAS BREEN

New Haven I ndependent

City plans to trade Kensington Playground for 15 new affordable apartments won a key aldermanic approval — but not before over a dozen Dwight neighbors gathered in the public greenspace to voice their live-streamed, virtual opposition to replacing urban parkland with housing. That remote protest and local legislative vote both took place Wednesday evening. The in-person meetup was held at the public park on Kensington Street between Chapel Street and Edgewood Avenue. Surrounded by protest signs reading “Hands Off Our Grass” and “Don’t Steal Our Park,” the neighbors gathered around a single Apple laptop perched atop an electrical box to video-call in to a public hearing hosted by the Board of Alders Community Development Committee. The committee’s virtual meeting was broadcast live on Zoom and on YouTube Live. At the end of the nearly three-hour meeting, the committee alders voted unanimously in support of the city selling 17, 21, 25, 29, and 33 Kensington St., which comprise Kensington Playground, for a total of $1 to the Boston-based landlord The Community Builders (TCB). In exchange, TCB has agreed to build 15 new units of affordable housing atop the current park site and limit rents at those new units to tenants earning 60 percent or less of the area median income (AMI). TCB has also agreed to invest $80,000 in improvements at the nearby Day Street Park, and it has promised to make further improvements at a Garden Street green space. To make up for the lost Kensington Street parkland, the city would also as part of this proposed deal create new public parks in Newhallville at vacant, publicly-owned lots at 100-102 Shelton Ave., 16 Thompson St., 24 Thompson St., and 506 Winchester Ave. The proposed land swap, which was approved by the parks commission in August after months of debate, now advances to the full Board of Alders for a final vote later this fall. Land Swap Supporters: $30M Neighborhood Rehab Livable City Initiative (LCI) Executive Director Serena Neal Sanjurjo, who will soon be stepping down after seven years as a City Hall department head, told the alders that the planned land swap represents a key component of TCB’s $30 million Phase 2 redevelopment of the Kensington Square apartment complex. Phase 1 saw the rehab of 120 affordable apartments in the neighborhood back in 2017. Phase 2 will see new kitchens, baths, floors, and exterior improvements put in place at 88 additional Dwight apartments owned by TCB, along with the construction of the 15 new units planned for Kensington Playground. “I understand the concerns,” Neal-Sanjurjo said about neighbors’ protests against

THOMAS BREEN PHOTO Dwight neighbors gather in Kensington Park to testify at virtual hearing against land swap for new apartments (below).

the building up of the Kensington Street parkspace. She said that the proposed deal would double the net amount of greenspace when taking into account the new planned parkland in Newhallville, and would also see improvements made to Day Street and Garden Street parks. “Most importantly, [this deal would] bring on new affordable units for our residents in this city. It has been a long time coming.” Several TCB staffers spoke in support of the proposed deal during the public testimony section of the meeting. The land swap also won the vocal support of Kensington Street daycare owner DeLisa Tolson as well as Board of Alders President and West River/Dwight Alder Tyisha Walker-Myers, who represents the neighborhood. Tolson said she grew up at Edgewood Avenue and Garden Street and spent years living at Orchard Street and Elm Street. She has run the Advanced Childcare Center at 65 Kensington St. for 20 years, and regularly serves between 25 and 40 kids on a daily basis. “In 20 years, we have never, ever, ever used that park,” Tolson said. “That park has never been accessible to the children in this community or at the daycare because it has a lot of goings on.” She said people routinely sleep, do drugs, and sell drugs in the park. She said the greenspace is often littered with dog poop, broken bottles, needles, and drug paraphernalia. “This is not a safe place for kids to play,” she said. “I feel it is a hazard. It’s dangerous. I understand people want to save the grass and the trees. I’m about saving lives.” Walker-Myers said that, as a neighbor-

hood elected representative and leader on the Board of Alders, she is concerned about her constituents who can’t afford rents that run as high as $1,500 for a onebedroom apartment on the Dwight Street and Howe Street side of the neighborhood. Preserving and creating new deeply affordable housing on the Kensington Street side should help working-class residents from being priced out of the neighborhood. “Parks are really important,” she said. “We need greenspace. And health is important. But at this time, we have an opportunity to offer all three of those things. We’re gonna have a greenspace that they’re going to invest in. We’re gonna have affordable housing. And we’re gonna have a much safer and better community, ‘cause we’re all working together.” A majority of those who testified Wednesday night — including the roughly 15 people who gathered in person in Kensington Playground to call in to the virtual meeting — spoke out in strenuous opposition to the deal. A mix of Dwight residents, Kensington residents, and citywide environmental activists, the proposed deal’s opponents cited a number of reasons for not selling off the city park to a private developer — based on environmental sustainability, racial justice, and not concentrating affordable housing exclusively in working-class, Black and brown neighborhoods. That same group had gathered over 180 petition signatures in advance of Wednesday’s meeting of people also in opposition to the land deal. “This is one of the most insane things I’ve ever heard,” said Phillip Bruton before the virtual meeting began. He grew up in the neighborhood, and has spent the past five years living near the corner of Chapel Street and Kensington Street. “This is part

of the community. Leave it alone. This is a piece of happiness.” He said the city would never look to sell and build up a public park in a predominantly white and affluent part of the city, like East Rock or Wooster Square. Neighbors simply wouldn’t stand for it, he said. “I pay taxes,” he said, “and the city’s supposed to clean this park. I demand that this park don’t be touched.” LaQruishia Gill and Nia CampinhaBacote agreed. Both live in the neighborhood. Both visit Kensington Playground every Sunday for outdoor services that their church, Elm City Vineyard, has been hosting during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Campinha-Bacote said the neighborhood shouldn’t be forced to choose between having affordable housing or having a public park. “I think we can do both,” she said. That would just mean finding a different space — ideally, not a public greenspace — to build the new apartments. Gill said that the neighborhood’s residents shouldn’t be punished for the city not maintaining one of its parks. If the park had a working splashpad, a swing set, and routine maintenance from the parks department, then perhaps it would be used more frequently by neighborhood kids. She said her fellow church members pick up trash and help clean up the park during every Sunday visit. Furthermore, Gill said, demolishing a park is not a sustainable solution to addressing crime or drug use in the neighborhood. It will simply push those issues elsewhere. “They shouldn’t do it,” said longtime Kensington Street resident Rosetta Mack. “All the young kids, what are they gonna do? Think about the grandkids. Let it be what it be.”

Joe Elko, who has served as the pastor at Dixwell Avenue’s St. Martin De Porres Church for over 30 years, said the park offers a necessary respite for neighborhood residents looking for peace, quiet, and shade. Plus, its trees pull in carbon and keep the air cool and clean in the otherwise closely-built up neighborhood. “This park is worth saving,” he said. During the actual public testimony section of the meeting, those gathered in the park took turns in front of the laptop, addressing the alders two minutes at a time and listening to fellow members of the public call in and testify from around the city. Dwight resident Jane Comins said that she recently canvassed the neighborhood in her attempts to get a sense of if and how the park is used. She spoke to a family from Antillean Manor that comes to the park during breaks from all-online school, to a Yale New Haven Hospital nurse who walks around the park during his lunch breaks, and to other school-age kids who regularly run and play in the greenspace. “I’m here tonight to tell you with all of my neighbors, we want to tell you that this park is an important asset that we need to keep. That people in the neighborhood use it for potluck dinners, for exercising, for playing. A church group meets here every Sunday. ... This is an asset that needs to be treasured.” Olivia Martson said the same. “It’s not a net gain” for the neighborhood, she said about ditching Kensington Playground for improvements to current parks on Day Street and Garden Street and then adding new greenspace in Newhallville. Look at other lots, she encouraged the alders. And don’t sell off a greenspace with over 25 trees for $1 to a developer that has an iffy reputation in the neighborhood. Yaraliz Dippini grew up in the neighborhood and currently lives in a TCB-owned building immediately adjacent to the park. She said she used to come to the park all the time as a kid with her cousins to run and play in the splashpad. As an adult, she and her family often travel all the way to Criscuolo Park in Fair Haven when they’re looking to enjoy the outdoors on city parkland. That’s because that park has a brand new jungle gym and feels safe to play in, she said. The Kensington Street park next door, meanwhile, has nothing but a broken splashpad and sometimes dangerous and unsavory activity. Dippini said the solution to this issue is not to get rid of the park entirely, but rather to improve it with new amenities and better maintenance. “Why can’t we have a new water park or swings for the kids or little benches and table to do activities?” she asked. “It has its ups and downs,” she said about the park as it currently exists. Getting rid of it entirely struck her as a short-sighted move for a neighborhood that, like any other, needs safe and accessible greenspace. One of the protest’s lead organizers, longCon’t on page 15

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 07, 2020 - October 13, 2020

“Ice The Beef” Teens Turn Fair Haveners Into Voters by COURTNEY LUCIANA New Haven I ndependent

The day after the presidential debate, Mariam Aldarondo ran up to a voter registration table set up at 248 Grand Ave. “I wanted to make sure to register today so that I could pick a different president,” Aldarondo told the organizers from, Ice The Beef’s Latino Caucus and the Young Communist League (YCL). Thirteen other people joined in registering to vote or updating their address in order to receive their absentee ballot Wednesday during the sign-up event. Marcey Jones (pictured), Ward 30 Democratic committee co-chair and Ice The Beef Executive secretary, said that the Latino vote has always been a crucial factor but now is even more so after Trump told white supremacists to stand by on Tuesday night. “If Trump gets another four years, everybody is going down. The Proud Boys decided that they’re going to take what Trump said and use it. They heard the president give them an order to stand by and wait,” Jones said. “I’m working with Black Lives Matter, Ice Da Beef, Citywide Youth Coalition, and 17 organizations in total that are trying to bring peace to this neighborhood. So we have to remember that we’re strong.” Ana González, who works at Albertus Magnus College, was already registered. She expressed her appreciation to residents who signed up. “First of all, as U.S. citizens, it is our civic right to vote. Before us, there were so many brothers and sisters who sacri-

ficed their lives to guarantee the right to vote,” González said. “Voting isn’t just something to do. Voting means taking a stand on what happens in our cities. What happens in our schools. What happens to our future. It is imperative that Latinos and our brothers and sisters of color get out to vote.” Marta Lopez (pictured on the right), mother of three, shared that her past in jail and getting into trouble has made her want to fight for the country’s future. She said that it’s important for members of her community to vote so that the cycle of urban poverty and lack of resources can be fixed. “It’s hard. I got an apartment a year ago. I was homeless. Good and dandy. Now I don’t have money and I can’t get a job because of my record,” Lopez said. “Voting is important for the sake of my kids because we are in an urban city and we get left out.” Jones designed masks and T-shirts printed with the flag of Puerto Rico. They were spread across the voting registration table. Ice The Beef Latino Caucus President Manuel Camacho proudly greeted passing Latino neighbors while trading his black mask in for a Puerto Rican designed one. Camacho called it a misconception that many citizens in minority-majority areas like Fair Haven don’t care about the election. “There’s no better place to be in than right here in the heart of Fair Haven and letting all of the Hispanics and different types of people know that they can vote this year,” Camacho said. “With the 2020

Chaz Carmon (middle) with members of the Ice The Beef’s Latino Caucus.

Presidential Election and with last night’s debate, this is a really highly anticipated election. The stakes are high and there’s a lot at risk. Another four years of this administration could be detrimental to the entire nation.” Kassandra Martel, vice-president of Ice The Beef Latino Caucus, said she is the first American citizen in her family. With most of her family being undocumented, she said, the outcome of the 2020 election is especially important to her. Adding fuel to the fire, Martel will not be of legal age

Red pandas are vegetarian carnivores? Let your curiosity run wild!

Online tickets required: www.beardsleyzoo.org 9

to vote until only a couple of days after the election. “We want the youth to use their voice. We’re the next generation. Our voice is really powerful so we want this to happen. We want to have good lives and we want things to change,” Martel said. “We’re here sitting behind our parents’ shadows because we’re not old enough to vote. But we still have our voices to convince people who to vote for.” Towards the end of the registration, Ice the Beef President Chaz Carmon ap-

peared with two youth members. “We tend to think that our voice doesn’t matter, so why should I vote if it’s not going to matter anyways?,” Carmon said. “Which is a misconception. It does matter, and your vote does count. You should be out here fighting for your community, fighting for what you believe in, and making changes in your community.” Residents can register to vote with Ice The Beef and YCL on Oct. 7 at 222 Grand Ave. and Oct. 12 at 255 Blatchley Ave.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 07, 2020 - October 13, 2020

Restaurants Serve Stimulus Stories For Senate by SAM GURWITT

New Haven I ndependent

Two downtown businesses that have grown accustomed to serving meals to go spent a few minutes Friday serving stories to go that hopefully will reach Mitch McConnell and help businesses like them stay afloat. The messenger will be U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal. The Connecticut Democrat stopped by two Chapel Street staples Friday at 1 p.m. in his mission to help pass another stimulus package through the Senate to help communities deal with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.’ On Thursday, the Democratic-controlled U.S. House of Representatives passed a $2.2 trillion relief bill that includes funding to help small businesses stay afloat. Blumenthal would like to see the Republican-controlled Senate pass the measure as well — and figured Claire’s Corner Copia and the Union League Café might be able to help. “I’m hoping maybe we can do it this week, but the problem is [Senate Majority Leader] Mitch McConnell holds the keys,” Blumenthal told Union League General Manager Romain Turpault, who had asked when new funding might become available. “I’m coming to businesses to I can tell stories that I can tell colleagues, and him, about how great the need is.” Blumenthal chose two downtown restaurants of which he said he has many memories. With two kids studying at Yale, he said, he would often come to Claire’s for brunch. The eggs are a favorite. And the salads. “The salads are terrific. You pick a salad, you can’t go wrong,” he said. As he told Union League staff, he has

fond memories of the restaurant from attending many events there over the years. As much as Blumenthal may need stories from those restaurants to tell his colleagues, they perhaps need his help even more. Claire Criscuolo, the owner of Claire’s, said the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan she received helped her hire back her 23 staff members and reopen the restaurant after its renovation. Another round of funding, she said, would allow her to avoid going into significant debt from Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. She said business is down by about 50 percent, as it is for most restaurants, so she has had to take out loans to stay afloat. “Things are just not at full capacity,” she said. “But because we make everything from scratch, we need a big staff. We make the bread, we make the stocks, the all-natural dyes … As my husband used to say, ‘You don’t know how to do anything the easy way, do you?’” On top of the regular costs of operating, she said, she now has a higher electricity bill because she has to keep air filters running at all times. Then there is the $200 a month she spends on the filters themselves. All the while, traffic on Chapel Street is down, and no one holds meetings in the restaurant anymore, as they used to. She said mornings, which before the pandemic were bustling, are slow now. Without another round of federal aid, it might be tough for Claire’s to continue baking its famous cakes and those hearty, heavenly rolls that pair perfectly with a bowl of soup and a pat of butter, without racking up a hefty debt.

Blumenthal with Criscuolo and Garrett Shaheen of the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce looking at the features of the newly renovated Claire’s dining room.

Down the street at the Union League, staff told Blumenthal about the difficulties they have faced in the pandemic. They stood in an empty dining room filled with 14 empty tables covered in white table cloths. In normal times, that room might be full, but the restaurant has had to close for lunch because there is no business. It is open Tuesday through Saturday for dinner, and on Sunday for brunch. Director of Sales Christina Fitzgerald said that Yale used to bring in an enormous amount of business. In a normal year, the restaurant would book 600 private events.

She said it has hosted five since March 16. In addition to drastically reducing its hours, the restaurant has started serving takeout, an unusual tack for a fine-dining venue that depends so heavily on atmosphere. “It’s not the same,” Chef Guillaume Traversaz said of getting takeout from a finedining restaurant. Union League was denied for an SBA Economic Impact Disaster Loan. Fitzgerald said the restaurant has filed for reconsideration for the loan. When asked what another round of PPP

funding would do for the restaurant, she sighed. “It would allow us to breathe,” she said. She said the restaurant might stop having to track every employee’s shift to the minute to avoid overtime. It might allow it to open another day. It would allow it to increase its inventory. Blumenthal said this round of funding would work similarly to previous rounds, though businesses would have to demonstrate a reduction in revenue. He said the potential new round of funding is timely. “It’s more necessary than ever for restaurants,” he said, standing in Claire’s with a cup of coffee Criscuolo had just handed him. Diners sat at the tables spaced out around the room, and a waitress walked by holding a plate of nachos and a plate with a small pizza. Blumenthal gestured at the tables set up outside the windows on College Street. “Nobody’s going to want to eat out here when it’s 40 degrees.” He said he hopes his Republican colleagues are hearing similar stories from restaurants in their states. Senate Republicans are unlikely to pass the full $2.2 trillion package that made it through the House. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Friday after talks with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin that she is optimistic she can reach a deal with Republicans on a compromise bill. Though Republicans won’t support some parts of the $2.2 trillion package, many support pieces of it, including more aid for small businesses, the Washington Post reported. “If logic prevails, there will be another relief package,” said Blumenthal.

Lamont Administration Offers Deficit Mitigation, But Asks Lawmakers to Wait no reason for the General Assembly to come in and vote on any of the measures because new revenue projections will be available on Nov. 10 and January 15, 2021. “We all knew the state would have some financial challenges due to the COVID pandemic and the impact on our revenues and our economy,” McCaw said. “The impact thereof, is one that is unprecedented.” She said the state is in “unchartered territory” when it comes to estimating how the shutdown will impact the revenues. “We believe the consensus revenue will be another opportunity to understand the extent of the deficit,” McCaw said. “There’s no time sensitivity that they take action immediately.” But the wait-and-see approach is not sitting well with Republican lawmakers. “The law is clear that when faced with the current budget problems, the governor must present a true deficit mitigation plan ‘to modify such allotments to the extent necessary to prevent a deficit.’

by Christine Stuart Ct. News Junkie

CHRISTINE STUART / CTNEWSJUNKIE

Office of Policy and Management Secretary Melissa McCaw

What the governor’s administration put forward today does not meet that requirement. It is incomplete,” Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano, R-North Haven, said. Fasano said Lamont only used “4% of his rescission authority.” Fasano said by the decision to not issue a true deficit mitigation, “the governor is creating a self-fulfilling prophesy that will put our state in a position where we have to take a significant amount from the Rainy Day Fund.” Fasano added that the deficit could be even greater than $2 billion because it doesn’t yet include the University of Connecticut’s request for additional financial assistance and assumes savings in other areas. McCaw defended the wait-and-see approach. She said there’s little that’s predictable about COVID-19 and the impact it had on Connecticut’s economy, which is in the third phase of reopening.

“Black Lives Matter”

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 07, 2020 - October 13, 2020

Temple Street Painted by MAYA MCFADDEN

New Haven I ndependent

A second Black Lives Matter street mural drew in yet another large crowd of New Haveners from all over to help bring the message to life, this time on Temple Street. Volunteers gathered to paint the mural on Saturday. It was the second one in a series of eight total art installments that are being planned for all over New Haven. The collaborators making the projects happen are the City of New Haven Department of Arts and Cultural Affairs, Black Lives Matter New Haven, community organizers, and local artists. As the weather gets colder. Black Lives Matter New Haven member Sy Fraser said, the next project is being planned for 2021. Each mural in the series will have its own New Haven artist vibe. This time around the Downtown mural was designed by three local artist known as Jesse Wolf, Marshun, and Perez. The idea for a public art project emphasizing the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement grew out of a conversation each partner was already having separately before coming together. “This is peace, happiness, and love,” said Fraser. The community work began at 8 a.m Saturday with a layer of black paint for each letter. At first the artists were told they could use only yellow paint. This limitation was later changed to include black and white paint as well. Volunteers registered in advanced and on the spot for a one-hour time block to work alongside the artists. Organizers worked to limit the working crowd to 100 with 10 people assigned to one letter at a time. Both the Newhallville and Temple Street murals were planned at the same time. Originally the plan was to start with the Temple Street mural, then move into the neighborhoods. Then Black Lives Matter co-founders Sun Queen and Ala Ochumare convinced the organizing team to start in the neighborhood they grew up in. As a street artist Perez suggested the mural be designed like graffiti. The team decided to go more simple. To make the design simple for the volunteers helping, the team of artists decided to keep all the letters blocked and empty, except the first letters of each word. Each artist took one of the three letters to design as their own. The artists and organizers gathered on Friday around 11 p.m until nearly 2 a.m. laying down tape for the mural. The group then returned at 6 a.m to prep the paint buckets and other tools needed for volunteers. Perez (whose full name is Carlos Perez) volunteered at the Bassett Street mural in September. During that first mural project, Sun Queen said, she instantly noticed “passion, love, and good vibes” radiating

from Perez, causing her to look him up on social media. After finding his work on Instagram she reached out to him with the idea of a partnership for the Temple Street project. Perez designed the B in “Black” with powerful and postive words like justice, incusion, fairness, and freedom in white paint. “My hope is that when people see those words, they act them out,” he said. After finishing the words on the letter B, Perez added some last-minute light splatters of white paint over the words. Marsh “Marshun” John designed the L in “Lives” with her own positive symbols of the Black community. She started with a symbol of a heartbeat to represent that “we are the source of life,” she said. Then a spread of sunflowers which she recalled always moving in the direction of the sun. “We are the sun,” Marshun said. “We bring the light even in the darkest of moments.” Marshun’s topped her letter off with her signature symbol of a crown. Marshun painted on Saturday with her grandmother in mind. Her grandmother, who passed in 2013, was big on community. “I know this would make her proud. Just look at the community we’ve made here today,” she said. “I feel privileged.” Wolf, who thought up his design for the M of “Matter” Saturday morning, described the project as “dope as fuck.” Inside his letter Wolf painted a hooded Black man with one hand up and the other in a raised fist. Wolf decided on the symbol of the hooded man to represent Black men like himself who can’t wear a hoodie without being racially profiled and stereotyped as dangerous. Wolf recalled being stopped by police in New Haven a month ago while walking to Burger King. Wolf said the police stopped him with their guns drawn on Whalley Avenue while in search of a Black suspect with braids and a red shirt. Wolf, who does not have braids but dreadlocks, said the many ways that night could have played out replayed in his mind while working on his design. “New Haven is no different than these other places, and that’s what people don’t get,” said Fraser. “Police brutality here is just swept under the rug and not televised. And people here don’t pull out there phones like in other places.” During an open mic intermission, community members expressed their support for the movement through dancing and spoken word. After the open mic, Sun Queen took the microphone to show appreciation, love, and support for 22-year-old Stephanie Washington, who joined in on painting the mural. She and partner Paul Witherspoonwere fired at by Yale and Hamden police while unarmed during a traffic stop last year. Washington’s spine was fractured from the 16 rounds fired at the car. “You are me, and I am you,” Sun Queen said to Washington while hugging at the

Black Lives Matter New Haven members.

Sun Queen and Stephanie Washington.

microphone. “We screamed and marched for five days straight for you.” Sun Queen said althought she has wanted to, she didn’t think she would ever get to meet Washington. “She reminded me why i do this. We are more than hashtags,” she said. Sun Queen and Washington exhcnaged numbers to remain in contact. Sun Queen offered her the help of Black Lives Matter New Haven whenever needed. Sun Queen and Ochumare led the crowd in some call-and-response chants like “Justice for Stephanie and Paul,” followed by the chant by Assata Shakur: It is our duty to fight for our freedom / It is our duty to win / We must love each other and support each other / We have nothing to lose but our chains ... University of New Haven (UNH) student Reah Thompson, 21, volunteered with her friends Shania Wauchope, 21 and Kaylib Negron, 24. “This feels like unity,” said Wauchope. Thompson came out to support Black Lives Matter New Haven. Originally from New York, Thompson said, she has been seeking out opportunities like Saturday’s to get to know the community. “As a Black woman, having to explain why my life matters is hard and can be discourging at times,” Thompson said. “There’s blood on these streets,” said Negron of Ugly Radio. The mural does not cover up this blood, but highlights it. “Change and diversity is on its way,” he said. Organizers invited five black-owned vendors to sell their merchandise at the event. Buisnesses included: Alana Ladson Art, Jazz’s Beauty Bar, Saffyre Herbal Butter, Sphinx’s Flowers and Flames, and Top Tier Rolling Accessories. Three voter registration tables were also at each end of Temple Street and at the middle of the gathering. Downtown’s Middle Eastern cafe Havenly Treats donated 50 falafels to the organizers for free distribution to th4 crowd. Around 3:30 p.m the organizers relieved the volunteers of their work, and the artist finished the final touches of the mural together. “This is their protest,” Sun Queen said of the artist. “Change doesn’t always look like a protest or rally.” After the artists finished with the final touches, they began removing the outlining tape. Sun Queen said she hopes for the mural to serve as a reminder to Black New Haveners that they are loved and respected and for the community to know “Black Lives Matter is more than a hashtag.” Organizers are accepting donations to fund the artists and the materials needed for the murals.

Iris Gets An All-Star Census Pitch THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 07, 2020 - October 13, 2020

by RABHYA MEHROTRA New Haven I ndependent

New Haven’s mayor, Connecticut’s lieutenant governor, and one of the state’s U.S. senators were looking for someone exactly like Iris Monday when they went door-knocking in Newhallville. When they first knocked on the door, there was a silence. As Mayor Justin Elicker, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal began to depart, a voice issued from the door: “Who’s there?” The trio urged Iris to fill out the U.S. Census form. The trio were engaged in a final-lap quest to get hard-to-find New Haveners to register with the census so the city and state can get its full share of federal funds over the next decade. “I’m going to be honest with you,” said Iris, who tentatively opened her door. “I don’t fill these things out, because I don’t care.” Iris (who declined to give her last name or be photographed) said she is living with her daughter temporarily. She doesn’t have a home of her own. Iris has tried to get help from the government before. “I’ve been on the housing list since 2007,” she said. “Every time I got close, I got down again. It’s cause they prioritize people with little kids, and all of mine are grown.” “Well, that’s why we’re encouraging people to fill out the census ... ” began Blumenthal. Iris had more to say. “I have cancer,” she said, pointing to her patterned head scarf. “After I started chemo, I thought I’d get help. But I kept on applying for aid and still haven’t gotten any.” Tears of frustration came out as she looked at the three squarely in the face. “I don’t think anyone really cares,” she cried. “People ask me, why do you care about” finding every last person to sign up, said Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz. “Because each person counted brings in another $2,900 a year [in federal funds]. That’s $29,000 over ten years.” “Let’s say a family of four living in that home doesn’t fill out the census,” said Bysiewicz as she pointed to a blue house behind her. “That’s $120,000 lost that could’ve helped New Haven.” Bysiewicz gathered with Elicker, Blumenthal, and members of the New Haven Count Committee on Monday at 10:15 a.m. to set out looking for neighbors who hadn’t yet filled out their forums. The event began by the Black Lives Matter mural on Bassett Street in Newhallville, followed by door-knocking around the neighborhood. Thanks to a court ruling on Friday, the deadline to complete the census has been

Elicker, Bysiewicz, and Blumenthal offer brief remarks before walking around.

RABHYA MEHROTRA PHOTO Elicker leads group around the neighborhood.

Shirley Lawrence, with Iris’ contact:

extended until Oct 31. This means that citizens can still self-respond to the census through the telephone, internet, or mail-in form. “Now they’ve got an extra month to reach undercounted communities,” said Bysiewicz, who has spearheaded the statewide census effort. The extended deadline, however, is still subject to change. “The court’s ruling, granting an extension, is now being appealed by the [Trump] administration,” noted Blumenthal. “Counting could end literally any day, at any moment.” U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has suspended Senate sessions until Oct. 19 in the wake of the spread of Covid-19 among members. This is a problem, Blumenthal argued, because Senate Democrats had proposed legislation to “extend census counting for months to come.” “We could’ve tried to pass this bill and brought clarity,” said Sen. Blumenthal. “Now, it won’t even be considered until the 19th.” He ended with a dire warning: “If you fill out the census now, you’ll get counted. If you wait a day, or a week? Maybe not.” Everyone present, however, agreed that the lack of transparency was not an accident. “The Trump administration is trying to suppress the census count,” said Valencia Goodridge. Goodridge works for the Community Action Agency, one of the 33 organizations that make up New Haven’s Complete Count Committee.

“We’d be kidding ourselves if we said this confusion wasn’t deliberate,” added Elicker. “Frankly, it’s this administration that has undercut trust in the census,” said Blumenthal. “They have explicitly tried to create fear, especially for undocumented people.” With suppressed census efforts, New Haven stands to lose in a very real way. “New Haven is already vulnerable to being undercounted,” said Elicker. The city has a high percentage of undocumented and transient populations (which occur when people have to move for economic necessity). Neighborhoods like Newhallville have higher percentages of people moving in and out, making census counts difficult. “I’m especially concerned because I’ve seen policies come from the head of the Census Bureau that are aimed at dis-investing in urban communities, particularly those of color,” said Bysiewicz. After brief remarks, the three leaders went around the neighborhood. They knocked on doors and approached people walking on the street, handing out flyers and water bottles. Some community members did not approve. “It’s disturbing to me that top officials come to our neighborhood and don’t notify local leaders,” said Shirley Lawrence. Lawrence, a community activist, had heard of the event only moments before when neighbors called to ask about the media crew walking around. Iris’s Priorities Back at Iris’s house, the mayor, senator, and lieutenant governor stood and listened to her story. Bysiewicz gave her a contact card, The mayor got her daughter’s phone number, Then they departed. Lawrence watched the interaction in silence, then asked for a piece of paper. “I’m gonna go give her my information,” she said. “I’m not sure if any of the three will follow up with her.” In a separate interview with the Independent, Iris spoke about her struggles. “I’ve been diagnosed with cancer since 2014,” she said. “I go to get chemo every 21 days. When I get out of chemo, I just want to come to a home that’s my place.” But with her income especially given her health conditions she can’t afford any apartments in New Haven, she said. She said she does not plan to fill out the form. “Filling out the census was probably the last thing on her mind,” added Lawrence. “Why even take the time to do it?” asked Iris. “At the end of the day, it always feels like it’s the minorities who get the short end of the stick. You start giving up, you start not believing, because you see empty promises.”

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 07, 2020 - October 13, 2020

Democrat, Running On Independent Line, Mounts “Equity” Challenge by SAM GURWITT

New Haven I ndependent

A Democrat is taking on a Democrat for one of Hamden’s state legislative seats, but on an independent line — with a focus on her experiences as an immigrant and without taking shots at the incumbent. Weruché George is challenging incumbent Michael D’Agostino as a petitioning candidate for his seat representing the 91st State House of Representatives District. D’Agostino has served in the legislature since 2013. There is no Republican running in the district after Tom Figlar, who planned to seek the seat, dropped out of the race over the summer. George is a Democrat, but did not decide to run in time to get on a primary ballot. Instead, she collected the signatures she needs to get on the Nov. 3 general election ballot as a petitioning candidate without the backing of a party. Standing outside her home one day last week, a campaign sign planted nearby in her lawn, George said she wanted to run because she thinks the legislature needs the voice of someone who has experienced the marginalization and inequality that she hopes to combat. “I was thinking of everything that had played out in 2020, and realized that we do need a stronger voice in this time,” she said of her decision to run. “Mike is a great guy … but I believe I have more of what it takes to address the real issues that affect almost 40 percent of the population of Hamden.” “You have to experience it to understand it and fight it,” she said.

By “it,” she was referring to the massive inequalities in Connecticut, especially the inequities that Black and Brown residents and immigrants face. George knows what it’s like to be an immigrant in Connecticut. She immigrated from Nigeria straight to Hamden in 2005, when she was 28 and a single mother of two kids. She filed for asylum. At first her application was denied. Eventually a judge allowed her to stay, and she became first a resident and then a citizen. Though she has never been undocumented, she said, she knows how it feels to be unsure of one’s status in the country and to be unable to work or take care of oneself. “That informs the work I do today, and now speaks to why I would want to be involved in legislation,” she said. George got a bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree at Quinnipiac University. She just finished a second master’s in human rights at Columbia University in May. In 2015, she started an organization called Weruché Inspires International, which aims to empower women and has taken on a number of projects over the years. A few years ago, George and the organization worked with domestic violence survivors in Kenya. Through the organization, she is currently helping elderly immigrants with their expenses. She is also fundraising to ultimately open a domestic violence shelter in Connecticut. George participated in the 2019 Emerge Connecticut program, which trains Democratic women who want to run for office. She said that the events of 2020 spurred

SAM GURWITT PHOTO

Weruché George.

her to get into politics. For instance, when a young black girl was cast as a slave in a play at West Woods Elementary, George said it showed how much improvement the education system has to do to serve a diverse student body and do justice to histories that have previously been ignored. “Then I found out it’s not enough just to stand on the streets and advocate,” she said. “You have to be able to fix the things that are wrong with the system.” So, she decided to run for office.

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She did not do so until it was too late to try to get on the primary ballot, and she only had one day to collect the signatures she needed to get on the general election ballot as a petitioning candidate. On Aug. 26, the state approved her petition. She did not manage to collect enough donations to qualify for matching public dollars under the citizens’ election program, so she is fundraising on her own. George said she thinks the state should mandate overhauls of school curricula to make them more reflective of the diverse student bodies in many districts in the state. “There’s a definite need for change for the current curriculum,” she said. The state would require that boards of education carry out their own rewrites with state guidance — the state itself would not craft the curriculum. She said her second major priority would be closing the pay gap between men and women. Though wage discrimination is illegal on the books, she said, it still happens. Under current state law, employees can file complaints with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities if they believe their employer is paying them less than their colleagues based on their gender. Still, women make 83 cents to every dollar a man makes in Connecticut, and the gap is much larger for Black women. “They still do it and get away with it,” said George. There has to be a different method of enforcement, a different way that we address it.” She said she does not know exactly what that better form of enforcement would look

like. But she added: “It is something that only a woman can push, because we are the ones dealing with it currently.” George said her third priority area would be improving healthcare for marginalized communities, specifically Black women. The healthcare that Black women receive is often worse than that of other residents. She said the state needs to investigate why that is. “I speak as a person who has been through these things,” she said. “It’s not just about reviewing bills from a distance, but about what you have been through.” She said she is not yet sure exactly how she would propose changing the healthcare system or investigating its problems. “The intention, the ‘what,’ is what’s driving this and then we get to the how eventually.” Fight For State Aid Continues In D’Agostino, George is taking on a formidable opponent with a history of fighting hard for Hamden’s interests in the capital. “As always, I tend to be very Hamden focused,” said D’Agostino. “I want to make sure the town is receiving all the resources and support from the state.” In the last few months, D’Agostino has focused on making sure bonding for the Keefe Community Center and one of Hamden’s fire stations get the governor’s signature. He also fought to unlock about $4 million in unspent bonded funds to fix residents’ foundations that cracked after the Newhall remediation project. He said the next session will likely be dominated by discussions about how to keep the state afloat after the financial hardships Con’t on page 18

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 07, 2020 - October 13, 2020

Wrongful Conviction Expert Launches Foundation to Help Exonerate Innocent Prisoners By BlackNews.com

A historic initiative has been launched on International Wrongful Conviction Day by Timothy T. Williams, an expert on Police Procedure, Use of Force & Wrongful Conviction Los Angeles, CA — It is estimated that 2.3 million people are currently incarcerated in the United States, and approximately 2 – 10% (40,000 – 230,000) are wrongfully convicted. Since a majority of wrongful conviction cases do not have DNA evidence, it can sometimes take years, even decades, to prove the innocence of a wrongfully convicted person. However, such legal personnel cannot afford to work pro bono long-term and most convicted persons seeking exoneration cannot afford legal representation. Per Santa Clara University of Law, some cases can cost more than $2 million and an estimated 5,000 attorney hours or more to win the freedom of a wrongfully convicted person. Launching in October 2020, the Timothy T. Williams, Jr. Foundation for Wrongful Convictions (TTWFWC) is making history by providing attorneys, experts, and criminal investigators with grant funding that embraces their prevailing industry rates to work as teams on state and federal wrongful conviction cases nationwide. In

response to the national crisis of wrongful convictions, TTWFWC sets itself apart by funding the exoneration process from beginning to end. TTWFWC will also provide continuing education and professional development workshops to the next generation of expert witnesses, criminal investigators, and attorneys. Established by Timothy T. Williams, Jr., TTWFWC aims to exonerate at least one wrongfully convicted person by 2025. Mr. Williams is somewhat of a “hidden figure” as an African American national leading expert on police procedure, use of force, and wrongful conviction. Also, as an author and retired Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Senior Detective Supervisor, with more than 46 years of experience working in the criminal justice system, Mr. Williams is the perfect person to launch such a historic endeavor. “I am delighted to support International Wrongful Conviction Day! Moreover, I decided to launch a project that will fund legal teams that include lawyers, experts, and criminal investigators to scale up pro bono efforts that can save lives,” says Williams. Since the debut of his consultancy practice in 2003, T.T. Williams, Jr., Investigations, Inc., Mr. Williams has provided expert testimony in more than 200 cases in Criminal, State and Federal Courts nationwide. Also, he has analyzed over 1,300 cases.

tion for Wrongful Convictions (TTWFWC) Timothy T. Williams, Jr. Foundation for Wrongful Convictions (TTWFWC) is operating as a project of Players Philanthropy Fund, a Maryland charitable trust recognized by IRS as a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (Federal Tax ID: 27-6601178). Contributions to Timothy T. Williams, Jr. Foundation for Wrongful Convictions (TTWFWC) are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Timothy T. Williams, Jr. Most notably, Williams’ expert analysis in the wrongful murder conviction of Kash D. Register helped to lead to the largest reported settlement, at that time, in an individual civil rights case in the history of Los Angeles, totaling $16.7 million in restitution in 2016. The Timothy T. Williams, Jr. Foundation for Wrongful Con-

victions has been endorsed by some of the most recognizable names in law, including Loyola Law School’s Project for the Innocent (LPI) and award-winning trial lawyer Thomas Mesereau. To learn more about TTWFWC, or donate to the organization’s worthy cause, visit www.TTWFWC.org. About the Timothy T. Williams, Jr. Founda-

About International Wrongful Conviction Day International Wrongful Conviction Day is a day to raise awareness of the causes and remedies of wrongful convictions and to recognize the tremendous personal, social, and emotional costs of wrongful convictions for innocent people and their families. Wrongful Conviction Day began as an effort of the Innocence Network, an affiliation of organizations dedicated to providing pro-bono legal and investigative services to individuals seeking to prove innocence of crimes for which they have been convicted, working to redress the causes of wrongful convictions, and supporting the exonerated after they are freed. Friday, October 2, 2020, commemorates the seventh annual International Wrongful Conviction Day.

Wealth gap costs over last two decades: $2.7 trillion in Black income, $16 trillion to U.S. economy By Charlene Crowell, Senior Fellow with the Center for Responsible Lending

America’s persistent racial income and wealth gaps are the result of four intertwined factors: housing, education, business ownership and access to credit. Closing these gaps would facilitate intergenerational wealth creation for Black America and also expand the nation’s economy by $5 trillion over the next five years. These findings come from an extensive report newly-released by a major bank. According to Closing the Racial Inequality Gaps: the Economic Costs of Black Inequality in the U.S., published by Citi Global Perspective and Solutions, centuries of bias and institutionalized segregation have generated grave societal and economic losses that reverberate throughout America. Had these gaps been addressed 20 years ago, the report finds that the nation could have: Generated an additional $13 trillion in business revenue; Created 6.1 million jobs each year if Black entrepreneurs had access to fair and equitable lending; Enabled Black America to earn $2.7 trillion more in income; and Resulted in 770,000 more Black homeowners and boosted the economy by $218 billion. Its foreword, written by Raymond J. McGuire, Citi’s Vice Chairman and Chair of its Global Banking and Capital Markets addresses recent deaths from the pandemic

and from police violence against communities of color. “My two brothers and I were raised in Dayton, Ohio by our single mom and her parents, who had migrated from Georgia to escape the injustice and terror of Jim Crow. They worked tirelessly as janitors, social workers, and leaders at our local church to give us every opportunity.” “Yet even today, with all those credentials and as one of the leading executives on Wall Street,” wrote McGuire, “I am still seen first as a six-foot-four, two-hundredpound Black man wherever I go — even in my own neighborhood. I could have been George Floyd. And my wife and I are constantly aware that our children could have their innocence snatched away from them at any given moment, simply for the per-

ceived threat of their skin color.” McGuire’s forward weaves his personal journey with startling findings of the untold and unmet quest for financial justice that suppresses all of Black America – including how the current public health and economic crisis make this quest much harder to achieve. Last year, 2019, data cited by the report show Black families remained the most likely racial group to be denied a mortgage for home purchase or refinance. Denial rates for Black applicants seeking to refinance their mortgages to a lower interest rate were more than double that of Black applicants seeking to purchase a home. The rate of rejection on home purchase was slightly over 15% and rejections to refinance was 35%.

By comparison, denial rates for White mortgage applicants were respectively 5% and 15% for home purchase and refinance. The higher denial rate for Black families, according to the report, was due to: higher debt-to-income ratios, poor credit histories, and incomplete applications. This finding mirrors an analysis of 2019 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data by the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) that found the share of home purchase loans made to Black and Latino borrowers remained below their population share. Although Blacks comprise 13.4% of the population, they represented 7% of loans. Similarly, Latinos are 18.3% of the total population but received 9.2% of loans. Nationwide, 16 states have a greater than average percent of the total population, and include: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. “Traditional banks in predominately Black neighborhoods, tend to require higher initial opening deposits, and higher minimum balances,” according to the report. “This translates into Black accountholders needing to deposit a higher percentage of their paychecks into accounts to avoid fees or closure.” Further, with many Blacks segmented into lower-paying jobs and professions, the ability to save for a home is also diminished. Citi found that Black workers are overrepresented in occupations frequently paying less than $25 per hour, and under-represented in careers usually paying wages of at

least $40 per hour. Asserting that multiple initiatives will be required to reverse these and other longstanding trends, Citi’s report authors call on government at all levels to share a part in progressive change. For example, Citi’s report calls for the Federal Reserve, the nation’s central bank, to include reducing racial inequity as part of its mission. About the same time as the report’s release, the Fed published its own 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances which showed that Black families, on average, have less than 15 percent of the wealth of White families. Again, all of these metrics occurred before the onset of the current deadly and economically devastating pandemic. Nikitra Bailey, a CRL EVP, notes that the Fed has a key role to play in updating the Community Reinvestment Act, commonly known as CRA. The CRA is a civil rights law designed to address financial opportunity and the legacy of discriminatory lending practices like redlining. This law requires banks to meet the credit needs of the same communities in which they are chartered. “The Federal Reserve should ensure that updated regulations account for the harsh realities of discrimination that still plague today’s financial marketplace,” noted Bailey recently. “CRA was designed to undo the injustices created by the horrific practice of redlining and to expand financial opportunity, equity, and help spur investments in underserved areas.” “Our nation’s most recent reckoning with

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THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 07, 2020 - October 13, 2020 Page on page 08

New Housing

time Dwight resident Patricia Wallace, told the alders that neighborhood top cop Lt. John Healy has successfully pushed his colleagues in the police department and other city workers at parks and LCI to keep the park safe and clean in recent months. The park may have once been neglected, she said, but that has changed and the space continues to be used and improved. “It was cleaned up,” she said. Wallace also noted the flurry of construction that will be taking place in the coming years, particularly at Yale New Haven Hospital’s planned new neuroscience center and parking garages at the nearby St. Raphael’s campus. “There is going to be construction all around,” she said. “This park is a peaceful place,” and the neighborhood needs to hold on to as many such places as it can while other sections get built up. Hours after the sun had set, and after the public testimony section of the meeting was wrapped up, the remaining half-dozen people in Kensington Playground gathered around one of the park’s benches to watch and listen to the committee alders deliberate. Each committee alder praised the neighbors for organizing in advance of the meeting and, as Walker-Myers said, for “wanting to take ownership” of the park. Each ultimately sided with the city in prioritizing the construction of new affordable apartments over keeping the parkland as is. “Yes, the park is an important thing, but we in New Haven have to take the leadership in affordable housing as other suburbs and towns choose not to,” said Morris Cove Alder Sal DeCola. “We are willing to fight for the Black and brown families that need a fair shake. It’s very disappointing that other towns and municipalities do not step up to the plate as we do.” “I would hate to see them lose the park,” said Beaver Hills Alder Jill Marks. But, ultimately, she was swayed by the argument made by the neighborhood daycare center owner. When confronted with a choice of saving grass and trees or saving lives, she will always go with the latter. Dwight Alder Frank Douglass said he had lost many a night of sleep over this issue. “I don’t want to see the park lost,” he said, “but I do believe we are in dire need of affordable housing.” He said he believes it’s more important to go ahead and do this project, considering that TCB has all of the money lined up and so many apartments will be rehabbed in addition to the 15 new ones being built. “I think it’s going to brighten up the whole area,” he said. “It’s gonna hurt me to see the park go, but at this point it’s not doing us any justice. We have great space at Chapel and Day.” There’s even a huge field at Amistad School that’s not being used to its fullest extent, he said. Hopefully that can be opened up to the neighborhood in some way. “I’m really glad to see that people are coming together on this issue. Maybe we should come together more in the future.”

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 07, 2020 - October 13, 2020

IN MEMORIAM:

MLB Great Bob Gibson Dies at 84

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior

Robert Gibson (born Pack Robert Gibson — in his father’s honor — November 9, 1935 – October 2, 2020) played his entire career with the St. Louis Cardinals. Gibson was arguably the greatest African American hurler in baseball history and certainly the greatest pitcher ever to play with the Cardinals. He announced in July 2019 that he had pancreatic cancer and died on October 2 at 84. Ironically, Gibson’s death came 52 years to the day he dominated the Detroit Tigers in Game 1 of the 1968 World Series, striking out a record 17 batters. All but four of those batters went down on “swings and misses.” Over 17 electrifying big-league seasons, Gibson won 251 games, compiled a career 2.91 earned run average and 3,117 strikeouts – not counting the World Series record 17 K’s against the Detroit Tigers in the 1968 Fall Classic. “Bob Gibson quite literally changed the game of baseball. He was a fierce competitor and beloved by Cardinal Nation,” the Cardinals wrote in a message posted on the organization’s official Twitter feed. “We will miss him dearly.” Elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981, Gibson earned a profusion of awards, including two Cy Youngs, two World Series Most Valuable Player trophies, nine Gold Gloves and a league Most Valuable Player award. His best year came in 1968 when the hard-throwing right-hander turned in one of the greatest seasons ever produced from a starting pitcher. Gibson went 22-9,

boasting a surreal 1.12 earned run average (ERA). He recorded 28 complete games and 13 shutouts. Gibson’s performance served as the catalyst for Major League Baseball’s decision to shorten the pitcher’s mound by five inches in height, lowering it from 15 inches to 10 inches. On August 14, 1971, Gibson recorded his only career no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates. During that game Gibson fanned 10 Bucs, leading the Cardinals to an 11-0 victory. “This was the greatest game I’ve pitched anywhere,” Gibson declared at the time. “I didn’t think I’d ever throw a no-hitter.” Born November 9, 1935 in Omaha, Nebraska, Gibson overcame childhood illness to excel in youth sports, particularly basketball and baseball. At Creighton University, he starred on the hardwood and later signed with the Harlem Globetrotters. After briefly playing under contract to both the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team and the St. Louis Cardinals organization (the Cardinals offered him a contract in 1957), Gibson decided to continue playing only baseball professionally. Gibson emerged as a raw, but immensely talented rookie who would not be denied stardom. He became a full-time starting pitcher in July 1961 and earned his first All-Star appearance in 1962. Gibson won two of three games he pitched in the 1964 World Series, then won 20 games in a season for the first time in 1965. Gibson also pitched three complete game victories in the 1967 World Series. He is regarded as one of the most intimidating pitchers to ever take the mound,

Robert Gibson

known for pounding the inside part of the plate and, at times, staring down sluggers who believed he had intentionally brushed them back. “Don’t dig in against Bob Gibson; he’ll knock you down,” Home Run King Hank Aaron reportedly warned Los Angeles Dodgers star Dusty Baker. “He’d knock down his own grandmother if she dared to challenge him. Don’t stare at him, don’t smile at him, don’t talk to him. He doesn’t like it. If you happen to hit a home run, don’t run too slow, don’t run too fast. If you happen to want to celebrate, get in the tunnel first. And if he hits you, don’t charge the mound, because he’s a Gold Glove boxer.”

Before Gibson won his first Cy Young Award in 1968, Dodgers ace Don Newcombe stood as the only Black player to earn such honors. Vida Blue of the Oakland A’s, Ferguson Jenkins of the Chicago Cubs, Dwight Gooden of the New York Mets, CC Sabathia of the Cleveland Indians, and David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays would later join Newcombe and Gibson as African Americans who’ve won the award. Gibson stood with other athletes, like Muhammad Ali, Jackie Robinson, and others who expressed strong support for the civil rights movement. He credited the Cardinals for the team’s diversity and praised them for not forcing Black players to live in segregated housing during the baseball season. After retiring as a player in 1975, Gibson later served as pitching coach for his former teammate Joe Torre. At one time a special instructor coach for the St. Louis Cardinals, Gibson was later selected for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team in 1999. Gibson was the author of the memoir Pitch by Pitch, with Lonnie Wheeler. Gibson’s death came weeks after the death of his former teammate and fellow Hall of Fame member Lou Brock, and one month after another baseball legend and former Gibson rival, Tom Seaver of the New York Mets. “Bob Gibson is the luckiest pitcher I ever saw,” retired Cardinal catcher Tim McCarver once said. “He always pitches when the other team doesn’t score any runs.” Gibson is survived by three children: Anette, Chris and Renee, and his widow, Wendy.

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And now comes yet another planned building project — this one slated for a fenced-in vacant lot bounded by Ashmun Street on the West, Canal Street on the east, and Henry Street on the north, and

Gregory Street on the south. The lot is right across the street from 201 Munson, and adjacent to the Farmington Canal and to 25 Science Park. The proposed DLDA states that no fewer than 50 of the planned 150 new apartments “shall be restricted and provided at various levels of affordability, below prevailing market rate” for no less than 20 years after the completion of the project. Twenty-five of those affordable units shall be restricted to renters earning 80 percent or less of the region’s area median income (AMI), 15 of those units for tenants earning 60 percent or less of the AMI, and 10 units for tenants with Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. It also states that the planned five-story, 150unit complex shall consist of a mix of studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments. “I think the entire city has gone through a renaissance of sorts over the last 10 years,” Joseph said. When he and Rudnick worked for a company called Centerplan, they developed the 160-unit luxury apartment complex at 200 College St. downtown. They also formerly owned and helped find a hotel developer for a vacant parcel on the Rt. 34 West superblock. “The entire city has experienced a renaissance of investment,” he continued. “I think Dixwell/Newhallville has not necessarily seen as much, although there certainly has been some.” As for this planned new apartment project, “We see it as just a natural extension of everything that is going on with the city.” And unlike some of those other more exclusively

market-rate and luxury apartment developments, he said, this planned new project will be “mixed-income” thanks to the affordable set aside.

Kentucky Judge Orders Transcripts Released from Breonna Taylor Grand Jury By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

A defiant Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron maintained his desire to keep secret the recording of the grand jury proceedings in Breonna Taylor’s case despite a judge’s order on Monday, Sept. 28 to release them. Judge Ann Bailey Smith, who presided over the arraignment of former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison, the lone officer indicted on other charges, ruled that the recording and all discovery documents cannot be shared merely between the parties. Smith set Wednesday, Sept. 30, as the day she will release the recordings. The grand jury indicted Hankison on three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment for firing his weapon into apartments adjacent to the one occupied by Taylor. The 26-year-old former EMT worker shot at least a half-dozen times when officers breached her apartment to serve an

Breonna Taylor

erroneous warrant. Releasing the recording instead of the transcript might not satisfy Taylor’s fam-

ily or a grand jury member who filed legal claims demanding the release of recordings, transcripts, and the judge to make a binding declaration that the panel has a right to disclose information about the process. In court papers, the anonymous juror said there are fears that Cameron would attempt to use the court’s powers of contempt in the case of public disclosure. “It is the fear of the Petitioner that Attorney General Cameron would attempt to utilize the court’s contempt powers… if there was a public disclosure that contradicted certain things that he stated happened during the proceedings, characterized the singularity of the decision in a different light, or raised doubts about charges that were presented during the proceedings,” the motion states, according to CNN. The juror argued that Cameron “attempted to make very clear that the grand jury alone made the decision alone on who and what to charge” and that “the only exception to the responsibility he foisted upon the grand jurors was in his statement

that they ‘agreed’ with his team’s investigation that Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and officer Myles Cosgrove were justified in their actions.” “It’s a compelling public interest for these proceedings to be released,” the juror continued in court filings. “The citizens of this Commonwealth have demonstrated their lack of faith in the process and proceedings in this matter and the justice system itself. Using the grand jurors as a shield to deflect accountability and responsibility for these decisions only sow more seeds of doubt in the process while leaving a cold chill down the spines of future grand jurors.” Cameron responded with a statement that declared the grand jury is meant to be a secretive body. “It’s apparent that the public interest, in this case, isn’t going to allow that to happen. As the special prosecutor, our team has an ethical obligation not to release the recording from the Grand Jury proceedings, and we stand by our belief that such a release could compromise the ongoing federal investigation and could have un-

intended consequences such as poisoning the jury pool,” Cameron demurred. The juror noted that public outcry over the police officers’ lack of charges in Taylor’s death had left them afraid and vulnerable. Cameron has subjected the panel to “a level of accountability that is unreasonable and that the legal system has put the grand jurors on an island where they are left to wonder if anyone who finds them will treat them well or hold the pain and anger of the lingering questions against them,” the juror noted. “It is patently unjust for the jurors to be subjected to the level of accountability the Attorney General campaigned for simply because they received a summons to serve their community at a time that adherence to the summons forced them to be involved in a matter that has caused such a palpable divide between sides,” the court filing continued. Finally, the juror noted that they are seeking “only the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 07, 2020 - October 13, 2020

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THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 07, 2020 - October 13, 2020

Republican Connected Tech Firm Targeted Black Voters on Facebook for “Deterrence” By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Contributor

A database built by Cambridge Analytica, the Republican-aligned firm that shut down over allegations of improper use of Facebook data, targeted Black voters for “Deterrence” in profiles prepared for Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign according to reporting by Great Britain’s Channel 4 News. It had already been known that Black voters were focused on disenfranchisement by the Trump campaign and Russian interference. But the new report outlined that 3.5 million Black Americans were profiled specifically in a new digital form of social media-driven voter suppression for ‘deterrence’ by the Trump campaign. What this also reveals is that in 2016 Facebook allowed this to take place. In 2016 many Black voters said that they wanted to stay home on election day. “The ‘Deterrence’ project can be revealed after Channel 4 News obtained the database used by Trump’s digital campaign team – credited with helping deliver his shock victory to become president four years ago. Vast in scale, it contains details on almost 200 million Americans, among more than 5,000 files, which together amass almost 5 terabytes of data – making it one of the biggest leaks in history. It reveals not only the huge amounts of data held on every individual voter, but how

that data was used and manipulated by models and algorithms,” the new investigative report from Channel4 revealed. Over 3.5 million Black Americans were marked for ‘deterrence’. The digital arm of Trump’s 2016 digital team, called ‘Project Alamo’ included a team from the now defunct British company Cambridge Analytica. Two senior directors of the former Cambridge Analytica team are now working on the Trump 2020 campaign for The White House.

Voter suppression has become mainstream policy for the Republican Party in America. Efforts to suppress the vote became mainstream after the election of the first Black President of the United States, Barack Obama, in 2008. Voter suppression efforts that disproportionately target Black voters include requiring certain IDs at the polls, shutting down polling locations in predominantly Black areas and polling hours that make it difficult for working class Americans to participate.

Trump lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by 2.8 million votes. In certain states, such as Wisconsin, the margin was thin. Hillary Clinton won the most votes but lost the electoral college and Trump won four years in the White House. Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist for NNPA and the host of the podcast BURKEFILE. She is also a political strategist as Principal of Win Digital Media LLC. She may be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke

Ed Gordon to Host Medical Roundtables on COVID Vaccines

By BlackNews.com Ed Gordon, veteran television journalist best known for his four decade association with BET, is set to host Making It Plain, a series of roundtable discussions to be streamed live via Facebook Live on the BlackDoctor.org page. Mr. Gordon will be leading a veritable Who’s Who of medical industry professionals as they lend their expertise to deciphering the impending COVID-19 vaccine. The experts will focus on answering some tough questions regarding Black Americans and a potential vaccine. Specifically, will the vaccine be safe and will it be effective for Black Americans don’t participate in clinical trials? The panels begin at 6:30pm EST and end after your questions are answered. This will be the most informative discussion about COVID and the vaccine for Black Americans to date. Set your alerts so you don’t miss this event!

Page on page 08

Democrat

brought on by the pandemic. There will be a significant deficit, and that will mean cutting services. Cuts to state aid and state services disproportionately affect towns like Hamden, which has a very high local property tax rate and a lower-income population than many towns. While some towns can afford to lose aid, Hamden cannot. “We also need to move the conversation to a more equitable taxation system so we’re bringing in the proper revenue from the people who have gotten the most out of what the state has to offer,” he said. While Hamden has a mill rate of 51.98, Greenwich has a mill rate of about 12. D’Agostino said the state needs to flatten those inequities across towns. One way to do that would be to impose a statewide one-mill property tax that would redistribute funds from high-income, low-mill-rate towns to towns like Hamden. D’Agostino said he agrees that school curricula need to change. Mandating changes at the state level, he said, could be complicated. Education in Connecticut is highly localized, which has some benefits and a whole host of drawbacks, he said. He has been a champion of district regionalization in the past, which would help smooth over inequities in school funding across the state. The hyper-local culture of Connecticut’s school system could also make it hard to mandate curriculum changes. Last year, the state did mandate that districts offer courses in African American and Latinx history, he pointed out, so driving change at the state level is possible. But if the legislature were to go further, he said, and try to take over the curriculum, “there would never be the votes for that in the legislature.” Mandating a curriculum rewrite would only scratch the surface, he said. The slave play incident happened in Hamden because teachers do not have adequate training to teach a culturally inclusive curriculum, and there are not enough teachers of color. He suggested creating more incentives to draw teachers to the state, since the pool of teachers of color in Connecticut right now is small. The state could give teachers breaks on mortgages, or on student loans. He said teacher’s school should also be free. D’Agostino pointed to his record of fighting for progressive legislation that has aimed to eliminate the inequities that exist in the state. “I think I’ve shown that I’ve been not only sensitive to these issues, but quite frankly responsive to them, and have done everything I can to address issues of equity and equality and racism both from a matter of criminal justice reform, education reform, economic reform, and other social policies that I’ve dedicated myself to in my time in the legislature,” he said. He said he understands that he does not bring the perspective that George does, but said that does not mean he cannot champion those issues in legislation. “Somebody who’s lived those experiences brings a unique perspective, but that doesn’t preclude others from being fierce advocates for those issues regardless of their background.”

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October , 2020 - October 13, 2020 INNER-CITY NEWS July 27,07 2016 - August 02, 2016

Attention!!!!!

APPLICATIONS NOTICEWILL BE ACCEPTED! Quinnipiac Terrace Apartments will be accepting applications for VALENTINA MACRI RENTAL HOUSING PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE placement on our wait list beginning: October 15th through HOME INC, on behalf of Columbus House andOctober the New 31st Haven Housing Authority,

(All applications must beforreceived postmarked by October is accepting pre-applications studio andor one-bedroom apartments at this31st) development located at 108 Frank Street, New Haven. Maximum income limitations apRents will be based on of income, the5PM following income guideply. Pre-applications will30% be available from using 9AM TO beginning Monday Ju;y 25, 2016 and ending when sufficient pre-applications (approximately 100) have lines: been received at the offices of HOME INC. Applications will be mailied upon request by calling HOME INC at 203-562-4663 during those hours. Completed preHousehold Size 1: Maximum Income: $42,420 applications must be returned to HOME INC’s offices at 171 Orange Street, Third Household Size 2: Maximum Income: $48,480 Floor, New Haven, CT 06510.

Household Size 3: Maximum Income: $54,540 Household Size 4: Maximum $60,540 NOTICIAIncome: Household Size 5: Maximum Income: $65,400 VALENTINA MACRI VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES DISPONIBLES Household Size 6: Maximum Income: $70,260 Household Size 7: Maximum Income: $75,120 HOME INC, en nombre de la Columbus House y de la New Haven Housing Authority, está Household Size 8: Maximum Income: $79,920 aceptando pre-solicitudes para estudios y apartamentos de un dormitorio en este desarrollo

ubicado en la calle 109 Frank Street, New Haven. Se aplican limitaciones de ingresos máximos. Las pre-solicitudes estarán disponibles 09 a.m.-5 p.m. comenzando Martes 25 julio, 2016 hasta cuando se han recibido suficientes (aproximadamente 100) Applications will be pre-solicitudes available at: en las oficinas de HOME INC. Las pre-solicitudes serán enviadas por correo a petición Quinnipiac Terrace Lobby llamando a HOME INC al 203-562-4663 durante esas horas.Pre-solicitudes deberán remitirse 2 John Drive a las oficinas de HOME INC en 171Williamson Orange Street, tercer piso, New Haven , CT 06510 .

New Haven, CT 06513

Due to COVID restrictions, applications will be picked up in the Quinnipiac Terrace Community Building Lobby using social distancing methods and in accordance with the CT state mask mandate. Due to current COVID procedures, staff will not be available to answer waitlist questions upon pick up. Please refer to post for info. 242-258 Fairmont Ave

NEW HAVEN

1.5AllBA, 3BR, 1will level , 1BA for the Inquiry by2BR phoneTownhouse, call not necessary. applications be processed Allatnew new appliances, newOffice carpet,and close I-91 I-95 in wait list the apartments, Quinnipiac Terrace Management youtowill be&notified writing of your placement onnear the wait list. Placement be based on the bedhighways, bus stop & shoppingwill center room size and date and time submitted. more than once or Pet you underrequest 40lb allowed. Interested parties contactApplying Maria @ 860-985-8258 for more than one bedroom size will automatically disqualify your household. Apply only for what you need. 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

Quinnipiac staff operates of Fair Law.20,No excepin response toTerrace the Church’s Ministry needs.under The costmandate is $125. Classes start Housing Saturday, August 2016 1:303:30 Contact: Joe J. Davis, M.S., tions will beChairman, made toDeacon the above rules ofB.S. applying for housing. (203) 996-4517 Host, General Bishop Elijah Davis, D.D. Pastor of Pitts Chapel U.F.W.B. Church 64 Brewster If you require a reasonable accommodation or are unable to pickup/return an St. New Haven, CT application at the above location due to a disability, please contact us at (203)7730000. We will be happy to provide any needed assistance.

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY

ELMbyCITY COMMUNITIES Sealed bids are invited the Housing Authority of the Town of Seymour until 3:00 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 its office at 28 Smith Street, Invitation forat Bids Seymour, CT 06483 for Concrete Sidewalk Repairs and Replacement at the Scattered East26and WestSmithfield Gardens AssistedSites Living Facility, Smith Street Seymour.

Furnace & Hot Water Conversion/ Replacement The Housing Authority of the City at of the New Haven d/b/a Elm City CommuniA pre-bid conference will be held Housing Authority Office 28 Smith ties is currently seeking Bids for Scattered Sites East and West- Furnace & Hot Street Seymour, CT at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Water Conversion/ Replacement. A complete copy of the requirements may be obtained from Elm City’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousBidding documentsing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway are available from the Seymour Housing Authority Of-

DELIVERY PERSON

NEEDED

Part Time Delivery Needed One/Two Day a Week,

Must Have your Own Vehicle If Interested call

(203) 387-0354

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

Invitation for Bids Robert T. Wolfe Building Upgrade Phase II The Housing Authority of the City of New Haven d/b/a Elm City Communities is currently seeking Bids for Robert T. Wolfe Building Upgrade Phase II. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City Communities’ Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/ gateway beginning on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 3:00PM.

Construction Administrative Office Position. FT-Exp required.Email- Hherbert@ gwfabrication.com

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF BRISTOL OPENING WAITING LIST FOR THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER (SECTION 8) PROGRAM

Starting on Oct. 26, 2020 the Bristol Housing Authority will accept pre-applications for their Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), specifically for households with a nonelderly person with a disability, between the ages of 18-61 and who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Applicants must meet these criteria to apply. To apply online or to down-load the application, go to https://www.bristolhousing.org. Large CT guardrail company looking for Applications will not be available until Oct. 26, 2020. Applicants are encouraged to apply Laborer/Driver with valid CT CDL Class online; however, applications will also be available at our main office lobby located at A license and able to get a medical card. 164 Jerome Ave., Bristol CT 06010. The office hours are Mon-Thur 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Must be able to pass a drug test and physiand Fri 8:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. For assistance with the online application, please call (860) cal. Compensation based on experience. 582-6313. Email resume to dmastracchio@atlasoutApplications not completed online must be mailed to the Bristol Housing Authority, 164 door.com AA/EOE M-F Jerome Ave., Bristol, CT 06010, postmarked no earlier than Oct. 26, 2020 and no later than Oct. 30, 2020 and received by Nov. 9, 2020. Applications will only be accepted online or by mail and must contain accurate and complete information. Hand-delivered, faxed or emailed applications will not be accepted. Only 1 pre-application per post-marked enveInvitation lope to Bid: will be accepted. Duplicate, incomplete, or illegible applications will not be accepted. 100 applications will be drawn at random on Dec. 1, 2020 and only families selected will 2nd Notice Large CT Fence & Guardrail Contractor receive notification by Dec. 15, 2020. is looking for experienced, responsible Bristol Housing Authority is an equal housing provider. commercial and residential fence erectors Old Saybrook, CT and installers on a subcontractor basis. (4 Buildings, 17 Units) Earn from $750 to $2,000 per day. Email Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage Rate Project resume to rhauer@atlasoutdoor.com AA/ EOE

HELP WANTED:

FENCE ERECTING SUBCONTRACTORS

SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE

ELM CITY COMMUNITIES Request for Proposals New Construction, Wood Framed, Housing, Selective Demolition, Site-work, CastLEGAL NOTICE of Managed Print Services in-place Concrete, Asphalt Shingles, Vinyl Siding, TOWN OF PORTLAND, CT Flooring, Painting, Division 10 Specialties, Appliances, Residential Casework,

The Housing Authority of the City of New Haven d/b/a Elm City Communities is Town of Portland has amended its Citiand Fire Protection. currently seeking Proposals for Managed Print Services. A complete copy of the rezen Participation Mechanical, Plan for the Electrical, purpose ofPlumbing This contract is subject state set-aside and contractmay compliance requirements. quirement be obtained from Elm City Communities’ Vendor Collaboration Portal informing the public abouttoits intent to https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on apply for CDBG, Covid-19 funding. For a copy of the amendedBid Plan go to www. Extended, Due Date: August 5, 2016 Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at 3:00PM. portlandct.org.

Anticipated Start: August 15, 2016 Project documents available via ftp link below: EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage

DELIVERY PERSON

NEEDED

HANDYMAN P/T. Bristol Neighborhood Development Corp. (BNDC)

Fax or Email Questions & Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 dawnlang@haynesconstruction.com seeking an 3 energetic individual who has experience maintaining HCC encourages the participation of all Veteran,isS/W/MBE & Section Certified Businesses properties. Duties include but not limited to various small to medium Haynes Construction Company, 32 Progress Ave, Seymour, CT 06483 tasks of carpentry, painting, plumbing, HVAC, snow removal, and AA/EEO EMPLOYER

Part Time Delivery Needed One/Two Day a Week,

Must Have your Own Vehicle If Interested call

beginning on Monday, October 5, 2020 at 3:00PM

(203) 387-0354

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

fice, 28 Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 (203) 888-4579.

ELM CITY COMMUNITIES

landscaping. Pay will commensurate with experience. Send resume and references by October 9, 2020 to The Bristol Neighborhood Development Corporation, Mitzy Rowe, CEO, 31 Quaker Lane, Bristol, CT 06010. An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Entity

THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 07, 2020 - October 13, 2020 INNER-CITY NEWS- July 27, 2016 - August 02, 2016

Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming, Inc seeks:

Listing: Commercial Driver

Construction Equipment Mechanic preferably experienced in Full time Class A driver for petroleum deliveries for nights Reclaiming and Road Milling Equipment. We offer factory and weekends. Previous experience required. Competitive training on equipment we operate. Location: Bloomfield CT We offer excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits wage, 401(k) and benefits. Send resume to: HR Manager, VALENTINA MACRI RENTAL HOUSING PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE Contact: Tom Dunay P. O. Box 388, Guilford, CT 06437.

ELM CITY COMMUNITIES

NOTICE

Phone: 243-2300 HOME INC, on behalf of860Columbus House and the New Haven Housing Authority, ********An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer********** is accepting pre-applications for studio and one-bedroom apartments at this develEmail: tom.dunay@garrityasphalt.com opment& located at 108 Frank Street, Haven. Maximum Women Minority Applicants are New encouraged to apply income limitations apply.Affi Pre-applications willEqual be available from 9AM TO 5PM beginning Monday Ju;y State of Connecticut rmative Action/ Opportunity Employer 25, 2016 and ending when sufficient pre-applications (approximately 100) have Office of Policy been received at the offices of HOME INC. Applications will be mailied upon request by calling HOME INC at 203-562-4663 during those hours. Completed pre- and Management Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming, Incoffices seeks: applications must be returned to HOME INC’s at 171 Orange Street, Third Reclaimer Operators and Milling Operators with current licensing Floor, New Haven, CT 06510. and clean driving record, be willing to travel throughout the NorthThe State of Connecticut, Office of east & NY. We offer excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits Policy and Management is recruiting for

NOTICIA

Request for Proposals IT Outsourced Help Desk and Infrastructure The Housing Authority of the City of New Haven d/b/a Elm City Communities is currently seeking Proposals for IT Outsourced Help Desk and Infrastructure. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City Communities’ Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on

Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at 3:00PM.

Town of Bloomfield Entry Level Police Officer & Certified Police Officer

a Lead Planning Analyst (target class Budget Analyst).

Contact: Rick Tousignant Phone: 860- 243-2300 VALENTINA MACRI VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES DISPONIBLES Email: rick.tou-

$71,957 annually Pre-employment drug testing For more details visit www.bloomfieldct.org AA/EOE

Further information regarding the duties, signant@garrityasphalt.com eligibility HOME INC, en nombre de la Columbus House y de la New Haven Housing Authority, estárequirements and application Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply instructions for this position is available aceptando pre-solicitudes para estudios y apartamentos de un dormitorio en este desarrollo Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer at: ubicado en la calle 109 Frank Street, New Haven. Se aplican limitaciones de ingresos

Union Company seeks:

máximos. Las pre-solicitudes estarán disponibles 09 a.m.-5 p.m. comenzando Martes 25 https://www.jobapscloud.com/ julio, 2016 hasta cuando se han recibido suficientes pre-solicitudes (aproximadamente 100) CT/sup/bulpreview.asp?R1= en lasTrailer oficinasDriver de HOME INC. & Las pre-solicitudes serán enviadas petición Tractor for Heavy Highway Construction Equip- por correo a200922&R2=5989VR&R3=001 llamando a HOME INC al 203-562-4663 durante esas horas.Pre-solicitudes deberán remitirse ment. Must have a CDL License, clean driving record, capable of . a las oficinas de equipment; HOME INCbe enwilling 171 Orange Street, tercer piso, 06510State operating heavy to travel throughout theNew Haven , CTThe of Connecticut is an equal Northeast & NY. We offer excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons Email: dana.briere@garrityasphalt.com with disabilities.

Contact Dana at 860-243-2300

Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply

NEW HAVEN

The Housing Authority of the City 242-258 Fairmont Aveof New Britain

is seeking a highly motivated individual to become a member of our team in our 2BR Townhouse, 1.5 BA, 3BR, 1 level , 1BA Operations Department as Maintainer II. For more detailed information and the All new apartments, new appliances, new carpet, close to I-91 & I-95 complete job description, please visit the Authority’s website at www.nbhact.org highways, near bus stop & shopping center . The closing date for this positon is October 16, 2020 at 2:30 p.m. Pet under 40lb allowed. Interested parties contact Maria @ 860-985-8258 NO PHONE CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED. An EEO/AAA 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

Real Estate Controller

St. New Haven, CT

Fusco Management is seeking a Real Estate Controller. Candidate should have leadership, communication and supervisory skills. Controller should have 6+ year’s hands on accounting experience and have a BS in Accounting.

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY

Duties and Responsibilities: Sealed bids are invited by the Housing Authority of the Town of Seymour Oversee the activities of the Accounting Department for the accurate and timely disuntil 3:00 on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at itsinternal office and at 28external Smith monthly Street, semination of pm financial management reports including Seymour, CT 06483 foraudits Concrete Sidewalk Repairs and Replacement at the financial statements, annual and annual budgets. Smithfield Gardens Assisted Living Facility, 26 Smith Street Seymour. Desired Skills and Experience Qualifi cations: A pre-bid conference will be held at the Housing Authority Office 28 Smith • Profi cient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Timberscan, BNA, TValue. Street Seymour, CT at 10:00 am, Timberline on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. • Discretion, good judgment and good communication skills. • Strong general ledger, accounts payable and accounts receivable. Bidding available from the Seymour Housing Authority • Real Estatedocuments experience are a plus.

Of-

fice, 28 Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 (203) 888-4579. Education and Experience Required: Bachelor's degreeAuthority in Accounting or Finance. CPAtocertifi cation a plus.any Mustorhave 6+years The Housing reserves the right accept or reject all bids, to of reduce hands-on managerial Fusco Management offers a competitheaccounting scope of the project experience. to reflect available funding, and to waive any tive benefit package. Fusco is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer informalities in the bidding, if such actions are in the best interest of the Housing Authority.

CLERK TYPIST

Performs a wide variety of routine clerical duties requiring excellent computer and interpersonal skills. This position requires 1 year of office work experience of a responsible nature and a H.S., GED, or business diploma. Wages: $20.42 to $24.72 (Town) $19.23 - $24.94 (Board of Education) hourly plus an excellent fringe benefit package. Apply: Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492. Phone: (203) 2942080 Fax: (203) 294-2084. The closing date will be that date the 30th application Invitationform/resume to Bid: is received or September 30, 2020 whichever occurs first. EOE nd

Town of Bloomfield2

Notice

SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE ELM CITY COMMUNITIES

Lead Building Maintainer - Facilities

Old Saybrook, CT Full Time - Benefited Request for Proposals (4 $31.26 hourly Buildings, 17 Units) Development of Single-Family Homeownership Housing Taxdrug Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage Rate Project Pre-employment testing.

For more details, visit our website –

www.bloomfiWood eldct.org The Housing AuthoritySite-work, of the City of New Haven d/b/a Elm City Communities is New Construction, Framed, Housing, Selective Demolition, CastProposals for Development of Single-Family Homeownership in-place Concrete, Asphaltcurrently Shingles,seeking Vinyl Siding, Housing. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City Flooring, Painting, Division 10 Specialties, Appliances, Residential Casework, Communities’ Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobbleMechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection. Seeking qualified condidates to fill stonesystems.com/gateway beginning on This contract is subject to state set-aside and contract compliance requirements. numerous vacancies to include, Monday, August 10, 2020 at 3:00PM. Benefits & Pension Coordinator Bid Extended, Due Date: August 5, 2016 and more. For information and Construction Anticipated Start: August 15, 2016 Administrative Office Position. FT-Exp required. detailed application instructions, Email- Hherbert@ gwfabrication.com Project documents available via ftp link below: visit www.ci.milford.ct.us http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage Click on SERVICES, JOBS and ELM CITY COMMUNITIES JOB TITLE. Fax or Email Questions & Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 dawnlang@haynesconstruction.com

CITY OF MILFORD

QSR

Request for Proposals Electronic File Management Services

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

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

The Housing Authority of the City of New Haven d/b/a Elm City Communities is currently seeking Proposals for Electronic File Management Services. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City Communities’ Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/ gateway beginning on

Monday, August 17, 2020 at 3:00PM.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October , 2020 - October 13, 2020 INNER-CITY NEWS July 27,072016 - August 02, 2016

THE GLENDOWER GROUP NOTICE Request for Proposals VALENTINA MACRIEngineering RENTAL HOUSING PREAPPLICATIONS AVAILABLE Architectural Services for McConaughy Terrace

LEGAL NOTICE Request for Proposals for Services The State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management, is seeking proposals to provide certain consultative services related to the framework for interagency data sharing. Connecticut’s State Data Plan recognizes that data is a valuable asset that the State must manage in the public trust on behalf of its residents. Facilitating inter-agency data sharing in a safe, ethical and secure manner is a primary goal of the plan.

HOME INC, on behalf of Columbus House and the New Haven Housing Authority, Glendower Group is currently seeking proposals for architectural isThe accepting pre-applications for studio and one-bedroom apartments at this development located at 108 Frank Street, New Haven. Maximum income limitations ap- copy of the reengineering services for McConaughy Terrace. A complete ply. Pre-applications will be available from 9AM TO 5PM beginning Monday Ju;y quirement may bewhen obtained Glendower’s Vendor Portal 25, 2016 and ending sufficientfrom pre-applications (approximately 100)Collaboration have been received at the offices of HOME INC. Applications will be mailied upon rehttps://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway quest by calling HOME INC at 203-562-4663 during those hours. Completed prebeginning on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 3:00PM. applications must be returned to HOME INC’s offices at 171 Orange Street,at Third Floor, New Haven, CT 06510.

The intent of the request is to identify individuals or firms with the necessary exper-tise in development and revision of agreements and capacity-building training to facil-itate interagency data sharing for state agencies in Connecticut within a stated timeframe. The request for proposals is available online at https://biznet.ct.gov/SCP_ Search/default.aspx?Src=CISplash and https://portal.ct.gov/OPM/Root/RFP/ Request-For-Proposals or from Mildred Melendez, Office of Policy and Management, Legal Affairs Division, 450 Capitol Ave., MS#55SEC, Hartford, Connecticut 06106-1379. E-mail: Mildred.Melendez@ct.gov. Telephone (860) 418-6417, Fax (860) 418-6487. Deadline for response submission is 5:00 P.M., October 9, 2020.

NOTICIA FIELD MECHANIC

Ducci Electrical Contractors, Inc. seeks an experienced Field Mechanic proficient in field diagVALENTINA MACRI VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES DISPONIBLES nosis, repair and operation of railroad fleet equipment. International Bucket Trucks equipped with rail gear, Backhoes, skid steers, excavation equipment, as well as operation and repair of line equipment (I.e. puller HOME INC, en nombre de la Columbus House y de la New Haven Housing Authority, está tensioners, hydraulic reel stands etc.) Small engine repair, hydraulic tool repair, construction equipment and aceptando pre-solicitudes para estudios y apartamentos de un dormitorio en este desarrollo material handling equipment, (Forklifts, lull, bobcat, gator etc.) Working knowledge of 15-35 ton cranes, digubicado en la calle 109 Frank Street, New Haven. Se aplican limitaciones de ingresos ger and automotive repair. Ability to weld and fabricate is helpful. máximos. Las pre-solicitudes estarán disponibles 09 a.m.-5 p.m. comenzando Martes 25 Must have valid, unrestricted CDL class B or A license, and the availability to work nights and some weekjulio, 2016 hasta cuando se han recibido suficientes pre-solicitudes (aproximadamente 100) ends if needed. *All applicants are subject to preemployment drug and alcohol testing. Upon being hired all en las oficinas de HOME INC. Las pre-solicitudes enviadas portesting. correo aSend petición employees are subject to federally regulated random serán drug and alcohol resume to Ducci Electrical llamando a HOME INC al 203-562-4663 durante esas horas.Pre-solicitudes deberán remitirse Contractors, 74 Scott Swamp Rd., Farmington, CT 06032 ATTN: Human Resources or via email to humanrea las oficinas de HOME INC en 171 Orange Street, tercer piso, New Haven , CT 06510 . sources@duccielectrical.com. EOE/M/F/D/V.

Construction

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

The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport

Construction

Request for Proposals (RFP) Integrated Pest Management Invitation to Bid: (Pest Control Services) 2nd Notice Solicitation Number: 145-AM-20-S

NEW HAVEN

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

SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE

Coventry Housing Authority

All new apartments, new appliances, new carpet, close to I-91 & I-95 highways, near bus stop & shopping center accepting applications for low income Section 8 Elderly/Disabled Pet under 40lb allowed. Interested parties contact Maria @ 860-985-8258

Old Authority Saybrook, CT The Housing of the City of Bridgeport d/b/a Park City Communities (PCC) is (4 Buildings, 17 Units) currently seeking proposal from qualified contractors to provide Integrated Pest Manageis housing. Taxment Exempt & Not Pest Prevailing WageServices Rate Project (IPM), Control Agency Wide. Solicitation package will be available on Annual income limit is $21,600 (one person) & $24,650 (two people). Also September 28, 2020 to obtain a copy of the solicitation you must send your request to bids@ accepting applications for low income State Elderly/Disabled housing. An- Wood CT. Unified Deacon’s Association is pleased to offer a Deacon’s New Construction, Framed, Housing, Selective Demolition, Site-work, Cast- number and title on the subject line. parkcitycommunities.org, please reference solicitation Certificate Program. This is a 10 month program designed to assist in the intellectual formation of Candidates nual income limit is $54,950 (one person) & $62,800 (two people). Interested in-place Concrete, Asphalt Shingles,call Vinylwill Siding, A Pre-proposal conference be held on October 14, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. Although 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. parties may pick up an application at the Coventry Housing Authority, 1630 Flooring, Painting,attendance Division 10 Specialties, Appliances,submitting Residential Casework, is not mandatory, a proposal without attending the pre-proposal (203) 996-4517 Host, General Bishop Elijah Davis, D.D. Pastor of Pitts Chapel U.F.W.B. Church 64 Brewster Electrical, Fire best Protection. conference mayPlumbing not be and in the interest of the Offeror. Additional questions should be Main CT, or have one mailed. Completed applications must beMechanical, St. NewSt., Haven,Coventry, CT This contract to state set-aside and contract compliance requirements. emailed only to bids@parkcitycommunities.org no later than October 21, 2020 @ 3:00 p.m. postmarked or hand delivered no later than October 31, 2020. For more infor-is subject Answers to all the questions will be posted on PCC’s Website: www.parkcitycommunities. mation call 860-742-5518. Bid Extended, Date: 5, 2016 org. ProposalsDue shall beAugust mailed, or hand delivered by October 29, 2020 @ 3:00 p.m., to Ms. Anticipated Start: Director August 15,of 2016 Caroline Sanchez, Procurement, 150 Highland Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06604, or Sealed bids are invited by the Housing Authority of the Town of Seymour Project documents available via ftp link below: via e-mail at bids@parkcitycommunitites.org. Late proposals will not be accepted. until 3:00 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at its office at 28 Smith Street, http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage Seymour, CT 06483 Concrete Sidewalk Repairs Replacement at the Chief Meterman – TheforTown of Wallingford Electricand Division is seeking a qualified individual Smithfield Gardens Assisted Living Facility, 26 Smith Street Seymour. to assign and direct the work of a group of Meterman in the diagnosing, repairing, and Fax orrequisiEmail Questions & Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 dawnlang@haynesconstruction.com

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY

Electric

The Housing Authority of the City of New Britain

tioning of all types of metering. Must have H.S. Diploma or trade/technical school with course HCC encourages the participation of all Veteran, S/W/MBE & Section 3 Certified Businesses Company, 32 Progress Ave, Seymour, CTindividual 06483 pre-bid conference heldsix at (6) the years Housing Authority Office 28least Smiththree (3) years of ex-Haynes of A study in an electricalwill fieldbeand of experience with at isConstruction seeking a highly motivated to become a member of our team AA/EEO EMPLOYER perience as a Meterman in electric metering. (1) year experience as a supervisor in our Operations Street Seymour, CT at 10:00 am, onutility Wednesday, July One 20, 2016. Department as Maintainer II. For more detailed informapreferred. An equivalent combination of experience and training may substitute on a year for tion and the complete job description, please visit the Authority’s website at year basis up to two (2) Bidding documents areyears. available from the Seymour Housing Authority OfMust andStreet, maintain a validCT State of Connecticut Motor Vehicle Operator's License. Hour- www.nbhact.org . The closing date for this positon is October 16, 2020 at fice,possess 28 Smith Seymour, 06483 (203) 888-4579. ly Rate $39.80 - $43.86 plus an excellent fringe benefit package. Applications can be printed from 2:30 p.m. theThe Town’s Webpage http://www.wallingford.ct.us/Content/Personnel_Department.asp Housing Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, to Fax (203)-294-2084. Phone: The closinganddate will any be October 27, 2020. NO PHONE CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED. reduce the scope of the project(203)-294-2080. to reflect available funding, to waive EOE An EEO/AAA

informalities in the bidding, if such actions are in the best interest of the Housing Authority.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 07, 2020 - October 13, 2020

Black Power Advocate Dr. Ben Chavis Now Speaking Wealth gap Broadcasting Truth to Power in Public Television Program Con’t on page 14

By BlackNews.com

Washington, DC — Civil rights icon Rev. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., former NAACP executive director and current president/CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), will begin hosting a weekly Black-oriented public affairs talk show on the public television stations nationwide in October. He is the cover story of the October 2020 issue of Speakers Magazine. As racial tensions and disparities have skyrocketed in almost every category of American life, Chavis says it’s time for a program that challenges the mind and focuses on solutions. “Our nation is polarized by race; polarized by politics; polarized by economics; polarized by health disparities; polarized by the pursuit of education and the education gap; culturally polarized; ethnically polarized; religiously polarized,” Chavis said. “And so, with all of these multiple polarizations that are undergirded by systemic racism, having a national one half-hour in-depth discussion about these issues — particularly from an African-American perspective — which the mainstream media has not really chosen to focus on, will be crucial.” The Chavis Chronicles will be rare programming as there are currently no

weekly talk shows on public television specifically from a Black perspective. More than 62 million homes will have access to the show in 100 markets. They include top Nielson-rated markets: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta. The Chavis Chronicles weekly show is a thought-provoking half-hour weekly series with an urban American flair, featuring interviews with famous leaders and politicians, doctors and scientists, cultural leaders, and influencers from around the globe.

A social justice activist of more than 60 years, Chavis says his experiences have given him an appeal to people from all walks of life. He started his civil rights career as a youth coordinator for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from Duke University while serving an unjust 34-year prison sentence as a member of the Wilmington 10, who Amnesty International declared political prisoners. The Wilmington 10 case garnered international attention and was pardoned 40 years later. He also received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Howard University.

“My whole career is about freedom, justice, and equality. But, overarching, the struggle for freedom, justice, and equality is to stand for what’s true. Speaking truth to power, publishing truth to power, distributing truth to power. Now I have an opportunity to broadcast truth to power. If the Chavis Chronicles is going to represent anything, it’s going to represent the truth,” said Chavis. For details on the show, visit TheChavisChronicles.com Other speakers in the October issue of Speakers Magazine include: * Dr. Faylo Delica * Jermaine Stanley * Dr. Malissa McLean * JoVonne Walker * Vernita Stevens * Dr. Cynthia Hickman * Lenora Billings-Harris There is also an article by Andrea Patrick, “When You Stand Up, It’s Best to Stand Out” in the issue. “Speakers Magazine continues to amplify the voices of Black speakers that are committed to making a difference in the communities and an impact on the world. Diversity and inclusion are more than just buzz words to them because in the climate today they realize they must speak up and speak louder than ever,” said Pam Perry, the magazine’s publisher.

Personal Trainer and the Son of Biggie Smalls Pay Tribute to Notorious RBG By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Contributor

Though she was 87 and had battled cancer for many years, the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a big jolt to many. The well-respected jurist was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on September 27th after a week of tributes outside the U.S. Supreme Court Building and at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. On Friday, September 25, as Ginsburg lay in state in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol, a moment that would be viewed by millions on social media was created. Bryant Johnson, the trainer who led Ginsburg through her well-publicized workout routine, paid respects by performing three push-ups at her casket. The moment was captured on video by C-SPAN and was viewed by over 1.7 million people in two days. Ginsburg ended up with a nickname that started a meme of her in a gold crown emulating an iconic photo from the last known photo shoot of the late rap and hip-hop star Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls (real name Christopher Wallace). The “King of New York” image was widely seen on magazine covers, murals and T-shirts. Wallace was tragically killed in a driveby shooting in 1997 at 24. He is consid-

ered one of the greatest rap artists of all time. The age of social media and Biggie Smalls rap handle collided in 2013 with a Tumblr account created by then-NYU Law student Shana Knizhnik. Knizhnik was inspired to name Ginsburg “Notorious RBG” after reading Ginsburg’s blistering dissent against the dismantling of the Voting Rights Act. Biggie Smalls son, C.J. Wallace, re-

cently commented on his father and Justice Ginsburg after news of her death on September 18. “I think he would be honored to share the ‘Notorious’ title with her, and it’s up to us to honor their legacies by continuing to fight for equality and justice for all by voting and getting into good trouble,” Wallace, 23, said. “Brooklyn, New York, represents no fear, confidence, and speak-

ing your truth, and my dad and Justice Ginsburg lived those words,” he added. The late rapper and the late justice were from Brooklyn, New York: Biggie Smalls grew up near Bedford-Stuyvesant and Ginsburg in Sheepshead Bay. Near the end of her dissent in the 2013 Shelby County v. Holder case, a decision that gutted Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act and was set in to motion by conservative Chief Justice John Roberts, Ginsburg was blunt and to the point. Ginsburg argued why the regional protections of the Voting Rights Act were still necessary. She wrote that, “throwing out preclearance when it has worked and is continuing to work to stop discriminatory changes is like throwing away your umbrella in a rainstorm because you are not getting wet.” On September 26, President Trump nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett, a former clerk to the late Justice Antonin Scalia, to the Supreme Court. An intense political battle over who will fill Ginsburg’s seat is certain. Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist for NNPA and the host of the podcast BURKEFILE. She is also a political strategist as Principal of Win Digital Media LLC. She may be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke

racial injustice has elevated the recognition and urgency to enact significant reforms to address structural racial barriers and provide opportunity to low-and-moderate income (LMI) families and people of color,” Bailey continued. “CRA must be one of the major tools to provide these long overdue reforms.” In late September, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve took the first step toward reforming how the CRA regulates the banks it oversees. Earlier in May, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency finalized its version of a CRA, which civil rights advocates say will reduce already limited opportunities for LMI people. To date, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the third regulator charged with implementing CRA, has not supported either proposed rule, or offered yet another version. Hopefully the three federal regulators will reach consensus on an updated CRA that is true the law’s legislative intent. This column recently shared an update on the future of federal support for more COVID-19 assistance. At press time, the House Majority version, known as the HEROES Act, remains in debate with White House advisers. Instead of moving this proposal forward, the Senate has chosen to place its attention and effort to push the new Supreme Court nomination to a floor vote in 2020. Readers may recall that when the late Justice Antonin Scalia passed in February of an election year – 2016 – President Obama’s nomination was ignored, and never received a hearing. Instead the Senate waited over 400 days until President Trump took office and a different nominee was eventually confirmed. Meanwhile, consumer advocates have proposed a range of policies to both address the current pandemic and economic crisis. Their shared goal is to correct policies that perpetuate today’s racial wealth gap and include reforming housing finance, direct federal support for Black businesses, broad-based student debt cancellation, and strong regulation of financial services and products. There are also important roles for corporate America to increase equity and opportunity. Equal pay and enhanced opportunities for professional development are crucial and must include financial institutions that have contributed to the nation’s inequality gaps. Specifically, banks must invest in Black entrepreneurs, and do more to equitably bring more mortgage-ready Black homebuyers already identified by Freddie Mac into the marketplace. Increased mortgage lending would include 1.7 million millennials now left out, according to the Urban Institute, a DC-based, non-profit think tank. The common thread of all these proposals is an essential and measurable commitment to eliminate racial income and wealth gaps. How well America embraces this challenge will determine whether our collective financial futures will be better than our history. Charlene Crowell is a Senior Fellow with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 07, 2020 - October 13, 2020

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