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INNER-CITY NEWS July 27, 02, 27, 2016 THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 21,2016 2020- August - October 2020

Retired JudgeJustice InspiresaYoung Black Students Follow Her Footsteps Financial Key Focus at 2016ToNAACP Convention New Haven, Bridgeport

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Ribbon Cut On Long Wharf Dixwell Plaza Deal Primary Care Hub FOLLOW US ON 1

ConnCAT President and CEO Erik Clemons with ConnCORP President and CEO Paul McCraven at a recent Dixwell Plaza community meeting.

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THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 21, 2020 - October 27, 2020

$750K Sale Pitched For Dixwell Plaza Deal

by THOMAS BREEN

New Haven I ndependent

The city plans to sell its remaining stakes in Dixwell Plaza for $750,000 to a local redevelopment team looking to convert the 1960s-era shopping complex into 50,000 square feet of new commercial space and 150 new apartments.

That public land deal — which would reserve 30 residential units to be set aside at affordable rents — is detailed in a new proposed Development and Land Disposition Agreement (DLDA) between the city and the Connecticut Community Outreach and Revitalization Program, or ConnCORP LLC. ConnCORP is a for-profit subsidiary of the Science Park-based job training nonprofit Connecticut Center for Arts and Technology (ConnCAT).

Livable City Initiative (LCI) Acting Executive Director Arlevia Samuel submitted the proposed DLDA to the Board of Alders on Monday as a communication.

The proposed land deal now advances to various reviews and, in some cases, public hearings, to be hosted by an aldermanic committee, the LCI Property Acquisition and Disposition (PAD) committee, the LCI Board of Directors, and the City Plan Commission, before returning back to the full Board of Alders for a final vote.

The proposed DLDA submission represents the biggest public step forward since the start of the pandemic for the ambitious $200 million planned overhaul of the shopping plaza located on the western side of Dixwell Avenue between Webster Street and Charles Street.

“As you know, the Dixwell Plaza has been in a deteriorating condition for many years with high vacancy rates and substandard property maintenance,” Samuel wrote to the alders in an Oct. 18 letter about the Urban Renewal-era shopping plaza.

She wrote that the developer has assembled the financing necessary to purchase the rest of Dixwell Plaza, and has plans to redevelop the site as a “mixed-use, mixedincome community”.

“As a more general point, the ConnCORP team consists of leaders in our community with a demonstrated commitment to inclusive growth and community development, highlighted by ConnCAT’s nationally-recognized programs at Science Park,” Samuel continued in her letter. “The vision for Dixwell Plaza is in keeping with our overall efforts to revitalize Dixwell Plaza in a manner that builds a stronger community and I look forward to sharing this proposal in more detail at the committee hearing.”

The DLDA submitted Monday night builds off of details for the planned redevelopment first presented publicly earlier this year by the local team behind ConnCORP, which includes Paul McCraven, Erik Clemons, Carlton Highsmith, Genevieve Walker, and Yves-Georges Joseph II. During two community meetings—one held in Stetson Library, one held in the nearby Elk’s Lodge—the team described

plans to bring a new performing arts center, banquet hall, grocery store, museum, office complex, daycare center, retail storefronts, and 150 apartments and townhouses to the neighborhood’s fraying commercial hub.

They also celebrated the project as led by local African American investors and developers, and to be built on a site that sits at the heart of one of New Haven’s historically African American communities.

Unlike some other planned new construction projects around town, the proposed Dixwell Plaza DLDA does not include any upfront tax abatement deal associated with the new affordable apartments.

The DLDA states that the project “shall remain taxable in accordance with the customary assessment practices applied to all real property within the City, and that the Developer agrees to pay all taxes and assessments lawfully assessed against the Property and the improvements thereon”.

The DLDA also states that the developer nevertheless retains the right to apply for property tax abatements that are currently open to any other builder in the city.

According to a slideshow included with the DLDA submission, the proposed new mixed-use complex will be called ConnCAT Place on Dixwell.

5 Years, 150 Apts., 50K Sq. Ft. Of Commercial Space The proposed DLDA and Samuel’s accompanying letter describes how ConnCORP and its subsidiary companies have already purchased six of the 12 condos that make up Dixwell Plaza, as well as the nearby Elk’s Lodge building at 87 Webster St. The land deal would see the city sell all remaining publicly-owned properties at Dixwell Plaza to ConnCORP for $750,000.

The city would set aside $50,000 of that revenue for the Q House Development Fund. The project’s accompanying slideshow presentation states that the city’s current interests in the plaza were most recently appraised as worth $700,000.

The publicly-owned parcels slated to be sold include two Dixwell Plaza condos— at 200 Dixwell Ave. and 26 Charles St.— as well as a “public way” that currently provides pedestrian access between Dixwell Avenue and the city-owned property west of the plaza, and a “public plaza” that is a parking lot situated between the condos and Dixwell Avenue.

The proposed deal would require ConnCORP to build 150 new residential units and 50,000 square feet of new commercial and/or retail space within five years of acquiring the public property.

It would also require the developer to set aside 20 percent of those new residential units—or no less than 30 units in total— at deed-restricted affordable rents for 20 years.

At least 15 of those affordable apartments must be reserved for tenants earning 80 percent or less of the area median income (AMI), and at least another 15 must be reserved for tenants earning 60 percent or less of the AMI.

CONNCORP Vew of planned new Dixwell Plaza redevelopment.

THOMAS BREEN FILE PHOTO Dixwell Plaza, as it looks today.

As for the commercial space, according to the proposed DLDA, the developer cannot lease, sell or use any of those storefronts as “a discount department store, ‘dollar’ store, firearms and/or ammunition store, charity thrift shop or the like, adult bookstore/adult entertainment establishment, tattoo parlor or massage parlor of any kind, or liquor store.”

The land sale agreement would require the developer to abide by the city’s 12 ½ and 12 ¼ guidelines—which set minimum construction hiring goals for minority and

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women contractors. It would also set a resident construction workforce goal for the project of 25 percent.

The deal would allow the Stetson Library to remain on site in Dixwell Plaza until April 2021, at which point the library branch would move into the new Q House community center across the street. It would also allow for the full return of the New Haven Police Department substation currently located at 28 Charles St. If the developer does not complete the project as outlined in the DLDA within

five years of signing the agreement, it will have the option of extending the project schedule by 12 months—and will have to pay the city $5,000 for each month included in that extension period.

The project is slated to begin construction in 2021.

Mercy Quaye, the founder of The Narrative Project and a spokesperson for ConnCORP, told the Independent that the details of the planned Dixwell Plaza redevelopment are still being worked out. She called this DLDA submission “is just one step on a long road” towards the project’s completion. “[W]e’re eager to see the project through and bring the plans that were created with community input to life,” she said in a written statement. “We remain committed to partnering with community leaders to answer some of the concerns residents shared with us. We know that housing, jobs and security are high priorities, now more than ever, and we’re working to create a cultural hub that addresses those concerns as best as possible.”

The proposed land deal also represents just the latest large-scale construction project slated for the Dixwell/Newhallville area—with 150 apartments planned for a city-owned vacant parcel bounded by Ashmun Street, Henry Street, and Canal Street; nearly 400 new apartments planned for a long-vacant former Olin site at 201 Munson St.; and 69 new apartments planned for the former Joe Grate lot at Dixwell Avenue, Munson Street, and Orchard Street.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 21, 2020 - October 27, 2020

John Lewis’s Legacy Powers Voting Rights March

by COURTNEY LUCIANA New Haven I ndependent

“Today is a moment where we galvanize. This is the moment where we call our brothers, sisters, and everyone that we know to activate ourselves,” AJ Johnson said. “To get up and do something about this election that we have before us! We will continue to seek out good trouble.”

Johnson (at eft in above photo), president of the Hartford Alumni Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., was the first speaker at a ceremony held Saturday in honor ofcivil rights leader and U.S. Rep. John Robert Lewis, who passed away this past July.

Historic Black Greek letter organizations known as “The Divine Nine” joined the NAACP of Greater New Haven and officials at City Hall at the event to pay tribute to Lewis’ legacy of getting into “good trouble” by pushing citizens to vote on Nov. 3.

Lewis joined Phi Beta Sigma in 1974.

He was best known for his chairmanship of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and for leading the 1965 civil rights march on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, known as “Bloody Sunday” because of police attacks on the marchers, captured on nationwide television.

Addressing skeptics who think their vote doesn’t count because of their race, New Haven Alumni Chapter President Derek Tompkins (at far left in photo) pictured to the far left) recalled the uphill battle that Lewis and 600 other marchers faced when fighting for voting rights.

“They headed out on a 54-mile march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, for the right to vote. As they were crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge they were met at the other end with tear gas deployed, swinging clubs and whips, and sheriff deputies on horseback knocking people over,” Tompkins said. “Brother Lewis tells of how he was knocked to the ground when the trooper hit him on the head. When he tried to get up he was met again with another blow and suffered with a fractured skull.”

Two days later, Martin Luther King Jr. led a symbolic march to the bridge. The marchers didn’t cross. On March 21, 1965, 32,000 marchers, including Lewis, headed out under federal protection of the national guard from Selma toward Montgomery. The march lasted a total of four days with 12 hours on foot everyday.

“When they reached the steps of the state Capitol in Montgomery, there was 25,000 in attendance. Something was changed,” Tompkins said. “Almost five months to the day of Bloody Sunday, the Voting Right Acts of Aug. 6, 1965 was signed. Something had changed.”

City Legislative Services Director Al Lucas said he hopes that the legacy of Lewis will be an inspiration to future

Phi Beta Sigma’s Eastern Region marches from the Green to City Hall in memory of U.S. Rep. John Robert Lewis

Chapter President of Eta Alpha Lambda of Alpha Phi Fraternity Alpha Sean Mosley, Chaplain Aaron Sneed Sr., and city Legislative Services Director AlLucas.

generations.

“I hope that they see his work is not done. It’s one long continuum. Voter suppression is still going around the country today,” said Lucas. “I’m proud to be a part of anything that we can do to bring attention to those issues and keep the

movement progressing.”

The NAACP set up a voter registration table on the Green for the event. Other booths offered Covid-19 testing and organ donor services. Faternity chapter Vice-President Tai Richardson (pictured) curated the commemoration and remind-

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ed the crowd to take advantage of these open opportunities.

“Many people that look like us are sitting in hospital beds right now afflicted with illness. They need someone, they need a kidney transplant, or something of that nature,” Richardson said. “We need more individuals that look like us, with our blood type, with our lineage to become organ donors. Don’t let this moment pass today.”

Mayor Justin Elicker encouraged the crowd to keep fighting for affordable housing, education, and meaningful change.

“Even though we’ve made a lot of progress as a nation, there’s so much more that needs to be done. These past seven months in particular and what’s going on with Covid-19 have exposed many things that everyone has known about for centuries about systemic racism and about the injustices that are put up in particular towards the black community,” Elicker said.

“We know the reality that systemic racism still exists, and I believe the one thing we can do to make change is to vote those out of office at the state level and national level who will not address the inequalities.”

“We’re not going to leave anybody behind. Let’s not only stand and honor Lewis but each other,” said New Haven

State Rep. Robyn Porter. “Let us have a shift in our mindset! Stop waiting to get an invitation to the table, my people. It’s time for us to start New Haven Peace Commission member Millie Grenough reminded people to vote on a city referendum that’s on the ballot.

It calls for the federal government to shift military spending toward jobs, education, environmental sustainability, and other human services instead.)

“A lot of people aren’t aware that this question is on the ballot,” Grenough said.

“It’s a symbolic vote, but New York, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh are also putting it on the ballot. These states are hoping that we can influence our tax money not to go to the Pentagon and military, but human needs.”

Greater New Haven NAACP President Doris Dumas (pictured) noted that even still in 2020 intimidation is being used as a tactic scheme to prevent people from voting .

“We must honor Congressman Lewis and the other civil rights leaders by working to fully restore the Voting Rights Act. The work of the NAACP, Black Lives Matter, and other movements is more urgent as it has ever been,” Dumas said.

“We must demand justice, accountability, and equal access and fair treatment. We must help to reshape our country and use the opportunity for lasting change.”

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 21, 2020 - October 27, 2020

City Learning Hub Improves Grades

by EMILY HAYS

New Haven I ndependent

When sixth-grader Erielle Wright needed help with remote school, she used to call her mom at work. Now she asks one of the staff members at New Haven’s East Rock Park learning hub instead.

The hub is one of three that the city has opened to help New Haven Public Schools students stay logged into their remote classes during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Four more hubs are in the works but have not undergone full safety inspections yet.

The city’s goal is to open at least nine that would stay open through the rest of the school year, even once New Haven transitions to a hybrid of in-person and remote classes in November.

Both Erielle and her mom, Theresa Williams, said that her grades have improved because of the hub. Without in-person classes, stumbling blocks in what an assignment was asking for turned into dead ends.

Williams is the assistant manager of a group home for individuals with Down’s syndrome and other disabilities. She has to go to work during the day and had trouble answering Erielle’s questions by phone or videochat.

“If she didn’t understand an assignment, she wouldn’t do it. Now if she doesn’t understand, the staff helps her out,” Williams said. “Her grades have always been good.”

Erielle sits across from her cousin (pictured above) at the learning hub, which takes place in East Rock Park’s Trowbridge Environmental Center. Erielle draws during her breaks and passes notes with her cousin so they don’t disturb the other learners.

Each of the city’s hubs has 20 seats available. On Friday, Trowbridge had only five students present.

New Haven Youth and Recreation Director Gwendolyn Busch Williams said the program has a wait list. The struggle is getting those who sign up to stay in

EMILY HAYS PHOTO At the Trowbridge learning hub.

contact. “[Families] just feel that so much is going on. They are not checking what they should be,” said city Community Recreation Coordinator Felicia Shashinka.

The team involved in the learning hubs has been emailing and calling those who have gotten seats for two weeks. They are now moving on and preparing to open the waitlist.

It’s the same struggle schools have faced since pandemic school began. Some students have simply disappeared, despite emails, calls and home visits from their school. Youth and Recreation is prioritizing these disengaged students for seats in the hopes that the centers will smooth the obstacles preventing students from logging in.

Internet hotspots sit on each desk. Staff pick up hot lunches from Wilbur Cross High School every day and allow students to take more meals and snacks home.

Conte West Hill student Giana Newton had just finished a burger and salad when she learned she had three minutes until her band class. (No instruments are involved in pandemic band.)

Like Erielle, Giana has seen grades improve while at the hub. Her mother said that the staff members keep her on task.

“It’s harder to do online than in person.

You don’t really learn anything,” Giana said.

Giana’s brother, Jeremyah Newton, also appreciates getting help at the hub. A ninth grader at New Haven Academy, he has gotten stuck recently on his SAT math

practice. He read off an equation with multiple variables involved.

“How am I supposed to figure that out?” he asked in exasperation.

He said that he wouldn’t change anything about the city program. There are enough helpers for everyone, he said.

And enough helpers for Jeremyah to spend his break beating one, T’asia Newton, in Uno. The two aren’t related as far as Jeremyah knows, although he has a lot of cousins in the area, he laughed.

T’asia Newton helped run the city’s summer camp as well. She said seeing her brother go to Newhallville-based Highville Charter School online motivated her to apply for the job. Helping her brother taught her how to check on the learners without hovering and how to break down concepts when they are stuck.

“I know they have a hard time adjusting,” she said.

So far, the program has not had any Covid-19 cases or scares.

“Don’t jinx us!” Busch Williams said, knocking on a table in Trowbridge’s overflow room.

The hub is ready, just in case. Across from the overflow room is the hub’s isolation room, where students with Covid-19 symptoms wait for their families to pick them up. A staff member, T’asia Newton, checks visitors’ temperatures and reminds students to pull their masks over their noses.

Trowbridge is Busch Williams’ favorite of the hubs, she said. The hub’s 21st student, Doug, is the reason why.

Doug is a tortoise, or maybe a box turtle, who lives in a corner of the nature center. A glass railing protects his triangle of mulch and potted plants from the rest of the space.

Shashinka and Busch Williams leaned on the railing and argued about which picture on a poster of turtles best fit Doug’s species. Doug watched them debate. The students carried on with their studies nonplussed.

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THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 21, 2020 - October 27, 2020

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THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 21, 2020 - October 27, 2020

Retired Judge Inspires Young Black Students To Follow Her Footsteps

by MAYA MCFADDEN

After retiring as a judge in 2018, Angela Robinson began educating the younger generation in New Haven full-time about the legal profession in hopes of diversifying the field.

Robinson grew up in New Haven and served on a number of state benches.

She published her first book, First Black Women Judges, in March 2019 with a targeted audience of youth.

The book highlights the lives, careers, and accomplishments of Judges Jane Matilda Bolin, Juanita Kidd Stout and Constance Baker Motley.

During her book-writing process, Robinson would bring drafted excerpts to her presentation at schools to read to elementary and middle schoolers and get feedback. Her hope for sharing the three stories is that they offer youth and all others a “richer understanding for what it means to be American.”

Robinson’s decision to apply to be a Superior Court judge was motivated by her discovery of Jane Bolin, a lawyer and the first black woman to graduate from Yale Law School.

“If she can do this 1939. I can do this in 1997,” she recalled telling herself before submitting her application.

Her writing journey started with her personal commitment to sharing historical stories of the law profession to youth in schools. A special education aide at Mauro-Sheridan Interdistrict Magnet School, Sean Hardy, brings Robinson to the school annually to expose the youth to careers in the field of law.

As Robinson began attending more

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Angela Robinson.

schools to talk with students, she put together a presentation sharing the stories of Bolin, Constance Baker Motley, and Juanita Kidd Stout.

In the course of developing the work into a book, she often had to put writing on the back burner for work and motherhood.

Robinson was born in Indiana and moved to New Haven in the late ‘60s at 2 years old. She first lived in the Prospect Street area with her father, a psychiatric social worker. and mother, a psychologist. Later on Robinson lived in the Dixwell and Newhallville neighborhoods.

While she was in high school, Robinson’s parents encouraged her to explore rather than decide on her career path im-

mediately. She was mentored by a medical doctor; as a junior she was a student reporter covering New Haven news for the Hartford-based Inquirer publication.

Once a week Robinson would deliver her weekly four or five articles to Hartford.

While attending Rutgers University, Robinson had a love for English and was considering being an English professor.

That was until her roommate convinced Robinson to take a law school prep course with her. After the course Robinson decided to take the law school admission test, and did well. As a dean’s list student, Robinson thought, “Why not apply to law school?”

After graduating from Rutgers, Robin-

son moved back to New Haven to attend Yale Law School (YLS). Robinson got many of her classmates engaged in the local community like churches and annual local events.

During her last semester at Yale in 1989, Robinson arranged to head to Washington, D.C. for a clerkship position. Plans changed when the judge she was assigned to had health issues and could not continue his work. This left Robinson in search of a post-graduation job weeks before graduating.

Robinson got a position at Wiggin and Dana here in New Haven. Robinson started her career by working on medical malpractice cases.

Robinson called her life series of events the outcomes of “divine intervention” or “serendipity” as she unexpectedly remained in New Haven.

After work at Wiggin and Dana, Robinson planned to be a prosecutor. She then joined Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder, where she specialized in medical malpractice, premises liability, employment discrimination, and child abuse cases. She was the first black woman to do trial work on the plaintiff side in civil practice at the Bridgeport firm. She continued this work for eight years until deciding to put in an application to be a judge.

After she was on the list for two years, Gov. John Rowland in 1998 nominated Robinson to the bench. At 33 years old, she was the youngest judge in the state.

Robinson’s appointment recieved positive and negative reactions from the community but she only focused on the positive. “The most supportive people were the other judges,” she said.

Robinson’s first assignment as a Superior Court judge was in Danbury’s criminal court. During her two-decade career, she served in New Britain, Derby, Meridan, Bridgeport, Milford, and New Haven, hearing almost every type of case in courtrooms across the state.

After retiring Robinson returned to Wiggin and Dana, working as the firm’s chief diversity officer until May of this year.

Her two-page list of acknowledgements in the book recognizes those who pushed her over those years to get back to writing — including Hardy, who helped her with maintaining a connection with the students during her school visits.

During the writing process, Robinson said, she was often empowered by the three women’s stories and was motivated to expose youth to the legal profession.

Robinson said stories about Black entertainers and athletes shouldn’t be all youth hear about. “I hope it fills the gap,” she said.

Robinson is now able to dedicate her career full time to pushing for the legal profession to be more diverse. “We need more black lawyers,” she said.

Robinson is a Waring and Carmen Partridge Faculty Fellow at Quinnipac University and teaches Critical Race Theory and Alternative Dispute Resolution courses.

Robinson is also preparing the next generation of lawyers through her own local practice Robinson Diversity Consulting.

Robinson is currently putting together an academic article on the three women to follow up on her book.

“We need more Constances, Juanitas and Janes in our future,” she said.

Connecticut Hits 3% Infection Rate, Lamont Scraps Travel Advisory Changes

by Hugh McQuaid

WINDSOR, CT — Gov. Ned Lamont announced some “sobering” COVID-19 numbers Tuesday: Connecticut has reached a 3% positivity rate for the first time since June and more than 200 people are now hospitalized with the virus.

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Lamont announced the new infection numbers at a Windsor press conference to highlight grants for small businesses impacted by the pandemic. Since Monday, hospitalizations have risen by 22. There have been five additional deaths related to the virus.

“That tells you it’s going to take a little bit longer for us to get through this, a little bit longer before the therapies and vaccines are able to give us some security on the backside of COVID,” he said.

During the press conference, Lamont also reversed course on changes to the travel advisory he had announced just the day before. Travelers will still be required to quarantine for 14 days if they come here from a state with 10 cases per 100,000

residents or 10% positivity rate. Those conditions catch around 40 states and territories including Connecticut.

Rather than modify the conditions for the travel advisory, Lamont said he and the governors of New York and New Jersey have agreed to allow essential travel in the tri-state area.

“We’re almost like one region so there’s going to be no travel advisory as regards travel among our three states. That said, urge everybody to stay close to home as best you can,” he said. Lamont said he planned to reach out to the governors of Massachusetts and Rhode Island as well.

The governor urged residents to maintain their discipline by observing public health guidance.

“I know they’re exhausted, I know they’ve been going through this for months, I know you wish this was over and it will be over and it will be over a lot faster if you wear the mask and keep the distancing,” he said.

Lamont and other state officials gathered at Lilly’s Soul Food to announce $50 million in grant funding for the state’s smallest businesses. Under the program,

companies with 20 or fewer employees or a payroll of less than $1.5 million are eligible for a $5,000 grant. Funding for the program will come from the CARES Act. Department of Economic and Community Development Deputy Commissioner

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Glendowlyn Thames said the agency would begin accepting applications during the week of Nov. 9. She said 50,000 businesses meet the qualifications for the program and they employ 350,000 people in Connecticut. Many of those businesses

had trouble qualifying for other pandemic relief assistance, she said.

The new grants will “target areas of the state that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID based on unemployment and economic loss,” she said.

Scott Dolch, executive director of the Connecticut Restaurant Association, said the $50 million in funding isn’t enough.

“How can it make sense for Connecticut to put a maximum of $5,000 on its small business grants when Maine is allowing up to $100K, New Hampshire up to $300K, and Vermont up to $350K? Not only that, but each of these states, while smaller in population, has a program that is larger in total dollars than Connecticut’s at $50 million,” Dolch said. “That increased funding is allowing them to also beat Connecticut when it comes to eligibility: by limiting the program to businesses with 20 full-time employees or less, Connecticut will leave thousands of small businesses ineligible, which is why most states are using a 50 full-time employee limit or higher.”

Connecticut’s program is capped at fewer than 20 employees.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 21, 2020 - October 27, 2020

Pandemic Food Giveaway Feeds Hundreds In Dixwell

by RABHYA MEHROTRA New Haven I ndependent

“This is heaven-sent,” said Lexy Johnson. “Seriously, I can’t thank you enough.”

Johnson and her friend, Nisha Mirror (pictured), came in their car to a food distribution site set up Thursday by the police substation on Charles Street in Dixwell. They were among hundreds of households to pick up food.

Johnson mentioned that she had lost her job due to Covid-19 and had three kids at home to feed. “We’re all going through a pandemic, you know?”

“I’m a single mom,” added Mirror. “This means so much to me.”

“What you’re doing is wonderful. Because it means people in the community still care, we still have hearts” said Johnson.“Thank you for coming,” said Metashar Dillon of the Kingdom International Economic Development Corporation (or KIEDC), an organizer of the giveaway. “I’m going to keep fighting for you.”

Dillon led a crew of 20 volunteers at the substation as they directed the drivethrough and walk-up hand-offs, lifted pallet after pallet of boxes from the truck, and loaded groceries into cars. The rain came down in sheets, but that hardly stopped demand: people kept on coming and coming.

Dillon reminded each customer to wear a mask as they rolled down their windows

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to ask for food. Meanwhile, the crew loaded boxes of fresh produce, bread, and milk into back seats.

The food boxes on Thursday’s distribution came from the USDA’s Farmers to Families program, which began in April in response to Covid-19.

“We’re running out of food,” said Dillon.

“We had a whole truck. That’s 24 pallets with 64 boxes of food each, enough food for hundreds of families.” After four hours, all of those food boxes were gone.

“We’re going all around the city,” she said, pointing to the event flyer. “Rain or shine, we’re here because people need help. You wouldn’t believe how many more people need help because of Covid.”

Dillon is especially worried about the elderly. “I ask everyone, do you know an elderly person? Help them out by picking up food for them,” Dillon said. In fact, Dillon encouraged everyone picking up food to pass on the favor.

One such person was Joyce Thomas, who was driving through Dixwell to get a Covid test when she saw the sign for the food distribution.

“I just had to go in and get some food for my neighbors!” she said. “I’m blessed to have a car with gas and the ability to travel. So many people who are hungry don’t have that.” She planned on giving the food to elderly neighbors and those who “just needed some help.”

Food insecurity is a personal topic for

Thomas: she, too, has experienced hunger. “I know what it feels like,” she said.

“I was even homeless at one point. Not because I was lazy or on drugs, but because I injured my arm, so I couldn’t work and earn money.”

“Thank you for looking out for your neighbors, for helping somebody else,” responded Dillon. “We like that.”

“I’m just grateful to receive this food, because I’ve been out of work since this whole thing started,” said Tai Warren, who walked up with a black metal cart.

“And I have a family of four. My son is nine and my daughter just turned sixteen.

Every bit helps.”

Warren planned to use some of his groceries to help others. “One of my neighbors, he’s elderly, and the other can’t walk really well. If I cook something, I’ll bring it and feed them, ” said Warren. “Somebody helped me out, so I’m gonna help somebody else out, too.”

Running out of Supplies Dillon teared up as she spoke about her limited stock.

“Tomorrow, I’m trying to go and help the elders on South Genesee Road,” she said.

“I asked Alder Honda Smith, and she said we should expect 900 elderly people.

Nine hundred! And that’s not even counting the rest of community.”

She has only one truck of food left, she said. It won’t be enough.

“I’ve been hungry, too.” Dillon’s voice wavered. “When you don’t have re-

RABHYA MEHROTRA PHOTO

sources, when your family doesn’t have resources, when your background doesn’t have resources, you start to wonder: what

are you going to do?”

She urged the community to help, noting they can donate.

VOTE YES! STATE REPRESENTATIVE PAT DILLON STATE REPRESENTATIVE PAT DILLON FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE PAT DILLON PROUDLY SERVING NEW HAVEN VOTE ROW ROW A A TUESDAY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 6TH. 6TH VOTE

Toni Walker is a proven leader for New Haven.

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7

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 21, 2020 - October 27, 2020

State Launches $9M Arts Relief Fund

by THOMAS BREEN

New Haven I ndependent

Arts nonprofits that have been pummeled by the Covid-19 pandemic have a new $9 million state relief fund to turn to for support in helping pay staff, cover student scholarships, and generally stay afloat during the ongoing economic downturn.

State Director of Arts, Preservation and Museums Liz Shapiro announced the imminent launch of that new financial aid effort Monday morning during a press conference held on the front steps of Neighborhood Music School on Audubon Street.

Flanked by Gov. Ned Lamont, Mayor Justin Elicker, and a host of state legislators and New Haven arts leaders, Shapiro said the new Covid Relief Fund for the Arts will provide a baseline grant of $5,000 each for eligible recipients.

The fund will also provide a matching grant worth up to $750,000 each, as calculated at 50 percent of total private donations raised by an eligible organization between the start of the pandemic in early March and Nov. 1.

“Is this going to fix all things for all people?” asked Shapiro. “I don’t think we’re in a situation where we can fix all things for all nonprofits, all arts agencies, or all businesses. Is this going to help? Yes. Absolutely.”

The fund—which is made up of federal CARES Act money allocated by the state, and which will be open to applications starting Friday and ending Nov. 3—is reserved for three specific types of arts non-

profit organizations. Those are performing arts centers, performing groups, and schools of the arts.

Eligible organizations must show a documented loss of earned income of at least 20 percent year-to-date as of Sept. 30 in comparison to the same period last year.

They have have been established by Oct. 1, 2019. And they must have at least one full-time paid staff member, either salaried or contractual.

The fund comes soon after the state entered Phase 3 of its economic reopening plan, which allows indoor performance venues to resume in-person operations for the first time since the start of the pandemic, albeit at 50 percent capacity. And it comes as arts leaders from across the state have warned that theaters and concerts venues have experienced an unprecedented hit over the past seven months thanks to pandemic-induced mandatory closures.

During a recent arts-forum state legislative candidate forum, a representative from Long Wharf Theatre cautioned that Connecticut’s arts sector has suffered $400 million in loss since the start of the pandemic, and that 62 percent of artists statewide are currently unemployed.

Neighborhood Music School Executive Director Noah Bloom said the arts contribute $9 billion every year to the state’s economy, from travel to restaurants to parking to hotel stays.

He said arts nonprofits make up roughly $800 million of that economic impact every year. On Audubon Street alone, he said, various local organizations provide

Outside of NMS in the Audubon Arts District.

arts education to roughly 4,000 students every week.

“In this particular moment, the arts are hurting,” he said, “and need support to survive.”

The state and local politicians on the official speaking lineup for Monday’s presser stressed the importance of the arts in fostering a shared sense of humanity.

Elicker said he and his family have a weekly music night every Saturday for an hour, during which he plays his guitar and his two young daughters play harmonica and sing.

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Online tickets required: www.beardsleyzoo.org 8

“It’s one of the moments in the week I look most forward to because it allows us to connect with each other in a way that day-to-day life doesn’t allow us to do,” he said. “To find joy, to tap into sorry in a different way, to find community connections, to find peace with each other.”

Elicker said that the city has stepped up to support local artists in need, and that that work began near the start of the pandemic. The city’s creative sector relief fund, launched nearly seven months ago in conjunction with the Arts Council of Greater New Haven, has given out 420

grants worth a total of $175,380 to New Haven artists.

Lamont said that he too turns to music — to the piano, in particular — when he’s in need of some emotional solace.

“I play the blues, and it cheers me up,” he said.

He praised Bloom and NMS for continuing to offer remote lessons for young instrumentalists throughout the pandemic.

And he said the matching grant nature of the new relief fund is designed to “create more and more popular support for the arts” by incentivizing private fundraising.

“Give us bread, but give us roses, also,” New Haven State Sen. Martin Looney said about the importance of the arts during times of broad-scale, social calamity. He said the arts — represented by the roses, in that aphorism — have an immeasurable impact on quality of life.

“In my own view, art for its own sake has true value,” he said. “Without regard to its economic value.”

“A Very Difficult Year” Interviewed after the presser, local nonprofit arts leaders who head organizations that may be eligible for the new state fund emphasized how much they depend on government aid for survival.

Bloom said that NMS has resumed inperson preschool and middle school education at its Audubon Street campus this fall, but that that means only 60 of the roughly 2,500 students NMS serves any given semester are currently receiving inperson instruction.

Con t on page 10

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 21, 2020 - October 27, 2020

Ribbon Cut On Long Wharf Primary Care Hub

by THOMAS BREEN

New Haven I ndependent

Top administrators and clinicians from Yale New Haven Hospital, Fair Haven Community Health Care, and Cornell Scott Hill Health Center celebrated Monday the fruits of a years-in-the-making local healthcare partnership: The completion of a new “one-stop shop” primary care hub at 150 Sargent Dr. on Long Wharf.

They held that ribbon cutting and press conference Tuesday afternoon under a tent set up in the back parking lot of the newly renovated, jointly run medical center.

The consolidated Long Wharf site, which officially opens to patients next Monday, will host three sets of primary care services—adult medicine, women’s care, and pediatrics.

All three of those services have been relocated from YNHH’s York Street, St. Raphael’s, and Hamden campuses.

While YNHH’s primary care doctors, nurses, support staff, and residents will all be moving with their practices over to Long Wharf starting Monday, the three primary care services will be officially run by the city’s two federally qualified community health centers: Cornell Scott Hill Health Center, which will oversee the adult and women’s care programs, and Fair Haven Community Health Care, which will oversee pediatrics.

The two-story, 52,000-plus square-foot medical building is also now home to YNHH’s radiology and blood draw services.

YNHH Vice President of Operations Cynthia Sparer said Tuesday that the three relocated primary care services typically see roughly 90,000 visits a year by roughly 25,000 mostly low-income patients.

She also said that the the refurbished 150 Sargent Dr. site cost around $37 million to build out to accommodate its new pri-

mary care hub use.

Fair Haven Community Health Care CEO Suzanne Lagarde said during the presser that the conversations among the three local healthcare providers about a potential primary care partnership first started in March 2015.

That’s when she, Taylor, and Sparer first started asking themselves “What if?” questions, Lagarde said.

“What if the three organizations came together to provide care to New Haven’s most vulnerable?

“What if we worked together to impact population health metrics for the tens of thousands of low-income patients already being cared for by our three organizations?

“What if we were able to augment the training program for literally thousands of pediatric, medical and women’s health trainees with an experience that addressed the unique challenges of caring for populations burdened with poverty, food insecurity, housing instability and so on?”

The result, she said, is the renovated medical office building soon to open at 150 Sargent Dr. as well as the center’s tripartite managing partnership, formally dubbed the New Haven Primary Care Consortium (NHPCC).

Sparer said that each of the three primary care services now located at the Long Wharf site will have behavioral health specialists embedded alongside medical care providers. And Lagarde said that that all three healthcare partners will be using one shared electronic medical record via the EPIC platform for their patients.

“We know of no other municipality in this country that can boast of having this sort of arrangement where the most vulnerable residents are all on a shared electronic platform,” Lagarde said. “This is powerful. The opportunities for population health and cost savings are truly endless.”

Lagarde also praised the site’s integra-

tion of YNHH’s residency and training program as taking a “giant step towards ensuring that the next generation of medical leaders will embrace our model of care and the critical role academia once played in serving vulnerable populations.”

Taylor was similarly enthusiastic about the launch of the new primary care hub after so many years of planning and investment. “ There was no roadmap,” he said. “We created this from vision. From tenacity.

And I’m very grateful to my partners for demonstrating that.”

One of the most hotly contest parts of the primary care hub plan during the state’s regulatory review of the proposal last year was the Long Wharf site’s relative inaccessibility for patients who do not have their own cars.

In its Aug. 2019 decision on YNHH’s

request for a certificate of need (CON) required for the hospital to close its current primary care services and move them to 150 Sargent Dr., the state Office of Health Strategy (OHS) imposed a number of transportation-related related conditions on its approval.

Those conditions, which can be read in full here, included YNHH providing free transportation services to current primary care patients who live within 10 miles of Sargent Drive, whose trip to Sargent Drive would take 40 minutes or more on public transit, and who do not have access to a private vehicle. They also included YNHH contracting with Coordinated Transportation Solutions, Uber, and Milford Transit District to transport patients to and from the new primary care hub.

When asked about the site’s transportation plan for patients on Tuesday, Sparer

said that one of the site’s biggest accessibility assets for patients is its 250 parking spots, which are all free for its patients to use. She said the surface parking lot eliminates the need to pay for a spot at a parking garage downtown, or to pay for street parking and then walk several city blocks to get to the point of care.

She said the Long Wharf site also has a public bus stop nearby, that people who need medical transport will still have access to that service, and that the hospital has signed contracts with supplemental ride programs—such as Uber—to provide another option for those who do not have a car.

“Every patient has received a personal letter,” she said, letting them know about the relocation of the primary care services to Long Wharf.

enough precautions.”

“Last time, we had over 150 families come to pick up supplies,” reported Kim Wilson, the assistant principal. “That’s half of our school community.”

“We try to schedule the slots at different times, so parents can come based on their work schedules,” added Sondi Jackson, a speech pathologist at the school. As she spoke, a parent came in a blue suit. He received a bag of Legos, as well as two composition books.

“We try to focus on the whole child: giving art paper, musical instruments, and legos in addition to school supplies,” said Wilson.

A plethora of school supplies were available: math books, journals for writing, composition books, pencils, paper, crayons, Kajeet hot spots, and Scholastic books.

The giveaway also included batteries for smoke detectors from the Jamie Lynn Sullivan Memorial Foundation.

Engaging Remotely Supply giveaways like these are one part of how teachers at Wexler-Grant have tried to keep in touch with students during remote learning.

Another way has been home visits. “We’re lucky in that we are a small school – about 345 students, and most live nearby,” said Wilson.

“Sometimes we knock on their doors if they’re not in class at 9, asking if they’re up,” said Wilson with a laugh.

“I’ve sat on a student’s porch and showed him how to log into his classroom. And Ms. Brown [the coordinator for family resources] helped a family install their Kajeet hotspot,” she said.

Besides home visits, there have been bonding activities. One fourth-grade teacher hosted a virtual movie night. “It was a rainy Wednesday night, and it was so cute. All the students came on with their popcorn,” Wilson said.

Go Back?

Over the day, many families came for supplies and Covid-19 advice.

One woman came to sign up her granddaughter, Mykara Walker, for virtual learning. (The grandmother declined to give her name.) “I heard it was the last day” to sign up to continue remote-only learning in November, she said.

Wilson and Jackson explained that she could fill out a form on the NPHS website, indicating her granddaughter’s learning status. Wilson then gave Walker’s grandmother her phone number, promising to

help her fill out the form.

“While you’re here, would you like some school supplies?” asked Jackson. Walker’s grandmother left with math books, pencils, and more.

Walker, who is in eighth grade, later explained her decision to stay at home. “I want to go back to school, but my grandma is old,” she said. “So if she got sick, she’d probably die.” Walker’s grandmother added that she’d see how the first semester went before deciding whether to send Walker back to school.

Walker does not like online learning.

“Sometimes the teacher goes too fast, and I can’t talk to them privately and ask for help like I used to,” she said. She added that she can easily forget to turn in assignments when everything is online.

THOMAS BREEN PHOTO Cornell Schott CEO Michael Taylor, YNHH CEO Marna Borgstrom, YNHH VP Cynthia Sparer, and Yale School of Medicine

Dean Nancy Brown at Tuesday’s ribbon cutting.

Wexler-Grant Gives Families Supplies, & Tips On Returning

by RABHYA MEHROTRA New Haven I ndependent

“I got some Legos, books, and art paper,” said Pamela Mobley.

Mobley and other parents picked up the supplies during a giveaway held Monday at Wexler-Grant School.

This was the third giveaway that Wexler has hosted to help families this remote-beginning school year. Over the course of the day, 30 parents came.

Mobley has three daughters who go to Wexler-Grant School: Trinity, who is in kindergarten, Milani, who is in 3rd grade, and Aniyah, who is in 5th grade. “Milani likes to draw just about anything,” added Mobley. Her daughters, she added, are going back to school when hybrid in-person/ remote learning starts on on Nov. 9. “They miss school, and I think the school is taking

9

Con’t from page 14

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 21, 2020 - October 27, 2020

Thousands Of Free Masks Fly In Newhallville

by RABHYA MEHROTRA New Haven I ndependent

“Masks for my two grandkids and mother, please,” said Sandra Crockett.

Crockett was among a crowd of neighbors who turned out Thursday afternoon for a pandemic mask giveaway in Newhallville, on the corner of Hazel Street and Shelton Avenue.

The event was organized by Rodney Williams, the owner of Green Elm Construction, along with funding from Giordano Construction. From 4 to 6 p.m., Williams and volunteers Brother Born, Gregory Lewis, and Michael Ben-Elohim manned up a blue tent, complete with folding tables piled with masks.

Williams tapped into his longstanding role in the community for the event. “I’ve known her since eighth grade!” he exclaimed as a woman walked up for masks.

Later, when some kids came to pick up masks, he pointed to their grandma across the street. “I went to Hillhouse with her,” he said. Crockett, he added, was another childhood friend.

“I grew up here,” said Williams. “And I see so many people around without masks. The virus isn’t going away, so do we want to save lives or let people die?”

Thanks to his professional relationships, Williams says, he has secured a few hundred thousand masks. Some of those he sells. Others he donates to the community. “I want to give back,” he said.

For Thursday’s giveaway, Williams had brought between 8,000 to 10,000 masks.

As each family came up, he asked how many people they were picking up masks for: Siblings? Parents? Kids? Grandkids?

“If you’re trying to help a community, don’t question their needs,” he said. “Just listen, and provide what you can.”

Williams said he hopes to hold weekly giveaways across the city. He has also secured 50,000 masks to give to the housing authority, he said.

At one point, he gave a woman 70 masks for her grandkids.

According to Williams, giving families only a few masks is a foolish solution.

“Three to four masks only last families a couple of days. We give 40 or 50 masks to each family.” At the end of the event, Williams had only about 1,000 left.

Rising Prices For people like the Crockett, access to masks is crucial. Her 18 year old grandson wants to return to his high school, Metropolitan Business Academy, when hybrid learning resumes on Nov. 9. But she’s not sure if schools are providing masks for their students.

“They’re pretty expensive,” said Crockett. “Ten to twelve dollars for 50 masks?

And it’s a regular purchase.”

These prices have impacted her family’s ability to purchase other essential goods “Sometimes my mom’ll say, ‘You know, I just can’t get the masks because I need my medicine more this week,’” said

RABHYA MEHROTRA PHOTO Rodney Williams handing out free masks Thursday afternoon.

Born, Lewis, and Ben-Elohim man the table

Crockett. “And she wants to go outside but she can’t, because she doesn’t have a mask.”

“Masks are so expensive at corner markets,” said Shi Gray, who had seen the tent randomly and decided to come. She asked for masks for herself and her mother. “I can get 15 masks for $10 or even $25.

Some people can’t afford those prices.”

J. Litz, who simply gave his first initial, agreed. He came to pick up masks for his wife and two children. “The stores are charging extra crazy prices when they know we’re struggling,” said Litz. “The same thing is happening with hand sanitizer and other essentials.”

Kid-Friendly Another difficulty in getting masks?

Finding ones that fit for kids.

“My granddaughter can’t fit into adult masks and the toddler ones are too small,”

said Crockett. “These fit perfectly.”

Shochita Wright, who has 16 grandkids, agreed. She doesn’t have a problem getting masks for her or her husband, but her daughters have trouble finding masks for their kids. It’s a concern because her grandkids spent at least two days a week in-person at school. (Wright lives in Hamden, where schools already have hybrid in-person/remote learning.) “They expect kids to bring their own masks,” said Wright.

Cheryl Canteen is the secretary and fundraiser-coordinator for The Village, a new step team in New Haven. “We’ve performed at Stop & Shop, a rally for survivors of domestic violence, and more,” she said. Canteen, along with four girls from the team, stopped at the tent on their way to dance practice.

“We provide masks for all 18 kids on the

10

team,” she said. The dancers range from 7 to 15 years old, so some need children’s masks while others use adult sizes. “I’ve had trouble finding masks, especially kid ones. Sometimes we have fundraisers to buy masks, but this really helps.”

“Please, please come to Whalley next week,” pleaded Sarah McClaim and Jerre Davis. The two women came to bring masks for their grandchildren and neighbors.

“I walk down the street, and I see so many people without masks,” said Davis.

“If they keep on, there could be an uptick happening again.”

“How do they expect schools to reopen if people don’t have masks and cases are rising?” asked McClaim.

The two planned to distribute masks to their neighbors, especially those who didn’t go out to buy masks for themselves.

Ray Jackson, Democratic Ward 21 Committee co-chair, also planned to give masks to neighbors. “I haven’t had a lot of trouble getting masks, so I want to give them to people who need them,” he said. “For example, If I’m walking and see someone who can’t get inside a store because they don’t have a mask, I’ll give them one.”

Williams also emphasized the role of masks in voting. “Everyone’s so concerned about elections this year,” said.

“But without masks, how will it be safe to vote?”

Next week, Williams plans to head across town to West River. “If we can get masks into the community, our Covid numbers will stay low,” he said. “That’s how we’ll protect each other.”

Con’t from page 08

State Launches

During the spring shutdown, he said, NMS turned to online music lessons— which it has kept up with this fall—but had to cancel all of its larger dance and music ensemble work, and furloughed or laid off many of its staff.

Bloom said that the school is projecting a roughly 50 percent, year-over-year reduction in revenue this year thanks to the pandemic.

If the school were to land some of the newly announced state grant money, he said, it would spend it on funding financial aid and scholarships for students in need.

That means helping cover the cost not just of admission to the school, but also of improving students’ wifi connections at home and of accessing instruments. “Students need support,” he said. He said the school will also put the money towards supporting faculty and staff.

Music Haven Executive Director Mandi Jackson said her classical music education nonprofit has continued providing online lessons every day for its roughly 80 students this fall. While those virtual lessons continue, the nonprofit still needs to pay for rent at its Erector Square studio space, which has remained unused since the start of the pandemic.

Jackson said that in addition to the online lessons, Music Haven has also experimented with outdoor student recitals, including in a Fair Haven park at Front Street and Lewis Street.

If Music Haven were to qualify for one of the new state arts grants, she said, that money would go towards “our free afterschool programs for kids.”

“I think it’s a really important and really encouraging development,” she said about the new relief fund. “It’s been a very difficult year.”

Long Wharf Theatre Managing Director Kit Ingui and Long Wharf Theatre Artistic Director Jacob Padrón said that, were their venue to receive a state grant through this fund, they would spend that money on maintaining staff, “putting money in the pockets of artists” employed by the theater, and building out infrastructure for both new performances and an explicitly anti-racist, inclusive approach to local arts.

“You have to put money behind that work,” Padrón said, if a theater is really interested in racial equity in the arts. Ingui said that state grants like the one announced Monday can help cover both general operations and “combatting systemic oppression.”

“We are trying to focus on longevity,” Ingui said. “And a path to sustainability,” Padrón added.

While the theater has moved all of its work online since March, including a recently completed virtual artistic congress, Long Wharf is planning to host its first inperson play since the start of the pandemic this November.

That will be a performance of the play “A Little Bit of Death” by local artist Zulynette, held in East Rock’s Edgerton Park on Nov. 13 and Nov. 14.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 21, 2020 - October 27, 2020

“Vote Like Our Lives Depend On It — Because They Do”

by RABHYA MEHROTRA New Haven I ndependent

“There’s still forces that try to divide New Haven. Are we gonna let them do that?” asked Caprice Taylor.

“No!” cheered back the crowd.

“The world says people who like me, who look like many of you, do not count,” continued Taylor. “But when we vote, we say we matter.”

“If our votes don’t matter, why don’t they allow a non profit agency like Community Action Agency or Head Start to register us to vote or remind us in a non partisan way?” asked Taylor. “Because our votes matter. We have power.”

Taylor was among the local activists and government officials were revving up the vote Saturday at a rally held in Quinnipiac River Park in Fair Haven. Organized by Kica Matos and Shana Jackson, the rally focused on voter registration and empowerment.

When asked what motivated her, Jackson responded with one word: despair. “I could be angry or I could use my energy in a more useful way,” she said. Jackson, a librarian at the Yale Law School, organized this similar rally in Hamden with Matos, an attorney and social-justice community organizer who has spearheaded immigrant-rights campaigns for well over a decade. These events have been her first time organizing. “Individually, we feel like we can’t do a lot. But as a group, we have real pull.”

Groups such as NAACP of New Haven, Bangladesh Society of CT, and the city Registrar of Voters Office all had booths at Saturday’s event encouraging people to vote. Families gathered on the sunny afternoon, strolling between booths and stopping to listen to speeches or watch dance performances. A free COVID testing tent was set up, thanks to Cornell Scott Hill Health Center.

The message was simple, but clear: vote.

“I live in that blue house, right up the street,” said Matos, pointing up the hill from the park. When asked why Fair Haven has a lower voting rate, she paused.

“Not enough people understand the impact of their votes. There’s a lot of apathy.”

Speakers at the event addressed exactly why voting matters, especially on issues like immigration policy and the deportation of productive members of the community who have worked and lived here in some cases for decades.

“I had been in this country for 24 years when the ICE showed up on my door,” said Nury Chavarria, who spoke in a soft voice to the attentive crowd. She immigrated from Guatemala to the U.S. for a better life, and worked with ICE to fill out her paperwork since arrival – she even had a tax code. In 2017, that all changed when agents showed up at her door.

“I wasn’t home, and they asked my son where I was. He didn’t answer; he was so scared. They used excessive force on

RABHYA MEHROTRA PHOTO Event organizers Jackson and Matos.

him.”

Chavarria was one of the first people in Connecticut to be affected by harsher ICE policies, driven by the Trump administration. She was given less than a day’s notice to leave the country, and went to a sanctuary church with her youngest child, Hayley.

“It was inhumane,” said Charla Nich, a member of CT Shoreline Indivisible.

“They put a huge shackle on her foot, tracking her wherever she went. She couldn’t leave the church for six days.

There were no showers or real beds.”

Nich, along with other members of CT Shoreline Indivisible, helped Chavarria and her family. Kica Matos rounded up legal and broader community help to win a reprieve for Chavarria.

Chavarria’s daughter Hayley, who wore black rectangular glasses with a grey sweatshirt, spoke at the rally as well. ICE threatened her family, the week of her 8th birthday. Hayley was bullied in elementary school, and it got worse when her classmates found out what was happening to her mom. “I took my mom’s watch as a momento, because I wasn’t sure if I was going to see her again,” she said.

Today, Chavarria is still fighting her case. “ICE just thinks they can send people away,” said Nich. “But people have families and lives here.”

Anwar Mahmud, a member of the Bangladesh Society of CT, also spoke up. His story took place in the summer of 2018.

“The week my son graduated from high school, it was the happiest moment of my life,” said Mahmud. “ A week later, a note from ICE came, demanding his wife leave the country by August. Mahmud rallied for help, even doing a 36-hour hunger strike in Hartford. After a judge repeatedly delayed the case, he and his wife got asylum. “We

Harris, wearing a sweater from New Haven BLM chapter.

Carr and Evans at their booth

read about separations at the border,” said Mahmud. “But Trump was also ripping families apart in the homeland.”

“We need to know our history and appreciate the fight before us. This summer, we lost an American hero: the honorable Congressman John Lewis,” said Dori Dumas, president of the New Haven chapter

11

of the NAACP. “Voter suppression and racism is alive and well,” she continued. “People are constantly working to erase the gains we have made. Congressman Lewis did his part, and now it’s our turn.”

Recipe For Change “How many of you all have cooked with

a recipe?” asked Earl Bloodworth, the director of the Bridgeport Reentry Program.

The crowd raised their hands. “A recipe is like a plan – it’s what we need to succeed. We need a plan, not just how we’re registering or even voting, but how we’re keeping officials accountable.”

Dumas agreed: “We have the power, because we’re the ones who vote people in.”

Other activists stressed the importance of local elections. “We talk about elections the wrong way,” said Jordan Harris, the president of the NAACP chapter at the University of New Haven. “We talk as though voting in one election or voting for one person, like the president, solves everything. But down-ballot elections affect us. The mayor, for example, controls who the chief of police is. In some places, you can even elect your sheriff.”

When asked why college students have lower voter turnout, Harris stressed the importance of education. “People don’t understand the impact of elected officials on their lives,” he said.

“You can’t call the White House with your problems, can you?” Shannel Evans, the city’s Democratic registrar of voters, asked the crowd. “But you can call your city officials. We need you to come out in the odd years for those municipal elections, too!”

Including All Voices Later at her booth, Evans smiled. “We have so many flyers: how to register to vote, where to go, safety information, and more,” she said. She partnered with the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity to spread awareness of voting rights, especially for ex-felons.

“I grew up on 55 Division St. in Newhallville,” said James Carr, a member of Omega Psi Phi who helped Evans run the booth. “Both my parents were working and out of the house. I was the oldest and had to take care of my siblings. I got involved in the streets, and did some bad things.”

“I decided to clean up my act,” said Carr. After he began college at Gateway, he wanted to vote. “I had never taken the time to understand voting,” he said. “But I wanted to.” Carr had cleared his record before he went to college, and has been raising awareness about ex-felon voting rights since.

“You know, ex-felons can vote if they’re not on probation or have any open cases,” said Carr.

“You also can’t have any outstanding fines or have committed election fraud,” added Evans.

“Voting changes our lives,” said Carr. “I want people to know that they can participate in this process.”

The event concluded with a music performance from Movimento Cultural, a group that celebrated Afro-Puerto Rican heritage, and a call for change.

“We need to vote like our lives depend on it,” said Matos. “Because they do.”

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 21, 2020 - October 27, 2020

NNPA Publishers Respond to Joe Biden’s Commitment and Plan for Black America

“‘Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us Facing the rising sun of our new day begun Let us march on till victory is won’”

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire

The commitment by Democratic Presidential Nominee Joe Biden to help increase opportunities and recognize the plight of African Americans as outlined in an exclusive editorial with Black Press USA resonated quite loudly with African American publishers and national board members from the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA).

The NNPA is the trade association representing more than 230 African Americanowned newspapers and media companies throughout the United States.

“There is a legacy of racism and inequality that lives still in our institutions, our laws, and in too many people’s hearts that makes it harder for Black people to succeed,” Biden wrote in the 1,047-word column published Oct. 19, 2020 on the NNPA Newswire Service.

“These are facts in the United States of America in 2020, and we must all do more to move our nation closer to the ideals inlaid at our founding – that all women and men are created equal.”

NNPA National Chair and Houston Forward Times Publisher, Karen Carter Richards, called Biden’s editorial “spot on.”

“Democratic Presidential nominee Joe Biden points out so many critical issues, or as he put it, ‘pandemics,’ that continue to plague the Black community,” Carter Richards detailed.

“Just like he also pointed out, these issues can’t be addressed by just putting them on paper, there must be a dedicated plan and commitment to address these important issues immediately. It is refreshing to hear a presidential candidate publicly express his desire and commitment to do so.”

While the Atlanta Voice doesn’t endorse political candidates, it’s publisher, Janis Ware, said she’s impressed with Biden’s

plan.

“Having a presidential candidate outline a plan that speaks to African American people directly through the pages of the Black Press and our social media channels is a bold and powerful move,” stated Ware, the NNPA’s first vice-chair.

“It’s a posture that is unprecedented and bold.”

Fran Farrer, NNPA 2nd Vice-Chair and Publisher and CEO of the County News in Charlotte, North Carolina, applauded Biden for what she called his faith in the ability of Black newspapers to carry the former vice president’s message.

“It not only speaks volumes to his char-

acter but his commitment to lifting every voice in Black and Brown America,” Farrer remarked.

“His plans, along with those of Vice Presidential Nominee Kamala Harris, will work to support improved healthcare and available healthcare for those without fair treatment by the justice system. “[Biden’s plan] contains an increased fair minimum wage that allows families to provide a roof over their heads, feed, clothe, and educate their families, and reduce the fear of every encounter of police officers across the United States of America.”

NNPA National Secretary and Mississippi Link Publisher, Jackie Hampton, also praised Biden and his plan for Black

America.

“I feel that [former] Vice President Joe Biden’s plan to ‘Lift Every Voice in Black America’ will give new voice and new hope when hearing and singing what is known as the Black National Anthem,” Hampton stated.

“Biden has proven over and over again that he understands the plight of Blacks in America and with passion and commitment, he wants to rid the country of the injustice and discrimination which we as a race continue to endure,” Hampton offered.

She continued: “As the hymnal, which was once a poem, read:

“I am hopeful that Biden’s plan will lead us to the victory we so proudly sing about.”

In the crucial battleground state of Florida, Bobby Henry, the publisher of the Westside Gazette in Ft. Lauderdale, said he was pleased that Biden plans to appoint the first Black woman to the Supreme Court. “I also want to see where he would force police departments to hire Black psychologists or psychiatrists who would interview potential candidates and weed them out before they got on the force,” Henry strongly voiced.

“Biden’s ideas are admirable,” Henry continued. “I think, however, it’s time for all of Black America to be included in making plans for Black America. Not just a hand-picked few.”

Rod Doss, the editor and publisher of the New Pittsburgh Courier in the allimportant swing state of Pennsylvania, proclaimed that Biden’s plan for Black America “addresses many immediate issues of concern facing African Americans across this country.”

“As Biden states, we are in the midst of four simultaneous crises that are especially hard on Black Americans,” Doss responded.

“This will require a leader that understands and can implement solutions to address the many systemic injustices waged against African Americans. Joe Biden says he is that leader, and he needs our vote.”

George Floyd mural unveiled in Houston

“We should pay tribute to this family, who in their pain, is traveling not only in this state, but trying to reach to people who constantly say, ‘I don’t know if I’m going to vote,’” Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee said, as reported by Shay. “If you’re able and registered, you just can’t have that luxury.”

At the event, Floyd’s family impressed the importance of voting. Brandon Williams said it’s important to put people in office that want to give the changes communities need.

“My uncle meant a lot to me – he was a staple in this community. I learned a lot from him. … The hurt we all feel is unimaginable,” Williams said. “We need to hold people accountable. … We have got to fight for us,” he said. No matter where you start, it’s where you end up. We have a long way to go, but we’re going to keep

By Defender News Service October 14, 2020

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, members of the George Floyd family and other elected officials and community leaders unveiled a mural to honor Floyd’s memory Monday in a tribute service.

The tribute came ahead of Floyd’s birthday on Oct. 14. He would have been 47 years old.

In his honor, a brightly multicolored mural featuring Floyd’s face, along with the words “Go Vote” in yellow paint, has been painted on a brick building at 3400 Holman St. in Houston.

Floyd was a regular at the Third Ward corner store, and at the request of his family, local artist Ange Hillz painted a powerful mural to encourage Houstonians to vote.

12

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 21, 2020 - October 27, 2020

Today in 1870, the First Blacks Ever Were Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives Victor Trammell, BlackThen.com

On October 19, 1870, the first-ever blacks in America were elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Black Republicans won three out of the four seats in the U.S. Congress, which represent the state of South Carolina. Joseph Rainey, Robert Delarge, and Robert Elliot were the three black legislators who won those seats in South Carolina, becoming the first of their kind in history to do it.

Rainey (the first of the three) was elected to a term that had not expired during the tenure of the 41st Congress of the United States of America. Born into slavery, Rainey was officially sworn in on December 12, 1870.

In less than four years, he had established himself as a skilled orator and respected colleague in Congress.

Reference: The Editors of History. house.gov. (2020 September 01) Black Americans in Congress. Retrieved from https://history.house. gov/Exhibitions-and-Publications/ BAIC/Black-Americans-in-Congress/ *BlackThen.com writer and historian Victor Trammell edited and contributed to this report.

Photo credits: Official Website of the U.S. House of Representatives

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13

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 21, 2020 - October 27, 2020 COMMENTARY:

The illness of King Donald, or why progressives cannot concede any ground to a sympathy vote for Trump

By Bill Fletcher, Jr., NNPA Newswire Contributor

When word broke of the President and First Lady testing positive for Covid19, an image flashed into my mind. The image was from the 1980s series St. Elsewhere, about a hospital and its staff in Boston. A major character, played by Mark Harmon, was a promiscuous doctor who regularly engaged in unprotected sex, regardless of the warnings. Ultimately, and to his great shock, the Harmon character tested positive for HIV/AIDS. Why the surprise, one might ask?

The same question can and should be posed to not only the Trump family but to the Republican deniers who have ignored—flaunted—all the scientific warnings regarding the danger inherent in the Covid19 crisis.

I start here because there will be the tendency among some people to express sympathy and understanding to the Trump family for this tragedy. Such expressions of sympathy, while understandable, can lead one to misunderstand the nature of the current crisis and to also misunderstand the importance of voting Trump out on November 3rd.

Donald Trump ridiculed natural science.

He encouraged his followers to discount all scientific recommendations regarding how to lessen the impact of the pandemic. Through public displays of contempt for mask-wearing and social distancing, Trump, in typical masculinist mode, attempted to display that his own strength and arrogance were sufficient to defeat

the Covid19 plague.

It turned out that he was wrong.

As a result, the White House is currently in nothing short of panic, at least according to most media reports. They do not have a framework in order to understand what has been happening. After months of repeating and practicing the mantra that Dr. Fauci’s warnings were allegedly irrelevant, they now have the President, First Lady, and many other senior officials, plus several members of the Senate and

House infected with the ‘bug.’ And the White House has no way of explaining it and, worse yet, no recommendations as to what to do since any reasonable recommendation would run contrary to the irrationalist rhetoric of King Donald.

As noted, in this moment there will be a tendency by some voters to feel genuine sympathy for the President and his family.

Those same voters may wish to vote for him as an expression of support for him in this time of crisis. This would be a tragic mistake.

The sympathy which anyone should feel

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is towards the 209,000+ who have died from the Covid19 pandemic. 209,000+ people who might not have died had Trump not engaged in public denial of the nature and extent of the plague. 209,000+ people and their families who suffered, died, watched someone dying, or for those who survived, remembering their lost ones. Those and the millions of others who have been infected, often painfully suffering from the pandemic, should be the targets of our sympathy, not Donald Trump.

Though Trump did not create the Covid19 crisis, his actions accentuated the crisis. While he may seek to blame China, which is as stupid as if the world blamed the USA for the 1918-1919 flu pandemic (which is where it originated!), the real blame goes to Trump and his administration for its thoroughly incompetent and cavalier approach towards the pandemic. By actively encouraging millions of people to believe that Covid19 was nothing worse than a bad flu and that it was something that would go away on its own—in the absence of masks, social distancing, and, eventually a vaccine— Trump brought about more deaths in the last few months than the USA suffered in the entirety of the Vietnam War. There is no amount of sympathy that I could ever muster to justify a vote for someone who refused to protect the people of this country and, ultimately and stupidly, refused to protect himself.

Bill Fletcher, Jr. is the executive editor of globalafricanworker.com and a past president of TransAfrica Forum.

Con’t on page 09

Wexler-Grant Gives Families Supplies

Another parent who has decided to keep her kids at home is Mica Pickens. Pickens has two sons: Ja’Khey Epps and Dontae Epps, who are in 3rd and 6th grade, respectively.

She came earlier Monday morning and received headphones, counting cubes for math problems, dry erase boards, among other supplies.

“They gave us a lot of supplies,” she said.

“I’ve been a little nervous about going into stores with Covid. Here, I wasn’t around a lot of people and I could go right up to the door with my mask on. It’s way safer.”

Her children aren’t going back to hybrid school. “My mom is sick, plus I have a 2-year-old and a newborn baby,” said Pickens. “I’ve been watching the news, and Covid is spiking back up again. Plus, Dontae has asthma, so he’s more at risk, and he gets headaches from wearing a mask for a long time. I want him to stay at home, where he’s safe and doesn’t need a mask.”

Guaranteed Access Regardless of whether students stay at home or come to school, they’ll have access to school supplies.

“We’ll continue to do distribution days so our remote families have all the supplies they need,” said Wilson. Wexler-Grant is also providing free breakfasts and lunches to all New Haven Public School students.

“We’ve been intentional with our orders,” said Jackson. “We have enough materials for students both in school and at home.”

This newfound access to supplies at home might be an unexpected positive, she added.

“You know, some students might have enough books now to build a whole library at home,” said Jackson. “That probably would not have happened if we hadn’t had to find a new solution with the pandemic.”

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THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 21, 2020 - October 27, 2020

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THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 21, 2020 - October 27, 2020

Black Scholars Form Group to Educate and Dismiss Election Myths on Social Media

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire

A group of Black scholars and activists say they refuse to allow misinformation, alternative facts, and other means to discourage African Americans during the 2020 presidential election.

The National Black Cultural Information Trust, a Pan-African initiative led by Washington, D.C.-based cultural communications specialist Jessica Ann Mitchell Aiwuyor, seeks to counter fake social media accounts that often discourage Black voters from participating in elections.

The initiative wants to prevent misinformation from turning Black voters against other communities of color.

“The disinformation used to target Black communities is cultural,” Aiwuyor determined. “It’s cultural disinformation, which uses cultural issues to infuse false information and cause confusion.”

Aiwuyor holds a bachelor’s degree in African World Studies, a Master of Arts in Pan African Studies, and a Master of Science,

She noted that fake or covert social media accounts that purport to be behind the American Descendants of Slavery – or ADOS – movement had prodded voters of color to skip the 2020 election.

The misinformation hasn’t dissuaded a long line of voters of color in various states across the country seeking to cast their ballots during early voting.

Aiwuyor pointed out one example of the misinformation: how social media used the ADOS hashtag to claim that immigrants, not police officers, were to blame for George Floyd’s death.

Four police officers face murder, manslaughter, and aiding and abetting charges in the death of Floyd in May in Minneapolis.

The scholars and activists have pledged to monitor social media posts and flag those spreading misleading and fake stories.

Aiwuyor added that the group would use website tools that show if accounts have “troll-like behavior.”

She remarked that The National Black Cultural Information Trust would actively work to dispel myths and misinformation

Jessica Ann Mitchell Aiwuyor

about voting and slavery.

According to NBC News, the organization’s website will direct users to discussions and stories around Black voting and U.S. reparation supporters who reject xenophobic rhetoric and push coalition-

building with Black immigrants and Latinos.

The scholars argue that diaspora wars can be loosely described as cross-cultural arguments among different ethnicities of African people who express discontent for

various reasons.

It’s normal to have a certain level of cross-cultural conflict or discussions, they argue.

However, these conversations take a counterproductive turn when they are internalized and promote anti-Black/white supremacist narratives about each other that hyper-focus on divisions instead of how individuals can best unify for collective freedom, Aiwuyor noted.

She emphasized that “it’s time to move from war to understanding” and the importance of the 2020 vote.

“Black voters continue to face enormous hurdles in the U.S. electoral process. Voter disenfranchisement and suppression are at an all-time high, and this includes poll taxes, polling station closures in Black neighborhoods, voters abruptly removed from the rolls, gerrymandering, strict voter-id and registration laws, and much more,” Aiwuyor stated.

“It is imperative that Black communities and our votes are protected and that we are informed of the various sophisticated techniques used to suppress, deter, and or stop Black communities from voting.”

Black Physicist Enters the 7th Week of His Hunger Strike for Racial Justice

Nationwide — Meet Charles Michael Able, a Black Physicist who is entering the 7th week of a Hunger Strike to demand legislative action on racial justice by the United States Congress. He comments, “If in fact, we agree that Black people are disproportionately injured and killed because of these policies, then we need national legislation” to enact: • A National Ban on Choke Holds • A National Ban on No-Knock Warrants • A Congressional Vote on Reparations Remedy Bill – HR 40 by both houses of Congress

Able says that his family is one of millions of Black families that have been negatively impacted for generations due to systemic racism, inequality in the

Charles Michael

workplace, unconstitutional laws, bias policies, and racism in the justice system.

“This harm has been financial, emotional, and physical. From the time my grandfather struggled to find a good-paying job to provide for his family and out of necessity had to migrate from the south to the north, in order to work and live.”

Mr. Able grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of Mr. Douglas Milton Able, Jr. and Blanche Elizabeth Able, the third born of his six brothers and sisters. Able’s mother is his greatest inspiration, who told him, “Try to do one thing each day to make a difference in someone’s life.”

He says that lives by his mother’s inspirational words and works hard every day to make a difference. He comments, “I am sacrificing my body to bring attention to the urgency to pass laws banning these

policies that overwhelmingly result in the injury and death of African Americans.”

“No one knows my name, outside of a small group of colleagues, friends, and family. I need others, more notable than me, to step up and join in this Hunger Strike for Racial Justice. Lives hang in the balance. We must have national legislation to end these policies that result in Black people being killed and injured. I can’t do it alone,” Able states.

Able, FACR is a former Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology Physics at Wake Forest School of Medicine and the former Director of Medical Physics at Florida Cancer Specialists. Able states, “I have spent over thirty years as a Cancer Researcher and Clinical Medical Physicist treating cancer patients. My goal was to help save the lives of cancer patients

through the use of technology and physics. Now I am working to help save Black lives by petitioning the US Congress to pass legislation.

Mr. Able is chronicling his Hunger Strike through the Boom Publishing & Broadcasting, Inc. website, his YouTube channel, and on Twitter. He is encouraging others to join him in this endeavor for racial justice.

Able’s Hunger Strike: Week 1 – Fruit Juice Week 2 thru 8 – Spring Water with lemon or honey Week 9 & 10 – Fruit Juice For more information on Mr. Able and his Hunger Strike for Racial Justice:

Black Scholars Form Group to Educate and Dismiss Election Myths on Social Media

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire

A group of Black scholars and activists say they refuse to allow misinformation, alternative facts, and other means to discourage African Americans during the 2020 presidential election.

The National Black Cultural Information Trust, a Pan-African initiative led by Washington, D.C.-based cultural communications specialist Jessica Ann Mitchell Aiwuyor, seeks to counter fake social media accounts that often discourage Black voters from participating in elections.

The initiative wants to prevent misinformation from turning Black voters against other communities of color.

“The disinformation used to target Black

communities is cultural,” Aiwuyor determined. “It’s cultural disinformation, which uses cultural issues to infuse false information and cause confusion.”

Aiwuyor holds a bachelor’s degree in African World Studies, a Master of Arts in Pan African Studies, and a Master of Science, She noted that fake or covert social media accounts that purport to be behind the American Descendants of Slavery – or ADOS – movement had prodded voters of color to skip the 2020 election.

The misinformation hasn’t dissuaded a long line of voters of color in various states across the country seeking to cast their ballots during early voting.

Aiwuyor pointed out one example of the misinformation: how social media used

the ADOS hashtag to claim that immigrants, not police officers, were to blame for George Floyd’s death.

Four police officers face murder, manslaughter, and aiding and abetting charges in the death of Floyd in May in Minneapolis.

The scholars and activists have pledged to monitor social media posts and flag those spreading misleading and fake stories.

Aiwuyor added that the group would use website tools that show if accounts have “troll-like behavior.”

She remarked that The National Black Cultural Information Trust would actively work to dispel myths and misinformation about voting and slavery.

According to NBC News, the organiza-

16

tion’s website will direct users to discussions and stories around Black voting and U.S. reparation supporters who reject xenophobic rhetoric and push coalitionbuilding with Black immigrants and Latinos.

The scholars argue that diaspora wars can be loosely described as cross-cultural arguments among different ethnicities of African people who express discontent for various reasons.

It’s normal to have a certain level of cross-cultural conflict or discussions, they argue.

However, these conversations take a counterproductive turn when they are internalized and promote anti-Black/white supremacist narratives about each other that hyper-focus on divisions instead of

how individuals can best unify for collective freedom, Aiwuyor noted.

She emphasized that “it’s time to move from war to understanding” and the importance of the 2020 vote.

“Black voters continue to face enormous hurdles in the U.S. electoral process.

Voter disenfranchisement and suppression are at an all-time high, and this includes poll taxes, polling station closures in Black neighborhoods, voters abruptly removed from the rolls, gerrymandering, strict voter-id and registration laws, and much more,” Aiwuyor stated.

“It is imperative that Black communities and our votes are protected and that we are informed of the various sophisticated techniques used to suppress, deter, and or stop Black communities from voting.”

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 21, 2020 - October 27, 2020

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THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 21, 2020 - October 27, 2020

Taraji P. Henson Ends Engagement: “The Biggest Lie is Perfection” Marcus Greenlee, BDO Contributing Writer

We reported that beloved actress Taraji P. Henson was super excited, some say overjoyed when her then-boyfriend Kelvin Hayden proposed to her.

“I said yes, y’all!” was what the phrase that she used when describing the “perfect” moment that Hayden proposed.

Family, friends and fans alike were all excited and looking forward to the day the couple said “I do.”

Well, it looks like everybody going to waiting longer for that–a lot longer.

During an appearance on The Breakfast Club morning radio show, the actress revealed that she and Hayden have split, nearly two years after the former NFL star proposed.

“I haven’t said it yet but it didn’t work out,” said Henson, 50, of her romance with Hayden, 37. “I tried, I said, ‘let’s do the therapy thing’ but if you’re both not on the same page with that, then you feel like you’re taking it on yourself and that’s not a fair position for anybody to play in a relationship.”

Though she did not disclose the reason behind the breakup or when they decided to call it quits, Henson stressed the impor-

tance of internal happiness separate from romantic relationships.

“I haven’t said it yet but it didn’t work out,” said Henson, 50, of her romance with Hayden, 37. “I tried, I said, ‘let’s do the therapy thing’ but if you’re both not on the same page with that, then you feel like you’re taking it on yourself and that’s not a fair position for anybody to play in a relationship.”

Though she did not disclose the reason behind the breakup or when they decided to call it quits, Henson stressed the importance of internal happiness separate from romantic relationships.

“My happiness is not his responsibility

and his is not mine. We have to first learn how to make ourselves happy, to make each other happy. So when one person is taking on the weight of the entire relationship, it’s never going to work,” she added.

“You have to show up, yes you want to be understanding but you can’t lose yourself in that understanding. You have to still stand up for yourself and be there for yourself but it’s hard to do if the other person isn’t doing that either. The biggest lie is perfection.”

Hayden, a former NFL cornerback, and Henson got engaged back in May 2018.

They were reportedly set to get married in June but nixed those plans due to the

pandemic.

Rumors started last month the pair were on the outs, especially when Henson was first spotted this summer not wearing her engagement ring in photos on Instagram, sparking questions from fans. Then, Hayden was NOT part of Henson’s 50th birthday event in Mexico this past September.

“All of my relationships started looking the same,” Henson added. “Two broken people trying to pick up the pieces.”

In 1994, Henson gave birth to her son Marcell. His father, Henson’s high-school sweetheart William LaMarr Johnson, was murdered in 2003.

As Clinical Trials Halt, U.S. COVID Cases Surge

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire

Eli Lilly announced this week that it would pause a government-sponsored COVID-19 clinical trial because of a potential safety concern.

The drug manufacturer did not specify the concern, but the experimental vaccine is reportedly similar to the one President Donald Trump has claimed cured him of the coronavirus.

Earlier, Johnson & Johnson put the brakes on a COVID-19 vaccine trial after the company noted an “unexplained illness” reported by a participant.

In September, Great Britain officials held off on a potential vaccine when a participant reported a concerning reaction.

The difficulty in producing a vaccine for the deadly virus comes as a new wave of COVID-19 infection has begun.

Data provided by Johns Hopkins Univer-

sity in Maryland revealed that the U.S. surpassed 51,000 new daily cases on Oct. 13, marking the first time in over two months that the number exceeded 50,000.

The average daily number of new cases stands at 48 percent higher than two months ago when 34,354 were reported.

More than 36,000 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized on Oct. 13, the highest number recorded since August.

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal that African Americans remain three times as likely as whites to contract the coronavirus, five times as likely to end up in the hospital, and twice as likely to die from COVID-19.

While the race and ethnicity of those who contract the virus are known in just 52 percent of cases, 7 of the 10 U.S. counties with the highest death rates from COVID-19 have populations where people of color make up the majority, according to data compiled by USA Today.

Of the top 50 counties with the highest death rates, 31 are populated mostly by people of color.

“Put simply, America’s history of racism was itself a preexisting condition,” study authors wrote for USA Today.

Additionally, one report noted that had African Americans died at the same rate as

whites; approximately 20,800 Black people would still be alive.

Dr. James Hildreth, the president of the historically Black Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, told the Black Press that his school is among four HBCUs preparing to host on campus COVID-19 clinical trials.

Dr. Hildreth previously advised against any vaccine touted by Trump, where the president exclaimed would be ready before Election Day. “It’s true that Black people have little trust in clinical trials, and that’s understandable,” Dr. Hildreth stressed. “We’ve engendered a level of trust with communities of color that other organizations just don’t have, and it’s imperative for us as HBCUs to rise to this occasion.”

Dr. Hildreth noted that Meharry’s trial would feature a vaccine made by Novavax.

“I’ll be the first patient,” Dr. Hildreth said, again punctuating the trust that’s needed to secure African American participants.

“By engaging with the four Black medical schools, [participants] will have individuals who look like them, sitting across the table, having these conversations, and we think that’s going to make a huge difference.”

Getting the Flu & COVID at the Same Time: How Can You Tell?

by Dr. Phillip Gould, BDO

As if being in the coronavirus pandemic was enough, we are coming out of the allergy season, and into flu season. All of which have some of the same symptoms.

While it was initially thought that getting the flu and contracting the coronavirus COVID-19 were separate, now it appears you can get both infections at once. Having this double whammy might wreak havoc on your immune system and increase the risk of more serious illnesses.

In addition to your personal health, medical facilities may get overwhelmed by people with both illnesses, potentially wreaking havoc on hospital capacity.

“Once you get infected with the flu and some other respiratory viruses, it weakens your body,” said Yasmin, director of the Stanford Health Communication Initiative.

“Your defenses go down, and it makes you vulnerable to getting a second infection on top of that.”

On their own, both Covid-19 and the flu

can attack the lungs, potentially causing pneumonia, fluid in the lungs or respiratory failure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

Each illness can also cause sepsis, cardiac injury and inflammation of the heart, brain or muscle tissues.

Because Covid-19 didn’t spread across the US until near the end of the last flu season, it’s too early to know exactly how much worse this “twin-demic” as some call it, could be, compared to having each virus on its own.

While getting the flu shot, may or may not prevent you from getting the flu, “the flu shot cannot defend you against coronavirus,” says Dr. Sanjay Gupta of CNN. Just 45 percent of adults in the United States got the flu shot last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, even though the seasonal version of the disease is deadly, killing an average of 37,000 people every year over the past decade.

How Can You Tell the Difference be-

tween the Flu and Coronavirus?

Both the flu and Covid-19 can give you a fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, sore throat, body aches and a runny or stuffy nose, the CDC said.

Lisa Maragakis, senior director of infection prevention at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland says, that “the symptoms for flu and COVID-19 are so similar that one of the challenges we’re dealing with this year is diagnosing people correctly and quickly.

Even if you have mild symptoms, don’t attempt to ride out a virus on your own, and don’t assume that coughing is the only clue you’ve got COVID-19. You should contact your doctor if you have body aches, fever, a sore throat, or respiratory symptoms so you can be tested for COVID-19. The list of warning signs for the coronavirus is continually expanding and now includes loss of taste or smell, nausea, diarrhea, or even swollen red toes.”

It’s important to know which infection you have. With the flu, your doctor can

18

prescribe an antiviral medication. But if you have COVID-19, your doctor will help you decide if you need to go to the hospital for severe symptoms where you might be prescribed steroids or other experimental medications. Plus, you’ll have to be quarantined to avoid transmitting it to others.

“Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults,” the CDC said.

But unlike the flu, Covid-19 can cause a loss of taste or smell.

And about half of coronavirus transmissions happen between people who don’t show any symptoms. Many of those people are pre-symptomatic and are more contagious before they start showing symptoms.

So the best way to know if you have the novel coronavirus or the flu (or both) is to get tested.

The CDC has created a test that will check for both viruses, to be used at CDC-supported public health labs. The agency said it is continuing to manufacture and distribute these tests.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October , 2020 - October 27, 2020 INNER-CITY NEWS July 27,21 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

19

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 21, 2020 - October 27, 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.

APARTMENTS FOR RENT

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

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.tousignant@garrityasphalt.com

Spacious 2 & 3 bedroom townhouses. $1,225.00 to $!,400.00. Tenant pays all utilities including gas for heat,hot water, elec.stove, balcony and private entrance, off street parking. Close proximity to restaurants, shopping centers and on bus line. Section 8 welcome. Call Christine 860-985-8258.

APARTMENTS FOR RENT 241 Quinnipiac Avenue, New Haven

Spacious 2 bedroom townhouses with hardwood floors. 1.5 baths. Select with basements and washer/dryer hookups. On-site laundry facility. Off street parking. Close proximity to restaurants, shopping centers and on bus line. No pets. Security deposit varies. $1,425-$1,450 includes heat, hot water and cooking gas. Section 8 welcome.

Call Christine 860-985-8258.

Further information regarding the duties,

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 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.

Union Company seeks:

Contact Dana at 860-243-2300

Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply

NEW HAVEN

CITY OF MILFORD

242-258 Fairmont Ave Townhouse, 3BR, 1vacancies level , 1BA Seeking2BR qualifi ed condidates 1.5 to fillBA, numerous to include,

All Health new apartments, new appliances, carpet, I-91informa& I-95 Public Nurse, Mechanic Sewernew Line and close more.toFor nearinstructions, bus stop & shopping center tion and detailedhighways, application visit www.ci.milford.ct.us Pet under 40lbon allowed.

Interested parties MariaTITLE. @ 860-985-8258 Click SERVICES, JOBScontact and JOB

Real Estate Controller

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. Fusco Management is seeking a Real Controller.

Candidate should have (203) 996-4517 Host, General Bishop Elijah Davis, Estate D.D. Pastor of Pitts Chapel U.F.W.B. Church 64 Brewster

leadership, communication and supervisory skills. Controller should have 6+ St. New Haven, CT year’s hands on accounting experience and have a BS in Accounting.

Duties and Responsibilities:

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY

Oversee the activities of the Accounting Department for the accurate and timely dissemination nancial by management reports including andSeymour external Sealed bids of arefiinvited the Housing Authority of theinternal Town of monthly financial statements, and annual budgets. until 3:00 pm on Tuesday,annual Augustaudits 2, 2016 at its office at 28 Smith Street,

Seymour, CT 06483 for Concrete Sidewalk Repairs and Replacement at the Desired Skills and Experience Smithfield Gardens Assisted Living Facility, 26 Smith Street Seymour.

Qualifications: • • • •

254 Fairmont Avenue, New Haven 258 Fairmont Avenue, New Haven

Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Timberline and Timberscan, BNA, TValue.

A pre-bid conference willand be good held communication at the Housing skills.

Authority Office 28 Smith Discretion, good judgment Street general Seymour, CT at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, 20, 2016.

Strong ledger, accounts payable and accountsJuly receivable.

Real Estate experience a plus.

Bidding documents are available from the Seymour Housing Authority OfEducation and Experience Required: fice, 28 Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 (203) 888-4579.

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance. CPA certification a plus. Must have 6+years of hands-on accounting managerial experience. Fusco Management ofThe Housing Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, to fers a competitive benefit package. Fusco is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opreduce the scope of the project to reflect available funding, and to waive any portunity Employer

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

ELM CITY COMMUNITIES Request for Proposals Legal Services for Nonpayment Summary Process The Housing Authority of the City of New Haven d/b/a Elm City Communities is currently seeking Proposals for Legal Services for Nonpayment Summary Process. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City Communities’ Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at 3:00PM.

Invitation to Bid: nd Notice

Town of Bloomfield2

ELM CITY COMMUNITIES Request for Proposals

SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE of Single-Family Homeownership Housing Development

Lead Building Maintainer - Facilities

Old Saybrook, CT Full Time - Benefited (4 17 Units) $31.26 hourly Buildings,The Housing Authority of the City of New Haven d/b/a Elm City Communities is

Taxdrug Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage seeking Rate Project Pre-employment testing. currently Proposals for Development of Single-Family Homeownership For more details, visit our website – Housing. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City www.bloomfiWood eldct.org New Construction, Framed, Housing, Selective Demolition, Cast- Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobbleCommunities’ VendorSite-work, Collaboration

beginning on in-place Concrete, Asphaltstonesystems.com/gateway Shingles, Vinyl Siding, Flooring, Painting, Division 10 Specialties, Appliances, Residential Casework, Monday, August 10, 2020 at 3:00PM. Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection.

Seeking qualified condidates to fill This contract is subject to state set-aside and contract compliance requirements. Office Position. FT-Exp required.

Construction Administrative numerous vacancies to include, Email- Hherbert@ gwfabrication.com Benefits & Pension Coordinator Bid Extended, Due Date: August 5, 2016 and more. For information and Anticipated Start: August 15, 2016 detailed application instructions, Project documents available via ftp link below:ELM CITY COMMUNITIES visit www.ci.milford.ct.us http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage Click on SERVICES, JOBS and Invitation for Bids JOB TITLE. Fax or Email Questions & Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 dawnlang@haynesconstruction.com

CITY OF MILFORD

QSR

Scattered Sites East and WestConversion/ Replacement

HCC encourages the participation of all Veteran, S/W/MBE & Section 3 Certified Businesses Furnace Construction Company, 32 Progress Ave, Seymour,&CTHot 06483 Water STEELHaynes CORPORATION The Housing Authority of the 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

20

City of New Haven d/b/a Elm City Communities is currently seeking Bids for Scattered Sites East and West- Furnace & Hot Water Conversion/ Replacement. A complete copy of the requirements may be obtained from Elm City’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems. com/gateway beginning on Monday, October 5, 2020 at 3:00PM

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October , 2020 - October 27, 2020 INNER-CITY NEWS July 27,212016 - August 02, 2016

REQUEST FOR BIDS

Federal Program Waiting List Opening Notice (1-bedroom Non-Elderly Disabled Only)

NOTICE

Sale of Surplus Rolling Stock New Haven, Connecticut VALENTINA MACRI RENTAL HOUSING PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

New Haven Parking Authority Project #21-006 HOME INC, on behalf of Columbus and the 10, New2020 Haven Authority, Bids dueHouse November atHousing 3:00 P.M.

is accepting pre-applications for studio and one-bedroom apartments at this development located at 108 Frankwill Street, New Haven.

MaximumOctober income limitations ap-at no cost Bid Documents be available beginning 20, 2020 ply. Pre-applications will be available 9AM TOSecretary 5PM beginning Monday Ju;y by emailing Fortunata Houde,from Executive at fhoude@nhparking.com .

25, 2016 and ending when sufficient pre-applications (approximately 100) have been received at the offices HOME INC. will be mailied upon re- employer.

New Haven ParkingofAuthority is anApplications equal opportunity/affirmative action quest by calling HOME INC at 203-562-4663 during those hours. Completed preapplications must be returned to HOME INC’s offices at 171 Orange Street, Third Floor, New Haven, CT 06510.

Starting Nov. 2, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. through Nov. 13, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. the Bristol Housing Authority will accept pre-applications for the 1-bedroom Non-Elderly Disabled Waitlist for its Low-Income Public Housing Program. Only households with a disabled head of household or co-head between the ages of 18-61 years of age qualify to apply. Maximum of 2 occupants for a 1-bedroom unit.

To apply online or to download a Pre-application go to www.bristolhousing.org or www.cthcvp.org. Applications may also be picked up in person at the BHA office lobby during business hours. Pre-applications and online applications will be available starting Nov. 2, 2020. Pre-applications not completed online must be mailed to Bristol Housing Authority, Attn: Maura Martin, 164 Jerome Avenue Bristol, CT 06010.

FIELD MECHANIC

Pre-applications must be postmarked no earlier than Nov 2, 2020 and no later than Nov. 13, 2020 and received

by Nov. 20, 2020. If you are a person with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply, please contact Maura at (860) 582-6313.

nosis, repair and operation of railroad fleet equipment. International Bucket Trucks equipped with rail gear, VALENTINA MACRIexcavation VIVIENDASequipment, DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES DISPONIBLES Backhoes, skid steers, as well as operation and repair of line equipment (I.e. puller tensioners, hydraulic reel stands etc.) Small engine repair, hydraulic tool repair, construction equipment and material equipment, lull, bobcat, etc.) Working knowledge of 15-35 ton cranes, digHOMEhandling INC, en nombre de la(Forklifts, Columbus House y de la gator New Haven Housing Authority, está geraceptando and automotive repair. Ability to weld and fabricate pre-solicitudes para estudios y apartamentos deisunhelpful. dormitorio en este desarrollo Must have valid, unrestricted CDL classNew B orHaven.

A license, and the availabilitydetoingresos work nights and some weekubicado en la calle 109 Frank Street, Se aplican limitaciones ends if needed. applicantsestarán are subject to preemployment and alcohol testing. máximos.

Las*All pre-solicitudes disponibles 09 a.m.-5 p.m.drug comenzando Martes 25 Upon being hired all employees arehasta subject to federally regulated random drug and alcohol testing. Send100) resume to Ducci Electrical julio, 2016 cuando se han recibido suficientes pre-solicitudes (aproximadamente Contractors, 74 Scott SwampINC. Rd.,Las Farmington, CT 06032 ATTN: Human Resources or via email to humanreen las oficinas de HOME pre-solicitudes serán enviadas por correo a petición sources@duccielectrical.com.

EOE/M/F/D/V. llamando a HOME INC al 203-562-4663 durante esas horas.Pre-solicitudes deberán remitirse a las oficinas de HOME INC en 171 Orange Street, tercer piso, New Haven , CT 06510 .

Following the closing date, applicant position will be determined by a LOTTERY SELECTION and PREFERENCES as set forth in the BHA’s Tenant Selection Policies. 150 applications will be drawn at random on Dec. 14, 2020 and only families selected will receive notification by Dec. 30, 2020.

Applicants must be determined eligible and qualify in accordance with HUD regulations and the Bristol Housing Authority’s Tenant Selection policies.

NOTICIA Ducci Electrical Contractors, Inc. seeks an experienced Field Mechanic proficient in field diag-

We are an equal housing provider and we do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital or familial status.

Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport

Construction Seeking to employ experienced individuals in the labor, foreman, operator and teamster trades for a heavy

Request for Proposal (RFP) Management and Operation of Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program Solicitation Number: 147-S8-20-S

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 242-258 Fairmont Ave Drug Free Workforce

NEW HAVEN

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

All new apartments, new appliances, new carpet, close to I-91 & I-95 highways, near bus stop & shopping center Pet under 40lb allowed. Interested parties contact Maria @ 860-985-8258 CT. Unified Deacon’s Association is pleased to offer a Deacon’s Invitation to Bid: Certificate Program. This is a 10 month program designed to assist in the intellectual formation of Candidates TheClasses Riverfront in response to the Church’s Ministry needs. The cost is $125. start Saturday, August 20, 2016 1:303:30 Contact: Chairman, Deacon Joe J. Davis, M.S., B.S. Franklin Street (203) 996-4517 Host, General Bishop Elijah Davis, D.D. Pastor of Pitts Chapel Torrington, CT U.F.W.B. Church 64 Brewster St. New Haven, CT

One (1) Four-story Building, 60 Units

The Housing Invitation AuthoritytoofBid: the City of Bridgeport (HACB) d/b/a Park City Communities (PCC) is seeking proposals from consulting/management firms to provide management and support services for our 2nd Notice HCV Program. A complete set of RFP documents can be obtained on October 13, 2020 by emailing your request to bids@parkcitycommunities.org, please reference solicitation number and title on the Saybrook, CTConference Call will be held on October 27, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Although subject line.Old A Pre-Proposal (4 Buildings, 17 Units) not mandatory, all interested parties are strongly encouraged to attend the conference to better understand the PCC’s requirements this RFP. Additional questions should be emailed only to bids@ Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing Wageunder Rate Project parkcitycommunities.org no later than November 3, 2020 @ 3:00 p.m. Answers to all the questions beFramed, posted on PCC’sSelective Website:Demolition, www.parkcitycommunities.org.

Proposals shall be e-mail, mailed, or New Construction, will Wood Housing, Site-work, Casthand delivered by November 13, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. to Ms. Caroline Sanchez, Director of Procurement, in-place Concrete, Asphalt Shingles, Vinyl Siding, 150 Highland Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06604. Late proposals will not be accepted.

SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE

Flooring, Painting, Division 10 Specialties, Appliances, Residential Casework, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection.

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

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF DANBURY

Project Description: Project documents to include: New Construction, site-work, paving, landscaping, site furnishing, concrete, masonry, structural steel and misc metals, rough and finish carpentry, waterproofing, insulation, membrane roofing, doors, frames & Bid Extended, Due Date: August 5, 2016 hardware, vinyl windows, glazing, non-structural metal framing, drywall, flooring, painting, signage, toilet and bath Anticipated Start: August 15, 2016 accessories, manufactured fireplaces, storage lockers, postal specialties, wardrobe and closet specialties, residential Sealed bids are invited by the Housing the Town of Seymour appliances, facility waste compactors, window blinds,Authority roller windowof residential casework & countertops, floor mats, electric Project documents available via ftp link below: traction elevators, trash chutes, fire suppression, plumbing, HVAC and electrical.

This is our project. The Project will be until 3:00 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at its office at 28 Smith Street, designed to meet Passive House Standards. Approximately 71,600 sf. Taxable project. No wage rates.http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY

Seymour, CT 06483 for Concrete Sidewalk Repairs and Replacement at the Smithfield GardensBidAssisted Facility, 26 Smith Street Seymour.

Due Date: Living Friday, October 23, 2020 @ 5pm Link to access plans & specifications: http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=riverfrontrecapturetorrington A pre-bid conference will be held at the Housing Authority Office 28 Smith ThisWednesday, contract is subject state2016. requirements: Street Seymour, CT at 10:00 am, on Julyto 20,

Architectural and/or Engineering On-Call Services RFQ No. RQ20001 SCOPE:

Fax or Email Questions & The Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 Housing Authority of the dawnlang@haynesconstruction.com City of Danbury hereby issues this Request for Qualifications to provide HCC encourages the participation of all Veteran, S/W/MBE & Section 3 Certified Architectural and/orBusinesses Engineering On-Call Services Haynes Construction Company, 32 Progress Ave, Seymour, CT 06483 SUBMITTAL RETURN: PROPOSAL AA/EEO EMPLOYER Housing Authority of the City of Danbury, 2 Mill Ridge Rd, Danbury, CT 06811

Envelope Must be Marked: RFQ No. RQ20001 Architectural and/or Engineering On-Call Services

CT CHRO Subcontracting Requirements = 25% SBE and 6.25% MBE All questions and bids must be submitted in written form and directed to the appropriate estimator:

Bidding documents are available from the Seymour Housing Of- & MEP trades.

Eric Facchini efacchini@haynesct.com for Site, Authority Concrete, Masonry fice, 28 Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 (203) 888-4579.

John Simmons jsimmons@haynesct.com for all trades in Divisions 6 through 14.

SUBMITTAL DEADLINE November 9, 2020 at 10:00am (EST)

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

Haynes Construction 32 Progress Ave,or Seymour, CT 06483 The Housing Authority reserves the right toCompany, accept or reject any all bids, to AA/EEO EMPLOYER reduce the scope of the project to reflect available funding, and to waive any informalities in the bidding, if such actions are in the best interest of the Housing Authority.

CONTACT PERSON FOR RFP DOCUMENT: Ms. Devin Marra, Director of Procurement,Telephone: 203-744-2500 x141 E-Mail: dmarra@hacdct.org

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THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 21, 2020 - October 27, 2020

FILM: Black Voices Are Loud and Clear at New York Film Festival

By Dwight Brown, NNPA Newswire Film Critic

The lineup at the 2020 New York Film Festival (NYFF) included an impressive array of African diaspora films and the festival’s usual collection of international motion pictures.

Attesting to NYFF’s eagerness to hear black voices, the fest featured three main slate films from British director/ writer Steve McQueen (“12 Years a Slave’’) that are part of a five-episode West Indian community-based miniseries “Small Axe.’’ McQueen’s homage to his Caribbean roots will appear on Prime Video later this year. Other NYFF entries will roll out in theaters, VOD and on streaming service – in months to come.

All in: The Fight for Democracy *** If voter suppression doesn’t spark righteous indignation, nothing will.

To understand the gravity of the problem, reflect on the findings of directors Liz Garbus and Lisa Cortés and 2018 Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. The history of voting machinations goes back to the 1700s, when only White people who owned land could vote.

Eventually others could, but progress was followed by regression: poll taxes, literacy tests and a 2013 Supreme Court ruling that gutted parts of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Abrams walks you through the devious ways people are denied their rights to elect politicians and specifically points to the artifices used to stifle Georgia citizens’ rights and impede her ability to become governor. The facts and figures the doc have amassed are so alarming that they will make you treasure your right to vote. Timely. Illuminating. Required viewing. The weaponization of voter suppression is unmasked by very astute filmmakers and an exceedingly brave politician.

Lovers Rock **** “I should have worn my church shoes,” says Martha (Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn).

“You can’t wear church shoes to a blues party,” replies Patti (Shaniqua Okwok), her friend. The two young women head to a West Indian house party in this very evocative and visually stunning period film by writer/director Steve McQueen (“12 Years A Slave’’).

The festivities take place in 1980s London, where the magic of dance and reggae/pop music put a joyful aura in the air that’s so powerful party goers sing along to the music like they’re in a Broadway show. The thinly plotted drama/romance follows Martha as she meets the very

Steve McQueen’s “Mangrove” tells the story of the “Mangrove Nine, Black defendants put on trial in 1971 after taking part in protests against police raids of the Mangrove restaurant in Notting Hill in London, England.

debonair Franklyn (Michael Ward).

It’s all about the mood, music, images and feeling as McQueen recreates a time when Caribbean expatriates held on to their culture by socializing. McQueen takes his time painting this indelible portrait. Shapes, colors, textures, sounds, clothes and setting define the movie. A work of art. A complete surprise. Gorgeous (cinematographer Shabier Kirchner). Hard to wrap your head around this much artistry. But you must. As the DJ says, “Move your feet. You don’t know who’ll you meet.”

Mangrove *** ½ In the Nottinghill section of London in 1968, the West Indian community has taken the neighborhood restaurant Mangrove into its heart. The café is run

by Frank Crichlow (Shaun Parkes, TV’s “Lost in Space’’), a Trinidadian immigrant who is as proud to serve émigrés and local activists curry goat as he is to offer them a community center. Police harassment is part of daily life.

Says Darcus (Malachi Kirby, “Roots’’), a Black Panther: “The police will have to stop it or the Black community will have to stop them.” It’s a sentiment echoed by his comrade Altheia Jones-LaCointe (Letitia Wright, “Black Panther’’). Continued brutality incites a neighborhood march, which involves a clash with the

cops. Nine people are arrested, imprisoned and dubbed the “Mangrove Nine” as they fight for their freedom in an impassioned court case.

The story, written by Steve McQueen and Alastair Siddons and directed by McQueen, is based on fact and displays waves of police violence so disturbing it will hook audiences into the plight of those on trial.

When the restaurant crew goes berserk in a cop station after one of theirs has been beaten, the movie hits a level of blistering drama that is sustained throughout the rest of the film. Oscarcaliber performance from Kirby, Wright and Parkes.

With an evil judge, conniving prosecutors and lying police vs. courageous activists, McQueen shows a gift for courtroom drama on the level of Sidney Lumet’s (”12 Angry Men’’). Steel band music and Toots and the Maytals singing the classic reggae song “Pressure Drop” help this reverent feel for West Indian culture and an unwavering quest for justice resonate.

MLK/FBI *** J. Edgar Hoover’s evil attempts to silence Martin Luther King in the ‘60s are notorious. But it took documentarian/ director Sam Pollard (Mr. Soul!) and co-writers Benjamin Hedin and Laura

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Tomaselli to draw a straight line between the FBI and King based on newly declassified files. Hoover feared the rise of a Black Messiah, and his racism and paranoia motivated him to connive.

Tapes from hotel rooms, files and archival footage are all assembled meticulously and presented like a professor teaching a grad course or a prosecuting attorney building an airtight case. Clips of RFK, JFK, Andrew Young and informants abound. Images of MLK railing against segregation and the War in Vietnam are iconic: “No money for the war on poverty. But money for (Vietnam) war.” Be prepared to be deluged with pertinent facts, data so detailed and academic general audiences may feel overwhelmed. Which would be a shame.

Films that divulge the reckless behavior of the FBI and/or government should be seen so the country doesn’t repeat that kind of malfeasance that leads to civil rights leaders being maligned and murdered.

Red, White and Blue *** ½ “Your talent doesn’t belong behind closed doors. You should be a benefit to the community,” says a mentor. Those words steer Leroy Logan (John Boyega, Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens), a young forensic scientist, towards recruitment for a local police

force in his West Indian neighborhood in 1980s London.

Watching his father Ken (Steve Toussaint) get physically abused by the cops is another driving force. Leroy ‘s good intentions for reform meet with resistance from fellow cadets, and subsequently fellow constables in the Metropolitan Police Force and his commanding officer.

Filmmaker Steve McQueen with cowriter Courttia Newland (Lovers Rock) expertly recreates a true crime/drama story that captures the depth of police rancor and an officer who dared to fix it.

Boyega’s stirring performance reaches extremely high levels of drama and indignation, the kind few of his other roles offered. He deserves an Oscar nom.

Tense scenes between the do-right son and wronged father ache with sadness, fear, betrayal, stubbornness, discord— then healing. Toussaint and the supporting cast—from the family to the police characters—are electric. Watching West Indians and Pakistanis be abused makes you see the urgent need for a transformation. A searing exposé. Excellent.

Fiery. Courageous filmmaking that demands an end to inhumane policing and systematic racism.

Dwight Brown is film critic for NNPA News Wire. For more information, visit DwightBrownInk.com and BlackPressUSA.com.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 21, 2020 - October 27, 2020

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THE INNER-CITY NEWS - October 21, 2020 - October 27, 2020

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