INNER-CITY NEWS

Page 1

INNER-CITY NEWS July 27, 2016 - August 02, 2016 THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

Financial JusticeObama a KeyCan Focus at 2016 NAACP Four Ways President Help Blacks in His Last 100Convention Days in Office New Haven, Bridgeport

INNER-CITYNEWS Volume 21 No. 2194 2204

Malloy Malloy To To Dems: Dems:

“DMC” Chocolate Emporium Opens On Whalley Ignore Ignore“Tough “ToughOn OnCrime” Crime”

Color Struck?

Michelle Obama Checks Trump’s

Snow in July?

FOLLOW US ON We’re We’re Stronger Stronger Now Now 1

1


THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

HJL PRODUCTIONS AND THE CITY OF NEW HAVEN YOUTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT INVITE YOU TO A CHARITY CONCERT WITH

JASON

KERGYMA

NEW HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH MASS CHOIR GETHER MARIE MINISTRIES

NELSON PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT “The

Featuring

JASON BENJAMIN CATHEDRAL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT MASS CHOIR CATHEDRAL OF PRAISE MASS CHOIR

Escape” TEEN CENTER AND

SUNDAY

“The Situation” YOUTH HOMELESS SHELTER

OCTOBER 30 | 2016

FLOYD LITTLE ATHLETIC CENTER 480 SHERMAN PARKWAY NEW HAVEN, CT 06511

Emceed by

PASTORS SIGMUND AND TINA MORRIAR

CONCERT STARTS @ 5 PM / DOORS OPEN @ 4:30 PM VIP | $50 / GENERAL SEATING | $25 TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE AT

WWW.THEESCAPE-NEWHAVEN.COM

OR @ THE CITY OF NEW HAVEN YOUTH SERVICES OFFICE | For more information please call: 203.946.7582

2


THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

3


THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

Amistad Returns To New Haven by VICTOR WANG

NEW HAVEN INDEPENDENT

T:5.472”

T:7.5”

The Amistad is back home again. Saturday morning, officials welcomed the ship to the docks of Long Wharf for a three-week stay. The Amistad, a 125-foot long replica of the renowned slave vessel on which Singhe Pieh led a revolt that made U.S. civil rights history, has been traveling along Connecticut, stopping at New London and Bridgeport, as it prepares to launch for its educational tour for the state’s high school students. Throughout a welcoming ceremony Saturday, speakers, including Mayor Toni Harp and Governor Dannel P. Malloy, highlighted the importance of the Amistad story and emphasized the New Haven and Connecticut connections to the fight for freedom and liberty. “The vessel is a floating symbol of the struggle for peace and justice. This story is of tremendous significance to our history,” former Amistad Committee President Al Marder said. “When I first heard about the project to rebuild the ship, I said, ‘This is a New Haven story.’” On the original Amistad, Mende captives from Sierra Leone revolted. But after the slaves took over the ship, they were unable to navigate to Africa and ended up in the port of New London Harbor. They were held captive, at times here in New Haven, as advocates brought their case before a series of courts. The U.S. Supreme Court eventually ruled in favor of freeing the Mende captives, invigorating the abolitionist movement. The initial court cases were held in New Haven. “This 19th century story is a New Haven story. It is a proud part of our foundation,” Harp told the audience. “New Haven is meant to be her homeport.” After the ceremony, the invited guests made their way down the dock to the flag-raising ceremony of the state and city flags before the schooner was open for public tours. The ship itself, newly renovated, was slightly cramped with around 40 guests on board. They filed in and out of a musky wooden cabin in the lower deck. The Amistad replica project has not always been smooth sailing. The ship was previously operated by Amistad America, Inc. but the organization faced scrutiny and lost its not-for-profit status in 2013 after

TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF WHAT CONNECTICUT HAS TO OFFER.

We’re right beside you helping you get the most out of life. It’s why we’re connecting with you at fun, free and discounted events right here in our community. Come to a free cooking class or movie premiere. Or enjoy discounted admission to local perennial gardens, aquariums, zoos and more. Plus, we’re helping people like you achieve their goals and dreams with free tools and resources. Whether it’s starting or growing a small business, navigating career changes or planning your future, we can help you along your journey. Hey, if you don’t think “this is right for me” when you think AARP, then you don’t know “aarp.” Get to know us at aarp.org/ct /aarpct @aarpct

Connecticut

4

VICTOR WANG PHOTO The Freedom Schooner Amistad docked at Long Wharf. failing to file tax returns. Since then, Hine said. “We will take them out Discovering Amistad, a new not- sailing to let them imagine what for-profit educational organization, it was like to be on board and perhas been formed at the recommen- haps what it would have felt like dation of the state and will provide to be taken involuntarily and to full-year programming for the ship. have to fight for your freedom.” The organization aims to utilize Len Miller, Discovering Amistad the schooner’s symbolic sig- board chair, said he hopes the pronificance to advance a youth and gramming will allow students to adult education program. The ship question the status quo and apply will travel along the state’s coast- the Amistad story to current events line and stop at cities to work and happenings in their lives. with students and instructors, “You can learn in the classroom, but both on board and in classrooms. you get a different experience com“We want to talk a little about the ing out to the ship and sailing out,” history of the ship and what it rep- Miller said. “We want kids to quesresents,” on-board educator Jason tion if what is is what has to be.”


THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

John P. Thomas Publisher / CEO

Babz Rawls Ivy

Editor-in-Chief Liaison, Corporate Affairs Babz@penfieldcomm.com

Advertising/Sales Team Trenda Lucky Keith Jackson Delores Alleyne John Thomas, III

Editorial Team Staff Writers

Christian Lewis/Current Affairs Anthony Scott/Sports Arlene Davis-Rudd/Politics

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

Dr. Tamiko Jackson-McArthur Michelle Turner Smita Shrestha William Spivey Kam Williams Rev. Samuel T. Ross-Lee

_______________________

Contributors At-Large

Christine Stuart www.CTNewsJunkie.com Paul Bass New Haven Independent www.newhavenindependent.org

Memberships

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

The Inner-City Newspaper is published weekly by Penfield Communications, Inc. from offices located at 50 Fitch Street, 2nd Floor, New Haven, CT 06515. 203387-0354 phone; 203-387-2684 fax. Subscriptions:$260 per year (does not include sales tax for the in State subscriptions). Send name, address, zip code with payment. Postmaster, send address changes to 50 Fitch Street, New Haven, CT 06515. Display ad deadline Friday prior to insertion date at 5:00pm Advertisers are responsible for checking ads for error in publication. Penfield Communications, Inc d.b.a., “The Inner-City Newspaper” , shall not be liable for failure to publish an ad or for typographical errors or errors in publication, except to the extent of the cost of the space in which actual error appeared in the first insertion. The Publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason and to alter advertising copy or graphics deemed unacceptable for publication. The entire contents of The InnerCity Newspaper are copyright 2012, Penfield Communications, Inc. and no portion may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the publisher.

Walker Bows Out of Majority Leader Race

New Haven Representative Toni Walker bowed out of the race for majority leader Tuesday after a private meeting with her opponent in the race, Rep. Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, and House Majority Leader Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin. Walker will maintain her position as co-chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee. “We thought it was time to come together to move our caucus forward and I believe Matt and Joe will do great things for our caucus,” Walker said in a statement. “I care deeply about the residents of Connecticut and value my work on the Appropriations Committee. During these difficult budget times that our state is facing, I feel that with the experience I have, I can be most effective for our caucus and the people

CHRISTINE STUART FILE PHOTO Reps. Matt Ritter of Hartford and Toni Walker of New Haven

of Connecticut as Co-Chair of the Appropriations Committee.” The race for majority leader, while never adversarial, was con-

tentious. Both Walker and Ritter had hit the campaign trail with Democrats trying to maintain their majority in the House.

The Democratic caucus will vote after the election on majority leader. “Toni’s experience as Appropriations Chair and Matt’s ability to work collaboratively and come to the table with fresh ideas are the dynamic qualities that will lead our caucus to great success over these next two years,” Aresimowicz said. “I am eager to work with both of them to accomplish great things for our caucus and the people of Connecticut.” If Aresimowicz wins re-election and Democrats maintain a majority then Aresimowicz is expected to be the next speaker of the House. House Speaker Brendan Sharkey, D-Hamden, is not running for re-election after serving two terms as speaker.

Community College Tuition Hike Nixed by JACQUELINE RABE THOMAS NEW HAVEN INDEPENDENT

Officials of the state’s community colleges have backed off plans to seek a steep tuition and fee hike for thousands of students starting next semester – and instead plan to study the idea. Under a proposal released last week by the administration of the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities, tuition and fees would have increased for students who take more than 12 credit hours. Currently, community college students who pay full-time tuition can take up to 18 credit hours. The finance panel of the Board of Regents, the college system’s governing board, was set to vote Thursday on the plan, which would charge students $150 in tuition and $74 in mandatory fees

for each credit they take over 12. A student who took 18 credit hours would be charged an extra $1,344 over the current cost of $2,084 a semester, a 64.5 percent increase. But on the eve of the vote, as pushback mounted, the college administration pulled the proposal indefinitely. “A number of concerns have been raised by board members and by presidents of our community colleges, and we want to be responsive and to consider all facts before asking the board to vote on this matter. As a result, we have moved this to a discussion matter at this time and will bring it forward at a later date,” reads an updated report to the finance panel. More than 9,000 students would have been impacted by the increase each semsester – nearly one-insix community college students.

5

The proposal drew immediate outrage from Republican legislators. “Reject this proposal,” Sen. Toni Boucher, R-Wilton, wrote to the regents on Oct. 11. “Find ways to maintain an affordable higher education for our students.” “The state absolutely cannot continue to reach into the pockets of our young people to balance budgets,” said Sen. John Kissel, R-Enfield in a press release. “Continuing to raise the price of that education defeats the purpose of community colleges. These hikes happen in bad budget years and good budget years… “Graduating on time is hard and stressful enough as it is, and now the Board of Regents wants to add a major financial disincentive? Punishing good students who are pursuing a full-time course load is bad public policy,” Kissel said.

The leader of the college system, however, pointed to declining state support and the fact that other nearby states are already charging community college students per-credit. “Our Community Colleges receive 61 percent of their revenue from the state, therefore, it’s important that we prepare for what we know are difficult budget times for everyone. We have an obligation to our students to examine any potential revenuegenerating or cost-savings strategies in order to protect the high quality education our schools provide,” Mark Ojakian, the president of the public college system, said in a statement Wednesday. The finance panel still plans to discuss the issue at its meeting tomorrow but does not plan on voting on the matter – a move that makes it highly unlikely that students next semester will see the increase. “We believe that the sustainability of the community colleges will require systemic changes in the near future and therefore propose unbanding of tuition as one avenue for discussion,” college officials said in a revised board agenda item. “We look to solicit questions and concerns from our board members on this item and will return to the Finance Committee with our final request when appropriate.” the revised board item reads.


THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

Chocolate Emporium Opens On Whalley by LUCY GELLMAN NEW HAVEN INDEPENDENT

A bottle has washed ashore in Westville Village with not a note, but chocolates inside. Chef Darrell Nurse has brought the chocolates to the corner of Whalley and West Rock avenues, where has opened a new sweet shop called Chip in A Bottle. Nurse wasn’t expecting to have a revelation when he stepped into Norman Love Confections on a trip to Naples, Florida, several years ago. One bonbon later, he was hooked. Not on the sweet, flavorful chocolates, though. He loved the idea of making them for customers in New Haven. Now that obsession has led him to start Chip in A Bottle. Later in the year, he plans to turn it into a wine and chocolate shop, as the two complement each other. Nurse, 32 and never a great lover of sweets, didn’t always have chocolate on his radar. Born to Guyanan immigrants in Brooklyn, he grew up around food — slowcooking, molasses-scented pepper pot, oxtail, curries, fragrantly spiced cakes and other West Indian dishes. He became interested in a career in physical therapy when he was hit by a passing car while riding his bike in New York and had to do rehabilitation at a nearby hospital. “I was 14, so I’m thinking: what am I going to do for a career,” he said. “I ended up liking physical therapy for the sports aspect and ironically because they didn’t have to wear suits. I never wanted to have to wear a suit for work. That’s kind of hitting the criteria of everything I ever wanted in a job.” For a long time, that was the path he pursued with an almost dogged diligence. After receiving his BA at Quinnipiac University, he went on to Northeastern for a Doctor of Physical Therapy (PB-DPT), working between hospitals, sports clinics and home care. He loved the service he was providing, and the patients he met through his work. But he wanted to be adding something new: he went back to school for his MBA, and started

LUCY GELLMAN PHOTO

Nurse at the front counter.

to think about how that degree might help him in his therapeutic pursuits. During that time, another facet of his life one he never recognized as a possible career, he said in the interview was also evolving: He was learning to cook. What started as a life skill during his student years at Quinnipiac soon blossomed into a hobby, and then a genuine love. Nurse would spend hours teaching himself to prepare braises, pound out supple pasta doughs, turn meats just the right way in the oven before a dinner party. “That basic cooking expanded into doing more baking,” he said. “And baking just took its own little path in learning how to make a lot of things that you would see on televisions or things that you would see in competitions and what not.” Which, perhaps one too many episodes of Cake Boss or The Great British Bake Off later, is how he ended up in Florida, reveling in the cocoa-scented insides and industrial kitchens of Norman Love’s flagship store in Naples. Staring into pristine cases of chocolates, he went weak in the knees. He’d felt flutters of this in the kitchen

before: it was just something he had to do. “I said: You know what?,” he said. “This is awesome. I wanna do something like that ... as soon as you walked into the door, you just knew that you were not in the same place. You were not walking from a regular old bakery. You walked in to something that was just another level of food. And I thought it was just super cool.” So he made chocolate good chocolate, not the wax- and sugarpacked stuff that comprises Hershey’s and Kit Kat bars, plagues grocery store aisles everywhere, and threatens to send him into a minor fit of rage every time it’s mentioned. Never mind that he didn’t have training in candy making or know where to buy the best kids of cocoa. He wasn’t sure when to walk away from a ganache, or how the melting and burning points . He flipped on his computer, opened an internet browser, and typed a few search terms into google. Self-teaching, grace à Reddit and YouTube. “I said: Let’s learn to get in there as well,” he said. “I like the alchemy side—it’s pretty fun. Especially if

6

you get to that very intricate type of cooking.” He started with the basics: candy melts, beginner-style chocolate, melting couvertures. There were disasters. Describing himself as “more of a line chef on my own,” he recounted having to throw out whole batches of expensive chocolate, going through literal pounds of corn starch, and getting rid of pots that wouldn’t get clean after a bad batch of bonbons. His tiny Dwight kitchen, where he ran out of counter space when a single baking sheet was out of the oven, wasn’t always the most conducive to beta testing large batches of chocolates. But he made it work. In his mind, there wasn’t any other way to operate. He hustled. It taught him how to make his product distinguishable, he said. Not just pretty, painted with shades of dyed cocoa butter that remind him of camouflage in one instant, candy canes in the next, but long-lasting, with flavor profiles like French Valrhona Azélia, whose chip blooms from milk to hazelnut and back again, or Guittard, which morphs into burnt, spun sugar as it melts slowly on

one’s tongue. All of that prepared him to open a store, he said. That’d been the goal since that fateful, flavorful and very sweet day in Naples. “I used to stalk this building,” he joked. “I used to live around the corner ... and every day I would drive through the same storefronts down to Westville I would see the stores, and I would think “that’s the store. I would keep passing it and I would go: I want that store. It’s on a corner, it’s well lit, it’s perfect ... Eventually, I said: I’m gonna go for it.” That was in May. From June, he’s been working 15-hour days, getting the proper permits, doing updates to the building, changing the decor, and of course, testing out his recipes in the industrial kitchen. By Saturday morning, the still-pristine cases will be full of chocolates, cookies, brownies and gelato, he said and then hopefully, they will need to be restocked. “Every day we’ll see what’s best, and then we’ll work from there,” he said. “I have no fear of failing [in the kitchen.] So if I fail I’ll take it, and I’ll scrap it, and I’ll try again.”


SCSU_UOH_5.472x5.1_InnerCity.qxp_Layout 1 10/6/16 4:00 PM Page 1 THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

Republicans Call For Hearing On Budget Reporting Discrepancies by Christine Stuart

NEW HAVEN INDEPENDENT

Epublicans legislative leaders in the House and the Senate are asking Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s administration to explain the discrepancy in revenue figures his office reported in September. “There’s three issues here,” Senate Republican leader Len Fasano, RNorth Haven, said Monday. “One we’re going to have a deficit. Two, there was a clear attempt to try and hide that deficit from the public. And third, we need to find out why these revenue figures are not in sync.” There’s also a $30 million unexplained difference in revenue between the numbers Malloy’s budget office reported on Sept. 6 and the revenue estimates released last week by the nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis. OFA projected that the state was facing a $77.9 million deficit. Malloy’s budget office has yet to officially project a deficit in its monthly letter to state Comptroller Kevin Lembo, even though it told its agency heads in a Sept. 6 letter that its budget was likely more than $130 million in the red. Republican legislative leaders called for the informational hearing at a Legislative Office Building press conference Monday. Fasano said they would ask Lembo, Office of Policy and Management Secretary Ben Barnes, and officials from the Office of Fiscal Analysis to testify and answer questions. “We are seeing a pattern of not being truthful,” House Republican leader Themis Klarides, R-Derby, said Monday. She said there’s all these deficit numbers out there now. “What are we supposed to do? Just pick the one we like?,” Klarides said. Chris McClure, a spokesman for Malloy, dismissed the Republican press conference calling for an informational hearing as “loaded with hyperbole.” “While we appreciate Sen. Fasano and Rep. Klarides’ attempts to make news and alter the political landscape for their Trump-immolated party, the truth is that writing, passing, and keeping a budget balanced throughout the year re-

quires a lot of hard work and hard decisions,” McClure said point out that if the Republican budget had passed it would be $112 million in the red. McClure said Republicans don’t want to have a serious conversation “they just want to change a political narrative that isn’t working for them.” Republican legislative leaders have not called Barnes to ask privately about the discrepancy, which the administration says points to their political intentions. House Speaker Brendan Sharkey, D-Hamden, echoed McClure’s remarks. “This is typical Republican rhetoric, just like what we are hearing from their own desperate presidential candidate Donald Trump, they don’t like the numbers so they claim the system is rigged,” Sharkey said. “With no credibility left, it’s not surprising the minority party is only left to point fingers and flail in the wind.” Adam Joseph, a spokesman for the Senate Democratic caucus, said he’s skeptical Republicans want to have a serious discussion about the budget. Beside, in less than one month, legislative budget analysts and the governor’s budget office are “legally required to issue consensus revenue estimates and we should follow that process.” But Republicans aren’t the only ones seeking answers. State Comptroller Kevin Lembo wrote Barnes, Malloy’s budget director, last week expressing his concern about the discrepancy between the Sept. 6 and Sept. 20 numbers and requesting an answer. “The contradicting forecasts deserve an explanation in order to preserve confidence in the state’s official financial statements,” Lembo wrote to Barnes. In response, Barnes said they use their best judgment regarding the status of the budget when they submit their reports on a monthly basis to Lembo’s office and last month was no exception. “We monitor revenues on a daily basis and regularly consider the impacts of economic and financial events and trends on our near and long term revenues,” Barnes said. “This analysis typically leads us to identify likely ranges of outcomes

For high school students, transfer students, parents, and friends • Visit our beautiful campus • Meet faculty, staff, and students • Learn about majors, financial aid, housing, and more Register for the Open House at SouthernCT.edu/openhouse

Discover the Hopkins Community OPEN HOUSE Sunday, October 23, 2016

TOUR Wednesday, November 9, 2016 A coed, college preparatory day school for grades 7-12 203.397.1001 • New Haven, CT • hopkins.edu

7


Mayo Ready To Suit Back Up THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

by PAUL BASS

NEW HAVEN INDEPENDENT

Retired Superintendent Reggie Mayo has emerged as one of five candidates to run the public schools through next summer as the Board of Education seeks a permanent replacement for departing chief Garth Harries. Applications were due Friday for candidates for the position of interim superintendent, who will not be eligible for the permanent position. Besides Mayo, the other candidates who submitted applications are: Richard Therrien, the school system’s K-12 science supervisor; Paul Smotas, who has served as interim superintendent of the New Hartford public schools; Wayne Alexander, a former out-of-state superintendent who has also worked in the Hartford schools ; and Andrew Rynberg. Board of Ed member Darnell Goldson, who’s overseeing the search committee, said the

MELISSA BAILEY FILE PHOTOS Mayo: Relief pitcher warms up in bullpen.

goal is to decide on an interim superintendent by Oct. 24, at the latest: “The idea is to get a person in as soon as possible so there can be some transition be-

tween them and Garth.” Harries is set to leave office under an approximately $200,000 severance deal he reached with the board two weeks ago. Interviews

are set to begin on Monday. Mayo, who could not be reached for comment for this story, ran the school system for 21 years before retiring on July 1, 2013. He had been in discussions with Mayor Toni Harp about a possible return even before Harries finally decided to leave. The return would be temporary: The goal would be to have Mayo serve as a late-innings relief pitcher, a veteran with extensive relationships and a deep knowledge of the system to keep the schools running and reform plans proceeding until a permanent successor is found. The city named a new preK school on Goffe Street after Mayo. A formal dedication had been planned for this past Sunday; as Mayo began formally applying for the post, the date of the event was postponed until the end of the month, by which point the interim hiring decision is expected to have been made. Mayo had served as a men-

tor to Harries when Harries came to town in 2009 to serve as deputy superintendent in charge of school change (aka school reform). Mayo, who worked his way up through the public schools over 46 years, provided needed support for Harries to develop new ideas. When Harries ascended to the superintendent’s job, he no longer had that daily back-up. And his support gradually crumbled. When the Independent first reported that Mayo was under consideration for the interim post, readers offered a range of views (in this comments thread). Some argued that the schools should break with the past. On WNHH radio’s weekly “Pundit Friday” news-in-review program, Babz Rawls-Ivy, editor of the InnerCity News, noted those concerns but argued that in a shortterm bridge role, Mayo “can be a calming presence” amid an upheaval in the school system.

Senate President Files Election Complaint Against Business Lobby by Jack Kramer

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney is charging, in an election complaint, that the Connecticut Business & Industry Association is illegally coordinating with Republicans in this year’s election. Looney, a state senator from New Haven, says the largest business organization in the state sent invitations to Democratic lawmakers and one candidate asking them to visit CBIA member businesses in their districts and then disinvited them hours later. Looney said Sen. Dante Bartolomeo, Sen. Joseph Crisco, Sen. Mae Flexer, and challenger Timothy Bowles were all invited and then disinvited to visit the businesses by CBIA Vice President and General Counsel Bonnie Stewart. He noted that CBIA is financially supporting Republican opponents in

CTNEWSJUNKIE FILE PHOTO

Senate President Martin Looney

all those races. CBIA has been public about its decision to spend $415,000 on 15 races this year — 4 in the Senate and 11 in the House.

While federal law allows groups like CBIA to spend money on clean election candidates, it doesn’t allow them to coordinate with those campaigns.

8

In his Oct. 7 complaint letter to Michael J. Brandi, executive director and general counsel of the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC), Looney states there was “improper coordination between CBIA and several campaigns.” CBIA cited “a technical error” that led to the emails going to campaigns that shouldn’t have received them. Looney said he’s unable to know whether the Republicans CBIA is supporting were also “disinvited.” Looney alleges his Senators would be injured because Republican candidates might go on the local business tour and leave the impression that the Democratic Senators chose not to be there when in reality they were “disinvited.” It’s unlikely given the backlog of SEEC complaints that this one would be investigated by Nov. 8, but Looney asked for it to be expedited.

Joseph Brennan, president and CEO of CBIA, rebutted Looney’s complaint.“CBIA believes that the complaint filed with the State Elections Enforcement Commission by the president pro tem of the state Senate is without merit,” Brennan said. “We are confident that we are in full compliance with all state election laws. CBIA has repeatedly sought guidance, in advance, from SEEC staff over the last two months regarding our election activities, particularly independent expenditures,” continued Brennan’s statement. Two months ago, CBIA announced it would spend money on four Republican races in the Senate. At the time, Brennan said that it wasn’t an attempt to flip control of that chamber from Democratic to Republican. “Don’t spit in my face and call it rain,” Looney replied when asked about the statement by reporters.


THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

549,804 BREAST EXAMS

IS PLANNED PARENTHOOD

GET TO KNOW PLANNED PARENTHOOD WHERE YOUR VOICE GETS STRONGER BY THE NUMBERS FIND OUT MORE TODAY @ PPSNE.ORG ∙ 800.230.PLAN (7526)

All-Day Rides, Waterpark Less Than $30! That’s Affordable Family Fun At Quassy!

The Zoo just got a little cooler!

Birthday Party Packages Start At Only $310

2016 SPECIAL FEATURE AFRICAN PENGUINS ICNEWS516

50% OFF BEARDSLEY ZOO

CHILD ADMISSION (ages 3-11)

with purchase of adult ticket and this coupon. Limit 1 free ticket per household. May not be combined with other offers. EXPIRES: 12/31/16

9

Purchase Daily & Season Passes Online www.quassy.com

Family Night Specials * 50-Cent Fabulous Fridays

Rides * Hot Dogs * Pepsi - 50 Cents Each

* $45 Saturday Night Carload

Wristbands For Up 10 Persons In One Car (These specials offered after 5 p.m.)

2132 Middlebury Road, Middlebury CT

1-800-FOR-PARK


THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

New Asst. Chief: We’re Stronger Now by PAUL BASS

Basking in applause and well-wishes at his swearing-in Thursday afternoon, New Haven’s new assistant police chief reminded people of a darker moment in his department’s history. The new assistant chief, Otoniel Reyes, reminded the 100 cops and community members who jammed City Hall’s atrium about the state of the department 10 years ago when a federal raid swept up corrupt cops and a parade of out-oftown chiefs and assistant chiefs took turns running the show. “Failed leadership and corruption gave the reins of this department to outsiders,” Reyes said. Reyes, who’s 44 (and who often goes by “Tony”), is anything but an outsider. He grew up in the Hill. He has steadily risen through the ranks in 17 years in the department. So his swearing-in Thursday had the air not just of a hometown celebration, but of perhaps a turning point for the department. “Although the road has been tough for this department, we have endured and thrived,” he remarked to the crowd. It was a rare moment of unity for a department and a city riven these days by political infighting. Besides the flood of current cops, the crowd included retired Acting Chiefs Stephanie Redding and John Velleca, city firefighters, suburban chiefs, and U.S. Attorney Deirdre Daly and members of her staff, with whom Reyes has worked closely on the “Project Longevity” anti-gang violence initiative. “We are all New Haven proud today,” declared Pastor Todd Foster (pictured), who gave the invocation and benediction. Foster also noted that even New Haven Independent commenters had nothing bad to say about Reyes when this article

announced his promotion from head of the detective bureau. In his 17 years in the department, Reyes has run one of the two Hill policing districts, served as a crisis negotiator, and overseen the homicide and major crimes unit. (Lt. Herb Johnson will now assume the latter command.) Reyes has attracted loyalty and respect in the ranks as well as in the community, as evidenced by Thursday’s crowd. Interim Chief Anthony Campbell (pictured), who presided over the event, called Reyes “a man of honor and compassion and conviction and duty” who does what’s right even when nobody’s looking.” Reyes’ promotion still leaves one of the four assistant police chief spots vacant. It would be filled if Mayor Toni Harp decided to name Campbell the permanent chief. Campbell, who also rose through the ranks in New Haven, took over as acting chief on Sept. 2 after Dean Esserman, the third consecutive chief brought in from out of town, left office amid controversy. “Under Chief Campbell’s command, the department hasn’t missed a beat,” Harp said at the event. “For that, I am grateful.”

PAUL BASS PHOTO Leslie Reyes pins a badge, then a kiss, on her husband.

10


In 2016 Race, Echoes Of 1990 THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

by PAUL BASS

NEW HAVEN INDEPENDENT

Social media didn’t exist back then. An attack on a candidate’s spouse, on the other hand 0DeLauro did encounter that. About her own husband. That was back in 1990, when DeLauro ran for the first time to represent New Haven in the U.S. House of Representatives. Now DeLauro is currently running for her 14th two-year term. And, she observes, politics have changed — in some ways. Not all. “Running” may be an overstatement for DeLauro. The popular Democrat’s opponent in the Nov. 8 general election, Republican Angel Cadena, has no money or organization behind him. He’s busy six days a week driving a truck. He last updated his website in May. For the last 12 of DeLauro’s runs, the Republican Party has pretty much given up on trying to unseat her. In addition to focusing on her own reelection with local events in the district, DeLauro is hoping to help her party regain control of the House so she can serve in the majority again. So she hasn’t had to fend off nasty personal attacks on the trail. But as she has seen politics change here and D.C., she has seen some constants as well — and a set of circumstances reminiscent of the issues that faced New Haven when she first won the seat in 1990. Competitively, the 2016 and 1990 races couldn’t be more different. In other ways, 1990 echoes in 2016. “Stanley Greenbucks” DeLauro reflected about how politics has changed and how it hasn’t in a campaign interview on WNHH radio’s “Dateline New Haven” program. DeLauro barely edged into office the first time around in 1990 against Tom Scott, a conservative Republican whose politics presaged his party’s turn to the right. Scott captured 48 percent of the vote without much help from the national party, which didn’t seem to realize how close the race had grown. (DeLauro’s vote total hasn’t fallen below 63 percent since then.)

PAUL BASS PHOTO Congresswoman DeLauro at WNHH.

We’ve heard a lot this year about presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s husband from her Republican opponent. Back in that first 1990 race, Rosa DeLauro heard about her husband as well. Scott regularly referred to him as “pollster Stanley Greenberg.” Greenberg is a prominent pollster who has worked for the campaigns of, among others, Bill Clinton, Tony Blair and Nelson Mandela. Scott had taken the campaign into the heart of DeLauro’s base — New Haven’s Wooster Square, where she grew up, then still seen as a predominantly Italian-American Catholic neighborhood. Scott argued that liberal Democrats like DeLauro did not truly represent the culturally conservative values of white ethnic urban neighborhoods. That argument continues in similar parts of this country today amid stagnant or declining standards of living for the working class; it’s at the heart of the Donald Trump-Hillary Clinton battle for swing votes. New Haven was crawling out of a painful recession in 1990; it’s emerging from another recession today, with the working class feeling left out the recovery. “At one of their rallies they kept making reference to ‘Stanley Greenbucks.’ It was nasty,” De-

Lauro recalled about 1990. (Scott adamantly denied any anti-Semitic intention in the repeated invocation of Greenberg’s name.) DeLauro was no newbie to rough-and-tumble politics. She’d managed Frank Logue’s mayoral victory in New Haven against the political machine in 1975. She managed two of Chris Dodd’s U.S. Senate campaigns and ran his D.C. office. Yet she said she hadn’t encountered that level of personal attack before. She learned she’d have to get use to it. “You know what? I’m pretty tough,” she said. “You can’t be thin-skinned in this business. So you deal with it. What you don’t want to do is to get into the name-calling and the mud-slinging. That’s not what campaigns are about or should be about.” 2 Shutdowns, 2 Media Truly contested races are about that more than ever today. Fortunately for DeLauro, she hasn’t had truly contested races. But she has seen the atmosphere become more confrontational in Congress, she said, since then-Speaker Newt Gingrich shut down the House of Representatives in 1995. DeLauro and her Democratic colleagues protested that shutdown by remaining in the House. They

11

nal representatives “all the time”: “They know what you’re doing and saying. That kind of transparency is a very big part of what the democratic process should be about.” On the downside, she said, “there’s little verification” when an attack line goes viral. She noted that campaigns have always in modern times had “rapid response teams” ready to turn around a new TV or radio commercial overnight to counter an opponent’s attack ad. Now “rapid” means responding in minutes, online. Don’t Shoot Some of the issues remain remarkably constant from 1990 to 2016. The country’s still divided on guns, as are DeLauro and her Republican opponent, then and now. Cadena, who owns an AR-15, makes opposition to gun-control proposals and support for the NRA version of the Second Amendment a centerpiece of his campaign. continued giving speeches from (Click here for a story in which he the floor. But Congresspeople de- discusses his position at length, inpended on the C-SPAN feed in or- cluding a story about watching his der to be heard beyond the Capitol. father get shot when he was 13.) And Gingrich shut off the feed. Cadena argued that gun control “We in essence were talking to measures don’t succeed in removourselves. But it wasn’t getting ing weapons from criminals but do out,” DeLauro recalled. The next violate the rights of law-abiding time DeLauro and Democratic col- citizens. leagues staged a sit-in the House DeLauro, who said she does this past June the media world had not own a gun, argued that the changed. proposals she supports — backThis time the Democrats were ground checks, “No Fly/No Buy,” protesting a refusal by Republican banning assault weapons and Speaker Paul Ryan to allow a vote high-capacity magazines — can on proposals to require universal help prevent some of the 91 daily background checks for firearms deaths across the country due to purchases and to ban people on the gun violence, including the kind suspected-terrorist “no-fly” list to of massacre that occurred at Sanbuy guns. Ryan shut off C-SPAN dy Hook Elementary School. She again. DeLauro & co. remained said nine of ten Americans support to make speeches again. But this “common sense” measures like the time their staffs and C-SPAN it- background checks. The battle for self knew about Periscope and the working class is resonant of Facebook Live. They didn’t need the 1990 campaign, too. Donald the gatekeepers any more. They Trump and his followers (includhad social media. “The country,” ing Cadena) have backed the idea DeLauro noted, with awe still evi- of building a wall along the southdent in her face months later, “was ern U.S. border to keep out immiwatching what was happening this grants. (Asked if that’s feasible, time.” Cadena responded, “Ask Israel.”) Social media has produced ben- DeLauro argued that instead of efits as well as new problems to building walls, the U.S. needs a the system, DeLauro observed. “working families” agenda that She praised the ability of constitu- focuses on greater investment in ents to follow their CongressioCon’t on page 26


The Sound Of Silence THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

by LUCY GELLMAN NEW HAVEN INDEPENDENT

Just moments after a woman has screamed from the pain of childbirth, fists are flying. Limbs are lunging. On one end of the room, a grandmother emerges from her dreary shuffle to restrain the pregnant woman, one elbow cutting across her neck as the other swings back, ready to move into action. Just feet away, a father and son wrestle each other to the floor, alternating swings as they rotate around each other, grudging and violent planets in paternal orbit. Their bodies, seething with anger and distrust, fill the space. Somehow, everything operates at a whisper. The whoosh of labored breath is the only guaranteed sound. They, these weary and wary fighters, know what we in the audience are still learning: If the woman screams again, it could cause an avalanche to come crashing down on their home, and their village. This dogged quest for silence is the central conflict in Iranian playwright Jaber Ramezani’s The Slow Sound of Snow, on at the Yale Cabaret through Saturday night. Translated and directed by thirdyear Yale MFA student Shadi Ghaheri, the work is a thoughtful, affecting feat, asking the viewer to consider things like rank selfpreservation and neonaticide by neglect before posing the ultimate ethical question, and having the cast throw down their moral dice to answer it. This weekend marks its American premiere. The Slow Sound of Snow unravels seamlessly, stakes mounting with a rumble in the distance at its outset. Somewhere deep in the mountains of Turkey, heavy snow falls each winter, threatening to bury whole villages. If that doesn’t get them, the constant threat of avalanches may. They’re brought on by the smallest vibrations: children’s laughter, the sing-song quality of a human voice, an echoing mandolin, and of course, the piercing cries of a newborn baby. Enter the conflict: Yashar (Courtney Jamison) is very pregnant

ELIZABETH GREEN PHOTO The cast-mid fight: Crowe-Legacy, Jamison, Kuo, Udom and Wainiqolo.

at the long, cold end of a snowy winter, and the grudging in-laws with whom she lives regard her and the tiny life she carries as a sort of ticking time bomb. As they enter a rigid, practiced wintertime regime of silence, she bears the weight of every concern, every misstep, every blame-worthy movement around the house, struggling with the day-to-day pains of growing another human being largely in silence. When she goes into labor before spring has sprung, chaos ensues. Sort of. Crowe-Legacy as Sayrash. Every character is set in his or her ways, and every one of them has an almost steadfast prerogative. Of course, they’re also thinking and feeling human beings. In Ramezani’s careful hands, the narrative — quite similar in tone to Nuri Ceylan’s Winter Sleep of 2014 — blooms into something com-

plex, maddening, and folkloric, with heavy mysticism and metaphor woven in. Long, silent sections, labored breath and hushed speech become the pauses in which our characters think about their circumstances, and how hard they would be to ever escape. Mirroring the cast, audience members become acutely, magically aware of the most banal sounds: shoelaces that are tied and untied, blood dripping from a carcass into the metal pot below, the rustle of a human back to the floor, the grace of flesh on flesh, lips on lips. Any of these, if exacerbated, could spell the family’s downfall, and the question is if one of them will. No great surprise, then, that Yashar’s life becomes the root cause of distrust, and ultimate trolley problem; She with her fetus is a train barreling towards warm, helpless bodies, and there’s the chance to

12

stop it. Her lover Talaz (James Udom), father in-law Eli Arkha (Seta Wainiqolo), and resentful grandmother-in-law Sayrash (Antoinette Crowe-Legacy) must just decide if they’re going to. In one cold and snowy universe, they could do nothing, the baby would be born, and its cries would bring the avalanche crashing down. In another, they could flip the trolley switch, and bury her and the child alive, saving themselves from imminent danger. There is a middle space in which they hang, precariously, deciding if something in between is less morally brutal. Wrestling with ethics, public morality, and utilitarian philosophy to its core, The Slow Sound of Snow never stops being a challenging play, and it draws tremendous strength from this. There are missteps: actress Stefani Kuo is exuberant but struggles with the

nuance of the text. It’s unclear how much is lost in translation and regional specificity during a tangent on circumcision. But Ghaheri, who broke the linguistic mold in last year’s Satellite Festival of new work, continues to be fearless, and that’s on display throughout. Jamison, Udom, Crowe-Legacy, and Wainiqolo engage in some particularly balletic sequences, surprising the audience with how agile the tired, winter-worn body can be. Just don’t go if you’re married to happy endings. Or rather, don’t go if you think you know exactly what they are. The Soft Sound of Snow runs at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. through Saturday night at the Yale Cabaret. For ticket information,


THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

America’s Got Talent available on XFINITY TV app.

Your all-access pass. With XFINITY X1, enjoy the latest episodes of the top 100 shows instantly, personalized recommendations, smart search and more. You can also explore the Black Film & TV collection on XFINITY On Demand to quickly find the movies, TV shows and music you love. Plus, XFINITY Internet delivers the fastest Internet in America according to Speedtest.net and gives you access to millions of hotspots nationwide. X1 will change the way you experience TV.

89

XFINITY X1 Triple Play

$

99

a month for 12 months with a 2-year agreement

Ask how to get a $200 Visa® Prepaid Card when you step up to an HD Complete Triple Play

Call 1-866-348-6455 or visit xfinity.com today.

Offer ends 10/30/16, and is limited to new residential customers. Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. Requires subscription to Starter XF Triple Play with Digital Starter TV, Performance Pro Internet and XFINITY Voice Unlimited services. Early termination fee applies if all XFINITY services are cancelled during the agreement term. Equipment, installation, taxes and fees, including regulatory recovery fees, Broadcast TV Fee (up to $5.00/mo.), Regional Sports Network Fee (up to $3.00/mo.) and other applicable charges extra and subject to change during and after the promo. After promo, or if any service is cancelled or downgraded, regular charges apply (pricing subject to change). Service limited to a single outlet. May not be combined with other offers. TV: Limited Basic service subscription required to receive other levels of service. XFINITY On Demand selections subject to charge indicated at time of purchase. Internet: Based on 2015 Speedtest.net testing. Speedtest.net/awards/us. Actual speeds vary and are not guaranteed. Speedtest is a trademark of Ookla, LLC. Used under license. XFINITY WiFi hotspots included with Performance Internet or above only. Available in select areas. Requires WiFi-enabled device. Money-back guarantee applies to one month’s recurring service charge and standard installation charges up to $500. Voice: $29.95 activation fee applies. Service (including 911/emergency services) may not function after an extended power outage. Two-year term agreement required with prepaid card offers. Visa® prepaid card offer requires minimum term agreement. Cards issued by Citibank, N.A. pursuant to a license from Visa® U.S.A. Inc. and managed by Citi Prepaid Services. Cards will not have cash access and can be used everywhere Visa® debit cards are accepted. © 2016 Comcast. All rights reserved. NBCU celebrity endorsement not implied. All networks are divisions of NBCUniversal. © NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All rights reserved. NPA190664-0001 DIV16-4-203-AA-$89bau-A2

115513_NPA190664-0001 Simplify ad_A2_9.25x10.5.indd 1

9/19/16 5:17 PM

13


“Big Dog” Brings It Home THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

ing keyboards in his parents’ Waterbury home. He instantly sounded good. His mother, the choir director at Refuge Church of Christ, started taking him to lessons. She also took him to church, where he played in the band seven days a week throughout his childhood. Eventually those lessons took place at an after-school program at Yale, where Davis learned classical composition. He continued studying with a professor, auditing his Yale classes while still in high school. Then he studied jazz with the great Jackie McLean at Hartt School of Music. It was a time when gospel, R&B, jazz, and hip-hop were cross-fertilizing each other in venues from church sanctuaries to nightclubs to concert halls. Davis eventually traveled in all those circuits; his arpeggios came accented with back beats and flat sevenths. After working as a Bank of America security guard while gigging, he got his big break in 1995 with Brian McKnight. He played on The Arsenio Hall Show, The Tonight Show, and The Rosie

by PAUL BASS

NEW HAVEN INDEPENDENT

Chris “Big Dog” Davis, who as a kid learned some of his best licks in New Haven and Connecticut, is returning home with an early Christmas present. Davis, a Grammy-nominated producer and international touring musician and arranger, is putting the finishing touches on a CD highlighting jazz, gospel, and hip-hop artists from the state. It’s called Christmas in Connecticut with Chris “Big Dog” Davis. He plans to release it here in New Haven at a party at Dixwell’s Stetson Branch Library Dixwell on Thursday, Nov. 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. Diane Brown, Stetson’s head librarian, said kids will get frontrow seats at the event. She wants them to see Davis up close, to hear him play keyboards, and to hear him tell his remarkable story. The story began in the 1960s, when at 4 years old he started play-

PAUL BASS PHOTO Davis & Brown at WNHH.

O’Donnell Show. He started touring and arranging music for a living. His dream was to become a producer: “The vision of hearing music and taking the artist to a place the artist wanted to be,” as he put it during a joint appearance with Brown on WNHH radio’s “Dateline New Haven” program. He has gotten to do that for a long list of artists, including Najee, Phil Perry, Kim Burrell, and WIll Downing; his latest effort is jazz saxophonist Gerald Albright’s new album. And, of course, Christmas in Connecticut, which will feature a variety of vocalists doing Davisarranged Christmas standards in new ways. Davis called much of the music “hip-hopera,” a mix of his classical and hip-hop backgrounds. Dana Lauren performs a Sarah Vaughn-esque jazz version of “Santa Claus is Coming To Town.” Dawn Tallman does a gospelly “Silent Night” and a jazz-fusion “Drummer Boy.” It promises to be music you’ve heard over and over and never before.

Con’t from page

Republicans Call For Hearing

14

and the information in our letter to agencies asking for budget options was based on a scenario extremely conservative revenues. It is essential that the governor have a variety of significant budget reduction options to consider as he develops a budget recommendation for the coming biennium. The forecast we used was appropriate to that goal.” The state Comptroller used to have a greater ability to independently verify the numbers coming from the governor’s budget office, but that all changed back in 1991. Now, the comptroller only has the ability to accept the numbers the Office of Policy and Management gives him on a monthly basis. While his narrative about those numbers can offer opinion, the actual revenue and expenditure numbers reported to Wall Street bond rating agencies about the state’s fiscal health have to be the governor’s numbers. Republicans said they would be

open to changing that. Fasano said he’s read the legislative history and it’s unclear why lawmakers decided to make those changes. He said he would like to hear about the possibility of giving the comptroller more power to do its own research regarding the revenue projections. Lembo said he’s open to a discussion about the monthly reporting requirements in which he’s asked to certify the numbers Barnes gives him, but now might not be the right time. “The timing of this discussion is certainly interesting, and probably not the most productive three weeks before an election,” Lembo said. “Some of the state’s financial reporting policies have been on the books for 25 years! However, I am always open to an in-depth conversation about how the state prepares its financial reports.”


THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

Fall In Love With Your Future Accelerate your studies with

Winter Session:

December 27 through January 13

Registration begins November 1st

Spring 2017 classes start January 19 $25 reserves your class. Payments over five months!

Visit the GCC website for more information and see what’s in it for you!

GatewayCT.edu

SUPER SATURDAY OPEN REGISTRATION

20 Church Street, New Haven, CT

DECEMBER 3, 2016 & JANUARY 7, 2017 - FROM 9:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.

15


THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

yale institute of sac

abyssinian bapti

REV. DR. CALVIN O. BUTTS III, PASTOR

•

Listen to t

Music from the African Am

Friday, October 21 7:30 PM / Wools

Free; no tickets requ 16


THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

cred music presents

ist church choir

•

JAMES DAVIS, JR., DIRECTOR OF MUSIC

the Lambs

merican Worship Experience

sey Hall (500 College St., New Haven)

uired. ism.yale.edu 17


THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

501 Cresent St., New Haven, CT 06515

Now in it’s 7th incredible year!!!

Hampton University Names

Plus-Sized Winner of Beauty Pageant

by Jerica Deck Special to the AFRO

Friday, November 4th, 2016 - 8:00pm VIP $100 Seating and Reception at 6:00pm $40 Back of floor seating (group tickets available for $30 - 10 or more) $35 All upper section seats

Veteran Discount with ID $27 SCSU Staff with ID $27 Students with ID $25

Proceeds to benefit The Robert H. Saulsbury Scholarship Fund Nuts About Health is a 501©(3) non-profit organization; therefore, all contributions are tax-deductible

After decades of stick thin Miss Hampton winners, Hampton University student Nyia Fairley became one of the first full figured women to win the pageant. On Sept. 30, the twenty one year old first year pharmacy student was selected by a panel of judges to be the face of the university. “I really feel like this rumor or this perception of what Miss Hampton University is, people have this stigma of what she has to look like or what she has to be. And that’s what really inspired me to do the pageant was that she doesn’t have to look like that,” Fairley told the AFRO. “Just to show them, ‘Look I am the face of Hampton University and look at me.’ I’m not what you traditionally see as a beauty queen, but I’m going to be what you expect to see in future.” Fairley’s platform is body diversity, and throughout the competition she incorporated body positivity and self-esteem into her performance. “I chose body diversity because people feel like beauty is one thing. I just want everyone to know that you are your own type of beauty. There is no one type of beauty because beauty is art and no art is the same,” said Nyia Fairley. “A lot of girls on campus feel insecure about the way they look and they feel like Miss Hampton has to look a certain type of way. And I just wanted to show them that you don’t have to fit into this box or this stigma of what Miss Hampton is or what a Hampton woman is. Just go out there and be yourself. Fairley hopes to continue promoting this message after the competition by holding self-esteem seminars on campus.She also hopes to partner with beauty queens and leaders at other HBCU’s, to help women across the country feel more comfortable in their own skin. “I actually hated the reflection that I saw when I looked at myself. And at that time I wished that I saw someone that was close to my age, who looks like me, who I could relate too. I had my mother and she’s great, but it’s nothing like having somebody who you

18

Nyia Fairley breaks the mold by becoming one of the first plus sized winners of Hampton University’s beauty pageant. (Courtesy photo)

can see the spitting image of yourself in. And to say like ‘Oh ,she could do this I could do this.’ I did not have that and I just want to be that for somebody,” said Fairley. Fairley competed against ten other girls in several rounds of the pageant. These included swimwear, introductions, evening gowns, and a question and answer portion as well. She also performed a spoken word piece about the importance of high self-esteem during the talent portion of the competition. Fairley is an honors student from Chicago Illinois. She is a member of the American pharmacy association, the Golden Key honor society and her school’s honors college program. Fairley also regularly gives back to her com-

munity. She is a member of the Gamma Theta chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority incorporated and Hampton University’s Q.U.E.E.N. mentoring program. “To me beauty is confidence and acceptance and embrace. To be able to let your inner light shine and to love yourself flaws and all, that’s beauty. As long as you accept who you are, and generally love the person that you are and you are becoming, you will always be beautiful and you will be able to exude that onto others,” said Nyia Fairley. “This win just wasn’t for me. It was for her (Fairley’s mom). It was for other girls on this campus. It was for the people who helped me or supported me.”


THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

AILEY II Troy Powell, Artistic Director

Wed Oct 26 7:30 pm Universally renowned for merging the spirit and energy of the country’s best young dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today’s most outstanding emerging choreographers. The program will include Ailey’s iconic suite Revelations.

“...one of the most sublime dances ever choreographed.” – The Boston Herald JORGENSEN Center for the Performing Arts jorgensen.uconn.edu | 860-486-4226

19

Only 30 minutes from Hartford


Kevin Hart: What Now? THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

Kevin Hart Wows Hometown Crowd of 50,000 at Lincoln Financial Field Film Review by Kam Williams

Step aside Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence, the undisputed reigning “King of Comedy, “ pound-for-pound, is clearly now Kevin Hart. That’s after his “What Now?” world tour during which the diminutive comedian staged 168 shows across the United States and Canada, as well as ports-of-call in Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. The pinnacle of the 16-month standup series was an outdoor event at Lincoln Financial Field. where the Philly native son performed in front of a very appreciative crowd of 50,000 hometown fans. And the record-making turnout marked the only occasion on which a comic has ever sold out a mammoth football stadium. The highlights from that venue’s production were cobbled together to create Kevin Hart: What Now?, the 5’ 4” funnyman’s fifth foray into the concert flick genre, and his first since Let Me Explain (2013). While most of the movie is ostensibly composed of the best of Kevin’s latest standup

act, it opens with another one of his trademark set pieces, in this case a spoof of a famous James Bond scene from Casino Royale. Directed by Tim Story, the skit features Kevin as a suave card shark and co-stars Halle Berry as his love interest Miss Money

Berry, Don Cheadle as his straight man, David Meunier as a ruthless Russian mobster, and Ed Helms as an affable bartender. The basic idea behind the bit is to have Hart amass millions in winnings at the poker table before mounting a daring escape with Halle in

tow and arriving just in time in Philly to launch the proceedings. Let’s face it, comedy has become more of a challenge in this politically-correct era when formerly-favored, bottom feeding fare focusing on misogyny, homophobia and race have underRP inner city news oct.qxp_Layout 1 10/11/16 10:56 AM

THE RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE for movies and the performing arts

OCTOBER 19 Boney James

standably become controversial, hot-button topics. However, Kevin has never had any trouble working with such constraints, as his observational brand of humor is mostly of an introspective nature. Instead, he continues to mostly exploit himself, milking mirth from jokes revolving around his size, his fear of being photographed while sitting on a public toilet seat, his dislike of his wife’s endless hypothetical questions, and his newfound fear of wild animals like snakes, coyotes and mountain lions which has surfaced now that he resides outside of L.A. As Kevin himself suggests just as the closing credits start to roll, his hilarious act’s universal acceptance by the diverse audience made up of members of every ethnicity and orientation effectively delivers a timely message that if we can all laugh together, then we can all live together, too!. Very Good (3 stars) Rated R for pervasive profanity, the N-word, and some sexual references. In English and Russian with subtitles Running time: 96 minutes Distributor: Universal Pictures Page 1

DON’T MISS THE BIGGEST NAMES IN MUSIC AND COMEDY!

NOVEMBER 19 Comedian JB Smoove 20 Chita Rivera: A Ledgendary Celebration DECEMBER 7 Tiempo Libre: A Cuban Holiday! 8 Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings Home for the Holidays Special Guest Saun and Starr

203.438.5795 • RIDGEFIELDPLAYHOUSE.ORG

20


THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

ellington jazz series

the LANGSTON HUGHES PROJECT Friday at 7:30 pm • Tickets start at $20, Students $10 Morse Recital Hall • 470 College Street, New Haven Box Office: 203 432-4158

OCT 28

Co-sponsored by the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library

music.yale.edu With Allah’s Name, the Merciful Benefactor, the Merciful Redeemer

Abdul-Majid Karim Hasan Islamic Center

Invite you to attend our Thirteenth Annual Leadership Awards & Fund Raising Dinner

Saturday, November 12, 2016 Time: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Individual Tickets: $50.00 BEST WESTERN HOTEL

201 WASHINGTON AVE., NORTH HAVEN, CT 06473 FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TICKETS CONTACT Yusuf Ibn Shah (203) 804-5600 or Michael Hasan (860) 818-9980 Imam Dr. Abdul-Majid Karim Hasan (203) 996-5078 Carrie & Tisa Ahmed (203) 676-4574

21


THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

CLOSES OCTOBER 29TH

HazWaste Central

Black-Owned Start-Up Called "Airfordable" Offers Layaway Plans For Expensive Plane Tickets

Working with Communities to Protect Our Water Resources SAFE & FREE DISPOSAL OF HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS SATURDAYS ONLY, 9 AM–NOON THROUGH OCT. 29, 2016 HazWaste Central is for residents in these participating towns: Bethany, Branford, Cheshire, East Haven, Fairfield, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Milford, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Wallingford, West Haven, Woodbridge.

Partial list of what to bring. For a complete list of what to bring: www.rwater.com/products-and-services/hazwaste-central/ KITCHEN & BATHROOM Aerosols

Metal & Furniture Polish

Bathroom Cleaners

Floor Care Products

Oven & Drain Cleaners

Nail Polish Remover

GARAGE & WORKSHOP Gasoline

Auto Body Repair Products Paint Thinner & Stripper

Auto Batteries

Other Oils/Cleaners

Used Motor Oil*

Brake & Transmission Fluid

Latex & Oil-Based Paints*

Antifreeze

GARDEN & MISCELLANEOUS Chemical Fertilizer

Herbicides & Insecticides

Batteries*

Fungicides

Pesticides

Photographic Chemicals

Swimming Pool Chemicals

Fluorescent Bulbs (Including CFL Type)*

Small (1 Pound) Propane Cylinders

Mercury & Mercury-Containing Items

* Local disposal options may be available. Please check with your public works department or local transfer station or the following resources: Batteries: call 1-800-8-BATTERY or log on to www.call2recycle.org (excluding alkaline and auto batteries). Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) Bulbs: call 1-800-CLEANUP, or log on to www.earth911.com Paint: log on to www.paintcare.org and visit the Connecticut portion of the site to find a drop-off location for household paint.

No Gas-Grill Size Propane Tanks or Electronics

Residential Waste Only

SMALL BUSINESSES: CALL 203-401-2712 FOR DISPOSAL INFORMATION For more info call 203.401.2712 or email ask.hazwaste@rwater.com. Located at 90 Sargent Drive, New Haven at the Regional Water Authority’s Headquarters. Take I-95 exit 46 and follow signs to the RWA.

photo: Founders - Craig Henry II, Ama Marfo, and Emmanuel Buah Airfordable, launched by a group of Chicago-based Black entrepreneurs, allows users to create a payment plan when buying airline tickets. Users can secure a plane ticket with a deposit upfront, and pay the remaining balance in bi-weekly recurring payments before the departure date. The founders - Ama Marfo, Craig Henry, and Emmanuel Buah - decided to collaborate after realizing that they all pretty much had the same idea in mind, and had the knowledge and experience needed to build the platform. How does it make money? The revenue model is simple. Airfordable charges a one-time fee

on the price of the ticket that varies between 10% and 20%. Users can sign in to use the payment calculator to determine their fee and payment schedule. The service does not charge compounded interest, and does not require a credit check. The concept is very simple and so far - the site has more than 27,000 users that are booking both international and domestic flights. The service is especially popular for people who want to travel overseas but can’t afford to pay a $1,500 or $2,000 ticket price upfront. Marfo comments, “We have a lot of students using Airfordable to travel home or for study abroad programs. While other users are planning travel based around life milestones such as destination

weddings and family vacations. We are covering just about any travel need you can think of.” How they got started Of course, funding is always a major obstacle for such ideas. But they were able to successfully secure a seed round of funding from Y Combinator - a startup incubator headquartered in Mountain View, California. So far, they’ve been using the funds to build the technology and for marketing. Once the company gets more traction, they plan to expand their model to also launch micro-loans for vacation packages and hotels. For more details about Airfordable, visit www.Airfordable.com

The Zoo just got a little cooler! 2016 SPECIAL FEATURE AFRICAN PENGUINS ICNEWS516

50% OFF BEARDSLEY ZOO

CHILD ADMISSION (ages 3-11)

with purchase of adult ticket and this coupon. Limit 1 free ticket per household. May not be combined with other offers. EXPIRES: 12/31/16

22


THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

Michelle Obama Checks Trump’s ‘Locker Room Talk’:

by Jason Hughes, BlacDoctor.org

With the election only weeks away, our beautiful, quick-witted First Lady Michelle Obama is not here for presidential candidate Donald Trump and his incessant sorcery. While campaigning for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton last week, FLOTUS gave an emotional speech in which she rebuked Trump for bragging about using his celebrity and power to sexually assault women. His remarks were heard on a 2005 video of Trump talking with Billy Bush on a bus for the TV show Access Hollywood. Since the Washington Post’s release of the video and audio, several women have come out detailing the ways Trump violated their bodies in past encounters. Trump said all of the allegations against him are “lies.” During the last presidential debate, Trump even referred to his comments about groping and kissing

women as “locker-room talk.” Mrs. Obama wasn’t going to let Trump shrug this off so easily. “The shameful comments about our bodies, the disrespect of

our ambitions and intellect, the belief that you can do anything you want to a woman, it is cruel,” Obama said at the New Hampshire rally for Clinton.

Michelle Obama Trump speech“The men in my life do not talk about women like this and I know that my family is not unusual,” Obama continued. “And to dismiss this as everyday locker room talk is an insult to decent men everywhere.” Obama’s words come at a time when more and more conversations are being had about rape culture, women’s bodies and consent. The discussion hit a plateau with the promotion of actor/ director Nate Parker’s film, Birth of A Nation, a few months ago. Parker was accused of raping a young woman as a college athlete at the Penn State in the 1990s. His seemingly arrogant, “male privilege,” way of talking about the rape charge, of which he was cleared, rubbed people the wrong way. In protest of Parker, many pledged not to support his film, which tells the story of a slave revolt led by Nat Turner in Virginia. Though the allegations against

Trump haven’t led to any criminal charges, it’s interesting to see many Republicans chose not to withdraw their support. In fact, new reports say that techgiant Peter Thiel plans to donate $1.25 million to Trump’s campaign. He’s one of many who are unbothered by Trump’s sexist actions against women. Those actions include allegations from 74-year-old Jessica Leeds that Trump grabbed her breasts and tried to put his hand up her skirt on a plane in the 1980s, that Trump allegedly stuck his hand up Kristin Anderson’s skirt at a Manhattan night club in the 1990s and that he allegedly walked into the dressing room of the 1997 Miss Teen USA Pageant competitors while they were changing. “This is not normal. This is not politics as usual,” Obama said during her speech. “This has got to stop right now.”

Four Ways President Obama Can Help Blacks in His Last 100 Days in Office

By Julianne Malveaux, NNPA Newswire Columnist The countdown to President Obama’s last one hundred days began on October 13. Already, the President has committed to spending his waning days in office by campaigning for Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee for President. Indeed, he has put his legacy on the line, telling Black people at his last Congressional Black Caucus dinner that he will be personally insulted if folks don’t get out to vote for Hillary. Instead of staking his legacy on the results of the November elections, however, President Obama might be better advised to improve his legacy by taking bold actions in these last days of his presidency. What might he do to positively affect the African Americans he far too frequently scolds? For

one thing, he might step up the pace of the pardons and sentence commutations for nonviolent drug offenders, who are disproportionately African American. In 2011, then-Attorney General Eric Holder said there were as many as 10,000 federal drug offenders that could be released. While President Obama has offered pardons and commutations, only a fraction of those whose sentences could be commuted have been. For whatever reason, the Department of Justice has moved at a snail’s pace with commutations. President Obama could direct Attorney General Loretta Lynch to bring more pardon applications to his desk. He would make a tremendous impact if the number of nonviolent drug offenders with sentences pardoned or commuted were closer to 10,000 than 1000. President Obama might also consider a posthumous pardon for Marcus Garvey, the Jamaican-born activist and founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). At

its peak, UNIA had millions of members in 1100 chapters in 40 countries. Garvey was wrongfully convicted of mail fraud and deported from the United States in 1923. Garvey was really only guilty of loving Black people and organizing us. President Obama could lift up an organizer, correct a historical wrong, and signal that he is not as indifferent to Black people as he sometimes seems. Such a small gesture would go a long way toward contributing to his legacy. The President might also consider the request from The Institute of the Black World 21st Century to appoint a John Hope Franklin Commission on Reparations. He could do this by executive order and the commission could potentially hold a few hearings in the month after the November election. This would be a small gesture, but it would go a long way toward continuing an important conversation about the origins of our nation’s wealth gap. President Obama could also

23

use an executive order to direct unspent Department of Education funds to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). What if he directed at least $1 million to each HBCU, pushing Dr. Kim Hunter Reed, Acting Executive Director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs to go to each federal department to release unspent funds for contracting and scholarship opportunities? These dollars would make a great difference, especially at our nation’s smallest, private HBCUs. The president made important points in his recent visit to North Carolina A&T State University at a gathering hosted by ESPN’s “The Undefeated” and led by anchor Stan Verrett. He could combine talk with action by aggressively addressing HBCU issues as his term winds down, making amends for the ways his administration treated HBCUs earlier. President Obama has lots of unfinished domestic and foreign policy matters, and there will be numerous demands in these

last 100 days for him to address a plethora of issues. As a lame duck, he has limited tools – the executive order and the bully pulpit. Congress may return after the November election chastened, especially if Republicans lose the Presidential race, and inclined to cooperate on some legislative matters. It is more likely, however, that they will continue their obstruction to anything President Obama proposes. Still, President Obama has the power to do more both symbolically and substantively in these last days of his Presidency. I’d urge him to consider some of the things he can do to address the African American community that has steadfastly supported him, even when he has not been so supportive of us. Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist. Her latest book “Are We Better Off? Race, Obama and Public Policy” is available via www.amazon.com for booking, wholesale inquiries or for more info visitwww.juliannemalveaux.com.


THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

#WeDoExist: Flight Crew Refused To Believe This Black Woman Is A Doctor During An Emergency by Gwendolyn Harris, BlackDoctor.org

What does a doctor look like when they’re not in their signature white coat? According to personnel on a recent Delta flight, not like Dr. Tamika K. Cross. Dr. Cross, a Black woman, was denied the opportunity to help save a passenger’s life on Delta flight DL945 after a flight attendant refused to believe that Cross was, in fact, a real doctor. “I’m sure many of my fellow young, corporate America working women of color can all understand my frustration when I say I’m sick of being disrespected,” Dr. Cross began a lengthy Facebook message detailing the horrific experience. Unfortunately, her experience is all too common for us. Investment maven Mellody Hobson recounted her experience of being mistaken for the back room help and asked where was her uniform at a business luncheon in her powerful 2014 TED Talk on race. We literally have to wear our credentials on our sleeves, and even that’s not enough at times. How’s this for credentials: According to Dr. Cross’ LinkedIn profile, she is a Resident Physician – Obstetrician and Gynecologist at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). She received her Doctor of Medicine (MD) desig-

Tamika K. Cross, MD/Photo: LinkedIn Dr. Tamika Cross/Photo: Facebook

nation from Meharry Medical College and a Bachelor of Science in Brain Behavior and Cognitive Science from University Michigan. In a sentence, Dr. Dross was more than qualified to a sist in a medical emergency. As she explained in her Facebook post: Was on Delta flight DL945 and someone 2 rows in front of me was screaming for help. Her husband was unresponsive. I naturally jumped into Doctor mode as no one else was getting up. Unbuckle my seatbelt and throw my tray table up and as I’m about to

stand up, flight attendant says “everyone stay calm, it’s just a night terror, he is alright”. I continue to watch the scene closely. A couple mins later he is unresponsive again and the flight attendant yells “call overhead for a physician on board”. I raised my hand to grab her attention. She said to me “oh no sweetie put ur hand down, we are looking for actual physicians or nurses or some type of medical personnel, we don’t have time to talk to you” I tried to inform her that I was a physician but I was continually

For more information on ACES schools, programs and services, please visit our website.

(203) 498-6800 | www.aces.org 24

cut off by condescending remarks. Then overhead they paged “any physician on board please press your button”. I stare at her as I go to press my button. She said “oh wow you’re an actual physician?” I reply yes. She said “let me see your credentials. What type of Doctor are you? Where do you work? Why were you in Detroit?” (Please remember this man is still in need of help and she is blocking my row from even standing up while Bombarding me with questions). Rather than allow Dr. Cross to jump into this time sensitive situation, the back and forth continued while a white male who announced himself as a physician was permitted to help no questions asked. Cross wrote that her blood was “boiling” and after sharing the experience on her Facebook page readers felt the same. Black doctors, specifically Black women doctors, are speaking up on social media to let Delta and the world know #WeDoExist. Currently, Dr. Cross’ Oct. 9 post has more than 23k shares and over 57K reactions. The flight attendant offered her Skymiles in exchange for what she calls “blatant discrimination” and she is not having it. Not without taking this all the way to the top for proper action. I’m sure many of my fellow young, corporate America working women of color can all understand my frustration when I say I’m sick of being disrespected. Was on Delta flight DL945 and someone 2 rows in front of me was screaming for help. Her husband was unresponsive. I naturally jumped into Doctor mode as no one else was getting up. Unbuckle my seatbelt and throw my tray table up and as I’m about to stand up, flight attendant says “everyone stay calm, it’s just a night terror, he is alright”. I continue to watch the scene closely. A couple mins later he is unresponsive again and the flight attendant yells “call overhead for a physician on board”. I raised my hand to grab her attention. She said to me “oh no sweetie put ur hand down, we are looking for ac-

tual physicians or nurses or some type of medical personnel, we don’t have time to talk to you” I tried to inform her that I was a physician but I was continually cut off by condescending remarks. Then overhead they paged “any physician on board please press your button”. I stare at her as I go to press my button. She said “oh wow you’re an actual physician?” I reply yes. She said “let me see your credentials. What type of Doctor are you? Where do you work? Why were you in Detroit?” (Please remember this man is still in need of help and she is blocking my row from even standing up while I respond “OBGYN, work in Houston, in Detroit for a wedding, but believe it or not they DO HAVE doctors in Detroit. Now excuse me so I can help the man in need”. Another “seasoned” white male approaches the row and says he is a physician as well. She says to me “thanks for your help but he can help us, and he has his credentials”. (Mind you he hasn’t shown anything to her. Just showed up and fit the “description of a doctor”) I stay seated. Mind blown. Blood boiling. (Man is responding the his questions and is seemingly better now Thank God) Then this heifer has the nerve to ask for my input on what to do next about 10 mins later. I tell her we need vitals and blood sugar. She comes back to report to me a BP of 80/50 (super low, to my non medical peeps) and they can’t find a glucometer. We continue down that pathway of medical work up, but the point is she needed my help and I continued to help despite the choice words I had saved up for her. The patient and his wife weren’t the problem, they needed help and we were mid flight. She came and apologized to me several times and offering me skymiles. I kindly refused. This is going higher than her. I don’t want skymiles in exchange for blatant discrimination. Whether this was race, age, gender discrimination, it’s not right. She will not get away with this….and I will still get my skymiles….


THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

Is The Racial Gap For Breast Cancer Deaths Finally Closing? CDC Says Yes. By HealthDay News

The racial gap for breast cancer deaths is closing, particularly among younger women, U.S. health officials reported Thursday. Breast cancer death rates are down overall for both white and black women, though there’s still a disparity between the races. Between 2010 and 2014, death rates dropped faster among white women than among black women, about 2 percent a year versus 1.5 percent, according to the study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, among women under 50, the death rate was the same for both races, the researchers found. MUST READ: 11 Foods To Feed Your Breasts “We hope that the signal we are seeing in younger women we will see in older women as time progresses,” said lead author Dr. Lisa Richardson. She’s director of the division of cancer prevention and control at the CDC. “Historically, black women have had higher mortality rates and they still do overall, but for women un-

der 50 the diseases are the same, and that’s something we have not seen previously,” she said. The biggest difference between the races in the drop in breast cancer deaths was among women ages 60 to 69. For these women, rates dropped 2 percent per year among white women and 1 percent among black women, Richardson said. The declines in deaths are largely due to more education about breast cancer, cancer screening and better treatment, she said. “Women are learning about breast cancer types and doctors are as well, and treatments are being done that are more effective,” Richardson said.

Screening has also played a role. “The earlier you find cancer, the more treatable it is,” she said. In addition, better access to care may be a factor, but that won’t be known for some time, Richardson said. “We hope over time, as access continues to improve, these rates will continue to drop,” she said. “If you are screened for cancer, understand that the next step is — if it’s abnormal — to get a diagnosis, and if it is cancer get the proper treatment,” Richardson said. “It really is a continuum of screening — it’s not just one test.” The report was released online Oct. 13 in the CDC’s Morbid-

ity and Mortality Weekly Report. Dr. Jacqueline Miller is medical director of the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. “The good news is that overall rates of breast cancer are decreasing among black women,” she said in a statement. “However, when compared with white women, the likelihood that a black woman will die after a breast cancer diagnosis is still considerably higher,” Miller said. One cancer expert sees the disparity between white and black women as a problem of inadequate access and care. “The crux of the issue is we need to all realize there is a substantial proportion of Americans who don’t get good health care,” said Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical and scientific officer of the American Cancer Society. Many black women don’t gettreatment within the first year after being diagnosed with breast cancer, Brawley said. “We are talking about lousy treatment and no treatment at all as a substantial issue,” he said. Brawley also said, “We need to fix some of the underlying causes of breast cancer, such as

the high prevalence of obesity among black women. Obesity is the second leading cause of all cancer in the United States.” “We need a concerted effort to get all Americans adequate therapy and prevention,” Brawley said. To further reduce deaths from breast cancer and close the gap between black and white women, the CDC said better personalized treatments along with screening and getting care after a diagnosis of breast cancer are needed. Women can help reduce their risk of breast cancer by knowing their family history of cancer, being physically active, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and getting recommended cancer screenings, the agency says. According to the American Cancer Society, women ages 40 to 44 should have the choice to start annual breast cancer screening with mammograms if they wish. Women 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year. Women 55 and older should get mammograms every two years, or continue yearly screening if they so choose.

Black Women’s Roundtable Launches National Vote Effort By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Contributor

The Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR) and the Unity’16 Campaign of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) recently announced a nationwide “Get Out the Vote” campaign. BWR is the women and girls empowerment arm of The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation. A plan called “State of Emergency #PoweroftheSisterVote” will focus attention on key battleground states in the race for the White House. Those states include Georgia, Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia and Florida. The goal of the campaign is to maximize the African American voter turnout for November 8. The three-week push will include several “get out the vote” activities in the above states. The volatility of the election cycle that has given rise to a reality TV star and real estate mogul, Donald

Trump, has made the turnout strategies for both parties of vital importance. No one expects the turnout percentage to be what it was in 2008 and 2012 when a historic candidate like Barack Obama, was on the top of the ticket. To complicate the effort further, there has been a noteworthy “enthusiasm gap” between the Clinton campaign and the Trump campaign, with Trump speaking to

consistently larger crowds than his competitors and Clinton sticking with relatively safe talking points on her stops. Even though (BWR) and the Unity’16 Campaign effort is non-partisan, the constituencies targeted in their campaign are African Americans likely to vote for Democratic candidates particularly with Donald Trump on the scene. President Obama’s back-toback victories showed the power

25

of minority voters. Soon after President Obama was elected, new voter ID laws popped up in states with Republican Governors and legislatures. Political analysts wonder if the same constituencies will turnout at the same levels as they did four and eight years ago. African American women have maintained the highest voting percentage of any group in the American electorate for the last two presidential cycles. “Black women are a powerful force when it comes to getting our families and friends out to vote and we are the ‘secret sauce’ to who gets elected to the White House, Congress, state and local elections,” said Melanie Campbell, the convener of the Black Women’s Roundtable. “We are working to encourage our millennial Black women to take the lead in ensuring that they use peer-to-peer interaction to encourage young people to vote and to get their communities to vote.” In lieu of new

laws that make it harder to vote implemented over the years, voter supression will be a key focus. “It is vital for Black millennials to seize our voting power in order to hold elected officials accountable to win on the issues we care including criminal justice and policing reform,” said Tamika Mallory, a board member of Justice League NYC. The “get out the vote” efforts will include four town halls: Georgia, North Carolina – October 17-23 Ohio, North Carolina, Alabama – October 23-29 Florida, North CarolinaOctober 30-November 5 Virginia & Pennsylv nia – Blitz Weekends – October 30 and November 5 A detailed calendar can be found at www.unitycampaign.org. Lauren Victoria Burke is a political analyst who speaks on politics and African American leadership. She can be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on Twitter at @LVBurke.


THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

Facts About Bullying Every Parent Should Know By Daunte Henderson, BlackDoctor.org Contributor

October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month. This campaign was founded in 2006 by PACER’S National Bullying Prevention Center to raise awareness for bullying prevention. Schools, organizations and celebrities all participate in a month full of activities to stop this growing concern in our nation. According to statistics, 1/4 of youth will be bullied this school year. Bullying comes in a variety of forms. It’s not just the big, mean kid pushing on the quiet kid with glasses. Bullying encompasses a wide range of behaviors. Most schools have their own definition of what bullying is, while each state will have a legal definition of what bullying means to them. Most of the definitions contain similar characteristics such as: Harming another person physically or emotionally The person being harmed has the inability to defend themselves or cease the behavior When the person doing the bullying has more social, physical or emotional power over the target Repeated behavior (Although, it can occur in singularly) Kyla M. Gordon, M.Ed, Clinical Therapist from Chicago, talks to us about bullying prevention in the African American community. Ms. Gordon has over five years experience with servicing children, adolescents and adults with mental/behavioral health impairments. BlackDoctor.org: In Black culture we like to rag, fry or plain and simple talk about each other. Oftentimes it’s innocent,

but is this considered bullying? Kyla Gordon: I wouldn’t call that bullying unless there is an imbalance of power, someone using their intelligence, size, age, experience or even gender to control or intimidate the “targeted” person. BlackDoctor.org: Is bullying something that only nerds or the un-cool people go through? Kyla Gordon: There is no specific label of people or “face” of someone being bullied. If a person believes they are being exposed to negative actions by one or more individuals and continues to intrude upon you aggressively, thus making you uncomfortable, than that is bully behavior. BlackDoctor.org: How can you teach your child to set limits with their peers to avoid bullying? Kyla Gordon: Helping the child understand and identify what his/her per-

sonal limits are is critical to avoiding being bullied. What is your limit of personal disrespect? What physical touch is accepted/denied? Are there specific people you will not tolerate these things from? BlackDoctor.org: What are 5 tips to help prevent your child from being bullied? Kyla Gordon: Be assertive. Set limits and reinforce boundaries. Help them understand what bullying is. Encourage open communication amongst child and parents. Encourage kids to paticipate in activities that will boost their confidence. BlackDoctor.org: There seems to be a lot more emphasis on bullying in recent years. Schools have cracked down on this type of behavior.Why do you believe this is? Kyla Gordon: I believe bullying has increased with the rise of social media because it can occur 24/7,

26

images can be posted anonymously and shared to a wide audience; thus leading to public humiliation. Cyberbullying has included inappropriate text messages, rumors posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles which unfortunately is difficult to delete. BlackDoctor.org: What lasting words wold you like to leave our parents looking to keep their children safe this school year? Kyla Gordon: Be mindful of the signs of bullying: Use alcohol and drugs Skip school Be unwilling to attend school Receive poor grades Have lower self-esteem Regression Withdrawn Opposition

Con’t from page 11

In 2016 Race, Echoes Of 1990 jobs and the social-safety net, paid sick leave, a new board to prevent price-gouging on prescription medicine (the topic of a new bill she is sponsoring), and a new tax credit for families with children under 3 years old. She has also helped lead the opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade treaty. (Read more about that here and watch her discuss it in the above file video.) In another echo of the presidential campaign, DeLauro argued for “fixing” rather than dumping Obamacare, embracing a “public option” that enables more people to enroll in Medicare and Medicaid as a step toward a single-payer system. As in 1990, liberal Democrats like DeLauro are arguing that government can help fix tough domestic problems facing working families, through greater investments in people and jobs and health care and regulation of predatory corporations. Conservative Republicans like Scott (then) and Cadena (now) are arguing that government is the problem, that the private sector can create jobs and help people improve their lives if freed from taxation and regulation. New Haven may not have the competitive Congressional race that it last had in 1990. But as in that year, it has a choice between two candidates representing the distinctly opposed policy visions of their parties’ cores. You can listen to DeLauro and Cadena at length in the sound files below from their appearances on WNHH. And they are in fact having one debate: they plan to meet Sunday at Hamden’s Congregation Mishkan Israel, starting at 10 a.m.


THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF DANBURY Inventory Consultant RFQ No. RQ16001 CONTACT PERSON

Ms. Devin Marra, Director of Procurement Telephone: 203-744-2500 x141 E-Mail: dmarra@hacdct.org Contact Ms. Devin Marra, via phone or email. Housing Authority of the City of Danbury 2 Mill Ridge Rd, Danbury, CT 06811 Envelope Must be Marked: RFQ No. RQ16001 Inventory Consultant October 31, 2016 – 10:00 am (EST)

HOW TO OBTAIN THE RFQ DOCUMENTS: SUBMITTAL RETURN

SUBMITTAL DEADLINE

[Minority- and/or women-owned businesses are encouraged to respond]

The Glendower Group, Inc Request for Proposals

CO-DEVELOPER FOR ROCKVIEW PHASE II The Glendower Group, Inc an affiliate of Housing Authority City of New Haven d/b/a Elm city Communities is currently seeking Proposals for CO-Developer for Rockview Phase II A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on Friday, October 7, 2016 at 3:00 PM. NOTICE OF INVITATION FOR BID HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF DANBURY Landscaping/Glen Apartments IFB No. B16003

CONTACT PERSON HOW TO OBTAIN THE IFB DOCUMENTS:

BID SUBMITTAL RETURN PRE-BID WALK THROUGH BID SUBMITTAL DEADLINE/BID OPENING

Ms. Devin Marra, Director of Procurement Telephone: 203-744-2500 x141 E-Mail: dmarra@hacdct.org Contact Ms. Devin Marra, via phone or email. Housing Authority of the City of Danbury 2 Mill Ridge Rd, Danbury, CT 06811 Envelope Must be Marked: IFB No. B16003 Landscaping Glen Apartments 25 Memorial Drive, Danbury, CT 06811 November 3, 2016 by 2:00pm EST November 09, 2016 at 10:00am EST

[Minority- and/or women-owned businesses are encouraged to respond]

NOTICE OF INVITATION FOR BID HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF DANBURY Snow Removal/Glen Apartments IFB No. B16004

CONTACT PERSON HOW TO OBTAIN THE IFB DOCUMENTS:

BID SUBMITTAL RETURN PRE-BID WALK THROUGH BID SUBMITTAL DEADLINE/BID OPENING

Ms. Devin Marra, Director of Procurement Telephone: 203-744-2500 x141 E-Mail: dmarra@hacdct.org Contact Ms. Devin Marra, via phone or email. Housing Authority of the City of Danbury 2 Mill Ridge Rd, Danbury, CT 06811 Envelope Must be Marked: IFB No. B16004 Snow Removal Glen Apartments 25 Memorial Drive, Danbury, CT 06811 November 3, 2016 by 2:00pm EST November 09, 2016 at 10:15am EST

[Minority- and/or women-owned businesses are encouraged to respond]

27


THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

Housing Authority of the City of New Haven

Union Company seeks:

Tractor Trailer Driver for Heavy & Highway Construction Equipment. Must have a CDL License, clean driving record, capable of operating heavy equipment; be willing to travel throughout the Northeast & NY. Contact Greg at 860-243-2300. We offer excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits Contact: Dana Briere Phone: 860-243-2300 Email: dana.briere@garrityasphalt.com Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer

Westbrook Housing Authority 1224 Mill Street Building A, Suite 102 East Berlin, CT 06023

Invitation for Bids Snow Removal Services at Newhall Gardens and Prescott Bush The Housing Authority of the City of New Haven d/b/a Elm City Communities is currently seeking Bids for Snow Removal Services at Newhall Garden and Prescott Bush. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 @ 3:00 PM.

Housing Authority of the City of New Haven Invitation for Bids Snow Removal at Westville Manor and 295 Wilmot Road The Housing Authority of the City of New Haven d/b/a Elm City Communities is currently seeking Bids for Snow Removal at Westville Manor and 295 Wilmot Road. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/ gateway beginning on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 @ 3:00 PM.

Housing Authority of the City of New Haven Invitation for Bids Snow Removal Services at Valley and Waverly Townhouses

OPEN WAITLIST The Westbrook Housing Authority hereby announces that pre-applications for the State Elderly/Disabled Complex Worthington Manor will be accepted for ONE BEDROOM UNITS on OCTOBER 3, 2016 through NOVEMBER 30, 2016. To qualify you must be at least 62 years old or disabled. Income limits as published by HUD cannot exceed $46,000 (one person) and $52,600 (two people). Interested parties may pick up an application at Worthington Manor, 34 Worthington Drive, Westbrook, CT 06498 or have one mailed by calling (203) 481-5632 ext. 202. Completed pre-applications must be returned or postmarked no later than NOVEMBER 30, 2016.

The Housing Authority of the City of New Haven d/b/a Elm City Communities is currently seeking Bids for Snow Removal Services at Valley and Waverly Townhouses. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems. com/gateway beginning on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 @ 3:00 PM.

Elm City Communities Request for Proposals Direct Oversight/ Management of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program

Westbrook Housing Authority 93 Deming Road Berlin, CT 06037 203-481-5632 WAITLIST ABIERTO

Housing Authority City of New Haven d/b/a Elm city Communities is currently seeking Proposals for Direct Oversight/ Management of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on Monday, October 17, 2016 @ 9:00 AM.

La Autoridad de Vivienda Westbrook comunica que pre-solicitudes para el Estado de ancianos / discapacitados Complejo Worthington Manor será aceptado para unidades de un dormitorio el 3 de octubre, el año 2016 hasta el 30 de noviembre de 2016. Para calificar, usted debe tener al menos 62 años de edad o discapacitados. Los límites de ingresos según lo publicado por HUD no puede exceder de $ 46.000 (una persona) y $ 52.600 (dos personas). Las partes interesadas pueden recoger una solicitud en Worthington Manor, 34 Worthington Drive, Westbrook, CT 06498 o tener uno enviado por correo llamando al (203) 481-5632 ext. 202. Pre-solicitudes deberán remitirse o enviarse antes del 30 de noviembre 2016.

Large CT Fence & Guardrail Contractor is looking for Fence Installer foreman and helpers. Foreman must have at least 5 years’ experience. Helpers-no experience required, will train the right person. Work available 10-12 months per year. Valid Ct. Driver’s license required and must be able to get a DOT Medical Card. All necessary equipment provided. Medical, vacation & other benefits included. Must be able to pass a physical and drug test. Foreman rates from $22 to $28/hour plus benefits, helper rates from $18/hour plus benefits. OSHA 10 training is a plus. Please email resume to rhauer@atlasoutdoor.com AA/EOE

Town of Bloomfield Town Assessor - Reposted $77,881 - $120,209

Town of Portland, CT (EOE) Junior Staff: High School Youth (age 15 to 18) part-time from August 31, 2016 to June 2017, Monday thru Friday 3:00 to 6:00 PM; Counselor I, $9.60 per hour. Individual schedule determined by need and availability. Based at Brownstone Intermediate School, the Kids Blast After School Program is a very structured team program. Working, interacting and supervising children ages 5 to 12. Help with homework by staff is required. Other creative activities are also planned. Previous experience working with children preferred. Send Seasonal Recreation Employment Application to: First Selectwoman’s Office

For details and how to apply, go to www.bloomfieldct.org. Pre-employment drug testing. AA/EOE

FENCE ERECTING CONTRACTORS

Portland Youth Services – Junior Staff

P.O. Box 71 Portland, CT 06480-0071 Deadline: August 29, 2016 or until filled

28


THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

17th Annual

Employer Recognition Dinner

ACES Business Advisory Council cordially invites you to ACES 17th Annual Employer Recognition Dinner

Wednesday, October 19, 2016 Cocktail Hour 5:30pm | Buffet Dinner 6:30pm Keynote Speaker: Anthony Rescigno | President, Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce

Anthony’s Ocean View 450 Lighthouse Road • New Haven, CT 06512 Dinner Cost: $45/Per Person Two complimentary dinners will be provided to each company recognized. Additional dinners may be purchased at $45.00 each. In addition to each company’s two complimentary dinners, a table of 8 may be purchased for $340.00. A table of 10 may be purchased for $410.

RSVP by October 4, 2016 to Gene Crocco by email: gcrocco@aces.org, by phone: 203-281-3577, or by fax: 203-248-8312

UPCOMING EVENTS The Robert H. Saulsbury Scholarship Committee presents:

Inner City Ad 9/7 9/14 9/21

BLACK ANGELS OVER TUSKEGEE

The story of the Tuskegee Airmen

Friday, November 4 - 8:00 p.m.

Southern Connecticut State University presents:

Grammy Winner RHONDA LARSON & VENTUS Saturday, November 12 - 8:00 p.m

The Amistad Committee Inc presents:

CALL MR. ROBESON: A Life with Songs Friday, December 2 - 7:30 p.m.

GET YOUR TICKETS AT

203-392-6154

LYMANCENTER.ORG 29


THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

Toddler Special Mon-Thurs 10-12 • 1 Parent 1 Toddler • Only $15 1 hr $20 2 hr

$60

off

frequent jumper

10 1-hour jump/play passes reg. $150 now $90 Complete coupon must be presented at time of purchase. One coupon per person. These coupons are only valid in park, in person, and not valid for online purchases. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Exp: 9/30/16

FREE

buy 1 hour, get second hour free buy 1 hour and jump/play for two hours Mon-Thurs only. Not to be combined with any other offer or promotion. Not valid online. Does not include required jump socks. Exp: 9/30/16

$20

HOURS: 10AM TO 10PM • 7 DAYS A WEEK

off

any Birthday Party booked Monday - Friday Coupon MUST be mentioned when booking. Coupon must be redeemed at time of party to receive discount. Exp: 9/30/16

203-989-3357 • jumpoffct.com 27

30


THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

31


THE INNER-CITY NEWS October 19, 2016 - October 25, 2016

Free educational programs for New Haven residents •Free science, technology and engineering programs •Full college scholarships for hundreds of New Haven students •Tuition assistance for lower-income New Haven families nhy300.org

NEW HAVEN AND YALE: BUILDING THE FUTURE TOGETHER.

YUNI-0108 Print Ad InnerCityNews9.25x10.5.indd 1

01

10/10/16 3:15 PM


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.