Candidates Offer Solutions, Forget To Fight – New Haven Independent

by Isaac Yu | Jul 15, 2021 1:28pm

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Posted to: Politics, Fair Haven, Campaign 2021

New Havens leading mayoral candidates tackled policing, education, and housing challenges rather than each other.

That happened Wednesday evening in Fair Haven.

Speaking to the Democratic committee in the neighborhoods Ward 15, the candidates for the Democratic nomination, one-term incumbent Justin Elicker and challenger Karen DuBois-Walton stood amidst chirping birds in the idyllic English Mall greenspace, and offered idea after idea to address the interconnected issues.

Combined, they offered a vision of the city that often aligned more than not, with different specifics filling it in.

Elicker took one swipe at DuBois-Walton, for having served on the board of Yale New Haven Hospital, but otherwise presentations were free of the attacks both have levied on each other throughout the campaign.

Ultimately, the 11 committee members present voted unanimously by hand to endorse Elicker. Both co-chairs, Rob Roberts and Kevin Diaz, indicated that they will vote for him at the July 27 Democratic convention, when the party formally endorses a candidate. Thirteen of the citys 30 Democratic ward committees have now cast these nonbinding votes; Elicker has won all but two. (A full list of vote counts appears further in the story.)

Responding to questions, candidates discussed some of the most pressing issues hanging over the race:

DuBois-Walton proposed expanding an officer-residency policy she implemented as head of New Havens housing authority level could be broadened citywide. We have found it very effective to offer a residency program to have an NHPD officer live rent-free in the complex in exchange for providing patrol services, she said. But more importantly, they become integrated as part of the community, getting to know the residents, and residents kids, and creating that community policing were looking for. She also referenced a 15-point public-safety plan her campaign has released. (Click here to read about some steps the housing authority took as the pandemic crime surge began.)

Elicker discussed the importance of rebuilding NHPD ranks with a new class of officers in October and beyond. He said that federal American Rescue Plan pandemic-beat funding is being used to add beat officers. Meanwhile, his administration has been creating a pilot form of a Crisis Response Team to send social workers or other non-police professionals to many 911 calls that dont require cops. Once implemented, the citys team will handle calls concerning sex workers and drug users more effectively, he said.

Sally Esposito spoke of a woman she knew who could face homelessness when her lease is up in September. Long-term solutions to unaffordable housing are great, Esposito said. But what about now?

Elicker said that residents under imminent threat of eviction may qualify for new federal funding made available during the pandemic; landlords are in fact required to apply for such funding before evictions. He promised his staff would focus on the issue, and urged people to contact him directly to be connected to available government help.

DuBois-Walton proposed that employers be required to pay a housing wage in order to benefit from federal ARP funds flowing to the city this year, helping people pay the rent. She spoke as well about forgiving rent, which she did at the height of the pandemic for many public-housing residents.

Neighbor Mary Ann Moran asked about problem tenants at the rebuilt Quinnipiac Terrace public-housing development. She said she has spoken with the complex staff about why the tenants are not evicted more promptly; she said a staff told her she was scared to death of retribution. She asked whether officials can arrange for regular police patrols at the complex to keep crime down. DuBois-Walton said she would like to see a city cop live there under an expanded residency program.

DuBois-Walton pointed to the success of the New Haven Promise college scholarship program. She has proposed a Pre-Promise Program to support quality pre-kindergarten learning for all New Haven children. Introducing early pathways towards careers in biotech and public safety could help address NHPDs staffing troubles and help New Haveners benefit in the citys growth, she argued. Leveraging Yale as a partner to invest in educational initiatives would be a necessary companion to upping the universitys voluntary payment, she added.

New Haven is the place that does things that other places dont think is possible, DuBois-Walton said. Its in our DNA.

Elicker said that the district should look to other towns like New Canaan that spend more money per child than New Haven does. Paying paraprofessionals a higher wage as well as creating a culture of actively choosing NHPS are also important, he said.

In addition to focusing policy, the city needs to work harder to convince parents like me to send their kids to public school, Elicker said.

Earlier in the day, the candidates did duke it out as usual, on WNPRs Where We Live. Click here to listen to that episode here.

Following are results and stories about other ward votes.

Ward 4: Elicker near-unanimously (no official final vote tabulation)Ward 8: Elicker, 16-4Ward 9: Elicker, 7-0Ward 10: Elicker, 14-0Ward 14: Elicker, 15-11Ward 15: Elicker, 11-0Ward 18: Elicker, 20-4Ward 21: Elicker, 12-10Ward 25: Elicker, 31-12Ward 26: Elicker, 26-12Ward 27: Elicker, 7-0Ward 29: DuBois-Walton, 17-7*Ward 30: DuBois-Walton, 19-1

Mayce Torres, who has also filed to run as a Democrat, received one vote in Ward 29.

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one-term incumbent Justin Elicker and challenger Karen DuBois-Walton stood amidst chirping birds in the idyllic English Mall greenspace, and offered idea after idea to address the interconnected issues.Combined, they offered a vision of the city that often aligned more than not, with different specifics filling it in.Elicker took one swipe at DuBois-Walton, for having served on the board of Yale New Haven Hospital, but otherwise presentations were free of the attacks both have levied on each other throughout the campaign.

-This is what the campaign tactics should be, presenting concrete ideas and realistic solutions instead of attacking each other and offering vague pie in the sky suggestions with no details. I hope from here on out, the candidates will provide more positive and constructive campaigns with detailed plans and realistic ideas based in facts rather than sniping at each other and making unrealistic suggestions and criticizing each other for things that are more complex than a simple sound bite to fix. The voters deserve facts and truthfulness, not negativity and unrealistic promises.

Yale plans to gentrify neighborhoods it starts with housing inequality.

Criminality is a part of that as it increases the number of people abandoning their homes; too scared to worry about finances or credit.

This will help to attract students. Yale needs you out and need your homes.

The police forces are a part of it. I dont blame them perhaps they dont know. Those men and women are used in politicization to ensure your vote. Down right criminality. We only have 300 cops! Why would the union allow it?

The target: the Black and Brown neighborhoods nearby. The poor; yes, if your 40 hour job is not enough!

They become the primary employers, dictating labor practices and suppressing wages.

They are God, King

The treasonous Mayor Elicker just a pawn serving his master. Mrs. D not much different. Both capitalist. Follow the money.Both lie and sleep well due to indoctrination into an university that only care about the health, wealth, and growth of their institution. What non profit? Built into the constitution. Out of the 5,000 plus organizations in our city; do any other have constitutional rights? The rights my dad went to Vietnam for!

While people are dying they move forward with their plan to make New Haven their collegiate city.

Question everything! SOSwe are dying here.

How many of us has suffered malpractice but cant get justice? I have! If we all came together Im sure we could make a difference.

If all who understood Yale was built on the blood, sweat, and tears of slaves! If universities around are atoning, why cant you?

We arent the only city this happens to.

Many across the country suffer.

By the way, as a candidate Im not printed. Misinformation has been disseminated. I am a candidate.

Media, Democracy Fund, Democratic Party all should atone. Not all candidates start in the same place. We passed racism as a health disparity yet we allow oppression to hurt our voice.

Stand against corruption!

Both candidates talked about their experiences as New Haven Public School parents and the importance of making the district attractive to New Haveners who might otherwise send their kids to neighboring districts or private schools

Since Elicker suddenly cares so much about NHPS, why didnt he vote for the principal at Brenann Rogers to be fired? Or for the school formerly named after the founder of slavery to be named after an indigenous person such as Napaupuck, an indigenous person who was beheaded and whose head was put on a pedestal infront of New Haven city hall for privilege to admire.

Who is going to address the lackluster performance of support services, such as the ambulance which takes leisurely rides when transporting Black and Brown people to the emergency room - does that even get considered when reporting crime and trauma statistics? How many lives could have been saved if they had been transported and cared for on time? Why is one dispatch governing so much space? Who is going to address the poorly functioning 9-1-1 system.

When will there be a discussion which really focuses and has real and present solutions for the oppressed? Where is the focus on the residents of New Haven? The poor people? The folks who are barely surviving because Yale took up all the space and the poor people have to carry them on their backs? Where is the concern for the working parents, the people who cannot afford private schools or dont have the means to send their child to schools outside of the district? When will anyone care about us who live here and remain oppressed because people make promises they never intended to keep?

It is very expensive to be poor in New Haven, yet so many wonder why Racism had to be declared a public health crisis.

Firstly, where was Mayce Torres , who is a candidate for mayor and why is she being shut out?

Trini-Digital- we usually dont name schools after murderers, even if they are indigenous. Please provide complete reliable information on your choice, NaPaupuck. I can see it now- Charles Manson Family Academy. After all, Charlies followers called themselves Family How about it???

posted by: CityYankee on July 15, 2021 4:42pm

Firstly, where was Mayce Torres , who is a candidate for mayor and why is she being shut out?

You are correct.

posted by: Trini_Digital on July 15, 2021 3:16pm

When will there be a discussion which really focuses and has real and present solutions for the oppressed? Where is the focus on the residents of New Haven? The poor people? The folks who are barely surviving because Yale took up all the space and the poor people have to carry them on their backs? Where is the concern for the working parents, the people who cannot afford private schools or dont have the means to send their child to schools outside of the district? When will anyone care about us who live here and remain oppressed because people make promises they never intended to keep?

Good Point.But we should also ask this question to the BOA which Black And Latino Are the major in control.

I think anyone on the fence between the two candidates should check out WNPRs Where We Live....it was so revealing about the two candidate. Suggestion: NHI write a follow-up about that debate because this article doesnt do it justice.

Thoughts:

Elicker: Needs to change sneering and dismissive tone towards KDW. I expect an incumbent mayor to speak resolutely and confidently about their accomplishments without being disrespectful towards the candidate. Good response about crime in housing developments and new investments into programs for underserved kids. I found it odd Elicker had trouble acknowledging directly the Black and Brown communityperhaps he didnt want to offend. Pro-tip for the campaign, most of us folks Black and Brown folks prefer to be address directly. Its time to retire this person of color nonsense. Its also ok to address your opponent by their name as well instead of she or my opponent.

KDW: Need crisper answers any equity. We all support equity in New Haven so what exactly does it mean in terms of nuts and bolts of getting real policy done. The term equity is also hackneyed at this point. Good response on the need to for a Mayor to think outside the box and be a creative leader instead of blaming everything on Covid-19. I want to hear more about KDWs plan to tackle climate change and tackle NHs transportation challenges (re: bus system overhaul, bike lanes, and sea rise mitigation).

DEar 3/5s I think your use of the word oppressed is really hyperbole. What is keeping you here? You dont like it? What or who is forcing you to stay? Especially since the poor are beating landlords and other bill collectors left and right; why dont they ( not you personally) use all the money they have saved not paying their debts and go elsewhere to make a fresh start? If they dont leave; it is because they are not truly oppressed, like the people of Cuba , North Korea, China, etc. They are disgruntled because they cannot fulfill every avaricious desire they have and they want the rest of us to pay for their inability to run their own lives. Just call it what it is. Yes, the rich are greedy but so are the poor, and so are the middle class. We are all greedy.

My apologies, 3/5s. I should be responding to Trini Digital but I mistakenly took your quoting of Trini as yours. Sorry.

posted by: CityYankee on July 16, 2021 8:54am

DEar 3/5s I think your use of the word oppressed is really hyperbole. What is keeping you here? You dont like it? What or who is forcing you to stay?

I notice when people criticize America, theyve been deemed un-American and unpatriotic.And are told Love It or Leave It or as you say. What or who is forcing you to stay.This is a totalitarian argument to silence dissent.The country was founded, after all, by Englanders fleeing oppression who then stole land from native peoples.

Patriotism is usually the refuge of the scoundrel. He is the man who talks the loudest.Samuel Clemens

@ Triniti_Digital The process of renaming the Columbus School was open to the public for their input, after a diverse committee of community members, educators & people affiliated with the school was established by the BOE to make recommendations to the BOE. After the committee heard from the public & deliberated among themselves they made their recommendation to the BOE which was accepted.It was determined that the school would not be named for a person, but the name would reflect the character and mission of the school: Family Academy of Multilingual Exploration.Triniti has consistently promoted the idea that the school should be named for an indigenous person named NAPAUPUCK. Napaupuck was a 17th century Quinnipiac man who was a convicted and confessed murderer of some white New Haven settlers. Some of his own people testified against him in court. He was gruesomely executed by beheadding. Why would Triniti, Elicker or anyone else recommend such a person have a school named for him?Columbus was directly or indirectly responsible for unleashing a number of atrocities upon red, brown and black peoples which severely tarnished his legacy, but he is not the founder of slavery.Regarding the ex-principal of Brennan-Rogers School, there was never a vote for the firing of the principal for Elicker to cast. Dr. Tracey and the BOE never considered or voted on termination.It really would have been hypocritical for the BOE to fire an administrator for using the N-word when a member of the BOE publicly used the N-word at a BOE meeting!Contrary to misinformation that has circulated around town for weeks, the ex-principal never used the N-word in any direct derogatory preference to Black people. Neither did the BOE member!So why all the divisive hyperbole? Why the double standard? Why all the false allegations of NHPS students being psychologically traumatized and in dire need of counseling because one white school administrator simply uttered the N-word?

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Candidates Offer Solutions, Forget To Fight - New Haven Independent