THE INNER-CITY NEWS

Tong: Appeals Court Decision Won’t Immediately Impact Abortion Access in Connecticut

by Hugh McQuaid

Access to the medication abortion drug mifepristone will not be immediately impacted in Connecticut despite a recent appeals court ruling rolling back federal regulations expanding its availability, Attorney General William Tong announced this week.

“Abortion remains safe, legal, and accessible in Connecticut,” Tong said in a press release. “But let’s be clear – this decision imposes medically-unnecessary barriers that will hurt patients and senselessly complicate care in far too many states nationwide.”

In a 93-page decision Wednesday, a panel of 5th U.S Circuit Court of Appeals judges affirmed certain elements of a lower court ruling which restricted access to the widely used abortion pill. The ruling sets up an expected appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. The panel struck down a set of regulations issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration since 2016, which have allowed the drug to be issued up to 10 weeks into a pregnancy and be prescribed by providers other than doctors. Another regulation rejected by the court has permitted the drug to be prescribed through telehealth visits.

“In loosening mifepristone’s safety restrictions, FDA failed to address several important concerns about whether the

drug would be safe for the women who use it,” Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod wrote for the majority of the three-judge panel. “It failed to consider the cumulative effect of removing several important safeguards at the same time.”

For the moment, existing rules on the on the availability of mifepristone will remain in place until the U.S. Supreme

Court decides whether to hear the case. Though the Wednesday ruling would reduce access to mifepristone, the New Orleans-based appeals court stopped short of embracing a more sweeping ruling issued in April by a federal judge in Texas. That decision would have forced the FDA to rescind its initial approval of the drug, which was granted back in 2000.

On Wednesday, the three-judge panel concluded that the claim against the drug’s original approval was barred by a statute of limitations.

Medication abortions make up more than half of all abortions in the United States, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Mifepristone is also used as part of a cocktail of medications prescribed by

doctors to help women manage miscarriages.

Lawsuits challenging the availability of Mifepristone come as states across the country have begun banning and restricting access to abortions following the Supreme Court’s 2022 reversal of national protections under the longstanding Roe v. Wade decision.

Since then, policymakers in Connecticut have moved to shore up abortion rights through laws intended to shield patients and doctors from legal action by states that have outlawed the procedure. Meanwhile, Tong expanded his office last year to include a new special counsel position to lead efforts to defend abortion rights.

In April, Tong was among a coalition of attorneys general to challenge the FDA’s regulation of the drug as too restrictive in a related case before the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Washington.

“This is precisely what we feared and why we went on offense and filed our own case in the Eastern District of Washington, which continues to protect access to medication abortion here in Connecticut,” Tong said Wednesday. “And we will continue to fight alongside women, patients, and providers when this case is heard by the Supreme Court. We will not let extremist politicians micromanage our healthcare decisions.”

Bassett Street Speeding Bumps Into Alder Race

by LAURA GLESBY

“I want a stop sign right there by that school,” said Lossie Gorham. “And a speed bump.” She pointed at LincolnBassett Community School, which stands across the street from where she’s lived for two decades.

Addie Kimbrough, the alder candidate who had knocked on Gorham’s door, nodded and repeated a refrain she’s often voiced on the campaign trail: “Newhallville is being neglected.”

A longtime Shepard Street resident who’s founded a local block watch and community garden, Kimbrough is running to represent Newhallville’s Ward 20 on the Board of Alders against party-endorsed candidate Brittiany Mabery-Niblack. Both are competing in the Sept. 12 Democratic primary election to replace first-term Alder Devin Avshalom-Smith, who is not running for reelection.

On Wednesday evening, Kimbrough knocked on several Bassett Street doors to spread the word about her campaign. Most of her knocks went unanswered. But Lossie Gorham was home, in the house where she’s lived for about 20 years. Gorham said she’s planning to vote for Kimbrough because “I believe she needs a shot at it.” Referring to Mabery-Niblack,

she said, “I don’t really know her.”

Gorham hopes the neighborhood’s future alder will address the cars that often speed around the area. On her block, “a guy almost got hit the other day,” she said.

“Most of the schools, they have speed bumps and stop signs,” said Kimbrough. Though there are speed bumps along Shelton Avenue, there aren’t any outside Lincoln-Bassett’s entrance.

Kimbrough pointed up the hill in the direction of East Rock, a neighborhood with more white, wealthy, and Yale-affiliated residents. “We don’t have the same things they have,” she said.

Kimbrough first ran for the seat two years ago against Avshalom-Smith. Though she lost that election, Kimbrough decided to advocate for changes on her street from City Hall anyway. Within the last two years, she successfully petitioned for a speed bump and sidewalk fix on Shepard Street. She got to know more business owners and referred them to city resources. She said she’s been in more regular touch with the Public Works department about trash receptacles and tree trimmings, she said. “I complain about everything, mostly,” she joked.

She also serves on board of directors for the Livable City Initiative (LCI), as well as for the Community Action Agency of

New Haven and the Greater New Haven OIC.

She’s also amassed more of a campaign team than in 2021, when she primarily knocked on doors by herself.

Her supporters include Newhallville resident Brother Born, a self-identified “conservative independent” voter who knows Kimbrough as both a neighbor and a com-

munity garden steward.

Brother Born said he trusts Kimbrough as the person who keeps him informed about happenings in City Hall and has “an understanding of the policies.” He added that he distrusts politicians who are employed by Yale, alluding to MaberyNiblack, arguing that a Yale affiliation is a “conflict of interest.”

“Addie has already been doing this work. It’s a good time for her to get that recognition,” said Fair Havener Jayuan Carter, who like many supporters has gotten to known Kimbrough simply from “being involved in the community.”

Wandering down Bassett Street on Wednesday, Kimbrough reflected on how Newhallville has changed in the last two years.

“The people aren’t home as much,” Kimbrough said. “Different people live around here. Something changed. People move in and out.”

In previous remarks this year, Kimbrough has noted that most residents in Newhallville are now tenants, despite the neighborhood’s history as a hub of Black homeownership. She’s also decried gentrification associated with the luxury apartments and biotech companies developing in Science Park.

On Wednesday, she observed that the neighborhood has changed in positive ways, too.

“It’s getting quieter over here and that’s a good thing,” she said. “There are more children out here. They are playing more outside and I like that.”

Those kids, Kimbrough said, are exactly why a Bassett Street speed bump is important.

Attorney General William Tong with abortion rights advocates. Credit: Hugh McQuaid / CTNewsJunkie

Kimbrough's supporters include her grandson Warren Kimbrough, local business owner Jesse Crespo (of ADT Auto-Body), her niece Sonya Scott-Campbell, Hamdenite Sonia Powell, and Newhallville resident Brother Born.

The new haven independent

The new haven independent

Black Wall Street Lifts Up Black Businesses

by ELEANOR POLAK

The New Haven Green swarmed with tents. Music boomed from the loudspeakers, covering everything from “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears to “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” by Shakira. The air hung heavy and sweet with the scent of fried dough and freshly-applied sunscreen. The second annual Black Wall Street Festival had begun.

Two of the founders of the festival, Rashad “Snacks” Johnson and city Director of Arts, Culture & Tourism Adriane Jefferson, started the event last year as a way to promote Black-owned businesses.

“Our goal was to bring everybody together and really circulate the dollar and give Black businesses a chance to vend,” said Johnson.

The first year, the festival featured 30 vendors, who earned a combined $100,000 by selling their wares. For vendors, in addition to the money they earn upfront, the festival offers an opportunity to build their customer base by spreading awareness of their existence. “There was a vendor last year who literally didn’t have a store,” said Johnson. “He built so much clientele at Black Wall Street that now he has his own store.”

This year, the number of participants swelled to a massive 150 vendors and exhibits. “It’s just going to continue to grow,” said Jefferson. “We had to turn people away. But as long as there are more Black businesses, it will continue to grow.”

One such business is The Trachouse, a hair salon that also sells its own line of products. Ruby Douglas, who volunteered at the tent, said that Black Wall Street provided the perfect opportunity for The Trachouse to broaden its market. “We’re Black owned, and it’s a great way to get out there and promote our business,” she said.

Tayema Barton, a client, sat under the tent getting a stitch braid demonstration from Silver Daniels, an employee. Barton said that businesses like The Trachouse build up confidence and keep the community “looking good and feeling good.” Black Wall Street “brings us together for a positive reason, and it gives us a chance to share each other’s ideas,” she said.

Stalls around the Green sold items from clothes, jewelry, and candles to household appliances as big as ovens or as small as water bottles. Sandra Enimil ran the tent for Pretty Afrika Designs, a clothing and jewelry boutique that she owns with her mother. Her mother sews, Enimil beads jewelry, and they curate certain items from Ghana and Kenya. “My business communicates culture in that my mother is an immigrant from Ghana,” said Enimil. “She pulls from her background to pass on an interest in making things that represent Ghana and Africa.” Enimil took advantage of Black Wall Street to promote

Pretty Afrika Designs to a wider audience. “It gets our name out to people who may not find us otherwise,” she said. Other booths offered opportunities rather than wares. Stephanie Mallard helmed the booth for ConnCAT, where she works as career pathways manager. Among its many services, ConnCAT currently offers after-school programs and free training in phlebotomy, medical billing and coding, culinary arts, and bioscience. “When we found out about Black Wall Street, the thought was we need every opportunity to come and share what we have to offer,” said Mallard. “This festival helps the community because it gives us a day when we can all come out and support each other’s businesses, each other’s dreams.”

Along one side of the Green, food stalls perfumed the air with smells that would make your stomach growl. From fried dough to kettle corn to donuts, there was something for every appetite. Anita McLean owns Many Donuts, a business that sells “many donuts and tops them with many flavors.” She said that attending Black Wall Street helped her business by providing an opportunity for “interacting with the public, seeing the people, and giving them something they haven’t tried before.”

A flock of women in red shirts flooded the area in front of the stage. They represented the 40+ Double Dutch Club, an organization for women over 40 focused on “fun female fellowship,” according to one member, Woody H. The 40+ Double Dutch Club provides activities like hopscotch and hula-hooping to get people moving and encourage them to build one another up. Members from chapters all over the country New Haven, Philadelphia, Delaware County, New Jersey, Texas, Boston, Maryland, Virginia, and more coalesced to provide their support and energy to Black Wall Street. Host Slay Washington called four people to the front of the crowd to participate in a dance battle for a mysterious prize. The competition ran to a second round between 40+ Double Dutch members Charisse and Toot, who danced to a series of songs including “Poison” by Bell Biv DeVoe. Eventually, Toot took home the prize of two tickets from Avelo Airlines. The members then showed off their double dutch skills by skipping rope and showcasing a variety of tricks, like the onefoot, the round-the-world, and the walk-it.

Much like the 40+ Double Dutch Club, Black Wall Street is all about community and mutual support. James Nicholas from the Black Business Alliance took the stage to share a few words with the stilldancing crowd. “The energy is just ecstatic, it’s electric!” he declared. Black Wall Street was full of that energy, whether through dancing, music, skipping rope, or vending. “This year you can see the festival has grown, and that is exactly what we do,” Nicholas said. “We help you grow.”

Rashad "Snacks" Johnson and Adriane Jefferson

Silver Daniels does Tayema Barton's hair.

Anita McLean.

Charisse and Toot compete in a dance battle.

Woody H. with fellow members of the 40+ Double Dutch Club.

The new haven independent

4 Police Recruits Sworn In

by THOMAS BREEN

Four police recruits with cops in their families and roots in the Greater New Haven area raised their right hands and swore to live up to the responsibilities of their profession — before heading off for training in Waterbury, and hoped-for careers in New Haven.

On Monday afternoon, Mayor Justin Elicker and Police Chief Karl Jacobson hosted a swearing in ceremony for those four recruits with the New Haven Police Department.

Those four cops to-be will now head to Waterbury’s police academy for 20 weeks of training before returning to New Haven for 12 weeks working the beat with a field training officer. If they complete all of that, they’ll then be full-fledged cops in New Haven.

Jacobson said that these four recruits are heading to Waterbury for training because New Haven’s police department doesn’t currently have a class in session. “We’re hoping to have a huge class” in October, he said.

According to the city’s latest monthly financial report, at the end of June, the police department had 60 vacancies among

fully funded sworn positions, from officer to captain. Click here to read about the department’s latest hiring efforts.

The four recruits sworn in on Monday included John Brunetti, 26, of West Haven; Aisaiah Rodriguez, 22, of Milford; William Massey-Simmons, 24, of New Haven’s Westville neighborhood; and

Eric Lopez, 29, of Hamden. Brunetti, Rodriguez, and Lopez each said that they were inspired to become a New Haven police officer because of a family member who has served in law enforcement. Brunetti’s dad was a cop in West Haven. Lopez’s dad was a police officer in Bridgeport. Rodriguez’s uncle is

a sergeant in New Haven, Martin Feliciano. “He set a good example,” Rodriguez said about his uncle. “I want to follow in his footsteps,” Lopez said about his father’s work as a Bridgeport cop.

Massey-Simmons was the only one of the four with no police officer in his immediate family. He also was the only one of the four born and raised and living in New Haven. He said he wants to become a New Haven police officer to serve the city he calls home.

“The City of New Haven holds officers to the highest standards,” Elicker said in opening remarks before Monday’s swearing in ceremony. “You’re not only a New Haven police officer when you’re at work, but also when you’re” off the clock.

“This is the greatest profession in the world,” Jacobson said. And a challenging one.

He said that city police played basketball in a community tournament in the Hill on Saturday, and then responded to a “tragic incident” at a domestic violence homicide in Newhallville on Sunday. That’s the range of experiences city police should expect. Key to succeeding in this work, he said, is “embracing the community.”

Classroom Teacher Vacancies Reach 84

by MAYA MCFADDEN

With two weeks to go before the start of the school year, New Haven’s public school district has 84 classroom teacher positions still open — a vacancy number that is down from 106 earlier this week. On Thursday morning, New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) spokesperson Justin Harmon told the Independent via email that the district has 84 vacancies among classroom teacher spots.

Harmon’s update followed a vacancyfocused presentation that Supt. Madeline Negrón gave on Monday at her third Board of Education meeting, a month into her new role as the district’s leader.

The regular biweekly Board meeting was hosted at Barack Obama School on Farnham Avenue and on Zoom. Attending the meeting in person were Board members Matt Wilcox, John Carlos Serana Musser, Justin Elicker, Yesenia Rivera, Darnell Goldson, and OrLando Yarborough III. Attending on Zoom were members Edward Joyner and Abie Benitez. Similar to other school districts around the nation, Negrón said during the meeting, NHPS continues to deal with staffing shortages. The district’s vacancy numbers change daily as the human resources department has recently begun tracking departures and new arrivals in real time.

As of Monday, the district had 256 va-

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cancies.

Of that number, two of the vacancies are for administrators (Hillhouse principal and assistant principal at East Rock School), 106 are for classroom teachers, 37 are for non-classroom teachers, 52 are for assistant teachers and paraprofessionals, and 59 are for non-instructional staffers.

“I do want to celebrate the fact that that number [of classroom teacher vacancies] would have been 166. It is 106 because 60 elementary-level vacancies were filled

by teachers from our ‘grow our own’ approach to recruitment that we do in partnership with Southern Connecticut State University,” Negrón said. As Harmon pointed out on Thursday, that 106 vacancy number is now down to 84.

At Monday’s meeting the Board approved a vote allowing Negrón to make school staff hires without having to wait two weeks for Board approval until the Board’s next meeting scheduled to happen three days before the start of the school year.

Those 60 elementary teachers began as non-certified employees until they were provided with financial support from NHPS ESSER funds to work toward their teaching certification, which began two years ago. They worked during that time under a Durational Shortage Area Permit (DSAP), receiving teacher salaries. The vacancy numbers have increased from a reported 193 vacancies in March.

Last September the district reported having 70 – 80 teacher vacancies compared to the 106 vacancies reported Monday as the start of the school year approaches. Negrón added that the district is taking proactive measures like preparing for the 12 educators who will take an extended leave at the start of the year. Those educators’ classrooms are being filled with degree-holding long term substitute teachers, Negrón said.

The district’s priority shortage areas remain in math, science, and special education. These roles have proven to be the hardest to fill areas, as they have represented more than half of the vacancy numbers in recent years.

In grade 7 – 12 math, there are 17 vacancies, in 7 – 12 science, there are 10 vacancies; and in special education, there are 19 vacancies.

The schools with the most vacancies as

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THOMAS BREEN PHOTO

Newly sworn in police recruits John Brunetti, Aisaiah Rodriguez, William Massey-Simmons, and Eric Lopez on Monday.

MAYA MCFADDEN FILE PHOTO Superintendent Madeline Negrón.

The new haven independent

The new haven independent

From a 4-year-old orphan to an international

Having Fun Is Her Official Business

by Juliette Lao, The Arts Paper newhavenarts.org

On a regular weekday during the school year, you'll find Tracie Ormond in the main office at New Haven Academy, where she is often the first face students see. But by night, Ormond has begun to grow her interest in giving back, one meticulously planned party and event at a time.

Ormond is the founder of "How Much Fun Would You Like To Have?" a new event planning company that grew out of her love for organizing in the community. This year, she has formally gone into business, with a mission to officially bring more fun to New Haven and its surrounding towns.

"I really enjoy serving people,” she said. “You know, not all people believe servitude has its place, but it does. In order to even desire a thing right and understand what it takes to acquire that desire is the point of view you don’t really analyze. If a person is able to see someone else’s point of view and be able to have some sympathy and some empathy looking at it from another point of view will be able to serve well."

Born in Ayden, North Carolina and raised between North Carolina and Hamden, Ormond has always taken a community-oriented approach to her work. After arriving in Hamden as a third grader, she became involved in the Girl Scouts of Connecticut. It was there that she enrolled in their double dutch program, learned to focus, and became a “team player,” she said. She also

practiced it at home, with a twin sister, Stacy Ormond Samuel, who taught her to listen to the specific needs of every person.

When she turned 19, Ormond started her first job as a double dutch coordinator with the Girl Scouts of Connecticut (the program, called “ Double Dutch Double Fun,” appears to have since been discontinued). It fostered her love for engaging with youth. Outside of work, she also nurtured that passion for giving back within her church, where she joined volunteer efforts to give out food and work with the elderly.

When she started looking for permanent work with young people, the New Haven Public Schools seemed like a perfect fit. And it was: this fall will mark her 28th year working in the district.

Meanwhile, she also became a doting mom to two sons, Jacarie and Jaylyn. When they were young, Ormond knew she would have to figure out their different personalities in order to keep them entertained, she said. As she created events for her two kids, her friends and neighbors took note. It led to casual event planning for her family, neighbors and for her church community.

At some point, Ormond realized that if she could plan events for friends and family, “I could most definitely offer those services for any one who seeks it.” She decided to go into business by herself, creating an LLC and working alongside the Connecticut Women’s Business Development Council. She has now officially been in business for a

year and a half.

The name was inspired by her two children, whom she described as “walking on the beat of their own drum.” Last May, Jacarie graduated from Johnson and Wales University with a business administration degree. With an interest in graphic design, which he is now pursuing in graduate school, he created her logo, and is now in the process of creating her business website. Meanwhile, Jaylyn is pursuing a business degree at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. Ormond said she feels blessed and happy to have her sons working alongside her as she creates this family-run business.

She also sees the business as a new "branch" or extension of her day job as

by Ben Ebuka, Face2FaceAfrica.com

Growing up in the early 1990s, Thuso Mbedu never dreamt of being an entertainment figure. At a very young age, she wanted to be a dermatologist, but after taking a dramatic arts class in the 10th grade, she became interested in acting.

an administrative assistant at New Haven Academy, a position she has held for nine years. As a veteran of the New Haven public schools—Ormond has been at NHA for nine years but with the district for over 27—she assists with communication, answering calls, filing records, and finding “who needs what and who has done what."

“I really enjoy serving people,” she said. “I’m thankful I’m able to do my job at ease, it’s like second nature.”

Her acting career has earned her fame and fortune locally and internationally, rising to become one of the most sought after actresses from South Africa. At 27, she was named in the 2018 Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 List, and one of the 100 Most Influential Africans by New African Magazine.

Born on July 8, 1991, at the Midlands Medical Center in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, to a Zulu mother and Xhosa and Sotho father, she never enjoyed the care of her parents who died when she was barely four years old. She was raised by her grandmother, a very strict school principal in school and at home. Her name reflected the multicultural tribes of her parents – Thuso is a Sotho name, Nokwanda is a Zulu name, and Mbedu is Xhosa.

Asked about the business, New Haven Academy principals Greg Baldwin and Meredith Gavrin said that she embodies the spirit of the school in everything she does, and are excited for her new venture. Gavrin said that her energy makes a difference in the space, particularly because she is the first face students see each day. She pointed to the number of students who seek her out for support, because they feel safe with her.

Mbedu went to Pelham Primary School and Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School and graduated from the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa in 2013, where she studied Physical Theatre and Performing Arts Management. Earlier in 2012, she took a summer course at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City.

and the venue unresponsive. Gist remembered watching Ormond snap into action, and reshape the event on the fly.

“Some things happen for a reason,” Gist remembered Ormond telling her. “It's not the end of the world although it feels like a disaster right now.” Gist moved the party to her home, and it went off without a hitch. She has since booked Ormond for other events.

As she builds the business, Ormond said she would like to see it become a self-sufficient operation with faithful clientele. In an ideal world, she said, the business would help support her as she moves into retirement. Her greatest aspiration, however, is to provide more opportunities for young people as a way to give back to a younger generation. She added that she loves seeing New Haven Academy alumni come back to the school, to see how they’ve succeeded since moving on.

“I would employ aid to any and all youngsters in my immediate environment and would like for them to grow and mature and develop in their wings so they can fly high in the sky for me,” she said.

Career

“[She is an] incredible spokesperson for New Haven Academy,” Baldwin said in a recent interview with the Arts Paper. “She is the first face and voice people see and hear, making everyone feel welcomed and comfortable. And [she is] an incredible mentor and support person for so many different students and staff across the school.”

That love for Ormond extends among members of her growing client base.

Certified nursing assistant Izane Gist remembered working with Ormond earlier this year, when she was having a party to celebrate her first child. When she and Ormond got to the venue they’d booked, they found the doors locked,

Her acting career began in 2014 when she played a minor role of ‘Nosisa’ in the popular South African Soap Opera ‘Isibaya’ from Mzansi Magic. In 2015, she played a guest role as ‘Kheti’ in the Second Season of the SABC 2 youth drama series ‘Snake Park.’

She got her first starring role in the teen drama television series ‘IS’THUNZI’ from Mzansi Magic where she played ‘Winnie.’ Her international debut was in ‘The Underground Railroad’ an American fantasy historical drama series based on the novel

“I think everyone at some point all along their journey should be celebrated,” she added. “I find enjoyment in doing that I think that is the key component that connects all my events of celebration is happening ”

Thuso Mbedu. Photo -IOL ‘Black Reel Awards’ (Outstanding Actress – TV Movie / Limited Series), the ‘Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards’ (Best Actress in a Limited Series, Anthropology Series or Television Movie), the ‘Gotham Awards’ (Outstanding Performance in New Series), the ‘Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards’ (TV Breakout Star), and the ‘Critics Choice Television Awards’ (Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Movie), all for her role ‘Cora Randall’ in the 2021 TV series ‘The Underground Railroad.’

She won the ‘TV Breakout Star’ award from the Hollywood Critics Association TV and won the ‘Outstanding Performance in New Series’ award from the Gotham Awards.

This article comes from the 2023 Cohort of the Youth Arts Journalism Initiative. Juliette Lao is a recent graduate of New Haven Academy and a rising freshman at the University of Connecticut.

In 2022, Mbedu was nominated for the ‘Independent Spirit Awards (Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series), for her role ‘Cora Randall’ in the 2021 television series ‘The Underground Railroad.’ She won the ‘Critics Choice Television Awards’ for ‘Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Movie’ for her role ‘Cora Ran-

In her keynote speech at TheWrap’s Power Women Summit, Thuso Mbedu tearfully spoke of how she overcame the loss of her dear parents, grandmother, and aunt. But her role in Amanda Lane’s ‘IS’THUNZI’

In 2021, she was nominated for the ‘Television Critics Association Award’ (Individual Achievement in Drama), the

“…my world was that blur, until Amanda Lane happened in 2016. The role that Amanda Lane gave me was the difference between life and death for me. Receiving that audition brief, I told myself that I would audition like it was my last audition. I gave it the last of everything that I had, that at the time I got the callback, I had nothing left. I secretly made the decision not to do the callback because I had nothing left to give. But fortunately, I received the callback. So I didn’t do the callback because the role was mine. I had given up. I was in a very dark place at the time, and the character, the role, the opportunity, was a much needed light. And I told myself that I will act as if it was the last character that I will play. And through a great script and an amazing director, I earned two International Emmy Awards for that role…”

Performance by an Actress’ for her role

‘Winnie Bhengu’ in the television drama series ‘IS’THUNZI.’

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w i l l t e a c h m o d e r n e m p l o y a b i l i t y s k i l l s a n d e m p o w e r y o u n g a d u l t s o n t h e i r c a r e e r j o u r n e y s .

P r o g r a m p a r t i c i p a n t s w i l l h a v e t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o g a i n s k i l l s t r a i n i n g a n d d i r e c t e m p l o y e r a c c e s s i n s e v e r a l r a p i d l y g r o w i n g s e c t o r s l i k e t r a n s p o r t a t i o n , h e a l t h c a r e , c o n s t r u c t i o n , a n d m a n u f a c t u r i n g .

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After Double Amputation, B*Wak Bounces Back

by Lucy Gellman, Editor, The Arts Paper newhavenarts.org

Illness tried to take one of New Haven's most beloved artists well before his time. Now, the community is rallying around him as he starts a new chapter on the road to recovery.

That artist is 55-year-old Edmund “B*Wak” Comfort, who for decades has graced the Elm City with his murals, vibrant tapestries, art business B*Wak Productions and dozens of youth programs. Since March of this year, he has been fighting for his life—and his work as an artist—after a bout with the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae left him with multiple amputations and a small mountain of hospital bills.

To offset the cost, he has launched a GoFundMe, and is joining A Broken Umbrella Theatre for a comedy and improv fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 26 at 446A Blake St.

"I'm looking at, like, where is my career going to lead to? What is God using me for?" he said in a recent interview at his studio at 300 Whalley Ave. "I thought he used me to tell my story through art. I think I'm wrong! He might want me to tell my story through another form. I'm amazed. I'm amazed and eager to see where the next chapter leads me."

His recovery, which is still ongoing, has followed months of uncertainty and a brush with death that haunted the artist for weeks. At the end of March, Comfort was "unstoppable, at the top of my artistic game," he remembered. On a given day, he would work on painting and remodeling his uncle's kitchen, laying down the new floorboards in a friend's basement, and airbrushing t-shirts in his studio at night. He felt like he could take on anything.

Then he went to a party with a friend. A few days later, he felt like he'd come down with a bad case of the flu. He was tired, with a stomach ache. At first, he didn’t think anything of it.

"I started treating it like a common cold," he said. But nothing got better. His ankles and feet started to swell, until they were brick-hard, cold to the touch and heavy when he moved. When Comfort walked across the wood floors of his home, they made a solid knocking sound that his wife could hear from another room. By the time he decided "I can't take another day of this," they were turning pitch black.

His wife, Shannqueta Sanders Comfort, rushed him to the emergency room at St. Raphael's at 3 a.m. on the very last day of March. When he woke up, he thought he'd been out for a few days. In reality, two weeks had passed. He was intubated, with tubes coming out of his mouth that made it impossible to speak (he later had a tracheostomy tube, the scar from which is still healing on his neck). Around him, a steady stream of friends, family and longtime collaborators came to visit. Sanders Comfort, who was also caring for their five-year-old daughter, barely left his side.

"The good lord got me through," he re-

membered. "When I woke up, I could only move my eyes. I couldn't move my body. At that point, I did realize that I did have a connection with God. That's the only way I made it."

As he spoke to doctors, he learned that the bacterial infection had nearly killed him. Streptococcus pneumoniae had led to septic shock and something called disseminated intravascular coagulation, in which the body starts developing blood clots across the bloodstream. Illness attacked his feet and hands, resulting in a double amputation beneath the knee, and the partial removal of four fingers on his right hand. Overnight, it felt as if his world had been turned upside down. He tried not to despair, he said. Instead he started thinking about how and on what timeline he was going to return to art.

After his amputations, doctors transferred Comfort from Saint Raphael’s Hospital to the nearby Grimes Center, where he learned to walk on prosthetic legs in four weeks of inpatient physical therapy. He credits his faith, as well as the constant care of Sanders Comfort, as two larger-than-life forces that helped pull him through.

Along the way, he managed to endear himself to every staff member who came through the space, as well as several of his fellow patients. Sanders Comfort remembered a roommate who refused to get out of bed until Comfort arrived. When he began walking, the roommate got up too, she said. By the time Comfort left, the roommate was walking on his own.

Now, he's trying to figure out what his limitations may be as an artist. As he's recovered, Comfort has thought a lot about his love for education, and the ways to teach young artist-entrepreneurs as he gives his body time to heal. He's gotten back enough use of his right hand to hold an airbrush and paint can, but is taking it one day at a time, he said. As he returns to it slowly, he plans to type, do digital graphics, silk screen and heat press.

Teaching already feels intuitive for him, he added. Comfort's origins as a community-focused artist go back to the early 2000s, when he started teaching set design and theater at Roberto Clemente Elementary School in New Haven's Hill neighborhood. During those years, he spent his weekends at the Harlem School of Art, then commuted back to New Haven to teach during the week.

It was on a field trip to Long Wharf Theatre with his students that he realized he could be building professional sets without ever having to go into Manhattan. Long Wharf led him to the Yale Repertory Theatre, which led him to Lyric Hall. It was there that he met A Broken Umbrella Theatre (ABUT) company members Ryan Gardiner and Ian Alderman, and reconnected with longtime member Matt Gaffney.

While his set design still occasionally took him on the road—he fondly remembered a fellowship out in California—the Westville-based ensemble soon had his heart.

years supporting himself and his family. He said that his application for disability was denied, meaning he needs to appeal his claim. That process can take months, with the cost of a studio and a home hanging in the balance.

While he’s getting stronger each day, he also still contends with phantom limb pain and the limitations of needing to slow down. The GoFundMe and upcoming ABUT fundraiser are there to help fill a gap.

His peers, meanwhile, are excited to help. In a phone call Friday, ABUT Artistic Director Ruben Ortiz remembered meeting the artist roughly 12 years ago, and learning that he could count on his skill, wit, and humor every time A Broken Umbrella had a show. When ensemble members heard that Comfort was fighting for his life, a fundraiser seemed like a no-brainer. "It was just an opportunity to help one of our own," Ortiz said in an interview Friday. "He has such amazing spirits. You think of everything that's happened to him, and he can be so positive."

"He's such a vibrant artist, and he's going through such a major physical issue that he's going to be navigating ... it's really challenging," Gardiner added. "So we're just trying to give a little bit of support in terms of what he's experienced over the last three months."

"I've probably worked with them on every single show," he said with a faint smile. After doing load-in on VaudeVillian at Lyric Hall, he lent his skill in design, carpentry and visual arts to ABUT dramas that crisscrossed the city, from Edgewood Park to Erector Square. Over the years, he worked as a carpenter on Play With Matches, airbrushed the windows for Gilbert the Great, assisted on building sets for the Library Project, among many other productions. He was always ready to help, said Gardiner. Last year, he partnered with ABUT The Shack, and the artist Isaac Bloodworth to design and paint an installation on Blake Street that is still standing, hanging on the side of the road like a bright welcome to the neighborhood. He said it was probably the last public project that he worked on.

"At this point, I'm really trying to see what I'm actually capable of doing," Comfort said. "I'm healing right now. But I suspect I'll be able to airbrush again. I would like to be more patient [with healing] but life has me going here, going there ... so I'm just taking it in stride."

"There are times I get depressed," he added. "But I snap out of it. Reality is, they're not gonna grow back. I'm not a lizard. I'm hopeful to get stronger. I'm hopeful that I'll continue to walk how I did. I always think, it could have been worse. So I'm grateful. Always grateful. And I just love life."

Meanwhile, community members are working together to make his recovery a little easier. Since going into the hospital, Comfort has lost months of income after

On Tuesday, Comfort sat in his studio, looking around at a space he hadn't visited since March. It was, at times, as if the room had been suspended in amber: a trio of screen printing presses still sat with color inked onto their surfaces. A quartet of respirator masks hung from a shelf, collecting dust.

At the far end of the room, a drop cloth sat completely dry, beneath a tapestry the artist had been working on months before. Bottles of thick acrylic paint, some halfused, sat at the ready on one side of the room. Sun streamed in through a window. At his desk, Comfort looked through piles of papers. An unfinished mask sat to his left, making the shape of a lion's head.

William Moore, a multimedia artist who has a studio next door to Comfort's, gave a little knock on the door before he came in, beaming when he saw Comfort. "Hey chief!" he said. "I saw your light on!"

"That's what's up!" Comfort said. He lifted himself carefully from the chair where he sat, and walked methodically over to Moore. Steadying himself on the desk for a moment, he embraced him. "This is my first time being here since ... since I left. It's a good feeling."

Moore, whose mom attended high school with Comfort, said he's glad to have his friend and role model back. In addition to working down the hall, he teaches martial arts and karate downstairs, at 302 Whalley Ave. The building felt lonelier knowing that Comfort wasn't there.

"I need him alive! I need him around," Moore said when asked how it felt to have his friend back in the building. "He's one of my favorite people. He got more talent that I need to catch up on."

photo credits: Lucy Gellman

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Before His 75th, Poets Remember Fred Hampton

Danielle Campbell, The Arts Paper, newhavenarts.org

With a plethora of inspiring reads all around the group, giving intense literary inspiration, they were tasked with writing from prompts based on what one of the most influential civil rights activists stood for, revolution.

An educational and intimate experience on July 31, where Enfield Poet Laureate Nzima Hutchings concluded a three-part poetry workshop at Possible Futures celebrating the revolutionary himself, Fred Hampton.

There was an energy in the air connecting the group to the essence of the past and the possibility of the future. That feeling was deeply rooted in history. Both known and newly learned. Community at its finest learning and sharing the wisdom they come from.

The curator of the community space, Lauren Anderson, expressed to the group that in one of the book clubs they were reading books on both Fred Hampton and Assata Shakur. It was leading up to the reading of the Little Book of Big Quotes: Fred Hampton & Assata Shakur. Prompts such as What do you stand for and What does Freedom look like to you? were given to the group to free write and then share.

The experience was mostly of solidarity for community, process, and depth.

A room with women of inspiration in the city, up-and-coming influentials, and new state residents finding their way.

New Haven powerhouses like Ife Michelle Gardin and Babz Rawls Ivy were in attendance. Anyone that knows Possible Futures knows the dynamic duo. Also in the room was a newcomer to the northeast.

Candace Cox recently moved from down south to New Haven, CT. Bringing newness to the space, Cox responded to a prompt regarding Fred Hampton’s 75 birthday coming up. What would you say to him for his 75th? Her response was personal. What would I want someone to say about me for my 75th birthday?

The group was then tasked with the prompt Cox brought to the room. Many of the participants were hesitant to share their poems because they were not “finished”. Hutchings encouraged people to sit in the group's “brave space” and share.

Anderson’s first line, “How do you say happy birthday to a star…” was the begging of a beautiful piece giving honor to the fallen revolutionary and keeping in mind his life being cut short simultaneously.

Between prompts inciting inspiration for creativity for the whole group, dinner provided from Rawa Restaurant in Westville, and Lost Poet wine to top off the sip and write for the later evening portion of the event.

Babz gave what she hoped all manner

of people in her life would say from her roots, her wings, her inner circle, and down to her enemies and foes. Gardin stated that her loved ones would say that she lives in purpose, creates a legacy, and loves her culture and celebration. Respect for who she is and all she will be at 75 years old. Anderson wanted to be known as hustle, heart, and humility above all.

Producer Halima Flynn in her prompt of what people would say about her at her 75th birthday, expressed the powerful words, “There are things I want them to say. that I know will never be. Some ships have sailed.” This brought the room into deep reflection for the ups and downs of life.

Community member and avid cyclist, David Joyner, joined the group during dinner. Although the only man in the room he sat and soaked up the knowledge being shared and the inspiration that

flowed. Wanting to be known at his 75th as a respectful gentleman and helping hand in the community.

One of the themes brought up regularly during the evening was change, transformation, and acceptance. Between age, identity, mental health, boundaries, and protecting peace, the ladies discussed change within themselves and their situations.

Cox was in deep thought about how she wanted to be spoken of. Passing her turn to others.

After sharing she said, “I learned something new because this is very hard. Opening up and sharing me with the world. Sharing with the world is very new but what I was sharing with the world is knowing that I live my truth and being in my truth is one of the greatest seeds I took to plant.”

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Black Wall Street Gets Ready For The Green

By Lucy Gellman

Growing up in New Haven, Rashaan Boyd sold streetwear out of the trunk of his car, and sometimes from his home on Henry Street. Then last year, the connections he made at the city's first Black Wall Street Festival helped him launch a store on Edgewood Avenue.

Now, he's back to cheer on fellow Black entrepreneurs in the city that raised him. Saturday, Boyd will join over 150 Blackowned businesses, artists and entrepreneurs for the city's second annual Black Wall Street Festival, scheduled to run from noon to 8 p.m. on the New Haven Green. Organized by the city's Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism and The Breed Entertainment, the event aims to center and celebrate Black entrepreneurship and artmaking, from smallbatch beauty businesses and clothing brands to award-winning drum and drill teams that showcase New Haven's youth. It will include 150 vendors, six hours of live music, several kinds of food, family-friendly activity centers, an economic "empowerment" tent, and a space for members of the Divine Nine to congregate and network. Musicians and performers include the Elite Drill Team, Wolfpack Drum Squad, and students from Monk Youth Jazz and STEAM Collective, as well as Ricky Alan Draughn and Tiffany Freeman among others.

"The Black Wall Street Festival, what is it?" said Cultural Affairs Director Adriane Jefferson at a press conference to promote the event Wednesday morning. "It is a celebration. It is a time to come together as a community. But it's also cultural preservation. It is cultural equity. It is being able to tell our stories our way, through our mouths, and to celebrate together. We're honored to be able to do this ... the meaning behind doing this is worth more than I can even say in words."

"Black Wall Street is extremely intentional, and Adriane was totally supportive of that," said Aaron Rogers, who runs The Breed with co-founder Rashad Johnson, and thanked colleagues Rebekah Moore and Diane X. Brown specifically for their effort. "We're so excited for all that's to come for the event. This year is a whole other level from last year."

For so many of Wednesday's speakers, the festival is a chance to honor and engage with both New Haven's Cultural Equity Plan and a rich, sometimes painful, and very much living history. For decades, the term "Black Wall Street" has been used to refer to self-sustaining Black business districts that rose across the country, many in the 19th and 20th centuries, only to be systematically and violently destroyed by white people and urban renewal projects.

They include not only Tulsa's now-

legendary Greenwood District, but also Oscarville, Georgia, Richmond, Virginia, Detroit's Black Bottom neighborhood, and New Haven's own Dixwell Avenue among dozens of others. In more recent years, the term has become an act of reclamation: Black Wall Street festivals and fairs have appeared across the country, amplifying Black business owners who for too long have been relegated to the historical and economic margins.

Last year, New Haven officially became part of that history with the city's inaugural festival, which featured three dozen vendors and live music on Temple Plaza, just blocks away from the Green. This year, it returns with a footprint that is over four times larger, and partnerships that range from the Connecticut Community Outreach Revitalization Program (ConnCORP) to the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.

Stetson Library Branch Manager Diane X. Brown, who consults as An Urban Librarian and worked on the recruitment and registration of vendors, said she is extremely proud to see young Black creatives and professionals leading the way. As a lifelong New Havener who remembers what Dixwell once was, turned a library into a de facto community center, and has supported Black-led revitalization efforts in recent years—she painted it as a full-circle sort of moment.

"I've worked with many teams over the years, and I can honestly say, this is at the top of the list," she said. "They will make history right here on the New Haven Green on this upcoming Saturday."

Part of that, speakers also noted, is the power of a single dollar—let alone $10, or $20, or $50—spent within a specific community, rather than outside of it. Ar-

thur Thomas, director of entrepreneurial initiatives and inclusive economic opportunity at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, noted that one

cated today, with programs like the New Haven Entrepreneurial Ecosystem. He wasn't alone. Jesse Phillips, coordinator of inclusive growth at the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, pointed to the 243 Black-owned businesses that once existed in Greenwood, destroyed by bombing and white mob violence in 1921, and then again by urban renewal in the 1960s. In New Haven, he said, it's worth thinking about how to support those businesses in the long term, whether they are already standing in one of the city's neighborhoods, or are just starting to bloom into being. Nowhere was that feeling clearer than in the comments of Black business owners who will be part of Saturday's festivities. Rosetta Washington, the founder and owner of Wholesome Approach, joked that she wasn't sure what she was more excited about—getting the word out about her beauty consultation business, or shopping from other Black entrepreneurs in the community. She pointed to Saturday—"let me tell you, there is literally something for everyone"—as a chance to support Black business owners across the community.

27-year-old Boyd, who grew up with his grandmother in a housing co-op at 99 Edgewood Ave., said he's thrilled to be back for the second year in a row—this time with a brick-and-mortar storefront that shows how far he's come. Last year, he attended Black Wall Street as a vendor, and started making connections that helped him get a business idea off the ground. In May, he launched his store, A Hustler's Vibe, at 162 Edgewood Ave. He thinks of Black Wall Street as a testament to those whose shoulders he stands on, he said—and takes seriously the responsibility to continue that work. As a kid, Rogers mentored him when he was a student in Leadership, Education, Athletics in Partnership (LEAP). After a friend suggested that he design streetwear, he started small, with pop-up sales that happened out of the trunk of his car.

The brand grew: sometimes he sold in front of his home on New Haven's Henry Street, and sometimes pop ups led him out of the state altogether. He said he's extremely excited to be giving back to the community, which he's done for years with Thanksgiving and back-to-school drives, and can now run from his Edgewood storefront.

dollar spent in Tulsa's Greenwood district often circulated "36 to 100 times" within the community.

It's a system that he wants to see repli-

"I'm the voice of the young entrepreneurs in New Haven," he said. "These events are vital to what we're trying to do ... we're trying to go from out your trunk to a storefront, collaboration over competition. Networking is key. Relationships are worth more than money—they'll take you so far."

"It's been a long road," he added. "A long time coming."

Lindy Lee Goldt crew.

A Hustler's Vibe owner Rashaan Boyd. Lucy Gellman Photos.

"They will make history right here on the New Haven Green on this upcoming Saturday.”

The new haven independent

Contracting Standards Board To Get New Chair

by Christine Stuart

Gov. Ned Lamont announced that Michael P. Walsh, the current mayor of the Town of East Hartford, will be appointed as the chair of the State Contracting Standards Board. This decision comes following the anticipated resignation of Lawrence Fox, who has chaired the board since 2018 and plans to step down in September.

Walsh, who recently declared that he would not run for re-election as mayor this fall, is scheduled to begin serving on the board in November after the end of his term and the inauguration of a new mayor. In the interim weeks between Fox’s resignation and Walsh’s appointment, the board members will vote on an acting chair to serve in a temporary leadership capacity.

Fox expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have led the board for the past five years, praising the efforts of the volunteer board and the support received from the legislature and the governor. He said, “I am confident the board is well positioned to fulfill its mission of ensuring fair and transparent procurement in our state.”

Walsh brings a wealth of experience to the position, having served as mayor since November 8, 2021, and previously as undersecretary of strategic initiatives and

accountability for the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management. His 40-year career also includes roles as finance director for the Town of East Hartford and assistant director of financial reporting at Cigna, as well as an accountant for a local public accounting firm.

In his statement, Walsh thanked Lamont and expressed his commitment to transparent government. “In every position I’ve served, my priority is to bring good government […] instilling confidence along the way. Delivering good government in this manner had served me and the agencies I’ve worked for well over the 40 years I’ve been involved, so everyone should expect the same from me in this role on the board.”

Lamont lauded Fox for his commendable service and expressed confidence in Walsh’s ability to lead the board. He emphasized the critical role of the State Contracting Standards Board in government procurement, saying, “I trust that he [Walsh] will do well as the board’s chair.”

The State Contracting Standards Board, consisting of 14 members appointed by the governor and leaders of the General Assembly, is responsible for overseeing all matters associated with state procurement. The positions on the board are volunteer roles, emphasizing the civic commitment of those who serve.

Access Health CT CEO James Michel and East Hartford Mayor Michael Walsh at the East Hartford Library enrollment center. Credit: Courtesy of Access Health CT

Ct. News Junkie

Big business: self-checkout on the rise for major retailers

By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, afro.com

A letter to big-box retailers like Target, Walmart and Giant Food, is currently circulating through social media, criticizing the stores for the rising use of self-checkout. It speaks on a common experience that shoppers encounter when leaving a store.

Some retailers have associates positioned at store exits to check receipts and verify that customers have paid for all the items in their cart. In the aforementioned letter, individuals expressed their disdain for this practice, particularly after they’ve been forced to ring up and bag groceries by themselves at self-checkout.

“You can either trust me to do selfcheckout, or you can put your cashiers back in place like it used to be. I’m not interested in proving that I did your job for you,” the letter, from Roshell Washington’s Facebook post, reads. “If you want me to be a cashier with no training then that’s your problem, not mine. Keep employing young people and giving them job opportunities. You don’t pay me to scan my own shopping. You don’t give me a staff discount for working for you.”

Augusta, Ga. native Michael Meyers thinks retailers should give customers a discount when they use self-checkout or self-serving kiosks. He noted that he often sees store associates standing around selfcheckout areas without being attentive to customers.

“What bothers me the most is [stores] will only have self-checkout available, and then people are standing around doing nothing,” Meyers said. “It’s different when staffing issues cause it to happen, but we are seeing people standing around talking on their cell phones or playing a game.”

Although he said that self-checkout is

helpful, particularly for people who only want to purchase a few items, it has led to a decline in customer service.

“If we’re going to self-checkout only, how are stores going to give back to customers? If I am checking out myself, that’s man hours that they didn’t have to use,” said Meyers. “Because they don’t use the man hours, I want to see a discount.”

In spite of the criticism, Walmart, Kroger

and Dollar General have already begun to pilot self-checkout only stores. The retailers claim they reduce long lines and serve more customers in a shorter period of time.

“We hear far more from customers who like the flexibility of self-checkout. We consistently work to provide our customers with the best possible experience,” said Amanda Foster, director of global communications for Walmart. “Should

someone have a concern, we ask them to immediately speak to a member of management who will be happy to help.”

A common concern regarding the use of self-checkout is whether it causes cashiers to lose their jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, cashier employment is expected to decrease by 10 percent, or 335,700 positions from 2021 to 2031.

However, it’s possible these cashiers

will transition into new roles at retailers. At Walmart’s self-checkout-only store in Fayetteville, Ark., the cashiers have become “hosts,” according to a news release from Walmart. They guide customers to open registers, and if a customer does not want to check themselves out, they step in to ring up and bag items.

According to Foster, Walmart does not intend to reduce staffing or individuals’ work hours because of self-checkout use.

“Self-checkout frees up our associates to better serve customers, no matter how they shop with us,” said Foster. “From helping on the floor with questions to working with our online, delivery or pickup teams, our intent is this expanded flexibility will create a better overall experience.”

As Walmart expands self-checkout use, some stores have decided to cut down on it due to an increase in theft. According to the National Retail Federation, stores suffered $94.5 billion in losses in 2021. The primary cause for these losses was theft. In addition to increased security and the closures of secondary entrances, Giant Food has decided to limit its self-checkout lanes to 20 items in response to rising theft.

“We are implementing some new processes to mitigate theft in our stores and prioritize the safety of our customers and associates. We have implemented these changes in many of our stores and will continue to test other theft prevention tactics in other stores,” said Jon Arons, community relations manager for Giant Food.

“We know that these changes are disruptive for everyone, and we would prefer not to have to put these measures in place. Unfortunately, at this time we are in a position where these steps are necessary.” Megan Sayles is a Report for America Corps member.

National Coalition of Justice Practitioners (NCJP) Unite Against the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Proposed Ban on Menthol Cigarettes

By Black Press of America

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Aug. 22, 2023

– The National Coalition of Justice Practitioners (NCJP), a group of Black and Hispanic law enforcement executives and experts, hosted the “When Good People Write Bad Policy” National Press Club panel event to educate people about the racial and criminal implications of a menthol ban. The panel met before the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announcement anticipated to come this month.

“There are many groups who still do not understand the unintended consequences of this proposed ban,” said Dr. Benjamin Chavis, President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association and panel moderator. “For leaders in Washington to consider this ban without consulting Black and Brown officers is disastrous. Let’s sit down with the proponents and first conduct a Racial Impact Study. Targeting in the past doesn’t justify targeting now. We

are against racial targeting and profiling. All of it.”

Panelists Commissioner Jiles Ship, Major Neill Franklin (Ret.), NYS Trooper EAP Director Elliot Boyce (Ret.), Deputy Inspector Corey Pegues (Ret.), Captain Sonia Pruitt (Ret.), Lt. David Daniels III (Ret.), Chief John I. Dixon (Ret.) and Ron Hampton, DC Metro Police (Ret.) asked that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris pull back on this menthol ban until further studies, like a Racial Impact Study, be done and more experts are heard.

The August 10 “When Good People Write Bad Policy” panel event urged lawmakers to study the effects of a menthol ban by launching a Racial Impact Study that gathers input from law enforcement, health experts, and Black and Latino communities. The law enforcement experts listed these unintended consequences: Anything you ban becomes illegal, and it is a policing issue.

Enforcement of the menthol ban will be in more urban and Latino communities and used as a tool in racial profiling, stop-andfrisk, and arrests.

The police do not need another reason for

a stop-and-frisk that leads to life-threatening casualties in the Black community.

Former Law Enforcement Action Partnership executive director, Retired Major Neill Franklin, stated, “Illicit markets breed

violence. This menthol ban will flood the streets, especially Black & Latino communities, with unregulated products, and if you think the products are unhealthy now, wait until the unregulated products are pushed into our communities. You don’t want substances like fentanyl added to a street cigarette.”

Overall, adult and youth smoking rates in the U.S. are the lowest they have ever been in public health history. Since over 80% of African Americans and 48% of Latinos who smoke prefer menthol cigarettes, a proposed FDA ban is racially discriminatory since cigarettes preferred by White smokers will not be banned. There is no scientific basis to regulate menthol and non-menthol cigarettes differently. Health concerns are more effectively managed through education, treatment, and counseling, not by police.

The proposed U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) ban on menthol cigarettes could be announced this month.

Arkansas Ed. Dept withdraws credit for AP African American Studies

By Stacy M. Brown, Contributing Writer,Black Press USA

The Arkansas Education Department has opted to strip course credit from the Advanced Placement (AP) African American Studies course, just a few months after Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders inked legislative measures curbing the scope of public school educators’ pedagogical offerings.

The AP African American Studies course, a beacon of educational diversity and cultural enlightenment, will not be eligible for early college credit during the upcoming school year.

“The department encourages the teaching of all American history and supports rigorous courses not based on opinions or indoctrination,” Kimberly Mundell, the Education Department’s communications director, said in a statement.

“Arkansas law contains provisions regarding prohibited topics,” Mundell told local station KHBS, referring to state education restrictions.

“Without clarity, we cannot approve a pilot that may unintentionally put a teacher at risk of violating Arkansas law.”

As several states undertake concerted efforts to circumscribe the boundaries of what educators can impart concerning race, gender, and sexuality, Arkansas has emerged as a new focal point in this ongoing dialogue.

NBC News reported that Sanders had earlier championed limits on education in

the state.

The outlet noted that she signed the LEARNS Act into law in March, restricting classroom lessons about gender identity and sexual orientation.

In January, the Republican governor signed an executive order banning “indoctrination and critical race theory” in schools.

The assault on critical race theory, which

isn’t taught in grade schools, has been among the most controversial GOP initiatives across the country.

In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis spearheaded initiatives to exert an overarching influence over academic viewpoints and curricula.

His HB 999 has caused consternation throughout the academic community,

epitomizing an audacious stride toward dictating the contours of education.

HB 999 says that all colleges and universities must not spend money on education programs or other things that support diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“This bill is a road map for wrecking one of our great state systems of higher education,” University of Michigan Law Professor Julian Davis Mortenson tweeted.

The bill eliminates Women’s and Gender Studies as a major or minor at state colleges and universities.

It dictates that there can’t be a major or minor “based on the Critical Race Theory belief system.”

According to the bill’s text, the university president or board would do all faculty hiring. It asserts that they “may not delegate” any aspect of any hiring decision or hiring authority to any group or faculty, however constituted.

Further, the bill asserts that they are “not required to consider the recommendations or opinions of faculty.”

Jeremy C. Young, Pen America’s senior manager of Free Expression and Education, called the bill “terrifying.”

Pen America is a non-profit group that protects and promotes free speech worldwide by promoting literature and human rights.

“Florida HB 999 would enact the most Draconian and censorious restrictions on higher education in the history of this country,” Young stated.

“The bill would make tenure and faculty hiring committees meaningless, ban diversity statements, and centralize control of core curricula and mission statements in the hands of political appointees,” Young said.

“Unexpectedly, it would also ban gender studies majors.”

This article was originally published in the August 21, 2023 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.

Six Decades After King’s Historic Speech, Report Shows Black Economic Equality is ‘Still a Dream’

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire

Sixty years after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, a groundbreaking new report has laid bare the stark truth of ongoing Black economic inequality in the United States. Titled “STILL A DREAM: Over 500 Years to Black Economic Equality,” the report, is co-authored by prominent experts Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, Chuck Collins, Omar Ocampo, and Sally Sim. Published by the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) and National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) they underscore the enduring disparities faced by Black Americans and highlights the pressing need for concerted action to address these disparities. “Sixty years ago, Dr. King observed that America has defaulted on this promissory note to Black citizens,” stated Chuck Collins, an IPS senior scholar who directs the Program on Inequality and the Common Good in Washington, DC.

“Six decades later, despite incremental progress on some fronts, the check of opportunity has still come back with insufficient funds.” Stated by Dedrick Asante-

Muhammad, Chief of Race, Wealth, and Community for NCRC, lamented, “It is deeply troubling that, sixty years after the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Black economic equality remains nothing more than a dream for most Black Americans.” “The revelation that it would take more than 500 additional years to close the economic gap for Black Americans is a stark reminder of the systemic inequities that persist,” Asante-Muhammad asserted. Sally Sim, a senior organizer, and project specialist at NCRC, emphasized the urgency of the situation. “The sobering projection and findings of our report sixty years after the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom reinforce that the dream for economic equality for Black Americans remains unfulfilled,” Sim stated.

“On this historic anniversary, let us turn this report into a catalyst for meaningful action towards comprehensive solutions and public support for policies and initiatives that promote Black economic equality.” Some key findings from the comprehensive report were that despite modest advancements made by African Americans since the 1960s, including reduced poverty rates, increased high school attainment, and lower unemployment rates,

income disparities between Black and white Americans have only slightly improved. The report exposes that in 2021, African Americans earn sixty-two cents to every dollar earned by white families.

The report’s authors said, at this rate, achieving income parity would take an astonishing 513 years.

Further, the wealth gap between Black and non-Black Americans has experienced only marginal growth, with African Americans possessing eighteen cents for every dollar of non-Black wealth in 2019. If this pace continues, it will take approximately 780 years for Black wealth to match non-Black wealth. Median household income for African Americans has shown minimal growth, growing just 0.36% since the turn of the century. Strikingly, it remained lower than white median family income in 1963. Even after over six decades, the Black-white homeownership divide persists.

Black homeownership has grown from 38% in 1960 to 44% in 2021, while white homeownership surged from 64% in 1960 to 74% in 2021.The report outlined a series of recommendations to combat Black economic inequality:

1. Advocate for full employment and guaranteed jobs to ensure equal economic opportunities for all.

2. Enact a substantial land and homeownership program to address the enduring homeownership gap between Black and white Americans.

3. Commit to individual asset building, including financial education, asset matching programs, and supportive policies, to facilitate access to wealth-building opportunities for Black Americans.

4. Implement policies to reduce dynastic concentrations of wealth and power, tackling the structural barriers that impede economic progress for Black Americans.

5. Explore targeted reparations to address historical injustices and provide meaningful redress for the economic disparities Black Americans face.

The authors noted that, as the nation reflects on King’s enduring vision for equality and justice, the report serves as a sobering reminder that pursuing Black economic equality remains an unmet challenge in America. “The findings of this report are sobering and demand immediate and comprehensive action to address the economic disparities faced by African Americans,” remarked Omar Ocampo, a researcher for the Program on Inequality and the Common Good at IPS. “We must invest in transformative policies that address systemic racism and create an equitable society.”

For the full report: https://ncrc.org/stilla-dream-over-500-years-to-black-economic-equality/

4 Tips To Help Your Child’s Back-To-School Anxiety

by Jason Hughes, BlackDoctor.org

Back-to-School season is upon us – if you couldn’t tell by the uniforms and school supplies strewn all over every department store. And, as the yearly routine goes, there are a few tykes somewhere in the world begging their parents not to leave them at school.

There may be an actual reason behind your child’s unwillingness to go to school besides what some parents perceive as cute stubbornness. Ever heard of school refusal? According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, your child’s refusal to go to school or stay in school may be the first sign of a mental disorder.

This anxiety-based illness usually affects two to five percent of all school-age children. Experts say the refusal occurs during those transitional –sometimesscary – school years, such as entering kindergarten, middle and high school.

The main symptom is complaining of physical illness shortly before its time to head to school: our child was feeling fine last night. But all of a sudden, around six a.m., as you all prepare for the school day, your little one is complaining of a headache or stomachache. Then, if you let your child stay home, the symptoms

disappear without any treatment only to return the next morning.

Here are four ways to help your child: Talk to your child about their feelings and fears.

Sometimes, especially at early ages, children may have developed a fear that something will happen to their parents while they are at school. It’s best to have an open discussion with your little one to find out what’s bothering them and how that may be triggering their fear of going to school.

It’s important to create an environment where your child feels comfortable expressing their concerns and worries. You can start by initiating open conversations about school, addressing their fears and acknowledging their feelings. Let them know that their emotions are valid and that you’re there to support them.

Help your child establish a support system.

It’s great if your child comes to you for advice on any and every topic. But some children may feel like they can’t have deep discussions with their parents. Help

your child create a list of family members and teachers that can step in and give trustworthy advice when needed. You can also reach out to friends from their previous school year or arrange playdates with classmates they’ll see again. Reconnecting with familiar faces can help ease the fear of the unknown.

Expose your child to school in small doses.

Dropping off your little one at kindergarten can be frightening if they haven’t had any exposure to school before. If your child didn’t attend preschool, find some extracurricular activities that could get your child acclimated to the social elements of a classroom setting. It may also help to arrange a visit to the school before the academic year starts. Walking through the hallways, locating classrooms, and meeting teachers can help alleviate some of the unknowns and

reduce anxiety associated with the new environment.

A consistent daily routine provides a sense of predictability that can ease anxiety, but remember to start small so you don’t overwhelm your child. For example, you can gradually adjust their sleep schedule and meal times to align with the school routine. Having a structured plan can help reduce uncertainty.

If your child’s stress is particularly intense, consider creating a transition plan. Start with shorter visits to school, gradually increasing the duration until they feel more comfortable.

Involve your child in back-to-school preparations. Let them choose their school supplies, backpack, and even their first-day outfit. This sense of ownership and control can boost their confidence and excitement.

Speak with a therapist.

If your child’s school refusal continues for more than a couple of weeks, it may be best to speak with a therapist. There could be some other event that triggered your child’s anxiety about school that only a professional can detect and help treat.

Emmy-Winning Actor Ron Cephas Jones Gone at 66: “Everybody Has Their Time”

by Carter Higgins, BlackDoctor.org

Ron Cephas Jones, the Emmy-winning actor best known for playing William Hill on This Is Us, has passed away. He was 66.

If you weren’t familiar with his name, you probably knew his face. Jones had groundbreaking roles on USA’s Mr. Robot (R.I.P. Romero), Netflix’s Luke Cage and NBC’s breakout hit show This Is Us. A representative for the actor confirmed Jones’ death on Saturday: “Beloved and award-winning actor Ron Cephas Jones has passed away at the age of 66 due to a long-standing pulmonary issue.”

“Throughout the course of his career, his warmth, beauty, generosity, kindness and heart were felt by anyone who had the good fortune of knowing him,” the statement continued. “He began his career at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe and his love for the stage was present throughout his entire career, including his recent Tony nominated and Drama Desk Award winning performance for his role in Clyde’s on Broadway.”

Both This Is Us and Jones are receiving critical-acclaim for the realness of his character and how he comes across on screen. But this was nothing new for the veteran veteran actor. He was a theater veteran and has had supporting roles in literally hundreds of your favorite shows.

In a 2017 interview, Jones explained how

he was able to thrive in the business for so many years: “I start with what’s on the page and try not to get ahead of myself with what he should be feeling or what he should be doing and really staying in the present and focusing on what’s on the page,” confesses Jones. “And then of course, the dialogue among myself, the writer, and the director, trying to figure out where we want him to go, and his emotional arc and what-have-you. From just my own expe-

riences with friends and family members, I try to draw on what different people are going through with difficult health problems and in my own life, and all the family connections that could be exploring that and drawing on that. But mostly, waiting to see what the script offers, what the words tell you, that inevitably gets you to where you need to be.”

His daughter, Jasmine Cephas Jones, is also an accomplished actor as she is currently on the ensemble cast for the record-

breaking Broadway play, Hamilton. “So I was raising my daughter and I never wanted to leave her to come out here, and she was able to do that with me, and I kept getting these great theater jobs,” explains Jones. “To be able to travel with Sam Mendes and do The Bridge Project, and do Shakespeare all around the world and play the Old Vic and play the Old Globe and play Shakespeare at The Public. And to play Richard III and Prospero. And coming out to L.A. and pursuing television, there are so many actors that I know have no idea how to do O’Neill or Tennessee Williams or August Wilson or Shakespeare. I just felt honored and great and I was still able to make a living, and now I’m able to make a little more — and still have the quality. Which always doesn’t happen, either. You can have the success, but not the quality.”

On This Is Us, which ended in 2022 after six seasons, Ron played the biological father of Randall Pearson, played by Sterling K. Brown. William was a recovering drug addict and music artist who battled and died of stomach cancer.

“Life imitated art today, and one of the most wonderful people the world has ever seen is no longer with us,” Sterling wrote on Instagram hours after Ron’s death was announced, sharing a photo of the two in a scene from This Is Us. “@cephasjaz has passed away, and the world is a little less bright.”

“Everybody has their time. I stopped questioning it and just knew it would happen sooner or later, and if it didn’t I would be okay. I’d still be working as an actor, one of the most respected actors in New York on the stage, and…

… that was really what I’d wanted anyway when I started out to be an actor. I wanted to be a great stage actor, because those were the actors I admired, and those were the ones I was able to see. And when I was coming up, there weren’t a lot of African-Americans doing television. And I’m talking about the ’70s, when I went to high school and college.”

The talented star revealed to The New York Times in 2021 that he privately battled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and received a double lung transplant at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in 2020, where he was a patient for almost two months.

According to a June 2022 interview with Today, he said his Tony-nominated performance in Clyde’s on Broadway motivated him to make a speedy recovery.

“I don’t want to say a miracle, but I was very fortunate. I had great doctors. It still was a very difficult and arduous recovery. I’m recovering for the rest of my life,” Jones told the outlet. “You don’t get new lungs and start running track. It’s a procedure that you have to constantly work on your body. Medication is involved and therapy.”

Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming, Inc seeks:

Construction

Construction Equipment Mechanic preferably experienced in Reclaiming and Road Milling Equipment. We offer factory training on equipment we operate. Location: Bloomfield CT

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE ELM CITY COMMUNITIES/HOUSING AUTHORITY OF NEW HAVEN (ECC/HANH) - FLAT RENT SCHEDULE 2023

NOTICE

We offer excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits

VALENTINA MACRI RENTAL HOUSING PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

Contact: Tom Dunay

Phone: 860- 243-2300

Seeking to employ experienced individuals in the labor, foreman, operator and teamster trades for a heavy outside work statewide. Reliable personal transportation and a valid drivers license required. To apply please call (860) 6211720 or send resume to: Personnel Department, P.O. Box 368, Cheshire, CT06410.

According to (24 CFR 960.253(b) Notice PIH 2021-27, and Section 6 III (D) - Flat Rent of ECC/HANH’s Admissions & Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP) ECC/HANH must establish a schedule of flat rents annually give a family of a choice of flat rent or income-based rent and provide families with the information on how to choose the rent.

Email: tom.dunay@garrityasphalt.com

Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer

Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming, Inc seeks:

Reclaimer Operators and Milling Operators with current licensing and clean driving record, be willing to travel throughout the Northeast & NY. We offer excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits

HOME INC, on behalf of Columbus House and the New Haven Housing Authority, is accepting pre-applications for studio and one-bedroom apartments at this development located at 108 Frank Street, New Haven. Maximum income limitations apply. Pre-applications will be available from 9AM TO 5PM beginning Monday Ju;y 25, 2016 and ending when sufficient pre-applications (approximately 100) have been received at the offices of HOME INC. Applications will be mailied upon request by calling HOME INC at 203-562-4663 during those hours. Completed preapplications must be returned to HOME INC’s offices at 171 Orange Street, Third Floor, New Haven, CT 06510.

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V Drug Free Workforce

PVC FENCE PRODUCTION

The thirty (30) days comment period begins on Monday, July 31, 2023 and ends on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 and copies of the Flat Rent schedule will be made available on the agency website www.elmcitycommunities.org or via Twitter, www.twitter.com/ ECCommunities or via Facebook www.facebook.com/ElmCityCommunities and all Property Management offices.

You are invited to provide written comments to: ECC/HANH Flat Rent, Attn: Gary Hogan, P.O. Box 1912, New Haven, CT 06509-1912.

Contact: Rick Tousignant Phone: 860- 243-2300

NOTICIA

Email: rick.tousignant@garrityasphalt.com

VALENTINA MACRI VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES DISPONIBLES

Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer

Large CT Fence Company looking for an individual for our PVC Fence Production Shop. Experience preferred but will train the right person. Must be familiar with carpentry hand & power tools and be able to read a CAD drawing and tape measure. Use of CNC Router machine a plus but not required, will train the right person. This is an in-shop production position. Duties include building fence panels, posts, gates and more. Must have a valid CT driver’s license & be able to obtain a Drivers Medical Card. Must be able to pass a physical and drug test. Please email resume to pboucher@atlasoutdoor.com.

A public hearing where public comments will also be accepted and recorded is scheduled for Monday, August 28, 2023 at 4:00 PM via: RingCentral's video conference line Meeting ID 723640478 Or by phone (650) 419-1505.

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. We offer excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits

HOME INC, en nombre de la Columbus House y de la New Haven Housing Authority, está aceptando pre-solicitudes para estudios y apartamentos de un dormitorio en este desarrollo ubicado en la calle 109 Frank Street, New Haven. Se aplican limitaciones de ingresos máximos. Las pre-solicitudes estarán disponibles 09 a.m.-5 p.m. comenzando Martes 25 julio, 2016 hasta cuando se han recibido suficientes pre-solicitudes (aproximadamente 100) en las oficinas de HOME INC. Las pre-solicitudes serán enviadas por correo a petición llamando a HOME INC al 203-562-4663 durante esas horas.Pre-solicitudes deberán remitirse a las oficinas de HOME INC en 171 Orange Street, tercer piso, New Haven , CT 06510 .

Contact Dana at 860-243-2300

Email: dana.briere@garrityasphalt.com

Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer

NEW HAVEN

242-258 Fairmont Ave

AA/EOE-MF

Full Time Administrative assistant position for a steel & misc metals fabrication shop who will oversee the daily operations of clerical duties such as answering phones, accounts payable purchase orders/invoicing and certified payroll. Email resumes to jillherbert@gwfabrication.com

Request for Proposals (RFP)

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

Underground Storage Tank Removal at Cambridge Park

Anyone who requires a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hearing may call the Reasonable Accommodation Manager at (203) 498-8800 ext. 1507 or TDD (203) 497-8434.

Electric Utility Lineman

Invitation to Bid: 2nd Notice

State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management

SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE

The Housing Authority of the City of Bristol

All new apartments, new appliances, new carpet, close to I-91 & I-95 highways, near bus stop & shopping center

Old Saybrook, CT (4 Buildings, 17 Units)

The Town of Wallingford Electric Division is seeking highly skilled applicants for First Class Lineman. Applicants must be a H.S, trade school, or vocational high school graduate with 4 years’ experience in electric line construction/maintenance work with experience working with energized 13,800-volt equipment. Must possess and maintain a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to operate equipment of which a copy must be provided with your application. Wages: $41.46 to $46.09 per hour (wages currently under negotiations), plus an excellent fringe benefits package that includes pension plan, medical insurance, life insurance, paid holidays, sick and vacation time. A complete job announcement and application may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page and can be mailed to the Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492, or emailed to: wlfdhr@wallingfordct.gov by the closing date of August 22, 2023. Phone: (203) 2942080; Fax: (203) 294-2084. EOE

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

The Housing Authority of the City of Bristol is seeking a qualified contractor for underground storage tank removal project at Davis Dr., Bristol, CT. Proposals due by Aug. 24, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.

CT. Unified Deacon’s Association is pleased to offer a Deacon’s Certificate Program. This is a 10 month program designed to assist in the intellectual formation of Candidates in response to the Church’s Ministry needs. The cost is $125. Classes start Saturday, August 20, 2016

3:30 Contact: Chairman, Deacon Joe J. Davis, M.S., B.S.

(203) 996-4517 Host,General Bishop Elijah Davis, D.D. Pastor ofPitts Chapel U.F.W.B. Church 64 Brewster St. New Haven, CT

A copy of the RFP documents can be obtained at the Bristol Housing Authority, 164 Jerome Ave., Bristol, CT 06010 during normal business hours or by contacting Carl Johnson, Dir. of Capital Funds, at cjohnson@bristolhousing.org, 860-585-2028. Scope and proposal requirements will be available starting August 2nd, 2023. This is a HUD funded project.

The Housing Authority of the City of Bristol is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. SBE, MBE, W/DBE, and Section 3 businesses are encouraged to respond.

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY

Sealed bids are invited by the Housing Authority of the Town of Seymour until 3:00 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at its office at 28 Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 for Concrete Sidewalk Repairs and Replacement at the Smithfield Gardens Assisted Living Facility, 26 Smith Street Seymour.

Construction

A pre-bid conference will be held at the Housing Authority Office 28 Smith Street Seymour, CT at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

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

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

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V Drug Free Workforce

The Housing Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, to reduce the scope of the project to reflect available funding, and to waive any

The State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management is recruiting for a Fiscal/ Administrative Officer position. Further information regarding the duties, eligibility requirements and application instructions are available at: https://www.jobapscloud.com/ CT/sup/bulpreview.asp?b=&R1= 230419&R2=1308AR&R3=001

Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage Rate Project

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

New Construction, Wood Framed, Housing, Selective Demolition, Site-work, Castin-place Concrete, Asphalt Shingles, Vinyl Siding, Flooring, Painting, Division 10 Specialties, Appliances, Residential Casework, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection. This contract is subject to state set-aside and contract compliance requirements.

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Bid Extended, Due Date: August 5, 2016

Anticipated Start: August 15, 2016

The Wallingford Electric Division is seeking a skilled individual to handle all inquiries, applications and complaints from the public related to utility billing, service, accounts receivable, customer billing and delinquent accounts. The position requires a high school diploma /GED or business school, plus two (2) years employment involving customer contact and the receipt, custody and accounting for sums of money OR an equivalent combination of the above experience and training. Wages: $23.36 - $28.36 hourly, plus an excellent fringe benefit package. Applications may be obtained at the Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492. Forms will be mailed upon request from the Department of Human Resources or may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page. Phone #: 203-294-2080, Fax # 203-294-2084. The closing date will be the date the 50th application or resume is received or August 7, 2023 whichever occurs first. EOE

Project documents available via ftp link below: http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage

DRIVER CDL CLASS A

Fax or Email Questions & Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 dawnlang@haynesconstruction.com

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

Full Time – All Shifts Top Pay-Full Benefits

EOE Please apply in person: 1425 Honeyspot Rd. Ext. Stratford, CT 06615

Firefighter/Paramedic

The Wallingford Fire Department is seeking qualified applicants for Firefighter/Paramedic. $1,176.60 weekly plus an excellent fringe benefit package. The written exam and oral exam process will be administered by the Town of Wallingford. To apply, candidates must register through firefighterapp.com Once on the site, go to firefighter jobs and locate the link for Wallingford. The registration/application deadline is August 14, 2023. The registration requires a fee of $35.00 (online with firefighterapps.com). EOE

AVISO DE AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA PARA LAS COMUNIDADES DE ELM CITY / AUTORIDAD DE VIVIENDA DE NEW HAVEN (ECC / HANH) - HORARIO DE ALQUILER

PLANO 2023

NOTICE

VALENTINA MACRI RENTAL HOUSING PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

De acuerdo con (24 CFR 960.253(b) Aviso PIH 2021-27, y la Sección 6 III (D) - Alquiler fijo de la Política de Admisión y Ocupación Continuada (ACOP) de ECC/HANH, ECC/HANH debe establecer un calendario de alquileres fijos anualmente para dar una familia de una opción de alquiler fijo o alquiler basado en los ingresos y proporcionar a las familias la información sobre cómo elegir el alquiler.

El período de comentarios de treinta (30) días comienza el martes, 29 de agosto de 2023 y finaliza el martes 29 de agosto de 2023 y las copias del cronograma de Flat Rent estarán disponibles en el sitio web de la agencia www.elmcitycommunities.org o a través de Twitter, www.twitter.com/ECCommunities o a través de Facebook www.facebook. com/ElmCityCommunities y todas las oficinas de administración de propiedades.

Lo invitamos a enviar comentarios por escrito a: ECC/HANH Flat Rent, Attn: Gary Hogan, P.O. Box 1912, New Haven, CT 06509-1912.

HOME INC, on behalf of Columbus House and the New Haven Housing Authority, is accepting pre-applications for studio and one-bedroom apartments at this development located at 108 Frank Street, New Haven. Maximum income limitations apply. Pre-applications will be available from 9AM TO 5PM beginning Monday Ju;y 25, 2016 and ending when sufficient pre-applications (approximately 100) have been received at the offices of HOME INC. Applications will be mailied upon request by calling HOME INC at 203-562-4663 during those hours. Completed preapplications must be returned to HOME INC’s offices at 171 Orange Street, Third Floor, New Haven, CT 06510.

NOTICIA

Una audiencia pública donde también se aceptarán y grabarán comentarios públicos está programada para el Lunes 28 de Agosto de 2023 a las 4:00 PM a través de: Línea de videoconferencia de RingCentral ID de reunión 723640478 O por teléfono (650) 419-1505.

VALENTINA MACRI VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES DISPONIBLES

Cualquier persona que requiera una adaptación razonable para participar en la audiencia puede llamar al Gerente de Adaptación Razonable al (203) 498-8800 ext. 1507 o TDD (203) 497-8434.

ARMED SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICER

HOME INC, en nombre de la Columbus House y de la New Haven Housing Authority, está aceptando pre-solicitudes para estudios y apartamentos de un dormitorio en este desarrollo ubicado en la calle 109 Frank Street, New Haven. Se aplican limitaciones de ingresos máximos. Las pre-solicitudes estarán disponibles 09 a.m.-5 p.m. comenzando Martes 25 julio, 2016 hasta cuando se han recibido suficientes pre-solicitudes (aproximadamente 100) en las oficinas de HOME INC. Las pre-solicitudes serán enviadas por correo a petición llamando a HOME INC al 203-562-4663 durante esas horas.Pre-solicitudes deberán remitirse a las oficinas de HOME INC en 171 Orange Street, tercer piso, New Haven , CT 06510 .

The Town of Wallingford is seeking qualified applicants for Armed School Security Officer. The position pays $55,000 annually plus benefits and will follow the Wallingford Public Schools calendar. To view the position requirements and to register/apply, please go to: https://www.policeapp.com/Wallingford-CT-Police-Department/312/ by the registration/application deadline of Monday, July 10, 2023. Registration for PoliceApp requires a fee of $35.00 that must be paid online to PoliceApp.com. EOE

EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN

NEW HAVEN

242-258 Fairmont Ave

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

All new apartments, new appliances, new carpet, close to I-91 & I-95 highways, near bus stop & shopping center

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

CT. Unified Deacon’s Association is pleased to offer a Deacon’s Certificate Program. This is a 10 month program designed to assist in the intellectual formation of Candidates in response to the Church’s Ministry needs. The cost is $125. Classes start Saturday, August 20, 2016

The Town of Wallingford is accepting applications for EMT. Must possess a H.S. diploma or G.E.D., plus one (1) year of recent experience as an EMT. Must be 18 years old and be a Connecticut or National Registry Certified EMT with CPR Certification and a valid State of Connecticut motor vehicle operator’s license. Starting wage $796.53 (weekly), plus an excellent fringe benefits package. Apply: Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492. Forms will be mailed upon request from the Department of Human Resources or may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page. Phone (203) 294-2080, Fax (203) 294-2084. The closing date will be the date of the 50th application or resume is received or August 28, 2023, whichever occurs first.

Contact: Chairman, Deacon Joe J. Davis, M.S., B.S. (203) 996-4517 Host,General Bishop Elijah Davis, D.D. Pastor ofPitts Chapel U.F.W.B. Church 64 Brewster St. New Haven, CT

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY

Bike Share System – Development and Implementation

New Haven Parking Authority New Haven, CT

NHPA Project #23-065

Sealed bids are invited by the Housing Authority of the Town of Seymour until 3:00 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at its office at 28 Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 for Concrete Sidewalk Repairs and Replacement at the Smithfield Gardens Assisted Living Facility, 26 Smith Street Seymour.

Proposals due August 29, 2023 at 3:00 P.M.

Requesting proposals to develop and implement a Bike Share System in New Haven, CT. Proposal Documents will be available beginning August 8, 2023 at no cost by downloading from the New Haven Parking Authority/Park New Haven website at https://parknewhaven.com/request-for-bids/ or visit the Main Office at 232 George Street, New Haven, CT to obtain a copy.

A pre-bid conference will be held at the Housing Authority Office 28 Smith Street Seymour, CT at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

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

NHPA is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

The Housing Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, to reduce the scope of the project to reflect available funding, and to waive any

Salary Range: $87,727 to $136,071 Deputy Finance Director/Controller

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

Town of Bloomfield Finance Director

Salary Range - $101,455 to $156,599 (expected starting pay maximum is mid-range)

Fully Benefited – 35 hours weekly Pre-employment drug testing. For more details, visit our website –www.bloomfieldct.org

Portland

Police Officer full-time

Go to www.portlandct.org for details

Town of Bloomfield QSR

POLICE OFFICER

The Wallingford Police Department is seeking qualified applicants for Police Officer. $1,320.80 weekly plus an excellent fringe benefit package to include a defined benefit pension plan. The written exam and oral exam process will be administered by the South Central Criminal Justice Administration. To apply, candidates must register through the South Central Criminal Justice Administration webpage found under the “Associations” menu at www.policeapp.com by the registration/application deadline of Friday August 18, 2023. The required online registration fee of $85.00 must be paid online directly to policeapp.com. EOE

THE GLENDOWER GROUP, INC.

Invitation for Bids On Call Material Testing Services

The Glendower Group, Inc. is currently seeking bids for a On Call Material Testing Services. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Glendower’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway

beginning on Monday, August 7, 2023, at 3:00PM.

NOW ACCEPTING PRE-APPLICATIONS FOR LASCANA HOMES OF ORANGE

Affordable Rental Housing -ONE, TWO & THREE BEDROOM UNITS, 329 Smith Farm Road, Orange CT 06477

Preliminary Applications will be accepted beginning on 07/21/2023 AND ENDS with a postmark date of 08/21/2023. Pre-applications received after the end date as postmarked will be automatically rejected.

Pre-applications are to be mailed only to Developer’s PO Box 991, Orange, CT 06477. After the end date, applicants will be selected through a random lottery selection process.

Invitation to Bid: 2nd Notice

Owner: Lascana Homes of Orange CT Limited Partnership

SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE

APPLY NOW!

Developer: Gyroscope Development Group, LLC

Managing Agent: Millennium Real Estate Services, LLC

Old Saybrook, CT (4 Buildings, 17 Units)

Steel Fabricators, Erectors & Welders

Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage Rate Project

Top pay for top performers. Health Benefits, 401K, Vacation Pay. Email Resume: Rose@qsrsteel.com Hartford, CT

New Construction, Wood Framed, Housing, Selective Demolition, Site-work, Castin-place Concrete, Asphalt Shingles, Vinyl Siding, Flooring, Painting, Division 10 Specialties, Appliances, Residential Casework, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection. This contract is subject to state set-aside and contract compliance requirements.

State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management

Applicants will need to meet the income requirements based on family size for 50% (1, 2, and 3 bedroom) and 80% (1, 2, and 3 bedroom) and 100% (1, 2, and 3 bedroom) of Area Median Income, or less. Preliminary Applications will be received during the period noted above and placement on the wait list will be made through the random selection method once the period has ended. The maximum number of pre-applications to be placed on the wait list is one hundred (125). Pre-applications will not be accepted by hand-delivery, facsimile, email, or any other electronic transmission.

One Person family 100% AMI Max limit $78,330:

1 Bedroom unit Maximum current rent- $1415/month

Four Person family 100% AMI Max limit $111,900/year:

Bid Extended, Due Date: August 5, 2016

2 Bedroom unit Maximum current rent- $1,866/month

Anticipated Start: August 15, 2016

Project documents available via ftp link below: http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage

Six Person family 100% AMI Max limit $129,804/year:

3 Bedroom unit Maximum current rent- $2,071/month

Fax or Email Questions & Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 dawnlang@haynesconstruction.com

The State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management is recruiting for a Fiscal/ Administrative Officer. Further information regarding the duties, eligibility requirements and application instructions are available at: https://www.jobapscloud.com/ CT/sup/bulpreview.asp?b=&R1= 230605&R2=1308AR&R3=001

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

Pre-Applications will be provided to any & all interested persons. Individuals and/or families may obtain the pre-application online at https://www.lascanahomes.com. You may request a pre-application be mailed to you by contacting us at (860)-272-8841.

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

For Additional Information Contact Gyroscope Development Group: Phone: (860) 272-8841

TRS/TDD: (800) 842-9710

Continuum of Care, New Haven, Connecticut – LEGAL NOTICE INVITATION TO BID

NOTICE

VALENTINA MACRI RENTAL HOUSING PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

HOME INC, on behalf of Columbus House and the New Haven Housing Authority, is accepting pre-applications for studio and one-bedroom apartments at this development located at 108 Frank Street, New Haven. Maximum income limitations apply. Pre-applications will be available from 9AM TO 5PM beginning Monday Ju;y 25, 2016 and ending when sufficient pre-applications (approximately 100) have been received at the offices of HOME INC. Applications will be mailied upon request by calling HOME INC at 203-562-4663 during those hours. Completed preapplications must be returned to HOME INC’s offices at 171 Orange Street, Third Floor, New Haven, CT 06510.

NOTICIA

VALENTINA

MACRI

VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES DISPONIBLES

LEGAL NOTICE INVITATION TO BID: CONTINUUM OF CARE, NEW HAVEN is requesting licensed and insured contractor bids for their property located at 517 Norton Parkway, New Haven. Complete bathroom renovations to existing full bathrooms (2). The bathroom locations are 1 on the third floor and 1 on the second floor. Bathroom work will need to be staggered as this is an occupied building. This includes a complete gut (down to studs) of all bathrooms. Environmental testing has confirmed asbestos findings. Demo must be handled by GC’s licensed abatement contractor. Scope includes supplying and installing new shower stalls, vanities, toilets, tile flooring and wall finishes, tile 4ft wainscot is desired, lighting, grab bars by toilet and showers, exhaust fans with motion sensor, and baseboard heating. The scope of work to include floor drain for each bathroom. Scope to include replacement of existing windows, entry doors, and closet doors. Owner to select tile style, colors, and style of faucets and light fixtures. Further information of scope will be given at the scheduled site visit. GC price should include dumpster and permit feeds. Minority/women’s business enterprises are encouraged to apply. A bidding site meeting will be held at 517 Norton Parkway, New Haven on 8/28/2023 at 11am. All bids are due by 9/15/2023 at 10 am. All bids, W9, work scope timeline and copy of license and questions should be submitted in writing to Monica O’Connor via email moconnor@continuumct.org or delivered to 109 Legion Avenue, New Haven.

QSR STEEL CORPORATION APPLY NOW!

Steel Fabricators, Erectors & Welders

Top pay for top performers. Health Benefits, 401K, Vacation Pay.

Email Resume: Rose@qsrsteel.com Hartford, CT

State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management

The State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management is recruiting for a Principal Labor Relations Specialist.

Public Notice

Bridgeport Housing Authority d/b/a - Park City Communities Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program Waiting List Opening

Waiting list applications will be available for 3 days only; commencing Tuesday August 29th at 12:00AM and ending Thursday August 31st at 11:59PM. You can access the online application through the Park City Communities (PCC) website at https:// www.parkcitycommunities.org .

Only online applications will be accepted

Paper applications will not be available nor accepted at any of our offices

Public Notice

If you do not have access to a computer, PCC will have limited computer availability at the following sites from 09:00AM – 04:00PM on the dates listed below:

Bridgeport Housing Authority d/b/a - Park City Communities Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program Waiting List Opening

Tuesday August 29th at 9am-4pm

Trumbull Garden Gym

Waiting list applications will be available for 3 days only; commencing Tuesday August 29th at 12:00AM and ending Thursday August 31st at 11:59PM. You can access the online application through the Park City Communities (PCC) website at https://www.parkcitycommunities.org

715 Trumbull Ave Bridgeport, CT 06606

Only online applications will be accepted

Wednesday August 30th at 9am-4pm

Paper applications will not be available nor accepted at any of our offices

Harborview Towers

Transportation Planner – Project Manager

HOME INC, en nombre de la Columbus House y de la New Haven Housing Authority, está aceptando pre-solicitudes para estudios y apartamentos de un dormitorio en este desarrollo ubicado en la calle 109 Frank Street, New Haven. Se aplican limitaciones de ingresos máximos. Las pre-solicitudes estarán disponibles 09 a.m.-5 p.m. comenzando Martes 25 julio, 2016 hasta cuando se han recibido suficientes pre-solicitudes (aproximadamente 100) en las oficinas de HOME INC. Las pre-solicitudes serán enviadas por correo a petición llamando a HOME INC al 203-562-4663 durante esas horas.Pre-solicitudes deberán remitirse a las oficinas de HOME INC en 171 Orange Street, tercer piso, New Haven , CT 06510

The South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG) is seeking to fill the Transportation Planner – Project Manager position. Visit www.scrcog. org for the full position description, qualifications, and application requirements. Applications are to be submitted by noon on Monday, September 11, 2023, or until the position is filled. Questions may be emailed to jobs@scrcog. org. SCRCOG is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

Further information regarding the duties, eligibility requirements and application instructions are available at: https://www.jobapscloud.com/ CT/sup/bulpreview.asp?b=&R1= 230417&R2=6342MP&R3=001

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

THE GLENDOWER GROUP, INC.

NEW HAVEN

242-258 Fairmont Ave

WANTED TRUCK DRIVER

Invitation for Bids On Call Material Testing Services

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

All new apartments, new appliances, new carpet, close to I-91 & I-95 highways, near bus stop & shopping center

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

The Glendower Group, Inc. is currently seeking bids for a On Call Material Testing Services. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Glendower’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on Monday, August 7, 2023, at 3:00PM.

CT. Unified Deacon’s Association is pleased to offer a Deacon’s Certificate Program. This is a 10 month program designed to assist in the intellectual formation of Candidates in response to the Church’s Ministry needs.

Request for Proposals (RFP)

Vacant Unit Restoration Services

The Housing Authority of the City of Bristol

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY

The Housing Authority of the City of Bristol is seeking a qualified contractor to provide Vacant Unit Restoration Services throughout the Agency. Proposals due by Sept. 21, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.

Sealed bids are invited by the Housing Authority of the Town of Seymour until 3:00 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at its office at 28 Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 for Concrete Sidewalk Repairs and Replacement at the Smithfield Gardens Assisted Living Facility, 26 Smith Street Seymour.

A pre-bid conference will be held at the Housing Authority Office 28 Smith Street Seymour, CT at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

A copy of the RFP documents can be obtained at the Bristol Housing Authority, 164 Jerome Ave., Bristol, CT 06010 during normal business hours or by contacting Yvonne Tirado, Dir. of Accounting & Special Projects at ytirado@ bristolhousing.org, phone 860-585-2039 or Carl Johnson, Dir. of Capital Funds, at cjohnson@bristolhousing.org, phone 860-585-2028. Scope and proposal requirements will be available starting Aug. 21, 2023.

The Housing Authority of the City of Bristol is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. SBE, MBE, W/DBE, and Section 3 businesses are encouraged to respond.

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

The Housing Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, to reduce the scope of the project to reflect available funding, and to waive any informalities in the bidding, if such actions are in the best interest of the

If you do not have access to a computer, PCC will have limited computer availability at the following sites from 09:00AM – 04:00PM on the dates listed below:

376 East Washington Ave Bridgeport, Ct 06608

Tuesday August 29th at 9am-4pm Trumbull Garden Gym

715 Trumbull Ave Bridgeport, CT 06606

Thursday August 31st at 9am-4pm Gary Crooks 301 Bostwick Ave Bridgeport, CT 06605

Wednesday August 30th at 9am-4pm Harborview Towers

376 East Washington Ave Bridgeport, Ct 06608

Thursday August 31st at 9am-4pm Gary Crooks

301 Bostwick Ave Bridgeport, CT 06605

Only ONE pre-application per family will be accepted. If families submit more than one application, only the first application received will be accepted. Submission of this Pre-Application does not guarantee placement on PCC’s Housing Choice Voucher Program’s Waiting List.

Only ONE pre-application per family will be accepted. If families submit more than one application, only the first application received will be accepted. Submission of this Pre-Application does not guarantee placement on PCC’s Housing Choice Voucher Program’s Waiting List.

The family annual income cannot exceed the maximum eligible income limit per household as established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The family annual income cannot exceed the maximum eligible income limit per household as established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Invitation to Bid: 2nd Notice

SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE

Old Saybrook, CT (4 Buildings, 17 Units)

Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage Rate Project

Park City Communities will use a Radom-Draw Lottery System to determine the order of each application on the waiting list and a maximum of 2500 applications will be drawn. Those chosen in the lottery will be notified by mail. All disqualified and remaining applications not selected in the lottery will be discarded with no further notice.

If you or anyone in your family is a person with disabilities and require a specific accommodation in order to utilize our programs and services, please contact us at 203-514-7758.

PJF Construction Corporation AA/EOE

New Construction, Wood Framed, Housing, Selective Demolition, Site-work, Castin-place Concrete, Asphalt Shingles, Vinyl Siding, Flooring, Painting, Division 10 Specialties, Appliances, Residential Casework, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection. This contract is subject to state set-aside and contract compliance requirements.

Please send resume to attielordan@gmail.com

Park City Communities will use a Radom-Draw Lottery System to determine the order of each application on the waiting list and a maximum of 2500 applications will be drawn. Those chosen in the lottery will be notified by mail. All disqualified and remaining applications not selected in the lottery will be discarded with no further notice. If you or anyone in your family is a person with disabilities and require a specific accommodation in order to utilize our programs and services, please contact us at 203514-7758.

LEGAL NOTICE

Bid Extended, Due Date: August 5, 2016

Request for Applications (RFA) for Nonprofit entities

Anticipated Start: August 15, 2016

Project documents available via ftp link below: http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage

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

Fax or Email Questions & Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 dawnlang@haynesconstruction.com HCC

06483 AA/EEO EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management (OPM) is accepting applications for the Nonprofit Grant Program (NGP). The purpose of the NGP is to provide grants-in-aid to private, nonprofit health and human service organizations that are exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and that receive funds from the state to provide direct health or human services to state agency clients, for alterations, renovations, improvements, additions and new construction, including health, safety, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and energy conservation improvements, information technology systems, technology for independence, purchase of vehicles and acquisition of property.

The RFA is available online at: https://portal.ct.gov/DAS/CTSource/BidBoard and https://portal.ct.gov/OPM/Root/RFP/Request-For-Proposals or from, Office of Policy and Management, Health and Human Services Policy and Planning Division, 450 Capitol Ave., MS#52LTC, Hartford, Connecticut 061061379. E-mail: OPM.NPGrantProgramApplication@ct.gov. Telephone (860) 418-6237. Deadline for response submission is 4:00 P.M., October 18, 2023.

The Town of East

Town of Bloomfield

NOTICE

VALENTINA MACRI RENTAL HOUSING PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

Haven is currently accepting applications to participate in the exam for Public Safety Dispatcher. The yearly salary for this position is $58,323.20. Candidate must possess High School diploma or GED, successfully pass background investigation and fingerprinting, pass a psychological exam and physical exam including a drug screening test as well as have the ability to distinguish and identify different colors and pass a hearing test. Must possess good computer skills, have the ability to learn new computer updates and systems as they are implemented and obtain and maintain State of Connecticut Telecommunication Certification. Must become trained in Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD). Additional Preferred Qualifications: Ability to speak and understand Spanish, demonstrated knowledge of local geography, Emergency Medical Technician, previous dispatch/police/fire experience, previous NCIC/Collect/911 experience and certified in ProQA. Please apply at www. PoliceApp.com/EastHavenCT. The deadline to apply is September 22, 2023.

HOME INC, on behalf of Columbus House and the New Haven Housing Authority, is accepting pre-applications for studio and one-bedroom apartments at this development located at 108 Frank Street, New Haven. Maximum income limitations apply. Pre-applications will be available from 9AM TO 5PM beginning Monday Ju;y 25, 2016 and ending when sufficient pre-applications (approximately 100) have been received at the offices of HOME INC. Applications will be mailied upon request by calling HOME INC at 203-562-4663 during those hours. Completed preapplications must be returned to HOME INC’s offices at 171 Orange Street, Third Floor, New Haven, CT 06510.

The Town of East Haven is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities, Females, Veterans and Handicapped are encouraged to apply.

NOTICIA

Patrol Police Officer

$37.93 hourly ($78,885 annually) – full time, benefited Pre-employment drug testing. For more details, visit our website – www.bloomfieldct.org

Deadline: Applications will be accepted until position is filled

Continuum of Care, New Haven, Connecticut –LEGAL NOTICE INVITATION TO BID

LEGAL NOTICE INVITATION TO BID: CONTINUUM OF CARE, NEW HAVEN

Town of Bloomfield Finance Director

VALENTINA MACRI VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES DISPONIBLES

HOME INC, en nombre de la Columbus House y de la New Haven Housing Authority, está aceptando pre-solicitudes para estudios y apartamentos de un dormitorio en este desarrollo ubicado en la calle 109 Frank Street, New Haven. Se aplican limitaciones de ingresos máximos. Las pre-solicitudes estarán disponibles 09 a.m.-5 p.m. comenzando Martes 25 julio, 2016 hasta cuando se han recibido suficientes pre-solicitudes (aproximadamente 100) en las oficinas de HOME INC. Las pre-solicitudes serán enviadas por correo a petición llamando a HOME INC al 203-562-4663 durante esas horas.Pre-solicitudes deberán remitirse a las oficinas de HOME INC en 171 Orange Street, tercer piso, New Haven , CT 06510

SUBCONTRACTOR OPPORTUNITY – 85 Tremont St., Meriden, CT SOLICITATION OF SBE/MBE CONTRACTORS: Enterprise Builders, Inc., acting as General Contractor, seeks certified SBE/MBE Subcontractors and/or suppliers and local business enterprises to bid applicable sections of work/equipment/supplies for the following construction project: Residences at Aeolian Mill, 85 Tremont St. This project consists of the rehabilitation of a 122,506 sf historic mill into 82 apartment units. Bid Date and Time: 9/19/2023 @ 3:00PM. Electronic Plans and specifications can be obtained at no charge after 8/28/2023 by contacting the Estimating Department at Enterprise Builders at (860) 466-5188 or bids@enterbuilders.com. Project is anticipated to start early December 2023. Residential Prevailing Wage Rates apply. This project is subject to State Set-Aside and contract compliance requirements. EBI encourages the participation of certified SBE/MBE and Section 3 contractors. EBI is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

Grants Coordinator

NEW HAVEN

Salary Range - $101,455 to $156,599 (expected starting pay maximum is mid-range)

Fully Benefited – 35 hours weekly Pre-employment drug testing. For more details, visit our website –www.bloomfieldct.org

Portland

Police Officer full-time

Go to www.portlandct.org for details

is requesting licensed and insured contractors to provide bids for their property located at 310 Winthrop Avenue, New Haven. The owner is seeking proposals for the Interior Painting of 310 Winthrop, a three-family property. Scope includes clean, scrape, and paint all identified paintable surfaces of property. Cleaning, prep and paint of all interior doors, walls, and targeted trim. House colors to be selected by owner and Sherwin Williams is preferred. The project is CDBG funded by the City of New Haven. Project is tax-exempt and Davis/Bacon/Prevailing Wage rate. The selected company and any subcontractors must comply with EEOC workforce requirements. City of New Haven Chapter 12 ¼ of the New Haven code of Ordinances (MBE subcontracting ) applies- Minority/women’s business enterprises are encouraged to apply. A bidding site meeting will be held at 310 Winthrop avenue, New Haven on Monday, 8/28/2023 at 2:30pm. All bids are due by 9/8/2023 by 3pm. All bids and questions should be submitted in writing to Monica O’Connor via email moconnor@continuumct.org or delivered to 109 Legion Avenue, New Haven.

Request for Proposals (RFP) Plumbing Maintenance Services The Housing Authority of the City of Bristol

The Housing Authority of the City of Bristol is seeking a qualified contractor to provide Plumbing Maintenance Services throughout the Agency. Proposals due by September 21, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.

242-258 Fairmont Ave

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

All new apartments, new appliances, new carpet, close to I-91 & I-95 highways, near bus stop & shopping center

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

The Town of Wallingford is seeking a responsible individual to assist in the administration of the Town’s grants program. The position requires a H.S. diploma plus 5 years’ responsible office experience of which 1 year must have been working in a grant’s office. Wages: $27.28 to $32.73 per hour (wages currently in negotiations), plus an excellent fringe benefits package that includes pension plan, medical insurance, life insurance, 13 paid holidays, paid sick and vacation time. A complete job announcement and application may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page and can be mailed to the Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492, or emailed to: wlfdhr@wallingfordct. gov by the closing date of September 1, 2023. Phone: (203) 294-2080; Fax: (203) 294-2084. EOE

TOWN CLERK ASSISTANT TOWN CLERK –

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY

QSR STEEL CORPORATION

Invitation to Bid: 2nd Notice

SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE

APPLY NOW!

A copy of the RFP documents can be obtained at the Bristol Housing Authority, 164 Jerome Ave., Bristol, CT 06010 during normal business hours or by contacting Yvonne Tirado, Director of Accounting & Special Projects, at ytirado@bristolhousing.org, phone 860-585-2039 or Carl Johnson, Director of Capital Funds, at cjohnson@bristolhousing.org, phone 860-585-2028. Scope and proposal requirements will be available starting August 21, 2023.

Old Saybrook, CT (4 Buildings, 17 Units)

The Housing Authority of the City of Bristol is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. SBE, MBE, W/DBE, and Section 3 businesses are encouraged to respond.

Steel Fabricators, Erectors & Welders

Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage Rate Project

Top pay for top performers. Health Benefits, 401K, Vacation Pay. Email Resume: Rose@qsrsteel.com Hartford, CT

Transportation Planner – Project Manager

New Construction, Wood Framed, Housing, Selective Demolition, Site-work, Castin-place Concrete, Asphalt Shingles, Vinyl Siding, Flooring, Painting, Division 10 Specialties, Appliances, Residential Casework, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection. This contract is subject to state set-aside and contract compliance requirements.

LEGAL NOTICE Request for Proposals (RFP) for Services

The South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG) is seeking to fill the Transportation Planner – Project Manager position. Visit www.scrcog.org for the full position description, qualifications, and application requirements. Applications are to be submitted by noon on Monday, September 11, 2023, or until the position is filled. Questions may be emailed to jobs@scrcog.org. SCRCOG is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer.

Bid Extended, Due Date: August 5, 2016

Sealed bids are invited by the Housing Authority of the Town of Seymour until 3:00 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at its office at 28 Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 for Concrete Sidewalk Repairs and Replacement at the Smithfield Gardens Assisted Living Facility, 26 Smith Street Seymour.

A pre-bid conference will be held at the Housing Authority Office 28 Smith Street Seymour, CT at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

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

The Wallingford Town Clerk’s Office is seeking a qualified individual to assist in the administration and supervision of the Town Clerk’s office. High school graduate or GED with six (6) years’ experience in responsible office work of which one year must involve supervision. College level training in business or public administration or related field may be substituted for work experience on the basis of one year of college for one year of work experience up to four years. One years’ experience working in at least one of the following fields is preferred: mortgage lending, real estate closings, and/or law office work dealing in real estate and/or banking transactions. Wages $25.65 - $31.06 per hour plus an excellent benefit package. Apply: Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492. Forms will be mailed upon request from the Department of Human Resources or may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page and emailed to wlfdhr@wallingfordct. gov. The closing date will be the date the 50th application or resume is received or September 1, 2023 whichever occurs first. EOE

The Housing Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, to reduce the scope of the project to reflect available funding, and to waive any

The State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management, is seeking proposals to provide certain services related to performing a review of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) System.

Anticipated Start: August 15, 2016

Project documents available via ftp link below: http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage

Payroll

The intent of the request is to identify individuals or firms with the necessary expertise to provide higher education consulting services within a stated timeframe.

Fax or Email Questions & Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 dawnlang@haynesconstruction.com

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

The RFP is available online at: https:// portal.ct.gov/DAS/CTSource/BidBoard and https://portal.ct.gov/OPM/Root/ RFP/Request-For-Proposals. Deadline for response submission is 9/29/23 at 5:00 P.M. (EST).

AA/EEO EMPLOYER

Payroll Clerk- Performs responsible office work in the processing of all general government payrolls and maintain all payroll records. The position requires a H.S. diploma or G.E.D, plus 5 years of experience in responsible office work involving typing, accounting, bookkeeping, data entry and payroll processing. $27.22 to $32.68 hourly plus an excellent fringe benefit package. Apply: Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492. Forms will be mailed upon request from the Department of Human Resources or maybe downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page and emailed to wlfdhr@wallingfordct. gov. The closing date will be the date that the 50th application form/resume is received, or September 11, 2023, whichever occurs first. EOE

A time to evolve: experts discuss AI’s power to disrupt industry work

By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer, The Afro.com

Businesses across the globe in a variety of industries are trying to find their place in a world with artificial intelligence.

In 2016, The White House cited a statistic from Oxford University researchers that estimated that 9 to 47 percent of jobs could be threatened by AI. However, a 2022 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) found this stat to be an overestimate.

“There are a number of jobs that are being either replaced or transformed by AI. AI has the ability to make people more effective, similar to the way other technologies that have been introduced have made society more effective. There are going to be new jobs created from that,” said Robert Joseph, cofounder of Team MindShift. Joseph, who holds a Ph.D. in computer science with a minor in artificial intelligence from Carnegie Mellon University, provides educational and workforce training opportunities in AI and other technology sectors via his company.

“Do I think that some jobs are going to be obsolete or replaced by AI? Yes,” Joseph told the AFRO. “Do I think that AI is the only thing that’s going to be replacing jobs? No, I think that technology in general has shown its ability to replace jobs.”

Britannica defines artificial intelligence, or AI, as the ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent humans.

AI’s primary use is to automate and perform tasks better than humans. This unique ability has raised questions about how AI will disrupt industries and the labor market for years to come.

BLS predicted that AI will not cause

rapid job loss in the near future and explained that, while automation could reduce the number of jobs in certain occupations, it can also create new ones. In a case where AI is used to automate tasks in an occupation, according to BLS, workers could also focus on new tasks.

That’s not to say that no jobs will be lost as a result of artificial intelligence.

According to Challenger, Gray and

Christmas, a global outplacement firm, 3,967 jobs have been cut thus far in 2023 as companies pivot to AI. Still, Challenger ascribed that 46 percent of the jobs eliminated this year are due to economic or market conditions.

“AI is neither good nor bad. It’s how you use it,” said Joseph. “AI can affect a lot of people without a lot of effort. It’s the power of AI that people are worried about, not so much the technology itself.”

Joseph listed retail, banking, customer

service, automobile and health care as industries most at risk for AI disruption. Some of the examples of disruption he cited included self-driving cars for trucking and taxi services, AI-enhanced radiology and robots replacing humans on assembly lines.

Joseph thinks privacy concerns, distrust of AI-enabled technology and algorithm bias serve as primary obstacles to the widespread adoption of AI. AI is fueled by data, according to Joseph. Therefore, if

consumers don’t allow their data to be accessed, AI-systems cannot be adequately powered.

In terms of algorithm bias, AI’s reliance on human data to make decisions can impact the technology’s application since humans have inherent biases.

“When people talk about AI’s propensity to promote racism or other types of biases, they’re pushing off the real issue. The real issue is that society is biased,” said Joseph. “AI is using the data it receives to make decisions, and it’s putting a magnifying glass on some of the societal issues that we have.”

One company that’s using AI to advance diversity, equity and inclusion is Minwo. The economic development technology company was created by Melanie Akwule in 2020 to leverage AI technology for the benefit of Black-owned businesses.

Minwo’s product, Rialto, offers a digital platform that leverages AI to help venture capitalists, incubators and consultants find, partner and invest in Black founders. The platform provides entrepreneurs access to subject-matter-experts, resources to grow and scale their business, video conferencing and a chatbot with smart recommendations.

“The way we’re thinking about AI is that it offers new ways to tap into information and networks that have previously been inaccessible and undiscoverable by Black founders. Beyond that, sifting through the information that is available to find what’s reliable and actually beneficial is difficult without the proper support,” said Akwule. “Our approach with Rialto leans into leveraging trusted networks as the foundation and using AI to simplify information finding.”

Megan Sayles is a Report for America Corps member.

Tupac’s Iconic Ring and Love Letter Make History at Sotheby’s Auction

By BlackNews.com

Nationwide — Sotheby’s recent hip-hop artifacts auction achieved groundbreaking milestones with the sale of two deeply significant items from the legendary rapper Tupac Shakur. The iconic gold, ruby, and diamond crown ring, designed and worn by Tupac himself, shattered records as the most expensive hip-hop artifact ever to be auctioned, fetching an astonishing $1 million dollars. In a heartwarming juxtaposition, several love letters penned by Tupac during his high school years were also up for auction. Famed hip-hop artist Drake emerged victorious in the bid for the ring, while Detroitbased Dr. Khalid El-Hakim, founder of the Black History 101 Mobile Museum, secured one of the precious love letters for just over $5,000, the least expensive Tupac item in the auction.

Tupac’s ring, a symbol of his unique

style and artistic vision, garnered immense interest from bidders worldwide. Valued not only for its material worth but for its profound connection to the rap

icon’s legacy designed after his release from prison and worn during his final public appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1996, the ring represents

a piece of hip hop history that will forever be cherished. Drake’s successful bid marks a significant moment in the preservation of hip-hop culture, as he demonstrates his commitment to honoring the genre’s trailblazers.

The auction also featured several tender and intimate artifacts – handwritten love letters by Tupac during his formative years as a high school student. Although the monetary value may not be as substantial as the ring, the letter’s emotional worth and historical significance are immeasurable. Dr. Khalid El-Hakim’s successful acquisition of one of the letters showcases his dedication to preserving the most personal and heartfelt elements of hip-hop culture, further solidifying the Black History 101 Mobile Museum’s role as a treasure trove of African American history.

Dr. Khalid El-Hakim, an esteemed curator, historian, and educator, continues to

be a respected voice in educating the public on the Black experience in America through his national traveling exhibits. As a testament to his commitment, he will be teaching a class on preserving hip-hop culture at Western Michigan University. This course seeks to empower students with a comprehensive understanding of the genre’s profound impact on society, ensuring that hip-hop’s legacy remains relevant and respected.

The auction at Sotheby’s has highlighted the enduring influence of Tupac Shakur and the cultural significance of hip-hop. Drake and Dr. Khalid El-Hakim’s significant acquisitions affirm their shared commitment to preserving and celebrating the genre’s unique heritage.

For press inquiries, contact Kris Bell, PR at 313-645-4197 or Bhistory101@ yahoo.com

New Haven Public Schools

Early Childhood Programs

Programs for 3 and 4 Year Olds in New Haven

SCHOOL READINESS

NEW HAVEN

Free 6-hour early childhood programs for low-income New Haven families in the following New Haven Public Schools:

• Benjamin Jepson Multi-Age School

• Dr. Mayo Early Childhood School

• Fair Haven School

• John Martinez Sea & Sky STEM School

• Lincoln-Bassett School

•

Truman School

•

Additional community locations also participate in the program.

• Contact:

Head Start Registration Office

Tel. 475-220-1462

HeadStartNewHaven.com 475-220-1462 / 475-220-1463

The Early Childhood REGISTRATION OFFICE is located at: Celentano Observatory

400 Canner Street New Haven, CT 06511 In person REGISTRATION is Available We

are Accepting Applications!

How to Apply

The Office of Early Childhood is accepting applications electronically. Parents of 3 and 4 year olds are encouraged to apply online.

English:

https://registration.powerschool.com/family/ gosnap.aspx?action=24982&culture=en

Spanish:

https://registration.powerschool.com/family/ gosnap.aspx?action=24982&culture=es

What you will submit with your Application

1) Proof of Age

Child’s Birth Certificate OR Legal Custody/Guardianship Papers

2) Proof of Address

NEW HAVEN

Sliding scale, fee-based 6-hour early childhood programs for New Haven families in the following New Haven Public Schools:

• Augusta Lewis Troup School

• Columbus Family Academy

• East Rock Community School

• Hill Central School

• Nathan Hale School

• Additional community locations also participate in the program.

• Free 4-hour programs available at East Rock Community and Nathan Hale Schools.

Contact:

• School Readiness Registration

Tel.: 475-220-1482

Current utility bill (Gas, Electric, Phone, Cable) in your name

3) Proof of Income

• 2 months of Current & Consecutive pay stubs OR W-2 or 1040 Tax Return

• Budget Statement from the CT Department of Social Services or Social Security Office or Child Enforcement Bureau

• Notarized Statement indicating Parent is unemployed

• Additional forms may be requested

4)Proof of a Physical (within one year-to-date)

• CT Department of Education Early Childhood Health Assessment Record

• Anemia and lead level test results

• TB assessment

• Immunizations records

• Seasonal flu vaccination

• Health insurance card

5)Proof of a Dental Exam (within 6-months-to-date)

Dental Exam record