Allan Appel Photo
Hosts Gerry and Kathy Wenner and Patricia and Kirby Long flank Paca.
Marcus Paca won over a voter the other day with some old-fashioned one-on-one campaigning in the most intimate of settings: a gathering in a private home.
The event took place Sunday at the 1892 beautifully restored East Pearl Street home of Patricia and Kirby Long. About a dozen people attended, mainly from within the circle of friends of the Longs and Gerry and Kathy Wenner — she is Patricia’s sister — and also Fair Haveners.
It was one of a half-dozen or so such “house” events that Paca has organized to introduce himself to voters since his insurgent campaign began. At least one more is scheduled before the Democratic mayoral Sept. 12 primary, in which Paca is taking on two-term incumbent Toni Harp. (Paca’s name will also appear on the ballot as an independent in the Nov. 7 general election.) The events have shown Paca at his most effective, impressing people with youthful energy and drive to become New Haven’s next mayor.
The voter in question Sunday was Fair Haven property owner Don Harvey. Harvey called himself a government skeptic who still didn’t have much negative to say about Mayor Harp except that he sensed her leadership was what he termed “tepid.”
He had never met nor heard much about mayoral challenger Marcus Paca. When they met, he asked him to name the biggest, most wasteful aspect of current New Haven government.
Paca’s answer: the imprudently spent millions over budget used in litigating matters that should have been settled.
What about the stalled Strong School redevelopment project—on which selection committee Harvey sits — and in general economic development in Fair Haven?
Paca’s response: Increase the strength of community benefits agreements, send development money to city corridors like Grand Avenue, and energize young leadership to get the city’s neighborhood engine moving from idle to revved up.
The candidate with convert Gerry Wenner.
With those answers, along with the candidate’s amiable and informed manner over a quarter-hour conversation, Don Harvey became a Marcus Paca voter.
Or, as he put it it to a reporter, “You can say, ‘At least one person said he came in skeptical, and left a supporter.’”
Paca termed these intimate get-to-know-the-candidate gatherings as one of the most effective means for his getting his message out.
“Everyone who comes to these cares about New Haven,” he said
Paca’s wife and campaign advisor, Mendi Blue, at left in photo, chats with guests about gentrification.
Paca said he likes the intimacy of meeting in people’s homes because it highlights a personality and energy difference between him and Mayor Harp.
“They all told me a more energetic, pro-active leadership” is what people are looking for in the next mayor, Paca said of the message he has received from voters at these gatherings.
Before Paca moved on to talk to another of the attendees, his last exchange with Harvey went like this:
Harvey: “So you say you’d not be a hands-off chief executive?”
Paca: “Yes. I’m 40 years old. We need to start thinking about continuity of leadership. … Government should [instead] create an environment of growth that’s more inclusive.”
The candidate with Don Harvey.
As he circled around the table filled with platters of sumptuous homemade tarts, cheeses, and green and red olives, Paca talked easily to the guests, many of whom he did not know, like Tony Zingarelli of the East Shore.
“I live in the home of a former New Haven police chief [Nick] Pastore,” said Zingarelli, a voice and audio book actor who bought a home in Morris Cove a decade ago.
Paca’s face brightened, as if to say, You’re kidding. Then he added, “Pastore was my mentor.” (As a teen, Paca served on Pastore’s young adult advisory board.)
Paca easily channeled the conversation to how he believes Morris Cove isn’t getting the services it deserves, like not enough cops cruising the neighborhood.
Crime’s not bad, countered Zingarelli, although he did note that a car on his block was recently broken into.
Paca concurred that violent crime is not an issue there. But quality of life-related crimes? That’s an issue.
“Yes,” said Zingarelli. “I want it to be as safe as when I moved here.”
Right, said Paca.
Chatting with Zingarelli.
Of course, replied Zingarelli, with a congenial nod toward Paca, “He’d agree with anything I say. Even if I said I approved of the Lindbergh abduction!”
In this easy-give-and ‑take Paca seemed to be in his natural element. He exuded a comfort and a laid-back personal charm, as well as a passion to be running.
That’s why, Paca said, he considers such events “the most fun part of a campaign” and plans to stick with doing them, no matter the outcome of the primary, or beyond.
“I’m hoping to win the primary. But win or lose, I’ll continue to do these through November. And even after I’m elected.”
The next meet-and-greet will be in the East Shore on Wednesday, Paca added.
And then he went on to chat with the next guest.
