Paul Bass Photo
Stan Kontogiannis.
The latest idea to emerge from the campaign trail: Require New Haven restaurants to post signs in their windows with letter grades based on their health code inspections.
Stan Kontogiannis floated that proposal as he announced his candidacy for alderman in the 27th Ward, a gerrymandered swath of New Haven’s west side that resembles a thigh-high, snub-toed stiletto boot. It encompasses portions of the Beaver HIlls, Westville, West Hills, Amity, and Beverly Hills neighborhoods.
Kontogiannis suggested that restaurants receives As, Bs, or Cs based on how highly inspectors from the city’s health department rate the cleanliness of their establishments. Then they’d post the results “so everyone knows.”
“If you don’t read the New Haven Independent [which publishes results of inspections] or you’re from out of town, you don’t know how these restaurants are doing,” he said. “You want people to know these restaurants are up to par. It acknowledges the restaurants that are keeping their kitchens clean. And it gets the Bs and Cs to say, ‘I’ve got to improve my game.’”
Kontogiannis, a 43-year-old Australian-born fundraiser for an eastern Connecticut health foundation, made the suggestion outside the Mitchell Branch Library right Tuesday evening before announcing his candidacy to a gathering of 18 supporters, including incumbent Alderman Tom Lehtonen. Lehtonen is stepping down from the seat. Kontogiannis aims to run in a Sept. 13 Democratic Party primary against Angela Russell, a 40-year-old home daycare provider who announced her candidacy two weeks ago in what’s shaping up as a busy political season citywide.
California and New York State currently require restaurants to post inspection results, Kontogiannis noted, although in California only “A” grades must appear in the window. He suggests having three letter grades in New Haven and including them all in the signs.
There’s no need for an “F” grade, he argued. “I don’t think anybody in their right mind would want to go to a restaurant” that receives a “C.”
Angela Russell applauded her opponent’s suggestion. “Most definitely. That’s a very good idea. Just like we are grading pretty much everything else,” such as teachers and administrators in the public schools, Russell said. She added that the restaurant proposal should include an “education component” so people know what the letter grades mean.
A random sampling of employees at downtown restaurants revealed either shrugs or outright support for the idea.
Jacob Cohn Photo
“I think it’s a good idea to keep restaurants up to code. It’ll make for cleaner eating,” said Gary Cullinan (pictured), manager of Kelly’s Restaurant and Bar on Crown Street.
Said Julie Mischik (pictured), who works at Roly Poly on Church Street: “It really wouldn’t affect me. We always pass ours.”
“I think that’s a really good idea because people see what’s going on. It shows that the place where they’re eating is clean,” said Dena Pepe, manager of Temple Street’s Atlas Restaurant.
New & Old Blood
In his formal remarks to supporters at Mitchell Library, Kontogiannis concentrated on ward-level issues like drug-dealing and graffiti. He has worked on both problems as a member of the neighborhood management team for the past six years, he said. He also spoke of being involved in Davis Street school, where two of his children have been in preschool; and he lauded New Haven’s “Promise” program several times.
Kontogiannis introduced his treasurer, Justin Kendrick (at center of photo, with his family), noting that he’s a minister (of Frontline Christian Church and the new youth-oriented Frontline City Church). “So my books will be nice and clean,” Kontogiannis quipped.
Kendrick is new to the neighborhood. Madelyn Oertel (pictured), another supporter present at the announcement, is not. She has been working the ward for Democratic candidates since Dick Lee’s 1951 mayoral campaign.
Lee lost that one by two votes before winning office two years later (and remaining in office for 16 years).
“I tried,” Oertel, who’s 84, said of that ‘51 election. “I knocked on every door I could find. I’m a diehard Democrat, darling.”
Between her work as a school crossing guard and fill-in police matron, she has managed never to miss a campaign since, Oertel said. Although in recent years she has slowed down, with her support coming more in the form of putting up a lawn sign.
“As long as you’re a Democrat,” she said, “I’ll shake your hand.”