Hamden

Hamden GOP Fields 16 Candidates

by | Jul 23, 2021 10:07 am | Comments (10)

Nora Grace-Flood photo

The team, at Thursday night’s convention: Austin Cesare, Laura Santino, Justin Piper, Chris Acosta, Betty Wetmore, Marjorie Bonadies, Tom Figlar, Cecilia Shea, Nick D’Amato, Ron Gambardella, Ralph Nicefaro Jr., Lesley DeNardis, Pat Destito, Andrew Tammaro, and James Anthony

Promising fiscal discipline and real change in town leadership, Hamden Republicans Thursday night endorsed 16 candidates to run in November’s municipal elections.

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NeighborWorks Gets 3-Month Extension On Plan To Rebuild Middle School Site

by | Jul 21, 2021 3:39 pm | Comments (1)

Nora Grace-Flood photo

The abandoned Newhall middle school: Still deteriorating.

Developers hired six years ago to reimagine and rebuild the site of an abandoned Hamden middle school — which six years later is instead still deteriorating — have been granted a three-month extension to get a plan going.

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3 Meet-&-Greets Reflect Campaigns Of 3 Would-Be Hamden Democratic Mayors

by | Jul 20, 2021 4:43 pm | Comments (2)

Sam Gurwitt file photos, Facebook

Democratic mayoral candidates Lauren Garrett, Brad Macdowall, and Peter Cyr.

Standing on the stairs of attorney Charles Reed’s Santa Fe Avenue porch, Lauren Garrett laid out plans for next steps as a crowd of fundraiser guests managed to applaud while holding Truly’s, Polar Seltzers, and pizza slices.

Two days later, Peter Cyr seared burgers on the grill outside the East Gate Condos and chatted with family, community members, and hopeful high school supporters about his politics and his parents’ new puppy.

Meanwhile, Brad Macdowall moved between his treasurer’s living room, where community organizers consumed plates of chipotle mac and cheese, and the backyard, where he discussed the ins and outs of issues facing Hamden with familiar faces munching hot dogs and barbecued snacks.

Those three different meet-and-greets took place over the past week to promote the mayoral candidacies of three Democrats associated with the party’s progressive wing — events that symbolized the status and strategy of their campaigns.

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Cyr Tops Latest Fundraising Round In Hamden Mayoral Race

by | Jul 13, 2021 1:29 pm | Comments (5)

Sam Gurwitt file photos; Facebook

Lauren Garrett, Brad Macdowall, and Peter Cyr: Progressive Dems competing against each other for the nomination.

Political newcomer Peter Cyr has led the race for dollars in what is becoming a crowded race for mayor in Hamden, according to newly released campaign finance reports.

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Opinion: Change Needed At Top To Tackle Town’s Fiscal Mess

by | Jul 12, 2021 11:33 am | Comments (7)

(Opinion) The financial challenges confronting Hamden are well known to its residents and taxpayers. Hamden is among the most fiscally distressed municipalities in Connecticut, with the highest per capita liabilities in the state, bond ratings that teeter just above junk status, and a general fund balance that, after years of being perilously low, actually went negative at the end of FY20. We remain unable to meet the normal expenses of running the town, relying instead on expensive debt restructurings to temporarily and artificially lower our debt service payments. All this despite taxes that are already among the highest in the state.

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As Hunger Grows, Giveaways Take Root

by | Jul 9, 2021 10:38 am | Comments (2)

Tyrese Dennie, a CSK employee who started out as a volunteer, at the new weekly farmers market.

Nora Grace-Flood Photos

Khadijah Middlebrooks and son Lex wait for bus with free groceries.

We having a barbecue, throw some meat on the grill!” Khadijah Middlebrooks proclaimed to her son Lex, while picking up packs of frozen turkey, beef, and pork at one of two new weekly events aimed at tackling increasing food insecurity in Hamden.

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Hamden Homes In On Historic Houses

by | Jul 7, 2021 5:24 pm | Comments (8)

Nora Grace-Flood photo

4016 Whitney Ave., circa 1808.

Paul Geary and Meghan Hatch-Geary: Proud parents of a baby much older than themselves.

Over 355 private homes constructed before the Civil War are still standing In Hamden — because, as owners know, old houses have good bones.”

Hamden is making a start on ensuring those homes remain standing, and the town’s history remains on display along with them.

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“Operation Joy & Engagement” Lifts Off

by | Jul 7, 2021 9:23 am | Comments (1)

Nora Grace-Flood photo

Harlem Pressley: Water-gun wielder.

Isabella Parra: Water-gun target.

I like to do crafts, art, drawing, music, dancing, video games, I like my phone, my tablet, vegetables, seaweed, and crab legs,” said 8‑year-old Harlem Pressley.

Rising first grader Isabella Parra listened quietly to Pressley’s long list. She also likes a lot of specific activities, but, she reported, I love camp just the most.”

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48-Hour Film Project Races Forward

by | Jul 7, 2021 9:20 am | Comments (0)

On a rainy Tuesday afternoon, Trish Clark, Benjamin Hecht, Michael Illian, and Isabelle Gasser — all filmmakers and film enthusiasts — met at Best Video Film and Cultural Center on Whitney Avenue in Hamden. They were there to say hello after a year apart, and to prepare for New Haven’s 11th annual 48-Hour Film Project, a filmmaking competition that happens in cities across the country and beyond, and in New Haven, will span the weekend of July 30 to Aug. 1.

The result will be a few dozen short films, at least a few of which will train their lenses on the Elm City.

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Hamden Department “Merger” Questioned

by | Jun 30, 2021 7:00 pm | Comments (4)

MacMillan File photo

Acting Town Planner Eric Johnson.

When New Haven native Erik Johnson was named Hamden’s acting town planner in April, he was welcomed home with open arms.

When Mayor Curt Leng added the job of economic development director to Johnson’s responsibilities, some members of the public became concerned … and confused.

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All Aboard The Electric School Bus!

by | Jun 30, 2021 10:02 am | Comments (3)

Nora Grace-Flood Photo

Hamden movers and shakers hop on the electric-ride movement.

Kevin King pitches Mayor Curt Leng and Council’s Kathleen Schomaker on green transit during Tuesday journey

Twenty full-grown adults filed into an electric school bus without air conditioning on a 90 degree afternoon … with the hope that children will come on board in the future and help tackle the climate crisis.

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Lights ... Camera ... A Fun Summer!

by | Jun 28, 2021 2:45 pm | Comments (4)

Emily Hays Photos

Meryem Bostanci interviews Shelagh Laverty at QU media camp.

Asked by interviewers to demonstrate a hidden talent, rising Wilbur Cross senior Shelagh Laverty touched her tongue to the tip of her nose.

The group was practicing man-on-the-street interview techniques at a media production camp at Quinnipiac University. Rather than asking strangers policy questions, however, the teens asked their classmates to show off talents, jokes and victory dances.

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Goodnight Blue Moon Says Good Evening

by | Jun 25, 2021 10:16 am | Comments (0)

Brian Slattery Photos

Erik Elligers (r.). Mat Crowley (l.).

The audience applauded even the sound check for the New Haven-based Goodnight Blue Moon, as four members of the seven-piece band — Erik Elligers on guitar, Mat Crowley on mandolin, Nancy Matlack on cello and banjo, and Vicki Wepler on violin, with all four providing vocals — regaled a crowd of about 70 on Thursday night, in the latest of Best Video’s run of outdoor shows since the weather warmed up in April.

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