Maya McFadden Photo
The Covid-19 pandemic has not stopped West Hills Alder Honda Smith from connecting with residents, keeping her neighborhood cleaned up, and from going outside for a healthy walk around the neighborhood.
Since the start of the pandemic, Smith has gone on twice to thrice-weekly “alder walks” in West Hills and West Rock to check in on neighbors and keep participants from being cooped up indoors.
Smith (pictured) invited the Independent along on one recent “alder walk” she took with resident Chantel Whitehead.
While walking, Smith chatted and caught up with neighbors, took note of city damages that need fixing, and called housing companies to have properties cleaned up. “I just want this community to come up to compliance,” she said.
After the walk, Smith drove to the Westville Manor development to talk with Elizabeth Yarerough and Doreen Greenlee, members of the Parents, Partners, and Peers (PPP) program, about organizing a grab-and-go food delivery event. She also drove through the Rockview and Wilmont Crossing developments.
While walking on Rock Creek Road, Smith took a picture and noted a trip hazard on the sidewalk to send to city officials to have fixed. On the walk Smith made calls to Mandy Management and the housing authority to report properties that needed grass cut or had litter on the front lawns.
“A better environment helps the neighborhood feel and look better,” said Whitehead.
Whitehead, 37, is a resident of McConaughy Terrace and has lived in New Haven for the past ten years. She joined Smith on her walk to better get to know her alder and get some exercise.
While on Rock Creek Road, Smith and Whitehead ran into Diane Prince relaxing on her front porch. Prince asked Smith to get in contact with the city to have the street curb in front of her house repaired and the unpainted speed bumps on her street marked with signage.
“I’ve had to have my $800 tires replaced multiple times because the curb is messed up. Honda has been helping me to let the city know,” Prince said.
During one stop Smith signed up a neighbor, Eddie (above right), for weekly grocery deliveries for seniors in the neighborhood.
During the walk Smith also came across many young people assisting their elderly and disabled neighbors with their yard work and spring cleaning.
Another neighbor, Shanetta Williams, ran into Smith and discussed her hope to sit down together again to plan youth activities for the West Hills Community Center.
Williams grew up in West Hills. She has been working both independently and with Smith to keep the neighborhood kids active. One of Williams’s many ideas includes having young people host fundraisers through the community center for trips to waterparks in the summer. “Doing something like a car wash and using the money to rent a van to get to a water park would not only keep them active but teach them a lot about accountability,” she said.