David Sepulveda Photo
Colorful canopies dotted a cordoned section of Judwin Avenue in upper Westville Sunday afternoon, as neighbors came out to enjoy a block party organized by former Alder Sergio Rodriguez and wife Randi Rubin-Rodriguez. The big draw was not a parked fire truck that drew out curious children, but a relaxed Governor Dannel P. Malloy sporting jeans and a blue dress shirt, making yet another reelection campaign stop in the city he needs to win big again on Nov. 4. (We’ve lost track of the number of visits; he has another planned for Monday afternoon across town at Bella Vista.)
A table full of Malloy-Wyman bumper stickers and sign-up sheets for various campaign volunteer activities, along with numerous city and state politicians in attendance, hinted at retail politics. Rodriguez, a former alder who ran for city clerk last year, noted that above all, the event was an opportunity for neighbors to connect and discuss issues of relevance to the community. (Rodriguez assumed a state education post last December.) The governor, who said he has been working out, enjoyed a hamburger, shook hands, and posed for pictures before heading to another event in Stamford, where he previously served as mayor.
The governor schmoozed with Westville’s Simon Ngongi. (Click here for a recent interview with Democrat Malloy on his positions on issues facing New Haven. Click here for a recent interview on the same subject with his Republican opponent in this campaign, Tom Foley.)
Attendees got face time with a number of other elected officials, as well, such as state Sen. Gary Holder-Winfield, who’s pictured talking with Westville anti-pesticide activist Laura Cahn …
… and state Rep. Pat Dillon, pictured with the governor.
The hosts live next door to former New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, who faced Malloy in a bitter 2006 Democratic gubernatorial primary. (Malloy ran an ad putting DeStefano’s face on top of a dress; DeStefano won the primary, then lost the general election.) DeStefano was out of town Sunday, so he wasn’t at the party. His wife Kathy did make it there.
Randi Rodriguez-Rubin, at right in photo, runs the ‘r kids Family Center, adoption and reconnection agency on Dixwell Avenue.
