Derrex Conner was on his way to the dump when he noticed a dozen bags trashing the curb on Elm Street between Beers and Orchard.
Conner had noticed the bags there for days. A “jack of all trades” who remodels kitchens and bathrooms and dining rooms, he could tell some contained construction debris. Others contained household trash; animals were getting into those.
On Tuesday morning, Conner was hauling a trailer with old rugs he removed from a relative’s home. So he pulled over and started throwing some of the bags into the trailer.
“I saw some stuff that needed taking care of,” Conner said during a conversation on the 100th edition of the “Word of the Street” segment on WNHH FM’s “LoveBabz LoveTalk” program.
“I like to see the city clean. I decided to pick them up and dump them when I do my dump. I’m a resident. I like to see my city look nice.”
Conner, 48, learned how to fix cars, then work on homes, from his father, the late Floyd Robinson. “He was a hard worker,” Conner said. “He worked construction. He was a jack of all trades.” Conner thinks of his dad when he passes the Bank of America/federal office building across the street from the Green. “He did a lot of the concrete work. He did a lot of the foundation of the building.”
As Conner grew into his teens, he drifted away from the work his father was teaching him, he said. He got in trouble, served time.
“I was a product of my environment” in the 1990s crack era, he said. “I was in the streets to survive. Some people wanna be in the streets; I didn’t want to be in the streets.”
He finally decided to move on with his life, he said. “I became homeless.” Then he “migrated back” to what his father taught him, picked up other skills as well.
Now he has a landscaping business, his favorite job. He goes door-to-door with his snow blower picking up gigs clearing driveways and walks from winter storms. People call him to remodel bathrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens. (You can reach him at 203 – 361-2256.) He cuts down trees as well. “There ain’t nothing I can’t do,” Conner said.
He put six of the bags in his truck, then headed for Middletown Avenue. He said he didn’t mind shelling out the money; he doubted the bags would add much to the disposal cost. He said he would return tomorrow to see if the other bags remained. If so, he’d haul them away, too.
Click on the video to watch the conversation with Derrex Conner on the “Word on the Street” segment of WNHH FM’s “LoveBabz LoveTalk” program.
Click here to subscribe to WNHH FM’s “LoveBabz LoveTalk” and here to subscribe to other WNHH programs.
Click here and see below for previous “Word on the Street” episodes and write-ups.
Word On The Street: Job Interview Awaits
Word On The Street: Callaghan Suits Up
Officer McKernan Refuels For Double Duty
Word On The Street: Fred Keeps Moving
Word On The Street: Mimosa Mania
Word On The Street: Terry Hands Over The Brakes
Safety Hunter Keeps Eye On The Rising Tiers
Leather’s Grandson Returns To The Soil
Jorge Opens A Door
Word On The Street: Dad Awaits The Call
Word On The Street: Bridgette Beats The Sun
Word On The Street: “Blessed,” & Ready For Busy Barber Season
The Word On Brownell Street: Call Luciano
Nana Readies Leaf Bag #32
Word On The Street: Groom Plans Hectic Holiday, Needs Car Back
The Word On Garden Street: Turkey Times Two
Dr. J Clears The Way
Estelita Makes The Journey Back Home
Butts, Burger King Wrappers Vanish At Wendy’s Drive-Thru
Skateboard J Does A 360
Word On The Street: The Banana Vote Emerges
Word On The Street: Sprinkler Heads
Word On Orchard Street: Cheap Gas
Word On The Street: Keep On Truckin’
Martin Readies 1 Last Bridge To Nature
Word on the Street: Call Her “Queen”
Word on the Street: Coach Lance Called It
Word On Dixwell: Scooter Saves Gas
Budding Architect’s Word On The Street: New Haven’s More Laid Back Than Hong Kong
Word On Street: “Smell Good In Your Hood”
Blood (Pressure) Talk Comes To Barber’s Chair
Word On Street: Rizzo Can Stand The Heat
The Tomato Plot Thickens
Without Illusions, Lamont Stewart Makes The Most Of His Morning Walk
Pro-Punk Poet Prof Starts Summer Stretch
Barista Soaks Up New Hometown Flavor
Word On The Street: Park Pre-Work Workout Sets The Tone Homeless, & Working Exit 5
Aldo Salazar Does The Circuit
Brisa Mendoza STEMs The Graduation Tide
Timmy Turner Takes The Long View
Bike To Work Week Pulls Up To State Street Station
He’s Making Sure Soldiers Won’t Be Forgotten
Legion Ave. Rite Aid Closing; Actor Bummed
Word On Church St.: Drugs Are Everywhere
Indoor “Sunrise” Breakfasts Resume For The Hungry & The Homeless
“VillaFame” Has Designs On The World
Cherry Trees & NFTs Blossom In Wooster Square
9th Square Grows On New New Havener
Warbler Watcher Waits In The Woods
Reggie Gibson Makes A Clean Sweep
Sorry, Wooster Street: This New New Havener Has His Eye On Whalley Pie
Demons Stalk Methadone Run
Surveyor Bundles Up
Grandpa Boyd’s Toes Froze
Jay Jordan Shows Up Early For First Day At Mickey D’s
Track Champ Sets Sights On Firehouse
Can Collector Seeks Redemption
Reborn Stetson Library Opens Its Doors
Mom Prays To Pause Violence
Commuter Rolls With Switch To Train
Word on the Street: Math
Word At The Barber Shop: Ukraine Needs Our Help
Word On The Street: Pain At The Pump
Hamden’s Female Leadership Team Marks International Women’s Day
Taylor Picks Up Her Step
Wednesday’s Word on Grand: “Survival”
Turbocharged Community Soup Kitchen Plans Return To Indoor Dining
Prof On Track To Put Pain Behind Him
Word on The Street: New Beginnings
Lyric Hall Goes With The Flow
1 Valentine’s Day Later, Love Survives
Budget Airline Celebrates 100 Days At Tweed
Bobby’s Not Snitching »Grill Goes Cold After Inspector’s Visit
(Waste)Water St. Report: Omicron Still Fading
Word On The Street: Love Rides On Metro-North
Strolls Keep Soulmates On Life’s Path »Word on the Street: Where’s There’s Smoke …
Dude, Where’s His Car?
Word On The Street: “Level Up”
Word On The Street: Paying Rent, Staying Safe
Word On The Street: Brrrr!
Word On The Street: Caffeine
Word On The Street: 10 AM Georgia Hots