Stephanie Addenbrooke Photo
Don’t forget Fair Haven Heights: That’s the mission of Rosa Santana, a Democrat who launched a reelection campaign for Ward 13 alder amid drizzling rain outside Fairmont Park on Sunday afternoon.
Speaking to a crowd of over 20 supporters, Santana spoke of tackling problems both in her ward as well as in the city as a whole by, in part, bringing more youth services that people can walk to. She spoke of introducing basketball leagues and improving the park so that young people don’t have to travel to another ward to find something to do.
Rick Melita, TOni Harp’s mayoral reelection campaign manager (second from right) with Santana and Smart Sunday.
Another project would be to improve usage of Fairmont Park, where she launched her campaign. In the past, the park has been a center for criminal activity and homelessness. While community policing has improved the problems, Santana said, she’d like to see more of her neighbors using the park and making it a welcoming space.
“The park is the jewel of our neighborhood, so we need to find ways to utilize it to the best of our ability,” she said.
In the upcoming year, she explained that there were plans to add a dog area to the park, aiming to serve a large portion of the area who have pets.
Across the city, Santana said, she wants to address the “jobs crisis.” Currently, Santana, a former employee of First Niagara Bank, currently works in Bridgeport; she said she is among the many New Haveners unable to find work within the city. Improving employment in the city will improve congestion and traffic problems, and allow people to stay healthy by walking to work, she said.
Santana added that she also brings experience to the table. She had previously served four terms on the Board of Alders, then lost her seat. She won it back two years ago. She said she remained committed to the community and local politics even when not in office..
“Her knowledge and experience is really needed on the board,” City Clerk Michael Smart told Sunday’s gathering.
Also present was Annex Alder Alphonse Paolillo Jr. He said representatives of the wards on the east side of the city all work together like a “family.”
Santana closed with a message about her driving forces and motivations. In the presence of her mother, sister and her closest neighbors, Santana said all her plans aim to be a positive addition to her very own neighborhood.
“Everything I do,” she said, “it comes from the heart.”