Patricia Dillon

This year we face several crises at once - the emergence of an infectious agent, or pathogen, named COVID-19 that is new, and the exposure of another pathogen - systemic racism - that is not new. Neither is going away soon, but as is often true in public health, the worst effects are preventable with vigilance and leadership.

New Haven responded by delivering food to unemployed neighbors, collecting and making masks, and setting up testing sites. We held rallies and panels on police accountability and economic opportunity.

In Hartford, the timetable was shortened. On March 12, we closed the capitol for deep cleaning to work from home until we can gather safely.

Testing and masks can limit the spread of the virus, but for now the virus is still here. Rallies and panels help to raise awareness, but unequal housing patterns, disparities in health care, and unequal employment opportunities are still here.

New Haven has risen to the occasion. We have a lot to be proud of. But we are still learning how much work is left to do.

Thank you for your support and confidence.

In the News

• Spoke at Neighborhood Housing Services dinner honoring Jim Paley’s work and contributions to our community.
• Spoke at rKids groundbreaking.
• Attended a memorial service for Mubarak Soulemane, shot and killed by a state trooper. Reverend Al Sharpton gave the eulogy.
• Spoke at the Holocaust Remembrance ‘No More Hate’ event at Jewish Community Center.
• Greeted students at Edgewood School with Senator Gary Winfield as part of the “Because You Matter” tour.
• Attended Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce meeting at Southern.
• Joined West River Watershed meeting, heard about work on Valley Street.
• Participated in downtown rally in response to the killing of George Floyd.

Vaccines

The policy of granting religious exemptions from vaccination generated intense controversy this year, and had not been resolved before the capitol was closed.

Opponents of vaccinations packed legislative outreach meetings, including my own. A public hearing on HB 5044 restricting religious exemptions drew thousands and lasted 21 hours. The bill passed the Public Health Committee, largely on a party line vote. The full legislature did not vote because the Capitol closed.

Congratulations, 2020 Graduates!

A graduation to remember

With schools closed because of the pandemic, New Haven’s graduating class faced the loss of an important milestone. But our schools are as resilient as our students. Each high school held a graduation, with students driving up in cars, receiving their diplomas, and posing for a picture.

To our 2020 college graduating class: congratulations to you! Some of you attended school in Connecticut, some of you graduated out of state. We’re proud of you!

Police Accountability

George Floyd’s death after a Minneapolis policeman pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds ignited demonstrations worldwide. While police in some states escalated events by targeting nonviolent protesters,

New Haven’s mayor and police chief met with activists and worked to de-escalate. Activists here are focused. Marches were accompanied by community conversations about racial profiling, health disparities, and lack of economic opportunity for minorities and minority owned businesses. Those conversations will continue.

State legislation on police accountability was already planned. This may include evaluating the militarization of policing and a ban on choke holds. High profile incidents demonstrate that this is not a ‘law and order’ issue. Nationally, deaths in police custody followed minor incidents. A shopkeeper suspected George Floyd of passing a counterfeit $20 bill. The culture must change.

Whalley Avenue Safety

The state has granted $3 million to the city of New Haven for traffic safety improvements on Whalley Avenue. The city will conduct planning sessions which will likely include lighting improvements. The dollars come from LOCIP, the allocation for local capital improvements.

Bonding for New Haven Projects

It is always exciting and gratifying when proposals become real as the construction process begins.

Q House: Q House rebuilding was identified in 2013 as a priority. After hard work by the Q House committee and $15,000,000 in state bonding, last fall was the latest ‘groundbreaking.’
Hill-to-Downtown: RMS Downtown South-Hill Development Company received a $2,751,000 loan for the development of the Hill-to-Downtown project at 49 Prince Street.
Youth Continuum: A $2,500,000 grant-in-aid for the rehabilitation and addition of 20 beds at its youth shelter on Grand Avenue.

Other Bonding Highlights

• Funding of $67,000,000 for improvement to local roads and infrastructure from statewide LOCIP, or Local Capital Improvement Program
• Funding of $100,000,000 for various housing projects, prioritizing areas with low home ownership.
• Funding of $100,000,000 in Urban Act to promote community conservation and development and improve the quality of life for urban residents of the state.