New Haven Independent: It's A Four-Way Free-For-All

It’s A Four-Way Free-For-All

by Paul Bass | March 23, 2007 11:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Lisa%20Hopkins.jpg She organized her neighbors to take on a developer. Now Lisa Hopkins (pictured) is taking on what she calls a closed political process — by jumping into an already crowded race for a Dixwell aldermanic seat.

Hopkins has filed papers to run in an April 16 special election for alderman in the 22nd Ward. The seat became vacant — and a special election was called — after Alderman Drew King resigned because of legal and personal problems.

Candidates needed only two signatures on a petition to run. Hopkins turned in 60.

That’s because she’s an organizer. She has rallied two dozen neighbors on a new one-block street called Frances Hunter Drive to demand repairs on what they considered shoddily built houses. Wednesday the group received a letter from the developer promising to make repairs on terms that both sides can agree upon (a point confirmed Friday by the developer). Meanwhile, Hopkins and her neighbors continue to plan a picket outside City Hall in coming weeks to protest what they consider lax enforcement of a government-aided affordable-housing development. (To read a story about that ongoing fight, click here.)

The special election to fill the Ward 22 seat has provoked its own share of protest.

The ward, in the end of the Dixwell neighborhood abutting Yale and downtown, is overwhelmingly Democratic. So Democratic Party-endorsed candidates almost always win general elections. So the party ward committee’s endorsement carries a lot of weight. Members of the ward committee didn’t get to vote on the endorsement for this special election, though; instead the city’s Democratic Party chairwoman selected the candidate. She chose Greg Morehead over one of the ward co-chairs, Cordelia Thorpe. Click here to read a story about that.

Upset about what she called a closed process, Thorpe filed papers to run in the April 14 special election.

Then a third candidate, Reginald Lytle, filed papers. (He couldn’t be reached for comment.)

And Lisa Hopkins is the fourth. Which means a part of town notorious for low political participation — and thus often less organized to demand attention from City Hall and party leaders — has suddenly, if for a moment, become a hotbed of democracy.

Block Watcher

Hopkins, who’s 39 and has an 11-year-old daughter named Heaven, argued that her background in community organizing and affordable-housing work gives her the tools to spark more neighborhood activism as a Dixwell alderwoman. “I have a passion for helping people,” Hopkins said. Her campaign mantra is “Home, Family & Community.”

What does that mean? For starters, she said, pulling together blocks of neighbors the way the homeowners group on Frances Hunter Drive pulled together.

She gave examples of what can happen a block away, on Bristol Street. That long one-block street has been plagued by shootings lately; Hopkins hears them from her backyard.

Picture%20485.jpg On a stroll there Thursday afternoon, she stopped to heed a shout from the balcony of the William Griffiths apartment complex at 123 Bristol. Robert Freeman (pictured) was saying hello.

Years back, Hopkins got to know Freeman when she worked for a company called Housing Opportunities Unlimited. Her job included finding new homes for tenants at Griffiths apartments while the complex underwent renovation, then arranging for the tenants to move back in. Her job also included helping public-housing tenants find jobs. These days she works for a housing consultant company, called The Haven Group, which she formed with a friend; they focus on affordable housing matters.

Hopkins said that Freeman has become active in the neighborhood block watch. At a recent meeting he and others discussed a plan to spruce up a vacant lot next to Griffiths, already a community greenspace called the “Garden of Eden,” to host outdoor neighborhood meetings. That kind of activity goes far not just in creating a sense of community, but in making the street safer, Hopkins said. She said her mission as alderwoman would include encouraging more families to get involved in this and similar projects — and to link the ward’s block watches, including the successful one which “Grandma” Ruth Henderson runs on Dickerman Street.

Picture%20486.jpg Across the street, next to the Edith Johnson elderly tower, Hopkins pointed to 90-94 Bristol, a brick building with 15 apartments. “They’ve got good people living here,” she said. “It takes only one or two to make problems.” She’d also like to help them bring complaints about the building’s maintenance directly to the landlord. (The police, meanwhile, have been working hard with one particular family in the complex to steer teen-agers to more productive activity.)

Part of her job as alderwoman, if she’s elected, will include building on neighborhood successes, Hopkins said. Like the success of the Stetson branch library in Dixwell Plaza. The place is mobbed sometimes in the afternoon with kids, including some in formal after-school programs. That’s a good thing, Hopkins said — as well as a reason to do more. She’d like to find a way either to expand the branch in its current location or to find it a larger new home.

“If you go to Stetson around 2:30, it’s jammed with youth with no other place to go. The Stetson library is too small for that,” she said. A bigger space would also make room for programs for seniors and families.

Ultimately, Hopkins said, she sees her mission as getting Dixwell people involved — the opposite of what she saw happen in the party nomination process for this special election. “People need to stop and think how the process went and how entities outside our ward decided who would represent us,” she said. On April 16, that decision will be in the hands of her neighbors.

Longtime Youth Worker

Reginald%20Lytle.jpg Reginald Lytle wants to expand the Stetson branch, too. He also would like to see the shuttered Dixwell Q House become a performing arts center where kids could take ballet and musical-instrument lessons.

“The Dixwell Q house has been the center of this community for years,” Lytle said.

He should know — he grew up in the ward. His godfather was the late Stanley Rogers, the affable longtime alderman in 22. “I used to campaign with him, when I was with the mayor also. It was in my blood,” recalls Lytle, who’s now 38.

For a living Lytle works as a supervisor at the Whalley Avenue jail. On the side he has coached Pop Warner little league for the past 12 years. He currently serves as the league’s vice-president.

Not surprisingly, youth issues are a focus of his campaign. He’d also like to “change the perceived image of the 22nd Ward” and “bring economic development back to the ward.” He noted the recent opening of C-Town at one end of Dixwell Plaza; he’d like to see the rest of the plaza spruced up.

Lytle doesn’t focus on the way the party nominated Morehead for this special election. “It doesn’t faze me,” he said “I’m just glad to see there are four people running. It shows there’s a lot of concern. People want to develop the 22nd Ward. It’s a good thing.”

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Comments

Posted by: pinkbicycle | March 23, 2007 3:59 PM

Lisa Hopkins is an amazing woman. She should win! If memory serves me correctly she has been a beacon in that community. She knows first hand what that neighborhood needs and she could deliver. She is not a City Hall picked candidate, she is her own woman. That community would do well to elect her. This is getting good!

Posted by: Anonymous | March 24, 2007 7:15 PM

First i would like to say that Ms. Hopkins did not get 60 signatures. The petitions are a public record and someone should step up with the truth and stop believing these lies that she is feeding the elderly and youth. All i have to say is Lets look at all of the facts and base it on pass performance. Lets start with the small things to get done instead of trying to believe someone that talks just to be heard about BIG maybe's.....

Posted by: ForAll | March 24, 2007 7:35 PM

Just to feed off of the other womans comment about someone being a hand picked City Hall candidate, the obvious truth whether we accept it or not is the Mayor play's a major factor to new things being implemented in our community. Think about that for a little while. I think us as colored people sometimes don't use wisdom when it comes to politics. I think some candidates run just to be running and don't know the rules involved. Ms. Hopkins' history has been one to oppose the individuals that are going to be fundamental in getting the tasks done. There have been projects that should have been done and completed if they were not opposed by her. Everything is public record! That is why it seems that Greg Morehead would be the most effective candidate because he not only has alot of outside support, but from me meeting him, i feel he TRULY cares about the people and i am not considered a vote for him. In the end lets use wisdom in deciding who we are going to support, research your candidates and don't go with the hype!!!!!

Posted by: Simple | March 26, 2007 12:44 PM

I don't want to be a predator and feed off the predictable mudslinging antics of The Anonymous and ForAll duo...But, I find myself compelled to provide the two Neanderthals with some much needed guidance...I live in Ward 22, I believe we deserve a well balanced race. This special election gives our community a chance to elect someone who will actually provide leadership and put our best interest first. It is an insult to suggest our culturally diverse community is
ill-equipped to make informed decisions! The trickery used in political campaigns of the past are NO longer needed in the ward! We have already lost too much...over the years our place at the bargaining table has deminished immensely...our community has changed before our very own eyes! Is this the product of ..."Colored People not knowing the rules"? Should we follow suit with the twisted verbal babblings of FORALL and continue to accept the obvious? How effective is outside support, when our own community needs to be strenthen from within! No one knows Mr. Morehead...but, the Mayor and the team fighting to make him our next ...CORNFED, DRESSED UP-PUPPET...Maybe, we need to check his public record...if we can find one! What are his qualifications to become the next Alderperson? Besides the strings attached to aid in his puppetry/by the powers that be! No ONE knew him before his run! Why is he the best choice? and the best choice for WHOM!
In closing, ANONYMOUS and FORALL...wisdom is the ability to use good judgement..."a key characteristic of wisdom is not to do desperate things". (Henry David Thoreau)
The SIDESHOW has begun!

Posted by: Nat Turner | March 26, 2007 10:32 PM

first of all,...nobody has ever heard of greg morehead until now! where was greg over the last 10 - 20 years? what has he done in the community? ... unfortunately, mr. morehead has been "se-lected" instead of being "e-lected." another product of the machine without the proper checks and balances. people like me in ward 22 vote on issues. our vote cannot be taken for granted this time. lisa hopkins is the better candidate by FAR. she has a better work ethic and the experience to lead this community after the unfortunate recent history in the ward. i vote ms.hopkins...the real deal.

Posted by: Sam W. | March 27, 2007 12:10 AM

I have known Lisa Hopkins for ten years having seen her in action working tirelessly on behalf of families who have been displaced temporarily and permanently due to urban revitalization projects. She is a person of integrity, a professional, a straight shooter and an advocate for individuals and families who are in need of support and assistance in reference to social and housing issues. Lisa works well with all kinds of people, from officials down at city hall as well as the neighbor next door. She is a person of action and a positive force who confronts issues when it may not be the popular thing to do--especially when it appears an injustice is involved. This New Haven native is definitely raising the bar in her run for alderperson in Dixwell. What an asset!

Posted by: Greg Morehead | March 29, 2007 2:26 PM

All of the comments posted here are good. The race isn't over yet until the people have voted. I haven't been selected but will be ELECTED when the votes come in. My main mission is about the youth in our community. I haven't been here for the past 20 years, only for 7 years, but what has anyone else done that was here for the last 20 years? Its not about the timeframe that i lived here, but what will be accomplished and what i bring to the table. For the record, i have been very active in the community(New Haven at large and beyond)for the past 7 years since i have been here. All of things i have done in the past were for NON profit (speaking at schools, colleges, organizations, and non profit organizations) and that was a way for me to give back to the community. Even the businesses that i have, there were times when i DID not charge clients in this area for the services that were rendered. Lets stop saying a person hasn't been here for X amount of years and concentrate on the issues in our community. I heard someone say your not a qualified resident in the community if you have haven't slept in New Haven for three days or less. I have laid my head to rest more than three days in Ward 22 so i feel i am more than qualified to fill this position. Anyone that knows me, or has met me for the first time, sees that it is NOT about a position or POWER with me, but i actually do care about the citizens in our community. We need to look at that also before we vote someone into office. What is their hidden agenda. I have a relationship with GOD, a great family, support, and businesses in which are going great, what else could i gain from this position? Nothing, but making sure my kids and other youth and members of the community have the resources and tools to succeed. Thats what its all about. Its about our next generation. So i know the haters will still talk, but i am moving on focusing on the positive, not the negative. Can you focus with me, or continue to talk about me? If you would like to get to know me before you past judgement, contact me at
203-214-0099!

New Haven Independent

It’s A Four-Way Free-For-All

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