New Haven Independent

After sponsoring an open-mic for youth over the weekend, Morehead turned his attention back to senior citizens at Monterey Place and Edith Johnson towers, where he held an independence day cookout and rap session Tuesday with residents. The event took place at Bristol.

At the top of the agenda was a community center at 69 Webster Ave,, which was closed by management in December. Residents said a couple was caught on videotape “spending the night” in the room —and that management’s response was to keep the room locked when there are no planned activities.

Which is most of the time. Not only do they want the room opened up 24/7. They also want something to do other than BINGO once a month.

Morehead said he has been in contact with BCJ, the Boston-based developer which manages Monterey and Edith Johnson, about getting the community room re-opened. Morehead said he also has been in dialogue with Lois Murray, the local manager for the two buildings — but that they have had a tense relationship ever since he was a resident at Monterey Place himself.

As for getting more activities, Morehead said he sent a letter to housing authority to approve a request by the BCJ Board of Directors for an activities grant that he said would raise the quality of life for seniors in the two buildings.

“The issue is in the midst of getting resolved,” Morehead said.

A representative from BCJ did not return a phone call for comment by press time.

Arandie Little and Rose Evans said there are a lot of programs at the Scantlebury homes that come in through Christian Tabernacle and Spring Glenn churches, AKA sorority, and Business Professional Women.

“We has it nice,” Little said.

“It’s one of the nicest buildings you could be in,” Evans added. “And I’m not just saying that because I live there. But we need to keep these things going, because it helps a lot. These things are important.”

Rev. Hattie Williams, pictured at the top of the story wearing red and white, said she also wanted to talk to her alderman about getting around safely on Dixwell Avenue. She said the dilapidated sidewalks and broken — sometimes missing — pavement make it unsafe for people in wheelchairs and scooters to take trips down the street.

“Everybody in a wheelchairs isn’t just going to stay inside and be embarrassed,” Williams said. “Seniors are getting older, but we aint dying. We might not be able to run or walk very fast, but we can roll.”

Williams said she didn’t know why nobody from City Hall ever thought to redo the sidewalks, but said she was going to talk to Morehead about setting a meeting up between the mayor and some wheelchair-bound residents.

“There are enough people here in wheelchairs that we could really do something,” Williams said.

On Saturday, Morehead will host a block party on Ashmun Street at 3 p.m. for seniors, young people, and families.