nothin “A Voice At The Table” | New Haven Independent

A Voice At The Table”

Finnegan Schick Photo

Clyburn, Walker, and City Clerk Michael Smart Saturday.

Newhallville neighbors are knocking on doors to reelect Delphine Clyburn, a two-term alder who knocks on the doors of her own ward every month.

Over 40 people gathered on Saturday in the empty lot next to Clyburn’s church on Starr Street to launch the Democrat’s reelection campaign. Alders and locals spoke warmly of Clyburn’s dedication to Ward 20 and of her faith in god. In a neighborhood buffeted by crime and housing problems, Clyburn is viewed as an anchor by the people in her ward and by city officials. By seeking a third two-year term, Clyburn further establishes herself as a champion for a troubled area of the city.

Our neighborhood needs prayer,” said Ward Co-Chair Barbara Vereen. “[Clyburn] has brought hope back to this ward.”

Board of Alders President Tyisha Walker came to Clyburn’s announcement in support of a woman she said inspires both her professional and spiritual life.

Both Walker and Clyburn serve on the Black and Hispanic Caucus. Clyburn is also the co-chair of the Aldermanic Affairs Committee.

In a speech to the gathering, Clyburn thanked her mentors. 

Above all, said Clyburn (at center in photo), she wants to give neighbors a voice at the table,” in city government.

She’s been a lady of her word,” said Newhallville neighbor Michael Boyd, who said Clyburn personally notifies residents about community meetings, sending text messages and going door to door in any weather.

Clyburn said she has fought for three goals in the past four years: more jobs, less crime, and more youth facilities.

As a supporter of New Haven Works, Clyburn said more jobs would improve the neighborhood. Clyburn said 10 recently approved grants of $5,000 each are going toward youth enrichment in Newhallville.

We’re going to make sure that New Haven has jobs,” she said.

The crowd gathered in prayer.

Clyburn has participated in changes coming to the neighborhood during the past two terms. In January the Board of Alders took steps to accept a $1 million justice assistance grant to make Newhallville safer. Candidates for the Byrne Grant Project Coordinator position are being interviewed now, she said. Clyburn also takes part in a focus group for the policing phase of the federal grant. She and other Newhallville alders have pressed city officials for more neighborhood input into the process.

Clyburn, who works for the state’s social services department, has a reputation as a grassroots, neighborhood-focused alder. Clyburn has led Newhallville clean-ups, for instance. After four years of pressure from Clyburn, construction has begun to pave Read Street and fix its sidewalks.

When the roads are broken, she gets Public Works to fix them, said Boyd. When suspicious loitering is reported in her neighborhood, she helps bring more patrol cars to the area.

Boyd said he expects a high voter turnout for Clyburn in the election. As Vereen points out, Newhallville is rising to the top ten voting New Haven neighborhoods. In the last election, Ward 20 polls had lines over an hour long thanks to Clyburn. 

Newhallville resident Ken Joyner (pictured) said Clyburn listens to the people in her ward.

Our elected officials respond in your presence, not in your absence,” he told the crowd.

Her fellow alders see Clyburn as a leader in city government. She collaborates and brings people together from both sides of the aisle, said Beaver Hills Alder Brian Wingate (pictured).

She knows there’s strength in numbers,” he added.

Clyburn has united opposing groups in the city, building coalitions during her past two terms, said Craig Gauthier of the New Haven People’s Center.

Luke Bridgett and Jess Corbett said they were impressed by Clyburn’s optimism in a ward with so many problems.

Wonderful people live in this neighborhood, but crime is still very high, said Wingate.

Local business owner Crystal Beard-Mortan showed her support for Delphine by bringing a costumed Disney character to play with the children at the event. Beard-Morton runs Crystal’s Characters,” a costume-renting establishment that sends cartoon personae to hospitals and senior citizens.

During her past two terms as alder, Clyburn has fought for seniors, working with both the mayor and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to improve public housing for the elderly.

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