nothin Brackeen Orders A 2nd Term | New Haven Independent

Brackeen Orders A 2nd Term

In the back, a bacon-and-cheese pizza was in the work. In the front, a reelection campaign.

That was the scene Sunday afternoon at Ernie’s Pizza on Whalley. As he has for 43 years at Ernie’s, Pat DeRiso was assembling a pizza.

Meanwhile, the booths were full. The appetizer was a speech by Upper Westville Alder Darryl Brackeen, who announced he is seeking a second two-year term representing the 26th Ward. Brackeen (a Democrat, like all members of the 30-member Board of Alders) said in his remarks that he sees his role as a neighborhood advocate who spurs neighbors to take action. He spoke of plans underway to replace 80 percent of the ward’s streetlights, to form 15 new block watches, to launch a Westville movie night. We have to keep this momentum going,” he told his supporters.

In a pre-speech interview (click to watch), he cited those plans as well as his efforts to keep taxes in check and schools properly” funded as his proudest accomplishments in his first year in office. I’m really about creating leaders,” he said. Brackeen, who is 26 and works as a community organizer for the pro-charter group ConnCAN, said he absolutely” supports a proposal for the Board of Ed to collaborate with Achievement First on an experimental school called Elm City Imagine.

Two dozen supporters filled the booths at Ernie’s. They included Mayor Toni Harp; Alders Richard Furlow and Adam Marchand; ward Democratic Co-Chair Amy Marx (with camera) …

… activist and former Alder Esther Armmand, State Sen. Gary Winfield, and ward Co-Chair Sharon Jones.

I look around this room, and I see hope” in dark times,” Brackeen told them.

Paul Bass Photo

The ambassador of pizza popped the pie in the oven. A meal and a campaign were on their way.

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