nothin Harp Gets Displaced Seniors To The Party | New Haven Independent

Harp Gets Displaced Seniors To The Party

CORA LEWIS PHOTO

Tenantss dig into Abate’s pasta. Deputy Campaign Manager Markham, pictured at rear right, helps out in the kitchen.

The usual pre-election get-out-the-vote party took place at the Bella Vista senior housing complex Sunday night. This time, organizers had to send vans to get the seniors there rather than just ask them to take the elevator downstairs.

Displaced Bella Vista tenants rallied to attend a political rally Sunday. Traditionally, GOTV event is held at the housing complex prior to an election, since all the seniors who live there are in a central location. This year, the residents were not so captive. Instead of traveling down from their respective floors in the towers, many traveled by van from various motels where they have been housed since a mid-August fire.

The fire changed everything.

But the seniors still got to the party. Toni Harp’s mayoral campaign sent vans to get them.

The event, part dinner party and part campaign rally, is a tradition at Bella Vista, a gold mine of captive votes for Democratic election workers. (Click here and here to read about parties before other recent elections.)

Many seniors living at Bella Vista remain temporarily homeless because of an early-morning Aug. 14 fire at the complex. They’re living at area motels or doubled-up with friends or family. (Click here to read how you can help them.)

Supporters of Harp, one of four Democrats running in a Tuesday mayoral primary, brought about 40 of the displaced tenants in vans to Sunday night’s dinner in the Bella Vista Victoria room—and signed them up for another ride Tuesday to the on-site voting station.

After a set of short speeches and a Q&A with party-backed Democratic slate of candidates, ziti (a tray of meat-sauce and a vegetarian option) was served along with bread, pizza, and salad from Abate’s.

Attendees went home with Harp potholders.

As per convention, potholders were handed out — in this case, with a stylized harp making up the A’ in mayoral candidate Toni Harp’s name, the official campaign logo.

We haven’t been able to rely on absentee ballots because the displaced don’t currently have mailing addresses,” said Deputy Campaign Manager Eli Markham. Markham said that vans will run all day Tuesday from the motels to polling places.

Bella Vista Alderwoman Barbara Constantinople of Ward 11, who is seeking a second term, stood with state Sen. Martin Looney, state Sen. Harp, and city clerk candidate Michael Smart before the crowd. They locked hands hands and asking the audience to remember this team on Election Day. Remember: Smart — Harp!” Smart said. The room echoed the sonically-pleasing catchphrase.

Looney praised Constantinople, saying, She has worked hard as an advocate for her ward. When you need help, she’s always there for you.”

Harp said Smart, if elected, will restore great customer service” to New Haven’s clerk’s office. No more sour smiles,” she said.

Before fielding questions, Harp spoke briefly about her desire to create more good jobs in the city, to bring about a better education system (a world-class elementary and high school in New Haven — to match our world class university”), and to continue to provide services for the city’s elderly, disabled, and children. Referring to Sen. Looney, Harp said, We’re going to need Marty — and he’s going to make sure those resources we need from Hartford keep coming.”

We’ve never had a woman mayor here,” said 80-year-old Lenny Grimaldi, who worked as a janitor at Yale for 25 years. I think it’s time.”

Sylvia Setzer-Banks, 58, said she, too, plans to vote for Harp . Setzer-Banks, who has lived at Bella Vista for three years, has stayed at the Quality Inn and Days Inn in Branford since the fire. She worked as an education coordinator in San Antonio, Texas, before retiring back in New Haven because she has family here. She said will drive or take the bus to the polls Tuesday, she said. “[Harp] seems like she knows politics and she’ll be a good politician. I think she’ll know how to wheel and deal with the big boys.”

Constantinople delivered pizza pies, donated from Pepe’s and Modern, to the various motels on Friday. She said that residents of floors 1 – 5 should be able to return within two weeks; tenants on other floors that were damaged in the fire will have to continue to wait for additional repairs.

Alderwoman Barbara Constantinople praised Harp.

Harp listened to remarks by the other candidates before taking center stage.

Raffael Giangrande, who has lived in Bella Vista for 24 years, plans to vote for Harp.

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