Alder Hopeful Recruits For Campaign & Camping

Fair Haven alder candidate Magda Natal knocked on Cristina Torres’ Blatchley Avenue front door, hoping to earn her vote.

She found not only a new political supporter, but also a possible new camper at the weeklong camping trip she’ll help lead next week.

Natal, an English language teacher at Wilbur Cross High School, is running to represent Fair Haven’s Ward 16 on the Board of Alders. She’s challenging incumbent alder Jose Crespo in the Democratic primary. The primary election will take place on Sept. 9 at John Martinez school.

About 40 supporters from across the city gathered at Armada Brewing on River Street for Natal’s campaign kickoff celebration on Wednesday afternoon. They enjoyed pizza and cold drinks in the thick heat. Attendees included a contingent of New Haven teachers, Fair Haven advocates, and alders Frank Redente and Caroline Tanbee Smith. 

Natal’s campaign manager — her niece, Kayla Natal — trained the group on how to knock on doors for the campaign, quoting Maya Angelou: ​“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” 

Soon, a small group of volunteers embarked on a canvassing mission. Natal knocked on door after door along Blatchley Avenue with New Haven Federation of Teachers President Leslie Blatteau.

Over the course of their canvass, Natal ran into a childhood friend she hadn’t seen in over 30 years. She also passed a Victorian house she remembered from her childhood — ​“As I kid, I used to drive by and be like, I want that house!” — that seemed to have fallen into disrepair. She left a video message on a Ring doorbell camera for a registered voter who wasn’t home. 

She encountered residents who weren’t eligible to vote. She told one family in Spanish, ​“I am supporting immigrants and undocumented people,” providing her number in case they need any help in the future.

When Torres answered her door, Natal introduced herself. ​“I’m running to be alder of Ward 16,” she said. ​“I live in the same house I grew up in” on Exchange Street.

Natal explained that she’s a teacher, that she serves on the board of Fair Haven Community Health Care, and that she helps run the Big Turtle Village camping trip that is available for free to 60 Fair Haven kids each summer.

“I’d like an opportunity to make the neighborhood a better place,” Natal said.

“I’ve lived here almost my life,” Torres responded. ​“I love Fair Haven. I love the community. I love the culture. I’m trying to buy a house here.”

Her main concern about the neighborhood, she said, is the level of public substance use she observes. She said she’s seen people using drugs while wearing no clothes at all right outside her home. ​“People do not have the resources,” she said, noting that she has kids in the house.

When Blatteau asked Torres how old her kids are, she responded that she has a 19-year-old, a 10-year-old, and a baby.

She said that her oldest son just graduated from Wilbur Cross, where Natal teaches. ​“I’m so proud of him that he did actually graduate,” she said, noting that he’d been through a hard time.

“Being a mother is hard,” echoed Natal.

“I’m always there, there, there,” said Torres.

Blatteau noted that ​“teachers are really good problem-solvers” — a quality that’s also helpful to have as an alder.

“Do you know who your current alder is?” she asked.

Torres recognized Crespo’s name, but said she doesn’t know him personally. She told Natal that she’d vote for her in the upcoming election.

Eventually the pair realized that Torres’ daughter attends the Big Turtle Village afterschool program run by Junta for Progressive Action, a program affiliated with the camping trip Natal has helped organize for over 20 years.

Torres had received a message that very day encouraging her to sign her daughter up for the overnight camp. But Torres had been hesitant, especially since her daughter can’t swim.

Natal reassured Torres that her kid would be all right. ​“I’m the mom of the camp,” she said. She said that she and the other adults watch every kid closely. For children who have a hard time being away from home, ​“I make them tea. I’m there.” 

Some kids ​“struggle” with the new experience, she added, but ​“it builds character” and challenges them to grow.

Torres said she wants her kids to grow up connected to their community. ​“I’ve always been shy about it,” she said, but she’s trying to get more involved in the neighborhood. 

Natal encouraged Torres to come by Junta for Progressive Action later in the week, where she could learn more information and possibly sign up her daughter for the trip. This year’s camping trip starts next week, from July 14 through 18. There are still slots open, Natal said. ​“We’re taking kids at the last minute.”

After saying goodbye to Torres, Natal and Blatteau turned to resume door-knocking. ​“That made me excited!” Natal said. ​“I guess this is what it’s all about.”