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Ward 13 alder hopefules: Green challenger Paul Garlinghouse, Democratic incumbent Rosa Ferraro-Santana, and Republican challenger Deborah Reyes.
A three-way alder race in Fair Haven Heights pits an incumbent Democrat focused on parks against Green and Republican challengers raising concerns about single-party rule at City Hall.
Veteran incumbent Rosa Ferraro-Santana, who has represented Ward 13 on the Board of Alders for nearly 16 years, is hoping for another two years in office to keep up momentum on parks and infrastructural projects she said she’s helped oversee with state and federal American Rescue Plan Act funding.
The long-time alder was first elected in 2001, when she ran on a platform of youth engagement. She stayed on the board for eight years, at which point she was voted out and took a six-year break before returning to the board unopposed in 2015. She currently chairs the board’s Aldermanic Affairs Committee.
The 69-year-old loan administrator said her proudest accomplishment in office remains having established a mayor’s youth council in the early 2000s. “We got youth involved in understanding the political process,” she recalled, by teaming up with New Haven’s high schools to select around 20 students to regularly convene and discuss issues facing their peers while shadowing local officials at board and commission meetings.
One of those students, Joseph Rodriguez, was later elected to the Board of Alders and now works for U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a point of pride for Ferraro-Santana.
While the initiative spurred careers in politics for some, Ferraro-Santana worried the now-defunct group ultimately stirred a sense of disillusionment in others: “At the time, they talked a lot about getting more youth centers — but I don’t think there was money for it,” she said. “That’s why young people get upset. We as a board talk a big game but we don’t do anything, we don’t act. And the youth get discouraged.”
With pandemic cash still on tap, Ferraro-Santana wants to capitalize on the moment as an established alder to make sure what money is available is invested in ways that will resonate with her constituents.
That means making needed infrastructural upgrades and following through on decades old feedback from youth that remains relevant today: Create spaces for kids to play and stay busy.
The alder has already supported the renovation of a baseball field and building of dug-outs at Fairmont Park using state funding. Now, she wants to take advantage of more ARPA money to bring a splash pad, gym equipment, and more benches to the same park. The trails around Fairmont and Quarry Parks also need attention, she said, and there’s leftover state cash to improve the outdoor walking paths.
She also pointed to the rehabilitation of the Grand Avenue Bridge, the Livable City Initiative’s construction of multi-family homes on the long-vacant Judith Terrace, and ongoing road repairs along Grand Avenue as wins for the ward under her leadership.
“I’m tuned in, I’m engaged,” Ferraro-Santana said in support of her own candidacy. “I don’t like the limelight, so I’m not standing up and getting my name out there, ‘cause that’s not me. I just do the work.”
Garlinghouse: A New Perspective
The redistricted bounds of Ward 13.
Running on the Green Party line is Paul Garlinghouse, a 59-year-old attorney and activist who lives on Quinnipiac Avenue in Fair Haven Heights.
Garlinghouse, who is from New Jersey but has lived in New Haven for the past 25 years, is running for alder because he believes the all-Democrat aldermanic chamber is in need of a new perspective. Following Green Party candidate Patricia Kane’s 2021 unsuccessful run for alder of Ward 13, Garlinghouse — who also previously ran for registrar of voters — hopes to build on her momentum and bring an “active” and responsive voice to both the ward and the 30-member Board of Alders.
At the top of his list of priorities? Making the neighborhood, especially Quinnipiac Avenue, safer for Ward 13’s residents through improved sidewalks and proper traffic calming measures.
Fast cars and accidents are infringing on the quality of life for those who live in the area, Garlinghouse said in an interview with the Independent. The lack of an adequate sidewalk also makes it difficult to be a pedestrian. He’s heard parents say that they can’t take their children to the nearby playground because strollers can’t roll across the disjointed sidewalk.
Traffic calming measures have supposedly been on their way for years, but Garlinghouse and his neighbors are still waiting for their arrival.
According to Garlinghouse, residents of the ward are frustrated and feel that the neighborhood isn’t a priority for responsiveness from the city.
“All we hear are a bunch of excuses and stories,” he said. “It makes the neighborhood less healthy and less safe to live in.”
Garlinghouse is also an advocate for more affordable housing and school board members being elected rather than appointed. He said he’s currently in the process of knocking on every door in Ward 13.
Reyes: Building The "Habitable City"
The Republican candidate for alder is Deborah Reyes, who has spent more than 20 years living in Fair Haven Heights and nearly all of her life in New Haven.
Reyes previously ran for Ward 13 alder in 2021. During an interview at that time with the Independent, she explained her recent switch to the GOP from the Democratic Party, which was largely due to fiscal issues. She hoped that Ward 13 residents would overlook party lines and vote for the best candidates, the ones who would “make the city habitable.”
Reyes has spent much of her life working in social services. An August press release from the New Haven Republicans announcing Reyes’ candidacy states that she has worked for New Haven Home Recovery, the New Haven Health Department, and the Nurturing Families Program.
“When elected,” the release states, “she hopes to improve our schools, support measures to reduce gang violence, enact measures to fight predatory drug dealers, and put the city on a sound financial track.”
Reyes did not respond to multiple requests for comment for this article.
Fair Haven Heights needs an advocate and that is what Paul Garlinghouse is.
He worked on the street paintings to test proposed traffic flow changes on Q Ave. and he showed up at the local firehouse to show community support when a fireman died and his colleagues needed cheering up. He has been trying to get an answer from State Rep. Al Paolillo as to when the Q. Ave project will actually be done.
The current Alder was a no-show at QEMT meetings for years. She also supported a highly questionable deal to sell public land on Hemingway St. to an out of town developer for less than the assessed value and without any consultation with the community. Fortunately that deal was never put to a vote but the secrecy upset many people.
While many Aldermanic votes are hidden in a voice vote, she can be relied on to vote as instructed on all the issues, whether or not her constituents agree.
She voted for the 43 year Tweed contract while negotiating NO protection for residents in the Heights.
Most people here have NO idea who their Alder is, while those who have sought her help report either no response or no help.
Ms Reyes said she would work with the QEMT to support community change, but never once came to a meeting. That is a loss because she is well known among Spanish speaking residents and could have involved more people in petitioning for repair of the Clifton St. Canoe ramp or pressing for the traffic redesign now 2 years overdue on Q. Ave. or pressing for more traffic enforcement to reduce the daily speeding and weekly crashes that occur but don't make the news.
FHH needs an effective Alder who will collaborate with the residents and be responsive.
The people have a choice.