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I'm outraged with this move. Nemerson maneuvers to have two black woman removed from their positions (Mrs. Jefferson and Ms. James), only to install his guy to a position that has been historically held by a member of the black community. Nemerson's "allowed" influence is dividing the city along racial lines. As the positions once held by blacks in the city continually fall, their replacements by whites and Latinos continually rise. I can no longer sit back and pretend that somehow this will correct itself. Because it won't!

The position of CEO enforces hiring mandates for city-connected construction projects, as well as compliance rules when the use of federal funds comes into play. Chavero states that "he would like to go beyond that and proactively counter the renewed tensions around race and anti-immigrant actions that have surfaced out of the presidential race" are code words for to &%%#$^& with the idea of hiring blacks.

Nemerson "the commission is unique in that it chooses its own director. He said the job did not have to be posted and is not subject to civil services rules, although the director is a member of local 3144." This statement according to the City Ordinance Section 121/2-21 clearly states that the duties of the director don't encompass race relations. But it does encompass contractors, minority hiring, Unions and employment. Moreover, this is a civil service position. This means the position has to be posted and tested per Civil Service rules, by the Civil Board.

My outrage should be met with greater opposition from the likes of the GNHBPA and the certainly by the NAACP.

Finally, although I respect both Edith Rawls and Gwen Newton, they have made a huge error with this alleged appointment. I conveniently use the word alleged because I haven't read where they first fired Mrs. Jefferson.

Though I'm a huge supporter of the Hispanic community, to their credit, they would never allow this to happen in their community, and nor should we.

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Brian,

In Matthew 7:16, Jesus says, "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles?" (KJV).

Will I gather grapes or figs that will help create equal opportunity for some New Haveners who have been denied it? I hope to. I'll do the best I can, but good intentions mean nothing. New Haveners should keep a close critical eye on my performance, as they should for all public officials.

Have I planted grapes or figs versus thorns or thistles in the past? Here's a list of people you can ask concerning the African-American community.

For the GNHBPA, speak to Cornell Wright. Or ask Gerald Clark himself at this Thursday's 50th anniversary. I have fond memories of working with and arguing against Len Smart, may he rest in peace, both in his GNHBPA role and as Empower New Haven's economic development chair.

For the GNHNAACP, ask Dori Dumas how I worked with her on the Haiti Fund after the 2010 earthquake. Ask Jim Rawlings how he first got to know me first when I used to work for Courtland Seymour Wilson, and then how I helped him on occasion with the NAACP, including how I cooperated with Garry Tinney and his Firebird colleagues. You may wish to speak to Scot X. Esdaile as well. We did some work together when he headed the GNH chapter. If you prefer to check with someone younger, contact Jesse Phillips of Varick AME.

(CONTINUED)

2/2 (to Brian)

If you check with no one else, please contact Sheila Shanklin, Curlena McDonald, Linda Townsend-Maier, and Bea Dozier-Taylor. They'll tell you the story of how at Patricia's Restaurant five or more black women and one white woman, discussed with me whether their just-born no-track-record Greater Dwight Development Corporation should take on as its first project building New Haven's first full-sized modern supermarket (since urban renewal) and owning the resulting commercial plaza. Ask them exactly how I helped and whose interests I represented throughout the building of the Shaw's Supermarket (now Stop & Shop). You may find out I even opposed my employer. Ask them how many people have worked there, the racial and ethnic breakdowns, and the overall economic benefit to Dwight.

Matthew Nemerson doesn't need me to defend him. Interestingly, our friendship grew out of much of the work that I've cited above. I also got to know him and his family better at school. You may wish to ask Michael Jefferson about that.

I never have in worked on any civic matter that divided any community against another. I pledge never to do so.

Respectfully,

Angel

NOTE: The first 1/1 may be an old uncorrected version!! Please check it against this one before you publish it!! i apologize for the inconvenience. Thanks, Angel

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Brian,
In Matthew 7:16, Jesus says, "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles?" (KJV).

Will I gather grapes or figs that will help create equal opportunity for some New Haveners who have been denied it? I hope to. I'll do the best I can, but good intentions mean nothing. New Haveners should keep a close critical eye on my performance, as they should for all public officials.

Have I planted grapes or figs versus thorns or thistles in the past? Here's a list of people you can ask concerning the African-American community.

For the GNHBPA, speak to Cornell Wright. Or ask Gerald Clark himself at this Thursday's 50th anniversary. I have fond memories of working with and arguing against Len Smart, may he rest in peace, both in his GNHBPA role and as Empower New Haven's economic development chair.

For the GNHNAACP, ask Dori Dumas how I worked with her on the Haiti Fund after the 2010 earthquake. Ask Jim Rawlings how he first got to know me first when I used to work for Courtland Seymour Wilson, and then how I helped him on occasion with the NAACP, including how I cooperated with Garry Tinney and his Firebird colleagues. You may wish to speak to Scot X. Esdaile as well. We did some work together when he headed the GNH chapter. If you prefer to check with someone younger, contact Jesse Phillips of Varick AME.

(CONTINUED)

Mr. Angel Fernandez-Chavero,

My concerns regarding your appointment had absolutely nothing to do about you personally. Sir, with all due respect, I don't even know you. I would venture to say that you're probably a fantastic fella. However, my aforementioned concerns in which I conveyed dealt specifically with the history of the position in which you've most recently obtained. That position in my view should remain in the black community because it originated there for the purposes of addressing contractors, Unions, employment and minority hiring. Which the black community suffers from more than any other ethnic group.

E.g., here's a list of the board of directors at Casa Otoñal Inc., Linda S. Kantor, Marcial Cuevas, Carlos Eyzaguirre, Tomás Miranda, Sergio Rodríguez, Dr. Edia Reyes and Ruben Mallma. These are all beautiful people who are giving of themselves for the betterment of others. This is the epitome of service. One would argue, and I do, that this board is a reflection of the community in which it serves and I'm fine with that. But notice, there's no Jelani Jones, Imani Streater or Frank Mohammed on the board. And I'm fine with that also.

Many of the people you enumerated occupied positions for personal aggrandizement and thus, have absolutely no respect in the black community. That's why they're silent on this issue.

At the risk of being redundant, the position you were given by those who were hood-winked into giving it to you and by the elected forces that have systematically ignored the very people who were instrumental in putting them in the very seat they sit, are too responsible for this travesty.

This move by Nemerson the divider, would have never happen in the Jewish community, the Italian community or the Hispanic community, but more of the blame has to fall upon his boss' shoulders.

Now I close with a scripture for you to peruse, 2 Samuel 12:4