MAYOR HARP SUSPENDS RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN DESPITE INCLINATION – AND PASSIONATE EXHORTATIONS – TO CONTINUE

WILL FOCUS ON PROJECT COMPLETION FOR DURATION OF TERM

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp said today she has suspended her campaign for re-election despite some inclination – and repeated and passionate pleadings from supporters – to continue.

The city’s November ballot will include Mayor Harp’s name – on the Working Families Party (WFP) line – so voters have an opportunity to vote for the mayor at that time, but there will be no active effort to seek voter support between now and November 5.

A lifelong Democrat, Mayor Harp said she was honored by July’s overwhelming endorsement at the New Haven Democratic Town Committee’s convention, pleased last month by the WFP nomination, and grateful for continuing affirmation of her successful, six-years’ record leading the city.

“I’ve been blessed – and remain grateful – for enthusiastic assistance from thousands and thousands of supporters, contributors, and voters and it’s been my good fortune – literally – to have the opportunity I’ve had to be mayor these past nearly six years,” Mayor Harp said. “We’ve worked together to advance this city well beyond where it was six years ago and among so many accomplishments, I’m most proud of the partnerships and collaborations at the heart of them.”

Mayor Harp cited a most-impressive list of citywide improvements over six years, beginning with the removal of an ominous fence separating New Haven from Hamden, arranging for clean-up of the old English Station power plant, the restored College Street Music Hall, the new police department indoor firing range, the renovated Ralph Walker skating rink, the new Fort Hale Park fishing pier, development plans for Long Wharf, a refurbished Food Truck Paradise and new, two-way bike lane there, renovations at the Ives Main Branch – and other improvements throughout the public library system, the overhauled Coogan Pavilion in Edgewood Park, creation of a new Cherry Ann Park with its new gazebo, demolition of the Church Street South housing complex ahead of more transit-oriented, mixed use on that parcel, steady progress on the major Downtown Crossing and Hill-to-Downtown redevelopment projects, the District innovation and technology hub in East Rock, the bioscience career ladder in partnership with SCSU, the ESUMS campus at UNH, the Gateway to College high school completion program at Gateway Community College, the Hillhouse High School academies, the small business academy and financial empowerment program for adults, and steady progress toward a worker-owned, commercial laundry facility in Newhallville.

Mayor Harp said that despite these and other achievements, a balanced budget and improved city finances, lower crime rates, the eminently successful Youth Stat program, improved outcomes at New Haven Public Schools, and robust private-sector development throughout the city, the compromised political climate and daunting financial and operational logistics of a continuing campaign make prospects remote for a successful outcome.

“On one hand it’s completely counter-intuitive to walk away from all this progress and allow coalitions to be shattered that’ve been irrefutably successful, yet on the other hand there are simply too many practical considerations and obstacles to overcome for my team to effectively campaign for another term,” Mayor Harp said.

Mayor Harp said with a new firefighter labor contract pending before the Board of Alders, the next phase of Downtown Crossing just underway, construction of the Q House started, Yale New Haven Health’s $838 million neuroscience center ramping up, and a full fall schedule still pending, it’s most important to pursue her duties as mayor and continue advancing the city’s fortunes.

Mayor Harp restated and underscored her appreciation and gratitude for the generous contribution of time and effort from supporters these past many months, and over many years.

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UFC FIGHT PASS^®AND CES BOXING REACH STREAMING DEAL

First Event to Livestream on Friday, October 11 at 9 P.M. ET / 6 P.M. PT

PROVIDENCE, RI and LAS VEGAS – UFC FIGHT PASS^®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, and CES Boxing today announced a three-event deal in which UFC FIGHT PASS will be the exclusive streaming provider for CES Boxing events for the remainder of 2019.

CES Boxing closes out the 2019 schedule with a dynamic UFC FIGHT PASS tripleheader, spanning three cities in the course of 58 days. The first event will take place on Friday, October 11, at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, followed by events on Saturday, November 23 at Twin River Casino Hotel in Lincoln, R.I., and Saturday, December 7, at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.

“This is the future of boxing,” CES President and CEO Jimmy Burchfield Sr. said. “For the past 27 years, we’ve showcased our fights and fighters to a worldwide audience on various platforms. UFC FIGHT PASS has provided our MMA division with limitless opportunities and exposure, and now we’re proud to bring our boxing content to the forefront and show everyone why we’ve been the best in the business for nearly three decades.”

For their UFC FIGHT PASS debut on October 11, CES Boxing has lined up former two-time world champion and pound-for-pound king “Bad” Chad Dawson against Russian challenger Denis Grachev for the vacant WBC USNBC Light Heavyweight Title. This stacked card also includes super welterweight Jimmy Williams of New Haven, Conn., facing Tilton, N.H., veteran Jose Medina; unbeaten Springfield, Mass., welterweight Anthony Velazquez; Hartford lightweight Sharad Collier; and New Britain, Conn., featherweight Nathan Martinez. The main card streams live at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

On November 23, CES Boxing returns to Twin River Casino in Rhode Island with a card that packs an equally-powerful punch. The event will feature the return of reigning WBC World Youth Lightweight Champion Jamaine Ortiz of Worcester, Mass., who defended his belt for the first time in August with an impressive win over Romain Couture. Also on the card is unbeaten Providence, R.I., lightweight Michael Valentin facing undefeated Springfield prospect Joshua Orta; featherweight Ricky De Los Santos of Pawtucket, R.I.; undefeated welterweight Victor Reynoso of Providence; super lightweight Nick DeLomba of Cranston, R.I.; and Wilson Mascarenhas of New Bedford, Mass. The main card streams live at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.

The tripleheader concludes on December 7, at Foxwoods Resort and Casino with a special matinee show time. The fight card will be announced. The main card will stream live at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT.

Ticketing and information is available online at CESBoxing.com or by calling the CES Box Office at 401-724-2254.

To sign up now, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com

INFORMATION 

CES Boxingpromoted its first event in 1992 headlined by future Champion Sucra Ray Oliveira. Over the years, CES has earned the reputation as the Heart and Soul of boxing with a rich history that includes the development of former U.S. Olympian Jason Estrada, plus Vinny Paz and Rhode Island legends Gary Balletto and Peter Manfredo Jr., both of whom rose to fame on The Contender reality television series. Through the years, Jimmy Burchfield Sr has earned several noteworthy awards, among them the NABF Promoter of the Year, and 2011 inductee into the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame. 

Website: cesboxing.com 

Twitter: @CESBOXING   

Instagram: @CESBOXING

Facebook: /CESBOXING 

UFC FIGHT PASS^®is the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. Since launching in 2013, FIGHT PASS is now available in more than 200 countries and territories. FIGHT PASS provides its members with unlimited access to live UFC FIGHT PASS Prelims; live mixed martial arts and combat sports from around the world; original series and historical programming; special features; behind-the-scenes content; in-depth interviews; and up-to-the minute reports on the world of combat sports. FIGHT PASS subscribers also have 24/7 access to the world’s largest fight library, featuring more than 17,000 bouts from dozens of combats sports organizations, as well as every fight in UFC history. Fight fans can access FIGHT PASS on personal computers, iOS and Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, and Sony TVs with Android TV. For more information, please visit https://www.ufcfightpass.com

Website: ufcfightpass.com  

Twitter: @UFCFightPass   

Instagram: @UFCFightPass

Facebook: /UFCFightPass  

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MAYOR HARP, NHPD, RESIDENTS TO SALUTE, CELEBRATE CITY’S NEW CHIEF OF POLICE

AT CITY HALL CEREMONY MONDAY 

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp, members of the New Haven Police Department, police commissioners, other city and state officials, and city residents will be on hand Monday afternoon September 9 for the swearing-in of Chief of Police Otoniel Reyes.

Chief Reyes was born and raised in New Haven, earned a Bachelor’s degree from Albertus Magnus College, and earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of New Haven.

A 19-year veteran of the NHPD, Reyes served as Interim Chief of Police since March.

In June, Mayor Harp appointed Chief Reyes to the position full-time; the New Haven Board of Alders unanimously approved the appointment last week.

Monday’s swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. in the first floor atrium of City Hall – 165 Church Street – in New Haven. 

Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka give emotional joint postmatch interview | 2019 US Open

MAYOR HARP, NHPS SUPERINTENDENT BIRKS WILL WELCOME LINCOLN-BASSETT STUDENTS THURSDAY FOR FIRST DAY OF NEW SCHOOL YEAR

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp and New Haven Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Carol Birks will ride the bus and greet students at the Lincoln-Bassett School first-thing tomorrow morning to welcome them back to class for the 2019-20 school year.

Mayor Harp and Dr. Birks are scheduled to arrive by school bus at about 8:15 a.m. and will be joined by other school officials and community leaders at that time to welcome returning students. Lincoln-Bassett School is at 130 Bassett Street in New Haven

MAYOR HARP’S REMINDER: CITY HALL WILL HOST AMAZON JOB FAIR FRIDAY, FROM 9:00 – 5:00

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp today offered city residents a reminder about Friday’s City Hall job fair, at which Amazon will look to fill hundreds of jobs at its new North Haven facility.

Friday’s Amazon job fair in the atrium at City Hall – 165 Church Street – in New Haven will run from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Those interested are invited to visit http://amazon.com/conecticutjobs for more information.

Mayor Harp said the main branch of the New Haven Free Public Librarty system also hosted Amazon hiring events, on July 10, 15, and 23.

Cathy Graves, a deputy director of the city’s economic development department, said Amazon has to date hired about 1,000 workers to staff its new facility and that about 60 percent of those workers are from the New Haven area.

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Mayor Nan Whaley

101 W. 3rd Street

Dayton, Ohio 45402

Dear Mayor Whaley,

I write with heartfelt condolences after the violent, arbitrary trauma inflicted on your city this past weekend. Please accept my sincere wishes for a slow, steady return to a calm, peaceful balance; please remember the passage of time can heal the most egregious wounds and restore even the most crushing soul-sickness.

As the mayor of a vibrant urban center myself, and as a former president of the African-American Mayors Association, I know first-hand the horror of gun violence and its toll on American cities. I was also a state Senator in 2012 when 27 innocent lives were taken in Connecticut at the Sandy Hook Elementary School by a man using weapons meant for war.

I have a visceral memory of the shock, disbelief, and utter despair you must be experiencing this week. No community should find itself in the crosshairs of someone’s evil intent; no jurisdiction should be held hostage by the specter of gun violence and the artificial bravado guns promote among some people.

In the wake of the Sandy Hook massacre in 2012 Connecticut was resolved to address the violence associated with this nation’s stubborn gun culture. An overwhelming, bipartisan majority of legislators enacted Public Act No.13-3: An Act Concerning Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety (https://www.cga.ct.gov/2013/ACT/PA/2013PA-00003-R00SB-01160-PA.htm).

I send this link respectful of the calamitous loss of life and resulting state of mourning in your community. At the same time, I send it hopeful that from the bitter ashes of this tragedy a cooperative resolve will emerge in your state to address the proliferation of guns and gun violence in this nation.

Please let me know if and how the people of New Haven and I can be helpful to your city.

Sincerely,

Toni N. Harp

Mayor – City of New Haven

cc: Governor Mike DeWine

Attorney General Dave

New Haven | The New Haven Police Department (NHPD) has been working with other city departments and event organizers in planning for the August 10, 2019, New Haven Puerto Rican Festival. NHPD has learned of a recent social media comment which has created concerns about this weekend’s event.

Police Chief Otoniel Reyes said, “I am aware of the comment that was posted on social media referencing the Puerto Rican Festival on Saturday and have launched a full investigation.  We are working closely with our Federal, State and local partners, as we do for all major events, and have not identified any threat to the event.  I encourage everyone to come out with their families to enjoy Saturday’s festivities on the New Haven Green.  The NHPD looks forward to sharing in the celebration and will be working alongside our partners to ensure everyone at the event has a safe and enjoyable experience

CITY TO HOST INTERFAITH SERVICE DAY THURSDAY: CHRISTIANS, JEWS, MUSLIMS TO GATHER ON GREEN AFTER COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS

MAYOR HARP TO GREET TEENS, PROMOTE PEACE

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp will be among those greeting visiting teenagers participating in Thursday’s Interfaith Service Day in the city. Jewish, Muslim, and Christian young people from Israel, Palestine, and the U.S. will be together to celebrate mutual respect, tolerance, and a willingness to work together to the benefit of the New Haven community.

Mayor Harp will visit with these young people on the New Haven Green, across Elm Street from the Ives Main Branch of the New Haven Free Public Library, at 12:45 p.m.

Service projects to be tackled Thursday morning are in the following categories, should press outlets choose to attend any of these ahead-of-time:

• Sacred Cemetery: Care and Restoration
• Habitat for Humanity: Housing Construction
• Save the Sound: Beach Cleanup
• Meal preparation and distribution
• Peace Billboard Painting on New Haven Green
• Masjid Al Islam
• Christian Community Action

Local clergy members Rabbi Brian Immerman, from Congregation Mishkan Israel Hamden, Imam Omer Bajwa, a Yale Chaplin, Father Stephen Holton, from Christ Episcopal Church in New Haven; Reverend Bonita Grubbs, from New Haven’s Christian Community Action, Bruce A. Barrett, from IWagePeace.Org, and the Rev. Nicholas Porter, from JerusalemPeacebuilders.org will oversee tomorrow’s activities.

Financial support is provided by Barrett Outdoor Communications, Inc. and IWagePeace, Inc.

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THE City of New Haven,Ct and MICROSOFT,ZAMMO.AI TO HOST 5^THANNUAL DIGI-CAMP FOR STUDENTS, THIS YEAR FEATURING ‘AI’ WITH VOICE RECOGNITION

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp today announced the city’s 5^th annual digi-camp for young people, scheduled from Tuesday, August 13 through Thursday, August 15. The City of New Haven hosts the event; Microsoft and Zammo.ai are co-sponsors of the three-day coding and computer technology intensive, to be held inside the city’s Hall of Records at 200 Orange Street.

Each year the camp helps young people become familiar with many innovative computer experiences. This year, artificial intelligence (AI), featuring voice recognition will be featured.

New Haven’s partnerships with Microsoft and Zammo.ai, manifest in this year’s Digi Camp, advance Mayor Harp’s vision – and the work of her administration – toward digital inclusion, closing the computer science gap, and promoting the value of STEM careers among young people in the city.

“Microsoft hosts DigiCamps to help inspire tomorrow’s technology leaders and show them what careers in STEM can look like,” said Dana Barnes, Vice President, Microsoft State & Local Government. “We are grateful to partner with the City of New Haven to help advance their Digital Inclusion Plan and expose high school students participating in this year’s DigiCamp to essential digital skills.”

It’s been reported that fewer than 40% of public schools in the U.S. teach computer science or programming skills, yet there are said to be 500,000 high-paying tech jobs currently available in the U.S. for people with this skillset.

Enrollment for this year’s Microsoft Digi Camp is open to students in grades 8 – 12. Enrollment is free but capped; at this writing a few vacancies remain. The camp will run from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.; breakfast and lunch will be provided to those accepted.

“Zammo.ai is supporting Mayor Harp's Digital Inclusion Plan by training students how to build voice applications for Alexa, Google and Cortana using the Zammo Enterprise Platform," said CEO Alex Farr. "Who knows, after the camp, perhaps a few entrepreneurial students will launch a business creating voice apps to get other businesses on voice?"

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Gunfire Investigation & Arrest On Tuesday, August 6, 2019, at about 9:18 p.m., New Haven Police responded to a ShotSpotter activation in the area of Huntington Street and Shepard Street in the Newhallville neighborhood. Arriving officers and detectives found evidence of gunfire and developed information about a suspect vehicle. A short time later, NHPD patrol officers spotted the suspect vehicle being operated in a parking lot of a Quinnipiac Avenue apartment complex. Officers were able to stop the vehicle. When officers conducted a felony traffic stop and ordered the vehicle operator to step out of the vehicle, Mark Washington exited the vehicle with a handgun in his hand. As a small crowd of onlookers from the apartment complex gathered to watch, Washington handed the firearm to his family member Jerraya Prince who officers believe attempted to conceal the weapon. Officers were able to safely detain Washington and Prince. Officers seized the handgun without further incident. The weapon had been reported as stolen. As a result of the investigation, investigators impounded the suspect vehicle, seized evidence, and charged Washington and Prince for their involvement in the traffic stop incident. The Newhallville gunfire investigation is ongoing. New Haven Police Department Patrol Commander Lieutenant Mark O’Neil said, “The officers did a great job all around responding to the report of gunshots and providing the suspect vehicle information to other officers. The adjoining district officers who located the suspect vehicle showed great restraint and professionalism while dealing with a chaotic scene. An armed suspect was taken into police custody without injury.” NHPD Shift Commander Lieutenant Stephan Torquati added, “I want to commend officers Nicholas Pates, David Santiago, Monique Moore, and Jawan Haddock for speaking with members of the community and getting accurate information to their fellow officers. Additionally, Officers Brandon Way and Donald White took the lead on the safe apprehension of the suspect.” Mark Washington 18 year old New Haven resident and motor vehicle operator Washington is charged with the following: Carrying a pistol without a permit Weapon in a motor vehicle Theft of a firearm Interfering with a police officer Narcotics charges Jerraya Prince 38 year old New Haven resident Jerryaya Prince is charged with the following: Carrying a pistol without a permit Theft of a firearm Interfering with a police officer Washington and Prince were held overnight at the NHPD detention facility. Washington with a $200,000 bond and Prince with a $50,000 bond were due to be arraigned today in New Haven court. Anyone with information about the gunfire is asked to call the New Haven Police Department Detective Bureau at 203-946-6304.

MAYOR HARP TO PRESIDE AT GRAND OPENING OF HOPE FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER MONDAY AT 1:00

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp will preside Monday afternoon at the grand opening of the HOPE Family Justice Center, a one-stop, comprehensive clearinghouse for those affected by domestic violence.

A ceremonial ribbon-cutting is planned at 142 Temple Street in New Haven; the program is scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m.

Efforts by Mayor Harp, New Haven police officials, non-profit providers, and other partners to address domestic violence in the city complement community-based policing, ShotSpotter, body-worn police cameras, other technology, YouthStat, and other innovative programs to effectively combat violent crime in New Haven.

MAYOR HARP, CITY OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE NEW DATE, LOCATION FOR PLANNED CB3B CONCERT

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp announced today new arrangements for the CB3B concert originally planned for August 3. Mayor Harp said officials from a half-dozen city departments have new details for the event now set to take place at 6:00 p.m. on August 15 at the Floyd Little Athletic Center.

The performers scheduled to entertain that evening remain the same: the event will honor New Haven’s own Troy Taylor and feature musical guests PnB Rock, Sammie, Avery Wilson, and some local New Haven talent as well.

This event is a free, ticketed, general admission event with limited seating. Free tickets for this event can be obtained via Eventbrite at the following link:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-haven-ysd-presents-free-concert-with-pnb-rock-sammie-and-avery-wilson-tickets-66958916923?aff=affiliate1. No one will be admitted without a ticket; those under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Concert goers are asked to arrive at the venue early with an electronic ticket ready to be scanned – doors will open at 4:30 p.m. All ticketed attendees will be required to pass through a security checkpoint upon entering the facility; no leaving and re-entry will be permitted. No hoodies or bags will be allowed into the facility and the security staff reserves the right to deny anyone access into the venue for any reason.

Pick up and drop off for those receiving rides to the show will be at the corner of Sherman and Henry streets. Those driving to the event are encouraged to carpool.

And as a reminder, Floyd Little Athletic Center policy prohibits outside food or beverages; none will be allowed into the facility.

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Thursday, July 25, 2019

Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Homicide Unit are conducting a homicide investigation in the 7100 block of Barrington Drive in the North Tryon Division.  The call for service came in at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 25, 2019. 

North Tryon Division Officers responded to an assault with a deadly weapon call for service.  Upon arrival, officers located a male with a gunshot wound in the parking lot of an apartment complex.   The victim was transported to Atrium Health Carolina’s Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased by hospital staff.  An additional male victim later showed up at Atrium Health University City with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.  The deceased victim’s identity will be released pending family notification.  At this time, the relationship between the two victims is unknown.

Detectives with the Homicide Unit responded to the scene and are currently canvassing the area to determine whether there are any additional witnesses to this incident. 

Crime Scene Search has responded to the call for service to process the scene and collect physical evidence.  Representatives of the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Homicide Prosecution Team, Victim Services, RTCC, Medic, CFD and Operations Command responded to the scene. 

This is an ongoing, active investigation.  As further information develops it will be released by CMPD Public Affairs.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit Detective.  Detective Overman is the lead detective assigned to the case.  The public can also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or visit the Crime Stoppers website at http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/.    For additional information about this incident please refer to report numbers 2019-0725-213001.