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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His forthcoming Rise To Greatness project is a memoir laden with 17 years of ups and downs, while figuring out his personal endeavors and end goal. The stories contained are candid and do not waver as he portrays the good and bad in life and in business. Touching on pain, and personal tragedy Billionaire Burke has granted an all-access pass into his brand.“I know that I can serve as a role model and show kids that there are other options than the streets. My influence goes beyond the music. I’m giving “game” to these young kids on the project as well.”Born and Raised in East Harlem, Billionaire Burke is a creative individual currently making a name for himself amongst tastemakers and the biggest influencers in the Hip Hop game today. Inspired to do music at the youthful age of 13, Burke was introduced to a variety of genres which included Soul and Jazz as well as others including his beloved Hip Hop genre where he was keen on the craftsmanship of legendary figures such as Biggie Smalls and iconic duo Mobb Deep."Mobb Deep and Biggie for me were the epitome of an ability to capture the essence of the city. The grit, the reality, and everything in between. Their story-telling was incomparable” – adds Burke.His initial foray into the business, was as an executive lending his understanding of the culture of impeccable work ethic to the development of artists. Helping a pool of talent, under his imprint, Burke has become a respected figure in the entertainment industry. In recent times, his creative juices have been flowing which has led him back to the mic coming back to the forefront as the multi-faceted individual that is. Not your average artist, Billionaire Burke's sonic identity is built on a wealth of experience in life, and on both sides of the spectrum musically as mogul and creator.His growing pains are well documented, as Burke has persevered through a life in the streets that has produced the consequence of multiple prison stints. His last trek of 5 years was the absolute turning point where he has taken to shooting his shot at success on a greater level than even before. With the backing of his manager Enrique Colon, and support of his record label team, Billionaire Burke seeks to play his part in the driving force that is Hip Hop all the while presenting as an example of redemption to the young minds who can relate to his out-put. In the future, Burke foresees his imprint as a guiding tool that specializes in artist development, business reconciliation, talent management and a home of record-breaking talent globally.![[Single] Yasmin Ray “Dreams”](https://streetsonpoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/dreams.jpg)
Yasmin Ray was born & raised in Vancouver, BC has had stardom in her stars since day one. Growing up, her father was a vocal coach and a praise team leader, which heavily influenced Yasmin early on in life. However, given that she was very shy as a child, it wasn’t until she was in high school that she decided to work towards learning more about herself by tapping into her creative passions & gifts.Completely independent and determined, she traveled to Atlanta to work with top shelf producers to craft her vision. With their guidance and belief in her voice and style, they created her 5 song EP called “Blank Canvas” and “Wishful Thinking” being her first single. As her growth is limitless, Yasmin is determined to make her sound as fresh as the flowers that represent her name.Steadily working on her craft, in alignment to her truth as a woman and an artist, she hopes to inspire and heal others, using her life as a vessel for positive change . Yasmin’s fearless dedication to her vision brought her to Atlanta, Georgia where she recorded her first EP entitled “Blank Canvas”, embarking on her journey as an artist.Now with the release of “Dreams” she has most definitely come into her own, this soft and sweet, soulful track has dep and moving groove, hooks that hold you and a beat that keeps in time with a loving heart. Lyrically strong, it is an emotionally strong piece of work, highlighting her natural talents and musical strengths. Like her name, Yasmin is a “Ray” of light that shines brightly and shows that she has the staying power to make it is a musical genre filled with heavy hitters, she is a fighter and contender for the title, true talent streams from this artist.
