On Sunday, September 6th, our team went out around the Hartford community to inform as many people as possible about the census along with handing out some awesome census gear.
Prior to that we went on facebook live with Jackie Santiago of CEO of Compass Youth Collaborative and NALEO to discuss the importance of the Census.
TEMPORARY HOUSING RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
In July, the State of Connecticut launched a program to aid CT residents impacted by COVID-19. If you or anyone you know is looking for assistance in paying rent look through the steps and share with your community.
COUNCILMAN JOSH MICHTOM: CITY VEHICLE ORDINANCE
Councilman Josh Michtom recently submitted an ordinance regarding the use of city owned vehicles. The Ordinance calls for more transparency with department heads’ use of city vehicle. This is in light of the recent accidents involving Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody.
SHOUTOUT TO ESSENTIAL WORKERS
On September 11th, Councilwoman Wildaliz Bermudez gave a speech at Saint Francis Hospital showing appreciation to all the of essential workers who have worked tirelessly over the past several months to aid Connecticut and the city of Hartford through COVID-19.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S DAY RESOLUTION
In August, our team introduced a resolution to make Indigenous Peoples’ Day a holiday, removing the recognition of Columbus Day as a holiday for the city of Hartford. Below is our press release:
HARTFORD CITY COUNCIL BUDGET HEARING: WHAT HAPPENED?
Here’s what happened when Hartford City Council had to vote on Mayor Luke Bronin’s proposed budget for the City of Hartford during June of 2020. This is a re-cap, by City Councilor Bermudez, Working Families Party Council member- on the Top 7 Budget Items that were egregious, yet actually did occur while approving a new city budget (for Fiscal Year 2021).
JUNETEENTH PROTEST: BUSHNELL PARK
Photo by Jasmine Jones at Connecticut State Capital
On Friday, June 19th, a team of 10 young individuals from Hartford and Hartford County, Black America Undivided, put together a powerfully massive march. With speakers, performances and tables with information from voting registration to black owned businesses in the state.
This group also met with the mayor on Monday, June 22nd to go through their list of demands for the city of Hartford and statewide.
Prior to the BAU (Black America Undivided) meeting, another group, Black Lives Matter 860 also met with the mayor to discuss steps to take to restore and uplift the black community of Hartford.
You can follow both groups on facebook for more information about their organizations and the events of the meetings at BA Undividedand Black Lives Matter 860.
Below is a list of free COVID-19 testing sights. For these sights you DO NOT need to have any symptoms or be from a specific area of the state. They are free to everyone.
SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL – 1000 Asylum Avenue – Monday to Saturday starting at 9am – CALL 888-786-2790
CVS PHARMACY – 479 BLUE HILLS AVENUE – 150 WASHINGTON STREET – Visit CVS.com to make an appointment – Drive Through Only – Call 311 for a ride once appointment is confirmed
CHARTER OAK HEALTH CENTER – 21 GRAND STREET – MONDAY – FRIDAY (8:30am to 5:00pm) – CALL 860-550-7500
INTERCOMMUNITY, INC. – 16 COVENTRY STREET – MONDAY – FRIDAY (1pm – 3pm) – CALL 860-569-5900 – NO APPOINTMENT REQUIRED/WALK UP & DRIVE THROUGH
WHEELER CLINIC HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER – 43/49 WOODLAND STREET – CALL 860-793-3500
COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES – FOR CURRENT CHS PATIENTS ONLY – 500 ALBANY AVENUE – MONDAY – THURSDAY (8:30am – 4:30pm) – FRIDAY (9:30am – 4:30pm) – CALL 860-249-9625 – APPOINTMENT REQUIRED
WHAT IS IT? First established in 2020, the Families Facing Deportation Fund (FFDF) is a small amount of money set aside by the city to help Hartford residents that are going through deportation cases meet their financial needs.
WHO QUALIFIES FOR ASSISTANCE?
individuals with a final deportation order from an immigration judge or board of immigration appeals and their families
people who are in immigration detention and their families
people with open immigration cases but no work permit
WHAT CAN THE FUNDS BE USED FOR?
Court & Application Fees, Legal Representation/Attorney’s Fee, Rent or Housing, Food, Utilities, Transportation to court or important appointments, Child Care and Medical Needs
WILL THIS PROGRAM CONTINUE?
Yes! But we need your help. The funds set aside for the budget for the first year were all allocated in less than 2 months. We need the Hartford community to show up and advocate to their city government in support of continuing and expanding the Families Facing Deportation Fund.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED:
Contact Hartford Deportation Defense at HartfordFFDF@gmail.com or The Office of Councilwoman Wildaliz Bermudez at Renato.MuguerzaCalle@hartford.gov
HARTFORD REOPENING: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
On May 20, 2020 the City of Hartford began to reopen to the public. For the first couple of weeks; restaurants, retail offices, museums, zoos and outdoor recreation spaces will be able to open as long as the follow specific rules. What are these specific rules?
The state of Connecticut reopening is set for 3 phases. Phase one, is opening all restaurants, non-essential retail offices, museums, zoos and outdoor recreation spaces such as parks.
Then June 1st, which is still part of phase one, will be the re-opening of barbershops and solans.
Phase two, which is happening around the end of June; will open up gyms, sports clubs, outdoor art and entertainment spaces with a cut off of 50 people per space, amusement parks, theaters, bowling alleys, pools, zoos and more. This includes the inside dining of restaurants but not their bars.
The final phase, phase three, will be the re-opening of bars, indoor event spaces, indoor amusement parks, arcades and outdoor events with a capacity no more than 100 people.
SOMETHING NEW! IN THE NEWS
We have a new section on our website! Click here to take a look at our IN THE NEWS SECTION!
INTRODUCED BY:Court of Common CouncilCity of Hartford June 8, 2020
Mayor Luke A. Bronin
Council President Maly D. Rosado
Majority Leader Thomas J. Clarke II
Councilman James Sanchez
Councilwoman Marilyn Rossetti
Councilman Nick Lebron
Councilwoman Shirley Surgeon
Councilman John Gale
Councilwoman Wildaliz Bermúdez
x
Councilman Joshua Michtom
x
FINANCIAL RESOLUTION WFP # 6
RESOLVED, That the Mayor’s Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 be amended to reflect a DECREASE of $196,696.50 from Hartford Police Department’s Career Development Budget (Item #212039); and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor’s Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 be amended to reflect an INCREASE of $196,696.50 to the Department of Public Works for increased training for street service workers.
RESOLVED, That the Mayor’s Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 be amended to reflect a DECREASE of $224,539.80 from Hartford Police Department’s Traffic Division (Item #212032); and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor’s Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 be amended to reflect an INCREASE of $224,539.80 to Development Services for increased hiring of housing inspectors.
RESOLVED, That the Mayor’s Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 be amended to reflect a DECREASE of $358,671.75 from Hartford Police Department’s Headquarters Budget (Item #212027); and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor’s Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 be amended to reflect a DECREASE of $1,154,934 from Hartford Police Department’s Detention Budget (Item #212030); and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor’s Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 be amended to reflect an INCREASE of $1,513,605.75 to the Department of Children, Youth, Family, and Recreation for the creation or expansion of Early Childhood Centers.
RESOLVED, That the Mayor’s Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 be amended to reflect a DECREASE of $1,558,341.25 from Hartford Police Department’s North District (Item #212023); and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor’s Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 be amended to reflect a DECREASE of $1,666,553.50 from Hartford Police Department’s South District (Item #212025); and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor’s Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 be amended to reflect a reallocation of $3,224,894.75 to the Education budget for investment in technology for the students and teachers of Hartford Public Schools.
A MESSAGE FROM THE WORKING FAMILIES PARTY COUNCIL MEMBERS WILDALIZ BERMUDEZ & JOSHUA MICHTOM
Dear friends,
These are challenging times. Hartford now has 663 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 55 untimely deaths and that number will obviously grow after today. We send our deepest condolences to the loved ones of those we have lost.
Without a doubt our daily lives have changed, but one thing that remains constant is our focus on staying connected! Which is why we would like to keep you informed on the most timely news impacting our community.
There are a number of important announcements and resources that we would like to share with you below:
Gov. Lamont issued an Executive Order to help renters. This wouldn’t happen without Councilman Josh Michtom organizing support from other elected officials who helped advocate for the passage of this legislation.
To learn more about our newest page, click here! We’ve received questions on policies passed at the city, state and federal level during COVID-19 and how it impacts you directly!
Can you give during this time of need? Venmo @Mutualaidhartford and/or donate to Foodshare who strongly welcome assistance to help our most vulnerable Hartford residents. For additional local listings, click here.
IN THE NEWS
PARKING RESOLUTION: During COVID-19
We introduced (City Council unanimously passed) legislation to help ease the burden on Hartford residents, particularly those who live in high density apartments, needing additional access to residential parking. If you can’t find parking? Below is the list of “Blue Light Lots” available for residents.
All Hartford Public Schools Parking Lots are also available here: http://bit.ly/2y8NpzP
SOCIAL MEDIA LIVESTREAMS
This month we went live on both Facebook and Instagram to give updates on what we have been working on and to answer community questions. Let us know what you think! Should we go live more often? Email Madyson.Frame@hartford.gov to let us know!
We introduced a second successful resolution, in support of the cleaning workers from Nassau Reinsurance Group that were recently notified that they would be replaced with a non-union contractor. Our resolution stood in favor of the workers, members of 32BJ, and took a stance against any good jobs in our city being replaced with poverty-level jobs.
A MESSAGE FROM THE WORKING FAMILIES PARTY COUNCIL MEMBERS WILDALIZ BERMUDEZ & JOSH MICHTOM
Dear Hartford Community,
It has been a busy couple of weeks! During this time, we’ve organized state elected officials to introduce state legislation to prevent Connecticut tenants from being evicted due to the Coronavirus. We’ve been your vocal advocates calling for a transparent process in Hartford’s Police Chief appointment, provided testimony at the state capitol to support our working class residents and we received calls of families arriving from Puerto Rico due to earthquakes.
We are committed to strengthening our City by actively collaborating with all of you!
There are a number of important announcements below, that we’d like to share with you including information on the:
Postponement of our Wednesday, March 18th, 6:00pm, Community Listening Session due to public health precautions
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) information
In solidarity,
-Wildaliz Bermudez “Wiz” & Josh Michtom
Hartford Working Family Party (WFP)
City Councilmembers
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
The City of Hartford has issued the following regarding COVOID-19
Congressman John Larson is having a Teleconference on March 12th, 7PM EST, with information on COVID-19. Dial: 855.962.0972 to join the call (no passcode needed)
School Closure Announcement by Hartford Public Schools:Read More Here!
Councilman Josh Michtom is heading an effort organizing state elected officials to introduce state legislation to prevent CT tenants from being evicted due to COVID-19.
FIRST MONTH ON THE JOB AS CITY COUNCIL (A LOOK AT HARTFORD)
A MESSAGE FROM THE WORKING FAMILIES PARTY COUNCIL MEMBERS WILDALIZ BERMUDEZ AND JOSH MICHTOM
Dear Hartford Community,
It’s been one month since we were sworn in as Hartford City Council members. Here’s a look at what we’ve done and what we’re interested in doing.
So far, there have been two Council meetings, at which, among other things, we selected the committees we’ll sit on. We rolled out the Hartford Families Facing Deportation Fund (FFDF), becoming the first in our state to create special assistance for the entire family of someone facing ICE enforcement. We submitted legislation calling for community input in the appointment process for Hartford’s next Police Chief and met with CT Emerge to implement a work program in Hartford for those who have experienced incarceration and homelessness.
We have a lot of work ahead of us and look forward to serving you so that we can ensure all our residents can thrive, no matter where they live.
We are committed to transparent communication and need your help to get there. Pleas be on the lookout this month as we welcome your input on a survey we are preparing to help guide us on what your top concerns and suggestions are for our city.
In solidarity,
Wildaliz Bermudez “Wiz” & Josh Michtom
Hartford Working Family Party (WFP)
City Council members
IN THE NEWS…
Requesting Open Process for Selection of Hartford Police Chief
(Photos by Jon Olson-special to the Courant) (Jonathan Olson / Special to the Courant)
