West Haven African American Citizen of the Year Freddy Jackson, third from left, is joined by his wife, Miriam Silas Jackson, second from left, as he receives a citation from Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and West Haven Black Heritage Committee Chairman Steven R. Mullins during the 24th annual Black Heritage Celebration at City Hall on Thursday. The cultural event, in honor of Black History Month, is presented by the Black Heritage Committee. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Cultural event celebrates West Haven’s black heritage

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 27, 2020 — The city paid tribute to the proud legacy of African Americans and the immeasurable contributions — courage, imagination and unbeatable determination — they have made to shaping the American nation at the 24th annual Black Heritage Celebration at City Hall on Thursday.

During the cultural event in observance of Black History Month, the city’s Black Heritage Committee cited West Haven High School seniors Esther Boadiwaa Danso and Edward Kruah for leadership and honored Freddy Jackson and the late Teresa S. Blackwell as African American Citizens of the Year.

On behalf of their mother and grandmother, who died of cancer in 2005, Edwin Blackwell and his sons, Eli, 16, and Quincy, 15, accepted a citation from Mayor Nancy R. Rossi recognizing the former city welfare director’s “conviction, integrity and wisdom.”

Jackson, the commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9422, also received a citation from Rossi for his “courageous spirit and inspiring good works.” He was joined onstage by his wife, Miriam Silas Jackson.

Reading the citations, Rossi said: “I am grateful for your pioneering contributions in shaping the fabric of our African American community. Your story, an American story, speaks to the hopes and dreams we all have in common.”

A native of Bennettsville, South Carolina, Blackwell moved to West Haven in the mid-1950s. She later became involved in the city’s Democratic Party and worked on several campaigns, including Azelio M. “Sal” Guerra, who was elected the sixth mayor of Connecticut’s youngest city in December 1985.

Seven months into his inaugural two-year term, Guerra appointed Blackwell as West Haven’s first African American female director of welfare. She led the Welfare Department from Aug. 4, 1986, to Jan. 5, 1990.

After her stint with the city, she served as U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro’s office manager.

Blackwell was a member of the Democratic Town Committee, the Board of Education and the Democratic Women of West Haven. She was also an avid bowler and golfer.

Jackson, 75, an Army veteran who served in Colorado and Korea in 1963-66 during the Vietnam War era, was the ceremonial grand marshal of the city’s 2018 Memorial Day parade.

Born and raised in Opp, Alabama, he came to West Haven with his wife in 1968.

Jackson is a longtime member of Hughson-Miller Post 71 of the American Legion and served as its commander in the early ’90s.

He has also volunteered for many years at the West Haven Veterans Affairs Hospital and is a former girls softball coach.

Jackson and his wife live on York Street and have two adult daughters, Tiffany and Joya, and eight grandchildren.

The hourlong program, held in the Harriet C. North Community Room, included an awards presentation by Rossi and committee Chairman Steven R. Mullins, the master of ceremonies, whose daughter, West Haven High junior Nora E. Mullins, sang a moving rendition of the black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” She was accompanied on the performance by the standing room-only assembly of dignitaries, family, friends and residents.

The ceremony also included a presentation of the colors by the West Haven Police Honor Guard and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Eli and Quincy Blackwell.

Danso, who aims to study mechanical engineering at a university next fall, and Kruah, who also aspires to pursue higher education, received a Black Heritage Committee certificate of achievement from Mullins, who was joined by Rossi, Superintendent of Schools Neil C. Cavallaro and West Haven High Principal Dana Paredes.

Danso is enrolled in Advanced Placement courses, has earned high honors and was named West Haven High’s Student of the Month. Kruah, whose interests are video games, basketball and football, is also enrolled in college-level courses and has earned honors all four years while tackling a challenging workload.

The program featured remarks from Rossi, Cavallaro and 7th District Councilwoman Treneé McGee, the keynote speaker, as well as committee founder Beulah “Bea” Johnson and committee President Emerita Ernestine Jackson.

Rossi thanked the committee for “celebrating West Haven’s African American community.”

McGee focused her speech on the history of black soldiers, including the Tuskegee Airmen of the Army Air Forces’ 332nd Fighter Group and 477th Bombardment Group who fought in World War II, and how they played a significant role in the history of the U.S. military.

After saluting the veterans in the room, she concluded her remarks by empowering the crowd, made up of people from all walks of life, to embrace diversity and “be part of the cultural expansion in our country.”

In honor of the monthlong black history celebration, organizers have decorated the walls of City Hall with banners and posters depicting important black leaders and role models worldwide.

The committee has worked since 1996 to promote racial harmony across West Haven, transforming City Hall into an exhibition of African American art and literature throughout Black History Month to educate residents about black culture.

Edwin Blackwell, center, and his sons, Eli, 16, and Quincy, 15, accept a citation from Mayor Rossi and Black Heritage Committee Chairman Steven R. Mullins on behalf of their mother and grandmother, the late Teresa S. Blackwell, recognizing the former city welfare director as West Haven’s African American Citizen of the Year. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

West Haven High School seniors Esther Boadiwaa Danso and Edward Kruah receive a Black Heritage Committee award for leadership from Chairman Steven R. Mullins as Principal Dana Paredes, left, and Mayor Rossi look on. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Black Heritage Committee Chairman Steven R. Mullins stands at attention as the West Haven Police Honor Guard leads the opening procession. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

West Haven High junior Nora E. Mullins sings “The Star-Spangled Banner.” (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

The Rev. E. Carl Howard, the pastor of the First Congregational Church of West Haven, gives the invocation. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Councilwoman Treneé McGee, D-7, delivers the keynote speech. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Black Heritage Committee founder Beulah “Bea” Johnson, right, and President Emerita Ernestine Jackson give closing remarks. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

“Times Gone By,” a collection of African American art, literature and photographs by Valerie Clinton Bertrand. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Public meeting set for proposed medical waste transfer station

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 27, 2020 — A public information meeting has been scheduled for a proposed medical waste transfer station at 81 Farwell St.

The meeting is set for 7 p.m. March 11 at Carrigan Intermediate School, 2 Tetlow St.

For more information, read the Announcement.

Sidewalk repair program slated for spring

Spring sidewalk repair program set

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 27, 2020 — The Department of Public Works is continuing its sidewalk repair and replacement program this spring.

City sidewalk inspector Ernie Chiarelli recently announced that 372 addresses were reported and inspected last year. Among the addresses, 997 4-by-4-foot concrete sections were replaced and 111 trip hazards were removed by a shaving process to meet guidelines under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act for a total of 1,108 sidewalk hazards corrected, Chiarelli said.

The 2019 sidewalk list has been fully completed, he said, adding, “We are looking forward to spring with the continuation of this program to help make West Haven a better and safer place to live.”

The Public Works Department is able to repair sidewalks damaged by city trees because of funding from a state grant. The grant money is for sidewalk repair and replacement only, Chiarelli said.

City trees are defined as those located between the sidewalk and street curb. Otherwise, it is the owner’s responsibility to repair the sidewalk fronting their property, according to Article 1, Section 1 of the “Streets and Sidewalks” ordinance under Chapter 206 of the West Haven Code.

Anyone who has a sidewalk in need of repair due to a city tree can have their address added to the 2020 inspection list by emailing the Department of Public Works at sidewalks@westhaven-ct.gov or calling 203-937-3585.

Creator of Mounds candy bar cited posthumously

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 14, 2020 — (Pictured): Vincent Nitido Jr., center, receives citations Feb. 14 from state Rep. Charles J. Ferraro and Mayor Nancy R. Rossi honoring his father, the late Vincent Nitido Sr., as a brilliant mind in the industry of candy-making who created the famous Mounds bar 100 years ago.

Nitido Sr., a West Haven resident at the time, introduced the dark chocolate and coconut-filled candy bar in 1920 as a single piece for 5 cents. A century later, his achievement was celebrated by the city he called home.

During a presentation at City Hall, fittingly held on Valentine’s Day, Rossi read the citation to Nitido Jr., saying: “On the centennial of your father’s iconic confectionary invention, the great people of our city join me in admiring his ingenuity in bringing his vision to fruition. We are proud of your father’s inspiring contributions to our local identity. We are also proud of you for preserving his daring legacy and undying spirit for generations to come.”

On behalf of the city’s delegation, Ferraro, R-West Haven, presented Nitido Jr., 85, of Brown Street, with the General Assembly citation in recognition of his father’s milestone. Nitido Sr. died in 1954.

The ceremony was attended by friends and members of the Nitido family.

In 1929, the Peter Paul Candy Manufacturing Co., founded in New Haven in 1919, bought the Mounds line and began production. Candy-makers Cadbury and Peter Paul merged in 1978, and The Hershey Co. purchased the company’s U.S. operations in 1988. Since then, the Mounds bar has been made by Hershey at its headquarters in Hershey, Pa.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Celebrating love

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 14, 2020 — (Pictured): Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, center, joins Dorothy and William McCarthy during the city’s 30th annual Valentine’s Day party at West Haven Elks Lodge 1537 on Feb. 14.

The McCarthys, who have been married for 70 years, were among 28 couples married for at least 50 years who were honored at the two-hour event, presented by the mayor’s office.

Rossi recognized the McCarthys as the event’s oldest couple, presenting them with a bottle of Champagne and a gift-wrapped pendant courtesy of Leslie Jewelers of West Haven. Lou and Maryann Celone, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in May 2019, were recognized as the youngest couple.

All received chocolates, wine glasses and roses, as well as a framed photograph of themselves.

The party included music by the Clam Diggers and lunch provided by Z’s Corner Cafe. It was made possible by D&D Linen Supply and Fitzgerald’s Florist of West Haven and Costco of Milford.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Mayor Rossi recognizes Maryann and Lou Celone, who have been married for 50 years, as the youngest couple. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

They do!

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 14, 2020 — (Pictured): Newlyweds Stefanie Kavanagh and Jason Paul Carasone, center, are joined by, from left, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, Justice of the Peace Rosa Richardson and City Clerk Patricia C. Horvath at City Hall on Feb. 14.

Kavanagh and Carasone were among seven city couples united in matrimony on Valentine’s Day as part of an annual service sponsored by the city clerk’s office, which offers free weddings to the first seven couples who apply for marriage licenses at City Hall.

The weddings, performed by a justice of the peace, took place hourly.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Marchers sought for Memorial Day parade; applications due April 10

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 10, 2020 — The city is seeking veterans, civic groups, fraternal organizations, service clubs and marching bands to participate in the annual Memorial Day parade, which steps off at 10:30 a.m. May 25.

The parade has no rain date.

Participants must register and list required special accommodations.

Transportation is provided for veterans who are unable to walk the 1 ½-mile parade course, which follows Campbell Avenue from Captain Thomas Boulevard to Center Street. To make arrangements, call the mayor’s office at 203-937-3510.

The parade grand marshals are World War II veteran Frank Corso, who served in the Army Air Forces in 1942-45, and Korean War vet Salvatore Gullo, who served in the Navy in 1948-52.

Download a Participation Form.

Forms are also available in the mayor’s office at City Hall, 355 Main St., where they are due April 10.

Forms can also be emailed to parade organizer Kristen Teshoney at kteshoney@westhaven-ct.gov or faxed to 203-937-3705.