Kudos to Career Robotics Team

Monday, we meet a robot, as the robotics team from Hill Regional Career High School comes to City Hall to be honored for winning the Northeast competition of FIRST, (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). The question now is: can this robot stand up to 500 robotic teams across the U.S.? The team needs some serious fundraising help to go on to the 2007 FIRST Championship April 12, 13 and 14 in the Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA. Several thousand dollars have already been raised with the help of Claudia Merson of Yale and United Illuminating but the team still needs capital to pay for the trip. Congratulations, Career, we are proud of you!

Standing up to predatory lending

Also Monday in the aldermanic chamber, I look forward to joining with State Treasurer Denise Nappier and Empower New Haven in launching Borrow Wise, a program to help prospective and first-time homebuyers make responsible decisions about borrowing. Predatory lending practices especially hurt communities of color. I fully support this initiative to inform and educate City residents.

New appointees

Jessica Mayorga will begin this week as the new Public Information Officer for the City of New Haven, and Paul Nunez will move from his position as legislative liaison to Deputy Chief of Staff effective April 2. Jessica has served in policy and management capacities at education policy organizations, and on both sides of communications as a spokesperson for the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards and as an on-air radio personality. Paul has served as the Legislative Liaison to the State Capitol since January 2005, and worked for the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities prior to that position. In his new role, he will work intra-governmentally on implementing administration priorities, outreach with the broader community, and as the Mayor’s liaison to the Board of Aldermen. I have great confidence that these two appointments will well serve this community well.

National Youth Violence Prevention Week

This week is National Youth Violence Prevention Week, a designation especially aimed at educating young people and our community generally about ways we can band together to prevent and reduce youth violence. We will mark the week with public events and forums as places as diverse as the Whalley Avenue Special Services District meeting to the Citywide High School Student Council. Log onto www.cityofnewhaven.com to find out day by day activities.

Let’s take a look at the week ahead:

Tuesday, March 27, 2 p.m.

Mayor’s Office, City Hall

Signing of proclamation in remembrance of Yom Hashoah, with representatives of the Jewish community

Tuesday, March 27, 5:30-6:30pm

Main library branch

Solving Credit Disasters--a Talk with the Young, Fabulous, and Broke, a Borrow-Wise New Haven program with Diane Mull, Consumer Credit Educator. At Main Library Branch. No charge, and free parking in Temple St. lot. Register at

www.guidezilla.com/nhfpl or call 946-8835.

Tuesday, March 27, 6:30-8 p.m

Wilbur Cross H.S. library

1st Parental Involvement Seminar invites several school PTO groups together to discuss effective ways of increasing parental involvement and engagement in New Haven Public Schools. For more information (203) 946-8912.

Friday, March 30

Amarante’s

Fair Haven Community Health Clinic celebrates its 30th anniversary

Saturday, March 31, 2007

9-noon, SCSU Michael J. Adanti Student Center:

ACES sponsors Minority Teacher Career Fair for Connecticut certified teachers, administrators and student services personnel, and candidates pending certification. For more information contact Kevin Walton @ (203) 498-6837 or kwalton@aces.k12.ct.us

Thanks for reading my Monday Message. I hope you have a happy and healthy week.

Very truly yours,

John DeStefano, Jr.

Mayor

[3/25/2007]