City Council approves ‘very sensitive, emotional resolution’

City declares racism a public health crisis

WEST HAVEN — The City Council joined at least 19 other municipalities in the state unanimously passing a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis in the city.

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi called it a “living, breathing document,” that can be changed monthly or quarterly.

Council Majority Leader Robbin Watt Hamilton, D-5, called it a “very sensitive, emotional resolution.”

“It’s a long time coming,” she said.

The resolution’s creation was a monthslong process with vast input and overseen by the West Haven Community Alliance, a nine-member committee established by Rossi and led by City Council member and civil rights activist Treneé McGee, D-7. The committee includes Police Chief Joseph Perno and Deputy Chief Carl Flemmig.

“This is the beginning step for effective change in the city of West Haven. I’m glad to not only be a part of it, but also continually grow with it,” McGee said.

“The council passed this resolution unanimously which is a powerful statement,” McGee said. “Everyone knows that change at this point is inevitable and important. … Our

“This is the beginning step for effective change in the city of West Haven. I’m glad to not only be a part of it, but also continually grow with it.”

Treneé McGee, City Council member and civil rights activist, D-7

next steps are fulfilling the action items listed on the resolution and more.”

Rossi applauded the committee’s work, their working “collaboratively,” and said they are “all shining stars.”

She also addressed criticism in the community and on social media claiming she only appointed Democrats. She said she was looking for people with “different thought patterns.”

Going forward, the committee will take steps to improve the landscape, she said.

The resolution, read out loud at this week’s meeting with council members taking turns, begins by recognizing racism as a multilayered structural system that oppresses Black people, Indigenous people and

people of color in areas including but not limited to education, employment, housing, mental health, criminal justice and health care.

No one debated the substance of the resolution.

It talks about anti-racism being the active process of “identifying and eliminating” racism by committing to building healthy systems, attitudes and policies so that power is distributed “equitably.”

The city will work to prevent exclusionary hiring practices and recruit those affected by racism, the document states.

It states racism involuntarily places youth at a disadvantage in unequal educational resources and recreational opportunities, and so jeopardizes their development.

The resolution mentions redlining, an unfair real estate/housing practice that is illegal but was used in the

past to discriminate, exposure to environmental hazards, restricted access to public spaces and disparities in health care. Some of the health disparities listed in the resolution include asthma, heart disease, COVID-19, heart disease, high blood pressure and infant mortality.

The resolution also states that the city is committed to dismantling racism in formal and informal structures.

“We commit to being anti-racist,” the resolution states, referring to the city.

The resolution vows to prohibit hostile or abusive attitudes in the workplace and schools; to promote anti-racism and dismantle racist structures; mobilize city leadership for equity in appointments; work cooperatively with the Board of Education to work on antiracist curriculum; and to create a community support network.

Republican 10th District council member Barry Lee Cohen voted for the ordinance but first expressed concerns, including that city, state and federal health officials were not consulted and that the public hasn’t had a chance to review the final approved ordinance issued on Dec. 24 and make public comment.

“Doing otherwise may have the unintended perception of us not being open and transparent to our very diverse communities,” he said.

Cohen also said since the measure is a “legally binding document,” there could be additional costs associated to “dismantle” racism or that existing funds may need to be reallocated to other areas.

Hamden, New Haven, Hartford, Windsor, West Hartford and Bloomfield are among the municipalities where leaders symbolically declared racism a

public health crisis earlier this year.

In Orange, the Board of Selectmen stopped short of a written resolution, in part because of warnings from the town attorney that there could be legal implications, but instead voted to verbally take a stand on the issue and form a task force to examine racial issues in the community.

Orange Town Attorney Vincent Marino warned against narrowing the scope of any declaration to health care, as it could have legal significance and “unintended consequences.”

Marino said narrowing the issue to racism as a public health crisis could trigger the reallocation of public funds and that could impact the town’s school system, Police Department and other agencies. Marino has said that is his legal advice, although through personal experience he agrees with the concept

supported strongly at the recent meeting by Orange Democrats Mitch Goldblatt and Margaret Novicki.

Marino has said that racism is a type of bullying against people of color. He recommended a task force.

West Haven City Attorney Lee Tiernan said at the council meeting that he doesn’t see any legal problems with the resolution, or any extra cost, although that could change in upcoming budgets.

Orange First Selectman Jim Zeoli has said regarding the proposed resolution in that community that racism is a worldwide issue and “far from the scope” of duties of the Orange Board of Selectmen.

But Orange’s Novicki, a selectwoman and a strong supporter of the measure in town, said, “Social change always begins on the ground in our communities.”