Edgewood resident Javier Cabrera stopped alder‑candidate Randall Furlow outside his Maple Street home on Saturday to ask a simple question: “If we don’t invest in our education, where’s our future heading to?” The six‑year Edgewood resident and father of four children, all alumni of New Haven Public Schools, pressed Furlow on the deteriorating condition of the city’s school buildings, the whereabouts of repair money, and what the candidate would do if elected.
Family Roots and Community Ties
Furlow, a lifelong New Haven resident whose family has lived in the city for six generations, answered that he understands the problem firsthand. His youngest son is a freshman at Hillhouse High School, and his three older children also graduated from the same institution. Before the recent media reports about Hillhouse’s crumbling facilities, Furlow’s son had already taken photos and videos of the school’s interior and shared them with his parents.
“We need transparency. We need accountability,” Furlow said. “We have to make sure they’re doing what they’re supposed to do with the money they’re getting.” He echoed Cabrera’s frustration, noting that his own daughter, after four years of AP classes at Hillhouse, struggled to keep up at Temple University in Philadelphia.
Proposed School‑Repair Overhaul
Furlow said an overhaul of the school‑repair process is essential. He pledged to push for clearer reporting on how state and federal funds are allocated, and to establish a ward‑wide website and quarterly newsletter to keep residents informed. He also promised to work with the Board of Education to prioritize critical repairs, such as fixing broken doors, windows, and air‑conditioning units that currently hinder learning.
Traffic Safety Concerns
Later on Brownell Street, Furlow met Shirl Wilkins, a resident since 2003 who loves the neighborhood but wants drivers to slow down. Wilkins asked about traffic safety, prompting Furlow to recall the tragic death of Yusuf Gürsey, a longtime resident and Peace Commission member who was killed in a hit‑and‑run near Brownell Street in April 2024. Furlow said Gürsey had repeatedly raised concerns about speeding on Whalley Avenue, and he intends to advocate for additional speed‑calming measures, such as speed bumps, to protect pedestrians.
Campaign Outreach
Furlow spent Saturday canvassing Maple and Brownell streets, wearing a black Nike sweatshirt and a baseball cap bearing “CT State Community College.” He used the MiniVAN app to track potential voters, leaving flyers with his phone number in blue marker at each door. He noted familiar houses, pointing out that he had knocked three times on a blue house with white shutters and that a campaign sign in another yard indicated a supportive neighbor.
Both Furlow and his opponent, nonprofit leader Lindsey Eichler Tengatenga, are Democrats seeking the Ward 24 seat on the New Haven Board of Alders. The special election is set for Nov. 10, and the race centers on concerns raised by Edgewood residents: school conditions, traffic safety, and better communication between the alder and constituents.
Community Response
After their conversation, Cabrera told the Independent he would vote for Furlow. Wilkins also confirmed she plans to vote on Tuesday and indicated her support for the candidate. Furlow’s emphasis on transparency, accountability, and concrete safety measures resonated with the families he met, reinforcing his message that a local voice is needed to address the neighborhood’s pressing issues.
As the election approaches, Furlow promises to continue listening to Edgewood residents, to keep the dialogue open through a dedicated ward website, and to work tirelessly for school‑repair funding and safer streets.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
