Hamden High School students had their voices heard by the Democratic candidates running for mayor of Hamden.
On Sept. 9, students were able to participate in the Human Rights Zoom meeting held by the Global Youth Activities (GYA) where they were able to speak with Hamden Mayor candidate’s Mayor Curt Leng, Lauren Garrett and Peter Cyr.
The students first asked the candidates if they would push to have schools give students days off to observe Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan.
Garrett responded first, explaining that she is in favor of Eid al-Fitr being recognized as a holiday.
“We are remembering our Muslim brothers and sisters… to honor religions and traditions,” Garrett said.
Leng and Cyr both agreed with putting Eid al-Fitr on the school calendar as time off is important to respect the Muslim community in Hamden.
After the first question, Leng had to leave the meeting because he had to attend a food security meeting. This left Garrett and Cyr to answer the students’ questions for the remainder of the meeting.
The next question was if the candidates supported the idea of having school resource officers in public schools, to which Garrett and Cyr said “no to resource officers.”
When asked about their support of the Hamden charter revision in schools that supported having four-year terms as well as promoting inclusivity, Garrett responded readily.
“It’s very important that we revise our charter, I think it was a waste of money, time, and resources to vote it down,” Garrett said.
Cyr also agreed on the charter revision.
Violence in Hamden was a big topic the students were curious about. Crime is always going to be discussed, and Cyr made it clear that the issue wouldn’t be overlooked.
“Gun violence is my top priorities,” Cyr said. “It’s not just the people involved, but also the community being affected by the trauma.”
He also added that his approach is to mirror the Oakland Ceasefire, where victims of gun violence come out and communicate with the community.
When asked if the candidates would be more accessible to students, Garrett eagerly responded “Absolutely, just as much as I’m already accessible to my children.”
Cyr said he tried to ensure his students were involved in his campaign. Cyr has spent time campaigning to Quinnipiac University students in the past.
Garrett and Cyr acknowledged the hard work that teachers are putting into their classes. Teachers spend both their time and money making their classrooms a healthy learning environment.
Both candidates want to give teachers more time and funding for teachers to create the environment they want to use to help students.
When asked to explain their positions on selling Wintergreen School, Garrett said that “it needs to be sold to the right price so that it’s beneficial for Hamden.”
The deal is to be set at $16 million, around half of what the rumored deal was two years ago. Garrett believes that the money should be used to renovate surrounding schools.
The final question was if the candidates would consult Hamden students on issues affecting them if elected to office.
Garrett said that he will help to get more students to attend Board of Education meetings to have their voices heard.
“It (Wintergreen School) needs to be sold to the right price so that it’s beneficial for Hamden.”
Lauren Garrett, Democratic mayoral candidate
Cyr wants more students to speak out since they “give more of a unbias perspective that some adults do” and bring up issues that adults won’t understand.
The Hamden election will be held on Sept. 14. Voting will take place at Miller Library, Booker T. Washington Academy, Keefe Community Center, Spring Glen School, Board of Education Building, Ridge Hill School, Dunbar Hill School, Bear Path School and the West Woods School.