February 2020 – HQ Press

State representative Josh Elliott discusses Connecticut’s relationship with recreational marijuana

California, Oregon, Nevada, Washington, Alaska, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Vermont, Maine and Massachusetts — these are the 11 states where the use and sale of recreational marijuana are legal. For state legislatures like Josh Elliott, the hope is that in the next few years, Connecticut will join that list.

Since winning the election for the 88th District House seat in the Connecticut General Assembly in 2016, Elliott often is outspoken on passing laws to make the use and sale of marijuana recreationally in Connecticut legal.

“I’ve actually been a casual user since I was 18, so I’ve been pro-legalization for 17 years,” Elliott said. “I’ve been very outspoken since I got elected, I’ve been vocal about since I ran for my first term, so nothing much has changed in terms of my advocacy, unfortunately, new electors are usually only about 50-50 in support of it.”

Senator Josh Elliott seen at Best Video: Film & Cultural Center. Courtesy: Jason Hirsch

In 2019, three different bills to legalize, tax, and sell marijuana passed in the Connecticut General Assembly, only to never be voted on in either the House or the Senate. According to Elliott, there are a couple of factors at play as to why the success in the Assembly yielded no positive results last year and more than likely result in similar disappointment in 2020. One of those issues is the age of users.

“The governor is vocally in support, so it comes down to what each voter has an issue with,” Elliott said, “some voters have an issue with the age, some are fine with 18, some are fine with 21, some want 25+.”

A second issue facing the progression of a vote is debate over what the money through taxes and selling marijuana will go towards.

“Some want to see it go towards improving African-American and minority communities,” Elliott said. “Others want to see it go towards improving mental health and addiction services, and there is a threshold there somewhat, to see it go towards our pension and debt obligations.”

The third big issue is concern over testing for people who drive under the influence of marijuana.

“We don’t have roadside testing currently,” Elliott said. “It wouldn’t be testing blood or saliva, because both of those have proven to be ineffective.”

According to Elliott though, the biggest issue facing these bills getting voted on is not policies, but instead politics.

“There are a number of folks (legislatures) who would have no problem with this being legal but do not want to be the one to have to vote on it being legal,” Elliott said. “I have a Republican colleague who is fine with it, he thinks his district is fine with it, but the people who are close to him on the Republican town committee do not want it.”

Elliott feels that by being active in trying to get recreational marijuana passed into law, that people think the government is condoning the use of drugs.

“Some people feel that we’re sending a message that the government is okay with drugs basically, and I think that makes some people uncomfortable,” Elliott said.

According to the Marijuana Policy Project, an organization dedicated to legalizing cannabis across the U.S., 65 percent of residents in Connecticut are in favor of passing laws making the selling and consumption of recreational marijuana legal.

Elliott explains that it is not just having a majority of residents in favor that matters, but also where the residents live that plays the biggest determining factor.

“While it is two-thirds of the state majority, it is not two-thirds of the state spread out evenly,” Elliott said. “All the folk from urban centers will be in support, but you need support across the board. The suburban folk are against it, rural areas are generally against it, so that’s the problem.”

While Elliott remains hopeful, he does not believe that this year will yield better results for the passing of recreational marijuana laws.

“Probably not,” Elliott said. “Two-year terms, we couldn’t get it over the finish line last year, no reason to think that anything is going to change for this year. The biggest change is that we have a UFCW (United Food & Commercial Workers), who are trying to unionize what would be a new market, so they are being proactive in trying to push this year. The MPP, they are lobbying for this. The governor’s office wants this too, but they don’t really know how the political effect of this would work yet, they may not ever know, so this may have to be just a legislature led issue, so they are not going to be helpful.”

For people who are interested in helping these bills pass into legislation, Elliott suggests writing and calling your local representation consistently and let them know that you support the selling and consumption of recreational marijuana. Even if nothing comes out of it, voicing your support on issues that matter to you is always better than staying silent.

Map showing different marijuana laws of each state. Marijuana use is fully legal in 11 states, only medicinally legal in 36 states, and completely prohibited in just three states (Idaho, Nebraska, and South Dakota).

Chief justice leads the way to a more diverse Quinnipiac

Connecticut Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard A. Robinson spoke to a crowd of 200 at the Quinnipiac Diversity Dinner. Courtesy: Peter O’Neill

Quinnipiac celebrated Black History Month on Tuesday night, with a dinner that featured Connecticut Supreme Court Chief Justice, Richard A. Robinson.

Robinson, who is Connecticut’s first black Chief Justice, spoke in front of over 200 people at the event about the amazing changes that have occurred throughout his life as it relates to racism. However, he acknowledged that there is still an extremely long way to go.

“I think these kinds of events are very important,” Robinson said. “We need to have dialogues about race, history, ethnicity, and culture. These are conversations that aren’t going on enough in our country.”

Robinson believes that this event sets a great tone for the university, but would like to see more diversity at next year’s event. Afterward, many students and professors spoke one-on-one with Robinson.

“I don’t think people expressed any concerns that were unexpected,” Robinson said. “People are concerned about what’s going on today, but mainly people came up to me and said that they were glad to have been there for the conversations that took place that night.”

Quinnipiac’s vice president for equity and inclusion, Don Sawyer, joined Chief Justice Robinson on stage at the dinner. Sawyer believes that this event is an important part of promoting inclusivity at Quinnipiac.

“When we talk about inclusive excellence, we want to make people from different cultures feel welcome on campus,” Sawyer said. “This event aimed to do just that.”

Although Quinnipiac has previously honored Black History Month with public speakers, this is the first time it has been celebrated with the dinner format. Although he considers it a successful event, he acknowledged that one event doesn’t create the change that is needed. He elaborated on some of the other ways in which Quinnipiac tries to promote diversity and inclusion.

“Last semester we had an open forum on inclusion,” Sawyer said, “where faculty, staff, and students were able to express any concerns that they have on campus, and also the things that were going well.”

Sawyer said that the issues discussed will be compiled and released in a public document in the near future, and mentioned that inclusive excellence is the second pillar in Quinnipiac’s strategic plan.

Despite Quinnipiac’s efforts to increase inclusivity and diversity on campus, there are still obstacles that need to be hurdled. Sawyer mentioned that some professors shy away from difficult topics in the classroom.

“Students have mentioned a need for diversity programs where everyone can learn from one another,” Sawyer said, “so I think it’s important for us to create spaces where we can have an intentional dialogue.”

One student who attended the Black History Month dinner is junior Andrew DePass. DePass is the executive chair of Quinnipiac’s multicultural student leadership council, which aims to advocate for minorities and students of color on campus. He is passionate about creating a more inclusive environment at Quinnipiac.

Don Sawyer stands alongside Judy Oilan, and her husband Peter Liberti. Courtesy: Peter O’Neill

“The overarching theme is that there are instances where people don’t know how to interact with people of certain cultures,” DePass said. “Oftentimes misconceptions and misunderstandings occur. Another thing we feel is that when students try to bring up incidents, oftentimes there is a quieting of those concerns. They aren’t handled as seriously by the administration as we’d like.”

As it relates to the Black History Month dinner, DePass is glad that the event took place and that there were notable people of color honored and in attendance.

“When you are on a campus where the professor doesn’t always look like you, you can start to doubt whether you have a place in a particular career field,” DePass said. “Having the Chief Justice there was very beneficial. I saw lots of students speaking with him afterward, and having interactions that were positive so that we can all continue to persist.”

As it relates to the administration at Quinnipiac, Sawyer is the only person of color on Quinnipiac president Judy Olian’s cabinet. He does not believe that this is concerning, however.

“President Olian understands that our cabinet is not the most diverse, and so we work to diversify the pools of positions that we’re hiring,” Sawyer said. “I think over the next year or so, we might see some shifts.”

Sawyer added that the university has also made great strides in diversifying staff as it relates to gender, but there is still a long way to go in the journey of creating more overall diversity.

New QU record label hosts Quinnipiac Idol to connect local artists

Regina Joseph performing “You Should Be Sad” by Halsey. Courtesy: Samantha Bousquet

Twelve students participated in the event held by Ratt Records, a newly founded campus record label. The label was created by a senior entrepreneurship major who wanted to connect artists at Quinnipiac.

The Quinnipiac student center was packed on Thursday night, as people gathered to watch twelve Quinnipiac students perform in a singing competition called Quinnipiac Idol. The event was the first held by Ratt Records, a newly founded campus record label.

The label was created by senior entrepreneurship major, Regina Joseph. She was also the one in charge of running Thursday night’s event.

“We’re pretty much trying to be a resource for artists on campus,” Joseph said. “We’re trying to connect artists and producers and graphic designers…stuff like that. This was kind of our first event to get people to know about us.”

Quinnipiac Idol mirrored the first round of American Idol. All twelve students performed a song of their choice, and then audience members voted on their favorite. Students performed a variety of songs, ranging from Halsey’s “You Should Be Sad” to Darius Rucker’s “Wagon Wheel”.

However, the audience decided sophomore rapper, Ricky Cellucci, had the best performance of the night.

Quinnipiac Idol winner, Ricky Cellucci, celebrates his win. Courtesy: Samantha Bousquet

“It feels really cool,” Cellucci said. “I didn’t really expect anything other than coming in and having fun, so to be recognized by my peers is really cool.”

According to Cellucci, the most special part about the win was that he performed a song written by himself.

“I’ve been writing music for about three years now,” he said. “Music’s really been my passion for my entire life.”

In addition to the title of Quinnipiac Idol champion, Cellucci won free admission to Toad’s Club and BAR, two clubs in downtown New Haven, for the remainder of the semester.

According to Joseph, students can expect more events to be hosted by Ratt Records in the future.

The Epstein story reaches Quinnipiac’s campus

Tim Malloy spoke on Epstein, having just played news clips on the story. He then answered questions from Quinnipiac students and faculty.

“A vicious, vicious man.” That’s how Tim Malloy, an analyst at the Quinnipiac Poll and former TV reporter, described Jeffrey Epstein at a talk Thursday night in Quinnipiac’s Mt. Carmel auditorium. Malloy talked to a crowd of about 85 people, students and faculty.

“I know about the ‘how’ of the story of Jeffrey Epstein, but I want to know the why, and the investigative reporting that goes with that,”said Chris Misciagna, a Quinnipiac student.

“I skipped a class to come here,” said Sean Keenan, another Quinnipiac student. “I wanted to go here instead of [class] because this is more intriguing to me.”

Malloy was a TV news reporter in Palm Beach, Florida, in 2005 when Palm Beach police found evidence Epstein sexually assaulted minors.

“It wasn’t a big story, but it changed,” Malloy said.

Malloy kept the story in mind even after Epstein was sentenced to 13 months in prison.

“I had a good police source,” said Malloy, “and he told me, ‘keep your eye on this, cause this guy’s still doing it.’”

With his source and the leniency of Epstein’s 2008 sentence on his mind, Malloy talked to his friend and neighbor, best-selling author James Patterson.

“I walked up to him one day and said, ‘you’re a great crime writer, wouldn’t you like to write a nonfiction book?’ And he said yes,” Malloy said.

Epstein was scared once Patterson got involved. He threatened lawsuits against the authors repeatedly. Malloy said he was scared of what Epstein, a wealthy man, could do.

“James Patterson would sit me down and say, ‘Tim, they’re not going to kill your dogs. Don’t worry.’ But I was worried.”

Malloy worked with James Patterson and reporter John Connolly to write the book Filthy Rich about the first criminal case against Jeffrey Epstein. It focused on Epstein’s arrest in 2005, and his deal with prosecutors to spend so little time in prison. The book was published in 2016 to little fanfare, Malloy said. Neither he nor the book were very important in the 2019 arrest of Jeffrey Epstein, according to Malloy.

The crowd at the event, consisting of more than just students. Free pizza was provided by Quinnipiac University, as well as a raffle.

“I think we chipped away at it,” he said. “I did not bust him and put him in prison. The Miami Herald got him. I’m one of many people who chased him. The magic in this is I was lucky enough to be friends with a famous author who said, ‘I’m not scared of this guy, let’s write the book.’”

Malloy left local TV news nine years ago. After 9/11, he went to Iraq and Afghanistan 14 times. Malloy said he was friends with John Lahey, president of Quinnipiac at the time. Lahey asked Malloy to come work at the Quinnipiac Poll as an analyst. Malloy wanted to get out of the news business, so it was the perfect time. “I kept a hand in the news business though,” he said.

Malloy said the new book has 50 more pages. He said the publisher’s lawyers aren’t as concerned about libel now, and so much of what he wanted to publish originally can now come out. He expects more information will be discovered about Epstein.

“The damn story is not over,” said Malloy.

Justin Farmer for CT rally brings in support by Hamden residents

Justin Farmer, a current Hamden legislative council member running for state 17th district senate, is seen with one of 110 Hamden residents who attended his rally. Courtesy: Peter O’Neill

Over 110 Hamden residents came to Keefe Community Center to show their support for Justin Farmer, a Hamden legislative councilman. Farmer is running for the state 17th district senate.

Several local speakers from the area came to endorse Farmer.

“[Justin] is bringing the most energy, the brightest and boldest ideas, and the most grass-roots support to social justice in this race. Every political campaign I care about, Justin is there,” said Ben Leven, a member of the Yale endowment justice coalition.

“Accountability is measured with ‘where are you?’ and we know [Justin] is there,” said Seth Poole of New Haven.

“It doesn’t make any sense to be the person running for higher office if I can’t hold down my community,” said Farmer.

Miriam Kahn, a Hamden global-youth activist, is seen endorsing Farmer. Her and several other community members endorsed farmer at Keefe community center. Courtesy: Peter O’Neill

During his speech, Justin talked about the current issues he would like to tackle. He referenced the objective of establishing plausible public transportation, overcoming the opioid crisis, and using funds to fight climate change.

“The best thing about Justin is that he inspires us to continue fighting. Justin is hope for an equitable future,” said Miriam Kahn, a Hamden global-youth activist.

Farmer would be representing the towns of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Naugatuck, Derby Hamden, and Woodbridge.

“[This] is a diverse community, but I don’t think it is a challenge that we can’t surmount,” said Farmer.

Justin gave a speech following several Hamden residents who endorsed him. Farmer chooses to focus his attention on public transport, the opioid crisis, and climate change. Courtesy: Peter O’Neill

Coronavirus outbreak has QU ‘strongly urging’ students studying in Italy to return home

Fear of the Coronavirus rises following outbreak in Northern Italy

By Garrett Amill with additional reporting by Peter O’Neill

Following the outbreak of the coronavirus in Northern Italy, Quinnipiac University officials have strongly urged students studying abroad there to return home.

In a letter sent by Jennifer Brown, interim provost and executive vice president, and Mark Tortora, associate director of education abroad programs, to QU students studying in Italy sent Wednesday, Feb. 26, 3:33 p.m., QU urged students to return and complete the semester at home through online courses.

The letter also said that students who returned would be required to stay off of campus for two weeks.

Several other universities are pulling their students out of study abroad programs, including Connecticut’s Fairfield University, Sacred Heart University and the University of New Haven.

Tortora worked through Tuesday night researching and discussing options, as well as talking with parents, according to Quinnipiac’s Department of Cultural and Global Engagement.

Sydney Reynolds is a Quinnipiac sophomore Media Studies major studying in Rome this semester through API, a partner program.

“(Infections aren’t) in Rome, but someone said, ‘It’s best to be aware, not anxious,’” she said via Zoom Wednesday morning.

“I’m trying to not to freak myself out,” she said, adding that a trip to Tuscany for the weekend of Feb. 29 has been canceled. “All the study abroad students are so on edge. It’s the only thing we talk about.”

Reynolds, 19, said she takes a tram to campus each day and “lots of people” are wearing masks in an effort to avoid contracting the virus, however, she does not want to return home.

“I’ve invested a lot of money studying abroad — not just tuition… but I’ve also spent a lot of money on plane tickets, hotels, buses. I’d lose so much money if I got sent home,” Reynolds said.

She said her parents plan to join her in Europe in two weeks for spring break, but those plans are in question as they were to travel to Venice, which is locked down to prevent the spread of the virus.

“I have no idea if we can do that, now,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds said she plans to stay in Italy after hearing QU’s warning. “I discussed it with my parents,” she said via email after receiving Quinnipiac’s letter. “If it comes to Rome and starts getting bigger, I will probably leave. Would rather be home than be quarantined.”

The Centers for Disease Control issued a “Level 2” advisory to “exercise increased caution,” it Italy, as it had been prior to the cluster of coronavirus cases in Northern Italy. The CDC does not recommend canceling or postponing travel to Italy, the advisory said.

A representative of Quinnipiac’s Department of Cultural and Global Engagement is unsure at this time how many Quinnipiac students are based in Italy, but Tortola, who was unavailable, knows.

Tortora sent an email on Feb. 23 advising students in Italy to be vigilant and review CDC updates before traveling anywhere.

As of Feb. 26, the World Health Organization reports 322 cases of coronavirus in Italy. 11 people have died. These numbers are rising.

QU prepares to launch new podcast studio under direction of former WNPR employee

“I was hired to sort of create a program around podcasting and figure out how we could approach podcasting as a system instead of little pieces operating independently, like I think a lot of universities are,” DesRoches said.

Quinnipiac University is in the process of opening a new podcast studio. The idea to create a studio started after professor Ben Bogardus created a podcast, according to David DesRoches, the newly hired director of community programming.

“Ben Bogardus had done a podcast about hunger and Hamden previously,” said DesRoches. “As sort of a way to show what kind of work the school could be doing if they produce podcasts.”

DesRoches wants the studio to be a hosting site for podcasts and a place to support students, not just where podcasts are recorded.

“I can get a computer and I can push record and I can make a podcast,” said DesRoches. “But if you want a program that’s taken seriously and has high quality you need to think.”

DesRoches was hired by Quinnipiac to help unite all the potential podcasts under one service.

“I was hired to sort of create a program around podcasting and figure out how we could approach podcasting as a system instead of little pieces operating independently like I think a lot of universities are,” DesRoches said.

DesRoches doesn’t want Quinnipiac’s podcasts to be like any other school.

“People are sort of podcasting on their own with no sort of guidance and just sort of figuring it out, to various levels of success and of quality,” DesRoches said.

David DesRoches and students meet to discuss the studio and run through a sample podcast.

DesRoches believes uniting everything under one platform would improve the overall quality.

A big component of the podcast studio for DesRoches will be allowing students to use the studio without much oversight.

“I don’t want to restrict people,” DesRoches said. “We’ll let them use the studio. They just wouldn’t necessarily get direct support from me, but the studio is available for people who want a podcast.”

Quinnipiac has already been producing podcasts, which are now under the wing of the podcast program.

“We have been working with the athletics podcast, which has already been publishing for a while,” DesRoches said. “We’re migrating that into the new platform.”

The platform also hosts Bogardus’ podcast on hunger in Hamden. DesRoches says there are ideas for new podcasts, including a podcast on developments in medicine, a podcast looking at wellness without a euro-centric worldview and a podcast on polling by the Quinnipiac Poll.

Tom Conley-Wilson, a student and producer of podcasts, said the studio has worked well so far.

“I’m a producer for the show,” he said. “It was tentatively named QCast. We’re actually rebranding and naming it TruQ. It’s gonna be a podcast centered around issues in the Hamden and New Haven area.”

Conley-Wilson said the studio hasn’t started officially making new podcasts yet but has made some shows as trials.

“We’ve done two test shows so far,” he said, “and they both went really well. We’re just interviewing prospective students just to kind of get a feel for it. Our first actual recording is gonna be this week with President Judy Olian. That’s gonna be our inaugural episode.”

There is also an effort to expand the scope of podcasting to the community as a whole. DesRoches knows the podcast station can not replace WQUN.

“I don’t think you can,” DesRoches said. “I think it was a special thing that they did. But what I hope to do is build upon some other things that they were doing and sort of offer some of those similar services like news in a podcasting format.”

DesRoches and the podcast program are currently in the process of reaching out to the mayor of Hamden and the first selectman of North Haven to meet with Quinnipiac President Judy Olian to discuss podcasts. It is a goal of DesRoches to reach out to the community as he leads the podcast program.

“It’s a big part of what I want to do,” DesRoches said. “Content that reflects the values that we share as a university and community.”

The studio has a computer desk for controlling the podcast shows, as well as cameras linked to each microphone.

Mayor Curt Leng hires new financial directors in face of Hamden debt crisis

On Friday, Feb. 14, Mayor Curt Leng announced in a press release that former New York fiscal director, Curtis Eatman, has been hired as Hamden’s new Finance Director.

Eatman was a former deputy director of finance for the city of Schenectady, New York.

Additionally, Rick Galarza will be returning as the town’s Deputy Finance Director.

Galarza served as deputy finance director in late 2017 and took over the department for two years following the departure of the finance director, Salvatore DeCola.

The hiring of a financial director and deputy financial director has been on the agenda for some time.

Curtis Eatman - Finance Director (Courtesy: Schenectady, New York’s website) — Curtis Eatman – Finance Director

(Courtesy: Schenectady, New York’s website)

The previous audit for the 2017-2018 financial year noted that the report, along with important financial information, had not been released on time and delayed several days. This was due to the two senior positions in the town’s finance office becoming vacant after the fiscal year ended.

With the recent release of the 2018-2019 audit, Mayor Leng stated he felt the results were “excellent,” as he stated in the most recent town of Hamden newsletter.

He additionally noted that the budget was balanced and even came with a surplus of $500,000.

“This is great news for Hamden,” Leng said.

Despite his optimism, some residents feel as though the mayor is only putting the problem off further.

“The problem with this analysis is that the budget was balanced by underfunding the pension by $6.7 million,” said Christian McNamara, a Yale lecturer in management.

“That is, our actuarially determined contribution was $22.6 million, but we contributed only $15.9 million.”

McNamara is one of several residents to host a series of community discussions about the budget across Hamden.

Hamden’s finance department took the money for the pension fund, and instead, put it toward balancing the year’s budget.

“This is the equivalent of kicking the can down the road, and [it] increases our future financial burden,” McNamara said.

A graphic of Hamden’s employer pension plan for the last ten fiscal years. There is a $6,679,996 difference between the actual contribution into the pension fund and the estimated contribution.

Mayor Leng and the new hirees have met earlier this week to begin planning for the years ahead.

Meanwhile, Hamden residents are meeting amongst themselves to discuss their financial stake in the town’s financial progression.

“Mr. Eatman must start on the right foot,” says Stockton Clark, a Hamden resident deeply involved within the community discussion.

Since the role of the Finance Director became vacant, a disconnect became apparent between the mayor’s office and the Hamden legislative council. With the hiring of Eatman, Clark and other residents hope the council will now be clued in.

“The legislative council should have monthly reports on financial status. Secondly, there should be a clear three to five-year financial plan going forward,” McNamara said.

Hamden’s next hire is likely to be for chief assessor, a position vacant since November.

B&D Deli Works replacement, Funcles, set to open in April

Funcles Cafe will be the new establishment replacing B&D Deli on Whitney Ave. in Hamden. The Cafe is set to open this April.

Dan Jablon, a kitchen manager in Milford, is set to open up his new restaurant, Funcles Cafe, in April. The restaurant will replace B&D Deli Works, which was a popular deli in Hamden for several years. — Dan Jablon, a kitchen manager in Milford, is set to open up his new restaurant, Funcles Cafe, in April.

The restaurant will replace B&D Deli Works, which was a popular deli in Hamden for several years.

Dan Jablon, co-owner of Funcles currently works as a kitchen manager at Bowlero in Milford. Jablon does catering for the parties and manages the employees. He believes this experience will help him manage Funcles as well.

“I’ve been around food my whole life,” Jablon said. “I’m looking forward to doing something for myself that is more upscale and has a smaller menu.”

The move from Milford into Hamden to begin his own business was an easy decision for Jablon.

“The first day I came to check out the place so many people came to the door,” Jablon said. “There is so much foot traffic on Whitney Ave with people constantly coming in and out.”

Denis Marukovich, the other owner of Funcles is a head chef at Tarry Lodge in New Haven. Marukovich is familiar with upscale dining from managing the kitchen, but he has similar thoughts as his partner about the transition to Funcles.

“I’ve been cooking for a while and creating menus,” Marukovich said. The only difference is, I’m doing it for myself now, not somebody else.”

Jablon explained that the name “Funcles” came from a childhood nickname for the funniest person he knows, his uncle Keith. It also sets the tone for the type of atmosphere Jablon hopes to create.

“I have a lot of resources and I’m super grateful for my family,” Jablon said. “I want to be able to create a family vibe for people here.”

The biggest change Jablon explains is going to be the menu. It will be smaller and a third of it will consist of specials.

“We will have those typical items your older crowd would order,” Jablon said. “As well as things like a pickled chicken sandwich for the newer and younger crowd.”

A few things you can expect to see on the menu every day are a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich, breakfast burrito and a waffle omelet.

“Everything is going to be made in house,” said Jablon. “We will also have a section of grab and go foods so people can get in and out quickly in the morning.”

Additionally, Jablon and Marukovich will be offering CBD for their coffee and shakes.

“This is us in a nutshell,” Jablon said. “We are trying to be new and different. It turns heads just like our name.”

A look at the kitchen of the upcoming Funcles Cafe.

The freshness of the food and the cleanliness of the place is something that Jablon and Marukovich say they will focus on.

“I like everything clean,” said Jablon. “Even if it’s just an unfolded towel I will immediately fold it.”

Currently, the staff consists of Marukovich, Jablon, his friend Nick Simiola and two other people. Simiola will be Jablon’s front end person and work the register.

“I want to keep it small,” Jablon said. “That way, you know it’s people who want to help you out.”

Simiola is grateful for the opportunity and excited for his friend.

“When I found out Dan had the opportunity to open up a restaurant in Hamden I wanted to do anything I could to help,” Simiola said. “This place can be a gold mine if you know what you are doing.”

Knowing what to do and working together does not seem like it will be a problem for Jablon and Marukovich.

“I’ve known Dan for a while,” Marukovich said. “We have never had the pleasure of working together, but there’s a lot of trust between us.”

Funcles will be open Monday-Saturday from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with fresh food and ready to go meals.

Quinnipiac, Haven Harvest partner together to combat waste, sustainability

Jodi Franchi of Milford and her two grandchildren aid the effort of Haven Harvest to provide food for those facing food insecurity. Franchi and her grandchildren are picking up food that will be distributed to those in need.

According to the 2015 Statewide Waste Characterization Study, it is estimated that 22.3 percent of Connecticut’s trash consists of food. This means that 519,832 tons of food are thrown away each year.

President Judy Olian and Quinnipiac University are implementing a strategic plan of the universities’ goals for the foreseeable future. Part of the initiative is the creation of the sustainability council. This is a part of the universities’ strategic plan that became public at the end of the 2019 academic year.

Anna Cicciarella, a member of the sustainability council, says that while the university is making progress there is still a lot of work to be done.

Food waste at Quinnipiac University is to be collected and delivered to the Albert Schweitzer Institute, who will then turn the food waste into material for their compost.

“We’ve had to break down what sustainability means on campus…it’s a broad term,” Ciacciarella said.

The council has primarily focused on three areas of sustainability, living, learning and sustaining. Food waste falls under living. This is one of the areas Ciacciarella has been working on. The university is partnered with Albert Schweitzer Institute, which has started a compost where food waste will be collected.

“We built it in the fall and starting in March we’ll utilize that to take food waste…there’s a worm bin in the building too, but it is a smaller amount,” Ciacciarella said.

The worm bin uses the worms to recycle food scraps and other organic material into a soil called vermicompost, or worm compost. Food scraps are put into the bin which then becomes compost as they pass through the worm’s body. This process creates composts that can be used to grow plants.

“It’s an example of what we can do in the long run,” Ciacciarella said.

Sam Conti, a Bridgeport hospital dining employee, prepares to take trays of leftover food to be donated.

Quinnipiac Dining, which oversees food services at Quinnipiac, now donates excess food directly to Hamden residents through Haven’s Harvest. Hamden Harvest is a non-profit organization that currently provides food to those facing food insecurity throughout Greater New Haven.

“We launched about a year ago, and we recover as much food as we can,” said founder and director Lori Martin.

Haven’s Harvest currently works with the university to have student volunteers deliver the food throughout Hamden during the academic year.

“When students can volunteer it’s great, we love the support and being backed by the institution,” Martin said.

In a 2019 study commissioned by United Way of Greater New Haven, researchers found that nearly one in eight adults and one in six children in Hamden experience food insecurity.

Beyond the university, Haven’s Harvest collects food from local businesses that otherwise are thrown away. The company has three programs to combat food waste, recovery, advocacy and development.

“There are a lot of businesses in the New Haven area who are interested and we want to help them,” Martin said.

Businesses and community partners that are interested in donating can fill out a form on their website. The website also has a form for anyone or an organization that needs food.

Currently, Haven’s Harvest works with around eighty businesses. These donors give food anywhere from weekly to once a year. The businesses are primarily located in New Haven county.

“It’s so much about the relationships that we make. We are creating a community and the food is just a part of this,” Martin said.