City News Briefs

Neighborhood Group Hires Attorney to Recover Money
Hartford Neighborhood Centers (HNC) have hired Austin McGuigan, former Chief State's Attorney, to try and recover monies owed to the organization by contractor Barry Alexander. An investigation by the State Attorney General's Office found that Alexander received over $700,000 in no-bid contracts from HNC between 1995 to 1997 and that much of the work specified in the contracts was not completed, not started or poorly done. The announcement of McGuigan's appointment comes after an advisory panel to the HNC disbanded last month after criticizing the agency for its delay in seeking reimbursement from Alexander. Both Alexander and Lois Stevenson, a former HNC Board Member, are currently being sued by the Attorney General's office for alleged irregularities in the awarding of the no-bid contracts.

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African-American Parade Committee Announces Activities
The Connecticut African American Parade Committee is holding a series of activities leading up to this year's parade, which will be in Hartford this year on Saturday, September 26. This Sunday, September 20, at 4:55 pm a Gospel Music Fest entitled "Giving God the Glory" will be held at Phillips CME Methodist Church at 2550 Main Street. On Monday, September 21, Capital Community-Technical College will hold an African Dance & Jazz Soiree at 7:05 pm at the College's campus on Woodland Street. On the night before the parade, Friday, September 25, "Steppin' Out," a Greek step/drill team competition will be held at the old Hartford Jai Alai building at 89 Weston Street in the North Meadows at 5:45 pm. Following the parade, which steps off from Bushnell Park at 10 am, a Rib Burn-Off and Fish Fry will be held at Keney Park from noon until 7 pm. For information on the parade, call 242-1734.

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Machinist Training Program Accepting Applications
There is still time to apply for a tuition-free training program for careers in the precision manufacturing industry. The 26-week course, created by the MetroHartford Millennium Project in conjunction with area manufacturers and the Connecticut Community-Technical College system, is designed to train students for entry-level positions in machining, tool and die, and other precision manufacturing companies in the region, which currently are facing a shortage of qualified workers.

Assessment for admission is being held now for classes that begin later this month at Asnuntuck Community Technical College, and next month at Capital and Manchester Community Technical Colleges. Both men and women are encouraged to apply. Assessment appointments can be scheduled by calling 1-800-392-2122. The assessment, as well as the 26- week training course are free, thanks to grants provided by the MetroHartford Millennium Project and the Connecticut Departments of Labor and Economic and Community Development.

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Candlelight Vigil for Fight Against Cancer
Next Wednesday, September 23, a candlelight vigil will be held in support of "The March...Coming Together To Conquer Cancer," which will be held in Washington D.C. on September 25 and 26. "The March" is a nation-wide effort to call attention to the importance of winning the war on cancer.

The Hartford vigil will begin at 7 pm on the steps of the State Capitol Building. Television meteorologist Dr. Mel Goldstein, Ruth-Ann Lobo, mother of basketball star Rebecca Lobo, and Dr. Andrew Salner, Chairman of the Board of the American Cancer Society, New England Chapter, are scheduled to speak at the event. For more information, call 561-9590.