Mayor Bill Finch has appointed Kristin duBay Horton the city’s new director of health. The city had been without a permanent health director after the mayor did not reappoint Marian Evans to a new four-year term early this year. New Haven’s former Health Director William Quinn has been serving in an acting capacity.
Kristin duBay Horton is the wife of Carl Horton, a mayoral candidate in 2003 and a friend of the mayor. Finch wanted to bring Carl Horton into his administration shortly after his election in 2007, possibly as Economic Development director, but the salary was below Horton’s pay scale. According to Carl Horton’s biography for a foundation he serves he’s a “consultant with duBay Horton Associates, focusing on strategic marketing issues for Fortune 500 companies. He has an extensive background in strategy, marketing and strategic partnerships. He graduated from Yale University in 1990 and received an MBA at Harvard Graduate School of Business in 1995.”
Mayor’s news release:
Mayor Finch Appoints Kristin duBay Horton to Health Director Post
BRIDGEPORT, CT (December 16, 2010) – Mayor Bill Finch today appointed Kristin duBay Horton as Health and Human Services Director. Her appointment is effective upon confirmation of the state Department of Public Health.
duBay Horton lives in Bridgeport and has previously worked for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Most recently, she administered the Bridgeport CARES program for the Health Department through a consultant contract.
She was one of several candidates who were interviewed by a panel of 10-person panel of Bridgeport residents including Charles Tisdale, Rev. Dr. Simon Castillo and Ludwig Spinelli, among others. A group of four finalists were presented to the Mayor for his final selection.
“Kristin’s appointment represents a new way of thinking for how we deliver health and social services in the City of Bridgeport,” said Mayor Finch. “Kristin’s commitment to the community and her outreach skills make her an excellent fit to lead the department.”
Prior to moving to Connecticut, Ms. duBay Horton worked for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for six years, overseeing HIV Prevention, Policy and Planning unit. Since 2001, she has run her own public health consulting practice in Bridgeport, working with community-based programs, school districts and local health department to perform community assessments, conduct program evaluations and aid in community input and organizing efforts for the past 12 years.
“What I am most excited about is the opportunity to combine my love for this city, its rich neighborhoods and people, with my years of work as a program planner and evaluator to the community in which I am living and raising my family. I want this health department to become a national model at eliminating health disparities and with its gifted staff and Bridgeport’s wealth of committed health and social service organizations,” duBay Horton said, adding, “I look forward to working with the Mayor and all of the health and social services department staff members to achieve that goal.”
“Finch wanted to bring Carl Horton into his administration shortly after his election in 2007, possibly as Economic Development director, but the salary was below Horton’s pay scale.”
That must’ve been way back when he had a job.
Great selection. She will do a terrific job! His best hire to date by miles.
She will be an asset to the Finch administration. And he sure can use some assets right about now!
She’s a great appointment.
IF YOU KNEW BETTER YOU’D DO BETTER! The city just made a couple touchdowns with the concessions from the Supervisors and Liuna unions. I hear there was a lot of intimidation handed out to get the yes votes. Union members emailing and calling other members on city time to tell them to vote yes or don’t show at all. WOW if this doesn’t seem like a script for a good mafia series for HBO!!!
Really? Because I was at that meeting and I saw over 50 people who were willing to sacrifice a little to help save their fellow workers’ jobs. I was proud to be among those who voted yes. You should stop spreading false rumors. Our fight is with the City administration, not each other.
*** Time will tell on the Horton appointment, however another admin. appointment before Xmas while laying union workers off with talk of more pink slips in the near future! *** OIB ***
Kristin duBay Horton is indeed the best choice, if it had to be an African American woman the pickings of one with such a high level of education is low. Last week, I spoke with someone who works in the field regarding the short list of candidates for the position of Health Director. I was told that Kristin was such a down-to-earth woman that she took the time to sit down with this person to assist and guide such person in properly doing a dissertation paper in the health field. How many professionals take the time to help a college student in need of an opinion and assistance in their professionally related field?
One other thing that struck me of her character was that she struggled with the feeling that she would be taking the job of Doctor Evans whom she has a lot of respect for. There are countless of people who wouldn’t blink an eye to take a position from someone they had worked with and admired–many even go as far as planning it. Regarding the comment she made to the CT Post in regards to the high number of children with asthma, I’d like to point out to Kristin duBay Horton that the RESCO facility is one source to investigate. The ball is in your court. Good luck!
“… if it had to be an African American woman …” a la the shithead Joel.
Why on earth did it HAVE to be an African American woman?
BTW I think she does have the right stuff to do the job on her own merit … race notwithstanding.
Yahooy, you sound like you know your wife isn’t as qualified as Kristin duBay Horton and it bothers you. I made that comment due to the fact that from the very beginning when Dr. Evans was let go, the African American community leaders were up in arms and the only choice they would accept without any criticism of the administration was that Dr. Evans’ replacement be an African American. I guess you didn’t read the rest of my post, as you are reluctant to compliment the woman. I see nothing wrong with getting the best qualified candidate even if race was part of the decision to select her, she is a TRUE role model. Whenever you don’t have a strong point to argue with, you resort to using the term “shithead.” If all “shitheads” looked at things like I do, there would be no room or need for geniuses such as yourself.
Oh.
Joel before you start calling for a bunch of investigations especially Resco read below:
Juvenile asthma occurs due to an immune system response to triggers. Possible triggers for asthma in children include cigarette smoke, a cold, dust mites, pets, pollen, mold, exercise or weather changes, explains the Mayo Clinic. Read more: Juvenile Asthma | eHow.com
www .ehow.com/facts_6006808_juvenile-asthma.html
TC, you sound like you have been out drinking with Yahooy.
“… that the RESCO facility is one source to investigate …”
Before you suggest any reading material for anyone to read, I suggest you read it yourself. “… Possible triggers …”
Are you friends with the mobsters conducting business with RESCO? “… especially Resco …” Government and Health Officials have refused to inspect and monitor the exhaust from this and other similar facilities and you are sure that they are safe.
I’m not done with you yet. Just days ago you decided to comment–again. On a group of men whom I’ve taken the time to better understand. Gaudett and the Police force. You mentioned the bank of upper E. Main St. was robbed as well as other businesses. I assure you the Police Dept’s doing its best and a little more to solve and prevent crimes in your part of town as well as the rest. Bank robbery investigations are normally handled by the Feds, remember them? In the E. Main Bank robbery there are at least 2 detectives assigned to that investigation and the Feds are being kept up to date and vice versa. There was no gun shown or pulled and the robber covered his face so well it’s almost impossible to identify him. Perhaps someone can identify the clothing he was wearing. I’m not to sure the person (robber) is African American as suggested as some investigators believe. The hands of the man on the video could as well be Hispanic. Your neighborhood is not the only one with problems or susceptible to crime. You live in an urban area and if you want to feel like you’re living in the suburbs or deep in the woods, move to Maine.
Joel again you are wrong. Read what I posted. Triggers are things that bring the onset of juvenile diabetes and that’s what is on the list I posted. You want Resco investigated, what happened they did not offer you a job?
Oh it’s great to see you got religion on your second tour of duty at the PD. I guess you learned that what happens there stays there.
BTW my posts on the coverage here are spot on we have very little coverage up here. Your answer is to move that’s pure and utter BS but I expect it from you. I want what I pay taxes for and that’s police protection which at the present time is sadly lacking. I am glad they caught the hold-up man and you know what I don’t give a shit what race he is as long as he was caught. Joel it figures that you would fall on that old crutch “You live
in an urban area and should expect there to be crime.” Well you may have given up wanting a safe city but I have not.
Breaking News:
Bank robber caught.
TC, you may just have to “Shut The Fuck UP”
blog.ctnews.com/connecticutpostings/2010/12/17/police-apprehend-alleged-bank-robber
Hey Joel this was not the robber of the bank in my neighborhood and by the tone of the article the guy they arrested for this other robbery may not be the right guy. Get it straight Joel just for once.
Oh, here you are! Oh, I see your boy Lennie is with you. I was born in P.T. Barnum, I’ll take on two white boys. I wrote, “… TC, you may …”
As in maybe. I’m a realist and I’m sure that you will never STFU. I wrote “maybe” because it was too early to tell and one could never be sure with the CT Post. It was the wrong guy. TC and Lennie please put your glasses on. TC wrote, if I “may” quote you. “Well you may have given up wanting a safe city but I have not.” I may, but I haven’t either. Then you wrote, “… the guy they arrested for this other robbery may not be the right guy …” You weren’t sure either. No it wasn’t the right guy. I imagine you “may” be laughing at the Bridgeport Police for their failure. It wasn’t for a lack of trying. Now to your boy Lennie. Still think I was premature? Or was it just a question?
Does the above comment answer your question? I ask you Lennie. Is there anything wrong with prematurity? I think it can be a good thing. Imagine if Police Officers can be prematurely on the scene of a pending crime. Wouldn’t that be nice? That’s exactly what TC wants for his tax dollars. Is that realistically possible? No. Lennie, take your boy with you because I think I “may” have hurt him. Hey, Lennie! Remember that “what happens here, stays here.” Don’t tell anyone I was the one who hurt him.
Joel, a little premature?
Joel who gives a shit where you were born? I think you were actually born on the planet gazinga. Lack of trying by the PD you have got to be kidding me, you think that’s good enough? I don’t and I bet the guy wrongly arrested is not saying Good Job guys.
Joel take your meds you really are starting to ramble.
Wow, what a great appointment. It isn’t often you get the right person for the right position in any city government these days. Kristin is the rare kind of individual who is just what Bridgeport needs. She has just enough grassroots to balance her extensive health leadership experience and really doesn’t need her husband to validate her expertise. I know that she and Dr. Evans are friends and have a great mutual respect for each other and it is truly a big win for the city.
During the summer Kristin employed Bridgeport high school students to help conduct an extensive study with city residents in the East side and East End to collect data for health disparities.
She has worked with about every community group, city organization in town and even volunteered her services in certain cases.
While I am certainly conscious of the tight city budget and the union struggles, I think we all know a City Health Dept head is necessary and already budgeted for. I just pray for a swift and painless transition, after all this is “The Port” lol.
Mrs. duBay Horton is committed to children, families, and improving the quality of life for all Bridgeport residents.
civilrightsfighter // Dec 17, 2010 at 10:53 am
to your posting …
You are so right about the appointment of Kristin duBay Horton. She is capable, qualified and experienced. Here’s what she faces. The Finch Administration has gutted the Health Department, mainly because of the vicious on-going vendetta Tom Sherwood waged against this Department for years … with the blessings of the Finch administration. I know you’re not surprised to learn this.
Gone from the Health Department: public health nurses, the dental hygiene clinic, the school-based health program and most recently the WIC (Women Infant and Children) program. These were programs that didn’t serve the needs of the Mayor, but did serve the needs of thousands of children and families across Bridgeport. But those were not needs that either the Mayor or Tom Sherwood cared about. So what Ms. duBay Horton has today is nothing like the Health Department that was a beacon of hope and health to so many families.
And knowing her as an honest, intelligent woman, capable of speaking her mind, what happens when she does express her well-grounded point of view. I can only guess.
Andres Ayala, get rid of that tie. As for Dan Malloy, it looks like the “school” is on the other foot and he is having a hard time “settling” down.
www .ctnewsjunkie.com/ctnj.php/archives/entry/malloy_encouraged_to_settle
Riddle me this …
What took Finch so long to make this appointment?
He has to be dragged kicking and screaming that’s what.
She was a candidate from day one and finally he picks her.
Yeah. What number bus runs along East Main St?
Plenty of bodies.
Plenty of buses.
Surprise, it’s Bridgeport.
Watch how quick she gets thrown under the proverbial bus.
Grin Reaper // Dec 17, 2010 at 4:44 pm
to your posting
Finch probably didn’t like her friends …
Adam Wood probably didn’t like her friends …
Andy Nunn probably didn’t like her friends …