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09/18/2024 08:30 AMIt’s quite possible that East Haven made history when Town Council incumbent Karen Martin represented the town as a delegate at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago in August. Karen says that multiple sources, from Town Hall to longtime residents, were unable to locate any past record of a resident assuming such a role during a national election season.
“I also got in contact with the historical society, and they couldn't find anything about it, either,” she says. “So, I'm pretty sure that I have been the first East Haven resident to be picked as a delegate to a national convention…I had a lot of people say, ‘Thank you for representing us.’”
Karen described being a delegate at the DNC as an “uplifting” experience and a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” which made her feel hopeful for the future of the country. It was a four-day event which began with fireworks at Navy Pier; culminated in a speech from the nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris; and also featured many other speakers and events. The convention provided an opportunity for Karen to see many demographics of the United States represented at one large event, including people who spoke on behalf of those demographics from early morning to late night.
“There were every kind of caucus you could imagine: the Black caucus, women’s caucus, LGBTQ caucus, AAPI caucus, environmental caucus,” she says. “Everybody had a meeting with speakers there that really knew what they were talking about and how the Biden administration did so well by each and how they expect the Harris administration to do even better.”
Among all the high-profile politicians who spoke at the United Center, Karen says that former First Lady and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton delivered her favorite speech, marking a high point of her once-in-a-lifetime experience
“Everything was just wonderful from start to finish,” she says.
After representing East Haven at the DNC, Karen continues to do the same for its second district as a member of the Town Council in a role which she has held since 2021. Her district is the part of town where Cosey Beach is located and where Karen calls home. It was Karen’s determination to improve conditions in the area which ultimately snowballed into her current position. Karen began her tenure on the Town Council with a clear mission.
“Back in 2015, a group of us got together and formed the Momauguin Cosey Beach Neighborhood Group,” she says. “I have been trying to make things better in my own neighborhood, in my own district, since 2015, so even long before I got on Town Council, and I think that's one of the reasons why I did so well as far as the number of votes I got—because people knew me.”
Karen’s favorite aspect of her role has been the campaigning because it provides the opportunity for door-knocking and one-on-one discussions about what the constituents of her district are thinking about and want from their Town Council. Karen says that her time on the council has been “very educational.”
“They want to hear how things are progressing and where their money is being spent,” she says.
One of the hottest topics in East Haven has been the regulation of short-term rentals, especially in the beach area. Given that this issue is very relevant in her district and to her neighbors, Karen recognizes the passion which many people have surrounding the issue, as well as how “complicated” it is.
“It’s such a complicated issue because we all want to do what’s best for the most amount of people,” she says, along with making sure that “everybody's happy.”
“I have very close friends here that live right on the beach and then in close neighborhoods to the beach that are affected by the influx of people buying up property and using it as short-term rentals,” Karen adds. “It’s going to be a really serious conversation, and it’s gonna take a lot of work to get something for most people.”
Karen continues her efforts to see improvements in the lives of others through her co-founding of East Haven Pride, which just officiated its organization in August. She feels that the presence of a town organization representing LGBTQ+ people, especially its youth, is a “piece that’s been missing” in East Haven to promote inclusion for that demographic.
“I feel like we're really making inroads with the young people, which is exactly what we need to do,” she said. “I hope to get more young people involved.”