New Haven Independent

Posted by: Eliza | March 9, 2006 9:36 AM

As a native New Havener and former Newhallville resident, I am terribly sadden by the recent ward chair results. When will the people of Newhallville acknowledge all of the flaws of Wille Greene and Ron Gattison. They are not going to represent you in anyway. Both of those individuals will continue doing what they have been doing for the last 10+ years, being poverty pimps. Yes, they will provide you with entertainment and passion but they will provide you with inadequate information about issues that concern the neighborhood. Most importantly, they will cause confusion and dismay. Instead of overwhelming voting for individuals such as Jesse Phillips and Katrina Jones that will address the needed issues and concerns of your neighborhood, you will fall victim to the continual cycle of electing ignorant poverty pimps. So when you say my community is not changing face enough or the issues/concerns are not being addressed once again, don't blame the people you voted for-blame yourself!

Posted by: Wille D. Greene | March 9, 2006 8:31 PM

It is indeed sad commentary that Eliza felt the need to attack Ron Gattison and myself. Speaking only for myself yes,I am clearly flawed. I am a product of God. I am still a work in progress. I can only imagine what it feels like to be flawless like Eliza. If Eliza truly cared about Jessie Phillips she would encourage him to go to school and earn a degree so that he can find himself at least academically on equal ground with all the Yalies that are getting on the job training at the residents of New Haven expense. His counterparts earn four times the money he receives. His duties are very unbecoming and beneath him and offer no real training other than carry out an agenda for DeStefano that is not inclusive of all people. Eliza should want more for him than his being nothing more than an errand boy for an administration that does nothing more than use him. Jessie Phillips is a bright young man who I truly believes deserves so much more than this administration will ever offer him.

As for Alderwoman Katrina Jones I am very proud of her for overcoming her challenges a single mother raising a beautiful family. I am extremely proud of Kartina in her effort of pursuing her degree. Also my wish for her is the same I have for Jessie. I want to see her in a position where she is self sufficent and not used by John DeStefano who has no respect for blacks,hispanics and poor people. Katrina and her family clearly deserve so much more than she will ever receive from the John DeStefano.

I stand firm in my position while both Jessie and Katrina have done an admirable job. They will never be able to freely speak their minds and represent the 21st ward in which we rightly and richly deserve and keep their jobs. Eliza clearly does not understand that there is no place at John DeStefano's table who have an opinion that fails to mirrors his.

Perhaps Eliza has forgotten that just three and an half years ago John DeStefano laid off nearly a thousand people and after that received a raise. Only former Alderman Brian Jenkins and myself voted against the raise. By the way Eliza 100 of those laid off live in Newhallville and Dixwell. Jessie also at the time was the Co-chair worked in the Mayor's office and never stated his displeasure with that action. Many of are still unemployed. Many have lost their homes not just to the banks but to the City of New Haven who foreclosed on them because they were unable to pay their taxes.

Please understand had Jessie or Katrina spoke out against these immoral actions neither one of them would find themselves in the positions that hold today. As for the attack by Eliza and our being called poverty pimps I shall dismiss it. Because the way Rev. Jacob Charles and Lillie Margaret Greene raised all their children was to stand up for what they believe in and respect women and treat and speak to people the way we want to be treated and spoken too. Besides my fight has never been with my people just people like John DeStefano who speak to all people in a condescending and disrespectful manner.

Eliza don't be sadden about the outcome of the election. Be sadden about an administration that has eliminated all black males from leadership positions, be sadden that we have a brillant former Commissioner who administered the entire health and human services component for the entire State of Connecticut who is now a Deputy Community Service Administrator. Be sadden that we have a extremely brilliant banker who was a president of a major bank who has seen his duties slowly reduced over the years. (By the way Eliza don't mention Dr. Reginald Mayo because the New Haven Board of Education is not a city department and Dr. Mayo is not a department head. The New Haven Board of Education is a creature of the State of Connecticut) Also John DeStefano did not appoint Dr. Mayo,former Mayor John Daniels appointed him. Also Eliza allow me to enlighten you that it was John Daniels that made it possible for John DeStefano to be the Pres/CEO of the Pilot Pen. Eliza be sadden, no be angry that John DeStefano along with his staff over the last couple of years have attacked and disrespected him.

Eliza be angry that the City of New Haven took away the homes of those in the Hill. Many of those to this day have not been made whole.

Yes, Eliza our community is changing. Our elderly can't keep up with their taxes and so many Newhallville/Dixwell residents are being priced out of a home and community that they raised their families in.

So yes, Eliza be angry but be angry for all the right reasons.

Posted by: new havener | March 10, 2006 1:49 PM

Good for you, Willie. The true poverty pimp is the Mayor, who managed to live off the public dole for all of his adult life. Unfortunately for some black folks, they rather attack and tear down their won than embrace and hold them up. All those Yale students, 99% who are not from New Haven, and will not stay very long (Julio Gonzalez for example) are making a whole h--l of a lot of money, while our kids can't find summer jobs, and are chased around the city by police while riding their bikes, all because more than 2 black kids together constitute a gang.

Who are the poverty pimps?

Posted by: Eliza | March 10, 2006 3:34 PM

Yes, we are children of God! And I totally agree the public will need address a number of City Hall administration issues-some of which are black and white, and some more complicated. What I am trying to address is the issue of holding ourselves -citizens of a particular community responisbile for the actions we take. Most importantly, let's be careful who we are blaming half the time, because sometimes we develop and make decisions that hurt ourselves. I am progressive enough to understand the history of New Haven politics and leaders. Lastly, it is not about blaming black folks, but it is about trying to ensuring a community which has a vibrant history flourish. We all hold that responsibility!!