New Haven Independent

Posted by: New Haven Tea Party | October 30, 2007 10:33 PM

Great...full employment for felons. What exactly is there to explain about being a felon that would make it acceptable to hire one at taxpayer expense? The felon violated taxpayers..and the DeStefano answer is to give them a job at taxpayer expense. I guess this means Billy White will be able to get his job back when he gets out of prison.

Posted by: Dean Moriarty | October 30, 2007 11:26 PM

Lord, WHERE is this man's brain?? If I lived in a different city this would be laughable. Unfortunately that's not the case. This is astounding. Get rid of the check box for a felony conviction in applying for City of New Haven employment, because it would be better for them to explain their offense during the interview process. Great! Joe Schmo, applying for a job as a teacher's aide is just dying to tell you that, oh yeah, he was convicted of child molestation in the past. And if he doesn't feel free to give out that information, then I guess it's just a case of "don't ask, don't tell" right? And Elser's "on the same page"? Remember that Nov. 6th.

Well, I guess the Mayor HAS made me feel a bit safer by pointing out that many of the 139 shootings were only meant to "mark" people, not kill them. I'll sleep better tonight knowing that. (You know, think about that statement for a minute. For a Mayor to actually say that is just incredible).

Seriously folks, this man is dangerous (and we won't even mention bizarre) as a leader of a munincipality. He most certainly does not represent the desires of the majority of this city's residents. That fact is evident by reading the postings of resident taxpayers here and in other forums. So how has he managed to continue to have an office view of the New Haven Green for so long? One simple reason: Incredible, embarassing and pathetic low voter turnout. Can't we put an end to this comedy/tragedy this time? It only takes ten minutes to go vote. Less than probably spent at Starbucks or your favorite downtown lunch spot. It's time for change, and the only ones capable of effecting it are the voters.

Posted by: cityemp | October 31, 2007 12:12 AM

Doesn't the city charter have some provision on this that would need to be changed and is there any length that DeStefano won't go to to drag down standards? First illegal aliens, now the hiring of convicted felons? By definition, a convicted felon is one convicted of a crime of moral turpitude. Me thinks this Mayor has truly gone nuts.

Posted by: Albert Vosburn | October 31, 2007 8:10 AM

Sheer hypocrisy on the part of Paul Bass!

The Independent comes down on the side of illegal immigrants but NOT illegal citizens.

You really have to choose whose side you're on, Paul.

Posted by: Frank Iezzi | October 31, 2007 9:29 AM

Amen, Dean!

Encourage the vote!

Posted by: HK | October 31, 2007 10:18 AM

While employers should tread with some caution when hiring felons (evaluate job suitability, etc), felons need jobs just like the rest of us. They've already paid their debt to society--that is the entire point of a felony sentence (prison, etc). Stop punishing them further; it is not right. And remember that the term 'felon' covers a very wide variety of offenses, some serious and some not-so-serious in terms of future employment. Felons are not illegal citizens.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | October 31, 2007 10:20 AM

Ok I understand why they want to take away the check box which is an honorable thought. Butt OMG set by example at who's expense??? Ok the people that are getting blead dry right now??? NO WAY. I can see changing the standard of that part of the form maybe "have you been convicted of a felony in the past 10 years" maybe. Or If you have been convicted of a felony please explain. but just omitting it is irresponsible.
And "ALBERT" I think the ID Cards are a totally different issues then convicted felons.

I do have to say that I am glad to see they may address the larger policing districts in the city. OHHH did he say CEDAR HILL ohhh I feel faint that he even mentioned us. My grip is not my District manager because we all luv her it is the fact that she is so short staffed for such a large area. So of course areas like mine are last on the list to see a cop. Get more COPS in the district too!

And the whole tax thing did not really seemed to be addressed. It appears it was skirted again??

Johnny we need a better plan??!! I want the Old Johnny back I know he is in you some were. What if it was your parents that were struggling while raising you?? Having to pay high taxes....what would you do?? Run for mayor and change it. Sooo change it Johnny and save the middle and lower middle class from having no choose but to leave this city.

Posted by: Bruce | October 31, 2007 10:27 AM

All felons are not child molesters. For example, in CT ticket scalpers are charged with a felony after three offenses (each ticket is a separate offense). Released felons have paid their debt to society. Is it our job to continue to punish them beyond the sentence the judge has deemed suitable?

If we're not going to give them the opportunity to become productive members of society, we might as well just shoot them and get them out of the way. I would much rather give them honest opportunities and a sense of hope for the future so that they are less likely to return to prison.

Posted by: fairhavener | October 31, 2007 11:14 AM

"So how has he managed to continue to have an office view of the New Haven Green for so long? One simple reason: Incredible, embarassing and pathetic low voter turnout."

Exactly. And do you know WHY that is? It is because many of the decisions and policies made in this town seemed geared to keeping it that way. This town caters to those who don't vote and those who can't vote. These types of people are much easier to stay in power over.

The pathetic thing is those who do vote are too WEAK to vote for a lesser candidate just to get someone new in. Or, they are beneficiaries of the system. I would rather vote for the stupidest candidate then keep the status quo. So what if they are horrible. Maybe having an idiot serve a term will inspire some quality candidates to step up (As much as I dislike John he is not an idiot - just arrogant and self-servingly deranged, among other things.).

Posted by: New Haven Tea Party | October 31, 2007 11:15 AM

Dear Ms. DeStefano:

This is an intervention and I'm sure one your husband John won't appreciate. But sometimes it takes a radical move to bring about a change in behavior, that if successful, will save our city and the hard working families who are struggling to raise their children here.

I'm sure you love your husband and I hope you love this city half as much. If you do, please check John into the Yale New Haven Hospital tomorrow. Yes, I know he has spent years beating them up, treating them shabbily and fomenting labor unrest in the name of politics. I know he has called the YNHH executive team names and demeaned an institution that pays tens of millions of dollars a year for indigent care; that has supported many worthwhile causes across the city; and is investing nearly a half billion dollars in the new Yale Cancer Center which in turn supports union labor, private enterprise, our city through voluntary payments in lieu of taxes plus millions in building permits.

But the bottom line is that YNHH has the best doctors. It is a world class institution that can ferret out whatever ailment is afflicting your husband and putting our city and families at risk. His latest proposal, to stop requiring felons to admit to being a felon, and in effect, to offer full employment for felons at taxpayer expense is just the latest in a string of decisions that will ensure our demise. We will become a safe haven, a sanctuary city for felons - child molesters, thieves, rapists, gangsters, drug dealers and the like, all seeking good paying jobs and a rich retirement at taxpayer expense. They may even move in on your street and mine. Don't we have enough felons here already?

Your husband, Ms. DeStefano, is also deaf. While they're checking for misfirings in his brain that allows him to embrace all manner of illegal behavior, please have him also diagnosed in the hearing department. He seems to only hear from the fringe groups - the illegals, the felons, the people who pay little or no taxes - and turns a tin ear to the rest of us.

Ms. DeStefano, you are our only hope. Please call YNHH today and reserve a room for John tonight. The many doctors can start a work up on him first thing in the morning, when they round.

Best Always - New Haven Tea Party and Friends

Posted by: jasmine Nicholas | October 31, 2007 11:17 AM

That was my question that i asked at the debate! I care about felons and helping them get jobs and further their education especially because my sister is a felon and she cant find a job and she has two kids that she has to support.

Posted by: jasmine Nicholas | October 31, 2007 11:23 AM

All felons are not bad people some could of been in the wrong place at the wrong time and they got charged?So for people to not want to give them a second chance go to hell?you see how it feels to apply to 10 jobs that need help and not one place even give u an interview!!!

Posted by: Outta-order | October 31, 2007 12:02 PM

"So how has he managed to continue to have an office view of the New Haven Green for so long? One simple reason: Incredible, embarassing and pathetic low voter turnout."

JD receives a majority of the vote every two years. The majority has spoken and will continue to speak. Low voter turn out could be symptomatic of a number of things. Perhaps folks are happy with the status quo or are not impressed by the candidates in general. Maybe one of you perennial complainers should run for mayor!

BTW what/who is an "illegal citizen"?

Posted by: Dean Moriarty | October 31, 2007 12:54 PM

Bruce, I understand that all felons are not child molesters. I was just using one example. But, having a check box demands that this info is revealed. And THEN it can be decided how great the offense was, and whether to hire or not. Without this revelation, yes, a felon convicted of murder could get hired as easily as a ticket scalper.

Posted by: charlie | October 31, 2007 12:58 PM

If you're casting a protest or "anyone but DeStefano" vote, it makes much more sense to vote for Elser than Ferrucci, since Elser will definitely be getting a larger fraction of the vote.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | October 31, 2007 2:21 PM

Bruce and jasmine
You are right, but that is why there should be an explanation box of some sort. But to omit it totally opens the doors to others. I get the fact that in your 20's you made a big mistake and 10 years later you have been living a good life and deserve to not have to continue with paying for it. Or as you stated some smaller things are felony's. But to omit it is going to far.

fairhavener
The status quo is the Darth Vader of politics "come to the dark side" Like little drones they do. No independent thinking involved. god forbid you don't fit in with the in crowd! But I am not sure if I would risk the city for a unqualified candidate.
The changes should of been made at the primary when the Alderman were running. We need alderman that are independent from the mayor. Not indebted to the mayor!! Now there are only a few up for election so the wards that are left with that option has a big burden in there hands.

Posted by: Pay Attention | October 31, 2007 3:33 PM

Okay folks -- here's what was written and no doubt what was meant:

"The idea is to allow felons to explain their offenses during the interview process, instead of being automatically ruled out on paper."

So JD was not saying we will run around hiring people with criminal records, he was saying that we all discriminate to save time and regularly people are dropped without ever being interviewed because they check the felony box.

The city can still drop someone after the interview. It can even still drop someone because they have criminal offense.

But that person will get to have a real shot. Maybe they were convicted of a non-violent drug offense when they were 18. Maybe that was 20 years ago. What does that have to do with whether they would make a good parks employee?

Now New Haven also requires a police background check on all employees before they get hired, so they will know whether someone has been convicted. They will also know if the applicant failed to say something about it in the interview. And if they were asked and failed to say something, the city will know that the person is a liar.

All this does is get the person in the door, it does not hide their background.

One thing about JD -- everyone knows he will court controversy to try things that might make a difference and highlight something he thinks is wrong. None of us always agree with him, but he does not put his head in the sand either.

His ideas often force thoughtful debate of the pressing issues of the day.

Who else running for office (who will almost certainly win) takes the kinds of public risks he does? And in this case actually at a debate. It says a lot about this town that for more than a decade we have preferred someone who has some crazy ideas from time to time but at least tries to face the reality of the streets of this city.

Posted by: No More Tea Party | October 31, 2007 3:38 PM

Hey Tea Party --

In an effort to be funny, you have crossed a line which does not get crossed in New Haven. You just don't find examples here of someone pulling family members into a public debate -- even in a silly effort to make a point.

We don't do it. See we live with these people and so when we call them out by name, we are talking about our neighbors. Politicians run for office, their spouses do not.

If your arguments, or your humor, don't have merit without crossing this line, then keep both to yourself.

Posted by: charlie | October 31, 2007 4:02 PM

Felons should be given equal rights once they have served their sentence. There should be more programs and involvement to help them once they are out.

However, violent felons should be locked up for much longer than they currently are. For example, anyone who commits a robbery should be locked up for 20 years without possibility of parole. If it involves a gun, it should be a minimum 30 years. If the gun was fired or someone was otherwise assaulted, 50 years minimum. Unfortunately, violent crimes affect more than just the victim, they create many other societal problems as well. The way to stop them is to lock criminals up basically for good.

Posted by: Bruce | October 31, 2007 4:16 PM

I guess the real question is -- why are we focusing on felony indications for job applications now? Is this something that really will make or break the city over the next two years, or is this just something to talk about other than taxes and violent crime?

Posted by: cedarhillresident | October 31, 2007 4:56 PM

Bruce
Your right we have been duked again!!! Side tracked, horn swoggled by the machine!!! Ding Ding ding you win the prize!
All we want to know about in New Haven is HOW ARE YOU 3 GUYS going to fix the tax crisis!!! Not one has really answered that with a plan!!!

Posted by: Bill Saunders | October 31, 2007 5:20 PM

NH Tea Party is on the right track --
Megalomania is Mental Illness.

Perhaps we can invoke this remedy from the City Charter......

Sec. 14. Removal for total incapacitation.
In case the mayor of the city shall, by any cause whatsoever, be totally incapacitated physically or mentally for a period exceeding thirty days from performing the duties of mayor, the board of aldermen may, after summons and hearing in the manner concerning officers appointed by the mayor, remove the mayor and declare the office of mayor to be vacant on account of such incapacity for said period, and the person so removed may appeal from the order of removal in the same manner provided herein for an appeal by an officer removed by the mayor.

Posted by: givemeabreak | October 31, 2007 5:25 PM

I'm for hiring felons, but not for removing the box on the applications. the city has to be able to evaluate what positions are best suited for a felon reentering the workforce and place them in ones where they can prove their honesty and peacefulness without putting people at too great a risk.

For instance, you wouldn't put a convicted embezzler in the treasurer's office. Or a serial house burgler in a position inspecting homes for Livable Cities.

You would start him or her perhaps in janitorial, or tree cutting and move him or her up on merit, over time, after being able to judge his or her current integrity and reform.

Destefano is trolling for votes and figures by the time the damage is done, he will be in the governor's house. He never did much care about crime and quality of life in the neighborhoods until it was shoved in his face this last year

Posted by: goodbye destefano | October 31, 2007 5:29 PM

I am voting for whoever can start to deal with New Haven's frughtening debt.

Someone who doesn't think totally degenerate cynical machine politics is normal instead of a form of ccorruption would be nice too.

Posted by: goodbye again | October 31, 2007 5:32 PM

When he police district community members want to divide their districts, they should. When the mayor wants to, it obviously is for some self-serving cynical purpose. Therefore, I am against it until he convinces me it is for any good reason at all. And I mean really convinces me.

I don't trust him, and why should I? Does anyone?

Posted by: fairhavener | October 31, 2007 5:55 PM

"Dear Ms. DeStefano:"

That was funny.

cedarhillresident
Even though I can't stand any of the candidates, I am going to vote for Elser for the reason Charlie pointed out. I just hope someone steps up for the next election. Please.

And yes, we did get duped into becoming sidetracked.

Real Problems:
Low voter turnout
Out of Control Taxes
Whichever & Whatever way you want to call it Police Problem

News Problems:
Felon check box on job application

Posted by: joshua jones | October 31, 2007 7:01 PM

Lets see if Bass publishes this one. My last post was cut.

don't need to mention no FELONY. Destefano just call Ortiz and ask. Ortiz say no

Destefano phone up campaign fund raiser. He say he give donation.

City job is his

Posted by: fairhavener | October 31, 2007 9:08 PM

"In an effort to be funny, you have crossed a line which does not get crossed in New Haven."

Well, whatever "line" you're talking about got crossed this time. And you can count on it getting crossed a whole lot more. Ever heard of the 1st Amendment? And, WHO are YOU to dictate "lines" and "crossings"? Please. Anyway, if anyone knows what the "line" is and when it has been "crossed" it's NHI!

"My last post was cut." (joshua jones)

Don't you just hate that?

Posted by: fairhavener | October 31, 2007 9:24 PM

Oh, shoot. I forgot to post what I was meaning to. I got carried away with the whole "Dear Ms. DeStefano:" thing. It was pretty funny.

Cedarhillresident, you are absolutely right:

"The changes should of been made at the primary when the Alderman were running. We need alderman that are independent from the mayor. Not indebted to the mayor!!"

I don't know about the indebted part. I don't deny it, I just don't know if it is a fact. I do know that without the aldermen the mayor cannot always have his way. It is terribly important that we pay attention to the aldermen and everything they do. We may not be able to slay the beast, but we can surely tame it through the election of strong aldermen.

Unfortunately, most of our current aldermen think Destefano should be governor.

Posted by: why not | October 31, 2007 10:05 PM

The check box--the new problem people are finding with DeStefano,King John, Johnnie Boy whatever name those who post on the Independent choose to call him.

What was said:
"The idea is to allow felons to explain their offenses during the interview process, instead of being automatically ruled out on paper."

Why are felons lesser human beings than the rest of us? Don't get me wrong they broke the law, served their time and are now paying the harsh price of being branded by society. This isn't about them taking the jobs of deserving, law abiding, tax payers its about making people feel less by tearing them down. I solely agree with this proposal because it allows felons to get their foot in the door in the workplace. If they are willing to go out, look for a job and work hard at it..why can't they have it? Yes, in the interview process their crimes should be discussed and they should be placed accordingly.
Let's face reality. Felons will be released no matter what and there is nothing you or I can do to stop them from entering our community. Why not integrate them instead of putting them aside where they are at risk of going back to bad habits and committing another felony.

You worry about taxes...wouldn't you want to broaden the tax base by adding them and making them tax payers. Its better to have them working and doing something rather than going back and becoming dependent on city,state and federal aid.
You worry about crime...if they had a job and a steady income and something to work for do you think they would want to risk that and go back to a life of crime? I really don't think so.

Are you telling me that the mentors who work for Street Outreach shouldn't have their jobs beacuse they are felons? what they do is great..they are integrating an ignored population of young people who are at risk of becoming the population people so steadily judge on these posts.

Some felons committed these crime's when they were 18 and are now in their 30s, 40s and 50s.
Whether you want to accept it or not. Felons are here and if there isn't room in our community then the only place left for them is a one way ticket back to jail. The problem of the growing prison re-entry population is here in our community and we need to deal with it.

So are we as New Haven going to do something about it now or 10 years from now when this problem is out of our hands? Are we as New Haven going to stand up together as a city or divide ourselves every chance we get?

When you cast your vote on Nov 6th don't cast a vote of discontent. Vote for the person whose ideas you believe in and who makes the most sense once you see the whole picture. Remember New Haven is a diverse city so a mayor needs to tailor to all walks of life in this city.

Personally, I will continue to support DeStefano not because I agree with everything he says but because he isn't afraid to stand up for what he believes in. The other two candidate's say what we all want to hear. Ferrucci finds the key phrases that excite people and fill them full of false hope. He lacks character, ideas and personality. Elser on the other hand is well educated but lacks a feelingss and a sense of what struggle and community mean. I know why i'm voting for DeStefano but do you know why you aren't voting for him? Is is because Elser and Ferrucci are better choices or is it because you disagree on some things DeStefano believes in. I think DeStefano needs to finish what he started. And if in two years we are in the same place we are today then a sensible and real candidate needs to step up and make him fight for his right to be Mayor.

Posted by: Fedupwithliberals | October 31, 2007 10:22 PM

Notice how The New Haven Register overlooked this topic in their recount of the debate? No surprise who they will endorse for mayor next week!

Posted by: Disgruntled Democrat | October 31, 2007 10:24 PM

The only thing that JD cares about is keeping the national/state spotlight on himself so that when Rosa retires, he can attempt to get her seat.

Most of the people working for him have moved on, and he has a new set of twenty-somethings helping him create policy. I will take Elser, at least for one term, to bring in some sense and balance to City Hall rather than deal with the next bizarre idea that JD wants to implement without any opposition from the alders.

I am absolutely afraid of what will come out of his mouth next, considering this is an election year and he is targeting persons that cannot vote (illegals and felons). The longer he is in office the longer it will take to reverse all the damage he is beginning to do. Vote for Elser just this once and then maybe a better democrat will be chosen for 2009.

Posted by: Ralph Ferrucci | October 31, 2007 10:36 PM

I would first like to thank all who came out to the debate last night.

Now the box on applications is so a dialoge between aplicant and potential employer is engaged not to keep felons from being hired. It is illegal to deny any a job because they are a felon.

This is here to keep child molestors from getting a job as a day care worker or in a school or like givemeabreak say a convicted embezzler in the treasurer's office. Or a serial house burgler in a position inspecting homes for Livable Cities.

We need to aggresively go after employers who deny felons the right to work.

In last nights debate I attacked the Mayor on crime and non fatal shootings. In the first three quarters of this year there were 139 non fatal shootings which are not considered to be violent crimes. This means that every quarter there are 46 attempts of murder.

John has said that violent crime is down by keeping these numbers out of the press.

As for taxes I have 2 plans on how to attack high taxes

1) this is a long term plan which will take time. That is going after Yale to pay it's fair share of taxes. Right now they give $4.1 million dollar contribution to New Haven. Before the reassessemant they should have been paying $36.5 million to New Haven.

2) Madison had a reassessment that increase home prices 39%. Next year they are estimating a 20% reduction of the mill rate, we had a 3% reduction witha 20% increase in taxes due to reassessment. This is a major problem. We need to go through the budget and cut over spending without cutting the necessary programs. We have increased taxes $8 million dollars and increased spending for this year by nearly $18 million. Next year proposed tax
increase is $12 million and spending is $29.5 million.

Many people I have spoken to in the Hill, Fair Haven, Dixwell, Westville, Newhall, East Rock and East Shore are not happy with the Mayor and are supporting me.

In fact many neighborhoods that I have been to are suprised to see a Mayoral Candidate in those neighboorhoods. I have spent many weekends on Truman, Howard Ave, Rosette and many other stereets in the Hill.

How can any candidate talk about crime unless they see it or get first hand experience from those living in troubled neighborrhoods. My responses on crime came from people who deal with shootings every day.

I can write this post for an hour and not answer all question so feel free to conatct me and I will answer all questions honestly and to the best of my ability.

Ralph Ferrucci
Green Party Candidate, Mayor of New Haven

voteferrucci@sbcglobal.net
voteferrucci.org

Posted by: Chris Gray | November 1, 2007 3:50 AM

There is a lot that can be said for DeStefano and a lot that can be said against him. He is, in my opinion, a likable man.

The system and culture he grew up in and represents is much more at fault than the man. Having observed him from well before his first election try until today, I would say he has honestly attemted to change for the better if not always for the wiser. Mostly due to pressure from the editor of the Independent, I would add, whether in his position here or in his previous positions.

He is even brave, but not brave enough to escape the shackles of that system and culture.

While I wish I could endorse Ferrucci, and I do endorse his call for greater pressure on Yale to offset the tax burden, the inability of the Greens to field a slate of alder candidates dooms their chances for even any effective protest vote in my view.

So, while I have no illusion that it is a winning challenge, a vote for Elser would add to what could be a chorus of discontent.

The irony of my saying this is not lost on me.

The Greens of the 80s dissolved over the Fundies support of my candidacy and the Realos wish to endorse Jonathon Einhorn. The opponent, however, was first time candidate John Daniels and, so, the issue of a unified opposition to an entrenched incumbent was not involved.

Such a power play in that campaign reeked to me of racism rather than reform. Perhaps it would have made a difference, but I preferred championing our agenda to jockeying for appointments in such a compromised administration as Jon might have assembled, had he even won.

It is all ancient history now and, in this case, it isn't even comparable.

As for the issue of the "box", sure it is merely a distraction, but we do have to realistically deal with our society's blood thirsty vindictiveness regarding all felons. We don't have to eliminate the box; we just do not have to use checking it as an automatic reason to throw out an application. Obviously, felons most likely to do evil again will not check it anyway.

Heck, we had a major problem all over this state with school bus drivers getting the appropriate background checks recently. That is not to even mention background checks on gun buyers, such as the Virginia Tech shooter.

That is the system that needs to be shored up.

That and finding a way to get voters to go to the polls.

Posted by: fairhavener | November 1, 2007 10:37 AM

"Now the box on applications is so a dialoge between aplicant and potential employer is engaged not to keep felons from being hired. It is illegal to deny any a job because they are a felon."

Exactly. That is why the whole "box" issue is pathetic. AS ALWAYS, it doesn't address the REAL ISSUE. It is about PUBLICITY and controversy NOT about coming up with REAL SOLUTIONS.

All that would happen as a result of the removal of the box is John being able to say he fought hard to help recovered criminals become employed. Of course the removal of the box won't achieve that, but he can say it and not be completely lying.

Don't vote DeStefano. It's only two years people.

Posted by: No Need for Facts | November 1, 2007 1:46 PM

Just so we can all be clear -- let's not make up facts. Despite what Ferrucci believes -- it is not illegal to discriminate against someone because they have a criminal record. Saying that DeStefano's actions are unnecessary because it is not legal to discriminate against former felons is wrong on so many moral fronts -- but it also happens to be factually inaccurate.

Hurray to Elser for not just saying he's against something because DeStefano's for it. His unwillingness to bash people coming out of prison is decent and reflects well on New Haven's Republican party.

Ferrucci -- you are what is wrong with the Green party in New Haven -- it is to the RIGHT of the Democratic party. Every time people think that they should support the Green party, it runs a homophobe for alderman or a right wing goofball for Mayor. Now the Democratic party has its share of both, but they don't pretend to be to the left of the Green party, just to the left of the Republican party which is happy to occupy the position of having an open door for hate-filled lunatics.

Ferrucci says: "This is here to keep child molestors from getting a job as a day care worker or in a school or like givemeabreak say a convicted embezzler in the treasurer's office. Or a serial house burgler in a position inspecting homes for Livable Cities."

Again -- the Green party smears itself with a candidate whose right-wing views are not even based in a smidgen of facts. Pay attention Ralph: NEW HAVEN DOES A BACKGROUND CHECK ON EVERYONE WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR A JOB BEFORE THEY START WORK. To think that the city would rely only on a job candidate's confirmation that they are not a criminal reflects either foolishness or a desire to mislead. Candidates who run on the backs of the least powerful should be ashamed.

Somehow I just don't have the same concern that Elser does not want to fill his designated role (of opening the door door for hate-filled lunatics) as I do that the Green party has someone fighting for the rights of East Rock residents' taxes. Can you at least have an environmental position? Say something GREEEEEN!

Posted by: bjfair | November 1, 2007 2:51 PM

I would like to think that Destefano has FINALLY recognized that he can't continue to run away from the felon issues because it is a huge problem in urban centers. Not that those in urban centers are the only ones comitting crimes but they are defintely more likely to end up with a felony even if it has to come from corrupt officers planting drugs on them. Charlie would love to see all violent offenders locked up for life. Shall we start in the white house? This country thrives on violence so there will never be enough prisons to keep violent offenders in prison for life. Disgruntled, I hate to burst your bubble but felons CAN now vote once they have served their time. New HAVEN Tea: Billy White won't need a job should he actually serve a day from his criminal enterprise. He will be collecting $91,000 a year for the rest of his life on top of all the money that he has stolen from individuals as an officer of the law notwithstanding all the loot that he hustled from the bail bondsmen throughout the years. Don't worry about Billy. He and his family will be alright. All felons should be so lucky.

Posted by: fairhavener | November 1, 2007 3:58 PM

"Just so we can all be clear -- let's not make up facts. Despite what Ferrucci believes -- it is not illegal to discriminate against someone because they have a criminal record. "

Darn you Ferrucci. I thought it was only legal to discriminate against felons when there was a relationship between offense and job. It turns out it is always perfectly legal. I can only blame myself for not double-checking.

But, it is another reason why I am going to vote for Elser. It is only two years.

Posted by: C'mon Green Party | November 1, 2007 5:09 PM

Dear Green Party,

It is difficult to take any of your candidates seriously when your mayoral candidate is semi-literate and doesn't know how to use spell-check. Why do you care so little for your own credibility?

Posted by: Ralph Ferrucci | November 1, 2007 6:00 PM

Noneedforfacts;
here is the info you requested.

FEDERAL LAW LIMITING EMPLOYER USE OF CRIMINAL CONVICTION INFORMATION

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 restricts the state's ability to use criminal convictions in employment decisions (42 USC §2000e-5, et seq.). The Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC), the federal agency that enforces Title VII, has ruled that automatically disqualifying people who have criminal records from jobs is discriminatory because the practice disproportionately affects African American and Hispanic men. (These two groups have much higher criminal conviction rates than do Caucasian men.)

The EEOC has ruled repeatedly that covered employers cannot simply bar felons from jobs, but must show that a conviction-based disqualification is justified by "business necessity." The legal test requires employers to examine (1) the job-relatedness of each conviction, (2) the nature of the crime committed, (3) the number of convictions, (4) the facts surrounding each offense, (5) the length of time between the conviction and the employment decision, (6) the person's employment history before and after the conviction, and (7) the applicant's efforts at rehabilitation. According to the EEOC, the job-relatedness inquiry is the most important, and focuses on whether the job position applied for presents an opportunity for the applicant to engage in the same type of misconduct which resulted in the conviction (Bednar, "Employment Law Dilemmas," 11 Utah Bar J. 15 (Dec. 1998)).

This came for the CT.gov website
Ralph Ferrucci

Posted by: jasmine Nicholas | November 1, 2007 6:36 PM

Destfano is a good mayor he has his bad decision making progress but he also did some good things for New Haven!No one is going to actually do what the people want them to do !It takes time for things to change and i feel that destefano will be the one to do it!!

Posted by: ralph ferrucci | November 1, 2007 9:24 PM

To No Need for Facts:
First things first, I will not respond to personal attacks.

Now I am 90% of the time to the left of the Mayor on most issues. But 10% of the time I am a populist, rather than a liberal like on taxes. I am not a tax and spend Democrat nor a borrow and spend Republican.

I believe in accountability and transperancy of our government.

As for talking about what people want to hear. This is true only because these are the isues that the next Mayor will have to tackle like High Taxes, Taxing Yale ( A Green issue since 1985) and how to combat crime.

For the person who asked me to talk about environmental issues, I would push for Green Building standards known as LEED Certified and Green schooling. For more info go to http://www.politicalgateway.com/cand.php?id=522&isid=1227&page=issue

next on taxes and felons. We do not collect taxes for employment or sales, these are state and federal taxes. The only taxes New haven collects is property taxes (home and vehicle taxes)

Next on corrupt cops and pensions: New haven should not give corrupt cops pensions. They violated the first rule of policing and that is to protect and serve.Who are they serving when they violate the laws they are sworn to protect.

I will also leave you with the comment that I closed the last debate with - I was criticized by the advocate for not talking about environmental issues but it is hard to talk about community gardens when people in the Hill, Dixwell and else where in the city are being shot at.

Ralph Ferrucci

Posted by: Fedupwithliberals | November 2, 2007 8:52 AM

Sorry Jasmine, time for a REAL change. Vote 'em all out next week.

Posted by: Ralph Ferrucci | November 2, 2007 11:00 AM

For those of you who did not get a chance to see the debate it will be on twice before the election.

Channel 23 on Comcast, Citizens Television
Sunday 11/4 @ 9 PM and
Monday 11/5 @ 6 PM.

The Independent had a few highlights, this is your chance to watch the whole debate.
Ralph Ferrucci

Posted by: No Need For Facts | November 2, 2007 5:24 PM

Now Ralph,

Sorry if I engaged in personal attacks. Hopefully there will be none to follow. Here are my 5 questions as I choose whether to vote for you Senor Quixote.

First, you say you are to the left of DeStefano 90% of the time. I have not read a single position you hold which is to the left of the Republican candidate for Mayor, much less the Democratic one. So help me out, can you name three mainstream issues where you are to the left of DeStefano?

Second, you believe a law exists which stops me from not hiring someone because they have a record and you believe this because you found it on the CT.gov website. So let me ask you something -- do you believe that a former felon could sue an employer successfully for not hiring them because they were a felon? Do you have an example where the EEOC has enforced in this area in your lifetime -- in a real court of law? Do you think any of that makes the least bit of difference in the real world where DeStefano apparently has decided to function?

Third, since you seemed to have dropped it as one of your arguments, do you now concede that DeStefano's strategy would have no impact on the hiring of child molesters as bus drivers (or whatever examples you used), since New Haven does criminal background checks on all employees? If so, doesn't your whole argument really seem to be irrelevant?

Fourth, don't politicians usually call themselves "populists" on issues when they simply lack a coherent ideology? I still don't get how a Green opposes efforts to assist former felons with re-entry while supporting tax cuts for East Rock residents. I think there is a consistent philosophy which would allow you to hold these positions, but it is certainly not called GREEN. Oh wait that wasn't a question.

Since the New Haven Greens seem to be the biggest tent in the world, I did find this on wikipedia which describes what Greens theoretically stand for: ecology, social justice, grassroots democracy, and non-violence.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Pillars_of_the_Green_Party

Last question. I would readily vote for a candidate espousing these viewpoints. Do you have positions relevant to these four areas? Oddly, DeStefano seems to run on his position on each of these areas from publicly financed elections to street outreach workers to immigration. I know where you stand on taxes and former felons. At least I have not heard you fight for these GREEN issues. Am I wrong?

Posted by: Edward_H | November 5, 2007 8:50 AM

This is nothing more than election time tripe. The bottom line these felons, criminals and crooks and their supporters either fail to realize or choose to ignore is:

For every felon who fills out an application there are usually many more applications filled out by people who are more qualified OR equally as qualified who are not felons.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | November 5, 2007 1:24 PM

Edward_H
Makes a good point. I would kill for a job in the city (not really kill because that is a felony). But it is not just felons that can not find good jobs right now. It is qualified people that have not broken the law. The correction officer test 3000 people applied for that. Post office how many people apply for that?? Even in my office when we get an opening we get stacks of applications.

Posted by: Ralph Ferrucci | November 5, 2007 8:01 PM

To C'mon Green Party; semi-literate, unlike you I was born blind in one eye. This I never talk about, but due to slight changes in depth perception, I must look at the keyboard when I write an email which does not have spell check. Tell you what, cover one eye, do not use spell check and try to write out an email and see how much you miss.

To No Need For Facts:
Here are Green Issues:
Immigration

"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others."
Nelson Mandela

During the past few weeks, the heated debate over identification cards for illegal immigrants has undoubtedly intensified. While many illegal immigrants and other supporters of this issue believe that the ICE raids in New Haven were prompted by the initiation of the identification cards, ICE agents remain adament that these raids were a result of illegal immigrants ignoring deportation orders. However, the topic that ICE continues to ignore is the fact that out of the 31 people from New Haven, 1 person from West Haven, and 3 people from North Haven that were taken into custody, the ICE only had 5 warrants, none of them search warrants, which are legally required in order to enter someone's home without their permission.

At the time when the Constitution was created, there were many English raids on New England homes, at the time called "quartering." The creation of the Constitution was to protect people from those raids and to ensure that their rights would not be violated. The current issue of implementing identification cards does not grant any rights to illegal immigrants, other than those rights that are protected by the federal laws and the Constitution. Accordingly, the ICE has violated our Constitution, and those that which it protects, for which so many people have died to enforce.

There is an estimated 12-15 million un-documented workers in the United States. Deportation of all of these workers would cause a detrimental spiral in our Nation's economy. Immigration is a federal issue, and it is up to the federal government to work on its reform.

What is it that our City can do? When elected, I will work with Governor Jodi Rell and our legislators on a plan for assisting illegal immigrants to become legal citizens. This plan will include:

1. Issuing a work permit, which will require all immmigrants to pay taxes;

2. After 7 years, immigrants will have the right to become legal citizens.

This will help strengthen our economy by adding a bigger tax base which will lower taxes of other Connecticut residents. In addition, this plan will force employers to pay equal wages, thereby ceasing the exploitation of immigrant workers.

Municipal Energy

"Unless we find a way to dramatically change our civilization and our way of thinking about our relationship between humankind and the Earth, our children will inherit a wasteland."
Al Gore

Both Wallingford and Yale have their own power plants. There is no reason why New Haven cannot have the same. We can lead the way for Green Municipal Power by:

1. Take over the English Station Power Plant with use of Eminent Domain. We would then convert it to run on bio-diesel, a vegetable-based fuel source.

2. Put solar panels on top of all municipal buildings.

3. All new projects will be LEED certified which means that they are Green buildings and have solar panels on the roofs to help supply their own power that is environmentally friendly.

Bio-Diesel

"Technology evolves so much faster than wisdom."
Jennifer Stone

BIODIESEL:

Bio diesel is a soy or vegetable based fuel system. This may seem somewhat outrageous, but Dr. Diesel who created the diesel engine back in the early 1900's, created it to run on peanut oil. After his death, the Petroleum exploited the diesel engine with the use of petroleum diesel.

New Haven has announced that it would run it's municipal fleet on B5 and B20, which means 5% and 20% vegetable oil. 5% in the winter months and 20% in the summer.

New Haven can do better than this. We can run B50 and B95. We can also increase this by pushing for the school buses and city buses to adopt Bio-Diesel as it's fuel source also.

This would lower emission levels drastically making New Haven a safer place to live and being the only city running completely on Bio-Diesel.

Schools/ Green Schools

"Only the educated are free."
Epictetus

SCHOOLS:

As was talked about in the "Taxes" section, Mayor DeStefano continues to increase property taxes to fund the development of New Haven city schools. The building of future schools needs to be minimized. However, if we are going to continue to build new schools, these schools should be LEED certified Green schools only. The cost increase of building a Green school is $3.00 a sq. ft. more. The savings is $74.00 a sq. ft. over non-Green schools. The schools would save $71.00 a sq. ft. The future benefits of Green schools are lower asthma rates; less cold and flus, and a tremendous savings in heating and air-conditioning costs.

In order to make our schools top-notch learning facilities, we need to reduce class sizes so there is a much more productive student-teacher ratio. Doing so will enhance the ability of students to learn in a more effective manner.

Based on its decade-long average growth, Yale's endowment now grows by approximately $5.4 million a day. Yale could well afford to partner with the City of New Haven to fund salaries to pay new teachers in order to reduce the number of students packed into the classrooms of New Haven's public schools. The unreimbursed portion of Yale's tax exemption costs the city more than the total cost for the new teachers' salaries, who could be hired for no more than one or two average days of growth for Yale's endowment. Yale has both a responsibility and an interest in improving the local schools.

Taxing Yale

"If there is no struggle, there is no progress."
Frederick Douglass

TAXING YALE:

Yale is the largest land owner in New Haven, yet pay fewer taxes here than they do in New York City, where they own one square block. In two days, Yale makes 12.5 million dollars on the interest of their endowment.

Yale University and its teaching hospital, Yale-New Haven Hospital, currently own about $1.1 billion of tax-exempt real and personal property in the City of New Haven. If this property were taxed, Yale would pay $38.9 million annually into the City's budget. Instead, Yale makes a "voluntary contribution for fire services" that totaled $2.1 million in the year 2001 (or 5.4% of what they would pay without an exemption). Connecticut's taxpayers' dollars partially reimburse cities for revenue lost from the tax exemption of colleges and hospitals through the State's PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) program. In 2001, the loss to New Haven due to Yale's tax exemption equaled $38.9 million. Of that figure, the state PILOT program reimbursed the city $24.3 million. Yale made a $2.1 million voluntary contribution for "fire services," leaving $12.5 million unreimbursed. State taxpayers pay over10 times the amount that Yale does.

In 2003, Yale's Endowment was $10 billion and gave a small contribution to New Haven of $2.1 million. In 2007, Yale's Endowment totaled of $22.5 billion dollars and increased their contribution to $4.1 million.

It is time to put an end to Yale's evasion of their tax responsibilities and enforce a mandate that they pay the money that is owed to our city. Their contribution that they make to New Haven is lower than the daily interest that Yale makes off of it's endowment.

As for a Law that makes it against the law to refuse hiring of a felon, there is a law making it illegal to not hire someone because of their age. The problem here is it is almost impossible to prove that your civil rights have been violated.

My arguement was not about whether or not that we do criminal background checks, it was that taking the check box off of applications. We need to do background checks, but the check box itself starts a dialogue between employer and potential employee. Do you want a felon who lies to work in City Hall or for the city?

East Rock Taxes? I support a progressive tax plan where the lower income pays less of a mill rate than those who have million dollar house. I am not trying to save Saint Ronan St. as much as I am trying to save the Hill and Fair Haven.

Look at my website and you will find that I am more of a socialist that of a conservative that you would like to believe that I am.

I am a former member of Food Not Bombs which feeds the homeless with the idea that if we end the nuclear arms race we can feed all hungry people across the country. For more info go to foodnotbombs.net

To see more of my Green Issues go to voteferrucci.org, or ctgreens.org which I helped write many of their issues.

This is my last transmision before the campaign, if you have any questions call the office at 203-865-7203
Ralph Ferrucci