New Haven Independent

Posted by: EdgewoodPark | March 1, 2008 10:17 PM

I feel that Governor Rell is addressing prison re-entry issues now not because of New Haven but because of the unfortunate tragedy that occurred in Cheshire. Where she has she been on these issues when she was a state rep, lieutenant governor and now governor. Governor Rell doesn't care about New Haven she is just trying to make herself look good by putting New Haven down.

Posted by: DingDong | March 1, 2008 10:26 PM

Nice, urban problems are for cities to deal with and to take responsibility for. Imaginary lines drawn on maps that separate cities from suburbs absolve surbanites of all responsibility to help fund solutions to urban problems and any help that is provided is purely supererogatory... Thanks for letting us know where you stand, Gov. Rell.

(And by the way, those ridiculous drug laws that end up in high incaceration rates for the poor and corruption in our police force - those are state laws aren't they?)

Posted by: Chris Gray | March 2, 2008 1:17 AM

Not at all sure I blame her. I am kind of surprised that he didn't blame the New Haven Independent, as well. It is never his fault or ours (such as citizens who think traffic violations are a higher priority than violent gun crime).

Posted by: Gary Doyens | March 2, 2008 7:33 AM

I was wondering when the governor, as I have done, would respond forcefully to the DeStefano's intentional pandering, baiting and outright lying about prisioner "dumping" in New Haven in an effort to divert attention away from his own lack of leadership and concern. It's noteworthy that he has both ignored the facts and twisted them in order to justify shooting his mouth off and further alienating the hand that feeds this city to the tune of half its operating budget.

That none of the individuals involved in Monday's night of violence, were under the jurisdiction of the state - makes DeStefano's underlying support of his comments even more dubious. We deserve the truth and nothing less. It is shamefull and dishonest to twist the facts to justify what he wants - in this case millions of dollars more each year to support a prisoner re-entry program of which nobody in city government has experience, background or a successful track record.

Jessica Mayorga's contribution to this latest truth challenged affair, together with her juvenile math lesson on how to amortize and justify a $3,500 coat rack across 14 years, shows just how out of touch and enamored with their own cleverness they've become. Well, they're too clever by half yet again and the more DeSefano continues to blame others for his own pitiful accomplishments, the more people see him for what he is - an emporer in need of a tailor.

Posted by: Ken Krayeske | March 2, 2008 8:34 AM

More governance by letter from Grandma.

CT is one of four states that spends more on prisons than it does on higher education.

It's good that she acknowledges that the drug war is responsible for much of the crime and corruption, but she is still not willing to address it head on.

And it's kind of funny that she would hit DeStefano on corruption in the police department: pot, meet kettle.

Posted by: Fedupwithliberals | March 2, 2008 8:52 AM

Good! It's about time that Rell spanked DeStefano for acting like a spoiled, petulant, bratty child. To blame everyone else but himself for New Haven's problems after 14 years of his unchallenged rule is quite laughable. If he'd stop attracting and cultivating an underclass in the city, you'd probably see less violence and crime. Don't expect it to get any better as people like me move out to enjoy the 'burbs where you actually have a voice in the government and a quality of life!

Posted by: Edward_H | March 2, 2008 9:25 AM

Bravo to Gov. Rell for laying out the facts the Mayor chooses to ignore. Unfortunatley I think she played right into his hands. He will no doubt spin this into some sort of " look at the mean callous Republican response to poor New Haven problems." He will no doubt find a way to link crime in New Haven to lack of state aid. I would not put it past him to blame the problems in the New Haven Police Dept on Gov. Rell as well.

Posted by: Webblog 1 | March 2, 2008 10:32 AM

The following is redacted from Governor Rell's response letter to JD.

"Of the three shootings that occurred Monday, none involved individuals under the supervision of the Department of Correction. Moreover, the Department of Correction does not "dump" released prisoners in New Haven or in any other city. What it does do is return former prisoners to their home towns".

"There is no question that the City of New Haven faces many difficult issues. It is also clear that resolving these difficulties will require genuine leadership. Key to that leadership is an honest appraisal of the problem and a willingness to work constructively with the other stakeholders. I trust you will adopt a more productive tack in the future".

Sincerely,

M. Jodi Rell
Governor

This type of behavior from a Mayor who seeks more that 50% of New Haven's operational budget from the state is reprehensible.

You are clearly on the losing end of this self imposed tantrum.

Need I remind you Mr. Mayor, Rell signs your check. So, go to your office, take a seat and "CHILL". PLEASE

Posted by: Don't hate on grandma | March 2, 2008 12:03 PM

She's gone off her meds.

I was able to steal her insignia from her stationery (I love it when people know so little about computers that they create stationery through dropping a logo on a word file then email it out). I will now use this to send Rell-like nasty-grams to all of my enemies.

Aren't the state police in the middle of a huge corruption scandal . . . again?

Posted by: Fairhaven Dave | March 2, 2008 12:30 PM

Ah, the 'lazy mayor' versus the 'do nothing' governor. This should be like watching toddlers try to fight with foam pool noodles.

Posted by: dylan | March 2, 2008 1:54 PM

Here's a portion of the Governor's letter I don't exactly appreciate:

"Indeed, if I were in an ironic frame of mind, perhaps I might complain about the City of New Haven "dumping" its problems with drugs, violence, theft and other crimes on the State of Connecticut."

For a Governor who claims to understand the need for responsible growth, Rell seems less than aware of regionalism's role in that philosopy. It could easily be argued that cities like New Haven and Hartford are a hotbed for drugs and violence because of government policies over the past 50 years to concentrate poverty (probably the best predictor for crime) in them. The Federal Housing Authority redlined against urban areas, highways (the most heavily subsidized public works project in the history of mankind) facilitate an exodus of wealth into the suburbs, affordable housing is built almost nowhere but in our central cities, and the State is actually cutting (though they've never even been close to complete)Payments In Lieu of Taxes for non-taxable properties like hospitals, universities, and government offices which are also concentrated in our central cities. This results in higher tax rates and fuels further exodus of the middle class.

The mayor might not be completely right in saying the state is dumping prisoners in our city, but the current system makes it almost inevitable.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | March 2, 2008 2:24 PM

The city needs to sit down and review all the programs it has... what is working what is not and restructure all of it!

Second...I do not belive that all that are DUMPED (yes dumped) in are city are from here!

They are DUMPED here with no money and no means! If it was a cat or a dog dumped off the person doing the dumping would get time for abandoning an aniamal....and it is ok to abandon people??

hmmm She is right about targeting the gangs and narcotic trade. I know communitys are informing, but still look out there doors and drive in there commuintys watching the same places running the game day after day. The police say there is nothing they can do because the laws prevent it or because they have to have it investgated or why bother there in and out of jail anyway. You can go other routes like building codes and inforcment but that again is a whole other brick wall!

Johnny!! I take this letter as a chanllenge to our city! And I as a citizen will stand behind you! Lets fix it and prove that the city of NEW HAVEN is the most amazing city!

PS Rell we may get alot of state aid but that is because all the states poor and unwanted come here for help because your suburban areas do not want to help!

Although this does go to show that we need to start putting our foot down!

Posted by: charlie | March 2, 2008 4:44 PM

This type of behaviour is one of the reasons why Connecticut is currently 50 (soon to be 100) years behind the rest of the industrialized world on all matters related to urban policy and development.

We need a sea-change in leadership at the local and state level, beginning with the state ending its massive subsidies for suburban sprawl and starting to seriously invest in city and town centers, rather than playing lip-service to it by occassionally throwing a few million dollars to projects like the Long Wharf Theatre relocation.

Posted by: je | March 2, 2008 8:04 PM

Gary Doyens if you really lived here you would see the released prisoners every weekend begging for money so they can get home. Most of them will tell you flat out they just got out of jail show you there prisoner id and ask you to help them get home.

Posted by: Dan | March 2, 2008 8:19 PM

I have to agree with Rell on this one....I can't believe the mayor would cry about the crime in New Haven. In light of the situation with the narcotics unit, there wasn't any incentive for the police to stop the criminal activity when they were profiting from the activity. Where was DeStefano when all of that was going on. Isn't he ultimately responsible for what happens in all of the city offices?

I am also tired of people looping poverty and criminal behavior. There are loads of people that have been poor and worked hard and honestly to change the situation. They did not cry "woe is me" and turn to criminal activity to support themselves. Nor are all people that get involved in criminal activity poor. The people that are looking for the easy way out or make a quick dollar are the ones turning to the criminal activity. Ultimately they find out the quick money disappears just as quick and what do they have then?

Posted by: Ned | March 3, 2008 7:35 AM

No one in government has any incentive to end the "drug war" - it's way to profitable, just like all other wars.

Posted by: 2nd Amendment | March 3, 2008 10:02 AM

Hooray for Jodi Rell. Someone has to stand up to Mayor D. As a New Haven citizen and tax payer, I'm really sick of his whining and blaming local (his) problems on the state. We have a virtual dictatorship in New Haven.

Posted by: Jerry Can | March 3, 2008 11:23 AM

Okay now, I'm not sure what DeStefano hoped to accomplish with his press conference but Jodi Rell is out-of-control.

She berates New Haven (do we have a different governor that I have not heard about -- if not then she is at least equally to blame).

She calls the kettle black (how many problems have the state police had since she became governor -- they had to bring in NY State police to investigate the corruption was so bad).

She never actually addresses the underlying issue from the ill-conceived press conference -- THE STATE IS DUMPING PRISONERS ONTO NEW HAVEN'S STREETS WITH NO SUPPORT AND WITHOUT REGARD TO WHETHER THEY HAVE EVER LIVED HERE.

This last point is why she is an absolute joke of a governor. Nice lady but she has no idea how her departments actually operate. No one at DOC denies dumping prisoners. New Haven had to open a new shelter to deal with all the released prisoners she has dumped here with no place to go.

Jodi -- just shut up until you find someone other than your law-breaking chief of staff and idiot right wing spokesperson to clue you in to what is really going on.

You do better as grandma Jodi than as ill-informed political hack.

Posted by: Outta-order | March 3, 2008 11:47 AM

Standing up to John DeStefano is one thing. Sparring over who has the biggest balls might be fine, albeit a distraction and complete waste of time on both their parts. But, denigrating an entire city is another. Is she not the governor for New Haven also? WTF? Her simplicity is stunning!

"Leaders" like Rell do nothing until urban problems spill over to the burbs. Leave her to time.

Posted by: nfjanette | March 3, 2008 12:16 PM

-- THE STATE IS DUMPING PRISONERS ONTO NEW HAVEN'S STREETS WITH NO SUPPORT AND WITHOUT REGARD TO WHETHER THEY HAVE EVER LIVED HERE.
According to the people that actually run the release program, this is incorrect - there are a variety of resources utilized to support the former inmates. Since I hear radically different claims, I have no idea where the truth lies. A released citizen may go wherever they want, and if they say they "live" in New Haven, that's where they get to go upon release.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | March 3, 2008 2:39 PM

nfjanette
I know the whole, "he said she said crap is happening" and yes I am watch the states Sessions on bills mostly watching ones for Universal and the hearing impaired but I came across this one today..

http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB05178&which_year=2008

Now if these citys can use them as citizens they dang well better get them when they are released to!

Posted by: robn | March 3, 2008 4:04 PM

from Gov Rell's letter to Mayor DeStefano

"Indeed, if I were in an ironic frame of mind, perhaps I might complain about the City of New Haven "dumping" its problems with drugs, violence, theft and other crimes on the State of Connecticut"

This is the most juvenile, unprofessional and divisively un-American thing I have ever read coming from a public official. Gov Rell needs to immediately apologize for this very VERY uncivic and divisive statement.

Posted by: Gary Doyens | March 3, 2008 6:10 PM

RobN: If that's the worst you've ever seen, you've been missing DeStefano's antics for years.

Posted by: robn | March 3, 2008 7:45 PM

GD,

I'm neither decrying nor defending Mayor D's actions here but there is a big distinction to what the Gov did.

Gov Rell is supposed to be the Governor of the State of Connecticut, not the Governor of the suburbs of Connecticut. She referred to "it's problems"...as in it's OWN problems... to be solved in isolation and alone. Her statement objectifies the City of New Haven with otherness and and apartness and thats not how a governor should be treating citizens.

This is a reprehensible statement.

Posted by: WEBblog 1 | March 3, 2008 10:34 PM

Robn:

I suggest you go back and read the letter again.
The Governor ends her letter as follows:

"There is no question that the City of New Haven faces many difficult issues. It is also clear that resolving these difficulties will require genuine leadership. Key to that leadership is an honest appraisal of the problem and a willingness to work constructively with the other stakeholders. I trust you will adopt a more productive tack in the future".

Sincerely,

M. Jodi Rell
Governor

This paragraph is a far cry from your interpretation contained in your last statement:

"Her statement objectifies the City of New Haven with otherness and and apartness and that's not how a governor should be treating citizens".

Should you require assistance better understanding the Governor's position, I suggest you call or E-mail her office for clarification.

Posted by: robn | March 4, 2008 8:54 AM

WL1,

The governor can't unring the bell she rung with soft closing paragraphs. I stand by my assertion that the Governor should PUBLICALLY apologize for her uncalled for "ironic" comment.

Posted by: Bruce | March 4, 2008 9:29 AM

Chris Gray,

"...such as citizens who think traffic violations are a higher priority than violent gun crime"

It's worth noting that in Connecticut, there are three times as many fatal traffic accidents as there are murders. Traffic violations are more than just a nuisance. Both of these issues should be among the very top priorities at state and municipal level.

Traffic Statistics
Homicide Data

Posted by: Chris Gray | March 5, 2008 3:01 AM

O.K., Bruce. As I pointed out to Charlie after another of his rants on traffic, it is a big problem and some of his suggestions about it are very good.

Also, I entirely agree with his post here but, I do find it offensive that elsewhere he seems to discount the lives of those lost to gun violence or, as he calls it, street crime because they have some sort of record of illegal activity.

Moreover, while not recently, I and others with me have been forced to "hit the dirt" or otherwise dodge bullets strayed from their intended targets right on Elm Street. I doubt all of us had criminal records and I believe one of those artful dodgers went on to work for the Yale police.

Before I go to sleep, let me add that I agree with Robn that Rell did go overboard and owe's the City an apology. Not the Mayor, but us.

Posted by: Chris Gray | March 5, 2008 7:26 AM

Rats! Woke up, again, probably to make sure the projections of Hillary's win in Texas held but, also, to add specificity to the above mentioned location. It was Elm between Lynwood and Howe in what really should be called Yalesville, rather than that section of Wally World.

Not far, by the way, from where I first recognized Hillary. It wasn't hard, she was with Bill.