New Haven Independent

Posted by: Darnell | May 13, 2008 8:18 AM

Another example of government trying to justify it's existence.

Posted by: A good night for the aldermen | May 13, 2008 8:33 AM

I agree with the Aldermen on this one - particularly Jorge Perez'z concerns. And Lemar has it right - the underlying objectives of cleaning up these eyesores, locating them in better locations and making them responsible for when they are damaged or are knocked over and litter is strewn throughout my neighborhod - those concerns are valid and worthy of support - but the regulatory powers conferred to our government are too much!

Posted by: Gary Doyens | May 13, 2008 9:25 AM

Excellent. This was a bad idea. Now - Advocate and others - clean up your mess around the box when you reload, maybe even between trips too and make sure your boxes are not blocking handicap parking. You'll be golden.

Posted by: DowntownNewHaven | May 13, 2008 9:53 AM

Perhaps the ordinance needs further study and clarification. Many other major American cities have well-designed kiosks, at least in certain areas (like BIDs). Districts can agree to government regulation if they deem it in their best interest. I think everyone would agree that a well-managed system of kiosks would raise the property values and attractiveness of downtown, without costing anything or seriously infringing on anyone's free speech.

Maybe the kiosks could be combined with a bicycle-share program, like they have in other countries, or with bus shelters. These kinds of things pay for themselves with advertising revenue.

Posted by: Joshua Mamis | May 13, 2008 10:40 AM

I strongly disagree with the contention that inviting reporters to a press briefing is the same as alerting the business leaders of a media organization about a proposed ordinance that affects their business. They are two very different things. If the City was considering a proposed ordinance affecting restaurateurs, they would never claim that an item in a press briefing was sufficient notice. Reporters do not regularly share information they receive in media briefings with the business side of a news organization, nor should they be expected to.
And, FYI: We make every effort to clean our boxes and respond to complaints. Feel free to contact our circulation manager, Jose Luyando, with concerns. His e-mail is jluyando@newhavenadvocate.com.

Posted by: nutmeg | May 13, 2008 10:52 AM

i like how the advocate publisher isn't aware of city hall's media briefing.

the problem with news boxes isn't legitimate rags like the advocate or la voz, it's all those auto and real estate circulars. unfortunately, a good finger wagging will not make these publications maintain their boxes.

Posted by: JP | May 13, 2008 10:56 AM

Whats wrong with all of you this should have been a no brainer instead of this http://img170.imageshack.us/my.php?image=newshc4.jpg
we will now and forever have this http://www.fecalface.com/blogs/music/6-27-06/IMG_1227.jpg
or this http://www.blainekendall.com/uploads/blog/10252006-NewspaperBowling-450.jpg
really great call.

Posted by: JP | May 13, 2008 11:00 AM

Joshua Mamis are you kidding walk by the D&D at 85 church street I think you could get tetanus just from walking by it.

Posted by: Joshua Mamis | May 13, 2008 11:26 AM

That has been a problem box for a long time -- for some reason people like to sit on it, kick it, stuff it with trash -- we have had a hard time maintaining it. But I will take another look and see what else we can do.

Posted by: JP | May 13, 2008 11:42 AM

Joshua Mamis why not replace it with a plastic box and move it between the bus stops on church so people stop useing it as a picnic bench/table. Also the register uses it as a news stand in the morning.

Posted by: on whalley | May 13, 2008 2:36 PM

JP,

So you believe that the front, sides, back, top and bottom of that pretty little wooden periodical hutch wont be vandalized? Wont have its door snapped off? Wont get its plastic plexi-glass windows smashed in? Wont have the papers it houses strewn all over the street?

Make it pretty and vandals wont touch it?

I'll accept that as a unit it is less likely to be knocked over but that's all I'll accept. Put the "prettiest" most uppity thing on Whalley Ave and the vandals, addicts, vagrants and general sociopaths will still attack it just as they always have. Even if our wonderful and caring Aldermen manage to ban spray paint to minors within city limits and fine the businesses whose property gets attacked for not cleaning the mess that is terribly expensive to clean and isn't their fault in the first place. If the city can fine the businesses for being victimized I suspect the businesses can fine the cops/city for allowing them to be victimized in the first place?

Yeah. Pretty magazine rack but it won't keep damage and vandalism away. Unless it's guarded by MP's and an electrified fence.

Posted by: easy | May 13, 2008 3:25 PM

MANY other cities and towns have done this. Don't reinvent the wheel. Just do a little research and see how for example they handle this in Boston.

Posted by: jt | May 13, 2008 3:46 PM

I love love love the idea of kiosks!!! Come on people, let's grow this city! New Haven has so much to offer people, but the thing is, we need to look and behave like the big boys! Let's step this up and stop thinking so small.

Posted by: JP | May 13, 2008 4:08 PM

on whalley,
1) Im not suggesting we put them in your neck of the woods where I agree they would be vandalized.
Just put them in the TGSSD.

2)If the city put them in and charge a condo fee say $35 per unit per month that would be $280.00/M we could design them in a way that should they be vandalized they would be easy to repaint or fix and the $280 should cover that.
Put the clean team on it and its good as new.

Posted by: JP | May 14, 2008 7:35 PM

They did change the box at 85 church as Mr. Mamis said they would.
Thanks again NHI!