New Haven Independent

Posted by: anon | July 23, 2008 2:46 PM

Paul, these beat out the chocolate cake!

Posted by: cedarhillresident | July 23, 2008 2:52 PM

....which New Haven based its application to the competition.

Can I ask how many cities entered this competition??

Posted by: Walt | July 23, 2008 5:39 PM

Per Wikipedia it appears that about 80 cities compete each year and about one out of every 8 entries is deemed an "All American City"

Not really a great honor , but just a public relations stunt. is my guess.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | July 23, 2008 7:37 PM

Thanks walt that is what I thought to.

Hey I found an old sign from the last time in my basement. Revamped a bit

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn319/cedarhillresident/2008_01190146.jpg

Posted by: Fedupwithliberals | July 24, 2008 7:09 AM

The "All American City" designation is as much an illusion as the rubber hamburgers. Just ask the innocent van driver who got beat up in Newhallville for being in the wrong place at the wrong time what he thinks of living in an All American City?

It this is All American, I'd love to see who the runners up were!

Posted by: Anonyme | July 24, 2008 10:55 AM

I was in MA over the weekend and passed a couple other "All American" cities. From what I've seen (faded, torn and barely hanging banner on the side of Shaws on Whalley included) as soon as your city becomes "All American" it's time to move.

Posted by: Steve Ross | July 24, 2008 4:21 PM

Anonyme and Fedup,

While I now frequent these boards enough to recognize you two as the Statler and Waldorf of the town, I'm wondering what keeps you in this city if it angers you both so?

Posted by: Anonyme | July 24, 2008 4:37 PM

If you really want an answer Steve it's your nifty little band. That is you, isn't it? From Branford? Moved to the 'big city' for whatever reason? Why does it always seem those who defend all of New Havens failures are people who have moved into the city or transient student types who most likely wont spend 5 years here?

Born here, grew up here (too young to really care or notice all the problems) went to college here (too busy being occupied by sex and drugs and rock and roll to notice or care) landed a "good" job here after college (too high on the money and still surrounded by "townie" friends to care or notice what's wrong with this place) friends move, die, whatever, meet a nice girl, looking to own a home (starting to notice the problems) reached highest office in employment looking for higher (really noticing the problems around here) considering children (god forbid we stay here) process of leaving (not instantaneous, takes time and planning and traveling, if you're going to do it right anyway.)

In short. Nothing is keeping me here. If I was still interested in self-medicating and renting in perpetuity this place would probably still be tolerable. But I'm not.

Satisfied?

Posted by: cedarhillresident | July 24, 2008 7:47 PM

Anonyme
WOW that was great I am bookmarking this!! Who are you? Impressive answer. And pretty much sums it up. As a lifer in New Haven I do find that alot of the kids mean well in their little do gooder fights and I take and help I can get...their really are good transient that come through are city hoping to leave behind some efforts of making a different. But as a fighter of the taxes and many other things I do feel this city in general including city halls high paid decision makers just don't get it...or they do and they really don't care because it is not effecting them or their circle. But this in general is a marketing effort. If the city can brag that it is the all American city maybe some real tax paying company's will decide to move here. So I get it.
ok I typed alot more but I am trying to behave so with that said lower the mill rate city hall and save your middle class!! Or we will be Hartford II

Posted by: Fedupwithliberals | July 24, 2008 10:44 PM

Dear Steve Ross,

I mirror the same feelings of Anonyme but have fortunately been able to make the break to the suburbs. Couldn't take it anymore after the city started announcing scatter site housing and looking for properties within blocks of our house. If I wanted to live next to section 8 families, I would have moved to Fair Haven. Alderman of no help.. just wanted to push his own social agenda. When you see only 8,000 people out of a city of 135,000 voting in town elections, and most of those are transient Yalies, city employees, teachers, illegals and incompetant victims of vote pullers, it's time to go.

I may have left New Haven, but still own the family home. Both parents now dead, friends all gone or don't care about maintaining ties. Nothing left to keep me. It was a great city, and you would not be able to relate because you have no frame of reference with which to judge the changes.

Angry? You bet! One man f@#ked up a beautiful city which my parents and I loved and enjoyed for over 70 years. There may have been bad times for New Haven in the past, but the present situation has become irreversible and unacceptable. Won't be long until you come to your senses too.

Posted by: Steve Ross | July 25, 2008 9:11 AM

Anonyme and Fedup,

It seems that you have me at a disadvantage, Anonyme; when have we crossed paths?

"Why does it always seem those who defend all of New Havens failures are people who have moved into the city or transient student types who most likely wont spend 5 years here?"

I moved here from Branford, indeed. And perhaps you're right, Anonyme, maybe that prior frame of reference exaggerates the relative worth of my present environment, but I think you mistake my sincere love for this town with an ignorance of its shortcomings. Simply because I promote the aspects that I (and many others) enjoy doesn't mean I "defend its failings." And, as if it were really important, I've lived here well over five years, have owned and rented, and plan on staying put precisely because it's not "the big city."

"It was a great city, and you would not be able to relate because you have no frame of reference with which to judge the changes."

As three generations of my family grew up in New Haven and I work in a library with a collection emphasis on New Haven history, Fedup, in the very least I have historical perspective, if not a true experiential frame of reference. Even with none, it wouldn't invalidate one's unique perspective. Certainly not my own.

Other than the slight Muppets jab (the balcony guys were actually my favorite), I meant no offense to either of you and am glad that you both answered me truthfully. I've wondered about it for some time and I can truly empathize with both of you. But you've found your foil. And every time that either of you besmirch my city, adopted or not, I'll provide the other perspective. Whether it means anything to you or not, like myself nearly ten years ago, there are people who move to New Haven and get excited by what the town has to offer and what can be culled from its resources; if they come to these boards, I don't think that all they should be exposed to is bitterness.

Love,
Stephen

Posted by: cedarhillresident | July 25, 2008 10:07 AM

I must admit that was a worthy response.

Posted by: Fedupwithliberals | July 25, 2008 9:08 PM

I feel a group hug coming on!

Posted by: cedarhillresident | July 26, 2008 2:27 PM

You know I will start it Fedup :)

Posted by: Steve Ross | July 26, 2008 2:33 PM

Ha!

Posted by: cedarhillresident | July 27, 2008 2:50 PM

Is that a yes to a group hug steve...comon ya know you want one :)