New Haven Independent

Posted by: Edward_H | August 12, 2008 8:33 PM

Congratulations. Aways nice to see the Machine take a beating.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | August 12, 2008 8:35 PM

HELL YA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CONGRAT'S

Posted by: king james v | August 12, 2008 8:37 PM

Nice!
First chink in the armor Johnny. I hope this momentum works its way into next year's aldermanic elections. Are you listening Shah, Silverman, Rodriguez and Goldfield?
Tick Tock.

Posted by: Esbe | August 12, 2008 9:02 PM

Yeah! Ward 19 comes through! The City Hall folks were really aggressive outside the polls. Dyson was much more quiet, but his presence sent a clear message.

What's up with Ward 1 -- 10 votes, no one lives there? (Is that a Yale ward, no one home in the summer?)

Posted by: cedarhillresident | August 12, 2008 9:07 PM

ESBE I was wondering the same thing? Ward 1 and 7. How sad is that? wow ward 7 is downtown to they are an active group.

Posted by: True New Havener | August 12, 2008 9:22 PM

Nice win and good for the city!

Sometimes you have to trust the voters. It's interesting that this was basically a tie outside of Ward 19 and Ward 20. Some folks may try to present this as the wealthier voters delivering this for Gary but it does not seem that is the case.

This came down to two wards, which are right next to each other. Blango won his own constituents but they tied every where else.

The 160 vote win in ward 20 is so large that it means that voters on both sides of Prospect voted strongly for Holder-Winfield.

Posted by: Bill Saunders | August 12, 2008 9:34 PM

This is a primary race I wish I could have voted in.

Pre-mature congrats Gary, but beware the absentee ballots -- they are typically hardcore votes for the machine. The margin of victory in this race could be slight, indeed.

Posted by: Webblog 1 | August 12, 2008 9:40 PM

Blango assumed victory, after-all, he had Bitsey Clarke's support in ward 7, Kitrina Jones in ward 21, Greg Morehead in 22, but did not anticipate the club in ward 19, particularly, "East Rock-the house". They Blew Blango away.

DeStefano, Voight, Smuts,Brian Mcgraf, Kimber, Kathy webber, Clarke,K. Jones, Greg MoreHead, and all... Read the tea leafs.

Posted by: True New Havener | August 12, 2008 9:41 PM

With regard to Ward 1 -- I recall reading that the primaries were moved to August in part to ensure that college students would not be able to influence elections given the large student populations in many districts around the state.

So there are no Yalies in the dorms in Ward 1 in August and thus there were not votes to be had there.

As to Ward 7 -- isn't a lot of that ward not actually in the 94th assembly district.

Posted by: Ben | August 12, 2008 9:42 PM

[marriage is
so gay ]

Posted by: David Streever | August 12, 2008 9:48 PM

I wouldn't view this as an attack on the mayor, but a great step, in that we are going to see a non-endorsed candidate doing a lot of good and working closely with the Mayor's office for the greater good.

City Hall is full of a variety of people, and I am comfortable saying the vast majority support & care about this city and it's citizens. Blango or Winfield, I think they will work closely with either candidate to ensure the best for us.

If they fail, we'll be here to remind them, & to see things go back on track.

Congratulations to Holder-Winfield! Let's see your platform on bikes & traffic safety :D

Posted by: FairHavenRes | August 12, 2008 11:53 PM

On a personal note, Holder-Winfield and his wife are simply nice people.

I believe he will represent the district and New Haven well. While I am particularly supportive of gay marriage, I amvery excited about looking more closely at the schools in this state.

Posted by: jahad | August 13, 2008 12:50 AM

Congratulations Gary...

Posted by: KenObyWan | August 13, 2008 2:13 AM

Congratulations, Gary! As one of the people campaigning for you who supports marriage equality, I'm thrilled that you won, even against the machine's odds. I've found you to be an honest and passionate man who cares deeply for the concerns of our community. I'm proud to be a member of Ward 19. See you at the state legislature!

Posted by: Bill McGlone | August 13, 2008 2:14 AM

Congratulations Gary...The Poor People's Alliance...

Posted by: Bill Saunders | August 13, 2008 3:19 AM

So glad my absentee reservations were for naught. Believe me, I've spent a lot of time looking at past ballot returns.

Stop being a diplomatic toady, Streeter. Bikes or not, this is a great day for representative politics in New Haven. It's not just about your special interests.,

Posted by: dixwell livin | August 13, 2008 8:41 AM

good campaign gary and i am not a supporter of yours but a critic. you did a good job.

i am toubled by the fact that in a majority Black district a group of rich white folks determined the outcome so i guess i know who you will represent.

im no blango lover either but the man did win all the other parts of the district and lost big in the rich white area.

so tell me mr winfield when push comes to shove on issues that matter to our neighborhood in direct conflict with the st ronan streets side who will you side with? the majority or the votin majority?

these are troubled times when white liberals decide for so many they cannot relate to or understand, troubled times

Posted by: OliveUNH | August 13, 2008 8:46 AM

Congratulations! This is what NH needs. Independent minded people like Gary that this encourage real change in the Elm City.

Posted by: robn | August 13, 2008 9:13 AM

Any breakdown on ward 19 votes to the east vs west of prospect? Just curious.

http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/Aldermen/WardMap_19.pdf

Posted by: bfair | August 13, 2008 9:26 AM

CONGRATS GARY!!!!!! I had no doubt that you would win and I am so proud of you for doing so. Nothing personal against anyone running but Gary has proven to care about our issues as a private citizen and he is WITHOUT A DOUBT the best one to represent his constituents in Hartford. Work goes further than words. You go Gary. I stayed up just to see the victory. Wish I could have been there for the victory party but I was being a mother at the time. You didn't need me anyway. You had the right people behind you all the way. Now rest up so you can be at St Luke's tommorrow (Thursday) at 6pm to meet the parole/pardon divison coming to New Haven. 111 Whalley Av, 6-8 pm. Again CONGRATS!!!!!

Posted by: dede | August 13, 2008 9:53 AM

Dixwell Liviv
IT'S people like you that can't get past the black and white......people voted for Gary...color had nothing to do with it ..If Blango won in those area would you be mouthing off and making it a color issue.....i live in the dixwell area 32 years...and you and people like you should be ashamed.....

Posted by: sciencehill | August 13, 2008 9:57 AM

Congratulations to Gary Holder-Winfield! He and his wife canvassed our neighborhood several weeks ago and I had the chance to meet and speak with both of them. I found them to be lovely, committed people and that's why this hugely pregnant lady woke up bright and early to go cast her vote for Holder-Winfield. Congrats, again!!

Posted by: sandstorm | August 13, 2008 11:01 AM

Right triumphs over might (and belicosity)!
It is certain that Gary Holder-Winfield will
be treated seriously and with respect in Hartford.
Obviously, the voters understood the dire importance of the city's delegation and the tasks that await.

The candidate's position on gay marriage is reflective of the ongoing fight for civil liberties.
Equality is what is at stake re: that particular issue. Having a moral compass is different from allowing religiosity legalized.

Congratulations to the candidate and to the rest of us who have love and concern for our city.

Posted by: Edward_H | August 13, 2008 11:52 AM

dixwell livin

these are troubled times when white liberals decide for so many they cannot relate to or understand, troubled times

What is more troubling is so many sitting on thier butts at home not voting. You don't want "white Liberals" deciding stuff for you then you black liberals need to stop complaining and get out and vote. If your so-called majority wanted Blango in office they should have got up and voted for him. If the majority want someone in office they can get him in look at Marion Barry in DC.

i am toubled by the fact that in a majority Black district a group of rich white folks determined the outcome so i guess i know who you will represent.

Can the man at least 24 in office before you start fanning imaginary racial flames?

Posted by: Yusuf Ibn Shah | August 13, 2008 12:14 PM

King James V.:

Don't ever think that you speak before the will of God. God is the deliverer of all things including politics. I this was not ment to be then it was in God's plan.

Don't forget that before I ever became an Alder. I was and am still a community, media activist directly connected nationally with several grass roots community activists groups.

Charles Blango is still a member of this community and still an Alderman there is no need to be disrespectful to him or others on the board.

Posted by: Tlapalcoyoac | August 13, 2008 12:19 PM

I'm soo happy that Blango did not get elected. He is so arrogant and always tried to impose his views with his loud voice.
He just smiles when he is in campaign. Congratulations Gary!!!

Posted by: Yusuf Ibn Shah | August 13, 2008 12:27 PM

Congrats Gary!!!!!

Posted by: True New Havener | August 13, 2008 12:53 PM

Dixwell Livin --

Since Gary and Charlie almost evenly split the votes in the overwhelmingly African-American wards 21 and 22, and Charlie won his home ward by 57% to 43%, then how do you get that white people won this election for Gary. When you add up all of the wards except for 19 and 20, the total difference in votes is only 8, which means that African-American voters did not particularly like one candidate over another.

Seems like what most likely happened is that this election was defined by wards and not race. Each candidate had their strongest base and supporters in one particular ward and then split the rest of the votes in the remaining wards (which were almost entirely African American).

Gary got 43% of the vote in Charlie's strongest ward (the one Charlie lives in and represents). Charlie only got 22% of the vote in Gary's strongest ward.

Since they pretty obviously split the black vote outside these two wards, it is pretty safe to assume that they did so in Ward 19. Given that Gary had the support of both the Ward 19 alderwoman and the longest serving state rep in Connecticut (both African-American), two people that voters in 19 have been voting for for a very long time, it is pretty safe to assume that Gary actually won the African-American vote in Ward 19.

Charlie did not beat Gary outside of his ward and that is why he lost.

I would finally note that it is insulting to Charlie to say that people voted for him because he is African-American while whites voted for Gary. Clearly people who knew Charlie best (his constituents) voted strongly for him. People outside of his ward did not. This speaks highly of the respect he gets from those who he has represented.

To paint this as a race based on race, in this case is both factually wrong and insulting to both candidates.

Posted by: AllanBrison | August 13, 2008 1:03 PM

Gary, Lisa, Bill, Alfreda,

CONGRATS!!! for this wonderful victory.

I'm reading the news here on vacation in Sharbot Lake, Ontario, Canada and it made my day.

The machine can be beaten.

Best of luck in November.

Allan Brison
Alderman, Ward 10

Posted by: sharon | August 13, 2008 1:16 PM

I am not from the New Haven area but as a connecticut resident I am proud that you have voted to elect someone who will definitely work for the people of New Haven. I know this couple for many years and they are very committed and have worked for many years on causes that affect all people regardless of color, and economic background. New Haven is a beautiful place but unfortunately you are known as a city with corrupt politicians. Gary is honest, hardworking and dedicated and is totally against corruption. He is not a SHOW MAN BUT A WORK MAN. I am very proud that the people have finally took the step in the right direction. Congratulation Gary!!!! FINALLY SOMEONE WHO IS GOING TO WORK FOR THE PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: HEIWA | August 13, 2008 1:46 PM

CONCRAT'S GARY WAY TO GO!:):):) STAND UP FOR JUSTICE NOT JUST US

HEIWA

Posted by: James | August 13, 2008 2:18 PM

Aldreman Shah, I don't see anything disrespectful about King James' post. He is, as many are, expressing his delight that what some of us see as a old, broken system is finally beginning to show its weaknesses. He is pleased that people have voted for change instead of supporting the status quo.

What I do find disrespectful is your rhetorical chest thumping. I've not seen you comment on the boards before, yet here you come, fingers a-wagging, admonishing King James for his celebration of the Holder-Winfield victory? Reminding him, and presumably every other reader, of what a righteous and connected man you are? Am I misreading? I do hope I am. But nowhere was he disrespectful. What is disrespectful is many of our representatives including the BOE allowing the city to be systematically parted out as pay off to political allies and cronies. What I find disrespectful is a mayor who tells us to eat huge new tax increases, lays off city workers, and simultaneously gulps down a raise for himself and the no-show superstar, Mr. Ron Smith. What I find disrespectful is how entrenched politicians have sat back and allowed apathy, entitlement, and just plain incompetence to derail any chance this city has of realizing its potential.

I don't know Holder-Winfield. He may just be the next in line to dip his bucket into what this administration seems to think is a never-ending well of tax payer good will and money. Maybe he's the second coming. I don't know. What I do know is that he is not Alderman Blango who has proven to me that he is unreliable and part of a system that embraces the ideal that the people exist to serve their government. I do know that this is a change, and that can't be a bad thing.

Posted by: James | August 13, 2008 2:21 PM

And now I see Adler Shah's second post. And I am confused. Did I misread the tone of the first post? Is one of them not a genuine post?

Posted by: FIX THE SCHOOLS | August 13, 2008 3:13 PM

It's wonderful that Winfield-Holder takes the baton (a timely olympics metaphor) from turbo-charter school champ Bill Dyson, who was one of the original proponents of Amistad Academy. Blango's election to the legislature would have been a real setback to education improvement efforts in town.

Among other things good things, Gary's victory means that Toni Harp, Marty Looney, Cam Staples, and Pat Dillon gain another ally in the house who will support, and perhaps some day lead the fight to close the achievement gap (now as everyone knows is synonymous with the wealth gap) for low income black and hispanic New Haveners.

But how ironic it is that Blango, a dependable BOE apologist, won enthusiastic support from voters in Newhallville, a neighborhood in which at least three generations of residents have been systematically denied quality education options and therfore have been denied the right to earn a decent living - for decades. It is New Haven's very own version of the the Stockholm syndrome.

Posted by: Yusuf Ibn Shah | August 13, 2008 3:26 PM

JAMES:
God knows what is in my heart. I know Gary and Charles and I wish them both well. I am sick of the back biting that goes on in the city. For the people who think that Gary is the right person for our community, fine. Charles lost and we should all ask God to continue to bless him and his family in the future. This election is not over. Willie Green is also a friend of mine. lets just pray that in the end that New Haven gets what we need for the people.

Posted by: king james v | August 13, 2008 3:58 PM

Mr. Shah, just where in the HELL does my post mention g_d? O.k. now, since you've put yourself out there with your reply, i'm going to tell you just what i think of you and your rubberstamp-yesmen-alderfolk. First i know who you are and your so called "media" activisim. I am a regular watcher and contributor of citizens television. YOur show was not so much in the public interest as it was a free pulpit for Yusef Shah. Next, you were, are and probably always be a bully. Your ward is one of the most drug infested, dangerous unsightly and abused wards in the city. Had you not called upon your uncle johnny to bail you out barbara fair would have beaten you. you are indebted to him, and have not spoken an original word in the several years i've helped pay your stipend.
as i stated before, YOU, silverman, your man BLANGO and several others have put yourselves and the mayor before the true interests of me and my neighbors, and for that, i hope to see you all get elected out of office. Goodbye sir , don't let the door hit ya.

Posted by: Leigh | August 13, 2008 4:03 PM

Keep up the great writing Melissa!

Posted by: tlapalcoyoac | August 13, 2008 4:58 PM

Why Shah is in the defensive? Upset that Blango got defeated. And, also why you bring that crap about god. This is not a religious conversation and bringing the idea about god is maybe why he lost. No supporting the gay marriage -big mistake-Did Paul Nuñez was receiving salary (paid by New Haven peoples taxes) while he was campaign for Blango?

Posted by: Rich Holder | August 13, 2008 5:09 PM

Outstanding!!! A great win for you and your constituency! Now the real work begins. I'll be supporting you all the way from Salt Lake City, UT

Posted by: cedarhillresident | August 13, 2008 6:18 PM

tlapalcoyoac
I thought rob smuts had a rule that he would discipline any employees that took the day off to work on campaigns?? Maybe Paul is the co chair of that area? Any one know? Maybe he was his campaign manager? In that case I don't think is a cause for discipline.

Posted by: True New Havener | August 13, 2008 6:32 PM

Fix the Schools --

You said: "But how ironic it is that Blango, a dependable BOE apologist, won enthusiastic support from voters in Newhallville, a neighborhood in which at least three generations of residents have been systematically denied quality education options and therfore have been denied the right to earn a decent living - for decades. It is New Haven's very own version of the the Stockholm syndrome."

Please do not perpetuate the myth that Charlie won the votes of Newhallville. He did not. He won his ward. Outside of his ward, he did not win, in Newhallville or elsewhere.

Charlie deserves credit for working hard to try to win this so I am in no way taking anything from him. And this post is not meant to disrespect him in any way.

I just don't like the idea that anyone would put out there that Charlie won Newhallville as code for "black people." And that Gary won East Rock.

Simply put there are not enough votes in East Rock to win this election. As I showed earlier, Gary almost certainly won a majority of Black votes outside of Charlie's ward and Gary did very well in Charlie's ward, getting over 40% of the vote.

When including absentee ballots, Gary won the vote in the African-American wards. That a sitting alderman would win his own ward is not surprising. That Gary won the African-American vote in the rest of the district including Newhallville simply disproves your statement.

It would seem that voters in Newhallville were not quite as blind as you portrayed them.

Posted by: Yusuf I Shah | August 13, 2008 7:49 PM

King James V:

I can see that you are filled with misinformation and hate. There is no room for you in a rightious debate or conversation about the facts. I will Pray for you and ask God to heal your broaken soul.

Posted by: Bugupit | August 13, 2008 9:02 PM

I met Gary last winter. Good guy. Will represent people well in Hartford, your people, my people, his people, them people, us people, WE THE PEOPLE. I can't imagine that the Machine really wanted Blango in Hartford. They must have gone home and puked after each campaigning excursion. Congrats Gary and Congrats district voters.

Posted by: James | August 13, 2008 10:04 PM

Alderman Shah, just because somebody doesn't like you and is fed up with our ineffectual city government does not make them hate-filled and unworthy of your discourse. Seems to me that you're going a long way to avoid engaging anybody in any meaningful discussion and acting in a defensive manner without any cause to do so.

Posted by: Bill Saunders | August 13, 2008 10:26 PM

Alderman Shah,

If the outcome of this election is based on "God's Will", maybe we should scrap the election process in it's totality.

If I were a religious man, I might pray for you to use your spell check. But I guess bad spelling and grammar is God's will, as well.

Posted by: LastStraw | August 13, 2008 10:32 PM

Shah:
"I will Pray for you and ask God to heal your broaken [sic] soul."
Are we in Lubbock, TX?!?!?! I respect the fact that you have a very strong faith, Alderman Shah, but as an elected politician in a system that values the separation of church and state, this is getting to be a bit much. Pray for us if you will, I appreciate it, but stop pointing it out in every post. Maybe you should spend less time padding your words with religious grandstanding and more time fixing your ward.

Dixwell:
"i am toubled [sic] by the fact that in a majority Black district a group of rich white folks determined the outcome so i guess i know who you will represent."
I am troubled by the fact that so little of the "Black majority" came out to vote (or are even registered). In my book "no vote" equals "no right to complain".

Posted by: KAB | August 13, 2008 11:47 PM

CONGRATULATIONS GARY!!...I BELIEVE YOU WILL REPRESENT ALL OF THE PEOPLE OF THE 94TH DISTRICT WELL.

Posted by: king james v | August 14, 2008 2:10 AM

mr. shah, if mr. bass were to actually post what was written by readers, and did not think we weren't capable of discerning for ourselves what was appropriate, you'd have not posted your last post.
Paul, you've lost me for good this time, your loss of faith in the good people of new haven to decide what needs to be edited has made me both disapointed and aware you are not a true blog or ne3ws source.
Mr. shah you are a farce.
Good bye NHI readers, i did enjoy our give and take

Posted by: Yusuf Ibn Shah | August 14, 2008 9:12 AM

Prayer is good for the soul and on every dollar you and I spend it indeed says in GOD we trust. God is in all things that we discuss in city hall. You all might try to stop pointing the finger at others and get out into the process with solutions. Oh I trusted in God that you all would understand my post without the spell check and again with out a dobut, God was right. I ask God to have mercy on our souls, forgive us of sinful and backbiting talk and bless this city with solutions to our problems.

Posted by: Edward_H | August 14, 2008 9:50 AM

I seriously think someone is impersonating Shah. The writing style is totally different from anything he has written previously

http://www.newhavenindependent.org/archives/2007/06/public_safety_c.php

Or maybe he just got more patronizing over time.

Posted by: James | August 14, 2008 10:00 AM

Alderman Shah "You all might try to stop pointing the finger at others and get out into the process with solutions."

What in the world makes you think that you know the first thing about what people commenting on these boards do or do not do within their communities? And can one not find fault in our "leaders" while simultaneously pursuing solutions? In fact, if we cannot assign blame, how do we know where the problem lies? How do we know what to fix if we don't know what is broken? You, sir, are part of a broken system that has failed this city. Whether you yourself are broken I do not know. As I said, I don't know you and I don't know much of your work. But in the short time you've spent here on the boards, you've not made any contribution to discussion. You've said plenty, but nothing of consequence. Is that what I can expect of your political involvement? Words that sound good but mean nothing in the end?

Lastly, I understand that you are a spiritual man and that you see god in all that you do. Fine by me. Your beliefs are your own and if they serve you and others well, more power to you. But too often people hide behind their god, failing to take responsibility for their own actions and dismissing it as "the will of god." Charles Blango lost the election because he failed to prove that he would be a more responsive and effective representative in Hartford. He lost the election because he's done too little to improve the quality of life in his ward and in this city. Though I like Charlie, he too spends a lot of time offering the people too many empty words and not enough action. Is this part of god's plan as well?

If you're willing to answer a legitimate question and enter into a civil discussion, I would like to know where god ends and where personal responsibility begins.

Posted by: Doriss William | August 14, 2008 10:47 AM

Congratulations, Gary. We trust you will do the right thing. Maybe, just maybe, there is hope for New Haven, after all. This is good news in a bad-news city.

YarmouthCourt, MA

Posted by: Deuce | August 14, 2008 11:37 AM

"Your ward is one of the most drug infested, dangerous unsightly and abused wards in the city".

Hey Shah, looks like God skipped over your ward.

Posted by: dede | August 14, 2008 1:28 PM

wow all this because Gary won a primary.....Alderman Shah enough already... the machine has been beaten get over it..the Mayor and Susan Voight have been defeated again...little by little there castle is falling apart.. Blango had a lot of city officals out on that day....did they take a day off or a sick day..to help in the primary election..yes even B.O.E Reggeie Mayo...Rob Smuts CHECK IT OUT and post it in the NHI....

Posted by: FIX THE SCHOOLS | August 14, 2008 2:28 PM

True New Havener - While most of us have blind spots, you seem to have x-ray vision. How else are you able to attribute racially tinged reasoning to my comments when I wrote nothing of the sort?

All I said was that Blango had "enthusiastic" support from Newhallville voters. I don't think I said "ALL" Newhallville voters. Would you agree that there was enthusiasm in that video? In any event if you re-read my post, I didn't discuss the voting breakdown at all. Why? Because it is something about which I know nothing.

But just to be clear, I AM amazed that there would be ANY Newhallville voter who both understands the connection between the lack of good schools and poverty, and who could still vote for blatant BOE defender Blango. Anybody who says that the BOE is doing a great job and "gets a bad rap", either hasn't been paying attention or is benefitting from the status quo. So which one are you?

Posted by: True New Havener | August 14, 2008 6:12 PM

Fix The Schools --

Nice try. I am no apologist for the schools. Re-read my post. I took you to task for making an assumption which proved incorrect.

And it was an assumption which may have been based in simple uninformed ignorance or bias. I will take you at your word that you lack bias.

I did not say for instance that you were trying to argue that "Thank goodness for the people of East Rock since they saved the Newhallville people from themselves." Because to have said that would have meant that I drew a particular conclusion about your reason for being oh so wrong.

Maybe you would have been better positioned to actually argue that the people of Newhallville voted for Gary, which would have been accurate. Then you could have argued it was because they wanted better schools. But you did not because you assumed something which was not true.

So once again, you have chosen to condemn people without facts to back up your argument. And thus, once again, you have demonstrated an ability to undermine what could be cogent arguments with nonsensical attacks on thinking people.

As to your now amazingly nuanced "All" vs. "Any" and ability to backtrack based on Cheney like word distinctions . . . whatever.

Posted by: James | August 14, 2008 7:43 PM

People, people. Can we please get back to the point of the discussion? Baiting Alderman Shah into making more borderline insane, megalomaniacal pronouncements?

Posted by: FIX THE SCHOOLS | August 14, 2008 8:23 PM

True New Havener,

Ok, now you've gone TOO far! Have you no decency? Why not just compare me to Hitler? Anybody but Cheney. Even Bush is preferable to Cheney (Bush was after all the force behind the passage of NCLB, the act that will go down in history as the most important piece of civil rights legislation since the civil rights act of 1964. He was also born here, making him a "True New Havener as well!).

Anyhow, your parsing of my comments is flattering if not entirely comprehensible. I guess we'll hear from you again the next time I weigh in? Looking forward to it.

(Paul, I thought that the Independent had a firm policy against blocking out really, really malicious personal attacks.)

Posted by: eyes&ears | August 14, 2008 10:04 PM

Kudos to the Independent for the great election coverage. The mainstream local media (WTNH, The Register, & the Advocate) missed one of the best stories in this city. Melissa, I can see you winning a Pulitzer one day. Your decision to capture the video was brilliant because it shows that Blango cared more about what the office could do for him (and his buddies) as opposed to what he could do for the office and New Haven.

Posted by: Willie D. Greene | August 15, 2008 12:11 AM

Congratulations! to you Gary on your win and my condolences to you Charles. Charles you ran a good clean and gentlemanly race. In fact you both did. Charles I you wish you the very best in all your future endeavors.

Willie D. Greene

Posted by: True New Havener | August 15, 2008 9:26 AM

Mr Fixit --

Nope, just the next time you manage to insult people without facts. For some reason that really gets under my skin.

Malicious personal attacks? You mean like attributing erroneous information to an entire neighborhood? and then saying that they are like brainwashed hostages? (Or did you mean that the people of Newhallville have a particular affection for Stockholm's own Nobel Prize laureate Eyvind Johnson when you said they suffered from Stockholm syndrome?)

If comparing your parsing of words to Cheney was over the top, I apologize. If it more closely matches your political sensibilities, your parsing of words is like Bill Clinton's.

Posted by: Get A Grip | August 15, 2008 9:27 AM

Fix the Schools - if you going to dish, you should expect to be called out. True New Havener is not the only one who saw through your not so nuanced message and wrong conclusion about African American voters in Newhalville. I also found it offensive.

Posted by: Willie D. Greene | August 15, 2008 9:37 AM

Correction/Addition. Charles I wish you and your family the very best in all your future endeavors. Keep your head high and remain focused. While we have respectfully disagreed with each others political positions. I have come to know you as a good man who's heart is always in the right place. Just remember at the end of the day when all is said and done it's all about you and your family. Again my condolences and best of luck.

Posted by: FIX THE SCHOOLS | August 15, 2008 11:12 AM

True New Havener/Get-a-Grip,

Please accept my apologies to "both" of you.

Just to put my comment in context, I find it remarkable that there aren't civil rights marches at City Hall or down at the BOE demanding better results from the school system.

But perhaps you would be willing to enlighten me as to the perception in the African-American community about the quality of New Haven's public schools, and who should be held accountable for the stark achievement gap in greater New Haven.

If voters in Newhallville (and in East Rock)were thinking about education quality when they pulled the lever for Gary, then it is a great sign that perhaps the era of political patronage at the BOE is beginning to sunset.

Posted by: True New Havener | August 15, 2008 2:47 PM

There's just one of me. Your comments were pretty transparent and you got called out on it. No big deal. This post is more thoughtful even if you can't help yourself with your "enlighten me" comment. I don't pretend to speak for the quite large and diverse thinking African-American community so I will not even try to address your question.

That being said, it will be a good day when all of us fight/march/vote for better schools and against patronage.

You have previously stated that Harp, Dyson and now Holder-Winfield are all very good on education. These three interestingly enough, were/are all elected in majority African-American districts and have been outspoken about education reform. So if you start with the assumption that at least locally people are not so easy to bamboozle, then maybe voters knew what they were doing.

And in turn, your vision may not be so different from their's. Starting from that place may provide you with a better methodology for organizing for your cause -- or at least getting people to listen to you.

Posted by: FIX THE SCHOOLS | August 15, 2008 4:35 PM

TNH,

Now we're getting to the substance.

But then if people locally are not so easy to bamboozle on education quality, what accounts for the 15 year reign of schools neglect under Destefano/Mayo? Was there ever a close election for mayor? Was there even an opposing candidate who ran on education quality? No. Most people just don't recognize the terrible impact of the achievement gap on their own lives, or they don't believe that it can be much better.

You should conduct an unscientific poll for yourself. Lots of people (on both sides of Prospect street) think that this school system is doing a fine job. After all, the supt. was a finalist for the supt of the year a while back...look at all the beautiful new buildings going up...look at the graduation rate (75%)

That's not so bad, right?

Posted by: Fedupwithliberals | August 17, 2008 7:03 AM

If you think that putting a different figurehead at the top of the democratic party is change, then you all are in for a rude awakening. (Meet the new boss, same as the old boss) Brian McGrath and all the cronies still have their jobs and influence in the town, and the spending continues.

You want meaningful change? Wake up! Toss out the entire Democrat machine!

Posted by: True New Havener | August 17, 2008 9:48 AM

Mr. Fixit,

I am guessing that (1) you have not been in many fights involving organizing with the poor and (2) you have not been poor yourself. If I am wrong, then I apologize.

I would encourage you to watch "Eyes on the Prize" versions I and II, which are now thankfully both available on DVD. These capture the hard struggle faced by African-Americans who were mostly poor themselves as they fought the combined struggles of battling for change, making a way for their families, and addressing a broader American public that took almost 100 years to rally even marginally to their cause -- basic civil rights. It also tells the stories of some of the people from inside and outside the African-American community who gave their lives for that struggle. There is an interesting segment on organizing around school reform in the 1970s in "Eyes II.".

My suggestion is that the fight is ongoing, has been carried for generations and requires a broader understanding of movement-building. And when there is a grassroots success of the kind that this race reflected, that is a particularly odd time to chastise the community for using its vote to make a change.

Posted by: FIX THE SCHOOLS | August 18, 2008 7:39 AM

TNH,

"Eyes on the Prize" is a powerful narrative. It has inspired me on more than one level and I can watch it again and again. I appreciate your willingness to provide the civil rights lesson, but you'll be shocked to know that I'm somewhat familiar with these chapter(s) in our history. Sadly it seems as though we are still in the middle of this long book, and for those of us who believe that we can do a LOT better TODAY for the disenfranchised, patience is most definitely not a virtue. If you read some of my comments, you know that I save my harshest comments for those who are the purveyors of the problem, not those who suffer from it.

And as a student of history, you will know about the role that the abolitionists played for nearly 150 years prior to the emancipation proclamation. You will know that my rhetoric simply doesn't cut it when compared to the fiery condemnations of those righteous abolitionists. If you think I was chastising, than you should recall some of THEIR editorials. The rhetoric was hot and excoriating and it took their brand of incendiary language, for decades, to help light the long slow fuse which culminated in the war with the states.

If my inconsequential post upset anyone besides you, then - GREAT! Maybe some provocation will help to bring increased public attention to the topic.

So TNH, tell me again why the African-American community tolerates a mayor who has done very little in 15 years to create long term economic opportunities for poor families within his city?