New Haven Independent

Posted by: Mister Jones | November 18, 2008 9:35 AM

Bravo! The Mayor wasted no time in reaching out to the incoming administration for help for our cities. Only two weeks since the election, this is more than do-nothing M.J. Rell has done in four years!!!

Posted by: A-Bomb | November 18, 2008 10:27 AM

Even the Mayor's Halloween Parade is at risk. That sounds funny, coming right after the sentence where we learn DeStefano has already cut funding for the homeless shelter. You gotta have priorities, baby.

Posted by: Peter | November 18, 2008 11:28 AM

Do nothing Rell? Wait until you see all the new Metro North Railroad cars next year.

Posted by: robn | November 18, 2008 12:26 PM

Before the wags start wagggin about our dependencey upon state and federal funding, please refer to many of ANON's well written comments regarding the amount of our tax dollars spent on sprawling road systems in the farthest reaches of this country. Its about time cities get a boost.

Posted by: Beansie's Mom | November 18, 2008 12:41 PM

First, why would the current president speak with mayors when he has Senators, Congressmen and Governors to deal with. Also, we've been pretty insulting as a city when you consider that George Bush was born in this city the way I and my daughters were. But I am glad that change is coming.

As for Peter's comment. At what inflated price is the DOT metro rail cards coming? How long did it take and how many bridges have been closed while we wait for the current Governor to properly allocate the funds.

Reason we can't get part of Quinnipiac Avenue fixed is because it is taking so so long for the state to get the property issues secured.

In my opinion we should be taking the properties by Emminent Domain now not waiting until next year.

Posted by: James | November 18, 2008 1:00 PM

The Mayor's Halloween Parade is at risk? Oh noes!! But homeless shelter, layoffs, that's serious business. And the mayor's raise? Oh, that's safe. OK, how about the City Clerk's raise? Both safe? Woo, that was a close one.

PAUL, when are you or someone going to grow a pair and ask the mayor how he can give himself a raise and boost the salary of a no-show job like Ron Smith's and feign concern re layoffs? Is this not a reasonable question? ASK IT.

Posted by: 2nd Amendment | November 18, 2008 1:51 PM

Pray that Obama appoints King John to some dead-end powerless federal position and gets him the hell out of here. We're stuck with him otherwise since no entity seems to have the courage to investigate and expose this corrupt administration.

Posted by: Darnell | November 18, 2008 3:27 PM

"The city's also scrambling to get on top of a wave of foreclosures and abandoned buildings."

The city is the largest wave when it comes to foreclosures. While the financial institutions across the country recognize the problem and have adopted 90 day moratoriums on foreclosures, does the city follow suit? No, they are continuing to foreclose on properties that are two months late paying taxes. I personally know of one situation where the city foreclosed on a property where the owner was two months late to pay a $1600 tax bill. The lawyers are now charging an additional $1500 in fees. This tax bill has now nearly doubled. This has got to stop.

Posted by: Italianwedding | November 18, 2008 4:47 PM

"They're engaged. They're talking. We're reaching out." What the hell is that? Are we talking public policy or a lovefest, perhaps a wedding?

This is the problem with career politicians. They always talk like their pants are too tight and their vision is blurry. Aside from that..it's the same old bible DeStefano been preaching from for 16 years. Give me more money and I will take care of the city. B.S. Cut spending and get your financial house in order. Going up the chain of command to become a larger dependent than you already are is no solution at all. Just a short term gimmick for positive press.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | November 18, 2008 4:55 PM

This is good, and talk is talk. Action is what I need. I have a problem with a city that over value the poor community's in the city. I have a problem with the fact that the area that have not seen gentrification are the ones that have seen the highest phase-in increases. The blue collar 2 jobs single mom community's. Are once again going to see an other 18% increase in their taxes in July. That is what I have a problem with. The city is WELL AWARE that these areas including cedar hill are not what they are valued at. But we are so poor that we can not fight it!! SHAME ON THME. I watched one home owner make a deal on the sale of a house during 2006 that helped to bring the value up in the area but it was a scam. And the 2 house that are worth something on View street where also what it was based on. Watch this year I have been told is the year my area is going to get the hit. PLEASE FIX THIS! Gentrification is not the right way to bring in tax dollars

Posted by: Steven Ross | November 18, 2008 9:14 PM

Obama is at risk if he gives money to New Haven DeStefano has laid off many working stiffs and has kept his pay rise. Even the big bankers are announcing daily they are not taking there bonuses. Obama pledged to help the working stiffs.
He will loose his moral standing if he lets the big guys win in New Haven.

Posted by: disgusted democrat | November 19, 2008 12:13 AM

on NPR this week a story said laid off auto workers were getiing $140,000 sewverence for 10yrs service. 5 years service or less made $70,000 in severence. This is outrageous. Does a minimum wage or near minimum wage worker laid off get this. No. The auto makers have been on a roll and should get zilch. If there managers have failed they should lose out. Pay for there misteaks. The same for New Haven. Its managers have failed and must not be baled out. Thecity must go bamkrupt as GM and Ford. Idont earn enough to have a voice, why must I pay for this.

Posted by: Mrs. Jones | November 20, 2008 1:46 AM

The Superintendent gets a raise, too. Not so much for his stellar performance as an educational leader, but for his ability to shake down his subordinates to make the maximum contribution to the Mayor's endless re-election campaigns. ...