New Haven Independent

Posted by: BoA Watch | March 17, 2009 8:29 AM

I have said it once I will say it again and again. Cut the aldermanic staff that at best works 3 hours a day.

alderman lee you need to step up for your constituents and sacrifice your staffer to offset the bella vista center cut.

you can do it!

Posted by: John Tulin | March 17, 2009 10:16 AM

Seniors - come out in droves, get rid of this mayor. New Haven needs SERIOUS change and it HAS TO start at the top. The mayor has done many good things, but it is time to go.

Posted by: BorisT | March 17, 2009 11:42 AM

JOHN TULLIN Seniors come out in droves,the problem is there is nobody running against this guy so no matter how bad this guy is lets face it hes going to be the mayor again. Is ther anybody going to step up an challenge him please!!!!

Posted by: Elm City Id or Bella Vista | March 17, 2009 11:44 AM

The city is going to fund the city id with your tax dollars this year. Unless they find sponsors for the program. The card were to give illegal immigrants ids. They had sponsors last year. I do not see any sponsors this year the city. The money that support the cards last year were for illegal immigration.
How about cutting some funding to Juntas budget. To keep the city senior centers open. Junta got cut from the states budget. Now it is time for them to be cut from the citys. This would save taxpayers.

Posted by: Zombie | March 17, 2009 12:16 PM

I don't hear aldermen Silvermen and Shah in Westville and West river standing up for their constituency. Silenced by the machine? Go Lee go!!!

Posted by: robn | March 17, 2009 1:22 PM

Hate to say it but the endemic poverty and resulting lopsided taxation pummling the working class is something we've inherited from these seniors. Everybody's got to sacrifice, including the seniors.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | March 17, 2009 1:25 PM

ok I am sorry this is so not me but..........
The homeowners of this city can not afford a phase in increase this year...not to mention a mill rate increase! We have to make cuts...but it seems everything we try to cut people have to fight against it....Alderman....you have to remember cuts are hard in hard times...but all are hurting in the city. We need to make cuts!

Posted by: Patricia McCann | March 17, 2009 2:17 PM

Well, now I remember exactly why the board of ed had to sue former mayor Daniels, he doesn't understand that the state requires that the school district stand alone not as part of the city budget, hence regardless of the number of administrators you laid off at the BOE, you could NOT use that to keep a senior center open. Furthermore, the residents at Bella Vista should be mad at their landlord to whom they pay rent - it is part of Carabetta's obligation to provide them services which is why he gets federal sudsidies for their apartments. Carabetta is loaded, the city is not - why not get his corp to cough up the funds to operate a senior center. given the current situation that the country and thus the city is in, it's time to ask the private sector that benefits from government money be it SEction 8 subsidies like at Bella Vista or the stimulus money to give back to the people.

Posted by: Westville Mom | March 17, 2009 2:35 PM

I cannot believe what I'm reading here. The usual bleeding hearts seem to have turned to stone when confronted with ravished 401K accounts and disillusionment with Candidate Hope & Change turned President Teleprompter & Party-guy.
So ... "the endemic poverty and resulting lopsided taxation pummling (sic) the working class is something we've inherited from these seniors," eh??? You mean those 70+ and 80s seniors who made their own butter and soap in the Depression and made do (even prevailed) with SEVERE rationing during WWII, toiled in sweatshops and in factories and went to war to defeat Nazism and Fascism in Europe and Japan---THOSE seniors? The ones who created pretty much everything we have now? Are you really suggesting that the Great Society welfare state which penalized poor people for being married and encouraged dependency and pregnancy had NOTHING to do with this "endemic poverty"? That all the people who labored SO HARD for their entire lives are now to be BLAMED for all the deadbeats we're saddled with in this gulag we call a city?
You have GOT to be kidding. This city was a pretty nice place when THEY were young (from what I hear--I'm not that old YET.)
You people in Bella Vista----you're a feisty bunch and you should mobilize just like you did in the old days. Don't listen to these ingrates. God love you.

Posted by: robn | March 17, 2009 3:17 PM

WVM,

So which is it...did this generation build everything around us or not? Last time I checked, a person in their 70s or 80s was in their prime wage earning years right around the "great society" period you mention.

Posted by: Westville Mom | March 17, 2009 5:19 PM

ROBN, you are blaming an entire generation, which is sheer lunacy. While I fault leftist liberalism for its regressive policies, I am also resisting blaming their delusional politicians for EVERYTHING. We are all responsible for our own decisions in life (as evidenced by the mortgage debacle) and blaming the "Greatest Generation" for the mess most of urban America is in is simply unfair and---dare I say---heartless. The elderly, along with the very young, are the most vulnerable in our society. In some ways, even more vulnerable than children because they elicit so little sympathy from many people, including (apparently) this city's administration. The older generation did pretty well in their own lives, thank you very much.

Posted by: ROBN | March 17, 2009 5:48 PM

WVM,

So now the post-war decline of American cities is nobody's fault? I'm confused because there were lots of personal and public decisions made during the 45 year period prior to the 90's and you seem to think all of this happened without the input of American citizens.

I do lament the bad behavior of the last ten years and I am eager to be part of the solution, but unfortunately that solution has got to include sacrifices by all, including seniors.

And another thing..if lunacy is caused by my refusal to bask in your nostalgia for the "good old days" then I guess I'm a lunatic.

Posted by: robn | March 17, 2009 6:03 PM

WVM,

For what its worth, since Bella Vista has such a critical mass of seniors, I don't quite understand why its being closed and the Atwater and East Shore Centers are being kept open. If you can prevent 1400 seniors from having to travel that would seem to make sense.

Atwater

East Shore

Posted by: fedupwithliberals | March 17, 2009 7:46 PM

WVM

Don't bother wasting your time with ROBN. My goldfish have a better grasp of reality than he does.

BTW, great initial comment!

Posted by: Common Sense | March 17, 2009 8:14 PM

Westville Mom....You are right on target with your comments...Robn continues to put her/his foot in her/his mouth looking to find fault with the "Greatest Generation". She wants to blame them for all the problems of today...Just let her/him ramble on....nobody really pays attentions to many of her comments. I do once in a while...I am not part of the "Greatest Generation" but can't thank them enough for all the sacrifices they made to help make us a better country....We will get out of the mess we are in....Honest, hard working people will step up to the plate and get us on track. We have to be a little patient and yes, make the same sacrifices just like the "Greatest Generation" did.

Posted by: jeffreykerekes | March 17, 2009 8:19 PM

This just in : : : :

-PRESS RELEASE-

CITY OF NEW HAVEN SEEKS TO CLARIFY DISCREPANCIES AND MISUNDERSTANDINGS
AROUND SENIOR CENTER CLOSINGS

NEW HAVEN- The City of New Haven announced today that a number of media
accounts and public discussions by local elected officials surrounding
the closing of three senior centers have included numerous inaccuracies.
The City seeks to demystify the process that led to the closings and
clarify what services seniors can expect throughout the City for the
remainder of this fiscal year and in FY 2009-2010.

The three senior centers that will close: Bella Vista, Westville and
West River were selected for a combination of reasons including low
attendance, high costs and proximity to other facilities. First, Bella
Vista is located in a living complex that, under the supervision of
Carabetta Management, already provides access to a number of programs
and services within their community. This was by far the City's
smallest senior center where residents have the benefit of additional
programs and services offered by other providers. Residents at Bella
Vista that wish to be connected to a City center are encouraged to
attend the Atwater Center as this center has the capacity to absorb and
is conveniently only 1.3 miles away.

While the 853 square-foot space used for the senior center at Bella
Vista will no longer be occupied the Elderly Services Department, the
City will continue to provide:
- A ceramics instructor two days per week for the remainder of the
fiscal year and throughout FY 09-10
- A yoga instructor through the end of the month (but will
continue to be funded by Carabetta through June 30, 2009)
- Transportation through the Greater New Haven Transit District
for residents to attend Atwater or East Shore senior centers
- Information to Bella Vista residents of any and all events
conducted by the Department of Elderly Services
- Elderly Nutrition Lunch Program

Westville experienced the lowest attendance rate of all senior centers
in the City and was the second most expensive to operate with a cost of
more than $43,500 annually. Westville seniors can continue to receive
services and participate in activities at the Dixwell senior center,
conveniently located only 1.8 miles away.

The West River senior center was the second least attended facility of
its kind in the City and required the City to pay costs associated with
access that exceeded those of other centers including: electricity, gas,
water, pest control, etc... The Dixwell center can absorb West River
attendees and is less than a mile away.

The City reaffirms that the closure of these centers is the unfortunate
consequence of having to make very difficult decisions in the midst of a
global financial crisis. When all but three labor unions chose not to
agree to concessions and opted not to give up any portion of the 3-4%
salary increases they will enjoy in the new fiscal year, those labor
leaders made the decision for the City to make cuts in elderly services,
schools and other departments that directly serve residents.
[END]

Jessica A. Mayorga
Director of Communications
City of New Haven
203.946.7660
203.627.4224 (mobile)
jmayorga@newhavenct.net
www.cityofnewhaven.net

Posted by: robn | March 17, 2009 11:06 PM

well...that answers that...and how convenient.

Posted by:  City of YaleNew Haven | March 17, 2009 11:48 PM

Good for you WVM, their is one person in the City who understands. Robn you must be getting something from John John. The buttom line is a lack of RESPECT for seniors. Seniors who have worked hard for this City so their children can grow-up in a safe and healthy enviroment. And John John has destroyed the City for personal gain. Everyday kids are killing kids, Police are committing crimes and the Mayor's priorities are all mixed up.Why didn't the mayor give up his 6%? It should be Seniors first not kids.Thats John John first mistake. How was your relationship with your Parents John John (that may explain alot). The issue is not about senior center numbers or expenses.It's about control.
Because if it was about expenses and numbers why wouldn't the City cut Dixwell/Newhallville were the rent is $59.000?
The attendance is low accept for Wednesdays Club meeting. Alot of the members are not even New Haven residents. The President of the club is a resident of West Haven. All the centerS are needed. Why are the senior centers always the first to cut when the City has fiscal problems? Seniors are willing to sacrifice, and they have!! But why sacrifice when John John is still HIRING, when he and his butt liquiors are still cutting deals, Reclassifying departments,
and going against Union contract.
It's not fair for the seniors to always have to sacrifice. John John should sacrifice Top Staffers, Double dippers, BOE gofers, Part Timers,
and individuals who have helped him get reelected.

Posted by: robn | March 18, 2009 9:20 AM

COYNH,

For the record...I am getting something from the mayor...egregious property tax increases.

Posted by: Heartlessdecision | March 18, 2009 9:56 AM

It seems heartless to me for the admiistration to take away from those who have so little and gave so much to us. Sort of like taking away from my 86 year old father an ability for him to socialize with others his age.

Let the city cancel one of their worthless lobbying contracts and refinance the Bella Vista senior center. Only in a City with no opponent for the mayor office could a politician get away with a move like this.

Posted by: WillowGrove | March 18, 2009 10:15 AM

This town is the biggest bunch of crybabies going. Entitlement City should be our name not the Elm City. Now we have to pay for seniors to do yoga and make pottery? What a joke. Have one of the residents VOLUNTEER and provide some form of entertainment! These are tough times and we need to cut. They should fire more $100,000 a year employees, but let's face it, UNIONS ONLY CARE ABOUT THEMSELVES AND NOT THE TAXPAYERS in this city.

I think we can cut more out of the mayor's budget and let this city see who its real public officlals are, the TAXPAYERS who will do more volunteer work and step up to make us better! Not union employees on their computers all day and reading magazines while real people work for a living!

Posted by: cedarhillresident | March 18, 2009 12:09 PM

Thanks for the update Jeffery!! It all makes sense to me as far as I see it. Know one is being forgotten, just consolidated in hard times.

I am with you Robn, I to am getting... egregious property tax increases!!!

Posted by: Alfreda J Edwards | March 18, 2009 3:10 PM

Irrita Osborne has been an outstanding Advocate
for her senior's. I have received numerous calls from various senior wanting to know why she was layed off. The senior's also expressed what an advocate she was for them. Irrita is the type of person that worked dilligently, even after her regular working hours.The senior's expressed their anger, and hoped that she would be back with them. I had contacted the administration in regards to the the process that lead to her being layed off. We are happy that her layoff has been rescinded.

Posted by: robn | March 18, 2009 3:38 PM

My grandmother really appreciated senior centers and I think that they have a great value keeping seniors out and socializing. If the city wanted to close them all I'd be very against it, but I'm for temporary consilidation until the eonomy gets better.

Posted by: morris cover | March 18, 2009 10:16 PM

utterly disgusting. a political shell game. all they are doing is threatening and scaring, while at the same time they have no intention of closing centers. he is just planning his future "savior" routine "look i found some money, i saved you all (vote for me)".

transparently thin and totally political. what a scam.

what a low mayorga has hit when she spews the JD "blame the unions" line. It's the double dippers, siblings of high officials holding cushy jobs, people get paid for two jobs at the same time, and the millions of school administrators.

how sinful it is to blame the people, worker and unions for this mess. the entire destefano administration is to blame and that includes all of them, the BOA and even Mayorga.

Sinners. All of them.

so don't worry folks, its a game, sad sick twisted game - scare the elderly and then save them for votes.

www.anyonebutdestefano.com fully supports the residents of Bella Vista.

We can have a new mayor New Haven. Taxes, layoffs, double dippers, contractors, billion dollar schools ID for illegal aliens.

we've been insulted enough
TIME TO GO!

Posted by: morris cover | March 18, 2009 10:35 PM

that last paragraph is disgusting. what a lie!

it's outrageous that such slanderous accusations are made in bad faith against the unions.

why was Bolden hired to replace Ward at 150K while still keeping Ward on?

http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2009/01/13/news/a3-nevictorbolden.prt

Because Bolden was sent to try and stop the New Haven 20, straight from the NAACP. Politricks!

They have money, clearly, as this is a recent event, but transparently they JD thugs are try to blame and scapegoat the unions. They need to look in the mirror for the source of the problem, how petty to point and try to divert attention away from the interior corruption of JD politricks.

This is hilarious...

"When all but three labor unions chose not to
agree to concessions and opted not to give up any portion of the 3-4%
salary increases they will enjoy in the new fiscal year, those labor
leaders made the decision for the City to make cuts in elderly services,
schools and other departments that directly serve residents.
[END]"

When you? That's how we're addressed? You can read everything right there, every transparent sin right there as so nicely pointed out by Ms. Mayorga -

"let's blame the unions"

Back in the days of honor in New Haven, that political practice was called union busting - now it is a cowardly, disgusting act of sin by this administration.

"Acts of cowardice are often transparent"

165 is made out of crystal clear glass.

Time to throw rocks everyone.

That press release was written 6 months ago to bad mouth the unions. Instead of diverting blame they should answer:

1. how many double dippers are there and how much do they make an hour?
2. how many people are getting paid for working two jobs?
3. How many relatives of high officials are employed by the City and for how much?
4. How many alderman work for the City?
5. Why do we have 150K for Bolden?

you see, the setup? scare, blame, save, get votes.

it's not the unions folks, not even close. and if you really wanted to know, these layoffs are personal and not directed at those close to retirement, making the most, with piles of separation pay to cash out the way they should be.

instead you get more sins of new haven.

Posted by: morris cover | March 18, 2009 10:52 PM

lastly, since i am so outraged and disgusted by the end of that press release, think on this...

"those labor leaders made the decision for the City to make cuts in elderly services, schools and other departments that directly serve residents"

No my dear, that was JD's decisionsto cut specifically elderly - not anyone else. Give me a break. It sickens me how we are spoken to. She should stop releasing things like that, it's insulting. Can't we cut a bit at the main library? they would still operate? can't we either fire john ward or ask bolden to work for $105K (ward's pay or less?) can't we stop the practice of corp counsel hiring ANOTHER law firm to litigate? that costs tens of thousands!

Can't we charge illegal aliens $10 to come to Lighthouse in the summer? We could make 20K a weekend!

The union leaders chose to cut elderly service?
YOU DID! YOU ARE NOT FOOLING ANYONE! NOVEMBER IS COMING!

Posted by: heartless decision | March 19, 2009 5:29 AM

Thats a pretty lame press release. Blame it on the unions and global financial crisis. Its the administrations prority, period end of story.There were many choices to be made whether it was school construction, budget cuts, furlongs etc.... Deciding to layoof people and close down places for seniors to socialize is a reflection of the values of the administration. They did not have to be on the hit list. If I were in that position layoofs and senior centers would have been off the list. We make choices in politics all the time

Posted by: robn | March 19, 2009 12:50 PM

I think its a reasonable question to ask how the city arrived at a 28% cut for elderly servies. Was the program fat oor skinny to begin with? Have all departments at least attempted to target potential 28% cuts? Our budget is essentially flat from this year to next, meaning a 3% cut for inflation...does that mean that the other 25% of everything else is whats termed as "essential"?

Posted by: Arlene Ferrucci | March 19, 2009 6:01 PM

After reading that Irrita Osborn has been rescined I would like to know how this happens. Our beloved Vi Guglielmi from East Shore was also layed off which left us all extremely sad. Like Irrita she also worked very hard and many nights worked overtime.I have written to the administration,the board of alderman, many newspapers with letters to the editor, Rosa DeLauro, the alderman & alderwomen in our ward, I even wrote to Governor Rell,plus to her union rep's but to no advail. I think this is pretty unfair.

Posted by: nancydrew33 | March 19, 2009 8:37 PM

Insulting nonsense to fault the unions for the senior center closings. Don't forget the City is in the hole for over $100,000.00 for the medical office condo on Chapel Street. And the kicker is the taxes owed were $39,000.00 when the City foreclosed. Was that one of John Ward's many real estate fiascos-the real reason why he was transferred out of corporation counsel. GEE in the private sector don't you get fired for incompetence?

Posted by: Westville Mom | March 22, 2009 8:41 AM

If ANYONE is still reading this thread, I have found a superb essay that laments the decline of the "self-congratulatory generation" (fantastic term) .......... and expresses a poetic sense of wonderment about what the "greatest generation" accomplished.
"Thoughts About Depressed Americans"
http://pajamasmedia.com/victordavishanson/thoughts-about-depressed-americans/2/

Posted by: robn | March 23, 2009 1:20 PM

WVMOM,

To me the "greatest generation" isn't every person who lived through WWII, but a specific group of people who actually risked their lives to repel fascism..including soldiers, doctors, nurses, merchant marines, and underground freedom fighters. Not to mention people who had to endure the horrors of fascist occupation and the holocaust. Actual risk is a lot greater than perceived risk.

The irony of your nostalgic "greatest generation" expression is that the people who use it are often the same sort of Reaganites who spent the last 30 year dismantling the government initiatives which released post-war economic potential. Grover Norquist summed up the conservative ethos well when he said he sought to reduce the size of government to a baby and then drown it in a bathtub. Maybe if that crowd didn't have its way, then we'd have still had some rules in place that might have avoided the banking crisis.