New Haven Independent

Posted by: anon | March 19, 2009 3:41 PM

Closing the achievement gap means having better summer programs. It has little to do with the schools.

Studies show that for the most part, kids do fine while in the schools - if schools and teachers are good (and they often are, even in low income areas), they do even better, but they don't fall seriously behind.

The fact that many kids spend all summer with no real enrichment is the reason why the enormous gap between poorer and minority, and wealthier and white, emerges.

The Achievement Gap needs to be addressed with comprehensive policy and poverty reform, and new summer programs -- not with school reform.

Posted by: We need school reform | March 19, 2009 4:42 PM

This is a sad day, I was looking forward to some real leadership in my city. Looks like the system wins again. Dam. And we do need school reform to the genius who said we didn't.

Posted by: Help! | March 19, 2009 4:46 PM

Help!

Someone needs to step forward to run against King John. This city has become a banana republic with a one-party dictatorship....I've heard a lot of complaining about the last 8 years with Dubya...pales in comparison with 16 years of this dude. Locally, "democrat" means the same thing as "republican" in Washington.

Posted by: ctkeith | March 19, 2009 4:46 PM

Come on Paul,

Dyson had as much of a chance in the mayoral race as BoazHacky, or whatever the clowns name was who ran against Rosa,had in that race,maybe less.

The only thing this peice proved is Dyson number 1 priority and favorite thing to talk about is ME,ME and ME.

Dyson fits in quite well with the three Politicians he likes to "pal around with,Joe Lieberman,John Rowland and since she willing to throw a few bucks his way Jodi Rell.

Posted by: anon | March 19, 2009 4:51 PM

Perhaps there are many other great reasons why we need school reform; my point is that by itself, it won't do a thing to solve the Achievement Gap. That problem lies elsewhere. Good luck trying.

Posted by: Exiled Italian Shill | March 19, 2009 5:02 PM

"The road to a record ninth term cleared for Mayor John DeStefano Thursday, as Bill Dyson announced he won't mount a challenge to him this fall."

Somehow I just don't buy that. Even if Dyson ran he would have lost and he knows it hence he isn't running.

My question is why announce now that you're not running? What does Dyson, a skilled politician, have to gain from jumping out of the race? Even Blumenthal is smart enough to keep his name in every race as a prospective candidate. Bill knows that too. So why the rush?

Posted by: TrueBlueCT | March 19, 2009 7:55 PM

Paul Bass writes: "He [Dyson] said he didn't know of another challenger to DeStefano whom he plans to support."

Time out. Dyson now plans to support DeStefano? What did Bill get that he suddenly wants to make peace?

Or is this meant to read that Bill Dyson will support any and all challengers to our current Mayor, which seemed to be his prior position.

Posted by: nancydrew33 | March 19, 2009 8:12 PM

Alphonse Paolillo Jr. we need you now!!!! When people hear you are interested, they react with hope and excitement. Embrace the legion of discontented Elm citizens and propel yourself to victory.

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

It would have been great to have a legitimate debate on moving the city forward. The Mayor has had a free ride all these years and needs a serious challenge. The city is bigger than just the downtown area. As a lifelong towny it's great that people have options to eat at downtown, but the ret of the city needs help too. Bill Dyson would have been the voice of the people- who steos up? We need someone that fights for more people than just contractors who give the mayor political money. It's great that we have new schools, but why are we laying off teachers? This makes no sense at all.

Posted by: morris cover | March 19, 2009 8:28 PM

i support the idea of al. he's a solid no nonsense guy - exactly what we need.

Posted by: visitor | March 19, 2009 9:09 PM

To Help-
I can understand if you have some problems with the Mayor or think he's been there too long...BUT you cannot deny that the city has turned around under him...you just can't! I am not saying there is no room for improvement, but come on!
And Dyson may be nice, and he would be change, but I do not at all think that he could run the city at the level its being run. Dyson is not a big neighborhood guy and the stuff about him palling around with likes of Lieberman, Rowland is true. Unless you like that? You could move to Hartford (just joking on that last part, that was a low blow!)

Posted by: BROWNFORMAYOR | March 19, 2009 9:20 PM

I am unfamiliar with Paolollo. I personally would like to see Josiah Brown join the race (or possibly that young whipper-snapper who plans on running against Brison in the Tenth).

Why muck about with the BOA if you are committed to being a change candidate? Try to reclaim Church St. as place for ideas.

Posted by: Brian V | March 19, 2009 9:22 PM

Dyson you are a let down.
King Johnny CAN be beat and you were the man to do it. Thanks for scaring any other viable candidates out of running. -Good by.

Now is the time to beat JD.
He has few fans as it is, just some city employees, alders & appointees that are beholding to him, and have drunk too much JD Kool-aid.
I know a bunch of people in these categories and privately they say he needs to go too!

He's firing teachers, he's going to raise taxes, Bella Vista wants him strung up and he's going to limit the $ he can raise with matching funds.

A VIABLE CANDIDATE WILL BEAT JD.

I'm all for Al Paolillo Jr. or Alex Rhodeen or anyone else for that matter.

New Haven needs a public servant for Mayor not a politician.
JD has to go, I hope someone with a little credibility steps up; if they do they will get the support to win.

Posted by: bobo | March 20, 2009 9:51 AM

plane and simple there was a deal made....i know the system..

Posted by: Ralph Ferrucci | March 20, 2009 2:08 PM

It is very unfortunate that Bill Dyson has stepped out of the race. He is a very good and honest man, he would have been a great Mayor.

It is nearly impossible to beat John in the primary, but Bill would have given John a better fight then Martin Looney did when he ran.
Ralph Ferrucci

Posted by: Hood Rebel | March 20, 2009 2:35 PM

What noteworthy innovations and ideas in education have Dyson achieved when he was a teacher for 30 something years in New Haven Public Schools? I can think of none!

Posted by: Authentic Connecticut Republican | March 20, 2009 8:27 PM

It's a real shame for New Haven - they could have wound up with a Mayor that doesn't need to read some ethics code to comprehend right from wrong.

Dyson's integrity is recognized across party lines by virtually everyone who's ever enjoyed the good fortune to deal with him at any level.

None of that can be said about the current occupant of the office.

Posted by: Chris Gray | March 20, 2009 9:43 PM

I have to say that I looked at the rhetoric of those urging him to run, the "Get Free or Die Trying- "WILLIAM R. DYSON" for Mayor-The Movement" Facebook group, and, if they were supporting me (even if I agree with much of it), I'd have to decline to run.

While they wrote as if they represented an oppressed majority, they seemed really to speaking to a small minority of voters with radical tendencies. To beat DeStefano a campaign that includes more than reworked Black Panthers' slogans must be mounted.

Posted by: Anon | March 20, 2009 11:09 PM

Whatever you think of DeStefano's job as mayor, it's too bad that it looks like he will again not face a credible candidate. New Haven's mayoral elections are looking alot like elections in the former Soviet Union. Debate and challenge is good for a community, and it's very regrettable that it looks like we will once again not have a real choice. During his entire time in office, DeStefano's faced only one credible candidate, Sen. Looney. That's not healthy for anyone.

Posted by: Politico | March 21, 2009 7:15 AM

The answer is Dodd. Now that everyone knows he is the puppet of the banking industry he is highly vulnerable. The State's political landscape has changed overnight. The landrush begins.
Blumenthal for the Senate or Rosa DeLauro?
If DeLauro then Johnny Boy could try for Congress.
The city would be raped again but we might be lucky in getting rid of DeStefano. Dyson sees this and is holding back till he knows whats at stake and whats up for grabs. Lets face it, New Havens screwed and whoever is mayor after Johnny Boy whenever that is will have one hell of a job correcting the financial mess.

Posted by: robn | March 21, 2009 8:51 AM

Looks like its going to be a boring election season.

Posted by: robn | March 21, 2009 10:31 AM

Ralph,

You have no idea what you're talking about.

The DeStefano/Looney primary was held on 911...THAT Sept 11. I intended to vote for Sen Looney but was emotionally crushed by the events of the day and did not go to the polls. I am quite sure that many people of conscience felt the same way and that the primary was won by machine voters. It was a very strange twist of fate for New Haven.

Posted by: anon | March 23, 2009 3:30 PM

"Lets face it, New Havens screwed and whoever is mayor after Johnny Boy whenever that is will have one hell of a job correcting the financial mess."

But what about DeStefano's principal strategy, which is that the state/feds will eventually take over the pension, health and educational responsibilities and liabilities of the city (which are 80% of the city's budget)? NH is too small of a geographic area, eventually it will be absorbed into a regional governing system.

Posted by: Insider2 | April 1, 2009 10:42 AM

I have no idea why so many are disappointed at Bill not running. Folks he was never in the race and he never had any serious intentions about the mayoral seat. Bill served his purpose. That purpose was to block others from entering the race. Once again he has played not only his district first with Gary and now the whole city this time. Wow I am just totally shocked dudes. lol