New Haven Independent

Posted by: END The WASTE | April 20, 2009 12:11 PM

The students and volunteers deserve a big THANK YOU. What an admirable and worthwhile cause. The Housing Authority should consider making tenants responsible for their neighborhood by making it a part of the tenants' obligations in the public housing lease. Also, education or job skills should be part of the lease requirements.

Posted by: Joe Rodriguez | April 20, 2009 12:41 PM

Thank you to all the athletes who volunteered their time that Sunday. Your efforts do not go unnoticed, much thanks!!

To Mrs. Bissell: As always keep up the good work. Your efforts are definitely key to restoring Dover Beach.

Joe Rodriguez
Alderman, Ward 15

Posted by: robn | April 20, 2009 12:50 PM

This is great. Now if we can only change the culture of indifference in New Haven that leads to littering. The amount of East Rock litter that I saw this weekend...as opposed to about a month ago, was staggering to me. Families should not leave their house for a family picnic without a few trash bags on hand.
Though, since i saw parents who were indifferent to their kids climbing onto the outside of the east rock cliff fence, maybe litter consciousness is way too much to ask.

Posted by: OhBoy | April 20, 2009 12:52 PM

Jimmy Miller better get his residents to show up to reach out to the larger community. But then again, Why should they when HANH throws the party with Senator Dodd and says let's ask for another 25 million.

Because if a HANH complex can't come out, or at least the private management company that's "overseeing" the complex, what gives?

HARD WORK is how one succeeds. Where were the parents who live in the beautiful new units along Front Steet. Were they showing how you take care of not just your home but the street you live on?

And for this type of conduct Mr. DeStefano thinks they should be guaranteed a college eduation. Really?

Posted by: anon | April 20, 2009 1:02 PM

Is there a tenant association in the housing development? If there isn't a community there, maybe federal grants need to be provided to create one.

Posted by: DEZ | April 20, 2009 1:29 PM

Pat Bissell rocks! Thank you for again spearheading this valiant effort at Dover Beach. The physical transformation of the park is clearly visible. I can't help but agree with "End" above. As someone who has led project planning with URI Community Greenspace volunteers, nothing permanent can take hold unless those with the greatest stake in the plan are part of the process. Unfortunately, this cannot be forced. Never-the-less, sheer perseverance helps. Thanks again Pat and all the students who made this possible!

Posted by: Walt | April 20, 2009 2:43 PM

Kudos to those who helped clean up and shame on the Q Terrace residents who did not.

It was the lazy, slovenly old Q -Project tenants who turned the old Project area into a dump, and probably the newer lazy, slovenly Q Terrace tenants who will hasten the deteriorization of this now attractive area.

Sometimes you can't win but good folks continue to try.

God bless them.

Posted by: Joe Rodriguez | April 20, 2009 2:59 PM

ANON,

Yes there is a tenant association at Q. Terrace. The President of the association is a Carla Johnson and they meet once a month. If you call the offices at Q. Terrace I am sure they'll provide you with a contact.

Posted by: l | April 20, 2009 4:23 PM

Thank you so much, you guys! I pick up trash all the time, and when I have gone out in full force, it was a real workout, so I'd answer the headline's question: YES, they must be better at it! On a negative note - I can't say I am surprised about the Q Terrace residents not joining. Though I am happy the students came, it does show you how people who accept handouts all the time won't do anything for themselves. It's really frustrating. I know it's more complicated than that, and I am not talking about 100% of project residents, but really, this is how it looks. Close family of mine are on WIC/welfare, not in CT, and I watch them just do nothing for themselves to make their situations better, except hands out, all the time. People who take care of such a nice place should be the ones who get to live there and enjoy it. I like the park, but don't go there very often, because I don't feel safe or welcome. Carla - get people out there to learn to appreciate what they have and be willing to share it w/ everyone.

Posted by: Walt | April 21, 2009 9:36 AM

ANON

TARP for the tenants?--just another opportunity for graft (Hire an Exec Director?)

Tenant assn. is a good idea which should cost just about nothing to form. It is for theie own benefit, and ours if it acts responsibly

Posted by: Heather Findlay | April 21, 2009 10:01 AM

Pat-you are truly a gift to this area!! Your dedication is tireless and you should be congratulated!!

It is a shame that Q-terrace residents didn't show up. Knowing Pat, she did everything she could to engage them to join in. I find it sad and pathetic that people living in this waterfront property (no matter what the living arrangement) have no appreciation or pride for where they live. Its shocking to think what this area would really look like without the efforts of people like Pat.

Posted by: lance | April 21, 2009 11:40 AM

If you want to get the tenants to help you have to cut the cable tv signal to the units and start after three pm.

I'm happy to see that some of the liberals on here are starting to see that the more free stuff you give people in the form of entitlements, the less likey they are to lift a finger.

Posted by: lance | April 21, 2009 11:42 AM

and by the way, as a UNH alumn, I'm glad to see they have a football team again. it was a shame when they dropped a program that produced several nfl coaches and a few players.