New Haven Independent

Posted by: Streever | July 13, 2009 8:13 AM

Paca,

Low blow warning--"People could say a lot of negative things about Liz & her family"--really? Is that true? or is it an empty rhetorical statement, designed to get even with the fact that you screwed up something in your life & failed to be proactive on it?

Sorry--I wouldn't have commented on this at all, but that type of senseless rumor spreading is irritating. (and sentences with no meaning are equally irritating)

Posted by: fearless | July 13, 2009 8:45 AM

If this guy can't take responsibility for the children he fathered, what is the rational for voting for him? This is simply King John trying to punish Liz for being independent of City Hall. Please send a message to the King...NO MORE!

Posted by: Hew Naven?? | July 13, 2009 9:36 AM

Paca has a lot of nerve accusing McCormack of being a career politician whilst getting support from John "Mayor-For-Life" DeStefano.

I haven't heard a lot from Paca, but I'm suspicious of anyone the mayor is backing. The board does not need another automatic vote for the administration which is probably what Destefano expects to get back after showing support for Paca.

Posted by: Peace Frog | July 13, 2009 10:49 AM

Streever, I think the low blow came from Mrs. McKinnie. "Character issues?" That definitely sounds like a personal attack. Marcus Paca has offered more active, involved, and intelligent alternatives to Liz McCormack's 22 years of inaction on the Board of Aldermen, so her campaign members have turned to attacking his personal history instead of trying to prove to the community that re-electing Liz will benefit the ward.
If this election is really about what's best for the ward, I'd like to hear more about the ward and less about the personal stories of the candidates. I'm surprised that an article about a candidate's kick-off event, which should focus on the issues facing the ward that will be open to discussion in an election, would avoid discussing theses issues and instead focus on the negative attacks espoused by members of the incumbent's campaign. Too bad.

Posted by: Streever | July 13, 2009 11:06 AM

Peace Frog:
McKinnie didn't ask for anyone's votes.

The race is between Paca & McCormack. If a person thinks poorly of Paca, that is their business.

If his response is to attack McCormack with a rumor, it's a low-blow.

Posted by: Streever | July 13, 2009 11:07 AM

and is it really wrong to bring up the issues of his heavy debt load in his race for alderman? it's not even faceless creditors but two different women he fathered children with. I think it's a fair question--would he be a good alderman?

as far as i know, liz hasn't said anything about paca or his family's values or character, and she doesn't need to, because he sabotaged himself.

Posted by: truthtopower | July 13, 2009 11:10 AM

If Paca was out of work, why didn't he get his child support obligation reduced? The Bureau of Support handles things like this for free.
Deadbeat dads should take care of their obligations to their children before they get into politics, not after.

Posted by: Not a Clever Pseudonym | July 13, 2009 11:16 AM

Peace Frog:

I think the difference is that Paca's attackers have raised specific issues that are factually accurate. Those issues may or may not be relevant (I think they are but I realize that's subject to debate) but they're specific and voters can determine for themselves whether they're relevant.

Paca says, "There are a lot of personal things people can conjure about Liz and her family, but they don't." This is non-specific and it suggests that Paca knows something notable and bad and is above saying it when the truth probably is that there is nothing notable or bad. The worst kind of character assassination is non-specific and can't be addressed head-on by its victims and Paca should steer away from it.

Posted by: City Hall Watch | July 13, 2009 11:34 AM

From DeStefano and Paca, one comes to realize that family values, our offspring and how they are raised are not a priority. With the city continuing to generate more poverty plagued families than property owning families able to shoulder the heavy burden of punitive taxes, voters would do well to pay close attention to Paca's own family problems. Has he brought his arrearage to his children up to date? Are the authorities looking to arrest him again?

As for the negative attacks, raising "character issues," Peace Frog, is hardly a personal attack. He is a flawed, needy candidate and his checkered past with regard to his children is emblematic of and at the heart of many of our most pressing problems in New Haven. Absentee fathers, single parent homes, inadequate supervision of children, poor role models combined with a complete lack of results based accountability for the tens of millions of public dollars we spend on our children all directly relate to his personal character issues. On the other hand, if Paca knows of character issues and direct family neglect by his opponent, he should share and be plain spoken about it. Innuendos are for cowards.

Posted by: James FP | July 13, 2009 11:39 AM

Seems a bit telling that the article mentions the length of McCormack's tenure on the Board three times, yet fails to mention a single legitimate accomplishment of hers. You'd think that in 22 years on the Board any moderately competent Alder could do more than slap his/her name on a piece of legislation as a cosponsor.

Posted by: Low Blow | July 13, 2009 11:56 AM

Definitely a low blow Sandy for the character attacks! LETS FOCUS on action and inaction!

My family and I have been in the ward 8 years now. I like many others in the ward have converted to Paca supporters. I have made this decision because I want to see things get done. He is doing great work in the community. He has been to my house several times perhaps more times than I have even seen Liz since I've lived in the area. That resignates me and other supporters in the neighborhood.

People are tagging him as part of JD's machine, which is clearly inaccurate. People don't believe these falicies. He is more than willing to discuss his platform with anyone. He's really a great guy. GO PACA!!!

Posted by: Ward24speaks | July 13, 2009 12:09 PM

Nothing in this article tells me why we should re-elect McCormack. She has been in office for 22 years and I still don't know what she has done and will do. Besides bring the guardian angels to our neighborhood. Which was perhaps the worst decision.

Until she can create a platform, it is useless for her to even be in this race. You can't just rely on tenure and alies from people who have known you. Loyalities from the past only last for so long. I must admit Paca is making her sweat, I haven't seen her work this hard since...since...I guess ever.

Posted by: TimeForChange | July 13, 2009 12:20 PM

Streever--Give the kid a break. Come out to the 24th, hear it from the people. WE WANT PACA!

How can you interpret his comments as "rumor spreading" he is just merly saying personal character attacks have no place in this election and it isn't being done to his opponent, so it shouldn't be done to him....geshhhh

Posted by: Peace Frog | July 13, 2009 1:10 PM

The article states that McCormack and the other politicians present didn't talk about any specific issues, but focused on her overall "experience." Meanwhile, her treasurer tells the reporter that people will re-elect McCormack because of "character issues"--a non-specific reference intended to defame Paca's personal character among voters. It sounds like McCormack is unprepared to have a substantive campaign or an active future in accomplishing goals for her ward, while Paca has a whole list of things he's accomplished so far, with many more items in the "to do" category. At the end of the day, the McCormack campaign has resorted to the argument that their candidate has been there for a long time and should therefore stay, and to discrediting their opponent in an effort to dissuade citizens seeking change from actually getting any.

Posted by: demwatch | July 13, 2009 1:15 PM

I'm happy to see a competitive election in New Haven. However, let the issues speak for themselves. Everyone is getting too distracted with speculation of the candidates' personal lives and forgetting about what we are truly seeking for, a better New Haven. I'm eager to hear the issues from both sides in the upcoming months.

Posted by: Newday | July 13, 2009 1:40 PM

It's a new day for Politics in New Haven! People stop settling for Democrats who get in office and stay for years with NO ACTION!

Paca said it best 'tangible results'! Tired of our democrats relying on senority for re-election. Someone contest King JD!

Posted by: Involved | July 13, 2009 1:54 PM

I am thrilled to see a strong, morally grounded politician like State Rep. Gary Holder-Winfield support the best candidate.

SINGLE MOTHERS, like myself will strongly support you!
GO McCormack, we are on your side all the way!

Posted by: Hypocrates | July 13, 2009 9:26 PM

Streevers first comment on this story

Paca,

Low blow warning--"People could say a lot of negative things about Liz & her family"--really? Is that true? or is it an empty rhetorical statement, designed to get even with the fact that you screwed up something in your life & failed to be proactive on it?

Sorry--I wouldn't have commented on this at all, but that type of senseless rumor spreading is irritating. (and sentences with no meaning are equally irritating)

Streevers comment 2 days back on a Whitney Avenue story.

And FYI, City Engineer Richard Miller HAS been sued & almost lost his job for decisions he made regarding city streets--there is a definite history of this & you would do well to research it.

I know what I think. Any other bloggers want to add their thoughts.

Posted by: strangerthanfiction | July 13, 2009 9:32 PM

Because the Mayor doesn't have a real challenge it leaves him free to use his resources to target people like Liz, who are not automatic votes for him. She's a great alderwoman and wouldn't have a challenger otherwise. But as we saw with the stealth raises, he can do anything he wants right now. Politics in New Haven right now reminds me of the old Soviet bloc. And by the way, Paca's deadbeat dad status is very serious business. You can't explain that away or try to divert with bizarre jabs at "Liz and her family". The courts had to intercede to get the dude to step up to his parental support duties with kids by two mothers in two states.

Posted by: Lori | July 14, 2009 9:26 AM

Paca is doing great work in Ward 24. He deserves to be our alderman and will be elected as our alderman because he is responsive, visable and action driven. We need new energy and leadership in our ward. I have not seen such vibrance and communial focus since I have lived here. I want to acknowledge his efforts and encourage you all to get to know him.

I want an Alderman who I KNOW and my family knows, not only when its time to go to the polls or through a flyer when they are having a re-election fundraiser. I have began campaigning for PACA because I believe he is the change we need in our ward.
Contact PACA: paca4alderman@gmail.com

Posted by: Streever | July 14, 2009 11:36 AM

Hypocrates:
I was not attacking Miller, but instead explaining how the legal system works. Sorry you misundertood me.

I personally can't understand your name: are you misspelling hypocrites or referencing hippocratic?

and something else that irritates me: No one posting comments here is "blogging". We are simply commenting on a blog. I think people are confused because they know about trackbacks--where one blogger references another blog, and the "trackback" shows up in the original blog as a comment.

Posted by: Streever | July 14, 2009 11:40 AM

TimeForChange: apologies. I'm not trying to give Paca himself a hard time--just giving him something to think about. I don't think it's fair for EITHER candidate to start rumors about each other. As for which candidate wins, I'm not invested in them nor is it my ward--I simply reacted to what I thought was a comment in very poor taste.

If I saw McCormack say anything similar, I would criticize it as well.

I just think that Paca should simply talk about the issues and what he'll do/what she doesn't do/instead of bringing her family into it.

Posted by: concerned | July 14, 2009 5:36 PM

Well I think a good race in a ward is wonderful and stimulates people. The problem is Paca seems to talk a good talk but if you really listen to him it is a bit disturbing. He talks in one article about catching up on child support because he recently became unemployed, yet he talks out of the other side of his mouth about how he had a job that paid $150,000yrly. Oops, where did all that money go, certainly not to his children. And he states in the register how he doesn't care about who is supporting who that is not what this is about, yet he had the mayor and his crony employees at his announcement. Oopps, I guess that applies only for him not the present alder.
Let's get real, the mayor in an article states he believes Paca will vote with him and this is not about Liz it is about Paca. Oopps! No kidding if it looks like a rubber stamp, stamps like a rubber stamp, it is a rubber stamp.

Posted by: strangerthanfiction | July 14, 2009 8:20 PM

In his short time in the spotlight, Paca first made a racist appeal to the voters, then tried to downplay his two-time deadbeat Dad status, and then shot back with a general smear of "Liz and her family". It's sad that the Mayor would stoop this low to back someone of Paca's character out of revenge and to try to get another rubber stamper. It's a sad commentary on what happens when even a darn good mayor has no checks on his power.

Posted by: Elm St. | July 15, 2009 11:21 AM

PACA Keep UP the good work. They will do their best to make this campaign as negative as possible, but you can get through this. It's when you are doing well people try to find things to deter your success. I've never seen an Aldermanic election get this dirty!

Posted by: ClearTheAir | July 15, 2009 12:26 PM

Talked to Paca regarding all these allegations. I encourage you all to do so as well before generating bias opinions with only data from these articles.

He is an average kid just looking to do good for the community. It seems we overlooked that the referenced child support documents were to ask the judge to reduce the payments because he made numerous attempts for reduction due to unemployment. Also he started off in arrears with no knowledge of child's esistence. NOT a DEADBEAT!

Dealing with the courts to modify anything without a lawyer is very hard and takes years. People lighten up and stay focused on the REAL issues.

Posted by: TightRace | July 15, 2009 12:38 PM

Missed this event...I asked my neighbors and none of them attended either. Looks like a who's who of State Dems. This is a very good race and will be interesting to see how things pan out. With Eli vote pulling (literally) Marcus will need to work 10 times as hard to get the turnout at the polls.

Posted by: Concerned2 | July 16, 2009 10:11 AM

I am concerned that after 20 years the best Ms. Mccormack can do is pull state representatives to intimidate and vote pull for her. Maybe she should just run for state rep?? I'll support her for that. But, she has not done what it takes to show the me or the ward that she deserves to stay in city office. If Paca is crony for City Hall then, she is a crony for the Greers. Its that simple. At least Paca is working. He's new and we can hold him accountable. Liz is only accountable to her statewide base that believe they owe her something; you don't Pat Dillon,Toni Harp, Jack Keyes and of course Rabbi Greer. That being said, this race is about the future, not the past. Old loyalties fade, as mine has for her; and now I want something fresh for our ward. I like what I see in the young man, and I know he must be doing something right because of all the attacks. Its going to get nastier, believe me I know, but people are getting wise to the game and it just might push you over the top.

Posted by: Hew Naven?? | July 20, 2009 10:50 AM

If there's one issue that dominates this race, it should be this one:

Liz has been the Ward 24 Alderman for over 20 years, before that it was her husband for many years, and rumor has it that she's grooming her son to succeed her. Am I the only one who finds it a bit disturbing that one family wants to be the voice of an entire ward for half a century?!!

I'm not going to jump to any conclusions by calling the McCormicks power-hungry, but you have to wonder about a family that's been in power for so long and made such little progress on the real issues in the ward, such as economic inequities, jobs, youth programs, etc. (The stuff that matters)!!

Ward 24 is home to one of the busiest commercial stretches in the region on Whalley between Sherman and West Park ave. For 20 years this stretch has remained relatively unchanged. Yet the potential for hundreds of jobs remains. What is Liz waiting for?!!

After 20 years, it's becoming obvious that Liz just doesn't care about these issues, and that she has gotten a little too comfy in her board seat. Only time will tell if Marcus will change the old problems in Ward 24.

Posted by: Into it | July 21, 2009 1:01 PM

Having talked to Paca, I'm doubtful he would be an automatic vote for the Mayor's machine. He comes off as a freethinker, with plenty of good ideas for the city. Of course, it's not surprising if he welcomes the support.

Posted by: Into it | July 21, 2009 2:40 PM

Having talked to Paca, I'm doubtful he would be an automatic vote for the Mayor's machine. He comes off as a freethinker, with plenty of good ideas for the city. Of course, it's not surprising if he welcomes the support.