New Haven Independent

Posted by: citizen | July 21, 2009 3:53 PM

Stephanie has my vote she speaks spanish and that is a good start she is well known in the Fair Haven Community. And she will be a great Alder. You go girl.

Posted by: JackNH | July 21, 2009 4:24 PM

I will miss Sturgis-Pascal's advocacy for the neighborhood, and for traffic issues citywide.

Posted by: Gladtohearthis | July 21, 2009 5:26 PM

Its about time she steps down. Now perhaps we can focus on more important things than traffic calming! She has beaten this topic to death!!

Posted by: Facchek | July 21, 2009 5:49 PM

If this is the way Erin Sturgis-Pascale demonstrates her accomplishment to traffic calming...

Then what's that dinosaur about to enter her living room doing in this photo????
why didn't you Calm the traffic in your own back yard Erin?? Oh right, you were at a BOA committee meeting that night.

Sturigis, in just three short years on the board, voted successfully to raise spending and thus taxes in each year..
3 for 3,
She was also successful in steering her committee to give Yale city land in the block buster deal surrounding Scheme st, as well as leading her committee in delivering the sweetheart deal to Yale involving the water chiller lines running from Winchester to the cemetery, for the new dorms, almost 1/2 mile, while also agreeing to have the city finance the insurance cost for the underground water lines and hold Yale harmless, in exchange for 50K for park improvements, but the money will be held by Yale. Costing the city millions yet to be determined. Oh yea, just remembered you work for Yale.. So there it is.....

No lost to city or the Board in this resignation..

If you call this your contributions to the city Erin.... Good riddance.... You won't be missed my folks concerned about the run-a-way city budget and rubber-stamping Alderwomen.

...

Posted by: From Erin's ward | July 21, 2009 7:31 PM

Though I am sad to see Erin go, I understand her reasoning. It is a thankless job that tends to get more criticism than cheering. I for one will be sad to see her "official" hand out of the BOA ring, but I know she will remain an involved community member.

Thanks for fighting for Safer streets for all...it was a huge undertaking and you were able to bring to light one of the City's shame's (horrendous infrastructure and public safety) and actually have an impact. I hope your successor can say the same.

Hey Faccek...are you an involved community member or just someone who sits in their ivory tower and complains?? Must be nice to make judgements without all the facts.

Posted by: East Shore Guy | July 21, 2009 7:36 PM

That part of fairhaven looks better today than it ever has which I am sure is in no small part based on her work in the neighborhood. While she is not my alderperson I have heard from many that she was truly one of the good ones.

Faccheck, you are just weird man.

Posted by: DEZ | July 21, 2009 7:40 PM

Oh, please, FAC-not-CHEK. The intersection in question was re-engineered by the city as a direct result of Erin's diligence to traffic calming and safe streets. Chatham Street at Front Street, where her family home sits, was necked down and the intersection completely re-engineered with community support because of her passion for the topic, and the horrendous safety issues the old intersection conveyed. (Safety issues that she witnessed and lived daily for years). The driver in question failed to turn the wheel of their car to make the corner, instead plowing into the Sturgis-Pascale house. No amount of traffic calming can force people to stay on the road when they decide to jump the curb. Check your facts.

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | July 21, 2009 7:55 PM

But what about the clone of herself who she picked
to run for her seat?

Posted by: Tim Holahan | July 21, 2009 9:10 PM

I think it's too bad that some people don't recognize what a personal sacrifice someone makes to be an alder. Even if you don't agree with some or even all of the things an alder does or doesn't do, understand that they worked hard to get the job and (many of them) to hold it, for little glory and less compensation.

My conversations with a number of aldermen across the city over the past few years have convinced me that the great majority of them seek and hold the job out of a genuine affection for their community and for New Haven as a whole.

Traffic calming is a critically important issue to the city's future. A more livable, walkable environment will have a subtle but real effect on economic development and public safety.

Although I might have wished that Erin had raised her voice in some areas in which she chose not to, I admire her for the work she did and thank her for sacrificing her personal time for the public good.

Posted by: Lisa K | July 21, 2009 9:40 PM

Sad to lose you Erin, and hopeful that Stephanie will have the same energy and fierce determination as her predecessor. And, Facchek, I ham more than happy to pay higher takes if it means a better and safer Fair Haven, one where people are forced to drive with more care and respect, since they won't do it on their own. Yale contributes to a better New Haven financially as well as in bringing dedicated, connected, smart people here who want to work with those born and bred to make this a better city. Why not help a Yale that helps us? I think negativity is what we need less of here.

Posted by: DingDong | July 21, 2009 10:16 PM

Sorry to hear this. Keep up the good work after you leave the BoA!

Posted by: Jon Doe | July 21, 2009 11:39 PM

Erin Sturgis-Pascale talks of the work with traffic calming. In the 3 years she has been on the job, traffic has not got better but worse every summer. I live in her ward and the speeding cars with loud music and the motor cycles racing up and down the street has got out of hand under her watch. I guess putting a few sings around the city in crosswalks is going to stop these people.

Erin Sturgis-Pascale did not live up to her word when she ran on these issues. She turn out to be a rubber-stamping Alderwomen of Mayor Johnny.

I will not be voting for Stephanie Bauer, just because she is Erin Sturgis-Pascale hand pick replacement. She'll turn out to be another rubber-stamping Alderwomen.

(large Latino population needed to be represented by someone who at least spoke Spanish) We need someone who will represent the needs of the voter in 14 ward. Not because she can speak Spanish.

Erin Sturgis-Pascale is just one more person who is respondsiable for the down turn of New Haven.I know she will not be missed be me.

Posted by: Bruce | July 22, 2009 7:39 AM

GLADTOHEARTHIS: Traffic calming saves lives. What is more important than preventing people from getting slaughtered in the street?

Posted by: What will she do? | July 22, 2009 9:16 AM

What does Stephanie Bauer actually want to do? What issues does she care about? It's surprising that none of these questions seem to have been asked, nor is there much of a suggestion that it would be important for her to have answers to them. And the ward cmte is set to rush to endorse her tonight when news of the open seat just broke? Doesn't seem right to me.

Posted by: Streever | July 22, 2009 10:23 AM

The crit. of Sturgis-Pascale is a bit unfair when it comes to Mayoral politics--let's be fair, with 30 alders, being a lone dissenter gets you in the same boat as the other dissenters--personal attacks, and nothing ever accomplished.

I will miss Erin Sturgis-Pascale and fully understand why she is stepping down. I wish her the best in everything she does.

Maybe if we had an effectively structured BoA (9 members?) she'd have had the chance to really shine & put down the naysayers here. Personally though I suspect it is impossible to please these anonymous cowards.

Posted by: Claudi Herrera | July 22, 2009 11:17 AM

Erin
I respect your very valuable reasons to step down. Your decision confirm your values,
Just by giving your personal time that is belonging to your family is a lot more that many annonymos complainers don't even try.

Impossible to please such mentalities, ACT, DO, GET INVOLVE!

The best for you.

Posted by: eyeswideopen | July 22, 2009 11:33 AM

I'm sorry to see Eric go-she's a hard worker and SMART....
Erin, why not have been open with everyone earlier so the entire ward committee and neighbors could have discussed this and had more time and vetted a better candidate? Why such a rush to make sure Stephanie is "endorsed" on Wednesday, 7/22? I'm afraid we all know the answer...rest in peace, ward 14.

Posted by: citizen | July 22, 2009 2:09 PM

EYES WIDE OPEN
Did you know any one better Stephanie is a hard worker and will continue to do what Erin has done. Stepahanie is great with the fair haven community and is spanish speaking never judge a book by its cover give her a chance I have Stephanie to be a good friend and will always listen to what you have to say and if she could fix it she will tell and if not she will tell she will try. Vote for Stephanie.

Posted by: Jon Doe | July 22, 2009 4:07 PM

Too citizen: (Stephanie is a hard worker and will continue to do what Erin has done)

I hope if she does win she doesn't continue to do what Erin did. I have tried to contact Erin several times thru email she never responded not once. All Erin was ever worried about was what was going on her street. Everytime she was in the new it was always about something on front and it's cross streets.

As far as picking up on Erin's safe streets, our streets in ward 14 are more unsafe today then 3 years ago.

So I say good bye to Erin and I will not be voting for her hand picked replacement. A days notice was just a ploy so only there supporters can show up and support her. We need someone who will fight for us in ward 14. Stephanie Bauer turn out to be another rubber-stamping Alderwomen like Erin was.

Posted by: Pedro d'Ibazo | July 23, 2009 2:12 AM

Can we now forget about her dumb idea to rename Frontage as MLK Blvd?

Posted by: Jack | July 23, 2009 5:08 AM

I bet the house is up for sale within a year.

Posted by: eyeswideopen | July 23, 2009 7:57 AM

What happened last night?

Posted by: Erin Sturgis-Pascale | July 23, 2009 1:25 PM

To my dear neighbors, supporters, colleagues and friends:
Thank you for all of your support. I look forward to continuing our work, albeit in a little different way. I'll try to post my comments from the Ward 14 Democratic Ward Committee Meeting last night, where Stephanie Bauer defeated Joan Forte 20 votes to 6. Stephanie is her own gal and will do a fine job. I commend her for stepping up to the plate. She didn't need a hand-written invitation or a chauffeured ride to the library to throw her name into the hat. Anyone could have sought a nomination--they would have only needed to show up.

To the anonymous whiners:
If you were working shoulder to shoulder with the very large number of your neighbors here in Fair Haven who are working to improve our community, you would know that you could find me at any number of monthly meetings in our neighborhood, rather than relying on anonymous complaining.
There is a curious flattery in knowing that I've annoyed some of you so much that you would get pleasure in this kind of criticism and speculation. Would you consider burning me in effigy? --I'll know I've really arrived then!
Hope I made you laugh, because you'd feel a lot better if you lightened up a little!
Smiles,
Erin

Posted by: anon | July 23, 2009 1:54 PM

Thank you for the update. I agree with Erin on the whining. There are tons of neighborhood meetings dealing with very specific issues, and this is such a great community that is accepting of all ideas and interests. Instead of whining please get involved! Your help is needed!

Posted by: Erin Sturgis-Pascale | July 23, 2009 2:17 PM

I shared the following thoughts with the attendees at last night's Ward 14 Democratic Committee Meeting, before going home and eating dinner with my family and kissing my daughter goodnight:

"Three years ago, I stood before you and asked for your support on my quest to change the way that roads are built in this city. I committed to work for safe, livable streets for our neighborhood. You granted me that request and I have worked very hard to earn the trust that you placed in me.

Last fall, the Board of Aldermen unanimously voted to pass an order that I wrote and sponsored that created a Complete Streets Steering committee. This committee of nine people has been working to meet the mandates of this order which include the creation of an explicit street-building policy mandating the accommodation of all street users, including pedestrians and cyclists and our most vulnerable users: children, seniors and the disabled.

This accommodation will be guided by a design manual for complete street construction as well as a process that insures that City Hall is responsive to neighborhoods when citizens identify a traffic problem on one of their streets.

Additionally, the order mandates the creation of a safety education program--whose product is the Street Smarts campaign which includes an animated website on traffic safety. I was involved at every level of the development of this program and am very proud of the result.

Finally, the last mandate of this legislation was to push the NHPD to develop a more serious commitment to traffic violation enforcement. With the hire of our new police chief, James Lewis, a traffic enforcement division was created at the department which is headed by a lieutenant. To date, traffic enforcement in Fair Haven is up by 200% from last year. These traffic stops have led to the confiscations of drugs and guns and has led to the arrest of many people with outstanding warrants.

Of course, I've withstood significant criticism on the blogs for my hyper-focus on this issue--as if I didn't understand the complicated and intricately woven nature of the problems in modern urban life. But, the reality is that this kind of focus is exactly what is required to make change--change that I promised you I would pursue.

However, I didn't shy away from addressing other problems or sponsoring other legislation to address problems in our community. Along with my Fair Haven colleague, Joe Rodriguez, I sheparded legislation through the board that created a registration program on foreclosed homes requiring bank-owned properties to be maintained or be fined. Joe and I worked together again to address graffiti tagging that resulted in the creation of a graffiti abatement program at LCI, that has successfully quelled the graffiti tagging that swept our community last year.

Being an alderperson in this city requires stepping up and weathering criticism from all sides--there are the constant insinuations of corruption and accusations of being someone else's toady and a host of other absurdities hurled at public figures from those that choose to sit on the sidelines rather than working up the courage to try to face our challenges with solutions that are never guaranteed, but represent your best efforts.

Collectively, we seem to reserve the right to treat our politicians with a shocking level disrespect that is mostly unwarranted, especially in local politics where we are largely volunteers. But, I understood this when I volunteered and it is the last thing that would deter me from public service--because in addition to the improvements that I've seen in our neighborhood and the improvements that have been set in motion but will take some time to come to fruition, I've also benefitted personally from this experience in a hundred different ways--from stretching my imagination to see an argument from a different angle to learning to respond respectfully to those who have not earned it.

Despite these challenges, I engaged in countless other debates and initiatives that affected our ward and our city and represented you to the best of my ability. So, having fulfilled my commitment to you, it is time to pass the baton.

For those who would suggest that my decision to not seek re-election was hasty or secretive in order to protect some kind of nefarious plot, I'm very sorry to disappoint you. I came to this decision privately and for the best interests of my husband Jeff, who has served you too through his countless dinners without me. And also for my daughter, Brynia, who has served you too by the countless nights that she went without a goodnight kiss from her mother. I struggled with this decision and made up my mind at the last possible minute. It's really no more complicated than that.

I thank you again for the opportunity that you gave me to serve you and our neighborhood. It is a privileged opportunity that I now hope you will extend to Stephanie Bauer. Most of you already know Stephanie, as she has been a member of this ward committee for a number of years. Stephanie lives and works in our neighborhood and knows many, many Fair Haven residents. She is familiar with the needs of our community and in addition to the initiatives that she will pursue, she has committed to maintain the momentum --that began in Fair Haven --for safer, more livable streets.

Thank you for affording me these minutes on a day that belongs not to me, but to someone else. On that note, it is my honor to introduce and endorse for Ward 14's next alderwoman, Ms. Stephanie Bauer."

Posted by: Streever | July 23, 2009 4:33 PM

Must feel nice to see Bauer win Erin--and to see your work continue--I'm sure you'll put the anonymous people in their place simply by doing good work & continuing to be such a wonderful addition to New Haven.

The jealous small-minded people who are too afraid to use their own names here are not worth consideration--

Posted by: Jon Doe | July 23, 2009 8:49 PM

Erin can talk about all the meeting she has sat thru and things she gave up but what has she done that is helping our community right NOW. What Erin didn't know what the job was before she jump in. Next time look before you jump in Erin.

To: Jack I think your right when you say, I bet the house is up for sale within a year. She has done everything to build up the front street area and forgot about the rest of the ward.

Posted by: Fed Up with Jon Doe | July 24, 2009 11:11 AM

Jon Doe, you complain anonymously about Fair Haven on See Click Fix and the Independent way too much. If you hate Fair Haven so much and have so little faith in a community that is really trying hard to work together to make our community stronger, better, and more closely knit, I have a suggestion for you: Stop your kvetching and whining and step up to plate to make a difference personally or MOVE! Sheesh, it seems like a no brainer...

Posted by: Jon Doe | July 24, 2009 3:24 PM

To:Fed Up

I'm sorry if you take my right under the (1st Amendment - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances) as complaining.

As far as your statement of me complaining anonymously here and on seeclickfix, I must ask you if your name is truly FED UP. I sure hope so, because if not you have no right to make a statement like that if it is not, too me or anyone else.

Fed Up I never said anywhere that I hate Fair Haven or New Haven in a whole. I was born in New Haven and have live here all of my life. What I do hate is what has become of our city under the leadership. Who are you to tell me to move if I don't like it to move? Maybe you would be better off liven someplace like China, where people aren't allowed to speak out!

I do have faith in a community that is why I speak out. I'm sorry if you can not handle that. I do step up to the plate every election since I was 18yo. But the choice we are offered are very poor, thats why Mayor Johnny gets back in every time.

What the no brainer here is your comments.

Posted by: Heather | July 24, 2009 3:36 PM

You know I read all of the negative commentary about Erin and I have to think...would any of YOU have done a better job?? You would have had your agendas done your best and you know what? There would be people casting stones at you as well. Could you take the abuse she has suffered as gracefully...never mind with your real names??

This forum should not be about casting stones or judgment. Erin move with in a year?? Come on. All of you whiners really need to get involved because only then will you know just how difficult being a REAL community member is.

Erin, I applaud your courage during office and the commitments then now and in the future. Change is not about what office you hold its about acting. Thanks for being one of the people who act.

Posted by: Joshua Sloat | July 24, 2009 11:31 PM

Erin,
As a member of Ward 14, I want to thank you for your service these last three years. As a father of a child Brynia's age (well, her real age; she's always reportedly older than she is on this site, her precociousness fooling even the most thorough journalist), I want to thank you and your family for the sacrifices you have made.

Posted by: robn | July 25, 2009 9:17 AM

Once again, this situation is indicative of a problem...that is a (for the most part) uncompensated BOA. Asking people to work very hard for next to nothing is an invitation to the unexperienced or political demagogues. Every once and a while we luck out with someone like ESP or Roland Lemar but its few and far between because eventually they either have to earn a living or regain their life from the thankless process of governance.