New Haven Independent

Posted by: streever | August 24, 2009 8:37 AM

OK, he says he stopped--even if I believe that he still should have called the police--clearly, as the other driver did--and the other driver had a solid description of his car.

Secondly if this man can drive for 3 years without realizing his license is expired (I don't drive & I know when my license expires!) and doesn't callt he police when he hits another car, I think he has a lot more to do before he runs for alderman or anything else.

That just shows a basic lack of knowledge of the law.

Posted by: west rocker | August 24, 2009 9:02 AM

wow stagger seems to have all the answers....he has no respect for police ..it seems everything he does is someone elses fault.....
and is there not a rule or something felons can't run for office maybe i'm wrong...

Posted by: Whatever | August 24, 2009 9:07 AM

"They say I stole that hot tub, well I, oops, did, but it was a long time ago. And, by the way, I was supposed to renew my license in March, but I didn't, I was stopped in April with a 3 yr suspended license, but, well I didn't know even though I didn't renew it. And take my word for it, I did not have relations with that woman, oops, I mean I did not hit that car and flee. And well, I was not registered to vote until a few weeks ago, but I thought I did vote for Obama. Well, what the heck, the Mayor and Dem Town Chair support me, so what the h*ll, its all good."

Posted by: What Next | August 24, 2009 9:48 AM

Paca, Staggers...where does Mayor Johnny and Susie go to recruit these guys, the court house?

Posted by: West Rock Res | August 24, 2009 10:32 AM

DeStefano/Voigt/Sepuleveda/Staggers supporters/spinners. Where are you guys? I'm just waiting with baited breath to hear you guys get around defending this guy without calling the police liars. Or how about your attack on the press for reporting what transpired at a press conference called by Staggers et al. Goldson was right, Staggers crew is a bunch of amateurs. See you on election day, when I will walk into the voting booth to vote again, Staggers will walk in for the first time, and none of you guys will be able to. LOL

Posted by: Just the Facts | August 24, 2009 11:19 AM

A Question:

I have no point in this other than confusion. I read the Register on Sunday and this article today. The Register article is here: http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2009/08/23/news/a3-ward30.txt

Were these describing the same events? What gives? Paul? Melissa?

Posted by: judy | August 24, 2009 11:36 AM

this gets better and better

Posted by: No Upton Sinclair | August 24, 2009 12:10 PM

This is absolutely shameful. What's the obsession with Carlton Staggers' legal record? Is there an article in the pipeline about his work as a basketball coach?

How is it that a candidate who has NEVER engaged in campaign mudslinging calls a press conference to formalize his commitment to running a positive campaign and the NHI manages to turn it into yet another hit piece?

Melissa and Paul, you're not the noble muckrakers of the early 20th century. When you watch some anonymous callers try to meddle with a man's livelihood because of a mistake that some "amateurs" made and your response is to grill the man about his past, you're not doing anything noble or admirable.

Now, it would be one thing if you were doing this to BOTH candidates. But you're not. Your reporting has gotten so one sided that I honestly wonder whether you just let Carlton's opponent write the story for you.

If you had a print edition, I'd withdraw my subscription.

Posted by: WARD 30 | August 24, 2009 12:11 PM

Carlton keep your head up. Remember all the good reasons why you are doing this. That is what matters most. Darnell's too busy complaining Suzy won't give him money to fund his entire campaign. Stay focussed and this is yours.

Posted by: David | August 24, 2009 1:11 PM

Why does the picture have what looks like a bullet pointed list that might be the pledge and a pen in Carlton's hand if he didn't sign the petition?

I'm just confused...it seems like a pretty big oversight not to sign the petition. Is it possible that Mr. Goldson just didn't see the signed copy? Just seems odd to have a pen for fun and not sign the thing you say you are going to sign.

Posted by: unbelievable | August 24, 2009 1:29 PM

Carlton -- I guess the only way for you to run a clean campaign is to steer well clear of the New Haven Independent.

Know this: you have a lot of support in the ward from your neighbors who have lived and worked with you. You will be a great alderman, we believe in you, and we know you will win despite this so-called "news" organization's smear campaign.

Posted by: ward 30 res | August 24, 2009 1:41 PM

I can assure you that Darnell is doing anything but whining, as evidenced in the stories published here. I can understand why you folks would be so desperate though since Staggers hasn't knocked on one door himself. Twenty Yale students doesn't match one Darnell. When it comes to working with youth Darnell's record is lightyears in front of Stagger's. He brought 16 youth to the inauguration to meet Obama, the president that Staggers DID NOT vote for.

Stop crying City Hall.

Posted by: Coolidge | August 24, 2009 2:19 PM

All ex-cons, run for office in New Haven and the City will fund and run your campaign. Stagger and Paca fit that bill and they were reeled in by City hall with more incentives then should be printed.

Posted by: streever | August 24, 2009 2:29 PM

I just want to be clear: I certainly don't think Staggers is a bad person (far from it! his work in his neighborhood is impressive) but regardless, his lack of understanding of laws & proper behavior make him an unfit alderman.

With that said, I don't see much about Goldson that screams maturity or competence for the job. In each case they seem like nice guys who make mistakes.

Good luck to both candidates.

Posted by: Bill in Newhallville | August 24, 2009 3:04 PM

Ward 30 Res, Ridiculous! Friends in Ward 30 confirm that Staggers is on the doors and talking with a lot of people! And Staggers' work with kids is admirable, the young men that he teaches on the basketball court learn real-life lessons in respect, sportsmanship, and commitment to something greater than themselves. I wish I had an advocate like Staggers when I was growing up!

Posted by: Darnell Goldson | August 24, 2009 3:19 PM

Let's set the record straight. The press conference was an attempt by Mr. Staggers handlers to attempt to smear me with the whistleblower stuff against Mr. Staggers. Without directly saying it, it was supposed to be inferred that I or someone with my campaign was the mysterious caller. I am beginning to wonder if there really was a caller/emailer. If so, it was not me or my campaign.

If they were serious about a "clean campaign pledge" they would have:

1. Included me in the drafting of the document;
2. Forward a copy of the document to me (it was passed along by a reporter);
3. Have Mr. Staggers sign the document.

They did not do any of these things. I have yet to receive a call, email, knock on the door, or anything from them related to this issue.

His clean campaign is starting off as anything as clean. It is an attempt to insinuate that I am unclean. This administration has done this type of thing time and time again, folks can see through it.

Now I'm off tgo knock on some doors.

Posted by: JackNH | August 24, 2009 4:34 PM

Is this the best Ward 30 can do? What a loser! Where can I contribute to his opponent's campaign?

Posted by: Ward 30 Res | August 24, 2009 5:31 PM

JackNH, AKA City Hall Hack,

You only have to go to your bosses to figure that one out. Please waste your money, all your outside influemce will do is encourage more folks to come out for the local guy.

Posted by: Melissa Bailey | August 24, 2009 8:21 PM

Correction: Staggers did sign the pledge at the press conference, according to his campaign.

Posted by: luv203 | August 24, 2009 8:31 PM

Well I known Carlton for many years and I have yet to see him or his opponent come knocking on my door. From what I understand Darnell isn't any better. Didn't he use to work for community action agency, when all that corruption was going on?

Posted by: Very Sad ..... | August 24, 2009 10:27 PM

.... that DeStefano cant tolerate 2 or 3 dissenting alderpersons, and gets stooges like Paca and Staggers. He must win 30 to 0 every time. 27 to 3 is not enough. I guess free speech must give way to an insecure ego.

Posted by: the peace frog | August 24, 2009 10:36 PM

this article and the responses to it seem incredibly one-sided. where is the outrage over Goldson's blatant and hurtful misuse of funds for the community action agency? how does Goldson justify calling himself the local candidate when Staggers has lived there for 35 years, and works day in and day out with the youth and ex-convicts of the neighborhood--the people who need it most? Darnell Goldson is just continuing his pattern of running for alderman, losing, and then moving to a ward where he think's he'll have an easier time winning. this time apparently he thinks that whining until the democratic party steps in and saves his campaign will be the secret key to winning--dream on

Posted by: Ward 30 Res | August 25, 2009 9:30 AM

Wow, the misinformation from city hall is really flowing now. Darnell did work for CAA, he tried to stop the corruption, was for for his troubles, sued and won $90,000 in a defamation suit. That's why his accusers do so anonymously, they don't want the same fate as CAA. What ex convicts does Staggers work with? The ones he partnered with to steal the hot tub or hit and flee the scene? You have the wrong candidate, Darnell worked for Project MORE, a place for ex convicts, and he currently runs a youth program that assists dropouts to get their GEDs and diplomas, a far cry from occasionally coaching a ten member basketball team. He purchased his house 7 yrs ago, so the theory that he moved in the ward to run for alderman is laughable.

You City Hall hacks are really desperate.

Posted by: NewHavenerToo | August 25, 2009 11:40 AM

OMG. When will the residents stand up for themselves and refuse to have these individuals as their only option?

Are the residents feeling hopeless and helpless? Stand up Ward 30 and REFUSE to accept poeple with less than acceptable behavior as YOUR representative.

Posted by: James FP | August 25, 2009 5:18 PM

Actually, Ward 30 Res, Darnell didn't win his lawsuit, he and CAA reached an out of court settlement. There's a big difference--oftentimes, people will simply settle lawsuits to avoid having to pay litigation fees. CAA knew they were up against someone with nothing to lose and everything to gain; any attorney worth his salt would've advised a settlement.

Saying that Darnell "won" his lawsuit is factually inaccurate and fundamentally dishonest.

You might also want to take a walk down to the City Clerk's office and look over some other election results. Perhaps you could look at the race in the mid-90s, in which Darnell ran for co-chair in Ward 7 and lost. Or a few years later, when he ran for Alderman in Ward 29 and lost.

To be clear, there's nothing wrong with moving around. When you have a city with Wards as small as New Haven's, you're bound to get people moving through several Wards in the course of their lifetimes.

But once again, it seems fundamentally dishonest to portray Darnell as being "the local guy," especially if Staggers really has been in the Ward for 35 years.

Posted by: streever | August 25, 2009 6:11 PM

Ward 30 Res:

I think JackNH opposes Staggers (at least that was my reading)

Really people, name-calling gets you no where. Sitting around and accusing others of being part of a conspiracy is ridiculous. Staggers is being supported by City Hall supposedly, so if JackNH opposes him, then he's not pro city hall.

Posted by: Been Called Worse | August 25, 2009 7:26 PM

James FP:

Sounds like Darnell has been politically active and involved for quite sometime, albeit in various wards.

And Carlton first registered to vote when?

Posted by: Ward 30 Res | August 25, 2009 10:19 PM

Streever, JackNH, my bad, got that one wrong.

James FP, you and Peace Frog seem to have a lot of inside information for persons that do not work in city hall, interesting. When someone walks into court with nothing and walk out with $90,000 (NH Reg) that sounds like a win to me. But, you can spin it any way you want, but the way you define win, I guess the fastest man in the world Bolt didn't really win his races this weekend, the other guys just decided that since he was faster, they might as well slow down.

I agree with Been Called Worse, sounds as though Darnell as been around the political track one or two times himself. And by the way, Staggers registered two weeks ago, ouch.

Posted by: Jack | August 25, 2009 11:42 PM

Sunlight is the best disinfectant.

Posted by: James FP | August 26, 2009 1:49 PM

Ward 30 Res,

Why does everyone who disagrees with you have to be a City Hall hack? And even if I DID work in City Hall, that wouldn't give me any "inside information" about court proceedings!

My information about the settlement actually comes from the New Haven Independent's first anti-Staggers hit piece, which said: "Goldson sued the agency for improper firing and defamation. The agency settled with him in 2007 for a reported $90,000."

That is not, in the legal sense, a victory. You're right to say that it's better than losing a lawsuit, but given that even litigating the lawsuit would probably cost quite a bit of money, it would make sense for a smart defendant to settle out of court--better to take the sure loss than to take a chance in court and distract resources from other, more important matters (like fighting poverty).

The Usain Bolt analogy is remarkably absurd--the other two guys in the race would lose nothing by giving it their all. However,if CAA "went all the way" in litigating it, they would face a guaranteed loss of the attorneys fees, so to reiterate, it would make sense for them to just take the sure thing and move on--kind of like buying insurance, better to just take the small financial hit now and know that you're covered if something catastrophic happens.

Now, it is possible that CAA settled because they knew they were wrong and they fired Goldson because they were out to get him. But to reiterate, to say that the settlement is sufficient to demonstrate innocence is questionable at best.

And yes, I agree that it looks like Goldson has been around the political track a few times. I'm not saying whether that's a good or bad thing. What I'm saying is that it seems dishonest and wrong to call Darnell Goldson the "local" guy when he's spent the last 15 or so years bouncing around the city and running for office in other wards.

Posted by: Ward 30 Res | August 26, 2009 3:27 PM

James FP,

My last comment on the CAA lawsuit stuff. Yes, it is usual to settle to save attorney fees when you settle for $5000, but $90,000, I don't think so. If the CAA was so sure that it was right, it would have fought the lawsuit, won, and then sued Goldson for the attorney fees. They did not. If I were a betting man I would bet that Goldson had the stronger case.

Posted by: Ward 30 Res | August 26, 2009 3:34 PM

James FP - And by the way, the "inside information" was not referring to the court proceedings, where you clearly do not have all the information (nor I), but to some obscure town committee race that occurred nearly 20 yrs ago. Do you normally go down to the city clerks office to research very old records, or perhaps you have been following Goldson's career for these many years? No, my guess would be that you are a city hall hack doing opposition research, or was in the room when the young Yale student doing so reported the information to the DeStefano/Voight team.

Posted by: James FP | August 26, 2009 5:13 PM

An alternative explanation, which I'm sorry does not fit your conspiracy narrative quite as well, is that I've been around long enough to remember the race in 29 and have talked to others who have told me about the race in 7. Same way I can tell you that Ina Silverman ran once in 25 and lost before getting elected a few years back. Or some other pretty random facts that are usually pretty useless until something like this comes up.