New Haven Independent

Grudge Match In Morris Cove

by Melissa Bailey | October 29, 2009 11:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (29)

There are two words you’re not allowed to say in Susan Campion’s house: “PDD” and “2001.” Her Siamese cats, Pio and Pashie, “don’t want to hear it,” she said.

“PDD” stands for Planned Development District, the zoning tool that launched Campion into a years-long legal battle against the city that ended in the state Supreme Court.

2001 was the year Campion first challenged Republican Alderwoman Arlene DePino and lost. She’s challenging DePino again this year.

Campion and DePino face off in a municipal election on Tuesday for the Ward 18 aldermanic seat. Polls are open at the Nathan Hale School from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

This is the second rematch for the two women, who both grew up in the Morris Cove neighborhood. DePino is the only Republican on the city’s 30-member legislative board. She’s seeking a fifth two-year term in office. Campion is the Democrat-endorsed candidate.

The first time around, in 2001, Campion lost by a landslide, earning only 36 percent of the vote. DePino beat her 477 to 864. In 2003, Campion fared slightly better with 41 percent of the vote; DePino beat her 691 to 473. DePino sailed to reelection in the two subsequent elections.

“Now Is The Time,” declare Campion’s lawn signs this year, as she buckles down for the third battle.

The Democrat is running in the city’s most Republican ward. The 2,400-plus registered voters are 12 percent Republican and 56 percent Democrat. The X factor is the 32 percent unaffiliated voters, who could swing either way. It’s a tough ward to run in, said Campion, because party affiliation doesn’t always dictate vote — those who sign up as Democrats may well support Republicans at the polls.

Campion’s platform centers on improving communication between neighbors and their alderwoman, and introducing “performance-based” budgeting that measures outcomes. She also calls for term limits for local elected officials.

DePino (pictured) said she’s running because she has “unfinished business” to tend to, including: turning a piece of forest into a nature preserve, banning drinking in Lighthouse Point Park, and alleviating flooding by a nearby firehouse.

The two live just blocks away from each other, in houses with two very different views. Campion’s home looks out onto the glittering Long Island Sound. DePino’s front door opens to the open green space surrounding the runway of Tweed-New Haven Airport.

DePino, who’s 56, is a radiological technician at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Campion, who’s 62, is a certified substance abuse and family and marriage counselor. She currently counsels outpatients in the prison re-entry population in substance abuse, mental health, and anger management. She also gives administrative and clinical consulting to not-for-profit and public agencies.

From PDD to PBB

Campion is best known for battling PDDs on the city and state level. The issue came up in Morris Cove when the city approved the powerful zoning tool to make way for an expansion of Anthony’s Ocean View restaurant, just a few doors down from Campion’s shoreline home. Campion and her husband Paul led a charge that ended in the state Supreme Court ruling in the city’s favor. Along the way, she built a citywide coalition defending neighbors’ property rights; that resulted in the state legislature passing a new law protecting against PDDs. The complicated matter is still being untangled. (Click here for a reason story on that.)

DePino voted for the PDD at Anthony’s restaurant, but against putting the new Hooker School on Whitney Avenue via what opponents called “spot zoning.” She said PDDs “have their uses.”

This election, Campion isn’t talking about PDDs. It upsets the cats, she joked, sitting on a couch for an interview in an upstairs office of her home. When the Independent mentioned the forbidden word, Pio and Pashie started quarreling, she pointed out. She said that’s a fight of the past.

This time, she’s talking about budgets. She said that when she knocks on doors around her ward — including one side street where four families lost homes to foreclosure — the number one issue is “taxes, taxes taxes.”

She has an answer: “performance-based budgeting.” That’s a type of budgeting that focuses on measuring the outcome of each dollar the city spends. For example, we know how much is spent on tree-trimming. But how many trees get trimmed for that cost? The city budget shows a line item for police overtime. But how many cops and how many shifts are represented?

Campion uses this method when she consults to not-for-profits, she said. The goal is more efficiency, transparency and measurement.

“Our ward is facing enormous financial challenges,” said Campion. “Now is the time for performance-based budgeting.”

In 2007, she submitted testimony to the aldermanic Finance Committee, where a few aldermen had taken interest in the idea. Aldermen resolved in 2007 to shift to performance-based budgeting, but no progress has been made since then. Reminded of the resolution in a recent interview, Aldermanic President Carl Goldfield said he aims to follow through.

In a separate interview, DePino frowned on the suggestion that the new type of budgeting could solve the city’s financial woes.

“If she says that will do it, she doesn’t have a clear understanding of the issue,” DePino charged.

She pointed out that about half of the land in the city is exempt from property tax because it’s occupied by universities, hospitals or not-for-profits. That leaves a huge strain on residential taxpayers. That strain won’t be relieved without property tax reform at the state level, DePino argued, echoing an argument that Democratic Mayor John DeStefano has been making for years. She called for a county form of government to move away from the “antiquated” municipal property tax.

DePino said departments already do appear before the Finance Committee each year to present their budgets. “The problem is much bigger and much deeper” than performance-based budgeting can address, she said.

Campion countered that DePino is focusing on only one side of the budget: revenue.

Communication Split

The two clashed as well over Campion’s second-biggest issue: communication. She charged that Morris Cove neighbors and are not being represented by their alderwoman. For example, she said, neighbors would be served by a public forum about construction noise from Tweed airport, which “has been horrible.”

Morris Covers deserve “a strong voice that’s going to represent their needs,” Campion said. She said DePino is disconnected from constituents. Neighbors call DePino four or five times without hearing back from her, she claimed.

“I always respond to phone calls,” countered DePino. The allegation is so “blatantly” wrong that “I would call it a lie,” she said.

Term Limits

The two may have found some common ground on Campion’s third focus, term limits.

Campion, who’s no big booster of fellow Democrat Mayor DeStefano, proposes imposing term limits on all local elected officials. She proposes that aldermen, the city clerk, registrars of voters and mayor would be limited to “three or four” terms in office. Her rationale? The executive branch, i.e. the mayor, has “breathtaking powers” in New Haven, she said. A one-party system is prolonging his reign.

“The system is stagnant,” said Campion. With one party in charge for so long, “we don’t have fresh, robust ideas.” Term limits would shake things up and revive democracy, she argued. Campion said this is her most popular idea on the campaign trail.

“They jump for joy when I say this!” she said, her voice loud with enthusiasm. Sparkling green eyeshadow accentuated her delivery.

DePino said she’d also support term limits, but only for mayor, and only if term limits were extended from two to four years.

The Lone “R”

Though she’s a Republican, DePino has mostly voted in line with DeStefano’s Democratic administration on major issues facing the city.

She cited two recent exceptions: She was one of three aldermen to vote against the mayor’s immigrant-friendly ID card. She said she couldn’t support the idea because her neighbors did not favor it. She also joined the majority of her colleagues in a symbolic vote against the mayor’s pay raises for 41 top executive staff, which came in the wake of layoffs for unionized workers.

DePino has shown independence in her voting at other times, too: She recently led opposition against a law to legalize backyard hens. She was one of five “no” votes opposing a pay raise for the mayor in 2007.

At times, her differences reflect her political party. She opposed a resolution calling on the state to adopt universal health care. She objected to a resolution urging Congress to approve Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor; out of respect for her colleagues, she didn’t block the measure.

DePino also championed a tax freeze for the elderly, which the mayor signed in 2007.

Campion widely distributed an Advocate article suggesting that DeStefano’s allies helped cover for DePino, letting her vote “no” to save face on a major issue. The vote was to sell the former Shartenberg site for one dollar to a developer who would clean it up and build the state’s largest apartment complex there. DePino first passed on the vote. When she saw that there were enough “yes” votes to ensure its passage, she changed her vote to “no.”

Asked about the incident, DePino said her colleagues do this all the time. She said it was a complicated issue on which she had not made up her mind.

“If I had a pattern of [voting that way], I would say that was a story,” she added. “But there’s no pattern there.”

As the sole Republican on the board, she is somewhat isolated. DePino is excluded from Democratic caucus meetings, where 28 aldermen huddle behind closed doors before full board meetings, sometimes making last-minute amendments and deciding where their votes will fall.

Despite her exclusion, DePino said she has a good idea of what’s going on.

“I’ve earned the respect of my colleagues,” she said. While she has no coalition, she does have “good working relationships” with fellow aldermen, especially those on the east side of town, including Al Paolillo, who represents the Annex. She worked with Paolillo to pass a law banning noisy pocket bikes from the streets, and to secure outdoor lights so that the Annex little league can play at night.

Drinking Ban

DePino has a list of goals her fifth term. She has her eye on a piece of land near Light House Point Park that she’d like to turn into a nature preserve. After getting grant money to solve a flooding problem on her own street, she’s working with the city to address a serious flooding problem at the fire station at Lighthouse Road and Townsend Avenue.

nhilthouse%20002.JPG She proposed a ban on drinking alcohol at Lighthouse Point Park, the only public space in the city that allows it. Large groups of young people have been getting drunk there, causing a nuisance to others, then sometimes littering and driving drunk, she said. Her proposal is still pending before the parks commission. Drinking would still be allowed at parties in the carousel house, she said.

Campion questioned whether the police department would have the power to enforce such a ban.

Tweed-New Haven

The two candidates diverge on one hot-button issue that will continue to face the ward: Tweed-New Haven Airport. The airport is owned by the city and run by a private contractor. It has proved controversial in years past because it has been seen as a sinking business venture that never got off the ground, and the city is liable if it fails. It continues to be supported through local, state and federal taxpayer money.

DePino gets a close-up look at the airport in a couple of ways. She sits on the board of directors for the airport authority. And her front door opens to a view of the airport runway. Construction vehicles could be seen digging up earth to make way for a taxi strip on a rainy afternoon this week. DePino said she enjoys the view, wide open space framed by bushes and trees.

“It’s very pretty,” she said, gesturing out the front window of her home. US Air is pretty quiet, she said, though private jets can get noisy.

“I don’t have any problem with it being here,” she said. In general, she said, she supports the airport as long as it doesn’t expand past its current footprint. She voted against its expansion into East Haven. She said she supports the city giving some money to the airport to keep it going.

“I don’t know that it will ever be self-sufficient,” she said. The city subsidy has been dwindling over the years. DePino voted against a budget amendment this year that would have slashed funding to Tweed.

Campion disagreed with propping up the fledgling airport. The private sector should support it, she argued.

“If this airport was going to be such a hot, hot commodity, then why didn’t business invest in it 10 years ago?” she asked. She said the city is investing money that could have gone into better uses, such as libraries, more police or tax breaks.

School Reform

On the mayor’s school reform drive: Campion called it “a little late” — “DeStefano has been mayor for 16 years.” She said the solutions he’s suggesting make sense, but she wants to make sure the outcomes are measurable.

DePino expressed general support, except for one component: “the emphasis for everyone to graduate from college.” Some students are “not geared for college,” she argued. The school system should be training those students for the workforce by providing them with trade skills, she said.

Peaking Plant

Both candidates share concerns about the environmental impact of a peaking plant that’s being proposed by the Public Services Enterprise Group (PSEG). Campion said she’s concerned about the pollution, but doesn’t have enough information yet to make a specific proposal. DePino said some air quality factors may improve by building three new gas turbines with modern technology. The one turbine that’s there now is dirty and runs on oil. DePino said the project needs to be scrutinized, however, especially because of the possible increase in particulate matter in the air.

DePino chided her opponent for not attending a local meeting on the topic. It led her to a greater criticism of her three-time challenger.

“There’s nothing that shows she’s been involved in anything except for the PDD, which is in her backyard,” said DePino. She said her opponent “only shows up at election time,” whereas the alderwoman spends hours helping neighbors and attending meetings for the management team, local issues like the peaking plant, and the restoration of Fort Nathan Hale.

“We all have ways of reaching out and forming connections,” Campion countered. While she hasn’t been at all those meetings, she said she has gotten neighbors engaged in government through the Citywide Planned Development Collaborative, which “united to begin a new era in fair and just zoning policies and practices for the city.”

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Comments

Posted by: tina | October 29, 2009 11:30 AM

Arlene is a good alderwoman...stay strong Arlene you CAN do it...

Posted by: East Shore Guy | October 29, 2009 12:32 PM

I know who I am voting for even as a democrat. Here's a hint: I don't care about backyard grudges on parking issues at Anthony's. I want an alder that speaks her mind and works full time to represent the east shore community not just on issues of PDD's or whatever they are called.

Posted by: LevelHeadedAndObjective | October 29, 2009 1:08 PM

Arelne is a seasoned, professional, loyal advocate for the neighborhood. She brings integrity and compassion for so many issues facing the East Shore. She works hard and she is very effective. Too numerous to mention, but go by the Morris House on Lighthouse Road, See the improvements to the flooding in Morris Cove, look at the greater police presence and wondeful community she continues to help. She deserves everyone's support. And no doubt she will get it!

Posted by: Morris Cove | October 29, 2009 1:48 PM

Arlene has our family support, I don't care about the construction noise, it's not that bad, besides what is the alternative.....no construction at all, please. Anthony's has been a great neighbor for years, the place is immaculate, I can't wait to run into her for the Hollween parade, and let her know how much she is appreciated in this community. Go Arlene

Posted by: Ellis Copeland | October 29, 2009 2:37 PM

The point no one gets is that is does NOT matter who represents the East Shore. This is a dictatorship worse than the old Soviet Union and just like the old Soviet Union no one stands up because everyone gets a payoff. The ONLY thing keeping this burg from being Bridgeport is Yale-- and only because they got tired of being tagged by the other Ivies as being located in a trash dump. And as long as no one is willing to do anything besides bow and scrape then this town deserves the screwing it gets.

Posted by: Townsend Ave Lady | October 29, 2009 2:45 PM

Arlene has been a fantastic alderwoman. She is good to her word. She stands up for what she believes in and answers her phone around the clock to help her neighbors. She has a passion for the integrity of Morris Cove and works tirelessly to preserve it. She is a lifelong Cove resident and understands the neighborhood's unique issues. I will cast my vote for her again and again.

Posted by: Burr Street Supporter | October 29, 2009 3:23 PM

Arlene is a wonderful woman and asset to this community. It's a pleasure to support her and keep her in office. This community needs her!

Posted by: Burr St. Supporter | October 29, 2009 3:46 PM

Arlene is a wonderful woman and an asset to this community. It is my pleasure to support her and keep her in office. This community needs her!!

Posted by: The Count | October 29, 2009 4:13 PM

Once again, "Tweed Airport as bogeyman." You would think, seven months after New Haven and East Haven came to an agreement over Tweed, that this wouldn't even be an issue anymore. But no. Even three candidates for East Haven Town Council place "airport expansion" as one of their key issues, even though the ruanway stays at 5,600 feet. Give it a rest already!

Posted by: Louise Maffeo | October 29, 2009 4:56 PM

This was a very interesting article and I learned alot, but gee, why do people never sign their comments? If it's important enough to say, and if it's true, then it's worth putting your name on it. So I will publicly enter my comments on two areas I know a little about---Susan Campion and Anthony's Ocean View/PDD.
Susan and I live right next dfoor to each other and would it sound canned if I mentioned she is the most genuine person you could ever meet? To label her Democrat or Republican on small local issues like this is silly. She is an independent thinker, and for you Republicans out there who think she doesn't measure up, she stands for property rights, independent thinking, and a privately-funded airport--you could make a case that these are Republican values! That's because Susan shares the same ideals as the rest of the homeowners in the neighborhood--when you start to label people, that's when you get into trouble. Look at the PERSON, then make your judgment.
I am not a political person--don't have nearly the patience--but Susan is endlessly patient. She is that rare type that ENJOYS THE PROCESS of talking to people, meeting people, and boy she can be a bare-knuckles fighter when she's right and she knows it. Who better to vote into office? She's the lady I ALWAYS want on my side!
Now to preface my next remarks, since we're giving our pedigrees, here are mine. I have a BS in biology from BC, masters of science in nursing from NY Medical/Pace University, master's degree in public health administration, anesthesia certification. I worked around 10 years in various settings at YNHH, then at Bridgeport Hospital as clinical director for the nurse anesthesia school there. After we had 3 kids, I joined the family business with my husband, VIP Apartments/Utility Electric Contractors, and have been learning ever since! I mention this because you can see I've been around the block afew times, learned advocacy when working with patients, not afraid to speak up, therefore ALWAYS sign my comments and will defend my words.
Now, whoever criticizes Susan because she has concentrated "only" on the restaurant in her backyard is missing the point. What was she supposed to do? She is a private citizen, she took an awful situation here with Anthony's and applied it to a larger problem set and really got something done for the greater good when it comes to PDD's and peoples' right to expect predictability in their neighborhoods' zoning. If you ask me, she accomplished more as a mere private citizen than the elected guys have done. Which is why I'm not worried about this election. Susan, win or lose, I know you're not going anywhere--remember, you don't have to be an elected official to make a difference.
Which brings me to my last point. While Ms DePino was dealing with backyard hens and pocket bikes, we private citizens on Morris Cove, without any help, got a nursing home razed, got the fireworks stopped at Anthony's, got a case as far as the Supreme Court in Hartford, and I am soon to announce that P. Cofrancesco has filed on my behalf a lawsuit against the city for continued violations of the PDD at Anthony's on the beach. I have a long fuse, but once it goes, it goes. The PDD situation here on the beach should scare everyone, not just people here on the beach. Because it means the city can come in at any time and completely change the flavor of your neighborhood, and YOU CAN'T STOP IT. They say they are having a meeting where you can give input, but you know they've already decided the issue long before. This is just the way it is. This is the stuff that we're fighting against. Here on the beach, we neighbors paid alot of money basically to defend ourselves against the very people who were elected to protect us,for a lawsuit to win some restrictions against the restaurant--THEY WERE NEVER ENFORCED IN 7 YEARS. One night this past summer they had a fireworks display that shook the rafters--that was the last straw. I called the state--gee, they had no permits! And gee, Ms DePino didn't know there was a problem here? She may enjoy an airport outside her back door, but people who buy on a beach do it for the peace and quiet. Nobody wants to know anything--not LCI, not the mayor, no one. Karyn Gilvarg answers the phone with an exasperated, "What's your issue Mrs. Maffeo?" How dare our elected "officials" treat us this way!So, back to the lawyers. Everybody in the ward should take notice--this could happen to you! Even now, I see in the list of Ms DePino's UNFINISHED BUSINESS, our problems with Anthony's Ocean View didn't even make the list! No surprise there.This is what Susan Campion is fighting about. This is what she means when she says the alderperson must be RESPONSIVE. You people out there, listen up--I have known Susan 20 years---she is patient, persistent,and an independent thinker. I don't think she bases her ideas on 'what's Democratic " or 'what's Republican". She just wades into the muck and starts working. We need more muckers.
Problem-solving is what this ward needs. Susan is a good place to start. And it's up to all of you out there to speak up, and SIGN YOUR NAME. You have an opinion, STATE IT.
Well, I hope Susan wins this election, but if she doesn't, you know what, she's not going anywhere, and she makes a difference no matter where she's standing. I am proud to be her friend and I will happily update the Independent if it is interested as soon as the lawsuit is filed. And I will sign everything I have to say.
Thanks for reading--this is a great forum and a great public service. Louise Maffeo

Posted by: JoAnna DePino | October 29, 2009 6:01 PM

Here is a comment from someone else not afraid to sign their name. I will this preface by saying that I have a B.A. in Psychology. I work at Yale University and am working towards my masters.

I know Arlene better than anyone. She is a good, hard working woman. She has integrity. She is loyal to this neighborhood. I've lived in Morris Cove for 24 years and I cannot think of a single person, myself included, who loves this neighborhood more than Arlene does.

She has instilled in me a spirit of service for the community. Long before her election to the Board of Alderman, she has been a dedicated volunteer to Morris Cove in so many ways. She's a member of the East Shore Neighborhood Preservation Association, the Black Rock Fort Committee, the Morris Cove Garden Club and so much more. She has watered every public flower or plant in this neighborhood and I can stand behind that because I was helping her do it! She has volunteered countless hours over the years planning and working at the Halloween Parade that this neighborhood loves and cherishes. She was instrumental in restoring the Pardee-Morris House, our neighborhood's history and namesake, and securing the money intended for its preservation.

The list of all that she has done both in and out of office is too long to mention and does not begin to do her efforts justice.

This position is difficult. It requires time and focus and can be downright draining. She spends her evenings, after working 9 hour days, listening to messages left on the answering machine and calling residents back. She addresses every problem and returns every call and quite frankly, I don't know how she does it.

One rainy afternoon, an elderly resident called her frantic because her toilet had overflowed and she did not know what to do. Arlene went over to her house with towels and got down on her hands and knees and scrubbed that bathroom floor. These are things that she would never tell you. She would never put into a political pamphlet, because she is so humble. But seeing this from the inside out, she deserves to be recognized for the quality of her character.

Arlene stands up for her convictions. She votes on behalf of this neighborhood's best interest and its residents, because she loves this neighborhood. She is a second generation resident who has raised her family in Morris Cove.

She is experienced. She takes these issues seriously. I can see how hard she works and the stress that this position can often have on a person who is fully dedicated and believes in what they do. It is not easy. It is not glamorous and can sometimes be thankless.

But, at the end of the day, when the meetings are over and the calls have been made and she is just ready to crawl into bed for some much deserved rest, I am fortunate enough to have this woman as my own personal listening ear.

Call me biased if you wish, but I have a view of Arlene that no one else has and I owe it to Morris Cove to let them peak inside.

Arlene is quality personified. She is a true alderwoman, Morris Cove resident and mom. I can only hope to one day be just like her.

Posted by: Wicked Lester | October 29, 2009 6:54 PM

I will continue to support Arlene Depino.

Posted by: Louise Maffeo | October 29, 2009 7:28 PM

Joanna DePino--Thanks for the update! If you could, please tell Arlene I don't expect her to scrub my floors---but I would APPRECIATE greatly if she would put our Anthony's PDD on her unfinished business list--I find it outrageous that I have to hire another lawyer to rectofy a situation that my alderperson should be addressing. By the way, it's been SEVEN YEARS--very vocal since July--nothing's been accomplished. All the while Anthony is booking more loud outside parties for the spring season. I don't see why this is not a priority. the city dumped a wedding factory in my backyard and walked away, leaving the neighbors to deal with the fallout. This is not justice. Where is my representation?

Posted by: Charlie O'Keefe | October 29, 2009 8:16 PM

Is Morris Cove in New Haven or is it on another planet. No convicted felons or child support avoiders running. Just two ladies stating there opinions and what they stand for in honest and easily understood statements. Interesting that the Republican (Ms Depino) is for subsidy to Tweed, yet Ms Campion the Democrat is for profitable management. Reversal of the usual party stances. Good luck to both of you. This is what real democracy is about and may Morris Cove prosper from it.

Posted by: Brian V | October 29, 2009 11:42 PM

Louise's comments are right on!
I find it funny that the only supporter of Ms Depino with the courage to put their name on their comment is a relative of Ms Depino. (I am assuming by the last name you are related, although the relation to Ms Depino by Laura Depino was not given with her other qualifications, sorry if I assume wrongly).
First, I agree that Ms Depino is a wonderful woman and a very nice lady who does cares about the neighborhood.
But the Cove deserves more than wonderful & nice and Susan Campion will make a FAR BETTER Alderwoman.
Ms Depino's comment that she has unfinished buisness is an understatement, I would call it un-started buisness.
I have lived in the Cove for 6+ years now, and I can not tell you ONE thing she has accomplished. (I have lived, worked and own a buisness in New Haven for 19 years) She has been Alder for 8 years and her biggest accomplishment was fighting a losing battle against chickens coops!? A battle she admitted she would lose to begin with!
I disagree with all the anonomous writers above who claim she does what is best for the neighborhood.
What is the neighborhood's general opinion of the airport? Most of the neighborhood wants the airport to go away, or at very least not to be subsidized with our tax dollars but, Ms Depino and King John want it to grow and spend more of our money on it.
Does that represent her constituents views, I think not.
The Anthony's PDD was slap in the face of Cove residents! Anthony's has supported King John and King John paid them back with a re-zoning to allow them to level residential properties and put up a parking lot. The intention of PDD's is to help better neighborhoods. How does Anthony's bigger parking lot help the neighborhood? It does not help the neighborhood, it helps Anthony's and King John, and Ms Depino voted for it. Does that represent her constituents views, I think not.
She has had 8 years to pass a referendum to stop drinking at Lighthouse Park- 8 years, give me a break, 2 more years to get that done?
She may be "wonderful", but she is ineffective. We need someone to stand up to the administration when they need to be stood up to. Susan Campion will do that. Ms Depino is a vote for King John whenever he wants the vote, that is all there is to it, she's a republican in name only. No mention of Ms Depino trying to tackle the outrageous tax dilema in this city. She's the first Republican to not cry about taxing & spending. King John is the tax & spend king and Ms Depino aims to please the King.
SUSAN CAMPION has a plan for city spending and taxes, not Ms Depino.
SUSAN CAMPION wants term limits for all, not Ms Depino (just the Mayor not Alders- Ha!)
SUSAN CAMPION has accomplished more for the neighborhood without holding office than Ms Depino has, in the 8 years she's been alder.

NOW IS THE TIME for SUSAN CAMPION.

Posted by: MORRIS COVE MOM | October 30, 2009 9:11 AM

To LEVELHEADEDANDOBJECTIVE, get your facts straight. The Pardee Morris House is helped by a group of volunteers, not spearheaded by DePino. She has ignored almost everyone in our neighborhood who has asked for help or advice, my family included.

Everyone voting for her is either personal friends with her, or thinks she does more than she actually does, but I guarantee, they have never asked her professionally for help as an alderman. Because they would have been ignored, and turned to Susan Campion, instead.

Ms. DePino's time as an alderman has been wasted, not fighting the good fight, as she would have you believe, but by skirting the issue, wasting time, and withholding her votes.

"Arlene DePino ... doesn�t vote like everyone else on the board. Everyone else makes a decision based on opinion; DePino seems to vote based on everyone else�s opinion."
See article:
http://www.newhavenadvocate.com/blogs/home.cfm?aid=2889

I want an alderman who knows what to do, and then does it. Who serves the community as a duty, and not just her friends and family in a popularity contest.

I want someone who stands up for me, struggling to pay my property taxes, wearing old clothes and eating discount food to get by. Not someone whose focus of "unfinished business" is banning alcohol at the beach.

I want someone serious, dedicated, and determined. Right now. I want Susan Campion for alderman.

Posted by: Minorsevenchord | October 30, 2009 9:20 AM

Susan Campion has cost city taxpayers thousands and thousands of dollars. She is running for Alder to represent one street. ONE. The one she lives on. Why, so she doesn't have to listen to the sound of an extremely busy catering facility. One that pays taxes and employs people. A facility that is state of the art and a remarkable addtion to the neighborhood. She is a one issue candidate and one very short sighted woman. She has little opinion leader status anywhere, except with another group of city-wide people who have also cost the taxpayers thousands of dollars in legal fees. Democracy to her is her way or now way. Period. She doesn't represent Democratic party ideals and she is really no friend to a neighborhood that is and has been greatly enhanced by the advocacy of Alder DePino. Susan is not good for the neighborhood. No dobut she is a great neighbor. But that is not the issue. You cannot run for public office and expect to only fight for an isssue that your waterfront neighbors (all 9 of them ) feel very strongly about. There are over 1,500 families in Morris Cove. Arlene DePino address the needs of All of them, not nine of them.

Posted by: MORRIS COVE MOM | October 30, 2009 11:07 AM

To MINORSEVENCHORD:
How has Susan Campion cost taxpayers thousands of dollars? I'd like to know. If you can explain and prove it, I'll consider changing the way I vote. And for your information, although I am a strong supporter of Campion's, I am not a waterfront landowner, I live next to the airport.

Posted by: Steve | October 30, 2009 11:22 AM

Now that all the good friends and neighbors have had their well deserved say. Lets talk about the facts of today and tomorrows challenges and who will be the voice and leader in city government for us the people!

"Now is the Time" to fight for and measure how every one of our shrinking dollars are being spent!

"It is Not the time" to say "Oh well that is just the way it works!

"Now is the Time" to stop funding an aiport to no where with our tax dollars, when we can't pave our streets and sidewalks, keep our senior centers open, are layoffing more workers and keep selling and giving away city assets/property to get by and can't get a police presence. We are being lead to the inevitable "Very Large Tax increases coming in 2010/2012". Blaming the State or saying that is just the way it is, will not get the tough work done!

Have your taxes gone up by close to 100% in the last 8 to 10 years? Are you willing to see them go up another 50% and not have a voice pushing back?

Have you seen any real benefits in the Cove that justify the incredilbe financial strain that we, our frinds and neighbors are dealing with day in and day out?

Do you feel that the Mayor really cares about what happens in Morris Cove and that the Alderwoman let's him know we are as mad as hell?

Has your Alderwoman even slightly strained her voice to say "Enough is Enough!

Do you think that pushing for changes in the New Haven City Charter to impose Term Limits for elected officals is more important than watering flowers! Don't you expect more from your Alderwoman?

Painting the Pardee House was a nice thing to do! Why does it take 8 years to put pressure on the City and now Historical Society? Is a fresh coat of paint a good reason to vote for your Alderwoman!

Why hasn't the effort or grant been written to stop flooding by the firehouse in the last 8 years?

Have you been affected by baltant zoning violations that have been approved by the city for the "Special Few" and or had blight that goes unaddressed. Does your Alderwoman see what you see?

Have you seen Arlene Depino on your street with pad and pencil in hand doing a routine inspection of the issues and conditions that are important to you?

Does she just show up to put up a lawn sign?

We need a voice that stands up to the power brokers in City Government!

We need leader that communicates with us on the issues that affect our lives day in and day out!

I am one of the many people who Arlene DePino has NOT called back after 4 attempts to speak to her on issues that are important to me and my family. ...

For me and many of my neighbors and friends in Morris Cove "Now Is The Time" to elect Susan Campion!

Let's change the "Same Old Same Old" on November 3rd!!

Posted by: Louise Maffeo | October 30, 2009 8:07 PM

Several people have contacted me re: a rumor, emphasize, RUMOR, that Ms. DePino is not interested in serving a full term, that the Mayor wishes her to run, win, and then she can resign so he can appoint a replacement. Any truth to this? I think the public has a right to know now that the issue has been raised. Thank you!

Posted by: Robert | October 30, 2009 8:32 PM

Arlene has my vote. Period.

Posted by: ANTHONY SANTINO | October 30, 2009 10:10 PM

After reading this article I had to laugh. It sounded like it was written by a relative of Susan�s. Personally I believe the author has gotten it all wrong. No one has more love for this area than Arlene DePino. She has been one solid voice against an administration that has the means to done anything it desires�without reprisal. A prior comment says: �We need someone to stand up to the administration when they need to be stood up to�. Susan Campion� If they believe that Susan Campion will standup to the Administration for anything that doesn�t affect her�I am sorry to say they are misguided. As a former Alderman for Morris Cove, I can tell you the only time I saw Susan involved was when it had to do with Anthony�s or the area around her house. Why would we replace Arlene who is already doing a stellar job of representing the needs of the whole area�with one who will only represent that of herself? Representing is weighing the needs and wants of the whole area one represents, and making decisions such as that are never easy�or popular.

As one who has personally sacrificed for the needs and wants of the residents of Morris Cove: pumped out basements, picked up trash, chopped down trees, picked up dead animals, shoved snow, and countless other requests�all for the sake of the people of Morris Cove. I can tell you Arlene DePino has sacrificed for the residents of Morris Cove. Not because its �required�, but because that is what this position asks of you. It is more than just dealing with legislative issues downtown, but to put the needs and wants of the area before all else. It is easy for someone to sit on the sidelines and say �I can do better!� but it is another thing to actually do it. To leave your house and family in the middle of the night to address a constituent�s concern is the sacrifice that we pay for this position. A sacrifice that Arlene has done and will continue to do if the people of Morris Cove see it fit to reward her the privilege of representing them once again. I doubt Susan would do the same. I was honored to represent Morris Cove and I know that Arlene is as well. She has my full support and I wish her luck on Tuesday!

Posted by: Louise Maffeo | October 31, 2009 8:37 AM

I have read the rules of engagement. I have been censored. I would like to rephrase: I would like to ask a general question. How do people feel, in general, when officials who are elected need to be replaced by appointees of the mayor, for whatever reason? On a small local level, would you rather be in favor of a special election? I hope this is general enough so that it is not censored, I think it is important to ask. Thank you--still feel this is a great forum--this is the most interest I have seen around here in any local election.

Posted by: John Cox | October 31, 2009 11:11 AM

Charlie O�Keefe is right! We are extremely fortunate in Morris Cove to have two excellent candidates running for the Board of Alderman. Both are fine individuals and have records of service to the Community. It is therefore unfortunate to read some of the nasty and unfair commentary appearing in some of the previous comments.

I support Arlene DePino for re-election. She works tirelessly on behalf of Cove residents. She has never failed to respond to any of my calls or emails and has attended or responded with an explanation to every meeting invitation that I have sent. Non-responsive is not a descriptor that applies to my interaction with Arlene.

In terms of accomplishments, she deserves a good share of the credit for turning the Pardee Morris House from an abandoned wreck into a project on its way to becoming a real community asset. Arlene�s filing over a year ago with the Attorney General�s office got the ball rolling. Following a spring East Shore Management Team meeting where frustration over the State�s lack of action in the face of the house�s unrelenting decay erupted, a See-Click-Fix posting by Brian V refocused State and New Haven Museum interest on the issue. Arlene (and Brian V) were among a small handful of Morris Cove volunteers that worked to restore the grounds. Neighbors had a chance to enjoy this treasure at an Open House on Oct 4th.

The Morris Cove Nature Preserve, a wonderful community resource and home to a new osprey platform, has attained its current size because of Arlene. Working with the New Haven Land Trust, she has successfully advocated with her peers on the Board of Alderman, to transfer foreclosed parcels to the Land Trust for permanent preservation and protection from development.

Arlene has also supported our work with Urban Resources Initiative, planting trees and shrubs in Pardee Seawall Park and along the streets of Morris Cove.

I have not always agreed with Arlene, specifically her opposition to fishing along the Seawall, but I respect that she acted following many discussions with her constituents.

In addition, focusing on Morris Cove quality of life issues, Arlene cosponsored an ordinance banning pocket bikes and oversaw the construction of a dog park. Her work on a property tax freeze for seniors has benefited the entire City.

Our community is blessed to have many informational meetings every month open to residents keeping them informed about important issues. Arlene attends most of them.

In the few days remaining in the campaign, let�s focus on civil discourse and then, after November 3rd, channel this energy together into addressing the big topics ahead which we all face.

Posted by: Louise Maffeo | November 1, 2009 9:20 AM

I understand that the problem with Anthony's Ocean View "only" affects afew of us here in Morris Cove. BUT isn't anybody worried that the City can come along and do the same thing to you and grossly affect your neighborhood. For example, this beach used to be quiet and peaceful. Now all during the warm months it's a wedding factory with music, photographers, bright lights--Fantasy Island!! Were you aware that the restaurant had submitted requests to land helicopters on the beach--thankfully the requests were denied. This information can be corroborated with the state police in Middletown. You see all the empty properties around here? I assume everyone would like to see them bought--this contributes to the tax base! But the fundamental point is that when people take the plunge and buy in a certain neighborhood, do they or do they not have the right to trust that the zoning will remain residential, that "what you see is what you get". This is all I am saying. My complaint is that we as neighbors had to hire an outside firm to represent us to put into place restrictions on Anthony's PDD-otherwise it would be even worse than it is now.And after SEVEN years there has been NO ENFORCEMENT of said restrictions. So essentially,that means it's okay for LCI to come in, make life-altering changes in a neighborhood, and leave the residents with the fallout. This could happen to any of you reading this. Seven years is a very long time to complain and complain. As I said, I am not a very political person, I only know what's going on in my own little place here, but I do know when something isn't right. And what the city has done to this little neighborhood isn't right. The LEAST they could do is enforce the restrictions that we fought for and won in court. I still think it's wrong, and I can't just let it go. I think the job of an alderman is to have some idea of what's going on in all parts of the ward and to be a voice for us. I have felt for a long time like we are a bunch of pariah's here on the beach. But I have always felt anybody who's paying taxes has a right to representation. I'm supporting Susan because I know I can count on her for that representation. And so can everybody else. Over the backyard fence, she was telling me how much she has enjoyed meeting all the neighbors during her campaigning. She said, everybody has issues, "and they're all different". I'm not saying she will be able to solve every problem, but she's a great listener and tireless--she absolutely loves this stuff. I really think the ward should give her a chance to bring fresh energy to the many issues she has already identified. She is all revved up and ready to go. And in the meantime, those of us with other issues that remain unaddressed will continue to pursue answers through privately funded means. The person who suggested we somehow cost the city money is dead wrong--and I have the receipts to prove it. I think this election has come down to the issue of effectiveness--who can be effective, who can identify some issues that have gone unaddressed for a long time. I also think it's way past time to push back against an overbearing city government that is so entrenched it's become almost impossible to fight. This will be my last post--time for me to get back to work on other stuff. Here's to a BIG turnout on election day...

Posted by: Brian Crocco | November 1, 2009 1:56 PM

Friends in Morris Cove,

I have paragraphs of thoughts and feelings that I am choosing to keep to myself, because now I feel that one issue could override or support all of those. Is there any truth in what has been brought forth in a prior posting by Louise Maffeo? If Arlene DePino wins this election, has it been predetermined that her term will be completed by some, as yet unknown, third party "appointed" by the mayor? Because if that is the case, then the choice is clear. If it is not, then I seek clarity on this point. Thank you.

Posted by: Wicked Lester | November 3, 2009 8:04 AM

If it wasn't for this article, I wouldn't know who Campion is. She never came to my door to introduce herself and ask for support. She never even mailed out flyers to the neighborhood. I've never seen her at any East Shore Management Team meetings. Just a few signs and this article.

Regarding the Depino rumor: why would a Republican let a Democrat mayor appoint a replacement? She's running for and will continue to serve her term.

Posted by: Brian Crocco | November 4, 2009 10:01 AM

No, I believe the Alderman from either party would choose a replacement from their party but by city charter the mayor would then make the appointment official.

In any event the office would be held by someone handpicked not chosen by the electorate.

Grudge Match In Morris Cove

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