New Haven Independent

Posted by: cedarhillresident | October 22, 2009 9:22 AM

I just want to comment on the building itself. Because we all know fighting cancer is a good thing and having this facility is a great thing.

But the building... as I watched it go up everyday and saw the siding I was a bit concerned with it's appearance (like the god ugly yellow one next to it) but as they started to to the end and the street scape level of the building was reveled I have to say it is quit a pleasing building to look at. Good job to the group that designed it.

Posted by: Anon | October 22, 2009 10:37 AM

They put half a billion into this but couldn't finish the pedestrian signals that hundreds of local residents requested 10 years ago?

Countless injuries and deaths around the hospital, and no action to make the area walkable to those actually living in the area, most of whom do not drive to work each day. Bet that 100% of the people featured here, except the local reporter perhaps, drove to the event.

[Reporter responds: I did bike there, fyi.]

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | October 22, 2009 10:50 AM

The work is need it to find a cure,But as always
these events are nothing but Photo Advertisement
for political pirates,pulpit pimps and corporatist.Who we also need to find a cure for.

Posted by: dwight resident | October 22, 2009 11:57 AM

completely unbelievable that the community has not gotten the traffic signals upgraded. very simply, the community would like to safely cross the street. what's the hold up? is this how we do business in new haven? allow Yale and the Hospital to do whatever they want while us residents cannot even get a cross walk repaired and pedestrian improvements.

hey city of new haven - where are you? these were promised in a march 2006 press release from the king himself. it's getting kind of hard to defend a city that is not following up and using the struggle of its citizens to cross the street as leverage to get more federal dollars.

NOT GOOD ENOUGH

NOT NEARLY GOOD ENOUGH

need shovel ready projects? well, your constituents needed crosswalks and improvements BEFORE the cancer center opened, as promised. true to form, no delivery, and "progress" continues!

economic development - how can our downtown restaurants capture the customers of the medical area when people cannot walk across frontage road?

info new haven/market new haven - great map you have linking the medical campus with downtown. help your customers cause a stink! we're failing as a people to get the pressure needed for this to happen.

TOO LONG TOO LATE CITY HALL

Posted by: anon | October 22, 2009 12:15 PM

"it's getting kind of hard to defend a city that is not following up and using the struggle of its citizens to cross the street as leverage to get more federal dollars."

I doubt that the city is trying to leverage the ongoing suffering of New Haven citizens for more money, but agree that the delays (both of the signals as well as the many other requested improvements in this area) are unacceptable. Particularly now that traffic and pedestrian activity will increase with the new Hospital.

Posted by: dwight resident | October 22, 2009 12:50 PM

anon: i was told (not by a city staffer though) these 12 signals were on a list of improvements to be paid for with recent money requested in the ARRA funding for signal improvements.

so my logic would be that the safety of citizens was on the back burner to get double-funding for a specific project.

Posted by: robn | October 22, 2009 1:00 PM

3/5,

But isn't a cancer center a business with a goal of putting itself out of business by finding cures?

Posted by: streever | October 22, 2009 1:15 PM

While I second the call for the signals, I wouldn't refer to the deaths as countless--let's not lose sight of reality.

The city & Smilow do have an obligation to do better on the streets. What I've heard is that despite the delay the work is still coming. It's clear where the priorities are when you read this story, but I don't think that the signals/street work has been completely abandoned, and I look forward to seeing it's installation heralded with at least 10% as much fanfare ;-)

The City is normally better at milking yale on these projects--I'm honestly surprised that they didn't pull that off in this case!

Posted by: cedarhillresident | October 22, 2009 1:58 PM

I am going to have to agree with david on this one. They still have the yellow rubik's cube project across the street, where some side walks are still closed and the side walks to the cancer center just opened up not even 2 weeks ago. I am sure they will be up and running soon enough. they need them on both sides of the rubik's cube.

Posted by: anon | October 22, 2009 2:03 PM

Interesting perspective, Dwight Resident.

Since the Center is opening and many vulnerable people are now being placed within an unfamiliar area, would Smilow be able to pay for stepped-up traffic enforcement -- until the requested (and some promised) road programs can be fully implemented?

On the issue of "countless" -- the community doesn't track the number of injuries, but it is widely known that there have been far too many to easily count. Furthermore, the word "countless" implies something that is difficult to evaluate or measure - certainly the case with any violent road injuries, which studies show can have a lifelong impact on a person even if they are initially characterized as "minor" or not even reported. So they are "countless" in at least three respects. There have also been several pedestrian and driver fatalities just within the past few years and who knows how many before that.

Posted by: anon | October 22, 2009 2:19 PM

Cedar Hill -- add your concerns here.

Posted by: Rep. Pat Dillon | October 22, 2009 3:21 PM

This was great for the hospital, the Med School, and the city's future. On the other question -
Injuries can certainly be tracked. Public Act 93-269 - that would be in 1993 - we established an Office of Injury Prevention and mandated "e-coding" to track injuries. I wrote that after training at the CDC, and it is based on hospital discharge data. Some codes measure pedestrian injuries, and you can quantify costs. When you identify where the injuries are, you can develop tactics to prevent those injuries.
Injury prevention came under fire, so to speak, from the NRA because it showed the damage and costs of firearm use. So when Bush prevailed over Gore, brilliant staffers fled the CDC. Even here in CT, there is hostility to prevention. The Republicans ridiculed a program to prevent falls in seniors that uses our own data. It's too bad - Everett Koop was a Republican and an honest scientist who followed the data. These issues weren't partisan before the Rushes and the Becks took over.
But the politics are a separate issue. We can and do quantify injuries and have done so in this state for sixteen years.

Posted by: anon | October 22, 2009 3:43 PM

Those state injury reports are great figures to have, Pat, but they don't give the full scope of the problem when it comes to pedestrian injuries. Also, do you know if there a central place where they can be easily accessed by anyone in the community, and do you think it would be possible to revise the collection process so that they are more targeted (geographically and otherwise)?

It's also too bad that the NRA has tried to block access - I wasn't aware of that.

Posted by: Rep. Pat Dillon | October 22, 2009 4:12 PM

Anon, our DPH reports are based on hospital discharge data, so it is limited if there is no hospital encounter. But frankly we aren't doing enough with the data we collect already.
I don't know what you mean by 'geographic' since hospital data does have geographic implications. If you mean by zip code or by street corner, then you'd need police reports, which track incidents but not treatment or health costs. Even then, if no one calls the police, there's no accident report. But we have to start somewhere.
There are two domains of injuries, intentional and unintentional. It was intentional injury - really the use of firearms - that the NRA didn't want reported.
Pedestrian injuries and falls are unintentional injuries in contrast to intentional injuries, so it should be less upsetting to the 'wingers. But apparently they don't want unintentional injury prevention either. Maybe next they'll want to repeal our seat belt laws. It's a logical progression.

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | October 22, 2009 4:24 PM

robn
But isn't a cancer center a business with a goal of putting itself out of business by finding cures?

Here is my answer write by a good friend of mine
who is a M.D. and wrote this in a magzine.

The people who claim to be "healthcare providers" have literally invested $4.5 billion into the public marketing and consumption of poison. Meanwhile, profits are earned on the treatment of the resulting diseases. And around and around we go.

Posted by: Norton Street | October 22, 2009 5:18 PM

I could be wrong but I think Anon meant that there is more to a pedestrians-car accident than the initial incident. Often times there are long term physical problems in the form of broken bones, head trauma, etc that do not allow people to continue the type of physical activity they enjoyed before an accident. There are also long term mental problems that occur in the form of being scared to walk anywhere, thus either staying indoors or driving to avoid the possibility of getting hit again. This type of mental scar can cause obesity (not that getting hit by a car makes someone eat more, but people may tend to walk less, get less exercise and therefore put on more weight) and disorders that prohibit their full functionality in society.

As for the cancer center building, it's hideous. Skywalks represent the acceptance that sidewalk and street conditions are unfit for human beings. Whatever practical purpose those may serve, is only overshadowed by their obvious communication to pedestrians that being on the sidewalk instead of the sky walk makes you a sucker. The massing of the building is ridiculous looking; its just a box with a couple protruding glass and metal boxes that do nothing to break down the building to a pleasant scale. The ground level is too repetitious to be exciting for a pedestrian but its definitely the best part of the design.
The entire YNNH area needs to replicate South Street (Cedar Street) between York and Congress.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=harkness+memorial+hall&sll=41.303276,-72.933753&sspn=0.003014,0.006968&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Harkness+Memorial+Hall,+New+Haven,+Connecticut+06510&ll=41.303583,-72.934375&spn=0.002914,0.006968&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=41.303499,-72.93433&panoid=f1HH3QmQqre_GyF_2B76JA&cbp=12,159.54,,0,1.67

Posted by: ROBN | October 22, 2009 5:44 PM

3/5,

But wasn't your friend writing about the health insurance industry holding vast amounts of tobaccos stock??? not really the medical industry.

http://www.bobcesca.com/blog-archives/2009/06/the_nations_big.html

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | October 22, 2009 6:26 PM

ROBN
My friend wrote in this in the new england journal of medicine.But the health insrance industry and medical industry are in the same bed. Again corporate exploration.There will give money on one hand and rob you with the other. Take a look at what Debeers diamonds are doing to the Bushman.

http://www.survivalinternational.org/tribes/bushmen/diamonds

And this company was started by Cecil Rhodes who gives awards out.

Posted by: Pissed Doctor | October 22, 2009 9:11 PM

How come DeStefano was invited. How many people died in the five years he delayed the hospital?

Posted by: anon | October 22, 2009 9:16 PM

Norton Street - I agree this represents a large program crammed into a very small space. In this case it may have been necessary, though, as YNHH didn't have room to expand anywhere else at the time they approved the building. Having a large-footprint, multistory hospital does provide some efficiencies and benefits within an urban environment: compare it to some of the lower-scale suburban hospitals around the country, which are surrounded by vast seas of parking, and you can see that. Even though it is less than perfect at pedestrian level, the building does create excitement and evening activity by virtue of the fact it has so many employees, which can help to animate the area.

Although there's a lot that could be fixed here, hopefully the general lack of pedestrian character and walkability can be addressed over time by designing the streets in a different way -- e.g., wider sidewalks, lower speeds, ped-level lighting, better street trees, improved crosswalks -- and by balancing the need for parking with the need for street connectivity.

Unfortunately, the city's first three forays into that realm -- the Pfizer and Walgreens "buildings floating in parking lots" and the Lot E parking garage -- were all huge missed opportunities: perhaps THE single worst example of urban hospital-related development anywhere in the United States.

Particularly the garage, which presents a concrete wall towards the Hill neighborhood and does very little to alleviate the horrible pedestrian conditions that exist along Route 34.

Posted by: CaptCT | October 23, 2009 9:21 AM

Paul,

Next time you cover a "Cure for Cancer" event, ask what's being done to PREVENT cancer.

Preventing cancer means changing laws to eliminate cancer-causing causing substances like bezene from everyday products, despite objections from the corporations who make those products.

Remember how long the tobacco industry denied that cigarette smoking caused cancer. Well, they aren't the only ones making products that cause cancer -- and denying it.

Since the "cancer cure" industry is so big, there is no monetary incentive to end cancer or to pressure companies to change their habits. Indeed, Playtex Products appeared at the ribbon-cutting for this event. Do you know how many carcinogens are in Playtex Products (see below). Also, the American Cancer Society spends more of its money on salaries than on cancer research.

For more info on how to prevent, or end, cancer, check out the website of Devra Davis, author of the Secret History of the War on Cancer: http://www.environmentalhealthtrust.org/

Finally, you might ask Jean Smilow, CEO of Playtex, to agree to start listing all of the chemicals in Playtex products.

For a list of the "known" carcinogens in Playtex products, check out this link:
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/company.php?comp_id=2060¬hanks=1

This kind of P.R. for the cancer industry isn't really helpful to anyone.

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | October 23, 2009 10:21 AM

CaptCT
I agree with you all the way. This is what I have been trying to say.These people are nothing more that corporate vampires who just want profit.
they could care less about cure.

Posted by: Margaret | October 23, 2009 11:23 AM

Having a State of Art Cancer Center in are backyards truly amazing. I hope that the people complaining about sidewalks and Street light never are in of a cancer hospital. Up until now the closes are in MA or NY. I am sure when cancer patient and family come to this hospital for treatment this will not be a priority but a mere inconvenience!

Posted by: ROBN | October 23, 2009 11:57 AM

CAPTCT and 3/5,

So let me get this straight guys....according to you the Smilows are evil people who spent their entire lives getting rich selling carcinogenic products with blatant disregard to consumer health... then one day they just decide to donate something which is probably on the order 30-50 million dollars to a Cancer Treatment Center???

Is you thinking that they have a guilty conscience and probably want to get into heaven???

PHOOEY! If you or a loved on gets cancer you're gonna be really happy that this center is here.

Posted by: anon | October 23, 2009 12:18 PM

Yes, that's certainly easy to say if you don't live in the neighborhood and do not have to walk these intersections every day, Margaret.

Your attitude is typical of those who have no qualms about making others' lives less convenient, less healthy and less safe. Unfortunately, the public policies that have resulted from this attitude -- e.g., the failure to do any public assessment when projects such as a 1,000 space parking garage are plunked down into a residential area with no relationship to any of the surrounding buildings or communities -- have caused the decline of many of our cities and towns.

If you are so interested in health issues, you may want to check out the book "Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago" to see what health is really all about.

Posted by: CaptCT | October 23, 2009 1:25 PM

ROBN,

Never said that, darling. I said Smilow should agree to list all of the chemicals in Playtex products.

That's fair, isn't it? Especially since many are carcinogens.

If Smilow supports preventing cancer, she'll support efforts to remove carcinogens from the products Playtex makes. And she'll encourage others in the cosmetics and hygiene industry to do the same. Right?

Finding cures for cancer is important. More important, however, is preventing cancer from happening in the first place. Preventing cancer begins with identifying known carcinogens in everyday products -- then eliminating the most dangerous ones and providing safety guidelines for the rest (like warnings on tobacco products).

For more on lowering your risk of cancer, check out these links: http://www.environmentalhealthtrust.org/node/36

... and this one: http://www.ewg.org/

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | October 23, 2009 5:41 PM

ROBN

PHOOEY! If you or a loved on gets cancer you're gonna be really happy that this center is here.

Again I am talking about Profit before people.Right now how many people because of profit can even get treatment for cancer.You see
corporatist work hand and hand.

http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/24/hospitals-see-profits-in-white-house-deal/

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=142_1254976763

Posted by: CaptCT | October 24, 2009 7:40 AM

Here are some of the Playtex products with cancer-causing chemicals that pose a high hazard to consumers:

1. CVS Healthy Hands Hand & Nail Care Lotion
2. Ogilvie Home Perm
3. Tussy Antiperspirant & Deodorant
4. Ogilvie Straightener, Hair Straightening System

There are several others.
[Link: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/browse.php?comp_id=2060&&showmore=products&start=20]

Other products, such as Binaca breath spray, pose a moderate risk -- but due to a lack of knowledge of the chemicals in the product or the risks their chemicals may pose, they may be more dangerous. [Link: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/product/965/Binaca_Breath_Spray%2C_Spearmint/]

I will be telling my teenage daughters to AVOID THESE PRODUCTS! Now that YOU know that these products pose hazards to consumers, what will YOU do?

These carcinogenic products were made and marketed by Jean Smilow's company. If she really cared about eradicating the world of cancer, she would be working to GET THESE PRODUCTS OFF THE MARKET!

My brother-in-law died of brain cancer in his early 60s, leaving my sister a widow. I lost two friends and neighbors -- both in their 40s -- in the past year. Another good friend is undergoing chemo.

I will do everything I can to protect my friends and family from cancer. If you want to use those Jean Smilow-made cancer-causing antiperspirants and other products, go right ahead. Not only will I NOT use them, but I will tell others to NOT use them, and I will encourage Playtex to get them off the market.

There are many safer products on the market. Educate yourself.

Hopefully, Paul Bass will help educate others.

Posted by: streever | October 24, 2009 9:07 PM

I never knew it took 3 paragraphs to define the word "countless". I'll stick with my Websters & my OED, but thanks Anon. Did you prepare President Clinton's defintion of sex for him, too?

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | October 25, 2009 12:20 AM

CaptCT
Again I Agree with you. In fact People better look into this H1N1 Flu Shot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgw2OiRcUWc

Posted by: Rep. Pat Dillon | October 25, 2009 1:15 PM

Norton Street,
Thanks for your comment on the long term effects of injuries. I assumed that was a given and was focused on the "countless" issue.
But you are right, and the point bears repeating.

Posted by: anon | October 25, 2009 5:20 PM

It is sad to see an esteemed institution like YNHH associated with countless injuries and deaths of local residents, but I agree with Pat Dillon - the point bears repeating.

Hate to say it, but the situation today would be very different if any of YNHH's executives lived in this neighborhood and had to walk across these streets every day.

Posted by: Margaret | October 26, 2009 1:49 PM

Aon just so you know I live in the City of New Haven. My husband works downtown. We are a middle class family who get left holding the bag for many of the mayor’s ridiculous projects. From what I have been told the street light and cross walks are on the way. As I said before it's amazing to such a center. Many ill"local"people will benefit by not having travel around the world please stop being so ignorant. I can only hope cancer does not effect you are family. Travel to NY or Mass let me what you think about having it your backyard!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: nomoregreed | October 26, 2009 8:40 PM

Cancer = big bucks for yale plain and simple, they don't invest unless there is a big payback. I have a rare form of NHL and all I got out of Yale was old info and bad treatment advice oh yeah and very expensive testing which they are brutal about collecting. Go to Dana Farber, or Sloane Kettering first, or get soaked by yale.