New Haven Independent

Posted by: Bruce | November 3, 2009 8:29 PM

Wow, that's a huge turnout. Congrats Justin.

Posted by: nhteacher | November 3, 2009 8:34 PM

I like Brison a great deal. But besides being more accessible and organized, Elicker is also on the right side of the new Hooker School debate. Give the kids a gate. If that means parking problems for ten minutes at 8 AM and ten minutes at 2:30, so what? It's a small price to pay for kids having a safe way to walk to their neighborhood school. Like this article acknowledges, Brison's attitude toward Hooker School might have taken him down. It certainly made the difference for me between these two equally good hearted and independent-minded candidates.

Posted by: Ellis Copeland | November 3, 2009 8:34 PM

surprise, surprise, surprise, the machine toady won. will wonders never cease?

Posted by: juli | November 3, 2009 8:41 PM

congratulations! while i appreciate brison's efforts, i think ward 10 made the right choice.

Posted by: streever | November 3, 2009 8:44 PM

Thank you so much for your incredible turnout ward 10. I am so grateful that you have given Justin the chance to work hard for you. I can't believe how many people showed up to vote, and am extremely proud of the other volunteers--including and especially those who have not had their names in the press. Everyone worked phenomenally and I am incredibly impressed.

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | November 3, 2009 8:57 PM

Elicker has one advantage over Mattison, Looney said: He “is not connected to some of the old fighting” that divided the neighborhood.

Hey looney,Not connected. Show me you friends and I will show you who you are.“Vote for my friend Justin,” urged Alderman Alex Rhodeen of Fair Haven Heights. He was one of a crew of aldermen — including board President Carl Goldfield, East Rock’s Roland Lemar, Yale’s Rachel Plattus, Fair Haven’s Erin Sturgis-Pascale — who came to the parking lot by Wilbur Cross School to campaign for Elicker. That group collaborates with Mayor John DeStefano more often than those on the other side of the parking lot, who were supporting Brison.

Read it That group collaborates with Mayor John DeStefano. Another puppet for King John.

Posted by: BCJ | November 3, 2009 9:08 PM

Brison richly deserved his loss. His flyer saying that being a homeowner specially qualified him was pathetic. Property qualifications for voting and public office vanished from American life over 200 years ago. And the notion that the gate behind the new Hooker should be locked against kids walking to school is NIMBYism at its worst. Greens are supposed to be idealists, not divisive, exclusionary bigots.

Posted by:  Moti Sandman | November 3, 2009 10:44 PM

Elias

Justin earned his win together with his strong group of friends and supporters. I was out there on the ground today and saw first hand the dedication of many people that never had anything to do with any city election prior to this. The machine that won Justin his race were the voters of ward 10.

Posted by: LKS | November 3, 2009 11:08 PM

Thank you Ward 10 for supporting an honest, hardworking and committed candidate!

It's true that there were numerous energetic volunteers involved in Elicker's campaign, not just as the final counts were announced tonight, but helping throughout the day and over the past several months. It should also be noted that these volunteers represented young and old alike, and all corners of the ward. Kudos to all!

Posted by: anon | November 3, 2009 11:10 PM

"Greens are supposed to be idealists, not divisive, exclusionary bigots."

That might be a bit harsh... but I was also stunned, floored, and even horrified when I read about GateGate.

Posted by: Marshall | November 3, 2009 11:20 PM

I strongly object to the idea that "the machine won today," as Ellis says, and as some infer by who the article chooses to quote (or not quote). I volunteered for Justin today. Justin had a lot of volunteers, drawn from all walks of life within the East Rock neighborhood, and few connected with the city. They were not the mayors people, not part of any machine. And Justin's campaign didn't accept any money from the Mayor either. The huge, record-setting turnout of >900 voters demonstrates the depth and bredth of support Justin amassed through his own dedicated work on behalf of East Rock. I think I can speak for all the volunteers when I say that we pounded pavement today not for any machine, but because we believe deeply in Justin and what he can accomplish. And that is true of many voters as well, especially those who haven't voted in an aldermanic race before.

Justin ran an energetic and independent campaign. Allan is a good man, but Justin will do a far better job representing Ward 10 and delivering results. You can think or say what you want, but the reality is that what 618 people for voted today was good governance and a brighter vision for the City of New Haven.

Posted by: streever | November 3, 2009 11:52 PM

As Marshall said: this race was won by the efforts of a VERY independent bunch. None of us showed up today for City Hall. We did this because we believe in Elicker.

The Machine? the Machine consisted of Laura, Lara, myself, and 4 other "Turf leaders" who have no connection whatsoever to City Hall, who all came out because we genuinely support Justin 100% and believe he'll be the very best candidate possible for Ward 10. We worked extremely hard for many months, and it's simply inaccurate to state that the machine or the mayor won this race. We took neither money nor advice.

Thank you for following this election and voting.

Posted by: strangerthanfiction | November 4, 2009 2:51 AM

Two good candidates but a great victory for Justin. He's got great energy, enthusiasm and intellect. Interesting that Brison may have blown any chance he had with his closing pitch to keep the Hooker gate closed. That reinforced the notion that he was beholden to his Everit St. neighbors who fought Hooker and was a final blow to his attempt to reach out to the Hooker community. It was like Mattison's last minute face-off with the Cedar Hill community two years ago. That passionate defense of the gate was too much and played right into the worst concerns about Brison.

Posted by: Almost ex-resident | November 4, 2009 5:34 AM

See ya. I'm moving to a place that has a two (or even three) party system. New Haven has become a virtual dictatorship.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | November 4, 2009 6:58 AM

Ellis you are dead wrong!... Justin worked his but off all volunteers were friends and neighbors!!

The one thing I was impressed with was despite all the misinformation I heard being spouted the people of this ward saw threw it!! Justin was determined to run an honest and positive campaign! No mud slinging, all based on what he has done and what he can do.... not what the other guy could not do. I was proud to be out there for him!!!!

The numbers show how many people this man has touched!! Was at the after party I said ok new alderman I have a list of things my area need...oh wait....you are already working on them!! He was our alderman long before he was elected!!!!!!!!!

Bravo Justin

And Lisa I have to say as an old school person I have to say YOU REALLY impressed me!! Thank You!!! You kept us all going foward and got Justin the votes!!! Great Job!!

Posted by: Dominik | November 4, 2009 7:05 AM

Sad for the third party movement:( City is going to be a one party city again.

Posted by: Open the Gate | November 4, 2009 7:14 AM

A victory for kids and a defeat for the elitism on one block of one street of one ward.

Congratulations Justin.

Open the Gate!!!

Posted by: Ray Saracco | November 4, 2009 9:11 AM

Being ward 10 Democratic co chair I am extremely proud and impressed with the turnout of voters on election night. I want to congratulate Justin on an incredible election and look forward to working with him. I also want to say thank you to the ward 10 committee members for their endless support and hard work they put into this election. With the efforts of this committee and the Justin Elicker supporters we have elected a great, hardworking representative for Ward 10 and the residence of New Haven. Being at the polls all day I was impressed with everyone from all parties showing respect for one another. It was truly a special place to be and only reinforced how special ward 10 is. Thank you Allan for your hard work in the past 2 years as alderman and we welcome your support.

Posted by: AnnaF | November 4, 2009 9:30 AM

The whole Hooker School gate situation represents just how hard one will work for a certain group of residence. Ward 10 stems outside of Everitt Street. That is why Justin has won.

A special thank you to Ray and Kevin the ward 10 co chairs. Two years ago they were elected as co chairs of ward 10 and have worked hard to bring the community together by reorganizing a ward committee which was non-existent before them, and now with Justin in the mix this community will only become better.

Congratulations Justin for a well deserved victory!

Posted by: Everit St "Elitist" | November 4, 2009 10:18 AM

Why don't the Hooker people give it a rest??? You've got your school...let's move on. Jeez!

Posted by: Seth | November 4, 2009 10:21 AM

Congratulations Justin! Good work. Take a few days off, you deserve it. Then I know you'll be raring to do great things for the city!

Posted by: streever | November 4, 2009 12:28 PM

I'm glad to see the enthusiasm and energy here--it's indicative of how hard we're going to work Elicker :)

Let's not toss the baby out with the bathwater on Brison. He's been an advocate for our neighborhood for years, and while I don't think he's been as effective as I wanted our alder to be, he's had good intentions & tried his best.

As I've said before, I hope he continues to advocate for our community and remains an active part of our neighborhood.

Posted by: YIMBY#618 | November 4, 2009 12:42 PM

Way to go Justin & Friends!!!

"Everit St Elitist" wrote:

"Why don't the Hooker people give it a rest??? You've got your school...let's move on. Jeez!"

MOST wish that the Everit St Elitists would 'move on' and cease their selfish sniveling and spin. Newsflash: When you stop messing with our children we'd be more than happy to 'move on.'

Posted by: Lisa Hummon | November 4, 2009 1:31 PM

Justin’s campaign was built on pure grassroots power. Over the past few months, volunteers have spent hundreds of hours walking door to door, calling voters, putting up signs, and distributing literature. We have dedicated so much of our time and energy to the campaign because we believe in Justin. His positive energy, fresh ideas, and hard work in the community are inspiring. I am so proud to have been a part of this campaign. Justin is destined for great things on the Board of Alderman, and I know he'll make us all proud. Congratulations Justin! And thank you to everyone who helped make this campaign so successful.

Posted by: New Haven Rocks | November 4, 2009 2:36 PM

Hooray for Justin and Democracy! I hope this means an end to the Everit Street residents attempt to keep other taxpaying citizens from walking and parking on a public street.

Posted by: Everit St. "Elitist" | November 4, 2009 2:37 PM

Yimby #618:

Your kids...our tax money (and a waste of same). Have a GREAT day...

Posted by: Bob Solomon | November 4, 2009 2:58 PM

Everit Street Elitist -

After years of good faith negotiation and selection of the current site, the Hooker community tried to move on. The opponents refused and fought the choice. After approval by City Plan and Zoning, the Hooker community tried to move on, but the opponents would not, and filed a law suit. After our children spent more time than necessary in St. Stans, the Supreme Court ruled and the Hooker community tried to move on, but the opponents would not, and tried to get Allan Brison to negotiate what they did not get through litigation. When the school construction people discussed plantings, the Everit Street opponents would not move on, but wanted an eight foot green space. This election was in part about the opponents refusing to compromise on any position. Now you lost. Perhaps you should move on.

Posted by: streever | November 4, 2009 3:41 PM

(and apologies for neglecting to name so many people in my post earlier--I was just trying to state that those of us on the ground in ward 10 leading teams were residents. Of course there were dozens more volunteers performing as important or more roles for the campaign, and they were also as politically non-connected as the wonderful people who lead turfs with me)

Posted by: Oh good...not another one! | November 4, 2009 3:41 PM

I spoke with Justin at least 3 times during his campaign for Alderman and I must say that I was less than moved by him. He came across as arrogant, uninformed and ambitious. His supporters were more like fanatics than true "supporters" and, from reading Seth, Streever and Lisa Hummon's comments above, you can see what I mean. "Justin is going to do great things for the City", "justin is exactly what the Aldermen need" "justin is destined for great things on the Board of Aldermen"...... Please wake me when this exercise in personal ambition supported by groupie grad-students is over. Noone "needs" Justin. A lot of people like him and will give him a shot, but its not like Jesus is coming to save us here. He's a smart guy, so what? He's got good ideas, so what? He's going to get things done, so what? We have a lot of those people already, Justin could just afford to take seven months off to campaign all-day everyday. So what?

Posted by: Bruce | November 4, 2009 4:01 PM

I am not an Everitt Street Elitist nor am I opposed to the gate nor do I care how big the garden is. BUT, if a project of that scope were happening on my street, you can be damn sure that I would fight tooth and nail until the bitter end for every detail that would affect my home and my life. Can you really blame them for continuing to push their ideas? Would you roll over and play dead, Bob?

Before you jump on me for siding with these residents, I will say that my house is part of a small planned community that was intentionally built next to a very large public elementary school. That is one of the reasons I bought the house and I can't wait until my daughter is old enough to walk to school in the morning like I did. I don't agree with these residents regarding the gate or anything else I've heard, but I do respect them for fighting for control over some very dramatic changes to their neighborhood.

Posted by: Bob Solomon | November 4, 2009 4:14 PM

Bruce - my comment was in direct response to the comment by ESE that Hooker parents should "give it a rest" and "move on." I have no objection to the debate on the merits (although I think the notion that Allan Brison was a neutral mediator is absurd.) I do object to the notion that it's always the other side that needs to give it a rest. In this case, there's no question that the opponents of the Hooker middle school prolonged the fight, in several public fora. That's their right, but to now complain about the failure of the Hooker parents to move on is, in my opinion, hypocritical whining.

Posted by: Bruce | November 4, 2009 4:50 PM

Bob, I see your point and withdraw my objection. I tend to lose track of the thread after a few dozen postings and it's hard to tell who is responding to who.

Posted by: Bob Solomon | November 4, 2009 4:54 PM

Bruce - you are my idol! Thanks. How about coffee at Lulu's in january/ I'll be the one in the Hawaiian shirt. You, too, Streever.

Posted by: anon | November 5, 2009 1:02 AM

Elicker is one of the smartest and most thoughtful persons in the entire City. It should be no surprise that he won a major victory!

Now perhaps he can investigate why the city's "sustainable streets" policy, requested 30-0 by the BOA, still hasn't been completed or even released for public comment, despite the large crowd that testified to demand it way back in September 2008. (Out of the nearly 100 speakers and letter writers that day, I think that Elicker gave the best testimony).

Is the city ever going to do something about this unanimous Board of Aldermen resolution, or are they content with the hundreds of injuries and 3 Downtown pedestrian fatalities just since Elicker and hundreds of other residents demanded change?

By the way, here is an excerpt from the legislation:

"BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the Complete Streets Steering Committee will communicate the Complete Streets Policy as an Ordinance Amendment for consideration by the Board of Aldermen not more than one year after the passage of this Order, with the requirement that the principles of this policy be incorporated into all aspects of street and transportation planning projects, scoping procedures, design manual, design approvals and performance measures."

What happens when the City violates the orders of its own Board of Aldermen?

Posted by: streever | November 5, 2009 9:04 AM

Oh Good:
650 of your neighbors were convinced. And, I'm not and never have been a grad-student, nor for that matter a college student. "Elicker's going to get things done so what"--are you invested in your neighborhood? I am. The fact that he'll get things done is the most important thing about him.

--

Bob I am also a huge fan of Bruce's (despite occasionally disagreeing with him) and would happily join you three for coffee. Though I typically go to Romeo's because it's so cheap ;-)

Posted by: robn | November 5, 2009 6:25 PM

Thank goodness this election is over. Now I can get back to doing what I really love... burning trash and old tires in my backyard.

Posted by: YAMAHAMMER | November 6, 2009 8:06 AM

Elicker is for real in my hood he did a lot of work here we use to dirtbike allaround east rocpark but J showed the affects so I quit it gos aganst so much and I know doctor J Reps!

Posted by: Observer | November 6, 2009 12:15 PM

... Good luck to Elicker...he'll need it. There's no honeymoon in this job.