In Inaugural, Mayor Follows Labor's Script

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In Inaugural, Mayor Follows Labor’s Script

by Melissa Bailey | Jan 1, 2012 2:10 pm

(31) Comments | Commenting has been closed | E-mail the Author

Posted to: City Hall

Melissa Bailey Photo (Updated) As he began his 10th term Sunday, Mayor John DeStefano called for “an inclusive prosperity”—the same phrase used by labor-backed candidates who beat his allies at the polls.

DeStefano issued the call Sunday as he and 30 aldermen were sworn into office for their new terms at Career High School on Legion Avenue.

The mayor took the oath of office administered by his longtime political ally, state Supreme Court Justice Lubbie Harper. Then he sought in his inaugural address to convey a sense of new momentum and challenge as he enters his 19th year in office—during which he is slated to break the record for New Haven’s longest mayoral tenure. (Read about that here.)

Click here to read the full prepared text of DeStefano’s inaugural address.

DeStefano enters the new term along with a new coalition of labor-backed candidates who beat his allies at the polls in an unprecedented year of vigorous campaigning. The coalition, which includes 14 first-time aldermen, forms a 20- to 21-person majority on the board.

Aldermen in that group have been involved in a grassroots campaign around a new agenda focused on jobs, community policing and youth. The campaign featured a new report from Connecticut Center For A New Economy (CCNE), a coalition of labor, clergy, and community activists titled: “A Renaissance For All Of Us: Building an Inclusive Prosperity for New Haven.”

DeStefano lifted two words from that title, “inclusive prosperity,” as he laid out his plans Sunday for 2012.

“New Haven is growing,” he said from the stage. “It is fair and right to ask whether that growth is, indeed, an inclusive prosperity for all New Haven.”

After he got down from the podium, DeStefano said he borrowed the phrase “on purpose.”

“A lot of people were elected to promote that concept,” he explained. “It then becomes part of the agenda.”

“It’s not just my inauguration,” he pointed out.

He again spoke from the coalition’s playbook when he called for a “jobs pipeline” to promote the training and hiring of local employees.

“I accept, let us all accept, the challenge to test the limits of what’s possible: in work training; at the community college; in technical school training; and with job pipelines to our major employers, developers and institutions,” he said.

After his speech, DeStefano said he aims to develop some kind of agreement with existing employers and/or developers of major projects in town to train and hire New Haveners. He said he’s going to study a similar initiative carried out in Newark, N.J., by Mayor Cory Booker.

The overt references to labor’s agenda were not lost on Adam Marchand, a union leader in Yale’s Local 34 who took office Sunday as Westville’s new alderman.

“I credit the mayor for paying attention to what people are saying,” Marchand said. He noted that the concerns about unequal prosperity could be heard across the city during the election, as well as currently from those who are occupying the New Haven Green.

In response to criticisms raised during the election by mayoral and aldermanic challengers, DeStefano vowed Sunday to improve the relationship between civilians and cops.

“Central to our efforts will be community policing,” DeStefano declared as he laid out the broad outlines of his 2012 agenda. “And good community policing means police should use face to face interactions, relationships to connect to neighborhoods. If the police fear the neighborhoods, and if the neighborhood fears the police, we will not reduce violence.”

After the election, DeStefano reversed course and embraced walking beat-style community policing, among other responses to outrage over violence in a year that saw 34 homicides.

“We will do better in 2012. How much so will be up to us,” DeStefano told the Career crowd Sunday, emphasizing a theme of public responsibility for helping to solve communal problems.

DeStefano called community development the “twin” of community policing. He called for making more of an effort to tie the city’s so-called “eds and meds” (higher education and medical and biotech industries) economic growth to jobs for New Haveners hard hit by the recession.

He closed by quoting the late Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as usual.

His olive branch was well-received by aldermen in the new ruling coalition.

“I’m glad he’s sounding themes that are resonating throughout the city,” Marchand said. “I think this is a hopeful moment for the city. We’re going to find out how we can work together” toward shared goals.

Hill Alderwoman Jackie James, who has remained independent of the mayor and has worked closely with CCNE, welcomed the mayor’s inaugural remarks.

“He obviously wants to work with CCNE,” she observed. She called the speech “a great sign” that DeStefano “is willing to sit down and work with everybody.”

“We’re willing to work with him,” too, she added.

Wooster Square Alderman Mike Smart sounded more skeptical. “It sounds good, but let’s see what happens. Action to me is most important,” not speeches, he said.

Hill Alderman Jorge Perez, who’s set to be elected as board president on Tuesday, said he’s glad the mayor is acknowledging ideas that came up during the election—not just from CCNE but from other candidates.

“I’m happy that he’s talking the same talk as many of the colleagues” on the board about jobs, youth and community policing, Perez said.

“If that’s the agenda, we’re going to have a great two years.”

Comments

posted by: Time For Change on January 1, 2012 4:16pm

All I can say to the Mayor’s statement that “We will do better in 2012,” is BULLSHIT!
If you want to do better try doing what got you elected, listen to the voters. If you want to do better investigate the Board of Education. Talk about wasteful spending!! If you want to do better stop spending so much time and taxpayer dollars on trying to get ILLEGAL ALIENS benefits and advantages that the rest of us CAN NOT get. If you want to do better cut the day care center that you call an Executive Staff, who by the way are all overpaid, by 50%. If you want to do better put a plan in place for street and sidewalk repair. If you want to do better try taking a hardline stand against crime in the City. You know who the criminals are. Don’t coddle them and make nice, arrest them and make the City safe! Honestly Mr. Mayor, if you want to do better, RETIRE!!!!

posted by: Ora on January 1, 2012 5:31pm

Another two years with him. And he is saying actually the same thing over and over again that he has in the past. We will do better? Community policing,ecomomic development and education. Sound familiar? That was his definition for insanity wasn’t it? He is repeating all this over and over and over again.

posted by: observor1 on January 1, 2012 5:48pm

The mayor once again includes the “we” and “our” when referencing the community policing which shows he plans to keep his nose where it doesn’t belong…The best that could happen for our city is for him to use “I” as in “I” will leave it up to the police professionals to run the police dept and “I” will work to fix the other city issues that “I” created. Then “we”,the citizens and taxpayers might stand a chance for a better city !!!!

posted by: Threefifths on January 1, 2012 6:33pm

Again the crooked two party system at work.It will still be the same.For all of you sell out Judas Goat Leaders this is what you will be doing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX5sz1P73DE

posted by: Ora on January 1, 2012 6:51pm

Obsevor1 I absolutely agree with you. I wish I could be more optomistic, but how can you when he is still here and history is just going to repeat itself? The most frightening issues are his spending sprees year after year. His hiring sprees year after year. His union bashing (over the last two years). New BOA please take all in first before you decide this is a good guy. Don’t start getting caught up in his craziness by continueing what his legacy is. Spending,hiring,disrespecting his employees,disrespecting the taxpayers and soon will be trying to pull the wool over your eyes. Many will be hoping you can break away from all this and do what you feel is right. Not what he wants. Be prepared for his tantrums. Good luck!

posted by: Curious on January 1, 2012 7:27pm

New alders, please, PLEASE, do not be hoodwinked by the mayor.

He will tell you what you want to hear and then not deliver.

Hold him accountable from DAY ONE.

posted by: Ellis Copeland on January 1, 2012 10:35pm

In general response to the previous comments: the people of this burg deserve what they get and get what they deserve. For Three-fifths: there is no ‘two party system’ in this dive. There isn’t a single Republican on the BoA anymore. Hell, they didn’t even put up candidates. And for the record I voted for Kerekes. Not because I think he’s qualified, because he clearly isn’t, but because I’d vote for a blue-haired chimpanzee before I’ll vote for Johnny Boy.

posted by: Noteworthy on January 1, 2012 10:42pm

At least we didn’t have to hear a bastardaized version of Scripture this time around. Pretty words. Just keep in mind: They don’t mean anything. DeStefano doesn’t beleive a word of it. A leopard doesn’t change its spots any more than a zebra changes is stripes.

Some fact checking: While a majority of Career students leave for college, how many return with a degree four or six years later? Career has far more graduates but W.C. and Hillhouse are at 50% or less. More than 80% of New Haven students fail to earn a college diploma in six years after high school and many of them need remedial help in college just to compete.

Before you start mandating that employers prepare your population for work, you better educate them. Their inability to complete high school, college or get a job in a sustainable field of work with a real career ladder is DeStefano’s 18 year legacy.

We build pretty schools, extravagant schools but don’t educate; we launch Promise but for kids whose prospects of graduating based on previous history is dim at best. We have bodies stacking up like firewood in the streets and finally get around to community policing.

DeStefano’s approach to solving our city’s problems is always ass backwards with scant attention paid to the underlying root causes of poverty, crime, and lack of employment opportunities that have plagued this city for his entire tenure. The conversion of pretty words to public policy is much more painful and DeStefano’s record of failure in these areas is legendary. To turn that around DeStefano will have to do an about face and actually confront and solve problems.

What evidence is there he is capable let alone willing to do that? Actions speak louder than words. In-action speaks just as loud.

posted by: southwest on January 1, 2012 11:01pm

This man can not be trusted.He is up to his old tricks again.A leopard never change their spots ,they just adjust them to your eyes. Johnny boy will never change unless he is forced to, New alder people the honey moon will be over before the wedding take place, You will see one have to be nuts to trust this mayor.

posted by: Threefifths on January 2, 2012 12:30am

What is the difference between a con artist and a politician?
none… both deceivers….anyone who deceives another…..con artist, politician, adulterer , theif, liar…..its not just politicains and con artist…..
the only difference may be in their numbers…con artist usually work alone….politicians are mostly ‘teamwork’ in their deceptions….

posted by: Brian M. on January 2, 2012 1:04am

Did the NHI repeal the civility rule on comments? Or is there just no standard enforced at all if you’re attacking the mayor?

Maybe it’s lucrative for this paper become the online HQ for the Kerekes 2013 campaign, but at the end of the day you’re claiming to be journalists. You can harumph all you want about freedom of speech, the press, etc., but when you so openly pick favorites (or enemies) your coverage follows suit.
You were completely hoodwinked on the ‘threatening’ road race note, but for days you expected readers to entertain Kermit Carolina’s X-Files plot - all because you have a caricature of City Hall that you expect your readers to share. Many many commenters share it too - but what about the readers who don’t comment?
I want to like this site - I really do. But on certain subjects - the suburbs, the mayor, some unions - you don’t have even a double standard. There’s no standard. Anything goes. It would be one thing if it was just commenters, or a particular writer. But the editor of the publication is ‘reporting’ articles about grade fixing allegations by deciding that the *real* story is a convoluted single-source tale about a note. That’s followed up by a second distraction story where you call the board attorney corrupt and pretend there’s no federal education privacy law. And days later you still haven’t done a story on the original allegations.
What gives? Seriously.
You don’t like the mayor. We get it. But your political coverage isn’t even predictably uninformative anymore; it’s become implausible. It’s so agenda-driven as to not be credible. It attracts the same commenters saying the same things day after day.
If I was routinely writing stories that got commenters to say “this proves my claim that John DeStefano is the prince of darkness,” I’d at some point get worried that my reporting wasn’t very good.

posted by: sean on January 2, 2012 1:21am

Hopefully theres a well desrved contract for the members of the the NHFD. Who have stood behing this mayor through thick and thin.

posted by: Mike on January 2, 2012 9:53am

As Mike Smart said, “action to me is most important”. PR speeches about this and that have become meaningless and regular in New Haven thanks to Mayor John.

How did the noise pollution crackdown go in New Haven this summer after your big news conference Mayor John? How much quieter is New Haven now Mayor John?

posted by: brutus2011 on January 2, 2012 10:44am

For those who feel that the mayor, and his managers, are the target of ad hominem attacks in these forums, I disagree.

I post mainly about education because I have direct experience and am deeply troubled about how our schools are managed.

I know from experience that there is very disturbing behavior exhibited by top officials.

I can’t write about many of these things because it would be hearsay and not appropriate without proof other than my own experience.

As one person, or voice, or even vote, I have little power. A drop in the bucket if you will.

But, enough drops and you have a force to be reckoned with.

Like the saying, “Where there is smoke, there is fire,” how about, “Where there are drops, there is water, and with enough water there is a tsunami.”

I is my opinion that a tsunami is required to effect true ed reform in our city.

posted by: anon on January 2, 2012 10:44am

Will the unions try to do something for New Haven, or simply work towards raising taxes and benefits so that a greater share of rents from NH’s low income families can be exported to subsidize the SUV milage of our almost-entirely suburban city workforce - almost all of whom are also over age 45 and white.

If they truly care about an “inclusive prosperity,” they will call for dramatic cuts to salaries and benefits in order to finance 1) residency incentives so we aren’t exporting 100% of our tax/rent dollars to the suburbs, and 2) youth programs, child care, and youth jobs for people who actually live here. More than half our city’s population is under 30.

posted by: Dwight on January 2, 2012 11:59am

IMO Brian M makes an important point that shouldn’t be overlooked simply because of partisan issues. Namely, that NHI should seriously assess its coverage of the post-election political news stories it is carrying forth. It was commonly noted that during the election run-up, there was a decided “anti-DeStefano” slant to coverage. This slant followed the biases displayed by the Kerekes camp of dutiful commenters. Presumably NHI justified giving the challengers an assist because of the candidates’ imbalances of finances and resources, and the justifiable need to level the electoral playing field.
Well, the Election is over and for better or worse, John D is the Mayor. It is now time to seriously question the need for a continuing editorial slant that favors the challengers. This slant has been on display in the Kermit Carolina saga thru the NHI stories as well as the comments. In the face of credible allegations of serious misconduct, NHI has seemingly chosen to abandon any semblance of objective reporting in favor of pushing forward silly conspiracy theories that admit no possibility that the allegations may prove substantiated – once the required investigation is conducted. Character statements that Carolina is a wonderful role model, coach, principal, etc. simply beg the question of what went on at HH high school. And ignores the looming issues of what is really happening at HH now, under Principal Carolina’s term.
The NHI could do a real service to the greater public interest by exercising independent judgment and objective exploration of what the true facts are. Carolina is no Saint, and neither is he a Sinner. The truth lies somewhere in the middle. Can you help us find where that middle is?

posted by: Willie Williams Jr on January 2, 2012 12:55pm

So! You Made Your Twenty Years 20, Now! You Do You Suggest Would or Should Be The Next “Mayor” of The City of New Haven In 2014. Should It Be Karen Dubois-Walton?

posted by: Ben Berkowitz on January 2, 2012 3:09pm

It’s a new day in Baltimore :)

posted by: SaveOurCity on January 2, 2012 3:14pm

threefifths: To what 2 party system are you referring? Take the mayor + 30 aldermen and the party breakdown is Democrat - 31 All Others - 0.

New Haven is clearly a one party system…..with a group of leaders who are pressing the accelerator as we near the cliff’s edge.

posted by: jschm on January 2, 2012 4:21pm

The unions will run the city. Glad I don’t live there.

posted by: SteveOnAvon on January 2, 2012 5:33pm

anon,

Time after time I’ve asked people to provide the data to back up their assertions in these comments, and I’ve almost never seen any response. Do you have the data to back up your claims about where union members live? Which unions are you talking about? I don’t have that data, but I would make an educated guess that there are significant differences in these numbers between the unions that call New Haven home.

For instance, several members of our new BoA have connections with UNITEHERE Local 35, and I believe the vast majority of members of this union live in the city of New Haven. We have several different unions in this city, and, believe it or not, they do not see eye-to-eye on all issues. That is evidenced by the mess around disagreement between unions over the state budget, as well as disagreements between the police union & AFSCME over Sharpton’s visit in March and various issues with the firefighters’ union. If you are going to make claims that homogenize a diverse group of people, please at least provide some data to back up your claims.

posted by: cedarhillresident on January 2, 2012 6:29pm

I have heard to many speeches and promises, I am wanting to see the ACTIONS, attendance and proactive behavior by all. Remember new alders (and old) the budget is being formed right NOW! once done you guys have little control over it! Get involved NOW!

Everyone has their own ideas of what is important. Mine is the long term health of this city. The overall, over spending that yet to date has NOT been addressed. The waste and CONTINUED lack of transparency. And the genuine thumbing to the residents of this city.

PS people get work groups together to read the budget so that all can really understand what it says!
I remember what each has promised on the campaign trail, will those words translate into actions? And remember union alders ( some of which I truely support) You are aldermen! That means you are there to represent YOUR COMMUNITY! You are the voice of those people!

posted by: Threefifths on January 2, 2012 6:44pm

posted by: Ellis Copeland on January 1, 2012 9:35pm
In general response to the previous comments: the people of this burg deserve what they get and get what they deserve. For Three-fifths: there is no ‘two party system’ in this dive. There isn’t a single Republican on the BoA anymore.

posted by: SaveOurCity on January 2, 2012 2:14pm
threefifths: To what 2 party system are you referring? Take the mayor + 30 aldermen and the party breakdown is Democrat - 31 All Others - 0.

New Haven is clearly a one party system…..with a group of leaders who are pressing the accelerator as we near the cliff’s edge.

If New Haven is a one party system,Then why do you have democratic and republican town committees.My point is if you follow what I write most of the time,You would see that I am for the system of proportional representation with term limits.

posted by: jschmidt on January 2, 2012 7:35pm

Unions mean more taxpayer money being spent and less taxpayer say in how it is spent. With a 20-21 majority on the board, unions will spend more. When have you heard of a union asking for less?

posted by: LOL on January 2, 2012 8:10pm

@Brian M. —So typical of the mayor’s supporters.

You can’t defend what is being reported—because there is no logical, ethical or moral defense—so you attack the messenger.

Sorry, but the mayor is on thin ice and he knows it. He is scared of the NHI because it’s one media outlet that asks tough questions, digs deeper and refuses to re-write the mayor’s press releases.

So go ahead and keep on attacking the NHI. It’s your only defense. One that’s becoming weaker and weaker by the day.

posted by: karen on January 3, 2012 11:47am

Any fool can make a rule, and any fool will mind it. Henry David Thoreau…..If a lot of people retire or forced to retire after 65, 70 years old…..There is always a limit to something…even living…we all got to die someday…..Where is a law pertaining to, how many times a person can run for mayor? Isn’t there a limit to how many times a person can serve as president of the United States?

posted by: Threefifths on January 3, 2012 2:51pm

posted by: karen on January 3, 2012 10:47am
Any fool can make a rule, and any fool will mind it. Henry David Thoreau…..If a lot of people retire or forced to retire after 65, 70 years old…..There is always a limit to something…even living…we all got to die someday…..Where is a law pertaining to, how many times a person can run for mayor? Isn’t there a limit to how many times a person can serve as president of the United States?

How true.In fact we should ask the question which one of the New Alderperson will put this on the table.My bet is none of them.

posted by: ribbit on January 3, 2012 3:06pm

While I pretty much agree with “LOL” (on January 2, 2012 7:10pm) and the NHI, in general, for their slanted coverage against the selfish mayor—who can’t seem to step down even if for the good of the very city he had sworn to serve—I can’t help but chuckle and acknowledge that BRIANM is right! I mean, look at the third picture down! LMAO!

posted by: cedarhillresident on January 3, 2012 4:10pm

@ribbit are you referring to the “prince of darkness” part of BM’s comment? I had to compare, and why yes he sure does in that 3rd photo…I did a side by side.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b115/happypixie36/Untitled-4-3.jpg

posted by: Rosie Rhumer on January 3, 2012 11:11pm

OMG - Brian M. is totally right.

I’m so sick of people on here calling anyone who isn’t on their side a city employee or a union member.

I like reading some of the Independent’s news, but how can you say the political stories aren’t biased? They’re so anti-mayor!

Thanks for letting me know that the editor is writing the stories. I had no idea, but it explains alot. It’s like Fox. Take everything with a grain of salt.

The story about the nice letter from the mayor being a secret threat seemed like something a 10-year old would make up. And you all fell for it! LOL.

BTW I don’t work for the city. But I bet you fellas will pretend that I do!

posted by: LOL on January 4, 2012 7:56am

@Rosie—I have a bridge I’d like to sell you!

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