With Slate Set, The Debate Begins

Did I read this right, that this is at the same time as the public hearing on the Charter?

[Note: The Charter hearing starts at 7. The debate is scheduled to end by then.]

Why are we dedicating an entire debate to only one of many issues facing this city? Does anyone expect a candidate to come out against social justice? Assuming no, isn't running the city properly so that it stays solvent a social justice issue?; because without solvency, there are no social assistance programs.

Robn, Nobody will "come out" against social justice: anyone in the race for Governor or Mayor can give lip service to measures that save children's lives.

But it's crystal clear that some of our elected officials actually do more about it than others.

Some of the candidates have been tirelessly working on local issues at a family-by-family level, or attempting to keep the city solvent, whereas others haven't been seen around town in years. The debate should focus on that.

The first questions are coming "from New Haveners with some of the most at stake in this fall's election." Really? I guess what's at stake for homeowners, private employer workers and entrepreneurs are really just window dressing. We don't have much at stake either. They haven't had their voices heard in the past? Hell's bells - 70% of the alders come from those neighborhoods. If their voices haven't been heard - look to the agencies listed, look to the alders who represent them.

This entire city has a lot at stake. It's insulting to say otherwise. But I guess as the human ATMs - we don't count.

Shouldn't any debate include the financial future of the City? Can't the home owners have a chance to hear what candidates think on the financial issues facing our City and determine who they think is the best possible candidate to protect their investment. Though home owners represent only 35% of the housing stock in New Haven, aren't they the best to decide which candidate has the best ideas to increase that percentage? Sure, debates on social issues are important, but if the candidate is only going to say how important and concerned they are on these issues but not offer any "really" way that the City can afford to fix these issues, then does it really matter what they say?

How come the black vote always finds a way to get conveniently splintered in this town?

I mean what on Earth are Harp and Holder-Winfield thinking? Does Carolina honestly think he has a realistic path to victory?

New Haven needs Instant Run-Off Voting in a big, big way. And what's going to happen when DeLauro retires? Someone gaining the nomination with less than 30% of the actual vote?

PS -- Someone should commission some regular polls to be taken this summer...

@factsifter
Clearly, what homeowners need/want/think is very important. but as you point out, homeowners are only 35% of the population--a minority, but an important minority.

New Haven is a successful smaller city by any measure, but is by far the most (only) successful city in Connecticut. To focus only on one demographic--homeowners--is to not take take in the big picture of the many variables that make New Haven unique, great and successful.

If you focus on only one thing-in this case, homeownership--you will missing the big picture and the numerous variables that are in place and make New Haven work. Again, I am not saying homeowners are not important as clearly they are, but they are not the "magic" that makes New Haven work. Numerous renters are deeply invested in this city and contribute immeasurably.

Homeowners and renters both pay property taxes. It's just that renters are less aware of it because their payment is broken up into 12 increments and they don't have to write that large painful check to the city.

Isn't it a clear conflict of interest that Henry is on the board of Junta which is one of only a four organizations who will be asking questions?

Tony Harp will miss the Tuesday debate, and will not be able to attend any debates during the week? Wow, you didn't even win the election yet, and you already are dropping the bomb. For those of the people who do not know you, how in the world do you expect them to learn about you.

I could be wrong, but I think voters will just forget about Harp and focus on the candidates who are at the debate.

[excuse any typos]

I am thinking this one I am skipping. I really want to here how they are going to address high taxes and spend, along with crime issues.

It is going to be a recorded video this time? Any of the organizer who are planing this mayoral debate has plans for that?
I just saying especially that seems like the main topic will be Social Justice. Remember a lot of people work after 5:00 and for many will be too late to get there. If some one dose it will be highly appreciated.

[Editor: CTV plans to record it and air the debate at a future date or dates.]

"Friday afternoon Harp said she has learned that she cannot attend the Tuesday debate because of a critical Democratic caucus meeting scheduled at the same time in Hartford. "

Sure, things come up and I suppose you can make a case that a state legislator ought to be doing the job she was elected to do, and not spending all of her time running for another one. Still, something tells me she won't be missing many campaign fundraisers.

Here's a tip for this and all future debate organizers: put out chairs and nameplates for each and every candidate in the race. Leave them out during the entire debate.

William Kurtz: Isn't your argument here more than a bit disingenuous, on the one hand acknowledging the Senator's responsibility to tend to duties of an office to which she is already elected, and on the other hand suggesting ways that she be punished for the same.

And please tell me that you are not making a case for comparing attendance at Senate meetings with attendance at fundraisers, one whose timing she may not control and the other which she may..

As I've read comments on this site in the past, searching for solid positions either supporting or opposing various issues, your comments have been some of the best reasoned and well written arguments posted here.

This, sir, is not your best work.

Maybe Sen Harp can't make it because of this.

http://www.ctmirror.org/story/19826/connecticuts-budget-deficit-and-why-you-should-be-worried-part-three

This little chestnut was a teeny-tiny posting on the NHI sidebar. Every New Havener should read it to understand whats been going on in the legislature.

Harp it seems will be running by remote control until June when the legislature stumbles out of its drunken stupor of spending in Hartford. She will be spending all her days and nights in Hartford to figure out what gimmicks, tricks and slights of hand she and Malloy/Sharkey/Looney et all can foist on the public to pretend they don't have a tax, spend and borrow problem.

Robn: Exactly right. People should read that article and see the mess we are in as a state. How Harp votes on that mess will tell you a lot about what kind of mayor she will be.

Anderson Scooper, isn't Mr. Elicker and Mr. Nemerson splitting the white vote? Or are Misters Elicker, Holder-Winfield, and Corolina splitting the reform vote, While Mr. Fernandez, Ms. Harp, and Mr. Nemerson are splitting the old guard/union/money as votes, vote? (At least Mr. Keitazulu is not splitting the protest vote.)


Good catch, ElmCityVoice, but isn't that par for Mr. Fernandez?


What is with the photo of Justin Elicker? He looks more like an Irish gangster than a community leader of Teutonic ancestry.

How is this legitimate that JUNTA, is asking questions when Fernandez's wife used to run it and henry is on the board? http://www.juntainc.org/index.php/en/aboutus are the questions they ask being provided to all the candidates or is Henry the only one who will know the questions beforehand? Hello Democracy fund...

[Editor: Absolutely nobody sees questions in advance. I'm moderating the debate, and I haven't even seen the questions.]

We all have seen a lot of the mayoral candidates but lately I have seen also Sergio Rodriguez who's running against City Clerk Ron Smith all over New Haven.Seems like Sergio is being consistent by trying to deliver a message what's going on there? Mr. Ron is planing to run or why he's so quiet?

Lets face it. The subject of the debate isn't really a subject; its a broad theme that a candidate without concrete plans for the city gets to shroud themselves in like a caped crusader. I thought that candidate was Sen Harp but given her abstention from the debate and Mr Fernandez's Junta connection, its obvious that this debate was for one purpose; Fernandez waving his social work credentials in Sen Harp's face.

Mr. Ross-Lee,

I concede that the fundraiser crack was a cheap shot and I regret it. Thanks for the otherwise complimentary remarks.

I do, however, stand by my suggestion about clearly noting the absence of any candidate from a debate. A certain amount of image management is <i>de rigueur</i> in politics but I think voters should be wary of candidates who are reluctant to appear at forums they don't control. That's not to say Senator Harp's absence from this event isn't justified. But candidates willing to forego public financing in favor of big contributions can afford a level of insulation that other candidates possibly can't.

Editors, regarding the concern about Junta's connection with Mr. Fernandez, I imagine most people are confident in your integrity, but this sentence:

"Staffers at the agencies preparing the questions came up with the grassroots approach to this debate."

If staffers at Junta are preparing questions, it seems the conflict of interest question is still in play.

Why isn't anyone polling the people who live here about what kind of debates they want?

Why isn't the Democratic Committee out on the corners of the Green with clipboards and surveys?

Why isn't Quinnipiac, which is right acros the street, getting involved in this? They are thechampion political pollsters, and this is happening right in their backyard.

The Great Debate....Disappointing Sen. Harp will not be attending as she is in my opinion very busy with state business.

This debate is set up for Henry to come out smelling like a rose. If he fails to impress in this format its going to tough for him to come back.

Excellent opportunity for Elicker and Holder-Winfield to impress, at least for me anyway because of Harp not going to be there and some other debates. Good luck to the other three candidates. I hope you can bring something interesting to the table to climb the ladder. You will need it.

Looking forward to reading the comments after the debate....Don't know about posting anything though!!!

@Curious,

Alder Doug Hausladen has a page up that you might find useful. The organizers of the Tri-Ward Debate at Davis St. School on May 19th will be looking here for possibilities, in addition to other sources. The topical focus will be economic development.

www.dougward7.com/suggestions

FWIW, I like having a nominal topic per debate. Hopefully we learn about a wide range of issues, as opposed to a bunch of long-term rebuttals on a small handful of questions.