New Haven Independent

“Hate To Think How A Regular Person Is Treated”

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:27 GMT

Politicians and everyday taxpayers aren’t the only ones fuming at their alleged treatment by New Haven’s assessor this tax season. City Hall’s top economic development official also had some choice words.

In Rudy’s Move, A Faustian Face Emerges

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:02 GMT

As Rudy’s bar prepares to leave its home of 76 years this weekend, staff removed the wooden carvings on the walls for safe keeping—and revealed a mysterious image from the past.

Faster, More Frequent Trains On Tap

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:50 GMT

Travelers whose Springfield shuttle arrived late in New Haven around noon Wednesday have one consolation: the governor promises that a $480 million upgrade will soon give them faster trains, and twice as many options to choose from each day.

Sagging Seawall Threatens East Shore Homes

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:25 GMT

As the tides eat away at her seawall, Cathy Consolo is faced with thousands of dollars of repairs and a sinking home. She’s asking the state to make good on a 26-year-old promise to help.

There’s Always Round 3

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:09 GMT

Connecticut may have lost round one and two, but New Haven is not despairing in the race for federal education money—it’s looking ahead to the next competition.

Yale-New Haven Nurses Go Blue

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:45 GMT

After a hotly contested election, nurses at the city’s biggest hospital are showing up to work in a new uniform—though some aren’t happy with the color.

Is This Tomato “Sustainable”?

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:16 GMT

According to the label, this tomato traveled all the way from Canada to a New Haven “sustainable” farmers market.

It was for sale inside a box that read, “Native Hot House Tomatoes / 3 for $2.00 / Each for $0.75.”

Taxpayers Cram Hearing; Subpoenas Ordered

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:44 GMT

It was 1 a.m. The city’s tax assessor, Bill O’Brien, had just heard New Haven taxpayers and lawmakers decry him for six straight hours. “Misperceptions,” he said of the invective; stress because of a flagging economy.

Moments later, Alderman Michael Smart, who conducted the standing-room-only public hearing, offered a different take. “We can’t get any straight answers,” he said of O’Brien and City Hall. “Anything short of his resignation is unacceptable.” Smart also announced he will subpoena members of the city’s tax appeals board to testify at a future hearing.

Tax Outcry Leads To Mayoral Promises

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:20 GMT

New Haven’s tax office will visit more small businesses and putative not-for-profits before raising their tax assessments, and taxpayers who feel unfairly charged will have a more professional appeals board to go to, Mayor John DeStefano promised Monday afternoon.

Chief To Cops: Walk The Beat

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:00 GMT

New Haven’s new police chief placed two captains in charge of revitalizing community policing as part of a command shake-up, and, he said, a new direction.