Some quick thoughts on last nights election results

So the results are now in. Mayor John Destefano won the Democratic nomination in a tough 4 way race. He did not win a majority (over 50%) just a pluarity (around 43 - 44%). Even more significant was the sweep by the Unite Here affiliated trade unions Yale 34 & Yale 35 of all of the aldermanic races they ran. Not only did they sweep the won by large majorities - other then in Westville's Ward 25. I feel that this new board make up will push an agenda that focuses on keeping the status quo for municipal employees and if that means our taxes will go up so be it. I am still trying to process all of this. More soon. Perhaps we should make the Internationale the anthem for New Haven,

Mayor's Budget Presentation to the Public

The Mayor will be having a Community Budget Meeting on

Wednesday, April 1st at Edgewood School from 6:30 to 8pm.

This is a great opportunity to for the community to be involved in the discussion of the budget for the upcoming year. I plan on being there so I hope to see you!

The Mayor's Budget Roadshow

Hi All:

The Mayor is going on his anual budget roadshow. If you are intrested in the way your taxes will look this spring GO & ASK QUESTIONS! Moti

Budget Community Meeting

Please join the Mayor this Thursday, February 28th at 6pm at the Main Branch of the New Haven Free Public Library on Elm Street. This will be the first of four community meetings focusing on the budget. The presentation touches on our most recent local economic concerns such as taxes, city resources, services, shared responsibilities the State's role in our budget and more. We encourage you to attend and voice your questions and opinions about the fiscal topics that concern you most. If you can't make it to this Thursday's meeting, please join us at one of the following:

March 27 at 6pm, St. Aedan's Church Hall
April 9 at 6pm, Pilgrim Congregational Church Hall
April 24 at 6pm St. Bernadette Church Hall

Become a Lobbiest for New Haven & Yourself

Last night Mayor John DeStefano gave his annual State of the City Address. In it - he spoke about a number of important issues and outlined his priorities for the next few years. The top items that I took out of it were:

1. Public Safety
2. Property Taxes
3. Economic Development
4. Unified City
   

These are all important issues and over the next few days I will be posting about them.

Regarding the public safety issue - JD focused on the new cops that are coming online and the changes for the up tier of police management.

From the Chief to the new assistant chief and the 2 civilians that are due to come on as well. This means that 3 out of the 4 top police officials will be new within the year. I hope this is good and works out for the best.

A bright point was when the Street Outreach workers stood up and told us what they are up to. They do good work. I hope we can find the funding to keep them going (currently they are funded from grants and nothing from the PD general budget).

The fact is that we need to create a city where the average citizen is not afraid to walk down the street or be afraid that your home will be broken into. I know that we are not at the low point we were at in the early 1990s but we must always try to become better.

The Mayor also spoke about the reentry of criminals into our back yard (literally) from all around the State to the Whalley Ave Jail. JD says that we need to push our delegation and Jodi Rell to get some action.

To that point I can tell you that the WEB Management Team is working on this issue and I am personally involved with State Rep Toni Walker and working with her on the issue as well.

That is all for now I will post more later.

You can read the New Haven Independent coverage here and the New Haven Register's coverage here.

Yours,

Moti

Hearing Info about the Mayor's Requested Increase

Hi All:

I got a few requests for more information about the hearing on the Mayor's pay rate increase. Below please find the particulars:

Tuesday November 20th - 7pm
New Haven City Hall
165 Church Street
2nd Floor, Main Aldermainc Chamber
New Haven, CT 06510

There will be a sign up sheet for those that wish to speak on the issue. Please note there will be a time limit that the chair of the committee will set. I hope to see you there and please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Yours,

The Mayor's requested Pay Increase

Dear All:

I have been contacted by a number of folks commenting on the pay rate increase that the Mayor is looking for. You can read about it in the New Haven Independent, the New Haven Register, or the Yale Daily News.

As your elected official I would like to hear what you think about this. For or against or perhaps a partial raise

The Finance Committee of the BOA is having a hearing at 7pm November 20th. I understand that the WEB meets that night so I won’t be at the WEB, but if one can’t make a hearing you can always send a letter to be read into testimony.

You can post a signed comment here, call me at 772-1805 or email me at ward28@snet.net