At a time when violent crime is in the news and a sense of despair grips neighborhoods, New Haven needs strong leadership and clarity.

We face crushing budget problems, a shortage of police officers, and an apathetic voter base, fearful of the future and disillusioned with "politics as usual" in the Elm City.

Despite this, the Mayor denied that Chief Limon quit. At a time when we need a proactive and strong representative, our Mayor attempted to bury the truth, claiming the the Chief was on an "indefinite leave of absence".

Ward 10 met at the Little Hooker school on Canner street to endorse
candidates for Alderman, City Clerk, and Mayor.

The meeting was held outside, partially because the night was so nice,
but also because the school had forgotten the confirmed meeting and no
one came to unlock the doors for our Committee.

Last night, the Chief of the Fire Department for the City of New Haven presented their decision to cut services in East Rock by eliminating our local fire engine and two fire fighters.

As part of the deal, the city will purchase a $60,000 ALS (Advanced Life Saving) unit: essentially, a truck with two paramedics, and house it in our station. It will go on up to 3500 calls per year, roughly 8 per day, serving New Haven county, and operating city-wide with a similar unit being housed elsewhere.

At the July 13th BZA meeting, Chairman Weber asserted her right to tell members of the BZA to "shut up" in front of the New Haven Independent reporter Thomas MacMillan. In response to this and her directly telling me to shut up, I contacted the Mayor's office, and attempted to file a grievance with the City ethics commission. My complaint was multi-part.
1. The Board does not keep minutes.
2. The Board does not use any protocol, such as Roberts Rules of Orders, unlike other city boards and commissions.
3. The Board does not have a full compliment of members.

Due to a recent increase in casual crime, I'd like to encourage neighbors to be out and about in East Rock again.

The number one key to safety is numbers. If people are walking, biking, and sitting on their porches, the entire neighborhood benefits from those additional eyes and ears.

While you're out, make sure to greet people in a friendly voice, and let them know what you're doing. Tell them you keep an eye out on the neighborhood, and if they see anything, they should check out this website: http://www.eastrockneighbors.com and report it.

Richard Lyons & I were recently elected to represent Ward 10 as the Co-Chairs of the Democratic Town Committee.

If you'd like to be involved or attend any of our meetings, please write me at my e-mail address with questions or comments.

This March, Dick Lyons & I will be running for Ward Co-Chairs in the tenth ward.

As ward co-chair, I will improve the transparency of the Ward Committee system by listing all members on a website, along with meeting dates, communications from city hall, & ward news.

Additionally, we will be responsible for endorsing local and state candidates who represent our ward.

I look forward to this chance to work with Justin Elicker, our Alderman, and endorse candidates who will make sure that Ward 10 is represented at a state level.