THE GREAT DEBATES

The Great Debates

September 4, 2013 at 8:46pm

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Just returned from the last debate prior to the Democratic primary for Mayor of New Haven on Tuesday September 10, 2013. 

Only registered democrats can vote and as you know the several candidates for mayor even if they lose in September will be on the general election ballot in November as independents.

As I have stated several times, I am a fervent supporter of our next Mayor of New Haven Toni Harp.

This evenings debate was held at the Afro American Cultural Center at Yale, under the astounding and steadfast leadership of Rodney Cohen. It many ways it was fitting that this last debate before the primary was held at the crossroads of Town and Gown. 211 Park St is one of the few street locations where one can enter a Yale Building without access codes etc. Perhaps fittingly African Diaspora Yale students have broken through the invisible but psychologically  reinforced wall between town and gown like no other segment of the Yale Student body for several decades.

The next mayor of New Haven will of course not be only beholden to Yale but to all of us who live, work and breathe in the Elm City, whether we are voters or not. But let there be no mistake, we are a company town. It is not disparaging at all to say that but for Yale and it's derivative institutions ( ie there is a reason that we do not call Yale New Haven Hospital, Grace Memorial Hospital ) we might  be well like Bridgeport. ( yes i said it). 

But look at a map of New Haven and cross out the Yale properties, consider that the Whitney ave area is Yale nurtured.  Consider the two Starbucks on Chapel st. Drive up College St and then Prospect and look at both sides of the street. Well you get the idea.

My major point is that in some real ways the setting of this debate was so perfect. It raises constant ,immediate ,short term and long term challenges. Can this city thrive as separate enclaves or as one integrated and unified economic engine. 

The  University of Penn is really located in University City ( and not in the Philadelphia that is in the headlines for shootings and public school debacles). 

Harvard is in Cambridge and not in Dorchester or Roxbury. 

Cornell is in Ithaca wherever that is. 

Princeton is in Princeton Junction. 

 Columbia is in New York City and not Harlem ( although that is another story)

In New Haven literally  one inch separates Dixwell from Yale . Ten seconds of driving transports you from real estate that is mucho valuable to real estate that is not so valuable. 

We have heard the slogans "One City" , a "City of Neighborhoods First" etc and every piece of campaign literature I have received I have been fortunate in knowing the folks pictured in support of their respective candidate.

Please vote on September 10 and Vote in November. It may be challenging and stressful in thinking that your vote will make a difference but the level of interest in this campaign and the list of contributors to the various campaigns are good indicators that our collective future could be as stake.

To be a voter or not to be a voter is perhaps not a good question this time around. The answer is in our hands.

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