Where We Live: New Haven Mayoral Debate
Preview of the candidates and issues facing the city.
In 1994, John DeStefano took over as mayor of New Haven and has held the position ever since.
Tonight, with the primary just over a month away, DeStefano squares off in a debate with four Democratic opponents.
Even if the Mayor wins, which he’s expected to do, others may petition their way onto the ballot in November.
Today, Where We Live, a preview of this evening’s New Haven mayoral debate at the Metropolitan Business Academy.
It’s being put on by the New Haven Independent in partnership with WNPR and several other news organizations. We’ll talk with New Haven reporters about the candidates and issues facing the city.
Which issues do you think are the most important to the Elm City? What candidate are you supporting?
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new haven resident
I have never heard of this KEREKES guy has he even walked around the urban areas and talked to the residents?? Dawson did!
Taxes
Jordan, I couldn't agree more with your last statement, the state has to do something about regional taxes. The suburbs around New Haven benefit from our parks, our schools, our restaurants, our art institutions and jobs....what do we get from them? I have lived in a lot of places, I know that New Haven's issues aren't unique, but I also know that the mayor has done a whole lot more to make things livable....in fact so far my favorite place to live.
I agree with the above
I agree with the above comment. New Haven has 80,000 jobs, but only about 25,000 of those are taken by city residents. The rest are provided, by the city, to surrounding communities. This explains why taxes are high in the city. The city should barricade all its streets, and fire all city employees who do not live here, until the suburbs agree to create a level playing field for all.
Change is in the air
I have heard all the candidates and I am supporting Mr Kerekes. He was the only of the 4 challengers that I have seen active in fighting the city, prior to this election (correction lee also). He has overwhelming support from across the city and is the sole candidate that has a chance of beating the present mayor. His ideas on Taxes, crime, and education are some of the most impressive. Take a moment to talk to him. Call him he will even meet with you. I am going with the strongest candidate that can win. The talk in many community's is it is Kerekes.
Listener email from Jordan
I can't call in but wanted to say that, as a New Haven resident of the Westville neighborhood, and a registered Independent and supporter of Kerekes, things must change in our great city.
Taxes are out of control and threaten to degrade our nice neighborhoods. In the 6 years we have owned a home in Westville our taxes have increased from upper 4,000s to mid 7000s and continue to increase, yet the value of our homes decrease.
Westville is a wonderful community but when you pay a 42 Mill rate on your property and your automobiles it makes living in New Haven unaffordable and unappealing. my fear is that if taxes are not addressed the nice neighborhoods will see a flight of homeowners to the burns and our nice neighborhoods will start turning around.
The state has to address county based taxes. new haven is a great place to live but homeowners shouldn't bear the burden of providing a cultural hub for the neighboring communities. it is unfair.
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