Open Letter to the New Haven City Council: (Guest Editorial by Lynne Isenbarger)
First and foremost, I would like to publicly thank Council Members Harold West, Mickey Hill and Terry Werling for your steadfast support and understanding the immediate needs of the renovation of Jury Park and Pool for the future growth of this community.
The life of a public pool is not more than 20 maybe 25 years, the fact that our pool is still open after 40 years is a testament to our amazing staff... but Jury can't be bandaged anymore.
You all have heard the facts over and over again, the Park department has completed every request that the Council has asked of us, conceivable the most thorough presentation that the Council has witnessed. Clearly the results from the survey show wide community support, and the fact that Vince Buchanan from the Chamber - who
represents business interests, as do you - is in support of the bond is enormous. It is regrettable that the economy is the way it is right now, and that property taxes are still a mystery. Yet, I don't believe that one person from any of your districts will lose their home, or for that matter have a hardship supporting a $3.00 a month tax increase ($35.00 annually divided by 12, amount will change with home value) even over a 20 year period. But I can guarantee you that the economic decline, quality of life and loss of social interaction will be devastating to this community if Jury pool no longer exists, which will last forever. And forever is a really long time...
This decision that you will make is historic, with your vote you will solidify your place in New Haven history. It will either be the City Council member that saved Jury Park & Pool or the City Council member that destroyed it. No other way to look at it...
For those of you that are not making your City Council term a political career (and I believe none of you are... ) your time on Council will be over in a few years but please consider that your decision will last a lifetime.
I implore you to vote yes, the few people that you are hearing from to vote no ... will never equal the historic devastation that this community will be hit with if and when Jury pool is bulldozed. I greatly appreciate the time you have given me.
A decision that will determine your legacy,
Lynne Isenbarger
Tonight, will be an important night for the city of New Haven. We will be hearing again from the public about the Jury Pool project. I hope the room is again filled to capacity.
One of the persons opposed to the project implied that he is part of the "silent majority" opposed to council's alleged "tax and spend" policies. I believe the silent majority may be those who want to see New Haven move forward with the project.
Over the years, each summer, I have watched numbers of children and young people walking past my home in their bathing suits with a towel over their shoulder. It has been a part of what I believe makes my neighborhood what it is - family friendly and a great place to live.
If the pool is closed, I believe it will have a profound impact not just on the neighborhood but on the entire community. These days, the cost to each taxpayer is less than the price of a tank of gas in most cases. With no end in sight to the gasoline situation, more and more people will be staying close to home and will want to enjoy the parks and recreational facilities New Haven offers.
Without Jury pool, what will these young people do? Sit at home in front of the computer or the TV? Or worse, be out throwing rocks through windows of abandoned stores and homes? Or, getting into other sorts of mischief?
This decision is one that may determine our future direction as a city. Are we to be a city defined by borders, stores, and houses? Or, are we to be a community? A community that works together for the betterment of all.
I am not a pool person. I am however, willing to pay my share of the taxes to give the young people in New Haven as well as my children and grandchildren a safe and convenient place to enjoy their summers.
Some have said that if we close Jury Pool, we will still have two pools in New Haven. Some of these same folks are concerned about increased traffic and parking problems in the area. What will the problems be at the remaining pools when they all go there?
I have heard from a "silent majority" that wants Jury Pool to stay and/or improve. I hope that they are all out in force tonight. I have encouraged them to be there for this meeting and all council meeting to make themselves heard.
If we are not willing to invest in our community to improve the quality of life, how can we ask others to do so? If you are asked to show prospective business owners the highlights of New Haven, what will you show them? Will they be impressed by how much money we saved by closing pools and cutting back on recreational activities at our parks?
Or, would you rather show them our neighborhood pools that are well maintained and full of the noise of happy, playing chidren?
I hope we hear from you tonight and at all future council meetings where these important issues are on the table.
Harold E. West
New Haven City Council
District 2
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