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 gaso line 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 children?

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