|
|
|
Letters: Take Back the Block
|
Business New Haven
11/24/2003
By:
|
It has come to my attention that a small group of people with the ability persuade the powers that be in city government has pushed through a recommendation for an arts magnet high school in the middle of a growing and loving community. I find it truly unfortunate that at least 13 small businesses that have truly put their blood, sweat and tears into taking back a neighborhood from prostitutes, drug dealers and thugs are being forced out by a greedy machine looking to gain funding from state and federal agencies. [Editor's note: Business New Haven is one of the businesses on that block.]
I have been in business on Chapel Street, between Park and Howe, for more than 12 years. I have witnessed crime and aggression toward myself, and my employees, been broken into and told by my landlord to fend for myself as their deductible was probably higher than my claim.
Did I leave? No, and for good reason. I felt the need to plant roots, take back a space in my neighborhood and face the fight ahead and create a safe space in the city for my guests, friends and family.
Now, I'm not going to say that a co-operative arts magnet school is bad, however I feel that there are far more likely areas or properties to accommodate the proposed school. To disrupt a commercial block that took years to build up and displace two businesses that just invested their life savings to relocate here in the last few months seems entirely unjust.
I cannot express enough, the pride I feel looking out from my window and seeing neighbors, students, visitors parading up and down our block at 9 or 10 in the evening, enjoying our flowers, our decorations and most of all our spirit.
I now appeal to you, our citizens of New Haven, to pick up your phone and call your alderperson and support the school, but support the tax-paying business owners and entrepreneurs that put their families and lives on hold to take a stance to move crime out of our neighborhood and bring in smiling, happy faces.
- E. Leonard Yanavich
Rimagé Salon & Spa
New Haven
|
Go FirstGo PreviousGo
NextGo LastGo
to Index
|
|
