Wesleyan President Roth Eulogizes Kennedy

In an opinion piece published in the Huffington Post today, Wesleyan President Michael Roth praises the life and work of the recently departed Massachussetts Senator Ted Kennedy.

"It is difficult to think of another elected official since WWII who supported programs to help the most vulnerable members of our society with the energy and intelligence consistently displayed by Senator Edward Kennedy. His vision of justice was tied to a commitment to mitigate the cruel effects of economic inequality and entrenched power without unduly compromising economic growth and individual freedom," Roth writes.

Kennedy was scheduled to be commencement speaker for the 2008 graduation at Wesleyan but had to bow out due to his illness. In his place, then presidential candidate Barack Obama stood in for the ailing Kennedy.

A Thought Provoking Conversation

After giving all of us at the Wadsworth Mansion Middletown Conversation  this evening a quick lesson on the history of the inaugural speech, Elvin Lim said our new president "did not give a speech that will be written on monuments." The Wesleyan University government professor and speaker for the evening thought President Obama consciously chose prose over poetry, giving up eloquence and feel good moments to be critical of the last administration and to set the stage for change. Professor Lim said that Barak Obama showed in his speech today his great ambition, his extreme confidence and his agenda to truly change the relationship between the people and their government.

This third “Party with Purpose” and fundraiser for the Middlesex Community Foundation was a thought provoking evening with delightful wines provided by our local Connecticut vineyard, Chamard, as well as a very fine selection of finger foods. Many at this event were going off to other conversations later tonight and I’m sure Professor Lim provided much for them think about and to inject into the next discussions.  I know my husband and I noted that our Wes U pundit was much better than the ones they often put on TV.   

Inaugural Conversations All Over Town

Just a reminder, on this historic day, that Middletown is one of only a few communities in Connecticut where planned Community Coversations will be held around a viewing of the inaugural address by Barack Obama. In fact, Middletown has more of these conversations planned than any other town in Connecticut. Be a part of a town wide conversation.

These events will take place at around noon, and 6 p.m. (each site lists a precise time). Here's where you can meet your neighbors to talk. At each of these conversations, a host/facilitator will keep the conversation moving, and be sure to record the thought of those gathered to talk.

For more information visit the Middletown Community Conversations site.

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
St. Pius Church,
310 Westfield Street
1:30 pm
Members welcome

American Association of University Women
Wesleyan Wasch Center,
51 Lawn Avenue
7:00 pm
Members and students

Dunkin Donuts @ South Main
South Main Street
7 pm
The public

Eddy Shelter
The Connection Offices
955 South Main St.
11:30
Staff and clients

First Church & Jonah Center
190 Church Street
6 pm
Open to the public

Green Street
51 Green Street
noon
The public

Healing Racism Coalition
Firehouse Steakhouse
412 Main St.
11:30am
The public

Heritage Commons
38 Boston Rd
noon & 8pm
HC residents, their families and interested seniors

Middlesex Community College
Chapman Hall,
100 Training Hill Rd
noon & 6pm
The public

Middlesex County Community Foundation
Wadsworth Mansion
5pm speaker &
discussion
(this is a fund raiser - admission is $20)

Middletown City Hall
Dekoven Dr.
Council Chamber
noon & 6pm
The public

Middletown Public Schools
various
Students and staff

Parents Seeking Educational Excellence
Woodrow Wilson Middle School
370 Hunting Hill Avenue
7-8:30

PLTI and PTA
parents and friends.
All are welcome!
RSVP 638-1462

Public Restaurant
337 Main Street
7 – 10 pm
Jazz & discussions.
Donations to benefit the food pantry.

Russell Library
Hubbard Room
123 Broad Street
Noon & 6pm
Open to the public

Senior Affairs Senior Center,
150 Williams St.
Noon
Seniors

Village at South Farms
645 Saybrook Rd
Residents

Wesleyan
Usdan Center
Wyllys Avenue
10 am
The public

Having a Ball at Home

Trevor Davis, who organized the jazz inaugural party at The Public specifically advises that it is not a "ball," and that people do not have to dress formally, though they may, and that casual dress is welcome.

Obamapalooza (1)

If you believe the news, there are 2 million people heading to DC for the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States.

I know of at least four.

Here they are at the New Haven train station, getting ready to board Amtrak -- with homework in tow. After all: Taking mass transit is the new patriotism.*

*that's what Mayor Hickenlooper of Denver says here.

Middletown Community Conversations Locations

(Photo: Arthur Meyers)

On January 20, 2009, neighbors, community organizations and residents will join in conversation about the possibility of significant changes in our community, and in our country. Middletown Community Conversations invites you to join your neighbors at one of the following conversation locations so that residents can speak and listen to each other as we ask questions and find answers.

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
St. Pius Church,
310 Westfield Street
1:30 pm
Members welcome

American Association of University Women
Wesleyan Wasch Center,
51 Lawn Avenue
7:00 pm
Members and students

Dunkin Donuts @ South Main
South Main Street
7 pm
The public

Eddy Shelter
The Connection Offices
955 South Main St.
11:30
Staff and clients

First Church & Jonah Center
190 Church Street
6 pm
Open to the public

Green Street
51 Green Street
noon
The public

Healing Racism Coalition
Firehouse Steakhouse
412 Main St.
11:30am
The public

Heritage Commons
38 Boston Rd
noon & 8pm
HC residents, their families and interested seniors

Middlesex Community College
Chapman Hall,
100 Training Hill Rd
noon & 6pm
The public

Middlesex County Community Foundation
Wadsworth Mansion
5pm speaker &
discussion
(this is a fund raiser - admission is $20)

Middletown City Hall
Dekoven Dr.
Council Chamber
noon & 6pm
The public

Middletown Public Schools
various
Students and staff

Parents Seeking Educational Excellence
Woodrow Wilson Middle School
370 Hunting Hill Avenue
7-8:30

PLTI and PTA
parents and friends.
All are welcome!
RSVP 638-1462

Public Restaurant
337 Main Street
7 – 10 pm
Jazz & discussions.
Donations to benefit the food pantry.

Russell Library
Hubbard Room
123 Broad Street
Noon & 6pm
Open to the public

Senior Affairs Senior Center,
150 Williams St.
Noon
Seniors

Village at South Farms
645 Saybrook Rd
Residents

Wesleyan
Usdan Center
Wyllys Avenue
10 am
The public













 The following groups were involved in planning Middletown Community Conversations, and while they will not conduct separate conversations, they encourage their members to be involved in conversations at other locations.

Altrusa

American
 Legion

Arts
 Community
 Groups

Aware

Boy
 Scouts 
of
 America

Buddhist
 Community

Chamber
 of
 Commerce

Coalition
 for
 Affordable
 Housing

CT
 Coalition to
 End
 Homelessness

CT
 Housing 
Coalition

CT
 Partnership
 for
 Strong 
Communities

Cross 
Street
 A.M.E. 
Zion
 Church

Girl 
Scouts
 of
 America

Hindu
 Community

Latino
 Policy
 Institute

League
 of
 Women
 Voters

Lions
 Club

Mercy
 Housing

Middlesex
 Coalition
 for 
Children

Middlesex
 County 
Branch
‐
NAACP

Middlesex
 County
 Ten 
Year
 Plan
 to
 End 
Homelessness

Middletown 
Clergy 
Association

Middletown
 Ministerial
 Alliance

Middletown
 Public
 Housing

Multicultural
 Committee

Nehemiah
 Housing


Parent
 Leader
 Training
 Institute

Partnership
 for 
Strong 
Communities

People
 with
 Disabilities

Rotary

St.
 Luke’s


St.
 Vincent
 DePaul

Village District
Westfield
 Residents
 Association


Community Coversations Planning Continues

On Saturday morning a group of 25 planners, hosts and facilitators met on Saturday morning to continue planning for a series of conversations around the city on the day Barack Obama is sworn in as president.

These conversations are designed to get community members to engage in conversations about ways in which Middletown can become a better place to live.

The Community Coversations will be hosted by a number of Middletown organizations, and locations throughout the city. Currently there are at least 14 locations. Some, like the discussions at the Russell Library will be open to the public, while others will consist of members of specific groups like Rotary.

A complete schedule of events will be published in the Eye the weekend before the inauguration, and a dedicated website is being created to provide information about the Community Conversations.

Planning continues for Community Conversations

Planners met Saturday morning at Russell Library to firm up plans for a community-wide conversation about change using the inauguration of Barack Obama as catalyst for these discussion.

The Eye printed the original announcement here.

More than twenty groups are planning conversations at noon, following a viewing of the inaugual address by Obama, and again at 6 pm. A listing of locations for public and group conversations will be available after a meeting of meeting hosts next Saturday morning at Russell Library.

The goal of these events is to stimulate community conversation on topic of importance, to stimulate public involvement in change, and to create plans and strategy for achieving change.

Shovel-ready projects

As you know, when Barack Obama hits the White House, he plans to initiate a massive public works project which will reinvigorate the economy.

He's already put out the word that he's looking for "shovel-ready" projects.

According to at least one editorial in the Hartford Courant, by Ned Lamont, the state is ill-prepared to accept money for these kinds of projects. While another two editorials suggest that creating alternative transportation solutions is something that would help the state.

Certainly, we shouldn't pour good money after bad into an expansion of an interstate highway system which forms the backbone of a transportation system which is antiquated and wasteful. What's more, at least in this state, it seems likely that such a move would only enrich contractors in a system which seems rigged to perpetuate the livelihood of asphalt-spreaders and roadway contractors who are intimately connected to the state bureaucracy.

In Middletown, there's already a proposal on the table to build a trolley line down Main Street. It fits perfectly the standards which Obama has proposed for an infrastructure project which will have future benefits, help the economy, and free us from the constraints of an fossil-fuel economy.

There have to be other ideas like this that Middletown can address readily. What projects should the mayor, and the Common Council work to make "shovel-ready" immediately. If ever there was a cause for which our political and community leaders should work toward with great haste, this is it.

We'll publish all reasonable suggestions for infrastructure, green, progressive projects Middletown should tackle. Leave your comments.

Michael Roth on an honorary degree holder being elected President

If you are a Wesleyan neighbor, you may have heard the commotion after it was announced that Barack Obama was elected President. The students gathered outside of USDAN and sang and danced, and staged an impromptu fireworks display.

Wesleyan President Michael Roth shares his thoughts on the effect of the President-elect in a Huffington Post essay.

H/T Wesleying.

Sidewalk sermon by David Schulz

Editorial by artist, David Schulz.

My paint cans are almost empty. Elect Obama.

Roth a Huffpost regular

It appears that we can count on Wesleyan president Michael Roth to make regular appearances on the Huffington Post. His new column is entitled In Praise of Poise.

H/T Wesleying.

Hitting the road to register voters

(Avivah Malin prepares to register voters with her dad, Yonaton)

Supporters of Barack Obama gathered Saturday to walk the neighborhoods of Middletown registering voters for the fall election.

Alex Lopez, director of the campaign for Matt Lesser, candidate for state representative, addressed the volunteers and indicated that more than 50 volunteers had signed up for the effort.


(Obama campaigner, Pia Pyles instructs volunteers)

While Middletown residents like Yonaton Malin, and his daughter Avivah, and Jonathan Vinci were anxious to help the voter drive, the registration drive also drew volunteers from New Haven, West Hartford, Tolland and Wethersfield among other Connecticut towns.

Vinci, who recently moved back to town from Nevada, said that this election was crucial, and that he had already worked on voter registration efforts in Las Vegas. He's worked on campaing efforts since a Middletown High School History teacher, Mr. Bransfield, convinced him of the importance of political involvement.

Avivah is an Obama supporter who said, "It's important to get as many people to vote as possible." He's already worked on registration efforts in New Hampshire.

Phoebe Boyer, from New Haven, volunteered because she considers Barack Obama, "the best candidate I've seen in my adult life."

Matt Lesser hopes the registration of new voters will encourage Middletown voters to consider voting for a new candidate, who is addressing the issues.

"My Republican opponent just released a mailing to all registered voters, and it avoids the issues, and concentrates on personality," he said. "I'm hoping a door to door effort, in which we discuss the issues will counter the name-calling."

Democratic state candidate sponsors voter registration drive

On Saturday, September 13th, the Barack Obama Campaign and Matt Lesser for State Representative Campaign will be joining together for a voter registration drive in Middletown. Both campaigns will be meeting at 12p.m. at 955 S. Main St., Middletown. From there, over 25 volunteers will be heading out into neighborhoods with lower voter registration rates in order to register new voters for the upcoming elections.

Alex Lopez, Campaign Manager for State Representative Candidate Matt Lesser said that all volunteers are welcome, and that volunteers are not limited by age.

"In fact," Lopez emphasized, "There will be high school and college students who aren't eligible to vote, who will be working their tails off to register new voters."

All completed voter registration cards will be delivered to Middletown's registrar of voters on Monday.


What: Voter Registration Drive
Who: The Barack Obama and Matt Lesser Campaigns
When: Saturday, September 13th
What time: 12p.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: Matt Lesser for State Representative Headquarters. 955 S. Main St., Middletown, CT

An historic evening

I've never before considered getting together with friends and neighbors to watch the acceptance speech of a Presidential candidate. I'm sure such things have happened before, with political junkies and party insiders, but I think the kind of event I attended last night was happening all over the country (I know for a fact that Middletown's Democratic Town Committee hosted an event at Wesleyan's USDAN center for students - an event, which many say, would not have occured when Doug Bennett was president).

I was fortunate enough to be invited to Bob and Maria Holzberg's house in Middletown, along with a group of like-minded supporters of Barack Obama. I found myself, along with the people in the room, applauding the TV screen after the speeches.

We had regular phone reports from Jen Alexander, who was in Mile High Stadium in Denver (though she was actually outside Mile High Stadium for three hours with ten thousand people in line, waiting to get into the packed arena, and eventually got in before Obama spoke), and her phone calls were giddy with the excitement of being in the mayor's suite (Denver mayor John Hickenlooper, formerly a Wesleyan student and Middletown resident), with her family, witnessing the historic event.

For his part, Obama gave the speech of a lifetime, shedding the dreadful history of the past eight years, and looking toward the future.

I left the Holzberg's with an Obama bumper sticker which I immediately placed over the Impeach sticker which has been on the car for three years.