Greens Endorse Paca

by Paul Bass | Sep 19, 2017 7:52 am

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Posted to: Politics, Campaign 2017

Marcus Paca is running Green — and Sarah Ganong is running double-clean, to the extent that she’s “running.” Those were the latest developments in the New Haven mayoral race. Yes, even though the Democratic primary is over, Mayor Toni Harp still faces two opponents whose names will appear on the general election ballot: Paca (running as an independent) and Working Families Party candidate Ganong. On Monday the New Haven Green Party announced that it is endorsing Paca, who lost to Harp 3-1 in last week’s Democratic primary. Green Chair Patricia Kane stated in a release that the party decided to endorse Paca because of his “vision for the city” and “his commitment to specific steps to improve the economy and quality of life for New Haven residents.” “• His confirmation of New Haven as a sanctuary city; ” • The restoration of an Ethics Committee, a reduction in police overtime, (currently $100,000 per week! ) and reduced cronyism in government; ” • Transparency in government, especially in the budget process and the schools; ” • A focus on job creation with the Green Market Challenge to award start up resources and tax incentives to entrepreneurs heading businesses that expand New Haven’s Green economy and could increase green collar jobs for residents. Focus areas would include clean power, renewable energy, weatherization, energy efficient retrofitting and solar installations; “• His “Hire One” Campaign to host a local job fair and ask local businesses to commit to hiring one New Haven resident; ” • The establishment of a School to Jobs Pipeline to partner with business to train New Haven residents for jobs of the future, along with the expansion of apprenticeship programs and the enhancement of technical school programs.” Paca stated after last week’s primary that he is “leaning” toward continuing his campaign this fall for the general election. Asked Monday if he has made a decision whether to pursue the campaign, he stated that he will “release my decision to the voters directly, very soon.” He issued a statement that he’s “thrilled” with the Green endorsement. He stated that it “speaks directly to my commitment to grow our green economy and partnerships with businesses, residents and students; provide more ethical transparent and inclusive government and maintain a focus on the neediest amongst us, namely our homeless.” According to the Registrar of Voters office, 63 active New Haven voters are registered as Greens. That compares to over 38,000 Democrats, 2,365 Republicans, and 14,557 unaffiliated voters. Clean & Clenaer Ganong, meanwhile, has filed an affidavit with the Democracy Fund, which administers New Haven’s public-financing system, that she plans to abide by the program’s rules for fundraising: She won’t accept individual contributions above $370, or any contributions at all from “business entities” or political-action committees. Mayoral candidates need to do that to qualify for grants from the Democracy Fund. Paca has already qualified for the Fund; Harp is not participating in the system. New Haven created the fund to enable more people to run for office, even if they lack special-interest backing or the fundraising advantages of an incumbent. In fact, Ganong said Monday, “I’m not going be accepting any campaign contributions whatsoever.” She does not plan to seek any grants from the Democracy Fund. She has her name on the ballot, she said, in the hopes of winning 1 percent of the vote — thus guaranteeing the Working Families Party a position on future municipal ballots so it can endorse progressive Democrats. Working Families already has ballot lines in Hartford, Bridgeport, Norwalk, Danbury, Windham, Meriden, Bethel, and New Britain. The party is organizing a New Haven chapter. Why did Ganong file the form for the Democracy Fund about abiding by fundraising rules if she’s not raising funds?

“I wanted to make sure we’re on record. Working Families is incredibly supportive of public financing for campaigns,” Ganong said. Ganong serves as state political director of the party. In that capacity, she sent out a statewide email Monday urging people to contact Gov. Dannel P. Malloy to call on him to veto the Republican version of the state budget that passed the legislature this weekend. (Malloy reaffirmed Monday that he plans to veto it.) Ganong described the Republican budget as “a direct assault on working-poor families across Connecticut. “It corrupts our democracy, raises taxes on those who can least afford it, bankrupts Hartford jeopardizing the health of our state, decimates education, guts public services, undermines collective bargaining rights, and sets us up for future deficits in years to come,” she said. In a conversation Monday she spoke with alarm about the defunding in that budget of the statewide public-financing system. She said if that defunding comes to pass, it would return Connecticut, which has one of the strongest clean-money systems in the nation, back into the “dark money” ages. New Haven mayoral candidates who accept Democracy Fund money are expected to participate in a candidates’ debate. Ganong “will be invited to a debate, but is under no enforceable obligation to participate unless she requests funds,” noted Democracy Fund Administrator Alyson Heimer. Asked if she’ll participate in a mayoral campaign debate this fall, Ganong Monday replied that she’ll “make the decision if and when the invitation comes before us.”

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posted by: Patricia Kane on September 18, 2017 6:22pm When I obtained the voter list last Spring, the count was 98 registered Greens. Many defected to support Bernie (as did I) and some remained as Dems to vote in the primary.

The Working Families Party do great advocacy, but their mission has always been to pressure the Democratic Party and not to seriously try to build a party, although a few people have gained office recently.

There are a number of progressive groups spawned by Bernie’s campaign and they are showing success. Our Revolution candidates in Stamford and Norwalk have elected 5 new people to office and the Hamden Progressives are also producing results. IndependentVoting.org also should be included for its advocacy (and some success) in promoting open primaries and ranked choice voting

The Green Party was in the forefront on all the issues decades ago, but historically itwas better at protesting than at putting people into office. The “new” Green Party, from the new State Board to new local chapters, (Waterford, Wallingford, Shoreline) is seriously seeking great candidates with progressive ideas to elect.

Based on the vision Marcus Paca has presented, we are delighted to support his candidacy and to encourage other progressives, regardless of party label, to support him as well.

Change will only come from replacing the old approaches with new ideas and new energy.

posted by: GroveStreet on September 18, 2017 7:06pm Jesus this is ridiculous. Old “no grease” was thoroughly rebuked by the city and now he wants to spend even more in his grievance tour. Please go away and take your Paca-Rats with you.

posted by: THREEFIFTHS on September 18, 2017 7:15pm She has her name on the ballot, she said, in the hopes of winning 1 percent of the vote — thus guaranteeing the Working Families Party a position on future municipal ballots so it can endorse progressive Democrats. Why is the Working Family Party endorsing any Democrat? Shouldn’t the WFP run its own candidates? What kind of political party endorses candidates from other parties?

posted by: Thomas Alfred Paine on September 18, 2017 9:16pm It is quite peculiar that some Harp supporters see Marcus Paca’s challenge of Mayor Harp as some sort of unpatriotic, un-democratic, un-American, unnecessary act. They should stop demonizing this man. This is a democracy and everyone eligible has the right to run for mayor without being denigrated and insulted and ridiculed.

There is nothing “ridiculous” about Marcus Paca’s campaign. There is nothing ridiculous about electoral choices in a democracy. There is nothing ridiculous about support for him in this city.

If you don’t agree with Paca’s positions, if you oppose his policies. if you don’t like how he looks or the way he walks and talks or combs his hair, don’t vote for him! No need for attacks and no need to call his supporters “Paca-Rats”! No need for child-like, immature rants! Such conduct is sophomoric, juvenile and rather Trumpish, and makes one look like a first-class fool.

Marcus Paca is a life-long citizen-resident of New Haven who simply shares a different vision for the city than Toni Harp. His campaign is no grievance tour. Harp and her campaign supporters should stop spreading the false assumption that Paca is running for revenge. He had the mayor’s office on his mind long before Toni Harp ever ran for mayor. He has his own vision of a better New Haven.

The vote in the primary was not a “rebuke” of this citizen, it simply represents a difference of opinion of many residents who thought Harp should be re-elected. In the time between the present and the November election, many who could not vote before will vote, and many who voted for Harp may reconsider their vote once they see and hear Paca again, or maybe for the first time.

posted by: GroveStreet on September 18, 2017 11:11pm Fewer than 2,000 votes out of 40,000 eligible. One in twenty. That happened because of his immaturity and inexperience. And his small band of followers have used bullying tactics both online and in person. So, you can have him. He has no vision. He is just a guy who generally loses elections and gets fired. Don’t expect to see him in elected office in New Haven.

posted by: Samuel T. Ross-Lee on September 18, 2017 11:16pm “...and take your Paca-Rats with you.”” REALLY? Mr./Mrs. GroveStreet? Do you really believe that it is necessary to denigrate people who simply wish to participate in the democratic process in a legal and just manner? I’m sure that you can strongly support your candidate without name calling the opposing candidate and his/her volunteers/supporters. Or, maybe you can’t muster the maturity to do so. Rev. Mr. Samuel T. Ross-Lee

posted by: Bill Saunders on September 19, 2017 2:36am You know Grove Street, I reached out to Marcus today to see how he was doing in the wake of last Tuesday’s ‘defeat’—we hadn’t talked since then… “Pretty Good”, he said, “Thanks. I am out in the East Shore knocking on doors….” Say what you want, but Marcus Paca is out there exercising his political franchise and he deserves a ton of respect for that… The fact that he is out there less than a week after a supposed ‘crushing defeat’ is a testimony to his vision, his determination, and his pluck. As I have said before, you get your one vote….

(but my guess is that you are not even a New Haven Resident).

posted by: BetweenTwoRocks It is well within Paca’s right to run as an Independent or a Green or a Working Party member or whatever else he wants to be. It’s his Constitutional right. It doesn’t mean it isn’t a waste of time and money. There’s little reason to believe he can beat Harp after the margin of loss. It would be more understandable if the margin were closer. If people want to spend their hard-earned money on people’s pie-in-the-sky ambitions, that’s their business, not mine. I just think it’s likely to be another ugly campaign which only makes everybody look worse for not no realistic outcomes.

posted by: HewNaven on September 19, 2017 11:36am Wow. The green party has been decaying for a long time and this is the nail-in-the-coffin for me. OTOH, I’ve been following WFP for a while now and I like what I’ve been seeing. I’m definitely voting for Ganong!

posted by: U.need.more.people on September 19, 2017 1:21pm I’m over Paca at this point. He should let it go, and use his energy to try to get a job he is actually qualified for.

posted by: Patricia Kane on September 19, 2017 1:57pm @HewNaven: I guess you skipped the part of my reply on 9/18 that mentioned 3 new chapters being formed. A WFP vote is a vote for the established Dems.

posted by: HewNaven on September 19, 2017 2:59pm Patricia Kane, Good luck with your efforts. I personally think we have a better chance of reforming the state Democratic Party than to fight it from outside. Vote out the fake progressives and vote in real ones. It seems like that is what WFP is trying to do.

posted by: HhE on September 19, 2017 4:04pm That someone would coin “Paca-Rats,” and that the NHI would allow it, says a lot with what is wrong with American politics.

posted by: robn on September 20, 2017 7:00am Last time I heard, MP and his wife had a pending lawsuit against the city and he had suggested he would drop it if elected.

To me that’s extortion and fits right into a pattern of behavior he’s exhibited in the past.

Voters should continue NOT taking this candidate seriously until he and his wife drop the lawsuit.

posted by: Dwightstreeter on September 20, 2017 10:35am @ Robn: For the record, the Harp family has had more than 7 lawsuits against the City over the course of her political career, all while she was serving as an elected representative for the City. None of the suits was dropped, but worked their way through the legal system.

And what did happen to the tax case in which thousands of dollars were owed when Harp was elected Mayor the first time?

The Paca suit alleges that Harp violated key public policies and retaliatws against them for exposing criminal wrongdoing. They claim their terminations were wrongful. This is pretty significant stuff!

There is nothing wrong in filing suit if you believe you have a viable claim. That the suit hasn’t been dismissed speaks for itself.

This administration never admits it’s wrong, so I don’t expect to see the Mayor settle this case. As usual, the people of New Haven will pay if the facts are not on her side.

Paca’s offer to withdraw his action if he’s elected is just common sense.

Also, It’s overkill to throw around words like “extortion” just because you don’t like a person or a claim. Extortion is “obtaining something, especially money, through force or threats.” And that’s a crime in itself.

In civil cases it can generate a cause of action for vexatious litigation.

The Establishment never likes to be challenged, but Harp is playing with City money.

The contrast between her words urging “civility” and actions in which she plays hardball are increasingly apparent.

posted by: robn on September 20, 2017 11:30am DS, Unless I’m wrong, Paca specifically said he would drop his lawsuit if elected mayor. That’s different than a family member of a sitting state rep filing lawsuits against the city (what happened with the Harps). To me what Paca is doing is simply extortion. Instead of showing affection for his home town and dropping a lawsuit to prove his character BEFORE the election, he’s saying elect me and then AFTER I’ll drop the suit. Sounds like extortion to me. I’d prefer he just take his ball and go home.

posted by: Dwightstreeter on September 20, 2017 12:13pm @Robn: Yes, that is what he said.

If elected Mayor, he might have a conflict of interest in suing the City, were he Chief Executive.

Regardless, “extortion” is just overkill.

I am more persuaded on your often excellent responses to things when they are fact based.

posted by: robn on September 20, 2017 1:29pm DS, I don’t know of an instance in which Mr.Paca spoke about “conflict of interest” but if what you’re saying is true, that’s almost as bad as the “extortion” interpretation. Calling off the lawsuit because of conflict of interest is like saying, “I really wanted to sue but couldn’t because of a technicality.” What I do know is from this source… http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/mayoral_debate_live_blog1/ Paragraph 8, sentence 2…(a reporter reporting…not a direct quote) :

“Paca, for his part, welcomed the line of questioning. He said he had been unjustly fired, but he promised to drop the suit against the city if he is elected.” 7:53 pm portion of debate…(direct quote) :

In one of the biggest tidbits of news from the night, Paca said he would withdraw his lawsuit if he won. “Once I’m Mayor of New Haven, my lawsuit will be dropped, but I have to protect myself against a wrongful termination,” he said. Pretty clearly to me that he’s looking for something that could be interpreted lightly as a quid pro quo (Elect me mayor and I won’t sue) or not so lightly as a threat (Elect me mayor or I’ll sue.)

posted by: Dwightstreeter on September 20, 2017 1:50pm @Robn: Paca has a right to sue for wrongful termination of his employment. And he has a right to withdraw the suit should he be elected mayor.

You call that a “quid pro qro”, again over-stating the issue. He’s not dealing with Harp or any individual when he makes this statement. How can there be a “deal”, which is what a quid quo pro implies, when the outcome is determined by the voters?

I think it’s time to give this a rest.

There’s no “extortion” or “quid pro quo” except in your mind. Hyperbole rules!