The Dogs of Wooster Square Debut

January 11, 2009 at 2:04 am · Filed under New Haven, Wooster Square ·Tagged , , ,

andy-pic-with-signature4

The 1st Annual HWSA Furry Friends Calendar is Unleashed

If you think herding cats is hard, try corralling 54 frisky canine models during a photo shoot for the “Dogs of Wooster Square” calendar. They convened last summer – in all breeds, shapes, and sizes – to audition in Wooster Square for photographer Paul Duda of Duda Photography Studio of New Haven. Their goal was to be included in the first annual calendar produced by the Historic Wooster Square Association (HWSA).

The canine calendar project is spearheaded by HWSA Board member and four-year New Haven resident Bonnie Rosenberg – with help from Rosemarie Conforti and Peter Webster, who serve on the HWSA board as fellow Wooster Square neighbors. Their goal is to help raise awareness of HWSA (an organization best known for its annual Cherry Blossom Festival held each spring in Wooster Square Park during the peak blooming season) and to involve other area residents in ongoing preservation efforts.

“The idea of having a dog calendar,” explains Rosenberg, was to further anchor ourselves to the community while having fun and raising money for this worthy cause.” She selected a fundraiser concept that is, indeed, near and dear to residents of this historic district – where many devoted owners trail along behind their furry masters and friends on daily excursions. As Rosenberg notes, “Wooster Square is dog haven.”

Thinking about producing a high quality, full-color calendar was the easy part. But executing it took months of planning and searching for the right team of vendors willing to contribute their time and talent – either at a discount or for free. Nearly half a year later, says Rosenberg. “I never could have imagined how much detail goes into a project like this. But we were blessed with first rate, totally committed professional support.”

The calendars will be sold in various locations through out the city including City Seed Farmer’s Market in Wooster Square, Fuel coffee shop, Book Trader Café, and Village Gifts in Westville. Calendars may also be purchased from the HWSA Web site. The cost is $15 and all proceeds will be used to further the preservation efforts of the Historic Wooster Square Association.

The members and Board of Directors of the Historic Wooster Square Association offer a huge thank you to all of contributing vendors and sponsors. Those who made this year’s calendar possible include Paul Duda Studio, Bethany Morgio Academy, Printwear, and GHP Printers

The year’s HWSA monthly sponsors are:

January:
New Haven Central Hospital for Veterinary Medicine
New Haven, CT

February:
VCA Foxon Animal Hospital
East Haven

March:
Hot Diggity Dog Grooming Parlor
Hamden

April:
Beauty in the Beast
Cheshire
Professional Dog and Cat Grooming

May:
Wooster Square Pet Service
Dog Walking & Cat Sitting
Jody Abalan, New Haven
203-752-9589

June:
Sweetie Pie’ “Best Buddy Biscuits”
By Sweet Pie Catering
Hamden
July:
Calm Pets Happy Pets
April Richards

August:
Wash and Wag Pet Grooming
New Haven

September:
Academy Printwear
Hamden

October:
Walter C. Bansley IV
New Haven

November:
Cassidy’s Pampered Paws Pet Boutique
New Haven

December:
Iovanne Funeral Home
Wooster Square
New Haven

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Is New Haven Insolvent ?

January 11, 2009 at 1:49 am · Filed under Income opportunities ·Tagged , , , , , ,

Andy Ross

Andy Ross


: New Haven Insolvent?

It’s legal. It’s even an accepted accounting practice. But is it wise? New Haven is taking on more and more debt, but that debt is not obvious. It may not be on the balance sheet, but it is there, and New Haven residents should be aware of it.

A city has assets and it has liabilities. Liabilities include debt service for bonds as well as other liabilities. However, there are liabilities that are not reflected on an audited balance sheet, and it’s all perfectly legal. In New Haven’s case, there is 14 percent more debt than what is reflected on the balance sheet, but that’s just for more obvious liabilities that do not have to be part of the balance sheet.

The net assets of New Haven, as last reported in June 2007, were $548 million. This sounds good until further digging shows that the parking authority is in debt for approximately $51 million, and there is another $22 million owed to various places. The borrowing for the new transfer station will add another $10.5 million of off-balance-sheet debt to the city. This additional amount, approximately $83 million, if subtracted from the city’s net assets, appears to leave the city still in the black. But, wait. There are other liabilities: the city owes more than $500 million in unfunded city employees’ retirement funds, and the city has no plan or clear method of maintaining that obligation.

You can easily do the math. If we had to pay up today we would be in a negative equity position or otherwise technically insolvent. You might argue that part of the monies borrowed for the new transfer station will go back to the city to plug a hole in the operating budget, but any way you look at it, it is still debt and it is our responsibility to pay for it. When I realized this, I started to read deeper into the other types of contingent debts and obligations that New Haven has to see whether it adds up to potential insolvency.

Since the Governmental Accounting Standards Bureau (GASB), the organization that controls how municipalities report their finances, has some rule changes planned for June 2008, I posed a series of questions to the New Haven controller’s office to ask what the effect of these new rules will be on our status. I am awaiting their response.

I am committed to openness and responsibility in city government. In my personal life I want to know exactly what my assets and liabilities are, and I expect no less from my city government.

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Bill Rossi; A Pearl of Wisdom

January 10, 2009 at 2:36 pm · Filed under Income opportunities

Bill Rossi

Bill Rossi

Andy RossBill Rossi: A Pearl of Wisdom

By Andy Ross

Bill Rossi celebrated his 96th birthday at the American Legion’s annual Christmas dinner at Brazi’s Restaurant on December 7th – which was fitting since it was also the 67th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The lifelong New Haven resident and decorated WWII veteran – who as a young Navy Seabee helped construct the runway for the Enola Gay in the South Pacific – is one of the few remaining veterans of that war.

Upon being discharged from the Navy in 1946, Rossi noticed that there was no place for returning veterans to come together and share their experiences and stories. So he started an organization in New Haven. The selfless endeavor led to his being summoned before the notorious House Committee on Un-American Activities, where a panel of eight Washington appointees interrogated him and questioned his motives.

“In those days it was all about communism,” recalls Rossi. “Everyone had communism on their minds, and they wanted to make sure that I was not a communist ringleader. I told them that my love for this country is as pure as can be. I expressed ‘country first’ to them because it was true.”

Rossi is especially honored to be an American when the USA lends a hand to protect smaller countries that are getting bullied around.

“When we put our foot down and say ‘enough is enough’ – especially regarding human rights – I am the most proud,” he says.

And like any true lover of his nation, Rossi has sometimes been disappointed. “I am most disappointed when I hear people do nothing but criticize, and I am also let down when I see the government go easy on the big guys and hard as hell on the small guy.”

He is also dismayed by a conspicuous lack of honesty and integrity in the business world. “I remember when honesty was what our economy was based on, but I am sorry to say that I think since after WWII our economy has been all about greed and lust for money. I am not saying we did not like money and want a lot of it back then. I just think that we have become ruthless in the way we achieve it. I would like to see more honesty.”

When asked for general advice or wisdom for fellow Americans living in today’s challenging economic times, Rossi says “You must remain positive at all times. Think positive and do not be negative about anything. If you feel negative about something try to understand the other guy’s point of view – no matter what it is.”

His sage advice to youngsters – which he frequently shares by speaking at various schools in the area – is to use their thinking caps. “I tell young people to think,” he explains, “because if you learn to think things through for yourself and form your own opinions and believe them, then this will be a better world.

Rossi takes his own advice and continues to think and learn. “I read as many newspapers a day as I can get my hands on. I don’t say I am smarter than any one else, but I want to know what is going on.”

He believes that young people need to learn about what is around them, even if it seems foreign to them at first.

“Reach out to someone across the globe and befriend them. Because someday you may bump into them or you may be visiting a faraway place and you will have someone you know about. And if someone tries to tell you to hate them you will have an advantage and be able to reason better. Hate is a killer. Don’t buy into it so quickly. Never be afraid to reach out and shake someone’s hand. I don’t care who it is. Remember you are on this earth by the same mysterious powers as the other guy. We are all equal.”

Regarding the Iraq war, Rossi believes that “Since we are already committed and into it up to our necks we should support out troops. That is the most important thing is to support them. I was against the Vietnam War but when those troops came home I treated them the same way any veteran should be treated. Like gold. I am a countryman. I like carrying, saluting and pledge allegiance to the flag and if they called on me today do you know what I would say? W.A.R. that means Willing, Able and Ready!”

When asked if he has any words for the incoming U.S. president, Rossi adds “Mr. President, you have just gotten the dirtiest and most difficult job in the world. We elected you now please use us. Ask us what we think. Involve us in your job and please get out there and reach out to as many people around the world as you can.”

An ageless and time-honored unique person, Rossi has dedicated his life to his family and his country. After serving for seven years in the National Guard and two additional years in the United States Army, Rossi became a building Inspector for the City Of New Haven – where 35 years ago he retired to Wooster Square.

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Tent City for Homeless Shelter

January 10, 2009 at 2:50 am · Filed under New Haven ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Eliza Schafler and Beth Reisfeld of Yale University

Eliza Schafler and Beth Reisfeld of Yale University

homless-shelter-picyaleInnovative Tent City Campaign Helps Extend Urgent Shelter to those in Need

By Andy Ross

The Grand News of New Haven Connecticut

The New Haven community and a couple of dedicated Yale students recently combined forces for a powerfully effective and charitable outcome during what they dubbed “Tent City Night.” By raising money they ensured that the doors to the critically important overflow shelter on Cedar Street would continue to remain open through spring 2009 to serve the needs of a large number of New Haven residents who are homeless despite a budget cuts threatening its existence.

First, Yale seniors Eliza Schafler of Larchmont, New York and her classmate Beth Reisfeld of Dix Hills, New York launched their efforts by devising an innovative way to fundraise. The indefatigable duo enlisted fellow students to sacrifice their campus dining cards for a day and donate the meal money to the shelter. Enough Yale students joined in that they were able to raise nearly $14,000. Other significant funds came a little a time, as dollars were raised in piecemeal fashion over a period of a month and a half through a variety of fundraisers conducted by Shelter Now and its partners and collaborating organizations. Additionally the pair set out to raise Yale administrator’s awareness, scope and purpose of the fundraiser. Their success in doing so yielded a generous contribution by the University contribution of $10,000.

Then the Tent City Night event happened on November 20th, as individual students, campus fraternity and sorority organizations, businesses and other concerned volunteers sponsored 24 small tents that were erected on the green in downtown New Haven. The “city” – which included a main stage for live entertainment provided by local musicians – lasted from six p.m. until midnight. Despite frigid temperatures that fell into the teens, more than 200 people gathered for the event to show their support. The Red Cross served the huddled crowd hot beverages as devoted participants braved the weather and collectively contributed more than $30,000 to help the shelter – exceeding the fundraising goal set by the event organizers.

One of the evenings’s more emotionally moving moments came when two shelter clients – Bob Hannaan and Berhanetensay Woube – took center stage to share with the crowd stories of some of their personal challenges regarding living in temporary spaces. They expressed deep gratitude to the City of New Haven for giving them an opportunity to get back on their feet and regain their normally functioning lives. The two emphasized how vital it is that efforts by the city allow shelters to continue operating and serving clients for as long it takes to help them secure permanent housing solutions. . “I am so pleased with the turn out and the level of support we have received from the community” says Kica Matos Chief Administrator of New Haven Community Services (CSA). It is her city department responsible for organizing the event. Mato’s 108 person city department is responsible for Public Health, Substance abuse and Elderly Services for the City of New Haven.

“The city’s current struggle with finances has led to a $300,000 cut in funds for CSA programs. When asked how she planned on filling the gap Matos replied “It is because of community minded people that are sensitive to social services like Eliza and Beth that will help us bridge the gap”.

“The recently held Tent City on the Green event was an incredible success in completing the fundraising project to keep the overflow homeless shelter open,” said Fred Morrison, who is the Project Manager of a city task force known as The New Haven Plan to End Homelessness. “The over 125 homeless persons who live outdoors will again have a safe and warm place in which to sleep during the winter.”

Mayor John DeStefano created the task force in 2006, with the ambitious goal of eliminating homelessness in New Haven by the year 2016. To help get there Morrison’s group has been acquiring affordable housing units throughout the city. To date 161 units are occupied by those who were previously homeless, and another 300 units are in the process of being made available.

The successful Tent City event was important to assure uninterrupted service to the city’s troubling homeless population at a time of year when those without shelter are at great risk. New Haven’s sometimes brutal winter months typically bring an increase in cold related deaths and injuries, and those who go unsheltered are at the mercy of the elements. Many hospitals report that emergency waiting rooms become a de facto overflow shelter during crunch time when cold weather grips the city.

According to Dr. Sharon Chekijian, Attending Physician in Emergency Medicine at the Yale New Haven Hospital, “A halt to operations at the overflow shelter would have made work at the ER very difficult in more ways than one.” She explains that hospitals rely heavily on the overflow shelter in winter months to minimize the dangers of the cold and get the homeless of New Haven into appropriate housing. “Although the waiting room in not meant to serve as a shelter,” Dr. Chekijian explains, “the staff understands the danger of forcing the homeless out onto the street in freezing weather. But the extra people often add to the chaos of an already overcrowded emergency room that is pushed to the brink”.

Another important figure in New Haven’s homeless support system is Alison Cunningham, the Executive Director of Columbus House a men’s shelter located on Grand avenue. “Our clients depend on us to have enough beds, food and other resources regardless of the time of year or what the economy is doing,” Cunningham says. “What I’ve realized over the past month, as fundraising efforts for the Overflow Shelter have taken place across the City, is just how deep compassion runs in our community all I can say is thank you.”

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Term Limits in New Haven

January 10, 2009 at 2:41 am · Filed under New Haven, Uncategorized ·Tagged , , ,

Term Limits for New Haven
By Andy Ross
andy@andyrossgroup.com

When we hear the words “term limits,” our first thought might be that the words have something to do with insurance. Term limits, however, refers to limiting the number of years (or terms) that a person can serve in one elected office. I don’t think that the relationship is too far-fetched: In a way, term limits for politicians are a type of insurance—they insure against complacency, and they ensure that we will benefit from the type of elected officials that our Founding Fathers wanted us to have.

Rather than develop a separate professional political class, who may eventually become removed from the wishes and needs of the general population, I suggest strongly that we begin at the local level to consider setting term limits for elected offices in the city of New Haven. We can’t start too soon.

Politics has become a career for some; term limits would not only prevent career politicians, but would also promote citizen leaders. We need people with fresh ideas who can energize our government structure on many levels. A 1995 study by Doug Bandow for the Cato Institute suggested that term limits actually increase voter choice by making elections more competitive and encouraging more candidates to run for office. As well, cities that have implemented term limits have discovered that more candidates—and more diverse candidates—are running for office.

People can argue that the longer a politician is in office, the better he or she knows his constituency and the more effective he or she can be, but I disagree. Politicians who have served for many years can become dangerous. They can build up too many cronies and allies, and they can be tempted too easily to show favoritism, or worse, to look the other way about corruption. The longer a person is in office, the more power he or she has and the less people are willing to challenge or question. after my brief interest in becoming Mayor, I traveled throughout the New Haven community ( on foot) to learn more directly from the residents what was on their minds, I realized that many people were afraid to speak out about the things that bothered them for fear of retribution.

Politics is hard work and it is noble work, but politicians should not become so entrenched in one position that they gain too much power. We have often heard the expression: power corrupts. We should not let a politician stay in the same office too long. An effective politician can easily move on to other offices, where he or she can build on the expertise gained in previous offices.

By limiting terms in office, elected officials will have time to do their jobs well without having to think about running another campaign. Having a limited amount of time in which to achieve their goals will force them to make those goals a reality, as they can concentrate fully on the matters at hand. An elected official’s primary concern should not be his or her pension, or his or her record for serving in an office for the longest period of time.

I believe strongly that New Haven’s Board of Aldermen should consider setting term limits for elected city officials. I think that three terms of three years (for a total of nine years) for Mayor and two terms of three years (for a total of six years) for Aldermen would be the first step in getting New Haven going in the right direction. I can’t be sure whether or not I will run for mayor again, but if I do it will be because I believe that what it takes to run a city is a person who is open to suggestions and criticism, a person with vision and a sense of fairness, and a person who has an entrepreneurial spirit to keep the city growing. Term limits will keep us on the right track.

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The Sub-Prime Blame Game

January 10, 2009 at 2:25 am · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Blame Game
By Andy Ross
612 Chapel Street
New Haven, CT 06511
andy@andyrossgroup.com

I suppose it’s only human nature to look for someone to blame when things don’t go our way, and we have a tendency to take the credit for anything that turns out to be a great success. When housing values were experiencing double-digit percentage increases, we all congratulated ourselves on what a smart investment we had made in our homes. Right now, with the current sub-prime mortgage crisis worsening each day, all we really want to know is who’s really to blame for our current economic situation?

Some people might argue that Wall Street Investors are to blame. They are the ones who provided the mortgage industry with loads of available money. This encouraged mortgage originators to place as many mortgages as they could. As the Wall Street Investors demanded a higher rate of return on their capital, the loan originators responded by accepting lower standards from their mortgage applicants in exchange for charging them higher interest rates on their mortgages.

Other people will tell you that the investment bankers are to blame. After all, they are the ones who bundled these mortgages into instruments with names like: structured investment vehicles and mortgage backed securities. The investment bankers then made these investments available to the everyday common investor as well as the most sophisticated and savvy investors.

Can we blame the loan originators, even if they followed all of the legal procedures required by law? Originators prepared disclosures with signed acknowledgments from the loan applicants acknowledging that they understood the terms of their mortgage.

What about the blame that should be shouldered by the attorney’s who have a fiduciary responsibility to their clients? In Connecticut, as in many states, real estate closings require the services of an attorney. In most cases, the attorney only ensured that the letter of the law was followed. Shouldn’t the attorney also be obligated to make certain that no client signs a contract that he or she does not fully understand?

We could place the blame on the new interest rate changes for the adjustable rate mortgages (ARM’s), but the majority of them have not actually reset yet. They are due to reset within the next two years.

I think that everyone would agree that predators could be at least partially to blame for the total problem. They disguise themselves as representatives of any industry. Predators are the unfortunate byproduct of all businesses in which there is money to be made by illegal practices.

Last, but not least, one of the most overlooked contributing factors weighing on strapped homeowners has been the escalation in the cost of living. The costs associated with owning a home have skyrocketed. Insurance rates have tripled, taxes have increased by 50% to 100% in some areas, and energy costs have doubled. In the past 5 years. This could very well be blamed for our plight, or at very least a major contributor.

Considering all of the above, I’m afraid the simple truth is that we, the consumers of mortgages, should accept most of the blame for the situation that we find ourselves in. We are responsible for the financial decisions that we’ve made.

Hybrid mortgages offer opportunities that have allowed many people with, unusual circumstances, to thrive by obtaining unconventional mortgages. They thrive because the mortgage, that they’ve selected, fits their specific situation. “No money down,” ARM loans were not created to put people into houses that they couldn’t afford; they were created for people who believed that their situation would change within a specified period of time, enabling them to meet the larger payments when their mortgage rate adjusted.

The truth is that you are the only person who can determine what your needs are and what you can truly afford to pay for a home. If you have chosen to finance your home with a hybrid mortgage that doesn’t fit your situation, you have chosen to use your family home as a short-term investment. You have entered the high-risk game of speculation.

. Using your family’s home as a short-term investment is like playing the stock market on margin; your losses can easily exceed your investment. You are actually leveraging your down payment and good credit on speculation that the value of your home will increase. You could realize some cash by refinancing, but borrowed money is not profit. It must be paid back and if there is a drop in property values you will be in negative equity territory. If you sell at the right time you could get lucky and be in a position to pay off your debt, but you must be prepared to face the possibility of loosing your family’s home. It’s completely your choice.

In any case, the old saying is true; each of us is the master of our destiny. Blaming others for our own bad decisions will only result in lessons unlearned. I believe that the sooner that we acknowledge and accept responsibility for what we have done, the sooner we can move on to rebuild the housing industry on a solid foundation.

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Saving Joe the Plumber

January 9, 2009 at 9:57 pm · Filed under New Haven, Uncategorized, Wooster Square ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

 Saving Joe the Plumber – and America – from “Joe the Debtor”

By Andy Ross

While Joe the Plumber emerged during the election campaign as an icon representing both mainstream American values and the travails of the average Joe, the post election focus is beginning to shift to Joe the Debtor. The average Joe, despite a good job, home ownership, and a decent credit rating, is living so far beyond his financial means that he is drowning in debt. The unprecedented borrowing binge has been facilitated by credit cards, car loans, home equity lines of credit, and a host of other debt products extended primarily based on his all-important credit score and frequently without further scrutiny. What we are faced with is a virtual house of cards made up of credit extended to those who cannot truly afford it. Now that our debts are being called in the house has come crashing down around us.



While robbing from Peter to pay Paul, the fact of the matter is that Joe is basically just borrowing from himself and at a high cost. A prime example of this in recent years was the practice of buying a home with little or no money down and using the instant equity that built up due to a run-a-way real estate market to finance a lifestyle. A mortgage with little or no down payment is where Joe began his foray into the American Dream. Once true equity was built up, he then siphoned it off through home equity loans and cash-out refinancing.



The additive effect of a decrease in current home values has pushed down any remaining available cash that has not already been siphoned off. Now many are being pushed into foreclosure leaving no where else to borrow to pay bill and the mortgage it’s self. Estimates are that twenty percent of Americans now owe more than their homes are worth.



Debt, when managed properly, can be a good thing but Joe the Debtor caught in the spiral and culture of habitual debt, is currently caught in cycle of debt mismanagement that includes gaming the system in order to maintain the perfect credit that enables him to perpetuate the manipulation and obfuscate the depths of his truly precarious position . Joe the Debtor has a false sense of his actual net worth mainly because he is flush with “make believe” cash. When he uses credit, he is actually using debt, but most Americans don’t make that important connection.



They just see their ability to borrow as buying power, mistaking debt for wealth. They treat their credit advances as income and view them as perks bestowed by lenders to reward them for maintaining a good credit score. Just because consumers are not financially qualified to borrow and repay their obligations does not mean they are not educated about the credit process. In fact it is the opposite; they are savvy when it comes to enhancing their credit scores.



Most active borrowers continuously monitor and tweak their credit profile in order to deliberately and successfully beat lenders at their own game. They continue to meet minimum monthly obligations, even if that means borrowing themselves deeper into a hole in order to keep their precious credit score intact
Information on how to bolster a score is readily and freely published by the three major credit reporting bureaus, and there are numerous credit repair web sites that help Joe navigate his way to more credit. Joe can tweak his profile to earn a stellar credit number while sitting atop a mountain of debt with no verifiable income or savings.
Because lenders rely too heavily on FICO scores they systematically cut corners in terms of underwriting.



This has now cutting into their profits and has caused many of them to suffer insurmountable financial losses.
For a small business owner to obtain the dollars consumers do is, by contrast, difficult, if not impossible. Lenders hold commercial borrowers to a much higher standard, yet individual consumers can amass extraordinary debt just by filling out half-page applications. In fact many small businesses have figured out how to use credit card debt as alternative financing. In fact, Joe the Debtor can extend his consumer borrowing even further and use it in place of harder to get commercial loans.



The solution is for lenders to take charge in a proactive way, by using confidential criteria that cannot be artificially manipulated by borrowers. Lenders should use due diligent research to positively verify income and assets and reign in reckless debt. Until they take those steps the overall economy of good debt and responsible consumers will be plagued by higher interest rates, shrinking supplies of loan capital, and an environment where Joe the Debtor destroys the housing market, the job market, the stock market, and his chances for financial prosperity.

By Andy Ross
New Haven CT
Real Estate and Credit Counselor
New Haven CT
Andy@andyrossgroup.com
203-641-4666

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Hello world!

January 9, 2009 at 9:45 pm · Filed under Uncategorized

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!

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