Holder-Winfield Forming Exploratory Committee - by Paul Bass

[N'Zinga Shani]

By Paul Bass | Nov 11, 2012 11:37 am - Posted to: City Hall, Campaign 2013, School Reform

 “We encourage you to read this NHI article in its entirety and --if you can afford the time-- read the linked articles mentioned in the story.  There is much good information in all the linked articles for us to think about.  As you will see from some of the comments, it is always easier and more expeditious to cast aspersions.  As a society and a community, we derive no meaningful benefits from always highlighting the negative (especially as perceived by others whose motives we may not know).  So much more can be achieved by asking what we can do to benefit our children, our community and the larger society than spending so much time spewing vitriolic diatribe. 

 “John DeStefano was slow in getting to the table on real education reform; the fact is he is now at the table and things have changed.  Let’s not ignore the fact that there were many others who were a part of the system who did not do their part on behalf of children either.  For a variety of self-serving and, or, political reasons many of us often take the path of least resistance rather than doing what is right.  Not many people have the courage and forbearance to suffer in the service of others.  It is particularly difficult to do so when those we are trying to help are in the camps of the oppressors, or when they lack the wherewithal to recognize the benefits of the actions of those waging the struggle. So much more could be achieved if we could collectively decide what is for the Greater Good.  Even more challenging is the ability to look beyond personal vendettas and historic political grudges.

 “While we the adults-- and those with the time and energy to tear down our struggling edifices-- cast stones at each other, the children and those who are most vulnerable in our society, and who need our joint efforts most continue to be deprived and very little is achieved.  Each one of us has something positive to contribute if only we pause to ask ourselves what  we can do?  New Haven is indeed a gem whose brilliance is just below the surface. Remarkable things can be accomplished if only we seek to work positively and collectively for the Greater Good.”

N'Zinga Shäni, OneWorld Progressive Institute, Inc

 Gary Holder-Winfield—who beat the City Hall machine to win a seat in the state legislature—plans to decide by the end of January whether to take on that diminished machine again by running for mayor.

If he does, the upcoming mayoral campaign will feature a debate on how the grassroots figure into school reform.

Holder-Winfield (pictured at the Capitol) said in an interview Sunday that he plans to create a formal exploratory committee within the next month to consider a 2013 run for mayor. Then, after consulting with lots of people, he plans to make a decision whether to run by the end of January.

“I’m seriously considering it,” said Holder-Winfield, who is 38 and represents Newhallville (where he lives), parts of East Rock, and Hamden in the state General Assembly. He chairs the legislature’s Black and Puerto Rican Caucus.

http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/holder-...