Famous question once posed to the nation: Can’t we all get along? Famous answer in New Haven, Connecticut: Yes, thanks to Community Mediation. The agency, which helps neighbors and groups in town settle disputes, just turned 25 years old. Here are some photos of the anniversary bash at Anthony’s Ocean View, from Philip B. Rosenthal. Plus a report from Gone Dishin’.
The only organization to advise talking, even when your mouth is full, is Community Mediation. Last Wednesday night, Community Mediation celebrated twenty five years at (where else?) Anthony’s. The full house honored the organization’s “pioneers” and received an education in the current state of mediation from speaker Michael K. Lewis
of the Center for Dispute Settlement in Washington, D.C. His presence was made possible through the collaborative programming between Quinnipiac and Yale Law Schools. Harold Koh, Dean of YLS, and the evening’s Master of Ceremonies charmed the assemblage. Board members Martha Murray, Kathleen Conway, Beverly Hodgson, Ron Netter, Jim Farnam. Lindy Lee Gold, Susan Landon, Clinton Robinson and Gail Thompson supported Executive Director Charlie Pillsbury; all were elated with the turnout and expressed gratitude to the sponsors.
Platinum sponsors AT&T and Yale University were joined by Gold sponsors: Casey Family Services; Community Foundation of Greater New Haven, Holt, Wexler & Farnam, Roz and Jerry Meyer, Svigals & Partners, Garry and Jane Trudeau, Tyler, Cooper&Alcorn, U.I. (where would commUnIty be without them?) and Yale New Haven Hospital (as though they had not learned enough lessons in mediation!) Silver sponsors Included: Carmody & Torrance, Fusco Management, Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Chimes & Richardson, Koskoff, Kosskoff&Bieder, Susan Meredith (arbitrator and CMI board member), New Alliance Bank, the New Haven Register, Newi Channel 8 & My TV9, and Susan Whetstone (a “pioneer” of CMI).
Bill Carbone and Patricia Wallace represented the “Pioneers” at the podium. They were visibly proud to have played their roles in an organization that has provided extraordinary services for a quarter of a century.
