The Hour
Sunday, April 9. 2006
Mann prepares to lead NEON
By MEGHAN BARR
Hour Staff Writer
"I didn't have any particular aspirations to be a politician," said Mann, the newly appointed
executive director of NEON, the city's anti-poverty agency. "I've always wanted to help my
neighbors, and that led me to politics."
Mann will bid farewell to his political career when his current term expires in November to
assume the top position at NEON. The new leadership role is one that Mann has coveted
since he first began working on behalf of NEON 10 years ago.
"I believe that I could have a more direct impact on my community from this position," said
Mann, a native of Norwalk. "That's really what I've aspired to. I'm just grateful that I made it."
Mann believes that his years of experience with Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now will
provide a seamless transition into the executive director post. He previously served as the
agency's interim executive director, deputy director of operations and director of
technology and development. NEON's board of directors voted to appoint Mann as the new
executive director during a meeting Wednesday night.
"I grew up in this community, so I know what it needs," Mann said. "I know it needs
committed people to be its advocates."
Though Mann declined to name any specific plans for his upcoming tenure, he is
determined to reverse what he described as the public's negative perception of NEON.
The organization's positive effect on the community is often lost amid negative accounts
reported in the press, he said, citing the recent termination of NEON's Head Start program,
which the agency appealed and was subsequently reinstated.
"A lot of people think of NEON, and they remember all of the negative stories," Mann said.
"The press probably had 30 stories about the termination process but only one about the
fact that we won the appeal."
Mann hopes to clear up some common misconceptions about NEON, whose mission is to
eradicate poverty by helping the poor become self-sufficient. NEON is not a social service
organization, it's a community action agency, Mann pointed out.
"We try to train people and prepare them to go out into the work force and be able to earn
a good living," he said.
With Mann at the helm, NEON will also reach out to Norwalk's business and educational
communities for support. The agency faces rising costs and remains underfunded by the
government, Mann said.
"We deal with all of the poor, not just NEON clients," he said. "They're not just our people,
they're the city's people. So everyone has to be involved in doing what we can to eradicate
poverty."
Mann's political colleagues, including State Sen. Bob Duff, D-25, are sad to see him step
down from the legislature.
"I am going to miss Joe terribly in the legislature because we've always had a great working
relationship," Duff said. "But the legislature's loss is NEON's gain. I believe Joe will really
help NEON get to the next level and meet its goals head-on."
For Mann, the career change merely signifies a shift in title. His motivation to get out of
bed each morning remains unchanged.
"I will continue to be an advocate for the same people I've been an advocate for in the
legislature," he said. "It's not that different from before."
Sunday, April 9. 2006
Mann prepares to lead NEON
By MEGHAN BARR
Hour Staff Writer
"I didn't have any particular aspirations to be a politician," said Mann, the newly appointed
executive director of NEON, the city's anti-poverty agency. "I've always wanted to help my
neighbors, and that led me to politics."
Mann will bid farewell to his political career when his current term expires in November to
assume the top position at NEON. The new leadership role is one that Mann has coveted
since he first began working on behalf of NEON 10 years ago.
"I believe that I could have a more direct impact on my community from this position," said
Mann, a native of Norwalk. "That's really what I've aspired to. I'm just grateful that I made it."
Mann believes that his years of experience with Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now will
provide a seamless transition into the executive director post. He previously served as the
agency's interim executive director, deputy director of operations and director of
technology and development. NEON's board of directors voted to appoint Mann as the new
executive director during a meeting Wednesday night.
"I grew up in this community, so I know what it needs," Mann said. "I know it needs
committed people to be its advocates."
Though Mann declined to name any specific plans for his upcoming tenure, he is
determined to reverse what he described as the public's negative perception of NEON.
The organization's positive effect on the community is often lost amid negative accounts
reported in the press, he said, citing the recent termination of NEON's Head Start program,
which the agency appealed and was subsequently reinstated.
"A lot of people think of NEON, and they remember all of the negative stories," Mann said.
"The press probably had 30 stories about the termination process but only one about the
fact that we won the appeal."
Mann hopes to clear up some common misconceptions about NEON, whose mission is to
eradicate poverty by helping the poor become self-sufficient. NEON is not a social service
organization, it's a community action agency, Mann pointed out.
"We try to train people and prepare them to go out into the work force and be able to earn
a good living," he said.
With Mann at the helm, NEON will also reach out to Norwalk's business and educational
communities for support. The agency faces rising costs and remains underfunded by the
government, Mann said.
"We deal with all of the poor, not just NEON clients," he said. "They're not just our people,
they're the city's people. So everyone has to be involved in doing what we can to eradicate
poverty."
Mann's political colleagues, including State Sen. Bob Duff, D-25, are sad to see him step
down from the legislature.
"I am going to miss Joe terribly in the legislature because we've always had a great working
relationship," Duff said. "But the legislature's loss is NEON's gain. I believe Joe will really
help NEON get to the next level and meet its goals head-on."
For Mann, the career change merely signifies a shift in title. His motivation to get out of
bed each morning remains unchanged.
"I will continue to be an advocate for the same people I've been an advocate for in the
legislature," he said. "It's not that different from before."
NORWALK — Rep. Joseph Mann has never
considered himself much of a politician. His extensive
political record as a state legislator speaks for itself,
but Mann claims that politics was simply a means of
achieving his lifelong mission: To serve as an
advocate for the downtrodden, poverty-stricken
citizens of Norwalk.
considered himself much of a politician. His extensive
political record as a state legislator speaks for itself,
but Mann claims that politics was simply a means of
achieving his lifelong mission: To serve as an
advocate for the downtrodden, poverty-stricken
citizens of Norwalk.
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