Gripevine

Dear Gripe Vine Readers:

I have received complaints concerning this illegal dumping and have sent them out to the affected councilmen. No results: I thought I would like you to read the following  notes and look at these photos.

Dear  Eleanore Turkington:

This is what Stevens Ave near the VA looks like quite frequently. Unfortunately it is private property without any lighting or fence to deter It from happening.

I would like to thank the public works crew that cleaned all that trash, furniture, multiple sets of tires up on Saturday Nov 30th! They did a great job! So thanks!  

Stevens Avenue Resident

My thanks to the Public Works Department and a special note to the dumpers who leave their trash here- Please keep this neighborhood clean!

Ed. Note: Eleanore Turkington was under the weather last week, and sent this over as her column. We hope she feels better by the time this hits the streets.

Dear Eleanore Turkington:

I saw your question in the Nov. 28 edition of the West Haven Voice asking who runs the Apple Festival and whether it would be possible to relocate it to the Grove. I am the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the First Congregational Church of West Haven (FCCWH), and I am also on the Apple Festival Committee.

The Apple Festival is supported by generous donors and volunteers spread across many organizations throughout the city of West Haven and Greater New Haven County, but it is organized and operated by a group of dedicated volunteers from the FCCWH.

To answer your reader’s specific question about relocation, it would not be possible (to hold the Apple Festival at the Grove). The majority of the food is prepared on premises in the church’s commercial kitchen. The food prepared outside is done using the church’s health permit. The Grove does not have the facilities necessary for us to prepare all the food and operate the food service station. This is important as the FCCWH food service station generates a sizable portion of the proceeds from the festival. Those proceeds are not only allocated to the various missions of FCCWH, but thousands of dollars each year is given right back to community organizations such as the WHHS Band, Community House, Cub and Boy Scouts, and many others.

While the committee works from February through September to plan each festival, the actual setup and breakdown takes 3-4 weeks, which would not be possible if it were not hosted on the green and on the church’s property.

I hope this answers your reader’s questions. If I can ever be of assistance regarding the Apple Festival or anything else to do with the First Congregational Church, please feel free to reach out to me at any time.

Christopher E. Vargo, Jr.

Dear Eleanore Turkington:

On Beach Street, there’s a vacant lot. It’s on a little hill with cement steps and iron handrails leading up to it. Would you know who lived there? I walk past this area frequently and I am curious the actual name of the street it’s located on. The property is located on the corner.

RF Main Street Resident

Editor’s response: It was once the site of a large building that became the original Our Lady of Victory Church until the present edifice was constructed in the 1950s. The steps are remnants of that era.

You can send your gripes, questions, suggestions and comments to gripevine4wh@aol.com or write to Gripe Vine c/o of The West Haven Voice, 480 Boston Post Road, Box 4. Please include your name, address and phone number. Your information is kept in strict confidence with me only. You can also submit through our online form.

Dear Gripe Vine Readers:

Quite often my readers ask, “You quote comments from West Haven’s Councilmen and Councilwomen. What I would like to know is just what do they do for our community?”

A good question, readers. In my experience, I would say in West Haven, councilmen and councilwomen are slow to respond to this column. West Haven residents are taxpayers and they deserve to have their concerns addressed.

Over the years among West Haven Councilmen and Councilwomen representatives some are difficult to reach and comment and today I would like to define their duties for you. There are several that make the effort to assist with Gripe Vine readers concerns but, in many instances, it takes numerous tries to obtain responses. We all have busy lives and not enough time to fulfill our duties, but I must ask West Haven’s Councilmen and Councilwomen to try and help our residents with their issues as promptly as they can.

Sometimes it takes at least two or three requests for help from these individuals and sometimes I will get a reply, indicating they would contact city offices to investigate readers’ issues but that’s it! Follow ups are so very important.

So, here’s a bit of general information for you relating to the duties of a Councilmen or Councilman :

Council members are asked to do their very best to represent their constituents only after they have seen to the needs of the city. With this thought in mind, my readers need your help. Please offer them promptness in replies and follow ups as well.

With this information in mind, I would ask our Councilmen and Councilwomen, if you have one of my requests for information sitting on your desk, please try to reply to my readers through Gripe Vine. Your efforts are respected and appreciated.

Dear Gripe Vine Readers:

To those residents living on Linden Street who have been complaining about the condition of the hazardous sidewalks, your complaints were forwarded to Councilwoman Tracy Morrissey who had spoken with the sidewalk inspector. The sidewalk was slated for repair. My question, with the efforts of your Councilwoman and the sidewalk inspector, have the sidewalks been repaired? Please let me know gripevine4wh@aol.com

Dear Aaron Charney:

Gripe Vine reported a huge hole just before First Street adjacent to the Gov. John Davis Lodge Turnpike back in July. Have you checked it out and if you did, was this hole repaired?

Gripe Vine Readers:

Who ran the Apple Festival this year? Please contact me at gripevine4wh@aol.com. I have a question from some of my readers, “Will it be possible to hold this festival at the Grove next year? There’s much more room at the Grove. Shut down the parking meters for that day and we can all have a great time.”

Dear Gripe Vine:

There are several potholes at 32 Knox St. When will they get repaired?

JC Curious

Dear Members:

Readers have complained of broken tires and split sidewalls at Campbell Avenue near Highland Street because of potholes. Have you investigated this area since receiving this complaint from Gripe Vine? Has the huge pothole on Sorenson Road been filled yet as well? My readers are counting on your investigation of these areas.

Readers may submit their complaints, issues and comments to gripevine4wh@aol.com or mail them to Gripe Vine c/o West Haven Voice, 840 Boston Post Road, Box 4. Please include your name, address and phone number, kept confidential with me. You can also submit through our online form.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone! More from Gripe Vine next week!

Dear Eleanore Turkington:

Back at the beginning of October I wrote that there are holes and crevices on Knox Street. Perhaps we are being forgotten because this is a dead end street. This complaint is specifically located at the entrance to 12 Knox St. Winter is coming and we hope that they can redo this street and fix the holes.

JE Knox Street Resident

Dear JE:

I notified Councilwoman Robbin Watt Hamilton of the condition on Knox Street. It is now the end of November and GripeVine hasn’t heard from Councilwoman Hamilton. Hopefully she will respond to Gripe Vine with an update of this road’s condition. Meanwhile, drop me a note and let me know if any improvement has taken place.

Gripe Vine Readers:

I am very adamant when it comes to children’s safety and each time Gripe Vine receives emails and letters from readers alerting me to roads and intersections that post STOP SIGNS that are ignored, especially at streets where children travel or wait to board school buses, I really get highly annoyed. Thus, the reason for the letter that arrived on my desk back on Oct. 5 calling my attention to motorists disregarding STOP SIGNS at Hubbard and Benham Avenue.

I notified outgoing Councilwoman Louise Martone Oct. 5 of this hazardous area. To date I have not received a reply. I am hopeful that members of the police department read this column and make sincere efforts from the Traffic Department to pass some tickets to law-breaking motorist at this site. Meanwhile, I am hopeful Councilwoman Hamilton will follow up on this complaint and make some dedicated efforts to remedy this situation.

Dear Eleanore Turkington:

Someone has removed the STOP Sign at Seaview and Ocean Avenue. Can we have it replaced?

IM Motorist

Dear IM:

I am happy to say that following correspondence with State Representative Dorinda Borer, a reply arrived regarding this “missing” STOP SIGN. Here is what Rep. Borer had to say:

“I am sorry it took a few weeks since your article appeared in The Voice regarding the STOP SIGN at Seaview. In order to provide you and your readers to reach me, here is my contact information:

My official State Rep email is Dorinda. Borer@cga.ct.gov

My personal email is DorindaBorer@gmail.com

My cell number is 203-887-6359

Please feel free and pass it along to readers as I strive to be as responsive as possible.

With respect to the STOP SIGN at Seaview, I only remember a cross walk being there and don’t remember there being a stop sign there in the past, but I will inquire to DOT (Department of Transportation) as it certainty warrants one. I will bring Rep. Charlie Ferraro into the loop as this intersection is located within his district and we try to work with each other on these issues.”

Dear Eleanore Turkington:

As you may know, I will be the new councilman for the 10th District, effective Dec. 1. Should there be any pending concerns, questions or assistance pertaining to my district, please don’t hesitate to contact me now or moving forward.

Barry Lee Cohen

Councilman Elect, 10th District

232 Morgan Lane

West Haven, CT 06516

barry4westhaven@gmail.com

You may send your gripes, questions or comments to gripevine4wh@aol.com or mail them to Gripe Vine c/o West Haven Voice 860 Boston Post Road. Please include your name, address and phone number kept in strict confidence with me. You can also submit through our online form.

Dear Eleanore Turkington:

I read your column regularly and wonder at the diversity of topics you are confronted with. I may as well add mine.

I am sick and tired of the lack of concern for other motorists who are facing motor vehicles who do not turn their headlights on during the hours of dusk or when it rains or is foggy. It is extremely difficult to drive when the visibility is low. Recently, I overheard a conversation that blamed many small truck drivers, for not observing headlight laws. Can you ask your readers to lean toward caution rather than ignoring it? By the way, isn’t there a law in Connecticut about when to turn your headlights on?

MI Connecticut Driver

Dear MI Connecticut Driver:

Here is the Connecticut law on when to operate a motor vehicle with lights on:In Connecticut, drivers must turn on their headlights anytime between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise. State law also stipulates that headlights must be used during poor weather, insufficient light conditions and when visibility is less than 500 feet.

Dear Gripe Vine Readers:

Recently, Gripe Vine published a letter of complaint regarding motorists zipping through stop signs at the intersection of Rangely Street. What really concerns me is this intersection is a SCHOOL BUS STOP. I notified Councilman Peter Massaro and he had indicated the police department were informed of this situation.

My comment on motorists ignoring the STOP SIGNS at this intersection: Wouldn’t it be a good idea to have a police car stationed here during school bus stops and returns? Not only would this action protect our children, but would warn motorists disregarding the full stop laws at this site to STOP as requested I know, we can’t have police protection here all the time, but it’s a warning to motorists that the police are watching this area. I hope the West Haven Police Department will consider this suggestion.

Dear Gripe Vine Readers:

Once again, a note of thanks to Councilman Peter Massaro for following through on readers complaints. If you recall, Councilman Massaro was notified of a littering gripe at Andrews Street According to my reader, “Andrews Street has become a parking lot and dumping grounds for UNH when students are in session.” Councilman Massaro responded with, “I will notify UNH about this.”

What I would like to know readers, has the condition of Andrews Street improved? Please let me know, gripevine4wh@aol.com) or drop me a note: Gripe Vine, c/o West Haven Voice, 666 Savin Avenue.

Gripe Vine Readers:

I have received many requests to have the STOP SIGN replaced at Seaview Avenue and Ocean Avenue. I attempted to work through city channels but was unsuccessful. So, I went further to State Representative, Dorinda Borer. I feel confident Representative Borer will respond to Gripe Vine and you will see this STOP SIGN replaced.

Coming up…Andrea Drive sidewalks…following trimming of tree on Nonquit Street, request brush cleanup..pot hole on First Street exit ramp…Stop Sign at Benham Hill Road and Hubbard Street- SCHOOL ZONE…holes and crevices on Knox Street..Sorenson Road pot holes…Hillcrest Avenue post road construction work…Apple Festival

You can send your gripes, comments and suggestions to gripevine4wh@aol.com or mail them to Gripe Vine c/o West Haven Voice, 840 Boston Post Road. Please include your name, address and phone number, kept in strict confidence with me. You can also submit through our online form.

Dear Eleanore Turkington:

I have never written to you in the past, but I feel the need to ask for your assistance.I live on Andrea Drive, a cul-de-sac in a very small neighborhood. The houses, roads and sidewalks are approximately 20 years old.

The sidewalks are in disrepair. Pieces of the sidewalk are broken, crumbled, splitting and very dangerous. People cannot walk on them because they are a hazard to the children, elderly and handicapped in our neighborhood. People and children tend to walk in the street, rather than trying to walk on broken sidewalks for fear they will fall and injure themselves.

The younger children cannot ride their tricycles because the walks are broken, so they tend to ride in the street – very unsafe.

Since the walks are dangerous and over 20 years old, the city should consider repaving the walks for the safety of our children, elderly and handicapped people who live on this street.

We the neighbors should not be burdened with the cost of repaving, the city should take the monetary responsibility to repave because, as taxpayers, we would expect the city to correct this dangerous neighborhood situation.

MAC Resident

Dear MAC Resident:

Because there is an element of danger in your request for help, I forwarded a copy of your complaint to Councilwoman Tracy Morrissey. Please let me know if, within two weeks, there isn’t any signs of improvement. I feel confident Councilwoman Morrissey will look into your complaint.

Dear Gripe Vine Readers:

Gripe Vine has been posting a gripe relating to a tree in poor condition on Nonquit Street. Correspondence has been received to comments like “The wrong tree was cut down,” to “branches falling on private property” to “unsightly undergrowth.”

Gripe Vine reached out to Councilwoman Robbin Watt Hamilton who provided the following statement to our readers, “I have been in an ongoing communication with the resident of Nonquit Street and the tree warden. The tree has been trimmed and has been placed on a list. I’ve reached out to the warden asking him to touch bases with the resident who has real concerns of this hazardous tree. They spoke once briefly. It is my hopes that this tree comes down ASAP to ensure the safety of everyone.”

O.K. Nonquit Street Residents, Gripe Vine needs an update from YOU! Has the tree been trimmed? Has it been cut down? Is it a hazard to motorists? As soon as I hear from either Councilwoman Hamilton or Nonquit Street Residents, it is my hope the tree’s present condition has improved.

Dear Gripe Vine Readers:

Has anyone filled the pothole just before the Exit Ramp for First Street to Governor John Davis Lodge Turnpike?

Coming up…holes on Knox Street…Potholes at the intersection of Platt Avenue and Sorenson from plows…Gas Company is requested to return to repave Hillcrest Avenue.. Apple Festival Griper… Accumulated trash on Plainfield Avenue..Motorists still not stopping at the STOP SIGNS at Fenwick and Yale..vacant lot on Beach Street with steps leading to nowhere. Anyone know what happened to the house that used to be on it?

You can send your comments, gripes and suggestions to gripevine4wh@aol.com or mail them to Gripe Vine c/o The West Haven Voice, 840 Boston Post Road, West Haven 06516 . Please include your name, address and phone number, kept in strict confidence with me. You can also submit confidentially through our online form.