Letters

Cohen makes case

The incumbent 10th District councilwoman, Louise Martone, has been promoting herself as “For the People.” Sounds great, but the facts prove otherwise. During the public comment session at a city council meeting, Ms. Martone emphatically stated on video that she would not work with the “current administration” — Democrat Mayor Nancy Rossi. If she refuses to govern alongside her own party, do we really think she’s going to constructively collaborate with Republican Michele Gregorio, or for that matter a number of new councilpersons that will be elected on November 5th? 

I will work with any administration from any party to serve the best interests of West Haven. If I’m blessed to be elected the next 10th District Councilman, I’ll be focused on fiscal responsibility, establishing a true economic development plan to maintain and grow business, as well as eliminating blight and improving our infrastructure. We don’t have to like everyone, but we do need to work with each other to move West Haven forward.  

Furthermore, I refuse to be a “one and done” politician who visits during elections and then vanishes. If blessed to be elected, I’ll be accessible, forthright, and responsive to my constituents. I’ll be a strong advocate for senior citizens, veterans, animals and the less fortunate. I may not always be successful in delivering the desired results, but you can be absolutely certain I will work tirelessly to improve our quality of life that will allow families to thrive! 

I could care less if you have an R, D, I or a U next to your name. As a business owner and previously a global director for a $1 billion advanced technologies company, I understand the unique challenges faced by both local and Fortune 100 companies. A lifelong resident of West Haven with over three decades of public and non-profit service, I know we can and must do better to return West Haven to a city that attracts and maintains businesses. We must increase revenues to decrease the unprecedented burden currently imposed on every property owner and taxpayer in our city.  

Being a councilman is more than a title. It’s a responsibility that I’ll take seriously on election day and every day.  On Tuesday, Nov. 5, I respectfully ask every 10th District neighbor to vote 12B.

Barry Lee Cohen

Republican Candidate, 10th District

barry4westhaven@gmail.com

Haven is an issue

I am happy to see that at least one mayoral candidate, Michele Gregorio, has brought up the Haven as an issue for what it is: a rat infested, crime-ridden eyesore which should be paying daily blight fines despite what the city attorney says.

This project has been a scam since day one. The developers have used excuse after excuse to delay it from “holdout” owners to Bayshore park to the Elm street state money and on and on. Now they want a special tax district!! Why do I think this is scam?  Just follow the money.

First, it is coming from Vegas which should have been a red flag from day one. Vegas is not exactly known for its high standards. Next the $30 million invested so far. If the developers had had to declare it as a profit on their books they would have paid roughly $10 million in taxes. $10 million saved!

Secondly, they are paying about $2 million in taxes which are an expense to them. $800,000 saved! I really believe these developers have “dumped” their money here until something better comes along. Them they will sell it at a loss (another tax write off) because the project is no longer “feasible”. It hasn’t been since day one! 

Marty Northam

Collins’ deficits more than dollars

City Clerk Collins has had a deficit in her budget results in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018, of a cumulative total of ($97,155). Ms. Collins claims it is for Election expense but yet the Election Day Expense line item has been within budget for the same years. The line items that are in deficit are Regular Wages and Other Contractual Services. The cumulative deficit amounts are ($18,854) and ($102,073) respectively.

If a department head cannot manage the Regular Wage Account that is mismanagement. Why would the Regular Wage Account be in deficit? Overtime has a separate account and vacations are charged to a different line item in the City budget and are not charged to the individual departments.

Other Contractual Services has a much larger deficit and the City Clerk has used it as a catch all for expenditures in her department whether authorized or not. There is also a process outlined in the City Charter, if a line item is expected to go into deficit, the Department Head, Ms. Collins, should apply for a transfer and bring it before the City Council. No credible evidence has been brought forward from Ms. Collins showing denial of transfers by the City Council. It appears Ms. Collins didn’t bring transfers forward to the City Council for approval, a direct violation of the City Charter.

Certified Public Accountants look at much more than the bottom line, they look at all the numbers, the policies and procedures and in this case the governing laws of the City of West Haven, which is the City Charter. Ms. Collins challenged me for the details and the whole story; I have complied with her request. Should Ms. Collins not understand this and need more clarification, I would be happy to discuss this topic at the debate on Sept. 4.

Nancy Rossi

Mayor

City’s educators should keep seats

As any Westie knows Sept. 10 is Primary Day. The Board of Education has five incumbents who are running to keep their seats. They are Democrats Patrick Leigh, Karen Pacelli and Susan Walker. and Republicans, Patricia Libero and Robert Guthrie. All five have served for the past four years and have done an excellent job. Each one brings his own area of expertise to table. Throughout the past four years this board has rolled up its sleeves and gotten the work done. Budgets have been balanced, curriculum has been reviewed, technology has expanded throughout the entire district and Board Members have routinely visited schools and attended after school activities. Meetings have taken place the first and third Mondays of each month and not once has a meeting been cancelled for lack of a quorum. This is a board of adults from all different backgrounds who work together for the sole purpose of our children. We are a board who agrees to disagree but always manages to work well together.

Robert Guthrie and Pat Libero have both been endorsed by the Republican Party. The three Democratic candidates have not been endorsed by their party, but are running on Debbie Collins’ ticket. The lack of endorsement causes me to wonder why? All five of these members have worked tirelessly for our children. All are competent, honest and have integrity, but yet only two received endorsements. This is a board that works so well together and has been successful. It makes me ask the question, why would we change course now if all the incumbents are willing to run and serve again? Why would we intentionally dissolve a Board that has a proven record of success? There was never an explanation given, which leads me to assume that it is political. This is a very dangerous slope to go down. The Board of Education’s main focus should be on providing quality education not political advancements.

Rosemary Russo

Chairman, BOE

City’s educators endured setbacks

We are Westies! We support one another!

Through everyone’s efforts, our system endured and survived unbelievable loss. We supported one another, we cried with one another, we laughed with one another, reminisced with one another and then said: We are Westies! In memory of all those we lost, let us continue to be kind and caring. Let us show one another that they matter.

For the new hires:Welcome aboard! You will soon witness the power of being a Westie and the love and kindness that goes with it. We look forward to you also loving the Blue and White!

Here’s to another successful year!

You make me proud every day.

Pat Libero

Proud former WH educator Present BOE member, honored to serve

Rossi deserves a second term

Mayor Nancy Rossi deserves another term as mayor. The mayor has made major accomplishments in a short 21 months.

The financial condition of the city was and continues to be the top priority for Mayor Rossi and her administration. As a result the city has had two balanced budgets; a fund balance (rainy-day fund) for the first time in 14 years and our bond rating outlook was upgraded from negative to stable. This is the first step to getting an overall bond rating upgrade. Just the outlook upgrade will save taxpayer money on future borrowing costs.

Economic development projects are moving forward and small businesses are opening and expanding throughout the city. “The Havens” was stalled and needed both federal approval (Bayview Park) and state approvals (grant funding and transportation), all of which have now been received. The Parkview development in Allingtown was stalled because of an infrastructure (sewer pipe) issue, Mayor Rossi obtained a $1.5 million state grant to replace the pipes so the project could continue and is now making excellent progress. The Yale New Haven Regional Operations Center was awaiting approvals and permits. The project was pushed through the permit process and the building is complete and will open soon. Many investors and developers were sitting on the sideline to see if West Haven could turn its financial situation around—and now that we have shown good progress, we have gained their confidence, and they are now at the table to discuss projects. The grand list grew by $30 million in 2018, and future increases look promising.

The West Haven High School (phase one) opened last week, which was on schedule and below the authorized budget. The construction schedule and construction costs have been closely monitored. A state grant will provide our students with computers. The investment in our school facilities and upgrading student resources will help attract commercial investors and positively affect our community.

Our city parks and beaches have been well maintained and continue to be enjoyed by our residents, and visitors alike. After the city pays off the Savin Rock Festival’s past cumulative debt, the mayor will appoint a board to bring back the event again in 2020 to celebrate our city’s valued history. The Savin Rock Festival will be just as much fun, but it will pay for itself using corporate sponsorships and the charging of fees to vendors.

West Haven is on the right path and I am asking our Democratic voters to support Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and all the endorsed Democratic candidates on Row A on Sept. 10 to keep West Haven moving forward! ROW A ALL THE WAY!!!

Michael P. Last

City Treasurer

Chairman, Democratic Town Committee

Comments made out of context

Mayor Rossi likes to talk about deficits in my office. But like a true CPA she only looks at a bottom line number and has not put the deficit in context. For anyone to say that deficits in the City Clerk’s office is from mismanagement is simply lying.

Here is the context of deficits: There is only one line item that has been over budget every year for the past 10 years and that is the account that elections are paid from.

As City Clerk, I do not have the power to cancel an election.

In some years, there are special primaries, town elections in the spring and in the fall there are primaries and general elections. In this budget year we just started, both the Democrats and Republicans will be having primaries in September. In November, there will be a general election city-wide. In the spring, there will be a Presidential Primary.

I have consistently gone before the City Council to ask to properly fund the election account only to have it flat funded or even cut over the years.

My office provides all the paper ballots that are put through the electronic voting machines for every district no matter if it’s a primary, local election, governor’s race or Presidential election. The total number of ballots necessary is decided with recommendations from the Secretary of State’s Office. In the last presidential election alone, we had to order more than 20,000 ballots for a city-wide election.

My office also has to provide all the envelopes and paper materials that make up an absentee ballot. We provide all the memory cards that go into the electronic voting ma- chines.

So, the next time the mayor mentions a deficit in my office, ask her for all the details and get the whole story not just her highlights.

City Clerk Debbie Collins

Candidate for Mayor

Vote Gregorio

Republican primaries have been non-existent for over the past decade in West Haven. As a result, the party’s exposure around town was virtually depleted. A Republican primary to invigorate the base has been long overdue and finally the opportunity has presented itself. It is critical that registered Republicans in West Haven all show up to vote and in- sure that they send the most qualified candidate to face the nominated Democrat in November’s general election. Michele Gregorio should be their choice.

I’ve known Michele for over a decade, she has been deeply involved with the Republicans and with city government in general. Her most recent role was Vice-Chairman on West Haven’s Board of Finance, and as a result she has an extremely deep understanding of the city’s complex budget and has identified numerous areas where we can implement efficiencies in the city’s operations and get spending under control.

She understands that in order to move West Haven forward we desperately need economic development and has a path to accomplish that. To attract developers and investors here we need to get our finances in order, get out from under state oversight, and put an end to the political infighting that has given our great city a negative reputation among outsiders. In addition, her educational and professional backgrounds are unparalleled when compared to the other mayoral candidates. She holds bachelor’s degree from NYU and an extensive professional career in corporate finance/ac- counting.

As a mayoral candidate, Michele will run an above the bar, respectful campaign that will insure we have a constructive, focused, and meaningful dialogue in the general election with her Democratic opponent. She has proven in the past she is not afraid to challenge her opposition, as was displayed in her 2018 campaign for the state Senate 14th District seat. Her message is much more palpable to all voters as opposed to “Democrats are bad, and everything is their fault.”

In 2011, the West Haven Republican party had a solid campaign strategy which would have gained a few seats on City Council and other elected positions. The mayoral candidate at the top of that ticket was Steve Mullins. Mr. Mullins went rogue towards the end of the campaign with press releases that were negative in tone and made unfounded accusations against the sitting administration. This caused backlash against the party externally and deep divide internally. The optics were lamentable and voter turnout and poll results showed it. As a candidate for the 8th district during that election I saw first-hand the damage caused. Yes, it’s true that Steve’s involvement with the city has been extensive and is commendable, but we need a candidate that is collaborative, articulate, and strategic in their approach. Vote for Michele Gregorio

Rob Whelan

CRC revisions need full review

While I appreciate the time and effort applied to the process by the CRC it doesn’t necessarily mean the recommendations are good ones – certainly not all of their recommendations. It would seem to me that because WH has found itself in a fiscal crisis twice in 30 years it is certainly reason to spend the time to identify what changes are necessary to improve. That process works for cities, business and individuals. What has me scratching my head is the very leadership group you deride in your editorial is the very group the CRC recommendations suggest we should now put in charge of West Haven, starting with the decision of who should be hired as City Manager.

I’m not quite sure how the City Council of FY15 – FY18 got such a pass, while the mayor was summarily shown the door! Regardless, it’s a bit of “Alice in Wonderland” thinking (upside down) to now recommend the leadership group (city council FY15- FY18) responsible (along with the previous Mayor) should be rewarded by putting them in charge!?! I know people will think well – I thought the buck stops with this new City Manager position – not so. It starts and stops with the City Council who’ll have the power to hire, manage and fire the CM. And all that’s required to secure the majority position on the council is 7 votes (of 13). In another like City (only like City) the City Council went to great lengths to fire the City Manager (after having just voted him a 2% raise and contract extension) because he apparently called out their Dir of Fin. for using City money to pay for employee massages. And we thought we were the only City with that kind of drama.

In conclusion, regardless of what one thinks about the recommendations and the City Council response thus far – you would have to agree that you really want the public/voters to understand what they’re being asked to vote on. And whether or not the CRC is “ready” for it to go to a vote – I sincerely don’t think the citizens of West Haven are. I think the only truly appropriate and yes logical choice is to plan to have these recommendations go to a public referendum in April – when there is a special election (Presidential Preference) already on the docket – wouldn’t you agree?

Howie Horvath

Charter revisions are bold, new step

The City Council is now deliberating the new West Haven City Charter. The Charter Revision Commission has worked long and hard to research and then develop this new charter which puts West Haven on a bold new course. 

The new charter would put West Haven on a City Manager-model of government. According to the Charter Revision Commission, this model has worked well for other municipalities of our size and has been very successful in Connecticut. The City Council now becomes like the Board of Directors of a corporation-setting the broad strategy which the city manager then executes. The city manager will be a hired employee, hired by the City Council. In this model, the mayor becomes the chairman of the City Council and would be the chief strategist for West Haven. The mayor is Chairman of the Board; the City Manager is CEO.

I would like to address some of the recent criticisms of the new model. First, that under the new charter West Haven citizens would lose control of the executive branch of government, because the head of the executive branch is no longer elected. True, the executive branch would now be all hired employees, no longer ‘headed’ by the mayor. But to have both a mayor AND a city manager in charge of the executive branch would in effect give you two CEOs of the city, or else a lame duck city manager. It cuts off the legs of the new model. The whole point of the city manager-model is to delegate operation of the city to the city manager, who is trained in Public Administration. If the city manager fails to carry out the vision of the City Council and the mayor, he or she can be removed. 

Another criticism of the new charter is the added expense of the city manager’s salary. However, it is impossible to predict what the OVERALL savings or expense will be in the new model, because the new City Charter gives the city manager the flexibility to restructure the administration. The language in the new charter says that we “may have” rather than “shall have” certain city departments, allowing some departments to be combined, eliminated, or augmented. Through attrition there is opportunity to streamline, over time, so that no one loses their job. This is a brilliant change. 

Another criticism of the city manager is that it puts the hiring decision of the city manager in the hands of the entire City Council, rather than in the hands of just the mayor. I don’t see this as a negative. With good City Council people and the deliberative process, why can’t the City Council make a good choice? If necessary a search firm can help. The citizens of West Haven remain in ultimate control: the people elect the City Council, and the City Council (headed by the mayor) hires the city manager.  

The mayor retains a powerful position-he or she is head of the City Council, is able to set direction and strategy, retains appointment power over most committees, has final say over ordinances, and is able to steer West Haven’s ship. Day-to-day administration is handled by the city manager, who ultimately answers to the citizenry. Obviously there will be a close working relationship among the mayor, the city manager, and the City Council.

This is a bold new direction for West Haven but is in no way critical of the current mayor, who actually got the ball rolling on this charter revision. But future generations will have a much wider pool from which to hire a city manager. Prior administrations have put us under state control twice. Let’s try something new.

 Patricia Bollettieri

Vote Michele

It has been a long time since West Haven has had a Republican primary and I think it is great.  The choice in this primary is very clear and I urge all registered Republicans to show up and vote for Michele Gregorio to represent our party.

In the decade or so that I have come to know Michele, she has impressed me with her work ethic and determination to make West Haven a better place for us all.  Her past professional experience negotiating contracts with unions and managing budgets will serve the taxpayers of West Haven well.  I got to see first-hand her grasp of financial issues facing West Haven in her service on the West Haven Board of Finance.  Identifying spending overruns and recognizing where important cuts needed to be made seemed to come as second nature to Michele.  As a candidate, Michele will bring tireless dedication and enthusiasm our party needs for a mayoral candidate.  She will be so much more than simply being “not a Democrat.”

In 2009, the Republican Party put together a full ticket of candidates that had a real chance to revive the party and regain a voice in West Haven politics.  The entire ticket and campaign fell to ego, arbitrary decisions and unfounded proclamations.  If the party is ever going to regain a legitimate seat in city politics, we cannot do it with a repeat of a decade’s old failure.

Vote for Michele.   

Kevin Corcoran

Park-Rec marks its own milestone

As everyone knows by now the United States landed on the moon 50 years ago. But do the people of West Haven know the Parks and Recreation Department also has some milestones is has crossed in the year 2019. 

  The first Parks and Recreation Commission was established on Aug. 1 1919.  The members were Edward Gagel, President: Charles Treat, Vice-President; and  Dr. Charles Phelps, Secretary.  The main function of the commission back then was the acquisition of property to be used for parks and recreation purposes. Some of the properties they acquired by donation, purchase or by back taxes included Shingle Hill Park (1919) Painter Park (1920) Barney Hill Park (1928) just to name a few.

  Other milestones Warley Softball Field at Morse Park 30 years old in April.  It was named after one of our longtime co-worker and our own historian, Edward Warley. The Wooden Playground opened 25 years ago in 1994.  It was one of the greatest undertakings of volunteers in West Haven history.  Hundreds of people donated their time to build this wonderful playground for the kids in just one week. It was recently refurbished with help of the people of Lowe’s Home Improvement Store.  It was renamed Maureen’s Dream after Maureen Blake who lead this undertaking along with her husband late Tom (Tinker) Blake, the late John Sullivan, Gerry Bonini and many, many, others that helped to make this dream come true.  

Also 50 years of the Painter Park Day established in 1969 by then Parks and Recreation Director Bob Tingley and with the help of Ed Warley it was the first all-day camp and continues to this day with over 150 kids each session and eight weeks long. We have made changes and improvements over the years but it’s mostly about the kids and how much they enjoy it.  That’s what keeps it going.

  One big part of the Painter Park Day Camp was the huge oak tree that stood next to the day camp office that just feel one September night last year. Nothing weather related or anything else it was just old.  It was estimated to have stood well over 100 years.  It was always the go to place in the morning when the kids got dropped and the same place to be picked up at the end of the day.  It’s why the name of the main office is named “Tall Oaks” because of that lone tree separated from the others providing tons of shade and the breeze blowing through it that we always get off the sound up there on the hill.  The kids struggle now to find shade at the end of the day so you are always reminded that it’s not there anymore. It is sorely missed

We will find an away to get through it without the tree and continue our programs for another 100 years.

Tom Conroy

West Haven Parks and Recreation

Refutes Rossi

I would like to offer the following response to West Haven Mayor Rossi’s letter.

The mayor is correct when she indicated that it was the prior administration’s bonding of West Haven’s $16 million deficit in 2017 that triggered state review by the Municipal Accountability Review Board, also known as MARB.

But that is about the only thing in this regard that the mayor and I agree on. We have a clear difference of opinion as to how she should have managed our city’s finances. From that point on and, because of this type of short sightedness, that led me to my decision to run for mayor.

The first thing the MARB asked for when it came to West Haven was a five-year financial plan from the mayor. After 10 months of trying, the mayor was not able to do her job and put together a comprehensive professional plan with structural changes and long term vision. Instead, West Haven’s taxpayers had to foot the bill to the tune of $125,000 to pay an outside consultant to do the job for her. This plan called for a tax increase in every year for five years. This was a plan the mayor agreed with, endorsed, and then submitted to the State of Connecticut.

Once the mayor submitted this five-year plan to the state, the City of West Haven received the first installment of the bailout in the amount of $8 million. The mayor used the $8 million to say she “turned the city around.” and that we now have a surplus due to her management. However, the MARB has repeatedly pointed out the obvious to her, which is that West Haven would not have a surplus if it wasn’t for the bailout. But because the mayor is more focused on the election-year spin than a positive relationship with the state, she continues to attack the hand that feeds US! She has actually engaged in a public relations campaign against the M ARB, stating that she is the one turning our city around. The result? The state has pulled back $2 million in funding. And that’s why supplemental bills went out in June.

Now as we look towards next year’s budget, the mayor has now asked the state to allow her to rely on the funding from The Haven project. WHAT FUNDING? WHAT PROJECT? WHAT PROGRESS? You do not have to be a CPA to see that this project is stalled, and that the state, recognizing this, is hesitant to allow West Haven to rely on funding not yet in hand.

The bottom line is this: There is only one way out of this hole and that is through growing our city’s grand list through economic development. The mayor to date has not introduced one new economic project and hasn’ t done much at all to move along the projects already in the queue. There are no new revenue drivers to the table. NONE. The only suggestion the mayor made is to increase the price of beach stickers.

We need someone who can get to the truth about The Haven; someone who can introduce new ideas; and someone who can manage a professional relationship with a State board giving us sixteen million dollars.

Deborah Collins

Mayoral Candidate

Poignant column

Just wanted to thank longtime contributor Dan Shine for the wonderful article he wrote as a tribute to his father.  It brought tears to my eyes, and I’m sure I’m not alone in my reaction to Shine’s words.  I lost my own father much too early, but like Robert Shine, he, too, was a child of the Depression, a veteran of WWII, and a man of many talents who dearly loved his family. 

When my dad passed away, I, too, like “the boy” in Shine’s article was there, holding his hand, and telling him that he was “my hero.”  Thanks to the eloquence and tender feeling in Shine’s words, I was able to relive that moment as I read the article–a powerful, bittersweet reminder of how important and irreplaceable a good father can be in one’s life. 

Thank you, Dan, for writing such a wonderful piece, and thank you for publishing it.

Gary Carlson

Veterans Walk ceremony suggestions

I recently attended the wonderful Veterans Walk of Honor Dedication Ceremony (Saturday, May 25) at Bradley Point.  As wonderful as the ceremony was, and as proud as I was to attend it on that beautiful spring afternoon, I must confess that I was disappointed in one respect:  As well-planned and dignified as the ceremony was, at no point were the names of those being honored that day read to the people assembled there. 

Not only that, those being honored weren’t even listed in the program that was distributed to all in attendance.  Ironically, there was a insert included in the program, a lovely, fitting poem by Major Michael Davis O’Donnell about remembering those we loved and lost.  The poem only took up one side of the insert, so there was plenty of room on the other side to have listed the approximately 30 name of those we were gathered to honor that day. 

Furthermore, during the ceremony itself, it was difficult not to notice that while the excellent master of ceremonies made a point of acknowledging the presence of just about every politician and dignitary in attendance that day, at no point were the names of those 30 people being honored that day  mentioned.  I have to say I was shocked by this and disappointed for those people who had made a special effort to be there. 

Many of those in attendance were elderly and disabled, or had travelled a great distance to attend this ceremony (for example, the widow, daughter, and grand-daughters of my best friend, one of the honorees, had travelled all the way from Texas, for the sole purpose of attending this ceremony), to then sit there and neither read nor hear the name of their beloved invoked seems a shame to me–an unfortunate oversight that marred an otherwise beautiful and much-appreciated ceremony. 

I would sincerely like to thank Beth Sabo, Louis Esposito, Dave Ricci, Mayor Rossi and all those people responsible for Saturday’s Ceremony and for creating and maintaining West Haven’s wonderful Walk of Honor.  However, I would also like to suggest that for future ceremonies, not only should the Program include a list of those being honored, but that list of names she be read–every single name–just before the playing of “taps.” 

I respectfully offer this suggestion in the spirit of gratitude. and appreciation for all that you have done in the past and continue to do for West Haven, its proud veterans, and its grateful citizens. 

Gary Carlson

City needs to do project ‘right’

An article from the New Haven Register, December 2014, touts that West Haven is receiving over $2 million for Beach Street in grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program. Four and a half years later, we have seen little progress on the restoration.

My sources say that $600,000 was paid on design. The rest, $1.4 million dollars (part of which is in bond form), the West Haven tax payers are paying a debt of service on. We are paying interest on this money! This money is being held until Beach Street is raised- that’s phase one. Phase 2 and 3 requires $5.5 million dollars, $4 million from the state, the rest will be bonded. Beach Street is a ripe area for economic development! It used to flourish with Chick’s restaurant and Captain’s Galley, generating a great deal of business for the city. We are a city under the scrutiny of MARB. The West Haven citizens are burdened by the taxes and here is an area that could potentially bring in great revenue (https://www.ctinsider.com/news/nhregister/article/Lawmaker-implores-West-Haven-mayor-to-make-Beach-13963603.php). Our elected officials are to blame.

According to this article, “the current administration has put completion of the project last on its top three priority list” while “putting money for renovations at Savin Rock Conference Center first and funding for an arts center downtown as a second priority.”

Not only does the delay in this restoration prevent development of businesses in the area, it also leaves many residents and their homes at risk the next time a large storm comes our way. I would like to see the plans and the phases and what is being planned for this area and the reason it has taken since 2014 to move this project along! West Haven needs to do this right!

Pat Libero

Only in West Haven

Only in West Haven does a sparring match over paying back a total of less than $8K make front-page news, while nine years of ignoring its own Comprehensive Energy Plan doesn’t even get a mention.

Maybe it’s the entertainment value we get from team sports that leads to this emphasis on conflict, but it’s short-sighted, and is a part of what has led to our being in the fix we’re in.

West Haven has not yet managed to implement the free benchmarking and tracking system for our energy use that has led to neighboring towns —and even our own Board of Ed— saving millions. Where is the sense in focusing on possibly (not at all clear) improper payments that amount to small potatoes, while ignoring the millions we might have saved since 2010? Fairfield saves $2.8 million/year as a result of its energy program.

Anybody want to think about how many millions we might have saved if we had pursued our own energy plan nine years ago? Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for holding municipal officials accountable. But to focus on this small issue while ignoring the bigger ones is a travesty. My two cents.

Robin Parsons

Buy-back not right

Recently an issue came to the forefront concerning Mayor Rossi being paid for unused vacation days. This is contrary to a resolution of the City Council that was adopted on Monday, Nov. 26, 2007, mandating that elected officials do not receive vacation or sick time as a fringe benefit. Mayor Rossi was on the City Council at the time that resolution was passed. I too was an elected councilperson back then. I sat on this council, next to Councilman Rossi, for 10 years. During that time, I thought I heard all she had to offer on her selective fact-checking. Apparently, not so.

Mayor Rossi ran for the office of mayor on three occasions, knowing full well the hours entailed to fulfill the obligations of the office and how much the position paid. She now complains about the number of hours she works and the amount of money she is paid. All of her present complaints come after she admonished prior Mayors for making these same complaints.

Additionally, Mayor Rossi stated that she did not take advantage of the city health insurance benefits because she wanted to help the city but at the same time, she fails to mention that in lieu of not taking the insurance benefits she took a check for $4,000, as she has other medical insurance. She further claims that as a benefit to the city she utilizes her own vehicle for work, as opposed to driving the mayor’s vehicle. The city continues to own the vehicle, insures it, and she allows members of her administration to drive that vehicle on a fairly regular basis.

All of this comes at a time when residents are suffering the effects of cuts in city services, increasing property taxes, flat-funding for education, layoffs of city workers, and instituting a number of furlough days whereby City Hall is closed to the inconvenience of the residents and to the financial detriment of city employees.

The issue of Mayor Rossi cashing in unused vacation days requires strict review. First and foremost, as we know, elected officials do not receive vacation benefits and they are not required to punch a time clock. They can take time away from their office at their convenience while at the same time receiving full pay. This is a fringe benefit of being an elected official. The mayor and other elected officials receive a weekly paycheck whether they work 10 hours or 50 hours. I am aware of no other elected officials, such as the City Clerk or Tax Collector, that have cashed in vacation days.

Certainly, there are times when a mayor will work beyond a 40-hour week, which is expected. It is for this reason that a set schedule is not required and that time out of the office may be reasonably commensurate with that. Elected officials receive full pay each week without regard to the number of hours worked.

I have repeatedly asked for the mayor’s personal calendar to validate how many days she has taken off to date. She ran on a pledge of transparency but she has not responded to my repeated requests.

Mayor Rossi, and former Mayor O’Brien should immediately reimburse the city the amount each of them received for selling back vacation days as taxpayers should not bear this burden. Mayor Rossi blames former Mayor O’Brien for everything that is wrong with West Haven, but when it comes to paying herself, she is in complete agreement with him.

Tracy Morrissey

Councilman 8th District

Mayor responds

It is both necessary and important to respond to former mayor Ed O’Brien’s claim that he and his team were responsible for the recent $3.1 million surplus; it is simply not true.

Here are the facts:

~~ Ed O’Brien inherited a $2.7 million budget surplus when he took office in 2013

~~ Ed O’Brien never balanced a budget as mayor

~~ Ed O’Brien was responsible for operating deficits totaling more than $10 million

~~ Ed O’Brien’s proposed 2014 debt restructuring was rejected by the City Council of West Haven because it would have cost West Haven taxpayers several hundred thousand dollars in interest

When I took office in December 2017 – five months into fiscal year 2018, the City of West Haven was projecting yet another $2 million deficit in addition to the $8 million shortfall in revenue that Ed O’Brien built into the budget even after he was told the $8 million dollars was not going to materialize. My team and I took immediate and decisive action, making many tough and unpopular, but necessary, decisions to stabilize the city’s finances.

We eliminated programs and positions, implemented a freeze on hiring and non-essential overtime, negotiated furlough days, reduced hours of some positions, and canceled events.

We also undertook an aggressive audit of personal property to increase tax revenue and worked to move stalled economic projects forward. That is why the City of West Haven ended fiscal year 2018 with a surplus.

Here are two more facts:

~~ The City of West Haven is projecting a budget surplus in fiscal year 2019;

~~ The City of West Haven has a positive fund balance (rainy day fund) for the first time in over a decade

The work is by no means complete but we are on the right path and the future is looking brighter for West Haven.

Nancy Rossi

Mayor