Voice Profile

West Haven High School Theatre Workshop is bringing back Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

The production team of Director Margi Maher, Musical Director Phyllis Silver, and Choreographer/Set Designer T. Sean Maher thought there would be no musical more exciting to be the first musical in the new West Haven High School auditorium than, Joseph.

Many Westies not only appeared in Joseph when WHHSTW produced it in 2006, but there are also those Westies that appeared in it when Maher directed it West Haven Summer Theatre back in 1990.  

Chris Walsh of Duffy’s Tavern and Prospect Beach House Deli has fond memories.

“The 1990 West Haven Summer Theatre production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat” was one of the most fun and entertaining shows I’ve ever had the pleasure of being a part of. Fast moving, witty, and plenty of humor to go with it, this show has it all for audiences of all ages,” he said.

And Carrigan teacher Michael Bartone who appeared as Joseph in 2006 remembers it well.

“Looking back on playing the part of Joseph in 2006 brings me such immense joy, not only because of the people I was surrounded by, but also because of the personal growth that I experienced,”he said. “I had never taken any acting or singing lessons, or even had the urge to try out for one of shows. I was always a member of the stage crew and was slated to be the stage manager of Joseph. Mrs. Maher somehow tricked me into auditioning, and the rest is history, as they say. It was the first time I had ever performed in a musical, and the only reason that I was courageous enough to take those risks was because of the support of Margi Maher, Sean Maher, and Phyllis Silver. Their love and direction took us from a cast to family, and that is truly what it’s all about.”

 Joseph incorporates a large ensemble with many featured ways for individuals to shine as well as creating a very cohesive ensemble environment.  From a musical standpoint the show has everything from the traditional Broadway style to French torch songs, Calypso island music and a high kicking clog number to bring down the house.

This show will make great use of the brand new state of the art, hi tech auditorium with incredible lights and sound that is just the right atmosphere for students to excel in the arts.

Joseph plays March 19-21 at 7 p.m. , March 21 at 2. Senior citizens are free at the matinee.

 Tickets are Adult tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door – Student tickets are $5.  Advance tickets can be purchased from the cast or at the West Haven High School Black Box Theatre.

The Voice recently caught up with Councilman Barry Lee Cohen, R-10, the first West Haven Republican in three decades to be elected to a district council seat.

A business owner and previously a global director for Enthone (now MacDermid Enthone), Cohen is a high-energy guy who has an impressive resume as a business and community leader, which includes various philanthropic activities. A relative newcomer to the political arena, his convincing victory last November took some by surprise, including Cohen.

“I just kept knocking on doors, listening, texting, calling—and repeat! Election night was a somewhat surreal experience,” he said.

Cohen’s prior foray into politics was in 2017 when he unsuccessfully ran for a Board of Education seat. He subsequently was elected Vice-Chairman of the West Haven Republican Town Committee in 2018, a seat which he will not seek re-election this coming March.

“All my focus must be on being the very best councilman possible. It’s time to put politics aside and govern,” he said.

We wanted to learn about Cohen’s priorities for the next two years, as well as his thoughts on being in the minority.

During the campaign, Cohen talked about “common sense responsibility for the city. He believes such a philosophy would mean a new way of thinking – and doing.

“My focus for the next two years will be fiscal responsibility. We must live within our means and eliminate potentially wasteful or redundant spending wherever it exists. Where best practices are lacking, they must be created and enforced,” he asserts. “If right sizing or outsourcing of certain municipal operations is mutually beneficial to the city coffers and taxpayers, then we need to closely examine and execute in a humane, expeditious, and professional manner.”

He has called for an economic development plan, that plan, he believes should be all-encompassing.

“To be fiscally responsible also entails accelerating economic development. In addition to The Haven which has been extensively covered by this publication, there are ‘diamonds in the rough’ throughout West Haven that, once developed, will increase our tax base, and positively impact the quality of life via reduced blight and vandalism, as well improve safety for our families, police, fire, and other emergency responders. An increased tax base will also enable enhancements to our educational system, as well as recreational areas and parks,” he said.

He enumerated some of the locations and neighborhoods he thinks needs to be part of the vision.

“From the long-dormant downtown arts center plan to the vast potential of the Boston Post Road and Beach Street, opportunities abound. In addition, we must further engage UNH and Yale, as well as move forward with privatizing the Savin Rock Conference Center. These are just a few of many projects I’d like to see before the council,” he said.

He took his plan in another direction as well

“As the former global director of marketing communications for an advanced technology company, I’ve advocated for a ‘technology corridor’ for well over a decade that would extend from Frontage Road to Railroad Avenue. Between the railroad station and Yale West lies an extremely desirable area that I believe can be successfully developed in collaboration with the nearby residents. Bottom line: Homeowners have been disproportionately overburdened with maintaining and increasing our tax base. We must maintain and grow business,” he asserts.

Last summer and leading right up the November election, his presence was well documented via print and social media. Since being elected, he has engage at community events, maintain a strong presence on Facebook, and is known to knock on neighbors’ doors and make calls unsolicited. He doesn’t plan to stop now that he’s elected.

“I have and will continue to proactively reach out to my neighbors throughout the 10th District and citywide. I make it a point to place calls, email, publish social media, and schedule visits regularly. Listening and not just hearing concerns is essential,” he said. “While knocking on virtually every door possible in my district, it immediately became clear that communication was lacking and even worse, most of my neighbors didn’t know who their councilperson was. Of course, if you have a problem you may call the mayor’s office, Public Works, etc. However, if your concerns are not being addressed—that’s why you have a councilperson to be your advocate or at the very least help to facilitate answers. An election shouldn’t be a popularity contest. Being councilman is a responsibility and trust that I hold dear and remain committed to earn every day, not every election cycle.”

For the first time in three decades, there are now two Republicans in the minority, allowing the party along with Councilwoman-at-Large, Colleen O’Connor, to second each other’s motions, enabling discussions at council meetings. Cohen said the two have discussed the new reality.

“Being in the minority doesn’t really phase me one way or the other. I don’t and never have focused on party labels. Like I stated numerous times during the campaign, ‘I couldn’t care less if there’s an R, D, U, or I next to your name.’ For the council to succeed, we must work together to create value for our constituents. Of course, there will be times that there will be disagreements, however, my expectation is that any conflicts will be based on a review of the project or issue at hand,” he said.

He believes part of the problems in the city are caused by affiliations tainting or prohibiting discussions.

“Party politics on both sides of the aisle have handicapped our wonderful West Haven for far too long. We can and must do better. In my short time on the council, I am truly impressed and thankful to be working with a diverse team with distinct talents that each of us will and should leverage in the best interests of our city,” he said.

In closing, Cohen said hard work and cooperation are key to the next two years.

“There are many challenges and difficult decisions ahead for this City Council. I am determined and yes, passionate, to roll up my sleeves and offer solutions. Should it be proposing changes to an upcoming parking study to ensure residents are not disproportionately monetized, proposing unpopular but needed ‘sacred cow’ spending reductions, waking up at 4:15 am to see if the streets are being plowed or touring the 10th District to make sure trash is picked up or a pothole is filled, I feel truly blessed,” he said. “Although some may call my goals for the next two years overly ambitious, I consider them necessary and essential to move West Haven.”

Celebrate 70 years together!

William and Dorothy McCarthy are happy to celebrate their 70th Wedding Anniversary on January 14. They were married in 1950 at St. Paul’s Church. Dorothy, a lifelong West Haven resident, says that the secret to a long marriage is having a loving close family supporting each other through life. William McCarthy says on their wedding day he thought he got stood up when his wife to be didn’t show up at the church on time, he found out later that the car that Dorothy’s grandfather was driving her in had a flat tire, the ceremony was just delayed and the rest is history, a love story lasting over 70 years. The couple owned a local clothing store called “Casual Den” for over 25 years in downtown West Haven. William McCarthy is 91 and Dorothy McCarthy is 88. The McCarthy’s have five children, 12 grand children and 11 great-grandchildren. Behind the couple are their children: Donna Horobin, Bill McCarthy, John McCarthy, Karen Celone, and Linda McCarthy-Vargo.

By Josh LaBella

Voice Reporter

Roman Khondker said his being raised in Bangladesh influenced him to pursue a life of public service.

Just 20 years old, Khondker’s said his experience as a child gave him a great appreciation for the freedoms he has in the United States.

“Everyone from my father’s side was very, very powerful. They were all politicians,” said Khondker, reflecting on his time in Bangladesh. “Everyone on my mother’s side was very rich. They were all rich men and women. To simplify it, my father’s side grew overly jealous of the wealth that my mother’s side had.”

Khondker said his father’s family eventually went on a “rampage” and started killing off members of his mother’s family. He and his mother were forced to flee. Over the next years, they lived in India, Nepal and Pakistan. Khondker said when they returned to Bangladesh, he had to use a fake name to ensure his safety.

“At that point, I was 7,” said Khondker. “From 7 to 10 I lived in Bangladesh again – hiding in different places throughout the years.”

The West Haven resident said is was a scary time for him but his mother always did her best to make him feel safe. He added he owes all he has to her. In 2010, Roman and his mother were granted visas to come to the United States.

“For me, that was the happiest day of my life. Up until the plane took off, we we’re still worried that the government officials there might stop us and take us to be killed,” said Khondker. “In August of 2010, as soon as the flight took off, my mom let out a sigh of relief. I knew from then on that I wanted to serve the public of the world.”

Roman said he greatly appreciates the freedoms and opportunities granted in the US. He added that his faith as a Muslim has been a cornerstone in making him the man he is today. He said he was taught to love everyone and instilled with a desire to help others.

He said his mother eventually married his stepfather, who has been a positive influence on his life. They moved around a lot before settling in West Haven when his stepfather got a hob at the VA hospital. He was in eighth grade.

Roman contacted Dave Riccio during Riccio’s run for mayor and asked about getting involved in the town Republican Party. He said he was drawn to the party because of their belief in small government and individual liberties.

“I joined the RTC shortly after turning 18. By January of 2018, I decided I wanted to run for office,” he said. “I want expand my ability to serve the people.”

Khondker ran in the Republican primaries for state representative. He ended up losing to Richard DePalma but joined his campaign after to help out.

After that election, Khondker was appointed by Mayor Nancy Rossi to the Community Development Administration, where they worked to give block grants to those in need. He said he believes he was the first Muslim to be appointed to a board in West Haven’s history.

“A month after that I was appoint to the state Commission of Equity and Opportunity,” said Khondker, adding he was appointed by Gov. Ned Lamont. He said their job will be to review bills and ensure they have a positive effect on everyone. Their first meeting is later this month.

Khondker ran for city treasurer this past election, but soon dropped out when he decided it was more important to focus on his studies and the state commission. He is about to start his second semester at the University of Rhode Island where he is studying ocean engineering and business.

“I also got involved with the Rhode Island GOP,” said Khondker. “I am the social media director for the Trump 2020 campaign for Rhode Island. I’ll be going from college to college giving speeches and registering voters.”

Khondker admits he has a full plate. He said he does not know where his future will take him but he believes in going with the flow, rolling with the punches and seeing where the world takes him.

“The worlds been really good to me,” said Khondker. “So, I am going to see if I can be good back.”

By Josh LaBella

Voice Reporter

Serving in a number of roles in West Haven politics over the years, City Treasurer and Democratic Town Committee Chairman Michael Last said the time of the party boss is over.

Last, who was born and raised in West Haven, went to Notre Dame High School. He studied financial accounting at the University of New Haven – finishing in 1988.

“I went to work for the State of Connecticut, at the State Treasurer’s office for seven years and then I moved down to New Haven – where I work now,” Last said.

For the past 23 years, Last has worked as the chief financial officer of the Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven. His work is relevant to the job he was just reelected to in November, City Treasurer.

Last said he became involved in politics “after years” of former Mayor John Picard – a Notre Dame classmate – asking him to run for office. He said, at the time, he was too busy raising his children, Kelly and Mike, as well as coaching football. There was another reason,also.

“My wife [Kathe] absolutely despised politics,” said Last. “I couldn’t get her permission.”

As his kids got older, Last said he felt he was more able to take on the responsibilities of public office. He ran successfully for the 9th District City Council seat in 2011 – becoming chairman of the Finance Committee.

“[I wanted to work on] financial issues,” said Last. “The city was running a lot of deficits. There were a lot of financial issues in the town. Things were kind of stagnant so I thought I could help, certainly on the budget aspect.”

According to Last, the city had a large surplus, almost $2.8 million, in 2013. He said the cumulative deficit was brought from $10.5 million to under $8 million.

“We truly started to turns things around,” said Last. “But then, the next term I was on the Public Lands Committee, because John Picard had lost.”

As he was no longer on the Finance Committee in his second term, Last said he was no longer able to work on budgetary issues. He said he and Mayor Edward O’Brien’s philosophies were “so far apart” it was hard to do the work he wanted to during that term.

Last was chairman of the Democratic Town Committee from 2012 to 2015. He ran and won the position back in 2018. He said the DTC had gotten a lot of work done during the past year and a half, including updated the bylaws of the group.

Last called the current members of the DTC “diverse” adding it was more reflective of the people of West Haven than it had been in previous years. He said they were much more involved in the community and “have the pulse” on their respective districts and neighborhoods.

Of note, the chairman said the “time of the party boss was over.” Last said people in that position do not react well to “that kind of pressure.” He said the way the current DTC is running things is more modern.

“We want people on the town committee who want to work and want to get Democrats elected,” said Last. “(We want) People who aren’t looking for jobs or favors or appointments. They want to do what’s best for the community. I think the culture of the town committee and, certainly, the politics of West Haven is slowly but surely changing for the better.”

One of Last’s stated goals was to work on unifying the Democratic Party in the city. This comes as a challenge. West Haven’s Democrats have always had their fair share of factionalism – look no further than the three-way primary in the past mayoral election. Last described the issue of unification as “ongoing.”

“We really have made some strides,” said the chair. “We’re probably not as successful as I would have liked at this point. But we have continued to reach out. We have three factions in town and we have continued to reach out to the other folks because if people want to get involved in government, we certainly want them to. We are going to continue to do that too.”

Last said unification will be a hard feat given the more than 30-year history of party infighting. The chairman said he frequently reaches out to the other factions to discuss coming together. He said “the wounds go deep” and trying to heal them is going to take time.

“It’s not going to happen overnight,” said Last. “But I am committed to unifying for the betterment of the community.”

Last said he enjoys working in and helping the community, adding that his family has long roots in West Haven. Between his work in politics and other activities like coaching in the Ray Tellier Midget Football League, which he has done for near three decades, Last said he wants to leave behind a better community.

“We have so much to offer,” said Last. “We are generous and as dedicated as you’ll find anywhere. I think it’s a great community and I love to be a part of it.”

By Josh LaBella

Voice Reporter

As a teacher, principal, justice of the peace, Board of Education member and chairman of the Republican Town Committee, Pat Libero has dedicated her life to public service. She said she sees the potential of the city.

Libero, who was born and raised in West Haven, said she went to Southern after graduating from Lauralton Hall in Milford. She studied special education as well as eventually getting her master’s and sixth-year degree there.

“I started at Pagels and taught there for 27 years,” said Libero. “I did a lot of different things when I was there. I loved the school. I loved the community. I was like the teacher in charge. I ran meetings and covered classes. So, it’s not like I stayed in my little special ed circle.”

In between having her first and second child, Libero said she went back to school to get her administrative degree as she wanted to be a principal. She got her first job as principal in 2001 at Bailey Middle school. Eighteen months later, she was hired to be assistant principal at the high school.

“Then I went to Carrigan for five years as principal,” said Libero. “I went to Mackrille for my last year.”

The former principal said in all her roles she found it important to listen to students and their parents. Libero retired in 2011 and said she has had a different job every year. She is hoping to work in Southern’s school of education starting in January.

It was in 2011 that Libero was elected to the Board of Education. She said she wanted to take her experience as an educator and continue to work to improve the quality of West Havens school system.

“I guess I just wanted to stay involved,” said Libero. “I think when you go from being a teacher to a principal or assistant principal it’s a whole different perspective of things you didn’t know.”

Libero said being an administrator and then a board member allowed her to see the reasoning behind big policy decisions that teachers have to carry out. She said one issue she now has a greater understanding of the budget process for the board of education.

As she just won reelection to the board this November, Libero said she hopes they can hire a grant writer and a public relations specialist for the school system. She said the former can help them gain additional funding for the schools while the latter can keep the parents of West Haven students informed on the day-to-day news or important breaking stories, which she thinks is important.

She also said she hopes the board can work on reintroducing introductory courses in sewing, cooking, woodwork and other shop classes in pre-high school curriculums.

Libero had been a longtime member of the RTC when she decided to run for the chairman position. She said she was encouraged to run by outgoing chair and former mayoral candidate Michele Gregorio as well as State Representative Charles Ferraro.

The past election was a “bit of a learning curve” for the party. Libero said they learned a lot about fundraising. They also had a primary, which was rare for the republicans of West Haven.

“Instead of unifying us, the primaries have had the opposite effect,” said Libero. “I think we need to sit down as a group and decide what direction we are going in as well as redefine what our goals are.”

Libero said it can be hard for people not to take things personally in local level politics. According to her, it is important that they not “burn bridges” with the people they live with.

The issues the party is going through just come with the territory of the growth and change they are experiencing, said the chairwoman. She said mistakes are going to be made and it is on her and others to mitigate them and continue forward.

According to Libero, there is ample opportunity for development in the city. She said there are a lot of people with good ideas that could spark improvement who are turned off by the “inner circle politics” that create barriers to entering the space. She described the issue as something that needed to be addressed.

Libero said she is very proud of the school system and the city of West Haven, even if it makes her “crazy sometimes.” She said when push comes to shove, Westies pull together and support one another.

By Josh LaBella

Voice Reporter

With his Christian faith and a sense of community, Phil Liscio has worked over the past decade to help others and give back through a group he founded called Westies Care.

Liscio, who was born in Buffalo, NY, was raised in Milford. He and his wife Janet moved to West Haven about 30 years ago.

“We got married and bought a house here a couple months later,” he said.

Liscio said before he met his wife, he was very involved in doing work with the Catholic Church. He said his volunteer work in West Haven started when he and Janet had children.

“I was a stay at home dad,” said Liscio. “I would do things like take them to the park. Or I would take them to recreation department [events] like ‘Mommy and Me’ which they changed to ‘Mommy, Daddy and Me’ because of me. You start meeting people.”

He said Patty Horvath told him he should get involved in Edith E. Mackrille Elementary School’s PTA. Through his work in the PTA and coaching his daughter’s sports teams, Liscio began to get more involved in the community.

“With that, and coming to church here, you start to wonder what else you can do to help people,” said Liscio. “It evolved into the things we do now.”

Liscio said the creation of Westies Care was a result of starting a scholarship in the name of his son, Danny, who died at the age of 20. He said everything the group does is to give back.

“Everything we do is steeped in our Christian faith,” said Liscio. “The Bible tells you to do those things.”

In addition to the scholarship, the Liscios hosted a blood drive at the First Congregational Church, of which Phil and his family are members. He said another driving factor in the growth of Westies Care came when he was bringing food to the West Haven Emergency Action Taskforce.

“I was in total shock when I actually saw people I knew going there for help,” said Liscio. “This is when the economy was bottomed out – 2008 or 2009. Everybody was really struggling. I was struck by that. That people I know, who are good, hard working, taxpaying, income earning people, needed help.”

After talking to Rose Majestic, the Director of WHEAT, Liscio decided to have a food drive that summer because Majestic told him people are less likely to donate food at that time of year. They hosted a food drive called the Westies Care Food Fight: Red Sox vs. Yankees.

“We weighed the food, and that counted as points,” he said. “We raised more money, and brought in more food, in one weekend than Rose said she had ever seen in a summer food drive.”

Westies Care started with just Phil, Janet, their daughters and a number of volunteers. In order to start to grow, as well as raise money, Liscio said they need to become an official non-profit organization. He said his friends helped them with that.

“Colene and Peter MacDonald came to me and said they had a lawyer friend who may do it [help them apply for 501c3 status] pro bono,” said Liscio. “We got the paperwork together. They did all the work. We became a 501c3. We got an executive board and that core group still works together on everything.”

Liscio made a point to say that Westies Care does not do all their work alone. He said they work with other community partners such as their church, the Rotary Club and the Vertical Church.

“It’s not difficult,” he said. “You know what’s difficult? It’s not being able to help everybody who needs it.”

Westies Care has held a yearly banquet for the past decade where they honor members of the community and give out scholarships to students going on to higher education. He said last year they gave out $12,000 in scholarships.

The group has grown over time to hold many events including a Care and Share program at the Apple Festival and a Christmas dinner at the First Congregational Church. They also hold a dinner, with the help of other groups, at the church every Tuesday for those who need it.

“We [also] do a lot of small stuff,” said Liscio. “Every time we give a gift card or give a basket of food, we don’t document that stuff. That’s just the right Christian thing. We do that year-round.”

Liscio said he feels blessed when he, his family, and his friends can help others. He said if they were not giving back, they would not feel they were living up to what to what they are expected to be.

By Josh LaBella

Voice Reporter

Robert Bohan’s career guiding students sprouted from a love from coaching sports.

Bohan, the principal of Bailey Middle School, started coaching as community service for a religion class he was taking at Notre Dame High School. He said it was during his time coaching at St. Lawrence School, as well as for the West Haven Fundamental Basketball League, that he realized his love for helping young people.

“I went back to St. Lawrence School where I had gone from grade one to grade eight,” said Bohan. “I did some baseball coaching. I did some basketball coaching. That really hooked me on it. I loved working with kids. I loved the whole process.”

When Bohan started college, he was a communications major at the University of New Haven. He continued coaching at St. Lawrence and soon decided to switch to studying education at Southern Connecticut State University.

“It was about the coaching,” said Bohan. “My thinking was that it would open avenues to coaching.”

As a student teacher, Bohan worked in classrooms here in West Haven but also in Northford. After graduating he ended up working as a long-term substitute in Northford.

“It was a great experience. It was a full year” said Bohan. “I did everything you would do as a regular teacher except in the long-term substitute position.”

The principal said he got hired for a job teaching sixth grade at Malloy School the following summer. Bohan said he mirrors the teaching process to the coaching process; it is just a different venue.

“You’re working with kids. You’re guiding them. You’re assisting them. You are taking them on a journey,” said Bohan.

Bohan said in both situations it is critical to motivate. He said it can be more challenging to motivate a student opposed to a player. His reasoning was because in most situations the player wants to be there while a student may not.

“You’ve got to bring the content, whatever subject it is, to life for them,” said Bohan. “They’ve got to be able to connect to it. Without being able to do that, you’re never going to get to them.”

The educator spent 12 years at Malloy School – teaching sixth grade, fifth grade, fourth grade and third grade at different times. Bohan said he felt it was time to move on so he got a job as a sixth-grade math teacher at Bailey while he also worked on getting his administration certification.

“I wanted some experience on a different level,” said Bohan. “So, I came here and taught math for four years. From there I did five years working as a math coach – working around the district with different teachers, mainly behind the scenes. Then I became the assistant principal at Bailey Middle School in 2013.”

Bohan worked as the assistant principal for four years before becoming the principal. He said the job is similar in principle to being a teacher or coach but on a larger scale.

“You go from 25 kids to 900 kids,” said Bohan. “You don’t know them intimately but the responsibility on my end is huge. They’re all yours in a sense. Then, of course, you’ve got the adults (parents, teachers and staff), who you are working should-to-shoulder with.”

He said he never planned to be an administrator but thought he has something to “bring to the table.” Bohan said he took a little from each administrator he worked under.

Bohan said he greatly appreciates the relationships he has developed with students and their parents. He added that, at Bailey, the administrators, teachers and staff take a collaborative approach to guiding and helping students. He said his job would be much harder without them.

Principal Bohan said he has never regretted the path he took. He said spending his years in the classroom were invaluable to him.

“It still helps me today,” said Bohan. “It’s a process. Where you’re working with the kids and their families as an overall family approach here. I always say in my phone calls, together we are Bailey.”