The first Republican candidate for mayor made a virtual announcement Monday afternoon, while GOP leaders say a second unknown candidate has not announced. Tenth District Councilman Barry Lee Cohen has decided to seek his party’s nod for mayor in the November elections.
The first-term Republican has been an outspoken critic of the Rossi administration since taking office, and presented a multi-faceted plan toward improving quality of life in the city.
Calling his campaign, “One West Haven,” Cohen said his goal is to bring together all the groups, neighborhoods, and boroughs in the city, working toward making it a better place.
“Please know that I am not and will not be running against anyone. I am running for one West Haven. Together, we will once again make West Haven a place where families, veterans, and senior citizens can work, live, and thrive,” Cohen said in his announcement.
He called upon voters to throw off party labels and look to a campaign that wants to make everyone a part of a new city.
“Our city is at a crucial crossroads to decide between the status quo of high taxes, rampant blight, deteriorating infrastructure, safety concerns, and racial divide or a new, brighter future. Together, we can do more united versus the factions that have divided and disillusioned voters for far too long,” he said.” It’s time to put party labels aside. As I have demonstrated throughout my life —I could not care less if you’re an R, D, I, U—because it’s about us.”
Cohen, 60, has been a successful businessman in the corporate world, and currently runs his own public relations firm. He believes his experience has given him the leadership qualities needed to run a municipality. It was leadership that was the first of his issues.
“It all starts with the leadership of a full-time mayor that understands that fiscal responsibility goes well beyond balancing the books, embraces challenges, owns responsibilities, and enthusiastically explores new opportunities to move West Haven forward,” he said.
He said he will be accountable to the voters, accessible when they have questions, and take responsibility for decisions.
“I will offer “leadership without excuses.” I will be accessible, forthright, and accountable. The days of finger-pointing at prior administrations will stop. Residents are tired of the same song, first, second and third verses. Transparency will be practiced, not preached,” he said.
He said the proof of what one does in giving back to the community is not in the number of committees or organizations attached to a name, but the results that come from those associations. He pointed to his involvement in WHEAT, the West Haven Community House, Hubbard Farms, and the Chamber of Commerce as a way of giving back.
“But it’s not what committee you join —but what you do! As many of you have witnessed, I’m a roll up the sleeve’s, hands-on guy and that is exactly what you will get on Day 1 when I am elected your next mayor. No deflection, no excuses,” he said.
As far as a program for the city, in economic development, he posed the question, “Why not West Haven.” He believes previous administrations have not made solid attempts to sell the city and what it offers. He said his plan is to market the city, and do away with the hurdles, real and perceived, that prevent people from coming here.
“I’ve spoken with many developers and business owners, and I repeatedly hear the same story: West Haven is extremely hard to do business with. No one engages them. No one returns their emails or calls. I promise you, that will change on day one of a Cohen administration. And it will start with a comprehensive economic development and marketing plan with set milestones and deliverables. This will include an economic development summit, the formation of a Task Force comprised of leaders throughout the region, as well as an empowered Economic Development Commission,” he said.
Other planks in his platform include revitalizing the Post Road, revitalizing shorefront areas, and working to curb longstanding problems of blight and a deteriorating infrastructure.
Other planks include:
~~ Advocate for a technology corridor spanning from Frontage Road / Railroad Avenue to the train station;
~~ Identify options that will allow for the orderly transition to a defined WHPD benefit pension plan with a disability component;
~~ Put together a comprehensive plan for revitalization of downtown.
After listing what he hopes to accomplish, Cohen called for unity in the new administration, and calling for “One West Haven,” heading toward and beyond election day.