As we turn from April to May, honeybunch, one gets the impression that as thing git warmer, the political atmosphere in the Asylum by the Sea will heat up as well. To say things are “coming to a head” in some respects is not to overstate it. Whilst many things will go on as if nothing is happening in and around the Actors Colony, the truth is over the next few weeks many, many things will be happening, and at a pace we ain’t seen around here in a long time.
Let’s start with Tier IV designation by the Municipal Accountability Review Board (MARB). The panel voted to put our lit’le corner of the universe into this time-out room after the audit of the CARES money came out last month. It’s all but a sure thing that after the required 30-day questioning period, Gov. Ned Lamont will sign the order, and West Haven will be in receivership. That gives the MARB more or less direct control over how and why we spend our funds.
The budget could be overhauled, contracts could be reopened, and determinations on all types of things can be under review by the MARB. The panel has wanted this for a long time, and has been threatening it. The fact the audit gave it the opening it needed should not be overlooked. Also, there are some who’re thinking that even Herroner might want the MARB takeover, so things that can’t be done ordinarily – like contrack reopening – can take place. We shall see.
But then there’s the call for resignation by the residents. We understand the angst by some, but we wonder about the angst by others. Whilst the average taxpayer might be calling for a resignation and have his or her reasons, we always look with a jaundiced eye at politicos who do so. And that is what is happening. Do former officials really want to “go there.” Former administrations had as much to do with the problems we face, don’t they?
Also, when it comes to the people who got in trouble with the feds over alleged fraud, weren’t those people supporters of other factions of the Democratic Party, not Herroner? So, whilst it might be the in-thing to call for resignation, just remember what shade of Democrat the alleged perpetrators are. Just focusing on a point seemingly missed by some calling for resignation.
Of course, the city’s GOP Town Committee came out with a letter calling for her resignation, but as with most things that come outta the GOP over the last few years, it’s more bluster and blather. To call the statement pro forma is to accurately describe it.
When the GOP really wants to become the loyal opposition, we will be all in favor of it, but that statement a couple weeks ago was just boilerplate and faux outrage. Get your act together and become a real voice of an opposing view, and people will take you more seriously – even Cobina.
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Then there is the call by some for the City Council to investigate the matters concerning the misuse of funds. Honeychile, when the Wag came in and told me that, I almost fell offen my rocker – and before you say it people have accused Cobina of being offen her rocker for decades.
Foist, there is a probe by federal and state officials in the matter, do we really need an investigation by the City Council. Second, who will do it? Not the council who is –excep’ for former Chief of Police Ron Quagliani – ill-equipped to probe setch a thing. And, we don’t want the corporation counsel to do it, so who?
But the wag came in with this lit’le observation: So, let me get this straight. The outraged citizens of West Haven, sick and tired of the political influence in combination with City hall incompetence, mismanagement and financial malfeasance, have called upon the West Haven City Council to conduct an investigation…..of what exactly….and the expected outcome will be ?????
Exactly. Here is a council that voted a motion of “No Confidence” against the mayor three weeks ago. A No Confidence vote means you think the person it’s directed toward has not the competence nor the ability to do what must be done. But that ain’t the way some o’ these council people thought about the vote.
In statements to this papyrus, they still support the mayor, they jest want her to use the No Confidence vote as a course changer, to get a spine and do the dirty deeds that must be done. That ain’t why you do No Confidence votes, but there we are.
So, an internal investigation by the City Council ain’t just a bad idea, it’s one that will present more questions than answers given the political loyalties of those involved.
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Then there is the new revelation that the auditing firm that was doing the work for the city had a 10-minute confab with Herroner and Scott Jackson, the new master of the accounts, and said in so many words, “So long.” They decided the firm would not continue to do the annual audit for the city. Now we have to have the selection process for a new auditor – if one can be found. Let’s jest say that we might be a bit radioactive right now as far as professional people are concerned.
Sammy Bluejay was here t’other day and said that the mayor must need an industrial strength bottle of her favorite headache medicine in these recent days. It seems every day brings a new problem or a problem that has been left on the back burner.
Sammy’s gotta be right, it can’t be fun coming into work every day and wondering what (as Dorothy Parker was prone to say) “Fresh Hell” would come her way.
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With all this stuff going on, a few other things have been under the radar. For example, Nelly Nuthatch reminded Cobina that the West Haven Chamber of Commerce is no more – at least not in its previous iteration. It seems the Milford CC and the West Haven CC have merged, and will work together to do things for the two localities. Somehow I doubt it.
Nelly was quick to pernt out that the WHCC had been on life-support for a long time. In fact, it was a perty flaccid organization before COVID, with membership dropping and small businesses wondering what membership actually offered. It ain’t like the old days when at least they had monthly coffee klatches or lunches, and sponsored an event here or there. The Chamber had become somewhat flat.
So, here we are merged with Milford, and Cobina would be surprised effen things are “equal” betwixt the two cities. Remember, there was a time that Cobina worked for a Milford-based papyrus, and what Milford people think about West Haven ain’t exactly a secret.
We hope for the best, but effen the new chamber actually does things within the city on an actual basis, Cobina will be pleasantly surprised – but we won’t hold our breath waiting.
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Natchurly, the Haven has taken a back seat to the main stories taking over the news cycle. When last we left that area, some houses were taken down and some removal of debris seemed to be in progress. But the city and the developers were supposed to be in negotiations to find out just when things were really gonna git going. So far, crickets.
While the people in the neighborhood must be glad buildings are coming down and debris is being moved, a schedule of what is supposed to happen, a list of stores that might come into the area, and an idea of when the place might be opened are things that inquiring minds want to know.
Remember, it was almost two years ago the developers made a big deal about things opening in the Christmas season of 2022. The only thing that can happen there that would be retail is effen the developers decide to sell trees and wreaths over there in November and December.
Maybe we’ll find out something, but once again, holding our breath is not an option.
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With that bit o’ chatter, I’ll close this time till next mitt luff und kizzes,