It duzzint seem possible, but here we are on the cusp of the autumnal equinox in a few days. And jest so one could sure, there are trees that are showing – already – the signs of drying up and browning leaves, ready to give up the ghost sooner rawther than later. Whilst I hafta say this is my favorite time o’ the year, honeybunch, it still is hard to see yet another summer go by soooo quickly. The kiddies are back in school, life is going back to non-summer rhythms, and the year 2023 is in its waning months. Before yew know it, the holiday stuff will make its appearance – probably next week.
Tennyrate here in the Asylum by the Sea, the slates are set for the mayoral election on Nov. 7. We knew whom the standard-bearer of the Demmies was gonna be perty much from the time she announced. Dorinda Borer is unopposed, and it seems that – for the time being – the Democratic Party universe is rather peaceful. We know from past experience, however, that could be a short-lived thing; but for now, things seem unified and at peace.
One might have other ideas when it comes to the city’s minority party. Sammy Bluejay, who decided he was gonna take a longer gander at things on Primary Day, noticed things were rather frosty betwixt supporters of the two candidates. Paige Weinstein’s crew and Barry Cohen’s crew behaved, but that was about it. There was no love lost between them.
Same is true of the candidates. It was a bit testy. And when the votes were counted, perty much as many political people around town were expecting, Cohen came out on top. Heck, even Demmies were expecting – and planning for – a Cohen win. Whilst Weinstein had the endorsement and a bankroll to make a successful campaign, she didn’t overcome the biggest hurdle – name recognition.
We hafta say here in the office we were surprised by the letters that came in prior to the vote. Usually, there is an even mix as both camps put on a push for endorsement letters. The numbers came out in favor of Cohen. That had to have some thinking going into the Tuesday vote.
After the count and the concession, the note to her supporters was very telling. Weinstein made a four for five-paragraph statement. In it she answered the big question on everyone’s mind: is she gonna go for a second bite of the apple? The answer was “no.” Whilst she has the Westies for Change endorsement – she, after all, formed it. She determined she didn’t wanna go in as a third-party candidate. Kudos for that.
Later in the statement she said she said the decision was in keepin’ with her “commitment to party unity.” That was in the second paragraph. In the fourth she stated, “Looking ahead, I will be supporting my endorsed slate of candidates this Fall, and I urge my West Haven friends and neighbors to actively seek positive change as stakeholders in shaping our city’s future.”
That paragraph did raise a few eyebrows, and made one wonder how one could be committed to unity and not support the entire slate. Queries to her campaign spokesman elicited the fack that, yup, she is gonna support “her” candidates – those originally on the slate, endorsed by the Republican Town Committee. That statement is perty self-explanatory.
There is a lot to be said about the campaign, the primary, and the decision by the Republican Town Committee to eschew a candidate who lost by a handful of votes in favor of a newcomer to the scene, but not here. That will be done later.
Cobina has jest one question for those GOPers who might determine not to vote for the party’s candidate: are you really a Republican, or are you just worried about yourself and your sinecures? ‘Tis a valid question.
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The Wag came in last week and noted that it’ll be very interesting to see and hear the debates between Borer and Cohen in the weeks ahead. There were no debates in the days leading up to the primary, and that might’ve been the difference in the outcome for somebody like Weinstein who ain’t know by many.
In the run up to the Nov. 7 vote, there will be at least one or two debates – maybe more – where the candidates will haft come up with their “vision” of what the city should look like and how it should be run. Given the situation over the last few years, what is said in those debates will be very important. And, neither Borer nor Cohen are known for mincing words. So, it’ll be salty if nothin’ else.
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Iva Lootey wanted to talk about the fack that New England Brewing Company (NEBCO) is pullin’ outta its agreement to put a facility at the site of the Savin Rock Conference Center. The decision, which prompted a statement by Herronner on the behavior of some members of the public and council members, was another one that had been expected by certain members of the political class for a while. It really didn’t come as a surprise.
There’s an axiom in these parts: effen it takes a long time between all the approvals and work to be done, somethin’ ain’t right. This has been true for many projects over the years, and continues to be true today. The fack that things hadn’t moved on the plan in months had tongues waggin’ that the projeck was in the trash can or soon to be there.
In the statement in Herroner’s own release, it seemed, though, the city’s inability to work with developers was part of it, but the company also had two or three other offers that were probably less problematic, and required less building and cash output. Don’t know for sure, but we’ll find out in the coming days.
While locals might have acted like yokels in the Aug. 28 council meeting as charged, one has to ask the question effen it was the reason for the pull out – or the convenient excuse to git outta a inconvenient situation?
Experience has made Cobina very wary when it comes to setch announcements. They are just a bit too predictable.
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One o’ the things the next administration is gonna hafta tackle is the situation with downtown – like thee last three administrations. Over the years, we’ve quipped between each other that the best way to improve downtown would be a few sticks of TNT strategically placed. Of course, after the quip one hasta be realistic about the geography and what could be done. The biggest problem is the dog leg at Main Street. That little juke in the road to the left (going nawth) is a bigger problem than most would admit.
Then there is the problem that, except for a few ideas surrounding the former Masonic Lodge becoming an arts center, there has been no real plan for downtown since forever. When the Guerra administration (that’s how far back this problem goes) kicked out the superior court because the rent was slow, it actually put the final nail in the coffin o’ downtown. People still remember when you could actually buy a pair of pants downtown, or get a soda.
A real plan, with real results – like most of the city, unfortunately, is about 30 years too late. I dunno what the next administration can do, but that’s why you hire people who’ve been there before.
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Madame Olga is very interested in the condos down on the old Chick’s property – not that she wants to buy one! No, she’s just a nosey cuss and likes to watch the progress. We’re told that quite a few of the new units have been sold, and that more are in the works. That’s nice to know.
Maybe it will prod work on the former Debonair Motel, which still is fenced in and boarded up. Then on the other end Captain’s Galley’s former site is still empty. Effen anything happens there, Cobina will be very surprised.
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With that bit o’ chatter, I’ll close this time till next, mitt luff und kizzez,