It’s August already, sweets! Where did the time go? It seems we were just crowing about sun and fun and June 1. Now we’re heading into the Dog Days, and know that before we blink an eye, the leaves will be turning, and winter will be heading this way.
Before we get too far into the weeds concerning our little corner of the world, we want to send our condolences to the Ed O’Brien family on the loss of the former mayor last week. We won’t sugar coat the fact that this papyrus was critical of him whilst he was on the thoid floor, but that was politics, not real life.
O’Brien was a strong family man, and as we like to say around here, “A true Westie.” He loved the city and he was one of the few we can say really loved being mayor during his tenure. He seemed to relish the long days and many ceremonial things attached to the office.
We never thought he was out for himself, or looking to burnish his own standing in the community. He knew his community bona fides and didn’t need to be artificial about it.
Where we differed was decisions and executions like we do with all the personages who sit up in the catbird seat.
Prayers for him and his family at this time of sorrow. The community is poorer for his loss.
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Of course, the big news over the past couple o’ weeks was the Savin Rock Festival, and kudos to the committee and all those who made it another smashing success. We think the original organizers and officials who have gone onto a “farther shore and greater light” are pleased.
We will say this, the people running the helicopter rides were certainly busy all day. Cobina happened by in the gassamobuggy on two separate occasions on Saturday, and it seemed the lines for the ride were steady. The chopper went back and forth along a shore route, and things seemed to be in constant pick-ups.
Meanwhile, the other attractions in the Old Grove were gathering quite the crowds. We aren’t into rock ‘n roll, nor disco, leaning more toward the Lindy, and Charleston, but those who are fans of the genre seemed enthusiastic. And for once, Mother Nature cooperated with the event, and the organizers could not have asked for a better summer day.
All in all, it seemed the event was as good as anyone could expect with people at the venue all day and into the night. Once again, kudos to the committee and all the organizations that helped make it a success.
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Sammy Bluejay was here t’other afternoon and noted that with the doldrums of the summer, the political scene here abouts is rather staid and quiet – not somethin’ we’re used to around here. But, when you thik about it, around late July or early August things do slow down each year. The City Council is only meeting once a month, the budget is done, so the heavy lifting is over. Events are happening which keeps the other mavens of the Actors Colony busy, but it seems at a rather laid-back pace.
We will say this, the heavy rains we had a couple o’ weeks back was handled perty well by the boys and girls of the Dept. of Public Woiks. Cobina was here in the office for a big whilst the rain was coming down in sheets. I guess we had something like three inches of rain in a little less than two hours. Needless to say streets along a coastal town – and one with the hills and dales we have – saw water collecting in various places
When Cobina tried to git home, calling the route “circuitous” is an understatement. Finally, the Grasso Boulevard was the way to go, and she found her way to the domicile. But, in the process, we saw many street closures, even where they don’t happen on average.
Once again, good job to the DPW for getting out there and rerouting people who think they can wade their automobiles through a foot or more of rainwater.
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The Wag was in t’other day and wondered effen we’d noticed the gubernatorial race seems to be heating up early. We noted that both His Excellency Gov. Ned Lamont and Republican challenger Ryan Fazio are beginning the TV blitz already, and we have five weeks before Labor Day. That is the traditional beginning of the election “cycle” as they say these days.
One wonders why so early? Does anyone really pay attention now, when there is so much other stuff to do? Methinks not. We only wish they would send that campaign lucre our way. We’d sure as heck take it with both hands.
But seriously, TV ads already. Most people watch less TV during the summer. But we have to remember, campaigns are not run by crusty politicians anymore. They are run by suits making thousands of kopecks as “Consultants.” And, even though consultants’ strategies have failed possibly more than they’ve worked, the political class still leans their way each and every “cycle.”
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Iva Lootey noted that work has begun it seems on Molloy School on Meloy Road. Effen yew remember, two years ago, the city announced the building would be converted into a community center with areas for meetings, the senior center is moving there, and there will be other groups staking out some o’ the space.
Some upgrades to the building as well as accommodations to other things are being made, when it is completed it will be filling a gap the city has had for years, and it’s not at the extremes of the city, it’s smack-dab in the center of it, so nobody can complain. And the Molloy School has always been one of the more handsome constructs in town. It has a classy look that most modern building lack.
Meanwhile, the idea to add meeting spaces at the former Masonic Temple, once going to be the Arts Center, are on the back burner. But Iva thinks we should be thinking about things one at a time anyway. Get the wins whilst you can, and worry about the next one later. Maybe he is right about that.
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A few weeks ago, Cobina noted the loss of the West Haven Twilight League from the city – the city that spawned the league in 1933, and is considered the longest continuous active amateur league in the country. Quigley Stadium, which had been the home of the league for about 30-plus years (it was once domiciled at Painter Park until the advent of metal bats) has been deemed unplayable.
The league, we are told, is currently playing its games at Rochford Field in Hamden of all places, and now there is a move afoot to change the name of the league to reflect the new reality. Longtime Westies should be appalled by this and we know Ed Shrimp Flynn and Bob Greenwood, and even Bob Tingley are spinning in their graves with this news.
The new reality has rekindled the rumors going around that the land will be up for sale, and what once was a cozy little ball park will be made into goodness knows what. Probably, this will be more land taken over to accommodate the University of New Haven – at least the land will be put to good use. But, we can’t help but think the city was at fault for this
Twice in 20 years hundreds of thousands of kopecks were used to upgrade the field, only to have it neglected. We remember our own editor chastised the city for the neglect when he umpired a game there – and that was seven years ago. Things were OK for a while, but then neglect is neglect. What should be a landmark is now a ruin – and all because the city has dollar signs in its head, rather than preserving part of our history. Is Cobina upset? Dang right!
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With the coming of late summer, we’re getting back-to-school ads everywhere. It’s less than a month before the youngsters have to trek back to the classroom, when it seems it was a scant few weeks ago summer vacation started. Tempus does fugit.
You can notice the glint in a Mom’s eye, looking forward to having her space back to herself, along with the increased horror by the kiddies that sun and fun will soon be in the rearview mirror, and wondering why time doesn’t go as fast during the school year as it seems to go in the summer.
Ah, Felicia, we remember those thoughts. When next we commune in this papyrus the bus schedule will be contained in the pages, and that makes it all real. Summer will be over – at least as far as the kids are concerned, and things will get back into the rhythm that we are more used to – drat the luck!
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With that bit o’ chatter, I’ll close this time till next, mitt luff und kizzez,
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