Time to pay attention
Now the real campaign begins. With the primary win of Barry Cohen over Paige Weinstein in last week’s Republican primary, the candidates are set for the two competing parties. The Democratic Party has avoided a primary and, at least on the face of it, has rallied around Dorinda Keenan Borer as its candidate going into Nov. 7. Whether the same is true of the Republicans remains to be seen, though some statements made over the last few days seem to indicate there will be some residual hard feelings.
Whatever the behind-the-scenes bickering in either party, the voters of West Haven now have the opportunity to listen to the visions of both candidates, Borer and Cohen, for the future of the city. There is much to be done by way of reforming the way the city conducts its business. Just last week the announcement that the New England Brewery was backing out of a proposed deal for the Savin Rock Conference Center underlined the need for radical changes in how city officials approach potential developers.
The issues are many, and resolutions few, it seems, but they are not impossible to obtain. The voters should home in onto these issues to see which candidate has the best program for our future:
Financial reorganization – The recurring problem of accounts receivable and accounts payable would put a real corporation out of business. The city must maintain and pay its bills in a timely fashion. Vendors have repeatedly refused to honor city credit because of the payment delays.
This is only one of many problems with city finances. The Municipal Accountability Review Board has enumerated several reforms it would like to see implemented. The new administration must tackle this situation head-on and re-earn the respect of vendors. The adversarial relationship between this body and the city seems to be waning, but a new approach is needed to make the present détente an operational norm.
City Development – One of the major problems with development in West Haven is the internal difficulties developers have working with city officials as proposals become more concrete. The usual scene goes something like this: a proposal is made, the City Council or other body gives approvals, and the project becomes dormant. Behind the scenes problems are heard, and what should have been a new, taxpaying operation is no further along months or years after announcement. The new administration must investigate the internal operations of the city as it relates to development and developers and make needed changes.
Tackling Resident complaints – While in the general scheme of things this issue might seem minor, it has to do with dealing with individuals like the issue stated above. Over the last few years, the number of complaints received by this publication concerning complaints to City Hall has increased. This does not necessarily mean the mayor’s office, but the departmental processes to handle complaints. Residents, taxpayers, want issues addressed, and believe their taxes give them access to address those issues. Some issues go on for years, and resentments build. It might mean placing an ombudsman in the position of handling or directing complaints. However, it’s handled in the new administration, the belief city departments care about individual’s issues needs to be reinforced.
This is by no means an exhaustive list. It highlights only some problems the city faces. Others will be addressed during the campaign and voters must listen and make decisions.
The campaign is underway. It is time to pay attention.