Editorial

Small resolutions for 2025

With the beginning of a new year, many people follow the ancient custom of making resolutions, hoping to improve some aspects of their life. Sometimes these are very approachable and very doable resolutions, while others can be much less accessible, turning into abject failures before the year is in full swing.

While this publication is hitting the newsstands eight days after 2026 entered the scene, we at the Voice would like to offer a few suggestions for those who are still trying to piece together their own resolutions. These are ways to make the civil contract between West Haven residents and their neighbors a means of improving everyday living in our community.

Red Lights are not suggestions – Drivers, particularly those not inclined to follow the rules to which the rest of us adhere can start with this. Whether it be a turning lane light or just blowing through a red light because one does not want to stop, this slight change can make life better, and safer.

The idea that rules are for others and not for oneself is becoming more prevalent. The same is true of four-way stop signs. Increasingly, drivers are not waiting in turn but challenging others in a game of “chicken.” This small adherence to traffic laws can make life better for everyone.

Pedestrians must follow the rules, too – Along with motorists who flaunt traffic laws, pedestrians need to follow the rules as well. While the state marks out intersections clearly where pedestrians always have the right of way, those same pedestrians must understand that “Don’t Walk” signs are not licensed to barrel into the middle of a street. These intersections are there for both motorists and pedestrians to follow to keep everyone safe. We are seeing people ignore the “Don’t Walk” signs at remarkably busy areas. This is dangerous, yes, but it is indicative of a mindset where rules are for others. Follow the traffic laws, pedestrians. It makes for a safer city.

Lawns are for mowing, not parking – This is a constant issue mentioned in these pages. Residents all over the city are looking to make their properties more presentable and curb friendly, yet there are others who believe parking on the lawn is some type of enumerated right.

These same people are those who would carp about the city not keeping city areas clean enough or admonishing neighbors for leaving their trash bins out too long, yet here they are using their lawns for excess parking, demeaning the neighborhood and their neighbors.

Renters have responsibilities – It is a sad fact that much of the housing stock in West Haven is operated by absentee landlords, investors looking to make money on rentals and having management companies care for the day-to-day operations. Multi-unit dwellings are owned less by hands-on owners and more by surrogates. Renters, meanwhile, seem to believe they have no responsibilities regarding the properties they rent as it is “managed.”

Trivial things like picking up around the apartment complex or house, making sure debris does not collect, or not littering can make life better for everyone. Paying rent does not exonerate one of doing some simple things to make life better.

Many might think these are small matters. But to ignore unimportant things leads to an erosion of civil intercourse. The new year gives us all a new opportunity to reset and make life better for all.