Gripe Vine

Gripe Vine Readers:

Last week a reader wrote and complained of rats in her backyard as well as her neighbors, across from Colonial Boulevard Brook. The individual who complained, indicated she couldn’t see why they have to pay for an exterminator .”After all, the town cleaned the brook and sewers because of the backing up into people’s homes. I counted at least six rats.”

Well, Gripe Vine reached out to the city’s complaint officer, Francis Withington who responded with, “A group cleaned up the creek on Colonial, disturbing the habitat. They are water rats, not city rats. They are wild critters who were disrupted. The Public Works will set some traps. If it were who would be responsible? They are critters of nature.”

Dear Eleanore Turkington:

The ugly skate park has become a haven for graffiti, much of it gang related. If the graffiti is left in place, it will only attract more and in other places. Why has nothing been done here”

Disgruntled

Dear Disgruntled:

Francis Withington, West Haven Complaint Officer, received this gripe and he said, “I have spoken to Joseph Montagna, Park Supervisor and he is calling a company that specializes in graffiti cleaning. Some of the items are Savin Rock related and I think that will remain, but miscellaneous graffiti will be tended to. I will watch this to completion.”

Readers, if you have been a follower of Gripe Vine over the years, you will remember that I always ask you to let me know when your gripe is completed or if it is not. My same reminder is extended to this complaint as well. Give it a week or so and if this graffiti isn’t gone, let me know. [email protected]

Dear Eleanore Turkington:

Truckers have left litter at the Sears Warehouse on Railroad Avenue. It is unbelievable!

I Care

Dear I Care:

The area is now clean.

Dear Eleanore Turkington:

I have submitted, along with a photo of a sidewalk between 106 and 112 Lakeview Avenue in Allingtown. This sidewalk has been an issue for pedestrians, children on bikes and scooters. Mothers walking their babies in strollers, etc. Please let me know how this hazard can be fixed

Fearful

Dear Fearful:

Your complaint was investigated by Francis Withington, West Haven’s Complaint Officer, who is looking into possibly correcting this dangerous sidewalk. Watch Gripe Vine for a solution. Meanwhile, please let me know [email protected] when you see an improvement. If nothing has been corrected within a week or two, email or write to Gripe Vine.

Gripe Vine Readers as I promised, each week in Gripe Vine, I will continue to remind local authorities to correspond with the state on installing speed limit signs in West Haven. I am also going to continue to remind our West Haven Police Department to enforce violators of illegal mufflers and speeding of motorcycles. West Haven Residents have continued to put up with these violators. When you have to close your windows in the summer because of deafening motorcycle roars, it’s time the riders take responsibility. As I have said before, I have ridden “bikes” and have enjoyed the ride, but let’s think of keeping the noise and speeding down to legal limits.

Coming up: hazardous crosswalk at Veteran’s Hospital at Campbell Avenue….auto parking in West Haven…traffic light gripe at Campbell Avenue and Route 1…Beach Street pot hole..empty buildings on Beach Street..Captain Thomas Blvd. lights…children’s swings at Morse Park..and much more.

You can submit your gripes, complaints and comments to [email protected]. Please include your name, address and phone number, kept strictly confidential with me. You can also mail your complaints to Gripe Vine c/o West Haven Voice, 666 Savin Ave.