Gripe vine

Dear Eleanore Turkington:

I would like to know when the state is going to fix the uneven pavement across from the old Forest School on Forest Road here in Allingtown, plus the concrete storm drain that is higher than the sidewalk, causing traffic to veer slightly into the other lane to avoid hitting your rim on the concrete.

Stunt Man

Dear Stunt Man:

Francis Withington, complaint officer for West Haven, received your gripe and followed through with a reply from Tom Winter, project manager for the state in charge of the Forest Road/Route 1 project. According to Withington, “He assured me that the road will be paved by Friday, July 7. Also, all issues would be addressed.”

Dear Eleanore Turkington:

Once again, there are speeding cars and motorcycles on Benham Hill Road. They start at Morgan Lane and speed up the hill.

Neighbors

Dear Neighbors:

I notified the city’s complaint officer, Francis Withington of your concern. He has called this condition to the West Haven Police Department’s Traffic Division. Please let me know if you see an improvement at this site.

Dear Eleanore Turkington:

The bus shelter at 1146 Campbell Avenue was crushed by a car. When will it be fixed?

A Rider

Dear Rider:

The bus shelter has been repaired according to city complaint officer, Francis Withington.

Dear Eleanore Turkington:

The light on Washington Street between Captain Thomas Blvd and Beach Street has been broken since last August. Can we get it repaired?

A Motorist

Dear Motorist:

Please get me a pole number and I will follow up and have this condition remedied.

Dear Eleanore Turkington:

A few weeks ago, a gripe was published by a frustrated citizen of how people don’t simply cover their trash cans on the nights before trash pickup, resulting in animals getting into the garbage and leaving a mess the following days.

I am equally frustrated. I have neighbors who have over flowing trash. Instead of purchasing another trash can, they either leave the trash bags hanging out of the trash can or on the ground, leaving the animals and birds getting into them. I have neighbors who don’t even use trash cans and just leave the bags of trash on the curb.

So, here’s my question and a possible solution. Why can’t West Haven have uniformed trash cans and recycling bins provided by the city? Hamden has them, New Haven has them. They are big enough to fit a good amount of trash in them and they have attachable lids resulting in all trash cans are covered. I think this can at least help a little with garbage problems.

Frustrated

Dear Frustrated:

Your suggestion was forwarded to the city’s Complaint Officer, Francis Withington who replied, “I checked with Mark Paine of Public Works. He stated that it would be done through the contract with the rubbish company. We have one year left on the contract and we hopefully will be able to have this issue addressed in the new contract. The city is investigating the automated rubbish pickup. Anyone who supports such an initiative should contact their city council person.”

Gripe Vine Readers:

As promised, Gripe Vine will publish motorcycle facts anticipating an improvement in loud, speeding “bikes” on our roads. City Complaint Officer Francis Withington has been in touch with the state of Connecticut, anticipating speed warning signs illustrating fines for ignoring existing speeding laws.

Here’s an interesting motorcycle fact “To operate a motorcycle on the public streets and highways in the State of Connecticut, the motorcycle operator is required to have a valid driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement or a motorcycle learner’s permit. All applicants who do not hold a driver’s license must complete an 8 hour safe driving course.” Hopefully, this activity would assure the public that motorcycles on their streets are driving with regulated state speed limits and safety practices.

Send your gripes, comments and suggestions to [email protected] or mail them to Gripe Vine, West Haven Voice, 666 Savin Ave. Please include your name, address and phone number, kept in strict confidence with me.

Coming up…Food establishments inspections…pot holes on Washington and Wood Streets, Savin Rock Trail Playground equipment faults…traffic light at Capt. Thomas Blvd and Kelsey gripe..traffic light at Central and Route 34…broken rail at Savin Rock Trail…Beach Street trash barrels..VA Hospital crosswalk on Campbell Avenue…and much more.