Gripe Vine Readers:
I just finished reading a news release in a local paper that contained a full description of the safety hazards on Campbell Avenue. I have received numerous complaints from my readers describing the dangers of this area and the lack of stop signs here as well as blinking red lights. Gripe Vine has reached out to councilmen in this neighborhood and according to Councilman Mitchell Gallignano, “The traffic lights at the end of Exit 43 and Campbell are controlled by the State of Connecticut. I have someone looking into this. So that what they can see to keep this light working at all times, and not blinking. I will keep you posted as I get information.”
Now, you all know I have been writing this column for many years. Seldom do I place my personal opinions here because this is YOUR column. You complain, I try to solve. But, today, I really have to put in my two cents .
In a recent column, a complaint indicated motorists are running a stop sign at a school bus stop. I followed through and hopefully this practice stopped. However, today I’m making a request for any member of the police department whether you are off duty or not who witnesses this flagrant, dangerous practice of motorists running through stop signs, to take a moment and either ticket the individual or report it immediately. The police department has also been notified by councilmen and councilwomen who have asked for their surveillance. According to some of my readers, nothing has changed.
Another dangerous area is Second Avenue and Marian Avenue and Beach Street. I constantly receive complaints from caring readers for help in protecting residents in these neighborhoods from speeding cars.
We all thank the West Haven Police Department. It’s not an easy job to protect and these days get criticized, but as a media representative for West Haven residents, may I ask for more participation from city officials by observing and repairing broken or missing stop signs as soon as possible? If you see a missing stop sign, a broken traffic light, call the West Haven Police Station at (203) 937-3900. This is an ongoing problem, and I am hoping we can get it solved before there’s a tragedy.
Dear Eleanore Turkington:
There are 100-year-old trees on Highland Avenue that are hanging over people’s houses and garages. There are also old tree stumps that should be removed on Fairview Avenue. Will you help our neighborhood and get these trees removed?
LJ
Dear LJ:
Thanks to Councilman Robert Bruneau who responded to my request for assistance with these trees, “I was out with Bob Harrington, the city’s tree consultant and I witnessed him trim a bunch of trees on the lower half. If you can be more specific, we can have him revisit. I am talking to the city to have the stumps removed on Fairview. I will follow up on it.” I feel confident my readers will let me know where else these old trees that need trimming are located and I will be happy to forward this information to Councilman Bruneau.
Dear Eleanore Turkington:
This is a problem that needs to be addressed by the city. The city should contact the owner of this large, wooded lot and insist it be cleaned up of all dumped furniture and trash. It is blight and by not addressing it, the dumping is encouraged. Most recently on my work to the VA I noticed the queen-sized mattress leaning in the woods and walkway to the overpass. The neighbors all do a good job keeping their properties maintained. I don’t think any neighborhood should have to tolerate this ongoing disrespect for our community.
TRG Really Annoyed
Dear Annoyed:
Councilman Mitchell L. Gallignano who investigated your complaint and forwarded his reply to Gripe Vine, “I actually live around the corner from this dumping ground, I have cleaned up a few times myself. The issue is, we do not have cameras yet and people are just plain slobs. One thing we know is that this done at nighttime, and we can’t be everywhere all the time. I have inquired about getting cameras but anything like this takes time and of course money. I will keep you posted on any developments on this issue.:
Gripe Vine Readers, as you can see, Councilman Gallignano has made a sincere effort to help stop this illegal dumping issue. Perhaps the West Haven Police Department night cruiser in this neighborhood and can swing around frequently night and day making themselves visible to those individuals who dump items illegally
Dear Eleanore Turkington:
Ever since the traffic lights at Wagner Place were changes, there are knots of traffic which sometimes approach gridlock at the Elm–Wagner, Main-Wagner-Kelsey intersections.
At the worst, the light at Elm-Wagner causes long lines of traffic that back up to Main and when long lines which had formed on Kelsey and get a green light they advance and get stuck in the intersection and the light promptly turns red again stalling cars in the intersection and blocking lines of traffic on Main Street. The lines on Kelsey are longer than they have ever been as so many cars pile up no due to the unfortunate light timing and the cars form two lanes because anyone turning right on Main Street can only get into the right lane at the last moment because of residents who have to park on Kelsey Avenue.
Whoever did the timing on these lights needs to get out and fix the problem. As it is now, we try to avoid these intersection’s altogether, but it is not always possible.
SY Frustrated
Dear Frustrated:
This is a heavy traffic intersection and immediately notified Councilwoman Bridgett Hoskie and Councilwoman Chrystal Fanelli, anticipating a prompt solution. As of this writing, I have been waiting for a reply since Sep. 23.
With numerous irritants facing us these days, harassment in traffic is not welcomed. You will either see an improvement at this intersection soon or I ask you to contact the WHPD and let them know. I will try my best to find a solution here asap.
Coming up…updated trash pickup update requested…sports article in Voice….Colonial Blvd driveway grips. Overgrown shrubs from Blohm to Anderson Avenue….more complaints on illegal Stevens Avenue dumping…trash and litter in West Haven…abandoned truck and much more.
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You can submit your gripes, comments, and issues to Gripe Vine at [email protected] or write to Gripe Vine c/o West Haven Voice 840 Boston Post Road, West Haven 06516 Please include your name, address and phone number, kept in strict privacy with me. You can also submit through our online form.