Dear Eleanore Turkington:
The traffic light at the bottom of the Veteran’s Hospital at the corner of Campbell and Lamson, which is supposed to be solid green during rush hour has been broken for at least three days. This makes it extremely dangerous for VA employees and visitors to leave the VA during rush hour because no one on Campbell Avenue wants to stop for them. I have witnessed several near accidents in the last three days. I have reported it to the West Haven Police, one of whom I spoke with rather than leaving a message and he didn’t seem to care a whole lot. I also left a message with the mayor’s office, and she was very nice. This has also happened multiple times in the past and everyone wants to shift blame to some another department.
There has been a death on that corner, I believe, related to this phenomenon in the past.
It needs to be fixed immediately.
WHR
Dear Eleanore Turkington:
Regarding the traffic light at Campbell Avenue and Lamson, near the Veteran’s Hospital, the light has been broken several times since I reported it. It has now been broken for over a year. The West Haven’s mayor’s office and the police department give the same excuse they’ve always given “There is a broken part we’ve been waiting for.” In the meantime, there are constant near accidents and since I worked from home for a year during COVID there has been actually more accidents, I don’t know. All I know, is that everyone is back to work at the VA this continues to be a major safety issue that no one in the West Haven government seems to care about.
JW
Dear JW and WHR:
I can sympathize with your complaints. In the past, I had regularly brought my husband to the VA hospital for medical care and have witnessed firsthand the safety concerns you provided with this particular traffic light. Many times, it was a “You go,” “No, go ahead,” and neither one of us didn’t move. However, I wrote to Councilman Mitchell L. Gallignano for his assistance with this malfunctioning traffic light. He promptly replied, “I have contacted the West Haven Police Department and they tell me this is a state issue. They also told me they have contacted the state and is now in their hands to get this corrected. If I do get more information about this issue. I can certainly keep everyone informed. Sorry about the delay but dealing with the state can be cumbersome.”
Gripe Vine Readers, as a sign of respect to our veterans and their families, I am anticipating, through the efforts of Councilman Gallignano this traffic light will be resolved as soon as possible.
Dear Eleanore Turkington:
Last July I wrote about an abandoned white truck on Front Avenue. It also had out of state plates that has been there for years, not months and as usual, nothing was done, yet a damaged car that was parked on Westfield Street for two weeks gets tagged, just the typical run around in West Haven.
Curious
Dear Curious:
I asked Councilman Mitchell Galignano for some help in removing this truck. He replied, “The truck has been removed.”
Dear Eleanoreo Turkington:
There is a small public beach across from Nashawena Avenue. The owner from the adjacent home trucked in a load of shells and a small excavator to level the shells. He now uses this area as a parking place. I may be wrong, but I think this is city property.
Environmentally Concerned
Dear Environmentally Concerned:
Robert Bruneau, councilman for this district, replied to my quest for assistance with this concern with, “I went to the area of concern and was able to speak to the homeowner, who stated parking is tight down there. However, he assured me he will no longer be parking on city owned property known as the beach.”
Dear Eleanore Turkington:
The northbound lane of Kelsey Avenue has a large and growing pothole. Its length and location make it particularly dangerous for cyclists and for WHHS pedestrians trying to cross to go to school as cars are swerving right near the crosswalk on the busy icy hill to avoid it.
Safety Observer
Dear Safety Observer:
Councilwoman Bridgette J. Hoskie received my request to fill this pothole. Her reply, “I sent this to Public Works to be filled.” Please let me know if this pothole has been filled.”
Dear Gripe Vine Readers:
I will begin forwarding copies of all stop signs, traffic lights and speeding complaints to your Councilmen/Women as well as directly to West Haven Police Chief, Joseph Perno. If any of these complaints are the state’s responsibility, I am sure Chief Perno will notify the State’s Traffic Division for safety compliance concerns.
You can send your gripes, complaints, and issues to gripevine4wh@aol.com or if you prefer mail them to Gripe Vine c/o West Haven Voice 840 Boston Post Road, West Haven 06516 Please include your name, address and phone number, or your email address, kept in strict confidence with me. You can also submit through our online form.