Dear Gripe Vine Readers:
OK, I am getting a little weary of the lack of communication between West Haven Connecticut taxpayers and the local government under the leadership of Mayor Nancy Rossi.
This column is designed to help those who are experiencing difficulty in requesting assistance from various local, national government and commercial institutions. Recently, West Haven residents have had their quota of pot holes, non-functioning traffic lights, ugly neighborhood blight sites, unkempt playgrounds, “illegal” pumped water conditions, dangerous speeding locations and many more irritating problems the city has chosen to ignore.
When I say ignore, I mean IGNORE. Perhaps the mayor’s office has issued requests to department heads to investigate and solve taxpayer complaints. Perhaps she has not. However, my readers’ complaints have not been receiving the attention they deserve from the mayor’s office.
If the administration has requested residents’ complaints be investigated, the reading public and I have not had the pleasure of responses, either from the mayor’s office, police department or West Haven department leaders. How about an answer to this question, “ Who is paying the salaries of our city representatives?” Residents and taxpayers deserve honest responses and the courtesy of replies.
As an example, Oct. 15, I sent a question to Mayor Nancy Rossi’s Executive Assistant, Kristen Teshoney requesting the city councilmen’s districts, phone numbers and email addresses. As you read today’s column, Thursday, Nov. 1, Gripe Vine has not received a reply from my request.
Alright, so meanwhile, here is what I am going to do: Today I am going to print the Mission Statement for West Haven’s City Councilmen. You will see the requirements expected from this group of city representatives.
The City Motto:
Nil Desperandum (Latin for “Never Despair”)
Vision
To be a diverse community that embraces the changing needs and expectations of our residents through respect for people, preserving the shoreline, and creating a prosperous and safe community.
Mission Statement
The mission of the government of West Haven is to provide our residents with open, honest and fiscally stable stewardship of the city through a system of checks and balances that ensures compassionate leadership in meeting the needs of our people. This stewardship is based on the following core principles:
Encouraging participation by all residents in the development and improvement of our city.
Striving for excellence and satisfaction in the delivery of public services.
Maintaining respect between the government and the public.
Continually improving the channels of communication both internally and externally.
Ensuring a progressive environment that will enhance the quality of life for all.
Fostering an economic climate that maximizes recreational, educational and employment opportunities for our residents.
Ongoing review of the city’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges to ensure a bright future for the people and the City of West Haven.
Now, my readers, may I suggest you keep this mission statement. I know, legal looking documents aren’t what we would like to read, but this document is important. Please post it on your desk or refrigerator to remind you that you are keeping your part of the bargain when you mail your tax payment to the city. Also, saving this information, is to remind you of this mission statement and what your local government owes you in return, posting your tax payment to pay the bills of the city and to follow through and assist West Haven residents with their request for help in matters of city protection, cleanliness and safety.
OK, from now on, I will continue to mail your requests for help to Mayor Nancy Rossi’s office who has indicated to Gripe Vine that individual council members are supposed to respond.
Next week, Gripe Vine will publish the names of all the city’s councilman and will try diligently to locate their emails, etc., so you can forward your complaints to them as well as Gripe Vine. . I will continue to search for responses…keep those complaints and questions coming to gripevine4wh@aol.com. Please include your name, address and phone number, kept confidentially with me, or you can mail the information to Gripe Vine c/o The West Haven Voice, 666 Savin Ave. Also, you can send your first or last initial along with the area of complaint. You can also send your gripes via our online form by clicking here.