Gripe Vine Readers:
If you are a regular reader of this column, you are discovering various members of your city government are not responding or recognizing your complaints either through Gripe Vine or personal contact with the mayor’s office.
Recently I contacted Mayor Nancy Rossi and requested a list of City Council members, their email addresses and phone numbers, hopefully alerting residents on how to contact their councilmen if they have complaints. A month has gone by and I haven’t received that list yet. However, I located through some research, this entire list and next week your councilmen’s phone numbers, addresses and email addresses will appear in this column.
In last week’s Gripe Vine, a copy of the City of West Haven’s Mission Statement was published in this column.. As you know, a mission statement is a pledge by city officials to recognize and cooperate with residents. I will continue to publish this mission statement regularly to remind West Haven’s government and to keep the reading public aware of what taxpayers should expect from their city’s representatives.
Meanwhile I will continue to publish resident’s complaints, locally, statewide and national, when the occasion arises. No response from the city? If you complained, let Gripe Vine know if the city responded and I will do the same for my readers, meanwhile…..
Dear Eleanore Turkington:
Well over a month ago, I had mailed you a request as to what the official city ordinance is on the cut off time for loud music at night, as usual, no response.
I also got a good laugh when you said do not be disappointed in the lack of response from the mayor’s office.
The reason I elected the new mayor was to have CHANGE. Did those in charge now have any lack of plastering election sigs all over West Haven to get change? If you want us to believe in you and re-elect you again, we ask for a reply, not the usual run around like we are all used to.
SOS Voter
Dear Eleanore Turkington:
I’m still hoping to see in print a response from Lou Esposito as to why there are so many “gripes” that have not been acted upon. In my opinion he is/was the person hired to see these problems solved or at least get the ball rolling.
I see there is still no reply from Lou Esposito about not doing his job! What’s up with that? Eleanore, can I contact him directly?
Michael J. Lostoco
Dear Michael J. Lostocco
Of course, you can contact him directly! Good luck!
Dear Eleanore Turkington:
As an early morning walker, I have noticed for years that the park across the street from the West Haven Fire Department, has automatic sprinklers. These sprinklers are on every morning, even after (and during) long periods of rain One of the sprinkler heads does a fine job of doing nothing but watering Ocean Avenue.
The use of these sprinklers can’t be cheap. Can they at least put on water detection meters, or better yet, not be used at all?
Walker Ocean Avenue
Dear Walker:
I sent your questions to Chief Stephen Scafariello, West Shore Fire District, who replied, “I received your letter requesting information about the irrigation system of the park across from the firehouse.
Unfortunately, I will not be able to correct this issue as the West Shore Fire District does not own or maintain this park. This park is owned and maintained by the City of West Haven.
I enjoy reading your column every Thursday, keep up the good work. If I can be of any assistance in the future, please contact me. I have attached my information.”
Stephen Scafariello,
Chief of Department WSFD
Dear Chief Scafariello:
Thank you for your response to my reader’s complaint. How refreshing to receive cooperation!
Dear Walker Ocean Avenue:
Please let me know if the sprinklers have been turned off.
Dear Eleanore Turkington:
I wrote and asked you for a list of those trash violators who have left big rubbish, non-pickup items out who received fines. No answer yet from the City of West Haven?
J of Washington Manor
Dear J of Washington Manor:
I am still waiting for the list!
Dear Eleanore Turkington:
The intersection at hood Terrace and Sawmill Road is dangerous and needs a light. I have regularly taken a bike to the train and back and turning right onto Saw Mill Road, is one of the most perilous sections of my return trip, especially if I am turning on Main street. Its also not very safe for cars either as people regularly speed coming down the hill under the railroad bridge.
Going on nearly five years later and it is still an issue. Not only has the city not moved forward on lights at intersections that are dangerous for cyclists, but they have refused to move forward on bike lanes, too. Cities that actually want to grow and move forward are creating complete streets.
Do we want to be our own city and grow or continue to just be another lame suburb of New Haven?
Mr.DJ,
Hood Terrace
Dear Eleanore Turkington:
I am writing in regard to my sidewalk. I have been trying to get sidewalks for at least seven years. The closest I’ve come was the city taking down the tree that’s lifting the sidewalk and the street. ‘
The stump is still there and the sidewalk. I feel bad for the high school kids. They all have to walk in the street. The kid down the street is in a wheelchair and his dad also must walk him in the street. Please, can YOU help me. No one else has.
MG
Linden Street
Dear MG Linden Street:
As soon as I send this column to my editor, I will email the Mayor’s Office. In case the mayor doesn’t forward your complaint to the Supervisor of Safety, be assured thousands of my readers will see the dilemma city officials have placed upon its taxpayers. Please let me know of any city movement with this issue. I have included a photo submitted by this reader in today’s column.
Gripe Vine Readers
We welcome comments from all of our readers and if you would like your opinion expressed you can write to gripevine4wh@aol.com or mail gripes, complaints to Gripe Vine c/o West Haven Voice, 666 Savin Ave. You can also submit via our online form by clicking here. Please include your name, address and phone number, kept strictly confidential with me.