Thank you to those who saved Laci
On July 12, our nightmare began.
Our 14-year-old daughter, Laci went into cardiac arrest after soccer practice in the CFC Arena. Dave Clarke, the Head Coach of Women’s Soccer at Quinnipiac, the coach working with her that evening, went into quick action giving her CPR. Not long after the Hamden EMTs arrived on the scene, again treating her aggressively, to save her life; and transporting her to Yale.
Our first evening in Yale, the doctors told us there was a good chance she would not make it, and if she did there was a very real chance she would have brain damage. Words that we will forever remember. But in the end Laci, with fierce strength and determination, survived. The doctors in Yale even called her a miracle. And, after several days, the doctors initially determined what caused the cardiac arrest. On Aug. 23 she had a successful open heart surgery that corrected the problem and will allow Laci to fully return to all she loves: sports of all sorts but mostly soccer and basketball!
The purpose of this letter is not to tell Laci’s story – but instead thank the City of West Haven for all their support during our difficult last month. It is true that our city ”rallies” like no other. There are so many people to thank, but some special thanks go out to the staff at Bailey and Carrigan, the WHHS soccer and basketball Teams, Chief Karajanis and WHPD, Chief O’Brien and the WHFD Center District, Chief Scaffariello and the WHFD West Shore District. Mayor O’Brien and his family, our CFC Family, Ruth Costa, Sheila Krajcir and Jen Tavella.
The second purpose of this letter is to share an important event coming up on Sept. 7 from 4-8 pm at the Savin Rock Conference Center – CPR training from the American Red Cross. The event is free for all and open to the public. Without the very quick action of the coach performing CPR, the results for Laci would have been very different. By spending only a very short amount of time, people can learn how to potentially save a life. An extremely worth-while investment.
Finally, a big thank you to the wonderful city we live in. This city literally carried us through with all of the prayers, hospital visits, food. gifts and positive thoughts. We made it!!! We are truly proud to be Westies!
John, Janel, Laci, Leah, Lauren and Trey Lewis
Economic health of city is priority
One of the cornerstones of my first campaign for Mayor was the need for new businesses and economic development in West Haven. For too long our city has stagnated when it comes to development of any kind. I knew this needed to change and as a successful business owner in our city, I knew I had the skills to make that happen.
In my two short terms we have seen an unprecedented amount of economic development in West Haven. There have been major developments such as the “University Commons” made up of The Atwood, the Parkview, and the Forest which are mixed-use buildings containing new businesses in the heart of Allingtown. The Atwood is completed and the other two buildings are on the way. When these projects are done, they will generate about $1 million per year in tax revenue.
We also have The Haven beginning demolition and construction soon which will be a high-end, waterfront outlet center with a variety of stores and restaurants. The Haven is estimated to create 1,200 jobs and about $2 million per year in tax revenue. These major projects are capped off by the recent sale of the Acorn Technology Campus on Route 34, formerly known as the Sursum Corda property, to Yale New Haven Health. Yale will be building a brand new distribution center on this property which will create jobs and add even more to our tax rolls.
On top of these major developments, a variety of smaller business have been opening across our city. On Saw Mill Road alone Chipotle, Aspen Dental, T-Mobile, Firestone, McDonald’s, and Dunkin’ Donuts have all opened during my administration and Stewart’s Restaurant is coming soon. There is also the new O’Reilly Auto Parts on the Post Road, the new Dunkin’ Donuts building on Captain Thomas Boulevard, Edward Jones on Wagner Place, and Pinpoint Promotions moving in on Railroad Avenue.
In addition to new businesses opening, companies that have been in West Haven for years are expanding. Multiple West Haven companies have begun or completed multi-million dollar expansions including Watson Foods, Enthone, AAIS, and Lighting Quotient. This massive amount of new and expanding businesses is a clear sign that West Haven is open for business.
For those of you who have lived in West Haven as long as I have (or longer), honestly ask yourself, when is the last time you have seen this much development in a few short years? I’m willing to bet the answer is never. I am extremely proud of how my administration has fostered positive relationships with developers, investors, and local businesses to make sure businesses in West Haven are successful.
The key to a stronger West Haven and a sustainable local government is growth. That has been my focus from day one and it has not changed. Controlling our spending and tightening our belts when needed is important, but a sustainable government should not come at the expense of services to our residents, which is why economic growth is the key to success. My administration has made that growth happen and with consistent news of new development and success in West Haven, you can rest assured that there is more to come.
Edward M. O’Brien
Mayor
Mayor’s decisions cost more for less
In an Aug. 24 letter to the Voice, Mayor Ed O’Brien made a case for rejecting the original $124 million high school project that had been in the works during the first two years of his administration. Suddenly, Mayor O’Brien had changed directions and told the entire city that the project had to be put on hold until the city’s finances improved. Since then, he has taken to Twitter claiming the State of Connecticut wanted the project shelved, or West Haven would be in jeopardy of losing its 75-percent reimbursement rate. His most recent claim, now that he has taken control of the project, is that the city is getting more for less. He goes on to describe in the letter that the original design had Styrofoam /stucco walls, a reduced shop program, and asbestos encapsulation instead of removal. All of these claims are false. The original plan was approved by the state, and, in fact, the city had already requested and received $6million from the construction grant to begin the design. The current $133 million design is the same one as the original project with several cuts and modifications. For example, the original had masonry walls inside and out, a full shop program modeled after Central Connecticut State University’s, and all of the asbestos removed. The mayor insists on referring to a cost savings option to encapsulate one wing of masonry that had asbestos paint. This was never accepted by the previous building committee.
The facts are clear; the city is getting far less for a much higher cost. The $133 million design omits 14 classrooms and a science lab. This amounts to a 25,000 square foot loss. Hydronic slabs have been removed, leaving behind unheated and cold concrete floors. Rooftop mechanical enclosures have been removed from the design leaving behind an unsightly view. In the meantime, because of its budget crises, the state will no longer reimburse for the full furniture, fixtures and equipment expenses. The new school will be harder to maintain, have less features, and will cost a lot more. With the loss of classroom space, the new West Haven High School also runs the risk of being overcrowded from the day it opens. Mayor O’Brien stopped the original $124 million project because of his desire to control it. He took the exact same project design and removed $12 million of features only to increase the price by over $9 million. The city is getting far less at a much higher cost.
Finally, if the West Haven High School renovation project is any indication of the Mayor’s negotiating skills, it’s no wonder he hasn’t balanced a budget, he recently had to borrow $17 million to pay off a deficit he created, and West Haven is on the verge of bankruptcy.
Ken Carney