• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

West Haven Voice

West Haven’s only independent news source - By and For West Haven

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Archive
  • Advertise With Us!
  • Classified
  • Announcements
  • Contact Us
  • Web Exclusive
    • Kids Activity Pages

Letters

November 24, 2021 By whvoice

Curb enthusiasm

After recently reading an article in the New Haven Register entitled, “NEBCO hotel target West Haven’s Savin Rock with $20M to $35M plans,” I’ve come to the conclusion that our elected officials see the glass as half empty, take the attitude that whatever can go wrong, will, and most notably have no vision for the development of the shoreline or the future of this city.

Why it is that Mayor Rossi and the members of the City Council simply see their job as having to choose between a hotel or a brewery? Why isn’t the mayor demanding from her staff to see a comprehensive plan that may include a first class hotel, a brewery, several shops, restaurants, and other reasons to bring tourism and much needed revenue into the poorest city in the State of Connecticut? In fact, has the mayor thought of calling both developers into her office and negotiating a viable proposition that would benefit both ventures?

Before the hotel has even been vetted never mind constructed, Council members have already expressed concerns about the project going “belly-up.” Mayor Rossi is worried about the height, and Council Chairman wants it relocated to the train station where it will have a breathtaking view of the Armstrong Rubber Company! It seems to me that, while I’m not against a brewery, our leaders see this as the easy choice.

I believe, that a first class destination hotel on the water, has the potential to be the start of something big. One only needs to look nearby in Madison and Old Saybrook as examples of success.

While many residents of West Haven may be getting excited at the prospects of finally getting something at the Savin Rock Conference Center, I want to warn you not to get too excited. The defeatist attitude will ultimately not lead to much if anything at all.

Remember, this is a city that still clings to the glory days of the Savin Rock Amusement Park, something that hasn’t been in existence for almost 60 years. We are doing our best to save our shore, but from what I’m not exactly sure. I believe that with the right plan, oversight, and vision, West Haveners, can have access to the shoreline, a better quality of life, and lower taxes. The shoreline has often been called the city’s crown-jewel, and it is now time to put a plan in place that will revitalize the community, and give hope to future generations.

With the group in charge now, I will leave you with one warning, “Curb Your Enthusiasm!”

Nathan Hayes

Why concede?

With only 32 votes separating mayoral candidates Nancy Rossi and Barry Lee Cohen, why are three former Republican Town Committee Chairmen urging Mr. Cohen to immediately concede the election?  That’s very odd indeed.  Are they still Republicans?

Moreover, why is the current Republican Town Committee Chairman Dave Riccio adopting a “hands-off approach” to such a super-close mayoral election?  Mr. Riccio recently stated: “It’s in the hands of Cohen and his attorney.”

The recent election was a stunning success for Mr. Cohen; especially in a town where registered Democrats have an 11,000-voter registration advantage over registered Republicans.  This is by far the closest mayoral election in West Haven in decades, and one would think that the Republican Town Committee and every Republican would be wholeheartedly behind endorsed-candidate Barry Cohen!

With that kind of laissez-faire attitude by the Republican Town Committee toward their candidate in a razor-thin mayoral electoral margin, it is no wonder why Republicans never mount a viable challenge to Democrats, who routinely steamroll their Republican challengers.

Kudos to Mr. Cohen for retaining an attorney and mounting a legal challenge to the election results, especially since he won the machine vote count and the 32 votes which swung the election to Mrs. Rossi were absentee ballots, which historically require careful accounting and analysis.  The tiny plurality of votes for Mrs. Rossi makes the election results ripe for judicial review.  

All residents of West Haven should thank Barry Lee Cohen for ensuring judicial examination and oversight to ensure that democracy prevails in West Haven.

John Grottole

Filed Under: 112521, Letters, Opinion

Primary Sidebar

Seach our site

Follow us on Facebook

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

Historian's Corner ... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Historian’s Corner

westhavenvoice.com

Historian’s Corner May 21, 2025 By whvoice Leave a Comment The West Haven Veterans Museum on Hood Terrace is making an effort to acquaint city students and youth in the history of service in the cit...
7 days ago
View Comments
  • likes Like 1
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

Dear Felicia ... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Dear Felicia

westhavenvoice.com

Dear Felicia May 22, 2025 By whvoice Leave a Comment Howdy do, sweets! Hard to believe, but here we are at the downside of May, looking into the Memorial Day weekend already. Of course, like most thin...
1 week ago
View Comments
  • likes Like 0
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

Pollution plant needs leadership, $$$ ... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Pollution plant needs leadership, $$$

westhavenvoice.com

Pollution plant needs leadership, $$$ May 21, 2025 By whvoice Leave a Comment By Richard Hebert and Bonnie Posick Research by Kyle Rich West Haven residents have been vocal about the city’s revaluat...
1 week ago
View Comments
  • likes Like 0
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

HS Frosh cited by Mullins ... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

HS frosh cited by Mullins

westhavenvoice.com

HS frosh cited by Mullins May 21, 2025 By whvoice Leave a Comment Steven R. Mullins presents his 10th annual awards to WHHS frosh Bibi Hadi. Steven R. Mullins presents his 10th annual awards to WHHS f...
1 week ago
View Comments
  • likes Like 0
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

Load more

 

 

West Haven’s Calendar

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
West Haven Calendar
2 years ago
West Haven Calendar

Thursday Night Live (This one's on Friday!!!)

... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Thursday Night Live (This one's on Friday!!!)

tockify.com

Fri 23 Jun, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM [EDT]: Event by Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce, CT Old Grove Park Public · Anyone on or off Facebook West Haven summer concerts are back! Join us in West Haven thi...
View Comments
  • likes Like 0
  • Comments: 1
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

1 CommentsComment on Facebook

West Haven Calendar
2 years ago
West Haven Calendar

Mark Your West Haven Calendar

tockify.com/west.haven.calendar/detail/442/1686776400000

Business After Hours West Haven Veterans Museum
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Business After Hours West Haven Veterans Museum

tockify.com

Wed 14 Jun, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM [EDT]: Business After Hours West Haven Veterans Museum West Haven Veterans Museum & Learning Center Event by Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce, CT West Haven Veterans ...
View Comments
  • likes Like 0
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

West Haven Calendar
2 years ago
West Haven Calendar

Added for June 10th & 11th

tockify.com/west.haven.calendar/detail/443/1686405600000

West Haven Historical Society Open House
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

West Haven Historical Society Open House

tockify.com

Sat 10 Jun, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM [EDT]:
View Comments
  • likes Like 2
  • Comments: 1
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

1 CommentsComment on Facebook

Load more

Footer

Address

West Haven Voice
840 Boston Post Road
West Haven, CT

 

Contact us

Call (203) 934-6397

Contact form

SITE NAVIGATION

HOME
ABOUT US
ARCHIVE
ADVERTISE!
CLASSIFIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONTACT US
WEB EXCLUSIVE

FIND US IN PRINT

Our print edition is available each Thursday. Here is a list of locations!

Letters Policy

Information on submitting letters to us.

Our submission deadlines.

Copyright © 2025 West Haven Voice, LLC