Weinstein makes case for primary
Earlier this year, I sat in my kitchen surrounded by family enjoying a routine dinner when my life immediately changed. During casual dinner-table conversation, simple chit-chat was converted into a more serious discussion about the city of West Haven.
As owner of Allingtown’s own Star Tires and Wheels for over 30 years, and a resident for the past five, I outlined my unique perspective of how we can return trust back to City Hall, by first unlocking the building’s doors to ultimately unlocking our city’s potential.
It’s no secret: West Haven’s corruption and mismanagement has polluted our city’s identity for decades, labeling us as a distressed municipality for over ten years. Apart from this, West Haven is overflowing with a diverse community of hardworking residents who have long desired and deserved more financial relief, more concrete answers from City Hall, and more creative leadership. So, that night, with the support of my family, I chose to run for mayor.
My five-point plan for success will deliver a fresh start that promotes transparency in City Hall, opens West Haven for new businesses and families, expands accessibility to city services, and invests in the backbone of our community: our seniors, veterans, youth, and small businesses. I am the only candidate that will address friends and neighbors, like me, who have been ‘neglected by our elected’, after decades of recycling the same old candidates.
Let’s start fresh! In my first 100 days, I will hire a full-time Economic Developer, expand our Municipal Blight office, commit financial support to our law enforcement, fire, and public works employees, hire dedicated grant writers to secure state funding, and appoint advocates specifically assigned to manage events and City Hall updates for our seniors, youth, veterans, and small businesses. By personalizing City Hall, we can make West Haven the open, competitive, and attractive city it deserves to be.
I am running for mayor because I am a stakeholder in West Haven. Like you, I have invested my business, my hard work, my family, and my home in West Haven. Now it is time to cash in our investments and demand a better quality of life for all current and future “Westies”.
What sets me apart from my opponents is that I have no ties to recent corruption in City Hall. Unlike my opponents, I never voted to authorize former State Rep. Michael DiMassa to commit fraud. I was never censured, nor ousted by my own party in West Haven. And above all, I never run away from a challenge, nor abandon my team during a city-wide meeting, just because things aren’t going my way.
The Republican Primary Election is set for Tuesday, Sept. 12. There are two choices: Paige, the “fresh start” candidate, or my opponent, who could not even secure a win against a mayor navigating West Haven’s worst scandal. Let’s not make the same mistake again.
My name is Paige Weinstein and I am grateful, blessed, and proud to be running to use my expertise as a businesswoman, but more importantly as a mother and grandmother, to serve, care for, and love my city as my own family. It’s time for a fresh start. Let’s turn to a new ‘Paige’, West Haven!
Paige Weinstein
Cohen a pro
I would like to take this opportunity to discuss West Haven’s Republican candidate for Mayor, Barry Lee Cohen . I had no doubt two years ago and have no doubt now that he is clearly the candidate that can move this city forward. Mr. Cohen is a consummate professional . As our councilman in District 10, he never hesitated to be helpful. One phone call, and Barry was taking care of the issue at hand. There was no wait time, he handled any and all issues that our neighborhood requested, from potholes to tree trimming, it was taken care of immediately. We were never put off for days, as Barry would make the appropriate contacts to remediate the problem at hand in a timely manner. If it was important to us or our neighborhood, it was important to him. He was always honest and forthright when handling our requests.
Barry is a roll up his sleeves, hands on individual who is sensitive to the needs of individuals in my community, including veterans and seniors. He has participated and organized community service events in this city for many years from distributing food, planting gardens to handing out hand sanitizer during the pandemic.
As a lifelong resident of West Haven, Barry, like many of us has seen the changes both good and bad that West Haven has gone through over the years. He has the knowledge and expertise, both as a businessman and citizen to bring positive change that we are all looking for. His love of West Haven and its potential is important to him. Barry listens and cares about his fellow community members in West Haven, as proven by his willingness to take the time to talk to and communicate one household at a time. West Haven needs a new start and Barry Cohen can make this happen.
Roberta Penna
GOP sets up loss
We are registered Democrats that voted for Barry Cohen last time. What’s with the GOP in this town? Are they trying to purposely lose the election for mayor this year? Barry Cohen came so close, so why were you checked him for somebody? I don’t know who the hell she is. Also, Mullins is going to take away votes from the GOP in the fall election. It says they want to lose.
George Sincavage
Vote for Cohen
I was heartbroken when Barry lost last time by so few votes. Never really believed he lost. I have had many conversations with Barry and know that he will be a great mayor, genuinely caring about this city and its people.
Now I don’t know Paige and she has not reached out at all to my community. My understanding is that she is not at all connected to our city the way that Barry is.
Vote Barry for Mayor. We need him. This city has been through too much with prior administrations.
Barbara Plavnicky
Weinstein for win
The Republican Primary in West Haven is on Sept. 12. In the past municipal election, I supported the best candidate at the time. Two years later a new crop of talented, competent and qualified candidates has risen to the top, so this election, I support the West Haven Republican Town Committee and State Rep. Charlie Ferraro ENDORSED candidate for Mayor, Paige Weinstein.
Charlie has been proudly representing the citizens of West Haven for five consecutive terms and truly cares about the future of this city. By endorsing the only candidate with NO TIES to West Haven City Hall, he continues to advocate for residents of this city.
Paige has my vote in the September Republican Primary, and I urge my fellow West Haven Republicans to get to know Paige and to support her. The best voter is the informed voter.
Kim-Marie Mullin
Cohen qualified
With the West Haven Republican primary approaching on Sept. 12, Republican voters have an important choice to make. When one drills down to examine the records of the competing candidates, it becomes readily apparent that Mr. Cohen is the most qualified candidate who can defeat Dorinda Borer and end over three decades of Democrat rule. Mr. Cohen is an accomplished and proven leader with the real-world corporate, business, and government experience necessary for the task at hand. Moreover, Mr. Cohen’s impressive record of community involvement and history of volunteerism constitutes a demonstrated commitment to the West Haven community.
To take on a seasoned politician like Ms. Borer, we need a seasoned candidate who has the experience to run an effective and efficient campaign. I ask West Haven Republican primary voters to remember that Mr. Cohen came within less than 32 votes of defeating Mayor Nancy Rossi during the 2021 mayoral race. That proven track record is just what the doctor ordered.
The City of West Haven desperately demands new leadership, not a continuation of the same old failed, inept management that our citizens have endured for so many decades. We need a proven and experienced leader such as Barry Lee Cohen to take on the seasoned Democrat Dorinda Borer in the upcoming general election. West Haven is depending on it.
John Grottole
Hiring un-elected negates ‘21 vote
Paige Weinstein and Charles Ferraro are wrong. If we hire people to take away the power of elected officials, why vote? They are creating a government within a government, with those elected to run our city losing their ability to do their jobs.
The right to vote is sacred and is what our forefathers chose as the best way to protect our democracy. It is not perfect, but it is the best system of government in the world. West Haven should follow this model.
Of course, mistakes are made, this is universal. Our country’s elected leaders make mistakes every day. But that is no excuse to throw away our Constitution. A few years ago, we had a vote on the charter revision plan. It would have limited voting and changed voted positions into appointed ones, limiting our right to choose who we felt would best run the city, and lose the ability to get elected to these offices.
To everyone’s surprise, the revision plan was rejected. It appears some would like to change the result of that vote. If they try, I hope they fail. For that was the people’s electoral success. Some call West Haven’s system an electoral mistake. The old boy network doesn’t just refer to our elected officials, but also our appointed leaders. Our elected officials have to answer to the people. This keeps our leadership from becoming too powerful. Many appointed officials cause stagnation and cronyism.
Should we have a vote-free government such as communism and fascism, which have proved to limit the freedoms of their people?
Our courts’ positions are appointed, but should voted offices suffer for this? The two have to work together to make our democracy work. We fight for our democracy every day, especially these days when there is a threat to the principles of our Constitution.
There is nothing wrong with a limited group to help with and oversee the budget and finances, but their power should be limited. Officials who are elected shouldn’t have limited freedoms to do their jobs, and elected offices should remain so.
Jonathan Bober