Democratic Mayoral Candidate Nancy Rossi announced that, if elected mayor, she will make the maintaining and improving of city parks and athletic facilities a priority. Rossi will challenge incumbent Mayor Ed O’Brien in the democratic primary to be held on Sept. 12.

“We need to bring a sense of pride back to our community. Proper maintenance and improving our parks and other natural resources will be a top priority for my administration. West Haven is in such a fiscal mess that creating a culture of fiscal responsibility and balanced budgets has to be the first priority, however better maintaining and improving the parks and athletic facilities throughout West Haven, will be among the other top priorities of my administration,” she said.

“I have visited many of the parks and fields in the city and am astounded by some of their condition. Basketball nets are ripped or missing, there are cracks in the tennis and basketball courts, there’s overgrown vegetation, there are playing surfaces that are unattended, and there is litter. We need to put resources into our parks and the athletic fields that are used by our youth and adult leagues. This is by no means a reflection on our park maintenance personnel, but rather the lack of resources that are being made available to them. We are not talking about items or projects that will cost a lot of money but we really need prioritize the upkeep of our assets so our residents can enjoy a clean and safe environment. There is no reason why every park and field in the city, whether it is located in Allingtown, the center of town or West Shore should not be meticulously maintained and safe,” she said.

“I look forward to working with our Department of Public Works and Park maintenance staff to evaluate our parks and athletic fields and prepare a plan that will repair, improve and maintain all our parks. We want our families and visitors to be able to enjoy all our natural resources, and to know that when their children go to play a sport, that the facility is well-maintained, clean and, most importantly, safe.” Rossi concluded.