West Haven’s only independent news source By and For West Haven West Haven Voice Profile An in-depth feature
WHHS Class of 2020
Class gets to ‘walk’ during Voice special ceremony. ~ See below JJulyuly 9,9, 22020020 See page 3 VVol.ol. 25,25, IssueIssue 1313 1166 PagesPages Class of 2020 celebrates!
Photos by Mackenzie Meaney The West Haven High School Class of 2020 ended its secondary school ca- Graduation, June 29 and 30. It gave the families and the graduates an opportu- reers in a way similar to the way their senior year developed – in an unusual nity to have some semblance of a “walk” to receive their diplomas. Fighting in- way. Forced by COVID-19 restrictions to a virtual commencement exercise ear- termitt ent showers and threats of rain on both days, the class was able to come lier in June, most of the seniors and their families took part in a Drive-Thru through it all with the same stoic att itude that characterized them all year.
West Haven Voice Page 2 Thursday, July 9, 2020 On this Date Contact 2011 -- South Sudan be- comes the youngest country West Haven Voice in the world. The North East African country, formally West Haven Voice, LLC known as Republic of South 840 Boston Post Road, West Haven, CT 06516 Sudan peacefully seceded from Sudan after an inde- 203-934-NEWS (6397) Web: westhavenvoice.com pendence referendum was Facebook: whvoice Twitter: @whvoiceads passed. Since independence, however, the country has been Editor Bill Riccio - [email protected] wrecked with widespread eth- nic violence and human rights Sales Director Alan Olenick [email protected] violations. 1981-- Donkey Kong is re- Sales Associate Molly Gianfredi leased by Nintendo. Ninten- molly_gianfredi@ westhavenvoice.com do’s famous character Mario debuted as Jumpman in this Next Issue Date: July 9, 2020 popular arcade game. 1962 -- Andy Warhol’s iconic This photo taken from last week’s Drive-Thru Graduation is Campbell’s Soup Cans make what we can expect this week as far as weather. Forecasters are their debut.The Soup Cans calling for heat and humidity with showers possible each day. were first displayed at the Fer- us Gallery in Los Angeles, Cal- ifornia, and were instrumental in popularizing Pop Art in the United States. 1958 -- Lituya Bay megat- sunami. -- A mega-tsunami, a tsunami whose waves are higher than a normal tsunami, hit Lituya Bay in Alaska, Unit- ed States, resulting in a wave that was recorded to be 1,720 feet or 516 meters high. This is the highest wave recorded in history. 1877 -- The first Wimbledon Championship is held. -- The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London hosted the first Wimbledon championship, which was not only the first tennis champion- ship held in England but was also a precursor to grand slam tournaments. 22 men compet- ed in the championship and Spencer Gore became the first person to win the Wimbledon tournament. Births 1959 -- Kevin Nash -- Ameri- can wrestler, actor 1950 -- Viktor Yanukovych -- Ukrainian politician, 4th Presi- dent of Ukraine. 1947 -- O. J. Simpson --American football player, ac- tor, author. 1932 -- Donald Rumsfeld --American politician, 13th & 21st United States Secretary of Defense. 1858 -- Franz Boas --German anthropologist. Voice looking for family pics The Voice is looking for your photos showing the family ac- ! tivities you are enjoying. Take a photo and send it to our Facebook page or to our email address: info@west- ! ! havenvoice.com. Include the names of the people included in the photo and a brief de- Phone: (800) 224-2128 | (203) 937-6400 scription of the activity. 824 Boston Post Road | West Haven, CT 06516 For those needing further in- %RVWRQ3RVW5RDGQG)ORRU_)DLUȴHOG&7 formation, call us at (203) 934- E-mail: [email protected] 6397. Your neighbors are inter- Website: www.baybrookremodelers.com ested and so are we! WEST HAVEN VOICE Thursday, July 9, 2020 - Page 3 Westie Class of ‘20 gets a send-off By Mackenzie Meaney West Haven community was their families started to arrive full of happiness, pride, and the left. Special to the Voice able to give the graduates a around 4:30. Each wave car- excitement. They were through West Ha- A little rain was not enough proper send off -- or at least, as ried roughly 30 students. The Graduates would then stand ven High School in about 30 to dampen the spirits of West proper as it could be given the graduates would get out and on either side of the stage, with minutes. Speed was necessary Haven High School. circumstances. stand in front of their cars (all Parades saying “Graduates to for the intermittent rain show- On Monday, June 29, half of “Everyone has really come wearing masks) and carrying my right, you may turn your ers during the day on Monday. the class of 2020 gathered in together to try and make this a name card. Teachers would tassels and return to your cars. Regardless of the weather, it the parking lot on the side of work for the kids,” Principal then grab the card, and hand Congratulations.” The same was a memorable evening that the school to celebrate all of Dana Parades said of the eve- them to Principal Parades phrase said to the students on no one will ever forget. their accomplishments. It was ning. “We’re just hurt that we standing on the podium locat- their day to shine. can’t do this the right way and ed on the movable stage. After having a school year give them what they deserve, She would call each stu- get cut short due to CO- but we are hoping that we dent’s name one by one. They VID-19, and having senior can do as good of a job as we would then leave their desig- students miss out on sports can to make this night special nated parking spots, walk up Life insurance seasons, musicals, or just the and something memorable for to the stage, grab a diploma off time spent in the classrooms them.” the table, and take their masks from a real-life finishing out high school, the Cars carrying graduates and off to display a brilliant smile person.
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Photo by Mackenzie Meaney The West Haven High School Class of 2020 had a unique Drive-Thru graduation ceremony last week. On both days intermittent showers were in the forecast, and sometimes put a damper on State Farm Life Insurance Company (Not licensed in MA, NY or WI) State Farm Life and Accident Assurance Company (Licensed in NY and WI) the proceedings. 1708148 Bloomington, IL A Partner in the Community
www.newhaven.edu Page 4 - Thursday, July 9, 2020 WEST HAVEN VOICE COVID-19 testing !" # $%&& is underway for 4567 8/56 575&9: residents of SRC Savin Rock Communities S“On behalf of the Board, !"# (formerly West Haven Hous- staff and residents of SRC we $%&!" ing Authority) announced last would like to thank State Rep. ;/<: =74/ >1&+, week COVID-19 testing its Dorinda Borer for respond- $'() residents has started at Surf- ing to the need and connect- side Apartments. ing Savin Rock Communities Savin Rock Communities with several state authorized houses approximately 1000 testing providers,” said John residents in seven develop- Counter, Housing Authority ! " # $ % ments across the City. Of that Director. population, approximately Borer, a member of the & ' 60% are seniors and/or dis- legislature›s Public Health abled residents potentially Committee, helped to spearhead at higher risk if they contract the initiative to ensure West COVID. Haven would be a pilot city Surfside is Savin Rock Com- for the statewide mobile pro- !"#$% &!' (! -. $% /0"!# munities’ largest housing gram. “Our Housing authority )*' #!# +!!, 1"# /2!-3!# complex. Testing for other buildings are home to many Savin Rock Communities sites seniors and lower income ! " will be scheduled immediately families who have health com- following Thursday’s kickoff. plications, aides that travel in and out of the building and LLegalegal NNoticeotice limited transportation. Bring- ing mobile units to these sites supports the critical heath care Notice is hereby given that a Presidential Preference Primary of the Republican and Democratic Party will need of over 1,000 at-risk resi- be held on August 11, 2020, in each town. dents and is a mitigator to the overall spread within our Notice is also hereby given that the following are the names of the candidates (including the category city,” she said. "Uncommitted") which are to appear on the ballot at said primary in the manner and in the order in which Counter noted that the col- such names and category are herein listed, under the office designation "Nomination for President of the laboration with The Cornell United States'', together with the addresses of such candidates: Scott Hill-Health Center will be at no charge to residents. Cornell Scott Hill Health Democrats Republicans Center is a comprehensive, compassionate community Name and Address: Name and Address: Joe Biden, Wilmington, DE Donald J. Trump, Palm Beach, FL healthcare provider which has been serving the Greater New Tulsi Gabbard, Kapolei, HI Roque "Rocky'' De La Fuente, San Diego, CA Bernie Sanders, Burlington. VT Uncommitted Haven community since 1968. CSHH has 20 care sites in the Uncommitted area and treats 36,000 patients Dated at Hartford, Connecticut, this 23th Day of June, 2020 per year with a focus on un- der-served communities. Denise Merrill “We are so appreciative of Secretary of the State working with CSHH, an orga- nization with an established footprint in WH, which now The foregoing is a copy of the notice which I have received from the Office of the Secretary of the State in accordance continues to serve our com- with Secs. 9-433 and 9-471 of the General Statutes. As provided, such primary will be held on August 11, 2020. The munity by providing this hours of voting at said primary and the location of the polls will be as follows: much needed testing to our at- ȱ risk Senior and disabled resi- dents,” said Counter. “CSHH Hours of Voting: 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. mobilized and coordinated this effort with SRC in less than 10 days. We are fortu- Voting District Location of Polling Place nate to have them working in our community.” District 1- Elks Lodge 1537 265 Main Street Throughout the COVID cri- District 2-Savin Rock School 50 Park Street sis, SRC has collaborating with the mayor’s office, nonprofits District 3-Washington School 369 Washington Ave and community organizations District 4-St. Paul's Church 898 First Ave to respond to residents’ needs. District 5-Simchat Yisrael Hall 870 First Ave The mayor’s office and team District 6-Forest School 95 Burwell Road have provided multiple food drops to our residents, has as- District 7-Anna Molloy School 225 Meloy Road sisted with acquiring essential District 8-Edith E. Mackrille School 806 Jones Hill Road PPE and access to providers District 9-Seth Haley School 148 South Street for masks, gloves and sanitiz- ers. District 10-Pagels School 26 Benham Hill Road Testing will be for symptom- atic and asymptomatic resi- **Absentee ballots will be counted at the following central location: 355 Main St. West Haven, CT 06516 dents and will be coordinated with the residents. Dated at West Haven, Connecticut, this 30th day of June, 2020. Voice Classifieds Town Clerk Patricia Horvath Town of West Haven (203) 934-6397 WEST HAVEN VOICE Thursday, July 9, 2020 - Page 5 Tax office opens ‘drive-thru service By Michael P. Walsh Special to the Voice The tax office rolled out a new window service at City Hall on June 23, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and Tax Collector Dorothy Chambrelli announced. The window service allows the tax office to offer in-person payments for the first time since March 16, when City Hall was closed until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic, said Lou Esposito, Rossi’s executive assistant. Esposito said the city has erected large tents and constructed a plywood staging area, along with a plywood ramp and walk- way, on the Campbell Avenue side of City Hall to give taxpayers access to three windows to pay their taxes. The payment windows are serviced by tax office personnel and equipped with protective plastic glass to shield both em- ployees and taxpayers, Esposito said. Current taxes can be paid by check, credit card, debit card or money order at the windows or by the drop box — check or money order — at the Main Street entrance of City Hall. No cash is accepted until further notice, city officials said. Taxpayers who have cash can go to a bank of their choice to obtain a money order or certified check. Taxpayers can also make a payment on the city website at https://www.mytaxbill.org/inet/bill/home.do?town=westhaven. Sewer bills are on the same page but under a separate heading. Tax payment history can also be viewed and printed. The fees for credit cards and electronic checks are available at http://cityofwesthaven.com/276/Payments. Current taxes can also be paid by mail — check or money or- der, no cash — to the tax office lockbox: City of West Haven, Tax Collector, P.O. Box 150461, Hartford 06115-0461. When paying by lockbox or drop box, the canceled check is the receipt. The assessor’s office, which is next door to the tax office on the same side of City Hall, has also been outfitted with a window as part of a smaller staging area and tent to allow staff to assist Photo by Michael P. Walsh residents with services. While waiting in both lines, taxpayers must wear face masks The West Haven tax offi ce’s new window service features large tents and a plywood staging and socially distance by staying at least 6 feet apart at all times, area, along with a plywood ramp and walkway, on the Campbell Avenue side of City Hall to Health Director Maureen B. Lillis said. West Haven tax bills — give taxpayers access to three windows to pay their taxes. The next-door assessor’s offi ce has real estate, personal property, motor vehicle and sewer — have also been outfi tt ed with a window as part of a smaller staging area and tent to allow staff to been mailed and are payable in two installments: July and Janu- assist residents with services. ary. Bills $100 or less are payable in full. Each tax bill, which is sent out once a year, has three parts: a payment coupon for July, payment coupon for January and payment coupon for taxpayers’ records. Taxes were due July 1. Tax bills, stickers mailed Payments after Aug. 3 are considered delinquent. By Michael P. Walsh payment history can also be taxes will receive the 2020-22 Special to the Voice viewed and printed. beach stickers in the mail with City tax bills — real estate, The fees for credit cards and their tax bills. Anyone who personal property, motor ve- electronic checks are avail- leases a vehicle will also re- Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Care Series hicle and sewer — have been able at http://cityofwesthaven. ceive a sticker in the mail. Three Virtual Programs from the West Haven Library mailed and are payable in two com/276/Payments. Delinquent taxpayers are not Presented by Maria Tomasetti installments: July and January. Current taxes can be paid by eligible for the free stickers, South Central Regional Director Included in the mailing are the the drop box at the Main Street which expire June 30, 2022, Alzheimer's Association, CT Chapter new two-year beach parking entrance of City Hall. Current until their motor vehicle taxes Tuesday, June 30, 2020, 6:30 to 8 p.m.bb stickers. taxes can also be paid by mail are paid, city officials said. Dementia Care: Effective Communication Strategies Each tax bill, which is sent — check or money order, no Beach stickers are for new, out once a year, has three cash — to the tax office lock- leased and military-exempt Tuesday, July 28, 2020, 6:30 to 8 p.m.bb parts: a payment coupon for box: City of West Haven, Tax vehicles, including motorcy- Understanding and Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors July, payment coupon for Jan- Collector, P.O. Box 150461, cles. A “new” vehicle means it uary and payment coupon for Hartford 06115-0461. When was registered in West Haven Tuesday, August 25, 2020, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.b taxpayers’ records. paying by lockbox or drop after Oct. 1, 2019. Commer- Dementia Care:bSafety Considerations Taxes were due July 1. Pay- box, the canceled check is the cial vehicles are excluded and ments after Aug. 3 are consid- receipt. After Aug. 3, taxes will not receive a sticker. Each ered delinquent and subject to with interest can be paid by sticker includes the vehicle’s These programs will take place over Zoom. interest, Tax Collector Doro- mail to the City of West Ha- license plate number printed thy Chambrelli said. ven, Tax Collector, P.O. Box on it and is nontransferable. Register at www.westhavenlibrary.org under "Events" Thanks to the city’s CO- 401, West Haven 06516. Beach stickers are a benefit or email [email protected].
VID-19 relief ordinance, de- West Haven residents who for resident taxpayers whose You will receive the login information after you register. linquent taxes remaining due own their vehicles and are vehicles are registered in West and payable from April 1 are current on their motor vehicle Haven. subject to a reduced interest rate of 3% per year for 90 days from April 1. New taxes due July 1 will have a 30-day grace 238 Elm Street 330 Notch Hill Rd. period and in the event they West Haven North Branford are paid late will also qualify (203) 933-1217 (203) 481-3217 for a reduced interest rate for 90 days. Providing a full–spectrum of products and services, both traditional and alternative, preneed Taxpayers can make a and at-need. payment on the city web- Our professional staff is a group of compassionate and dedicated funeral directors experienced site at https://www.my- in discussing customized options with families. We are available to assist families at the time of immediate need or to help families make prearrangements. taxbill.org/inet/bill/home. do?town=westhaven. Sewer Philip M. Appell, Funeral Director bills are on the same page but [email protected] under a separate heading. Tax www.keenanfuneralhome.com Established 1997
Editor Bill Riccio, Jr Opinion Sales Director Thursday, July 9, 2020 Page 6 Alan Olenick Rhetoric is wearing thin The five-week temper tantrum we’ve seen since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis is starting to wear thin all over the country, but maybe more in communities of color, where most of the damage is being done through burning, looting and mayhem. One need only look at the aftermaths of various cit- ies, including parts of New York City, to realize this has little to do the life of one man. This is an insur- rection. Black Lives Matters is a pro-Marxist organization. That is not this publication saying that, a foundress of the organization, Patrisse Bullors described her- self and fellow co-foundress Alicia Garza as “trained Marxists.” What other proof do we need? Floyd’s death was the most recent in a series of BLM outbursts, and shows a coordinated, well-funded operation, that hires mercenaries to stir up trouble. Much of their funding comes through two sources, globalist George Soros, who is hoping to bring down the United States so he can help bring about a one- world government, and multi-national corporations, who are being shaken down by BLM in much the same way the Rainbow Coalition did in the 1990s, and Al Sharpton in the early 2000s. That this has gone on this long is a manifestation of the mainstream media’s hope this will bring down the “Orange Man” Donald Trump. CNN has called the “demonstrations” mostly peaceful, even has mayhem envelopes their on-site reporters. Meanwhile, some- how, some way they try to blame Trump. But more than the media, which is only doing what we all ex- The 2020 election train wreck pect, our feckless leaders are allowing anarchy. Whether it is allowing statues of Christopher Co- By Rich Lowry the postgame acrimony, but paring the ground not to ac- Syndicated Columnist it is going to be ugly regard- cept the election result. Then, lumbus in New Haven, or asking police to kneel in President Donald Trump less. If the election is close, when he won, they resisted ac- solidarity, spineless leaders are hoping in their best and former Vice President Joe the aftermath will be a norm- cepting the result themselves, Neville Chamberlain impersonation to appease the Biden agree on one thing -- the busting extravaganza of con- preferring to believe that the crowd. They will not be appeased. other side is trying to steal the spiracy theories, lawsuits and, election had been stolen by Black Lives Matters and those who rain terror on election. at the very least, threats to take Russia. cities are bullies, pure and simple. They only under- Trump told a gathering of it to the streets. A close result will obvious- stand their use of force to get their way. But like students in Phoenix that this If Trump loses, there’s un- ly magnify feelings on both most bullies, once confronted with force, they run “will be, in my opinion, the likely to be a concession phone sides. The Florida vote contro- and hide. most corrupt election in the call -- one of the little grace versy of 2000 was the height As we said, we believe the scales are beginning to history of our country.” notes of our democracy -- and of recent domestic contention come off the eyes of communities of color regarding The president of the United he will argue that he was un- over a presidential election. BLM and the mostly white, liberal post-adolescent States actively undermining done by Democratic cheating. Looking back, though, it was faith in the electoral process is Heck, he won in 2016 and still remarkably tame. adolescents that fill their ranks. gross and unprecedented, but maintained he’d been cheated. With control of the presiden- In Minneapolis neighborhoods have had enough he’s not alone. The transition would surely cy hanging by a thread in Flor- and are calling out BLM. So are members of the en- Asked by Trevor Noah of be unlike any we’ve ever seen, ida, there were no large-scale tertainment industry. Sure, some in Hollywood and “The Daily Show” whether he with the incumbent routinely demonstrations, let alone vio- elsewhere are advocating, but we see a split among worried the election would be insulting his soon-to-be suc- lence. The legal briefs flew fast them. rendered “moot” by his sup- cessor. Trump would be like- and furious and both former Those who were held captive in the CHOP zone in porters being prevented from lier to live-tweet Biden’s inau- President George W. Bush and Seattle are relating horror stories of daily life. Mean- voting, Biden replied: “It’s my guration than to attend. former Vice President Al Gore while, people are beginning to question “defund the greatest concern. My single And if he wins, it could be wanted to win and distrusted police” efforts. greatest concern. This presi- even worse. the legal and electoral maneu- They are told the money will be put in other pro- dent is going to try to steal this There were protests in the vers of the other side. grams to help disadvantaged youth. They are begin- election.” streets after Trump won in Yet there were things that This wasn’t an isolated com- 2016. In the supercharged neither of them would say in ning to ask the salient question: We already do that, ment. “Mark my words,” he atmosphere of 2020, we public and both of them were will more money fix the problem? Those who have warned in May, “I think he is shouldn’t be surprised by ri- willing, if it came to that, to watched the anti-poverty movement from its incep- going to try to kick back the ots. After once again believing concede with grace. Both tion in the 1960s already know the answer. election somehow, come up he’d inevitably lose and facing men were shaped by the post- People are beginning to get angry. They see this is with some rationale why it another intolerable four years World War II consensus in not about equal justice or equal rights. It’s about in- can’t be held.” of President Trump, the left’s American politics. They had surrection. Perhaps the best description of the mobs Yes, if there is one thing ev- shock and despair would be absorbed its standards and was done in a piece in Redstate.com: eryone can now agree on, it’s unlike anything either side in reflexively honored its guard- “These mobs are not progressive. These mobs our inability to pull off a free our politics has experienced in rails. are not enlightened. These not mobs are not edgy, and fair election. memory. That was 20 years, and an they’re not hip. They’re frauds. They’re dimwitted, Perhaps a handy victory by One of the ironies of the 2016 eon ago. phony drama addicts.” Biden or, much less likely, election is that Democrats Rich Lowry is editor Trump will take the edge off rightly scolded Trump for pre- of the National Review. We agree! WEST HAVEN VOICE Thursday, July 9, 2020 - Page 7
HHistorian’sistorian’s cornercorner BByy DDanan SShinehine Pfaff’s Family Market making sure that there was a The place was chosen by Xavi- ledge was half a mile long, ele- and her system worked well: Part II place for every family member er Pfaff, for he had acquired vated two hundred feet above Once a child could swim across There are times when many to call home. Upon his death, land in Oxford, just down- the river, and upon it were five the Housatonic River without a of us navigate the Sea of Life it was revealed that he had left stream from Stevenson Dam cottages, one for each of the life jacket, they could ride in the in the manner of a rudderless property to each of his eight and built a number of river- Pfaff families. A switchback rowboat without wearing one. It ship, drifting at the whim of children. side cottages forming a special staircase led down to the river, was a rite of passage, and I dog the wind and the tides. But As time went by, the ever- little family community. where there were boats, docks, paddled across at age four. this was not the way with growing Pfaff family worked The family referred to their a sandbar, and plenty of op- “In August of 1955, Connecticut Xavier Pfaff: He came to together at the store and spent summer trips to Pfaffville as go- portunities for building happy suffered one of the worst floods America with a plan and he their off-work hours together as ing “Up the River.” The en- memories. in its history; the statewide flood followed it faithfully. Even as well, in accordance with Xavier’s campment was placed atop a In the words of Mike Kiernan, came on the heels of back to he was managing and grow- plan. As it happened, they also rock ledge which looked out Xavier’s great-grandson, “It was back hurricanes that thoroughly ing his business, he was buy- played together, at a special place over the Housatonic River, just idyllic for a boy, the woods saturated the ground. Meanwhile, ing land, building homes and in the woods named Pfaffville. south of Stevenson Dam. The and water. as this flood was taking place, On weekends it would the men of the Pfaff family were be packed with family and at work in town, unaware of the friends arriving from town. looming danger. As the waters of The parties were huge and the Housatonic rose dramatically, moved between cottages. The those at Pfaffville became con- grownups would be laughing, cerned about the dam being yelling and arguing until late able to survive the storm. It in the evening. See Pfaff Family, page 9 Meanwhile, the many, many kid cousins--it was the Baby Boom after all--ran wild in a pack catching fireflies and playing all manner of games in the dark. “During the day, the crowds would gather at the sandbar across the river. As folks arrived and came down to the rocks, they would be shuttled across in a rowboat. Josephine Pfaff, West Haven High School gym Dan Shine is a columnist for teacher of some 35 years, gave the West Haven Voice, and swimming lessons and water former historian of the First The Pfaff Family, 1949 safety training to two generations, Congregational Church. Page 8 - Thursday, July 9, 2020 WEST HAVEN VOICE Dear Felicia Top o’ the week to ya, hon- on Sandy Point for this year’s some sport in watching out-of- I guess the school systems in late September. That’s the eybunch! Hard to believe event, but the reconstruction town cars jockeying for places are supposed to report some way we’re hearing things from we’re already in the midst o’ of the sewer or water lines over to park for the day. details to the powers that be around the state, but who July. But we knew that cuz the there – which have been going ~~~ and then a more detailed plan knows effen that is the way Fourth o’ July not only passed, on for some time – forced us This was the year the Savin will emerge. I know there are it’s going to work out. The but Cobina’s neighborhood to move. This year we decided Rock Festival was supposed to a lotta parents who are really variables in this are all over sounded like a re-enactment by the flats by Oyster River, reappear. One wonders now with hoping that schools will re- the place. of the third Battle of the and had a wonderful time. Wuhan Flu worries effen the city open cuz the kiddies are badly ~~~ Marne. For two weeks leading The Asylum by the Sea, is gonna can it for this year. Usu- in need of getting back with Here we are some six weeks after up to, and every night since, meanwhile, people have got ally, it happens at the end o’ July. their peers. Still, other parents the city shut down Water Street, the boom, boom of fireworks their tax bills and their beach And, we hafta be honest, we ain’t are kind o’ liking the home- and the only action seen over has lit up the skies and scared stickers. And this year the seen anything concerning its can- schooling, and might just opt there is training from the various the cat. So, except for the non- beach stickers are impawtant celation. So, we wonder effen it’s into that. Lawd knows that fire brigades. There is plenty o’ sense about masks, etc., it is a cuz only residents are allowed still being discussed. some o’ what they’re teach- construction going on around the usual mid-summer. But, the to use the beach parking lots. The festival is one of the high- ing – particularly history as city as far as home reconstruction “night’s dreams” are being in- Until the guys up in Hartford lights o’ the summer, and we present circumstances show and even some new domiciles. terrupted. say so, I guess, the beach ain’t ain’t seen in three years. The – is a bit off the mark. Plus, One wonders what the hold-up That was especially true on limited to residents, but the city’s financial difficulties made kids are allowed to advance at is over at the Haven. Whilst the July 3. Whilst the city didn’t parking lots are. it a casualty, what with overtime their own rate, and not be held summer bakes and we get the have its annual gala fireworks Sammy Bluejay happened to expenses and the like. Herroner back or pushed forward by the torrential rains like we’ve had, that usually bring in up to flutter around the shoreline said last year that p[ans were for group. It’ll be interesting to see Mother Nature is doing what she 100,000, there were enough jest to see what’s going on, it to be brought back. That was how that side of the question does and starting to rot the build- private fireworks going off to and sez that it was fun watch- before the state locked itself down pans out. ings and over grow everywhere. gladden the heart of any and ing people who obviously and is now just beginning to Nelly, meanwhile, has heard The people over in that neigh- all pyromaniacs. It was quite weren’t residents angling to open. We’re in what the politicos some rumblings. It seems that borhood have had to endure a lot something. get parking. The put their cars are calling Phase II of the state’s depending on how things go over the last few years. Don’tchan As is the custom, the My- in some interesting places, reopening, which is something of this summer, schools may not think it would be nice effen the de- stick Maidens of the Marsh and he wondered effen they a numbers game. It’ll be interest- open before Sept. 1, which velopers lets everyone know what cobbled together something of got tagged. The city charges ing to see jest how this plays out. is not the way some systems in Hades it has planned? Trying an Independence Day celebra- for parking, so that revenue We would think a final announce- were hoping. Like a lotta col- to get some word from them is like tion, but had to move it. We seems to be gone at least for ment would be forthcoming. Like leges they were hoping for an trying to find out state secrets, had planned on converging the time being, but there is we said, we ain’t seen anything earlier, rather than later open- and no one seems to want to be on it. ing. good neighbors. It’s not right ~~~ Tennyrate, after the opening that the taxpayers over there have Of course, Nelly Nuthatch of schools, don’t be surprised to put up with the blight that, sez many parents’ eyes were effen there is a two- or three- though fenced in, still looks like a on His Excellency, the gover- week period where nothing battlefield. nor last week to see what is happens extra-curricular- By the way, I guess the new gonna happen with the open- wise. The period will be used fencing had to be amplified a bit ing of schools. Nelly sez that to assess effen there is a spike for drivers. Now orange reflectors whilst Gov. Lamont talked in in the number of infections. are attached to the fencing so they general terms about the open- That will determine the next won’t ram into them. ing of schools, the meat and step, one way or t’other. ~~~ potatoes of the plan have not The scenario then sez that Iva Lootey stopped by, and exactly been thrashed out, yet. extra-curriculars will begin sez that the case of the Alling- town Library seems to have calmed down now that any and all have had their say. It’s been a hot topic of late what with the city taking a lower bid from developer David Beckerman’s Acorn Group, but as Iva sez, you can’t beat the logic. Whilst the Library’s Village Improvement Association gave a bigger bid, the smaller bid actually would put the building on the tax rolls so the trade-off was worth it. And, in the process, the library will be given three years to find other digs. Those digs will probably be the old Blake Building, which we hear is being sold to a de- veloper as well. That’s where the Board of Education was housed until it moved into City Hall about five years ago, taking over the old po- lice headquarters. Of course, old timers over in that part of Allingtown still call the Blake Building Lincoln School – which it was originally. We will see what happens, but there are some people who are angry over the move. While that might be true, one cannot deny the fack that Al- lingtown is better looking. Mitt luff und kizzez, Cobina WEST HAVEN VOICE Thursday, July 9, 2020 - Page 9 Pfaff Family: A story one man’s American Dream Continued from page 7 dreams had been achieved most in West Haven, and we can be ~~~ Kiernan and Mike Kiernan, with- was just a mile above us! The abundantly: he was known, loved confident that he died a happy The author wishes to thank out whose help this story would mothers packed up the kids and revered by his community man. Shannon Pfaff, Dennis May, Dan not have been possible. into Aunt Jo’s huge Chrysler Imperial and we evacuated. Unable to proceed down riv- er because of road flooding, Aunt Jo drove over the dam and did a wide loop through Waterbury to West Haven. Four-year old me remembers being scared the dam would collapse while we were going across; we could feel it shak- ing! “The water rose almost to our cottage, which was the lowest, closest to the water. “I vividly remember all the trees, logs, broken boats, and trash rushing down in the torrent. When it was all over, our worst losses were boats washed away from our landing and a couple of small outboard motors gone. “My folks found ours along the riverbank down river and unharmed a week later. “That September I was put in Miss Phelps nursery school in the old mansion. Given paper and crayons, I depicted the flood over and over. Whenever asked what I had drawn, I always answered ‘The Flood!’.” Xavier Pfaff died in 1955, at age 88. He had come to America with nothing but a dream and a strong will. Along the road of life, his Page 10 - Thursday, July 9, 2020 WEST HAVEN VOICE
AAroundround TownTown
Student loans
The Seth Haley Memorial Loan Fund of West Haven provides eligible college students with loans of up to $2500 to help stu- dents fi nish their post high school education. Applicants must be West Haven residents. Call Ralph Lawson, (203) 934-6442. School registrations now open West Haven Public Schools will host registration appointments for all K-12 students not currently registered for the 2020-2021 school year. Registration will take place in the Pagels Elementary School Library located at 26 Benham Hill Road, from 9 a.m.-1p.m. on the following dates: July 15, 22, 29 and Aug. 5, 12. Appointments should be scheduled by calling 203-937-4300 ext. 7118. Packets will be mailed to the address provided and all necessary documents will be required at the time and day of the appointment assigned. Shore Haven announces scholarships Shore Haven Jr Baseball is proud to announce their 2020 schol- arship winners. The Dave Terese Sr Scholarship was awarded to Connor Faughnan who will be attending the College of the Holy Cross. The Mario Argentino Scholarship was awarded to Marissa Forleo who will be attending the University of Con- necticut. The Joseph Morrell, Sr. Scholarships were awarded to Robbie Forleo who will be attending the University of New Ha- ven, and to Jake Lentine who will be attending the University of New Haven. Darryl T Zebrowski, AAMS® Financial Advisor edwardjones.com 5 Wagner Place Suite 4 Member SIPC West Haven, CT 06516 203-937-0005 IRT 1948I A
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WEST HAVEN VOICE Thursday, July 9, 2020 - Page 11 BByy EEleanoreleanore TTurkingtonurkington
Dear Eleanore Turkington: ers. How can you expect to Just, please stay out of the Dear TN A Neighbor: I am aware that a lot of peo- be a biker when you are walk- way and expect a biker to be Councilwoman Robin Watt ple walk around (the Board- ing on the bike path? It is like in the biking lanes. Hamilton received your com- walk). It is a scenic route off crossing the street outside the Michael 74- Biker plaint and replied, “I spoke the road that is peaceful and crosswalk. Dear Eleanore Turkington; with Sergeant D’Amato, West away from noisy cars and Most places (99%) that have Hundreds of children and Haven Police Department road pollution. If you haven’t boardwalks or trails always adults walk this boardwalk. who ensured me that he will noticed, both the walking lane will have a side for bikers Why is it necessary for bicy- provide more supervision at and bicycle lane are about 15 and a side for walkers. It’s clists to be there? Shouldn’t this stop sign. Thank you for feet wide each. I think the pretty standards nowadays. they be on the roadway with bringing this to my attention.” walking side might be bigger People do follow these rules; other vehicles? I have been Gripe Vine Readers, when I and some parts the bike ride its simple. Go to the Farm- nearly run down many times receive such complaints and are only three feet wide that ington River Trail in Hamden by cyclists who speed along they are followed up by your should be more than enough and you won’t see one person through the crowds of people. councilman or councilwoman, room to stay clear when peo- ELEANORE TURKINGTON walking in the bike lane. I think they should be banned it is important to let me know ple follow directions. People that ride bikes are al- and forced to ride on Captain if these situations continue to If you are not riding a bike enjoyed by everyone, whether ways looking ahead, constant- Thomas Boulevard. There is be hazardous or if they have for recreation you will note your passing time or exercis- ly aware of what is around and no reason they need to be on improved. that the roads are too sandy, ing. All I’m saying is, if MOST what is coming up in front of the boardwalk. Its’ not as if Coming up: Litter thrown and the paving is really bad. people payed attention and them. In most cases they are they are cruising along look- on beaches..proper disposal It’s also even worse on the saw that there is a bicycle side more aware of what is going ing at the scenery. Most of of cleansing materials…ig- street with cars because you and a walking side , there on than the walkers. Bikers them are working out at a fast noring stop sign at Contact still don’t get respect like you wouldn’t be any problems. aren’t ruthless drones; we just pace which can be done on the Drive.. yellow guide lines on do other places. What about the families that like to pedal up to a speed and shoulder of the roadway. Captain Thomas Blvd….more The boardwalk is a peace- ride bikes together? Bicyclers keep the pace up; that’s what Dear Eleanore Turkington: boardwalk complaints..chemi- ful scenic walk that should be naturally go faster than walk- you do on a bicycle. Cars drive right through the cal dumping into water…loud stop sign all day long at the music weekends at Winslow intersection of Dix Street and Drive…Oxford Road gripe re; Financial Focus Nonquit Street. When the muddled and pot hole road at weather gets warmer, kids Oxford Road and Merwin… Courtesy of Edward Jones Financial are outside playing, and it and more becomes dangerous. A traffic Send your gripes, comments Create Strategies ot achieve your financial goals cop is needed here to moni- and issues to gripevine4wh@ Like most people, you proba- should follow to achieve each sional – someone who can tor and issue citations to defer aol.com or mail to Gripe Vine bly have many financial goals: of your goals, you’ll need to look at your situation objec- cars from driving through the c/o West Haven Voice 840 Bos- a comfortable retirement, long enact that strategy. How? By tively, help you identify and stop sign. ton Post Road, Box 4, West Ha- vacations, college for your matching specific investment quantify your goals, and sug- TN A Neighbor ven 06516 children or grandchildren, the accounts with the appropriate gest strategies designed to ability to leave something be- goals. You should know why help you achieve them. City participating in tax program hind for the next generation, you own all your investments. Trying to achieve multiple and so on. To achieve these Ask yourself these questions: financial goals can seem like in response to COVID-19 orders various goals, you may have What goal will this investment a daunting task, but by sav- to follow different investment help me achieve? How much do ing and investing consistently The City Council recently approved a motion allowing the city strategies – and you might I have allocated toward a specific through your working years, to participate in the Low Interest Rate Program authorized by have to make some tradeoffs goal? If I have an IRA, a 401(k) following a clear strategy, be- Gov. Ned Lamont’s executive order in response to the coronavi- along the way. and another account devoted to ing willing to prioritize and rus pandemic, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced. To pursue this multi-goal/ achieving the same goal, are they accept trade-offs and getting The council’s endorsement of the proposal amid a special multi-strategy approach, try all working together effectively? the help you need, you can meeting paved the way for the low-interest program to aid city to follow a clear course of ac- The connections between your help yourself move forward. taxpayers affected by COVID-19. According to Section 6 of Ex- tion, including these steps: different investment accounts ### ecutive Order 7S, the program mandates that delinquent taxes Define your goals – and in- and your goals should be con- This article was written by remaining due and payable from April 1 are subject to a reduced vest appropriately. You will sistently clear to you. Edward Jones, Member SIPC, interest rate of 3% per year for 90 days from April 1. need to identify each goal Understand trade-offs. Your for use by Darryl Zebrowski New taxes due July 1 will have a 30-day grace period and in and ask some questions: How various investment goals may your local Edward Jones Fi- the event they are paid late will also qualify for a reduced inter- much time will you have to be distinct, but they don’t ex- nancial Advisor. est rate for 90 days. achieve this goal? How much ist in isolation. In fact, your return will you need from strategy for achieving one your investments and how goal may affect your ability much risk are you willing to to work toward another. For take? With a longer-term goal, example, would significant in- such as retirement, you may vestments in your child’s edu- be able to invest more heavily cation change your funding in growth-oriented vehicles for retirement? with higher expected returns. If you decide to buy a vaca- Keep in mind, though, that the tion home when you retire, value of these investments will will that alter the legacy you’ll >`iÃ>`V«>ðV fluctuate, and they carry more be able to leave to your fam- i V>Ài LÞ Ƃ`ià >` «>à V> Li > Ü VÃÌ >ÌiÀ>ÌÛi Ì Ài risk than more conservative ily? Given limited financial re- iÝ«iÃÛi >ÃÃÃÌi` Û} «À}À>ð 7i ÜÀ Ì iÃÕÀi ÕÀ ViÌà ÃÌ>Þ Ã>vi >` investments. However, your sources, you may have to pri- i>Ì Þ >Ì i° 7i V> i« Ì `iÌvÞ ii`à LivÀi Ì iÞ LiVi `vwVÕÌ >` long-term horizon allows time oritize some goals and make iÝ«iÃÛi Ì ÀiÃÛi° to recover from short-term some trade-offs in your invest- dips. But for a shorter-term ment moves. 1i ÃÌ i V>Ài >}iViÃ] Ƃ`ià >` «>à V>Ài}ÛiÀà >Ài > goal, such as an upcoming Track your progress. Each iÀÌwi` ÕÀÃià Ƃ`ià À i i>Ì Ƃ`ið Ƃ >Ài }À>`Õ>Ìià v ÃÌ>ÌiViÀÌwi` vacation, your investments of your strategies is designed «À}À>à >` ÀiViÛiÃ Ì Þ ºÃiÀÛVi» ÌÀ>} Ì ii« Ì iÀ Ãà i`° don’t have the same time to to achieve a particular goal, so bounce back from large drops you need to monitor the per- 174 5'48+%'5 in value, so you might follow formance of the investments Ûi >Ài >Þ À 7iiÞ 6ÃÌà a more conservative strategy within that strategy to help en- "ÛiÀ} Ì >Ài >Ài}ÛiÀ -iÀÛVià by investing in instruments sure you’re making progress. Ó{ÉÇ >Ài /À>ëÀÌ>Ì -iÀÛVià that preserve principal, even If it seems that you’re lagging, ,iëÌi >Ài though growth may be mini- you may need to explore ways mal. to get back on track. Know what you’ve invested To manage these tasks suc- Èx -Ì] 7iÃÌ >Ûi vJ>`iÃ>`V«>ðV for each goal. Once you know cessfully, you may want to ÜÜÜ°>`iÃ>`V«>ðV what type of strategy you work with a financial profes- Óäή ÇÇÇ£ÓÎ{ Page 12 - Thursday, July 9, 2020 WEST HAVEN VOICE West Haven and high taxes A short history
By Bill Riccio, Jr. have no interest in people’s “conversation” for lack of a summer of that year was a myriad of circumstances. Voice Editor day-to-day goings on, and better term. Most people make destination state. The “arse- While Connecticut and the If I had to admit it, the num- don’t understand the compul- hit-and-run comments usu- nal of the union” had General Northeast, along with the ber of times this writer has sion to let everyone else know. ally based on their individual Dynamics, various subsidiary Midwest were manufacturing gone onto the West Haven As far as the Voice page, I biases. So, I don’t go on often. companies, Sikorsky’s and hubs, the fact they were in the Voice Facebook page can be don’t go on because most of I did happen by it a few days gun manufacturers. From En- northern tier – where winters counted on the fingers of one the comments about this or ago, and saw a comment that sign-Bickford to Colt, to Win- meant use of oil – made costs hand. While I do have a Face- that article tend to be thought- this writer should stop with chester’s the state’s manufac- skyrocket. Then there were the book account, and do peruse less venting of the “bumper the “fascist” editorials and turing base was supplying the union contracts that had been it occasionally – even to the sticker” variety. People want talk about why taxes are so military. And, for good mea- carved out in the good years point of making a comment or to make snide comments with- high in West Haven. “Fascist” sure we had General Electric with high salaries. Businesses is a term that few understand and Stanley. Our workforce looked elsewhere: warmer cli- except as an epithet. It is like was considered the tops. mates and non-union labor. “racist.” It is meant to shut- The Israeli-Arab conflict of They went south. down conversation and pi- 1973 brought about the embar- For the next two decades, geon-hole the opponent: Alin- go of oil to the United States, manufacturing left the state. sky’s “Rule No. 1.” which tripled cost and brought West Haven was clobbered Fascism seems like a good about gas lines stretching for with the loss of Armstrong topic, but that’s for another miles. Gasoline, which at one Rubber Company, which day. Anyone who has fol- time was about 30 cents a gal- closed in 1981. That was our lowed this newspaper for any lon, went up to more than a biggest employer. Bayer had amount of time knows we’ve dollar and beyond. OPEC, the a plant up on Morgan Lane, discussed why taxes are so Organization of Petroleum Ex- and was our second-biggest high in West Haven. It didn’t porting Countries was mostly employer. That’s when the happen overnight, and it isn’t Arab or Muslim, and they second wave of problems hit. going to rectify itself anytime hated Israel, our ally. We sup- But there was another prob- soon. For those who might not ported the Israelis in that war. lem. In the late 1980s, even have heard the story, here’s The US had stopped most of with the loss of Armstrong, the the long and short of it. its domestic oil production in city was having a boom from To understand the circum- favor of overseas. The reasons about 1983-88. People were stances leading up to the cur- for that don’t matter for our moving into the city and buy- Projects like The Haven will be the start of an expanded tax rent situation, you have to go purposes. ing houses. The housing bub- base once completed. back all the way to 1973. Con- That summer set in motion a ble of the late 1980s was writ necti- large in West Haven. When it two – most of what is on the out much to back it up. Such is cut be- LLegalegal NoticeNotice collapsed – almost overnight site is not very interesting. I the state of most social media fore the – property values plunged to West Haven City Council Legal Notice well below market value. On one day, properties on the The Public Lands Committee of the West Haven City Council will hold a Public Hearing at 6: 50 P.M. on July 27, 2020. The same street were going up in Hearing is in regards to renaming Hubbard Nature and Recreation Center to Hubbard Farms Park. value by tens of thousands of dollars. The next, they were This meeting will be held via electronic methods in accordance with Rule.#30. worth about 20 percent of what they were asking. Our Visit https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5cM1trmHe999FXNJ56X_Jg to watch the meeting live. In order to submit tax base, always too resident- comment, please mail to West Haven City Council, 355 Main Street West Haven, CT 06516. Comments may also be emailed to heavy, plummeted with it. [email protected]. Comments must be received by 5:00 P.M. on July 27 to be read into the record. It created a situation where people were buying proper- Stacy Riccio ties by maxing out their credit Clerk of the Council cards. Hundreds of condo- miniums were sold pennies on West Haven City Council Legal Notice the dollar. Those who could afford it moved out of town. The Public Lands Committee of the West Haven City Council will hold a Public Hearing at 6: 55 P.M. on July 27, 2020. The The city became owned by Hearing is in regards to renaming Third Avenue Park to Chamber of Commerce/Ralph Eberle Park. absentee landlords: a problem we have today. This meeting will be held via electronic methods in accordance with Rule.#30. That began our fiscal prob- lems: 1988. The next year Visit https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5cM1trmHe999FXNJ56X_Jg to watch the meeting live. In order to submit was an election year. The ad- comment, please mail to West Haven City Council, 355 Main Street West Haven, CT 06516. Comments may also be emailed to ministration of Azelio “Sal” [email protected]. Comments must be received by 5:00 P.M. on July 27 to be read into the record. Guerra sought to keep tax rates status quo. Two things Stacy Riccio happened. One in an attempt Clerk of the Council to build on the tax base, the city wanted to sell Quigley West Haven City Council Legal Notice Stadium to a developer. That brought a protest from Alling- The Legislative Matters Committee of the West Haven City Council will hold a Public Hearing at 6: 45 P.M. on July 27, 2020. town and became an election The Hearing is in regards to amending Chapter 156 Non-Resident Landlords Registration Subsection (B) as follows: issue that was to dog Guerra. Also, it was shown that in the Each Nonresident owner or agent in charge shall pay a fee of $100.00 for each initial registration, and a fee of $20.00 for each aftermath of the housing col- notice of residential address change.” “This will be a yearly practice to the City.” lapse, the city had put only a paltry amount in the con- This meeting will be held via electronic methods in accordance with Rule.#30. tingency fund. A bad audit was a problem for Guerra. Visit https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5cM1trmHe999FXNJ56X_Jg to watch the meeting live. In order to submit Clemente Evangeliste, a comment, please mail to West Haven City Council, 355 Main Street West Haven, CT 06516. Comments may also be emailed to trucking company owner ran [email protected]. Comments must be received by 5:00 P.M. on July 27 to be read into the record. on the GOP ticket. Not really a Republican, he was able to Stacy Riccio squeak out a win over Guerra Clerk of the Council on the slogan, “We have to run See Taxes, page 15 WEST HAVEN VOICE Thursday, July 9, 2020 - Page 13
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Answers to last week·s puzzles
JULY 9, 2020 WEST HAVEN VOICE Thursday, July 9, 2020 - Page 15 Taxes: Happenstance and bad decisions Continued from page 12 Borer lost a tight primary to Things seemed to be work- a Water Street property was the General Assembly passed the city like a business.” John Picard, and Picard won ing with the debt reduction, announced, but never materi- a law putting municipalities Evangeliste had little admin- the general election. and he actually got it down alized. He did, however, begin under state control for a three- istrative experience and had The city’s bonding was a big to about $4 million. However, talks with developers about year period. Originally aimed a Democratic-controlled City issue along with ineffective at- the Great Recession of 2008 the Haven. His successor, at Hartford, West Haven came Council. It was a rocky two tempts to rebuild our commer- stymied the city’s ability to O’Brien, was able to finalize under the rubric when the years, capped off by a bud- cial tax base. Borer had a plan continue, and the debt waxed that deal in 2014. bond was approved. get battle that was to rock the to redesign each of the city’s and waned over the next few Meanwhile, the city’s bud- In the final weeks of his ad- city. The budget presented gateways, but there was little years. Like his predecessors, get deficit languished in the ministration, O’Brien and the double-counted state fund- interest. The project that was the tax rate was kept at a num- background. O’Brien was in City Council passed a $25 mil- ing, and had other projections to become the Haven was an- ber that would only pay for favor of bonding to get rid of lion bond issue to cover more that didn’t jibe out. Despite nounced in September of 1997, the contractual increases and the deficit, saying it is inhibit- than $16 million of the deficit, attempts by the GOP minor- it languished until 2014, when those of the school system. ing the city’s ability to bring and allow for some infrastruc- ity to get the council to make the current project was an- Meanwhile, the city’s Grand interested developers. Our ture repair. the necessary changes, politics nounced. Borer was successful List, the list of taxable prop- bond rating, which had been The new law never, it seems, prevailed; the budget failed by in finally getting a commercial erty, took hits along with ev- just above junk-bond status, came into the conversation. an 8-5 vote (party line), and redesign on Sawmill Road, but eryone else in the Northeast. continued in its own right to When Mayor Nancy Rossi that, by charter, meant the that took almost eight years For the first time since 1988, languish.The Haven project, took office in December 2017, proposed budget would pass before it moved forward. the Grand List actually con- mired by the need to make she was summoned to Hart- by default. Then came another body tracted. In a city already on the deals with several homeown- ford to meet the Municipal Evangeliste did not win re- blow. Picard’s administration brink of insolvency this was ers, and facing lawsuits and Accountability Review Board election in 1991, only the sec- found a $10.4 million shortfall another hurdle to overcome. pushback, is only now begin- (MARB), which oversees city ond one-term mayor in our in the city’s finances. He had Picard lost his re-election bid ning the work of demolition. finances to this day. history, so far. But that budget two choices, bring the state after three terms to Edward M. This project, it was hoped, So, why are the city’s taxes did what everyone knew it back in asking for a review O’Brien. The high school rede- would bring in permit fees so high? A combination of would: put the city into big- board like 1991, or try some- sign and the ham-handed way and tax money by O’Brien. location, the northeast; hap- time debt. The state was called thing else. His “something school technical education But things didn’t work out penstance, erosion of the tax in by newly elected H. Richard else” was attempt to pay off was to be phase out was the is- that way. base through various extrinsic Borer, Jr., and the city was un- the deficit incrementally with sue that was pivotal. O’Brien did finally get the circumstances outside any- der state receivership for three each budget, while paying Picard had attempted as did City Council to agree to bond one’s control; bad decisions, years. Contracts were altered. off some of the bonding debt his predecessor to bring rede- to pay off the deficit after years from passing a deficit budget, The city had no control over to make sure our debt service velopment into the city. The of acrimony. But, in keeping to bonding too much, to arti- its finances, and stayed that line item didn’t skew expendi- Water Street Project, renamed with the city’s penchant for ficially keeping tax rates low, way, with some supervision tures. “West River Crossing,” never combining happenstance with to bonding the deficit when after 1994. It almost worked. panned out. A one-lot sale of badly timed decision-making, we did. In the meantime, global- ism, what George H.W. Bush called the “New World Or- der,” was to hurt the city even more. Bayer eventually left the city, taking with it hun- dreds of thousands of dollars in taxes, and leaving hundreds without jobs. The reason: high taxes, primarily, but as with all industries, if they weren’t going south, they were going south of the border or across the seas. Connecticut’s once vaunted manufacturing base was whittled down. It was no longer a destination state. It was the opposite. For the next decade or so, the city would try to bring in in- dustry or commerce, but the tax situation was always the biggest hurdle. With only resi- dential and personal property taxes as the base, it wasn’t pos- sible to bring taxes down. Eventually, the city made things worse by trying to “bor- row” its way into prosperity. The city trebled its bonding and this maneuver did little except forestall the inevitable. Page 16 - Thursday, July 9, 2020 WEST HAVEN VOICE
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