During the course of this year I have written and submitted many blogs for publication here on the Patch one of those I wrote was during the month of May and was from the perspective of an East Haven Resident who utilized one of the several parks we have in East Haven the Michael Street Park is located in Foxon or the third district of our town.
Here is what I had to say at that point: "Taking a casual trip down to a nearby park,to walk my dog I discovered that the town of East Haven may be violating it's own blight ordinance.
As many residents are aware the town's blight ordinance makes it clear that grass is to be no higher then six inches tall and free of sumac,poison Ivy and other such weeds. As I walked through the gate at the park I was going to I noticed that poison Ivy was growing on the fence that one walks through to enter the park.
I then looked around and saw trash scattered everywhere and thought to myself the Town of East Haven's Children deserve a better safer place to play and our towns seniors deserve a cleaner better well maintained place to go for their daily strolls and to relieve stress from their lives.
I can remember back last year when this same park was well groomed,free of trash and well used by East Haven's families that enjoyed frequenting the park thanks to the superior care provided by the officials at Public Works a year later and a new administration and this park is quickly spiraling downhill.
I know that in the latest budget there has been a reduction in the amount of monies being spent on the parks in town but yet come June we will be seeing a tax increase and a higher mil rate in my opinion we will be getting less services for more money and this is wrong.
I feel the town needs to step forward and give our families and children the best it can just as fast as they are able to outstretch their hands and ask for money."
Very little has changed in the seven months since,...The Michael Street Park that was cleaned up and restored under the previous administration including a quarter mile walking track,playground equipment being cleaned up and new trees being planted in the park is still in a state of decline.
I feel this is wrong and shows a clear lack of concern for the children,seniors and families that utilize the park the same families that saw their taxes raised this year are seeing one of our towns safe haven's being neglected.
Today only approximately only one third of the parks walking track is usable due to the weeds overgrowing the track and the crush stone for the track failed to being maintained.
As Councilman of the Third District I would work to ensure that is park was safe and usable for residents I have in the past worked with the prior administration to clean the park on behalf of residents creating a safe place for all to enjoy.
As an elected official of the town I would continue to work to make sure that residents were given the full tax dollars worth and given a safe place for their families to enjoy.
While not pointing fingers an as a generally observation very rarely does a police vehicle travel all the way down to the park to ensure that the children playing there and the residents trying to walk in the park are safe and free from harm.
The residents of Foxon deserve better they deserve someone that will stand up for them and work with town officials to ensure that the park and accompanying bird sanctuary are maintained and preserved for all to enjoy.
When town residents mow their lawns,they weed whack and pick up any trash that is blowing around their yards. Why isn't the town and it's current Councilmen working to ensure that this is being done in the park? There is currently no snow on the ground and this is clearly something that could easily be accomplished. As The Councilman of the third district I would work to make sure Children,Seniors and families have safe parks to enjoy.
Robert D.Hoff Putting People Before Politics
https://www.facebook.com/RobertDHoffputtingpeoplebeforepolitics
I believe he's from another planet!
The following is a quick brainstorm I had but I feel that if we were able to create something like this it would cost the town nothing as we would be using people that are already placed into positions within the town to accomplish the given tasks this would just help them to become more streamlined and work together as a team to improve the quality of life for our residents.Park Preservation Committee-Works with Mayors Office,Public Works,Police,ConstablesUnder this committee the towns constables would work directly with the PPC to preserve the towns public parks by making sure that all parks are kept clean and maintained by working with Public Works to create a program in which the PPC would work with residents in areas where parks are to create a program that involves the neighbors of that area working to perform Public Works approved projects such as Monthly Park clean ups which would involve removal of graffiti...loose trash...other items that should not be in park and pose a health and safety hazard...Constables would be responsible to make sure that parks are kept in safe condition keeping eye on Wood Chips and making sure all equipment is maintained any problems would be reported to Public Works. Committee would be responsible for filing a monthly report on activity in parks as well as any issue relevant to park with the Mayors office as well as having the Chairman report to the Town Council on a monthly basis.
In 2009,after consulting with the office of the then Mayor I was given permission to lead an effort to clean up the park and begin it's restoration. We cleaned all the graffitti off the playscape,made sure new basketball nets were hung,removed trash and the Mayors office had a light put in place to reduce crime and keep drug dealears out of the park,we also placed a sliding gate across the park to help further keep drug dealers out of the park and installed a 1/4 mile walking track. Along with a new tree and guard rails to keep ATV's from destroying the park which was a problem at that time. After the clean up was finished I submitted the following letter to the office of the Mayor.
"TRIED" OR "LIED" about the truth?
So your saying only those that pay taxes are entitled to services by the town?
In fact I did call Mr Robert Parante and we are scheduled to meet this afternoon to discuss the declining conditions of the park. Can you tell me why any of the current councilmen have failed to take any action regarding the park on behalf of the residents they represent? The time is now 5:53 PM and other then the inital conversation at 9:04 AM with Mr Parente indicating that he would meet with me during the day to discuss the park and my having to explain to Mr. Parente where in town the Park is located I have not heard one word from Mr. Parente who indeed is a sitting councilman and prt of the current adminastration this I feel demonstrates the problem that currently exists. I was looking forward to a positive discussion with Mr Parente concerning the park yet I did not even get a second phone call informing me that he was unable to make it after all this is a lack of professionalisim on Mr Parente and reflects poorly on the current adminastration.
When a gentleman gives his word he honors his commitments or at least has the decency to call and explain why he could not keep the committment. It's as simple as that Mr Parente should have never stated he was going to do something and then fail to do it or follow up with a phone call explaining why he could not keep the committment.
Second just to follow up with Mr Poulton's comment I was told by this adminastration Mr Parente specifically that it was a union job to maintain the park and for me NOT to proceed to even remove grafity or trash. In the Past I have volunteered to clean up the park when given consent and have been the first to volunteer for Foxon clean up days and go climbing through high grass and bushes to retrieve trash that was making the park look unsightly.
6:32 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2012 Welcome to the real world. Bush said he would not raise taxes. Guess what? Whicker said the state income tax was only for the one year. Guess what? Call your council rep. See if you can get either to come out on a holiday weekend to look at a park. Mr Poulton, Guess what when a Council Rep let alone the head of Public works doesn't know where a street in East Haven is and has to be given specific directions there's a problem. Guess What then that Town official should have never given his word in the first place or should have had the decency to call back and state he wasn't coming.
I have a suggestion. Why don't you start a block watch and patrol the area. I'll get you the whistle and a scanner. Then maybe since you're so familiar with the EHPD you can ride in the front of the car instead of the back when you catch the villians.
6:41 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2012 Maybe he realized that you're politcal and no matter what you would do you would make it such that. Now will you answer my question have you ever been arrested for domestic violence? Mr McCann,..um I hate to be the one to break it to you but as a sitting member of the Council Mr Parente is in the world of politics and is himself a political person. I have a clean Police Record
Have you ever recieved a ticket from any Police Department or been fined for any reason by any town or community within the United States Of America?
The Definition of Taxes is as follows according to Encarta. tax Definition tax[ taks ]To hear the pronunciation, install SilverlightNOUN tax·es plural 1. strain: a strain or heavy demand 2. money paid to government: an amount of money levied by a government on its citizens and used to run the government, the country, a state, a county, or a municipality 3. charge paid by members: an amount charged to members of a club or organization to be used for expenses So Anne you are incorrect on your information as according to definition number 2 and 3 I do pay Taxes within East Haven for you see I am a dog owner and I pay to license my Dog on a yearly basis. So yes I do pay Taxes...and let's not forget animals are under the law regarded as personal property which in effect makes that a property tax...Next!
Merry Christmas everyone.
You admit to breaking the law and recieving moving violations and again breaking the law and not following the leash law yet you deem yourself worthy to judge others....Hmmmm? This will be my last comment under this blog. Have a nice day Danny Boy.