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
