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Robert D.Hoff for 3rd District Town Council

An Update on the condition of Foxon's Michael Street Park.

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

noname December 22, 2012 at 07:45 pm
YOU GO DAN MC CANN....i don't know this guy but the more he writes, the more
I believe he's from another planet!
Dan McCann December 22, 2012 at 07:55 pm
Daddy Hoff....I am sorry about all of these things but don't look to these boards for the answer. Your Son is fully responsible for everything he's receiving and I am terribly sorry for your loss. I lost my biggest supporter 4 years ago with my Mother. As for the Mayor well we can agree that he's not my favorite and I think Gary DePalma when elected Mayor will clean the entire mess up.
Anne December 22, 2012 at 07:58 pm
Hoff--you stand to be corrected....the Public Works Dept. is not paid for by the RESIDENTS of EH--it's only paid for by the TAXPAYERS of EH. Therefore since you pay no taxes, you do NOT pay for the services you think you deserve.
Robert D. Hoff - Working for a better East Haven December 22, 2012 at 07:58 pm
June 20,2009 I sent the following to the Mayor:
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.
Richard Poulton December 22, 2012 at 08:00 pm
James, a little FYI as to your comment regarding the Mayor and his disability payments. You, along with many other readers may not like the outcome. So be prepared.
Robert D. Hoff - Working for a better East Haven December 22, 2012 at 08:05 pm
Mr Poulton it's funny you should mention that "Maybe you could have formed a neighborhood cleanup group and cleaned the park. Now that would get you votes."
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.
Richard Poulton December 22, 2012 at 08:07 pm
Very good Robert. And the mayor at that time was?? Did you get a reply? So since that letter in June 2009 had you picked up a single piece of trash during one of your walks? OH, thats right, its the public works job and you don't want to take their work away from them, even though in 2009 you wanted to form a clean-up agency to do just that. Bob, you keep digging yourself into a deeper hole. Let it go. But, I will give you a AAA plus rating in your attempt at solving the issue.
Dan McCann December 22, 2012 at 08:32 pm
I have a have tried to answer your questions as clearly as I can but apparently you believe that somehow I am not being truthful.
"TRIED" OR "LIED" about the truth?
Robert D. Hoff - Working for a better East Haven December 22, 2012 at 08:34 pm
Anne,
So your saying only those that pay taxes are entitled to services by the town?
Richard Poulton December 22, 2012 at 08:47 pm
Now see Robert, way to go. You got some community involvement and did a good thing. NOW, if you had only started off this blog will a little history and then say what you did went sour, and effects were made to correct by calling proper people, which by the way it appears you didn't, you went ahead and had to write something directly towards the other "party", for one purpose and one purpose only. Yes I think you care about the park, but this piece is an attack on those current council members for you want one of those seats. Plain as day Robert - plain as day.
Richard Poulton December 22, 2012 at 08:50 pm
To windy, 40 degrees' outside, and nothing good on TV. This is the best we got, so far. LOL
Robert D. Hoff - Working for a better East Haven December 22, 2012 at 10:59 pm
Please note:Mr Poulton,
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.
Richard Poulton December 22, 2012 at 11:14 pm
Gee Bob don't know what to tell you. Maybe he went to the park and you weren't there. I don't know. Maybe because its a Saturday, weekend before X-Mass and he couldn't make it. I could think of many reasons why he didn't or couldn't show, I know I could. Again, you need to direct you questions to your council members. I am sure you have all the phone numbers. But no, you have to get your little election digs in ahead of time. By the way, don't call the Town Engineers office to speak with him, he is everyones boss. He will be away until after the first of the year. So, take a trash bag and go pick up what bothers you. You do live right down the street don't you?
Robert D. Hoff - Working for a better East Haven December 22, 2012 at 11:26 pm
Mr Poulton,
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.
Dan McCann December 22, 2012 at 11:28 pm
Maybe Bob didn't meet with you because he too was concerned about the past on Michael Street. Maybe he thought that 3 incidents was too much and that he didn't want to become the 4th occurance?
Richard Poulton December 22, 2012 at 11:32 pm
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.
Robert D. Hoff - Working for a better East Haven December 22, 2012 at 11:37 pm
First to answer your statement Mr McCan't so basically your stating that we have a town employee as well as a sitting counilman that fails to keep his committments out of fear.
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.
Dan McCann December 22, 2012 at 11:41 pm
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?
Robert D. Hoff - Working for a better East Haven December 22, 2012 at 11:42 pm
Richard Poulton
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.
Dan McCann December 22, 2012 at 11:46 pm
Yes thats what I'm saying I mean you kind scare me too. Those looks that you gave me in the kitchen at St. Vincents was spooky and I knew you were really mad at me when I said hello Mr. Hoff and you stared me down.
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.
Richard Poulton December 22, 2012 at 11:51 pm
I'm sorry Bob. Is there anything I can do to ease your pain? As to you being told you could not remove the trash or help keep the park clean, I don't think so. Yes, that means I don't believe you.
Robert D. Hoff - Working for a better East Haven December 23, 2012 at 01:18 am
Dan McCann
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
Dan McCann December 23, 2012 at 01:47 am
Mr. Hoff....Have you had silver metal cuff placed on your wrist by a man or woman in a East Haven Police Uniform? Have you had a ride inside of a East Haven Police Cruiser?
Anne December 23, 2012 at 01:28 pm
Just pointing out HOFF that you DON'T pay taxes but yet you're trying to represen the taxpayers of EH???
Robert D. Hoff - Working for a better East Haven December 23, 2012 at 02:52 pm
Mr McCann,
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?
Robert D. Hoff - Working for a better East Haven December 23, 2012 at 03:01 pm
Anne,
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!
Richard Poulton December 23, 2012 at 03:08 pm
I think this story has been beat down about as far as it can go. It's Sunday, 2 days before X-Mass. Why not take a break until after the new year. Then everyone can tear themselves apart as much as they like. Just be safe and enjoy your families. Signing off now for the rest of the year.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Dan McCann December 23, 2012 at 03:27 pm
Mr. Hoff...Absolutely! I drive for a living. Statistically speaking I would be in the minority if I said no! I can admit right here that I have received moving violations. As for a Town or City yes that too! I once in NYC walked my dog without a leash. Well that's what I got a ticket for but what really happened was my dog got out the yard. But I can say right here and now that I NEVER EVER had handcuffs placed on my wrists by a Peace or Police Officer. Can you Mr. Hoff say the samething? See Robby when you have NOTHING to hide you have zero problems telling your background. You on the otherhand refuse to answer the question. If you don't know me by now you know when I get the information in my hands I will report it. You have been horrible in trying to avoid the question. Just answer my question. How about this. Do you know the colors of the walls in the EHPD holding cells?
Robert D. Hoff - Working for a better East Haven December 23, 2012 at 04:25 pm
Mr McCann,
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.
Julie Weisberg (Editor) December 23, 2012 at 04:27 pm
OK, everyone. Because I'd like to actually unplug and enjoy the long holiday weekend, I'm going to now close this thread to comments. Thank you for your understanding — and Happy Holidays!!

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