WEST HAVEN, Conn. — On Election Day, Nov. 7, the city of West Haven will get to vote for its new mayor, and the choice is between two candidates.
State Rep. Dorinda Borer is on the Democrat ticket. She currently serves on the 115th Assembly District in West Haven since 2017 and is a member of the Aging Committee, Commerce Committee, and Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs.
Barry Lee Cohen, running as both the Republican and Independent candidate, is promising "leadership without excuses" and "a new West Haven" if elected as mayor.
Both candidates have their priorities, but share similar goals when it comes to revitalizing the city. Both share the call to revitalize Boston Post Road and the downtown area. Borer would like to change the purpose and look of downtown using public-private partnerships, while Cohen hopes to propose moving the downtown from Campbell Ave. to a "defined area" of Main St. and Wagoner Place.
In other parts of the city, Cohen said he has been advocating for a technology corridor in the area of Frontage Road and Railroad Ave. for two decades, and partnering with private investors and tapping into state and federal programs could make it happen.
A big part of revitalizing the city involves maintaining infrastructure and targeting blight, according to Cohen. He promises to mandate action that will keep West Haven clean, including spots like Spring St. and Front Ave.
Borer has entertained exploring the types of designated business zones the city can apply for through the state, which could bring tax benefits for the area and attract businesses.
When it comes to public safety, Borer says West Haven is home to "dedicated highly trained public safety officials" and vows to continue providing them with the resources they need to serve the community. Part of that includes recruiting and retaining police officers and introducing a first-time home buyer program to help with that. She also hopes to introduce ATV ordinances and to complete the Security Camera Boardwalk Project.
Mental health is also at the forefront for Borer, as she hopes to create a mental health care council and a Youth Mental Health Coalition to offer resources in a timely fashion to residents and students alike.
Borer has a slew of initiatives that also encompass the environment, veterans, and retirement. For a whole list of Borer's initiatives, click here.
Cohen has been involved in multiple municipal boards and local organizations in West Haven and was previously a City Councilman, according to his campaign webpage.
Cohen also hopes to expand educational opportunities by offering "real-world" experiences for students using collaboration and partnerships with higher education institutions, as well as reducing the likelihood that teachers and staff will have to pay out of pocket for supplies.
Cohen shows support for first responders, saying "a new West Haven" would renew focus on safety and would recognize, reward, and respect police, fire, and emergency service crews for their work in the city.
Cohen also says city hall needs improvement on internal communication and serving the public. He believes that goings-on in West Haven should be accessed through the city's website or the city's social media channels so that residents do not need to rely on posts on Facebook or newscasts.
"Some of the most straightforward questions often involve multiple calls or go unanswered," according to Cohen.
Current Mayor Nancy Rossi is not seeking reelection. During part of her third term as mayor, Rossi's administration was caught in the middle of a COVID funding fraud controversy. Former city employee and State Rep. Michael DiMassa, along with three accomplices, were arrested and charged in October 2021 for stealing more than a million in COVID relief funds from the town. DiMassa was sentenced this past May to 27 months in prison.
In terms of financial controls and responsibility, Borer plans to ensure all positions in the Finance department are properly trained and capable of handling the city's finances, as well as create a finance board to stay on track.
"I am very versed on the critical need for checks and balances, segregation of duties, effective and efficient operations and audit safeguards that protect your assets. Only an honest and transparent assessment allows gaps to be identified and addressed," Borer said of her financial control plans.
"These initiatives will be temporary if we do not have a plan in place to maintain what are intended to be transformational in helping us rise above our fiscal crisis, end the culture of corruption, and restore the public’s trust," Cohen said of maintaining the infrastructure of West Haven.
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