West Haven Election 2021: Barry Lee Cohen Running For Mayor

WEST HAVEN, CT — The 2021 municipal election is heating up in West Haven with plenty of races on the ballot.

Voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 2 and cast their ballots for the position of mayor, along with seats on the City Council, Board of Education and more.

West Haven Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Republican Barry Lee Cohen, 59, is running for Mayor in West Haven.

Occupation: Managing Director And Owner, Launch Communications; Former Global Director For Enthone (Now Macdermid Enthone)

Family: Rescue Dog Dad! Devoted brother and uncle.

Experience: Councilman and 10th District Rocks!

Family in government: No

The single biggest issue in town is ______, and I plan to do this about it:

The most pressing issue is three-fold.

1. Restoring the public's trust and confidence; Bringing transparency, accountability, and accessibility back to city government.

2. Stabilizing and reducing the tax burden through a true and robust economic development plan.

3. Improving our quality of life to allow families, seniors, and veterans to work, live, and thrive!

Critical differences between me and my opponent:

As a business owner and previously a global director for a $1 billion advanced technologies company, I understand the unique challenges faced by both local and Fortune 100 companies.

Being mayor is more than balancing the budget with millions of dollars of state and federal funds. My expertise in marketing, communications, business development, strategic planning and execution, rivals the other candidate. I'm a hands-on, full-time leader that engages and builds partnerships with and between communities, businesses, and other key stakeholders.

Accomplishments:

Enthone (now MacDermid Enthone); contributed to multiple facility expansions --and jobs--in West Haven. This includes a $12 million expansion since extended.

As a councilman, helped to facilitate and plan the revitalization of Hubbard Farms Park

Trusted relationships with leading business and community leaders.

Private-Public partnerships on various projects with leading universities and businesses.

President’s Awards – “Operational Excellence” and for "Leadership - One Company".

Company’s first two-time award recipient (over 4,800 employees)

Other issues:

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Retain and Grow Business.

West Haven will no longer be known as the “City of Missed Opportunities.” From a shorefront resurgence and revitalization of the downtown, from reimagining the Post Road, to vigorously pursuing a technology corridor, I will build strategic partnerships and engage key stakeholders in the mission to decrease our high tax burden. Getting excited about opening a 7-11 is not economic development, nor is supporting hundreds of apartments that will strain our city services.

EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Partnering with education and business leaders, I will work to reinvigorate and establish relationships with universities throughout the region that would allow students the opportunity to further their educational opportunities, as well as leading corporations for “real world” work experience. I will continue to question spending that is not directly supporting education.

IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE. Eliminate Blight.

Cracked sidewalks, potholes, blighted properties, and an unkept shorefront are scars upon our city. Enforcing the ordinances on the books, in concert with consistent action and communication---not delay and silence---will be a mandate, not an optional exercise.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

A lifelong Westie, I am currently blessed to be your city councilman and serve on the board of directors of the West Haven Community House (2014 - present). Other local philanthropic activities include Hubbard Farms Park revitalization, WHEAT and West Haven Animal Shelter food and supply drives, the CT Humane Society, amongst others.

My prior contributions to our city include:

West Haven Planning & Zoning Commission

West Haven Economic Development Task Force

West Haven Chamber of Commerce, Board of Dir.

Savin Rock Festival Committee

But it is not what you join---but what you do! I am a roll up the sleeves, hands-on guy and that is exactly what you can expect should I be elected our next mayor.