West Haven Election 2021: Effie Prokopis Running For City Council

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.

Effie Prokopis, 57, is running for election to the West Haven City Council in the 8th District as an Independent candidate.

Occupation: Small Business Owner And Property Owner

Family:
Peter Prokopis (husband)- 65 years old
Dinisios Prokopis (son)- 40 years old
Angelos Prokopis (son)- 38 years old
Peter Prokopis (grandchild)- 11 years old
Peter Prokopis (grandchild)-10 years old
Maria Prokopis (grandchild)- 7 years old

Experience: None

Family in government: No

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

The most pressing issue facing West Haven and the 8th District is the lack of prioritizing businesses to offset rising taxes throughout the city. As a potential future councilwoman, I intend to work with the city council and elected officials at city hall to install a moratorium on dense housing. We as residents have suffered through missed opportunities that current city officials have had to bring in small businesses, offices, corporations, and entertainment businesses. Residents realize that there is enough housing development in West Haven. At some point, and we have to say "enough is enough". Incentivizing business owners across Connecticut looking at West Haven as a potential destination is critical to generating tax revenue while not completely relying on residents wallets to fund projects. This would reverse the incline in residents seeking to flee the district and West Haven due to unaffordable costs of living.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

The critical differences between my campaign and my opponents are very clear. My focus has been to bring up the issues concerning residents I have spoken to knocking on doors and calling during phone banking. Neither of my opponents have a clear agenda for what they want to see from the offices they seek. I worked with friends and neighbors to address issues like flood control projects that are desperately needed in many areas of the 8th district. Other issues concerning the beautification of our city, conditions of environment, transportation services for seniors and out of control tax rates are pillars of my campaign that are derived directly from folks throughout West Haven. Throughout my campaign, I have heard the voices of those who are fed up with the way status quo politicians break campaign promises in return for support of their respective parties. Corrosive politics continue to be normalized when making important decisions in the lives of thousands of residents. As an Independent, and I will not remain loyal to any Mayor's interest that falls against the interest of the majority of our residents and will continue to knock on doors outside of election season to inform and collect status updates of what 8th District residents truly want to see from their council people at City Hall.

Accomplishments:

I have never been involved in politics, but I am a successful business owner and an owner of many rented residential properties. The effort that is required to do my job, day to day, and is to make critical decisions and use common sense in order to upkeep the businesses I run. This dedication to work and ethics is exactly what I will bring to potential future constituents at the table of the City Council.

Other issues:

- Improve Economic Development and beautification along Route 34, Route 1, Downtown West Haven, Main Street, and West Haven's shoreline as priority
- More Jobs in West Haven for West Haven residents
- Financial and social support for struggling small businesses
- Build and Improve Youth Centers and Senior Centers by working with the University of New Haven to provide resources
- Improve West Haven Bus Services and Senior Transportation
- Start the transition to electric buses to reduce carbon emissions and noise in high traffic areas

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I am a real and concerned ordinary citizen of West Haven, and not a politician. I have lived in West Haven and the 8th District for 32 years and love where I live with our city becoming a family in the light of dark times these past couple years. West Haven has so much potential and so much to offer, but we need someone in office to make the right decisions on behalf of everyone's voices regardless of party affiliation and background. If the residents of the 8th District elect me on November 2nd, I vow never to leave a voice behind that believes West Haven can reach the greatest outcome of prosperity and I invite all voters to reach out to me to support and add to our one true goal, and together.

Are you running for office in West Haven? Email vincent.salzo@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile on West Haven Patch.