West Haven Election 2023: Steven R. Mullins Running For Mayor

WEST HAVEN, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in West Haven with plenty of races on the ballot.

Voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 7 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 Steven R. Mullins, 49, is running for mayor as a Write-In candidate.

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

https://mullinsforwesthaven.or...

Education.

West Haven Public Schools, Management Degree, Berkeley College

What is your occupation?

Researcher, Westat, Rockville, MD

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Married. One daughter, who is an Albertus Magnus College junior. One son, who is a WHHS junior.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Wife is Secretary of the West Haven Board of Health

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

West Haven Planning and Zoning Commissioner, 16 years

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I am striving to make West Haven the best community it can be. Over the last several decades, we have seen financial mismanagement in City government and corruption.

Over the last six years, we have seen a lack of management from the top. For example, during the 2020 Coronavirus quarantine lockdown, First Selectmen and Mayors from surrounding municipalities have regular reports and updates on their respective communities' response to the crisis. Rare was the occasion that West Haven residents heard from their Mayor.

Another example, with the same crisis is the aforementioned corruption, particularly the theft of over $1,000,000 in federal Covid 19 funds by City employees and a spouse.

As Mayor, I would also like to foster positive relationships with our small business community by working with the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, as well as meeting with our small businesses, individually and collectively.

West Haven has a serious homeless problem. As Mayor, I would like to bring a cross section of residents, public safety officials, Columbus House, church officials and others together to form a task force to look into ways to better serve our homeless community, like providing warming centers, cooling centers and other necessities.

West Haven has a serious problem with absentee landlords. As a result, blight is a serious issue. As Mayor, I would like to budget for additional blight officers to enforce plate ordinances and go after absentee landlords.

Due to the lack of management at the top, simple matters such as pot holes and litter have been ignored. As Mayor, I will see to it that pot holes are filled in a timely manager, as to damage as few vehicles as possible. I will also make sure our public works department cleans litter more frequently.

Economic growth in West Haven is vitally important. Over the last six years, the Administration has had an adversarial relationship with our Economic Development Commission. We have also not had a full-time Commissioner of Planning and Development in over a year.

Within the first sixty days of the Mullins Administration, I will have a qualified economic development director heading our Planning and Zoning and Building Departments and assisting me in truly marketing West Haven to outside businesses and corporations.

West Haven has so much to offer, we have just not had a Mayor with the wherewithal to get the job done.

It is important for West Haven’s public safety departments to be funded appropriately. That includes our 911 dispatchers, that are so often forgotten about.

I recently did a ride-along for one shift with a young WHPD officer. It is important for City officials to participate in ride along opportunities whenever possible, to see first hand what our first responders are experiencing on a regular basis.

If they have this knowledge, they will have a different way of thinking during the annual budget process.

We are fortunate that West Haven has the finest and best trained police and fire services in the State of Connecticut.

West Haven is one of the best communities to raise a family in the State. We have to provide additional services for our young people. As Mayor, I will make certain that sports and other extra curricular activities are funded and promoted.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is \_\_\_, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Safety!

People in West Haven do not feel safe. I have spoken to a woman that was followed by homeless men while going back to her car. Business owners downtown have complained to me about people drinking and using drugs in the Municipal parking lot between Center and Main Streets.

As mentioned before, we have a police department that is second to none in Connecticut. We just need more of them.

As Mayor, I hope to exceed the number of officers currently budgeted for.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

We’re all looking for a better West Haven.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

I’ve already mentioned a lot. However, every day will be a challenge and I know that matters will come up that will not be expected, but handled appropriately in a timely manner.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have a record of working with people from all backgrounds, political persuasions, religions and ethnicities.

I want us to put our differences to the side to get the job done for West Haven. Politics and differences is what has put West Haven in the negative situation it is in.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

NEVER GIVE UP!!!!
BE PERSISTENT!!!
Your day will come.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

For half of my childhood and my entire adult lifetime, I have put West Haven first. I look forward to doing so, as your Mayor.

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.