West Haven Republican Primary: Cohen Seeks Mayoral Nomination

WEST HAVEN, CT — Former West Haven City Councilman Barry Lee Cohen is making another run for mayor and is seeking the Republican Party’s nomination through a primary election.

Cohen, who narrowly lost to incumbent Democratic Mayor Nancy Rossi in the 2021 election, is challenging the party’s endorsed candidate – Paige Weinstein.

Patch asked the candidates to answer questions about their campaigns ahead of the primary, which is slated for Tuesday, Sept. 12.

Barry Lee Cohen

Occupation: President and Managing Director /Owner, Launch Communications

Experience:

Over the years as a lifetime Westie, high school class president, councilman, volunteer, locally engaged business owner, and a former global director of a $1.2 billion advanced technology corporation, I’ve been privileged to give back to our community through various charitable works and sponsorships.

From reaching across the aisle to secure $50,000 for Chromebooks for our kids, to partnering with UCONN to procure hand sanitizers for 500 at-need residents during the early stages of the pandemic, public service is a blessing that I will never take for granted. Should it be working with Yale West Campus to help stock the WHEAT Food Pantry or dressing up in a Gingerbread Man costume to help "Santa" distribute gifts, as your next mayor my enthusiasm for our community will remain unwavering.

Regardless if falling trees, flooding, property damage, or assisting you to get the answers and respect you deserve, I will continue to be present and hands-on, with an open mind and open heart. I will lead, listen, and clearly communicate.

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

As your mayor, accelerating economic development will be my absolute top priority to improve the quality of life for every family, veteran, and senior citizen.

Working with an empowered Economic Development Commission, along with developers and investors, as well as our state and federal officials, my team and I will focus on:

• Revitalizing the Boston Post Road to best optimize the geographic challenges of this high-profile entrance to our city.
• My advocacy for a technology corridor from Frontage Road / Railroad Avenue to the train station stems back two decades. Tapping state and federal programs, in conjunction with private investors and leading organizations, such a venture will be vigorously pursued.
• Transforming our downtown. A special district spanning all of Campbell Avenue to a defined area of Main Street and Wagoner Place will be proposed. A key part of the program will be to assist business and property owners to maintain and enhance their facilities so that new businesses see the value of choosing West Haven vs. area municipalities.
• Strategic planning and marketing of our cherished shorefront will include collaboration with property owners, residents, and small businesses alike. Our shoreline should be the envy of Connecticut.
• Finally, It is time we enforced the ordinances on the books while offering innovative programs and incentives to entice businesses to WANT TO LOCATE AND THRIVE IN WEST HAVEN.

As I’ve stated many times, it will take me more than two years to get much of this done. However, you will see progress on each of these vital programs. My comprehensive platform.

Critical differences between me and my opponent:

West Haven requires a new leader with the right experience and in-depth knowledge of our challenges and limitless potential.

There’s no time for on-the-job training to learn how city hall works ---or more importantly doesn’t work. New and unproven will not offer voters a fresh, new start. Change for the better begins with ushering in an economic revival. As an engaged local business leader and a former global director of an advanced technology corporation, I’m ready to lead on Day One.

Accomplishments:

My ongoing and/or prior involvement in our incredible community includes:

• Ward-Heitmann House Museum, Board of Directors
• West Haven Community House, Board of Directors
• West Haven Lodge of Elks Member
• City Councilman, Co-Minority Leader
• West Haven Planning & Zoning Commission
• West Haven Economic Development Task Force
• West Haven Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors (Current member of Milford Regional and Orange Chambers)
• Savin Rock Festival Committee
• Facilitated Hubbard Farms Park Revitalization
• Other local philanthropic activities include work with the CT Humane Society and the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, amongst others.

Event and Fundraisers Sponsorships

• 2023 West Haven Summer Concert Series (an Event Sponsor)
• West Haven Community House, "Night at the Races" (Ad Sponsor)
• West Haven Rocks WHEAT food and supplies drives (Organizer and Co-Sponsor)
• West Haven Animal Shelter food and supplies drive (Organizer and Co-sponsor)
• Ward-Heitmann House Museum, "Get a Hug" Hoodie Fundraiser (Organizer)
• Rotary Club, "Turkey Trot" (an Event Sponsor)
• Surfside Veterans, Co-Sponsor - Car Wash

Business Achievements

My work has been recognized by both corporations and leading nonprofit industry associations. This includes two President's Awards (the corporation’s first two-time recipient) for the areas of "Leadership", "One Company" and "Operational Excellence."

My differentiated background in highly matrixed, global companies with a local touch, has afforded me the opportunity to be an engaged member of non-profit industry and civic organizations. Over the years, I have served on multiple boards for trade conferences and events. I have also served as Vice President of communications and was a past member of the Board of Directors for a leading, electronics association, as well as a past chairperson for North America's largest plating and surface finishing exhibition and technical conference.

Other issues:

Fund and Maintain Infrastructure and The War on Blight

My team will focus on ---and most importantly fund and sustain ---infrastructure that impacts the quality of our lives every day. We will also wage a war on blight.

It’s great that ARPA is paying for the latest rounds of sorely needed paving and stormwater upgrades throughout our city. This is in addition to recent enhancements to our schools, parks, and other recreational areas. And of course, we have the ongoing and extensive care required for our cherished jewel, our shoreline.

However, just like the MARB created the surplus in our general “rainy day” fund, 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.

Furthermore, cracked sidewalks, potholes, blighted properties, and an unkept shorefront continue to plague our city.

There are areas of our city that look like dumps---some of which are used as a dump. From Spring St. to Front Avenue and beyond, you have my promise that action and communication ---not delay and silence---will be a mandate, not an optional exercise.

Enforcing the ordinances on the books, in concert with consistent action and communication---not delay and silence---will be a mandate of my administration, not an optional exercise.

Supporting Our Safety Heroes

A renewed focus on safety which includes recognizing, rewarding, and respecting our police, fire, and emergency services heroes.

We have the best safety professions in the state. When officers leave West Haven, we lose their training, talents, and community outreach to other municipalities. From crime to blight prevention, to promoting new and existing businesses to come or grow in our city, these professionals are the foundation, coupled with expanded economic development, that is critical to improving our quality of life.

Changing the Culture of City Hall

The third floor of city hall has become renowned for its lack of communication and follow-up to constituents’ requests. Many times, we learn what’s going on in West Haven from a Facebook posting, publication, or newscast versus the city’s website or social media channels.

At times, the non-response or in some cases -- the terse responses--- to infrastructure, blight, and safety requests are abhorrent and inexcusable. Some of the most straightforward questions often involve multiple calls or go unanswered.

Be assured my team will offer respect and gratitude---and work to keep you updated on requests. Communications will also include a point person and advocate to assist our seniors, veterans, and special needs residents. We will never forget that we work for you!

What else would you like voters to know about you?

• Public service is a blessing that I will always hold dear and will never take for granted. I was born and raised in West Haven and it will always be my first priority.
• It is clear to me that taxpayers are paying too much, and getting too little. Fiscal responsibility, backed by hands-on experience, is critical.
• Four years ago, I ran for office and became the first Republican elected to a district City Council seat in 30 years. As a staunch fiscal conservative, I began slowly, layer-by-layer, like an onion, peeling back the waste. I asked question after question and opposed wasteful spending. In fact, I was so persistent that the current administration finally forbade me from meeting with the City Finance Director. But I did succeed in killing salary increases for elected officials.