West Haven Youth Soccer League President John Vinci receives an embroidered “Italian American of the Year” jacket from Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, second from left, at West Haven’s 23rd annual Italian Heritage Celebration on the steps of City Hall on Friday. Looking on are Rossi’s executive assistant, Louis P. Esposito Jr., the master of ceremonies, and Vinci’s wife, Joanne. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

John Vinci, ‘Mr. Soccer,’ feted as city’s Italian of the Year

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 7, 2022 — West Haven Youth Soccer League President John Vinci, a goodwill ambassador of his deep-rooted Italian ancestry, received the city’s Italian American of the Year award at the 23rd annual Italian Heritage Celebration on Friday.

Amid a picture-perfect autumn day, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and the West Haven Italian Heritage Committee honored Vinci, the grandson of immigrant grandparents from the family’s namesake city of Vinci in the region of Tuscany, Italy, during a midday ceremony on the steps of City Hall.

The award is bestowed annually on an Italian resident or couple who personifies volunteerism in the city’s close-knit Italian American community.

As the sound of Italian music filled the air at the 20-minute cultural event, Vinci saluted his Italian lineage with friends, former and current soccer colleagues, and loved ones, including his wife, Joanne, and his son, Chris, daughter-in-law, Colleen, and grandson, Christian, 13, of Fairfield.

Along with descendants of folks from the old country, Vinci was also joined by his sister-in-law, Judy Marks, of North Haven, and an array of state, city and business leaders, including Democratic Sen. James J. Maroney, City Clerk Patricia C. Horvath and Simon McDonald, the director of membership and marketing for the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Vinci, 75, a Westie of nearly 50 years, also received an Italian flag from Paul M. Frosolone, the president of the West Haven Italian American Civic Association, and Roberta Daniels DeFonce, a past president of the association’s Ladies Auxiliary.

Vinci told the crowd, some donning red, white and green, that he appreciated the recognition and thanked the many players, coaches, referees and league officials he has mentored throughout his 38 years of service — and counting — to West Haven Youth Soccer.

“My grandparents would be proud — I know they’re smiling down,” said Vinci, who lives with his wife of 37 years on Ocean Avenue near West Shore’s Lake Street Beach. “The best day of the year is the first day of the (soccer) season. I want to thank everybody!”

Rossi read a mayoral citation praising Vinci’s civic-minded contributions, saying: “As a second-generation Italian resident of our city, I hope you reflect with pride on the innumerable lives you have inspired on and off the field. I admire your devotion to shaping the principles of West Haven Youth Soccer — sportsmanship, responsibility, teamwork — and to upholding the values that make our city, state and country great.”

Rossi then presented Vinci with an embroidered “Italian American of the Year” jacket.

The ceremony included remarks by her executive assistant, Louis P. Esposito Jr., the master of ceremonies. It also included a blessing by Vertical Church Pastor Frank Aprea, the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Ana Garcia and the playing of the Italian national anthem, “II Canto degli Italiani.”

An Italian-flavored lunch after the event was catered by Lorenzo’s Restaurant of West Haven in the First Congregational Church’s Fellowship Hall, at 464 Campbell Ave. opposite City Hall on the Green. Two cakes were provided by Costco of Milford.

Since 1984, Vinci has given back to the community through the game of soccer, serving as a coach, referee and league official.

Above all, he enjoyed coaching his son’s teams, joking, “Chris left, and I didn’t.”

After longtime league President Paul Duffy stepped down, Vinci, then the vice president, assumed the presidency in 2001.

Since then, Vinci has grown the soccer league into “the largest youth sports league for boys and girls in Connecticut.”

His support of all things West Haven Youth Soccer, established in 1978, is so revered that the league named the field at Pagels Elementary School in Vinci’s honor.

His dedication to the league is complemented by his service to the community he calls home, a lifework that includes raising awareness and money for the West Haven Breast Cancer Awareness Program.

Each year in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the league hosts a Columbus Day weekend tournament at The Paul Duffy Soccer Complex next to Bailey Middle School. This year’s tourney, a field of 50 teams from across the state, kicks off Saturday and Sunday.

According to Vinci, players don pink uniforms and use pink balls. The league even paints pink lines on the field instead of the customary white to increase breast cancer awareness.

Best of all, some of the tournament’s proceeds and raffles, along with a breast cancer ribbon sticker fundraiser, benefit the city’s breast cancer program, with more than $20,000 collected to date, Vinci said.

In observance of Italian American Heritage Month, West Haven recognizes the unique and vibrant traditions of Americans of Italian descent and celebrates the story of generations of Italian sons and daughters who came to the U.S. seeking hope and opportunity to reach for the American dream.

Vinci’s paternal grandparents left their home in central Italy and came to America for a brighter future, arriving on New York’s Ellis Island in the early 1920s and settling in the upstate New York town of Whitehall, the state’s smallest town, bordering Vermont.

In the intrepid spirit of Italians who charted a course for millions of immigrants who followed their crossing to America, Vinci and his grandparents are a testament to the diversity and promise of the United States.

Vinci was born and raised in Cohoes, New York, a city in the northeast corner of Albany County. He graduated from La Salle Institute, a Catholic college preparatory school in Troy, New York, and the University of Rochester.

Now retired, Vinci was employed as a senior technical director in the information technology department at AT&T. He was also an IT executive at SBC Communications and the Southern New England Telephone Co. All three telecommunications companies formerly operated in New Haven.

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Emcee Louis P. Esposito Jr. opens the program. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

An Italian flag blows in the wind as Ana Garcia sings “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Looking on is Esposito. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Esposito bows his head as Vertical Church Pastor Frank Aprea offers a blessing. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi delivers remarks about the honoree’s dedication to West Haven Youth Soccer. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

John Vinci receives a mayoral citation from Rossi for his “incomparable legacy of volunteerism.” (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Vinci receives an Italian flag from West Haven Italian American Civic Association President Paul M. Frosolone and Roberta Daniels DeFonce, a past president of the association’s Ladies Auxiliary, as Esposito and Rossi look on. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

A humble Vinci thanks the many players, coaches, referees and league officials he has mentored throughout his 38 years of service — and counting — to West Haven Youth Soccer. Looking on are Rossi and Esposito. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Vinci with grandson Christian, 13. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

From left, Chris, Colleen and Christian Vinci; Mayor Nancy R. Rossi; John and Joanne Vinci; and Judy Marks. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

West Haven Mayor Nancy R. Rossi cuts the ribbon with Pub 34 owners Dottie Newman, fourth from left, and Ginny Newman-Durso, third from right, on Thursday to celebrate the restaurant’s grand opening at 439 Derby Ave. With them are, from left, Simon McDonald, the director of membership and marketing for the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce; Councilwoman Colleen O’Connor, R-at large; state Rep. Treneé McGee, D-West Haven; City Clerk Patricia C. Horvath; Rossi Executive Assistant Louis P. Esposito Jr.; City Council Chairman Peter V. Massaro, D-6; and Councilman Gary Donovan, D-at large. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Pub 34 celebrates opening on Derby Ave. in grand style

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 7, 2022 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi cut a “West Haven blue” ribbon with Pub 34 owners Dottie Newman and Ginny Newman-Durso on Thursday to celebrate the restaurant’s grand opening at 439 Derby Ave.

The rebuilt location, formerly Gin Dee’s Cafe, overlooks the city’s bustling Route 34 business corridor — hence 34 in the pub’s name — and features an outdoor patio.

The sisters closed the cafe at the dawn of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020 after operating the establishment since their mother, Dorothy DeRosa, purchased the building in 1979.

After their mother died in 2018 at age 98, they decided to rebrand the business, rolling out the red carpet for a concept restaurant with the glitz and glamour of the golden age of Hollywood that honored her memory.

Rossi and the owners marked the ribbon-cutting with state Rep. Treneé McGee, D-West Haven; City Council Chairman Peter V. Massaro, D-6, and council members Gary Donovan, D-at large, and Colleen O’Connor, R-at large; City Clerk Patricia C. Horvath; Rossi Executive Assistant Louis P. Esposito Jr.; and Simon McDonald, the director of membership and marketing for the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce.

They were joined by chamber President Michael Moses, chamber board member Alan R. Olenick and a delegation of chamber members, including West Shore Associates owner Erin Eberhardt and New England Collision Vice President of Operations John Kraemer, both of West Haven, and Edward Jones financial adviser Jay Borelli and Patriot Bank Vice President Robert Creigh, both of Milford.

They were also joined by City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown Chief Michael R. Terenzio and Deputy Chief Michael T. Esposito.

Throughout Pub 34, Tinseltown of the 1940s and ’50s is represented in style, with classic knickknacks and portraits of Hollywood icons adorning the walls and paying homage to a bygone era of showbiz.

The sisters pointed out that their mother’s 1901 piano is the centerpiece of The Cabaret Room, just across from the oldfangled bar.

The pub’s menu offers made-to-order fare, including burgers, chicken wings, nachos, macaroni and cheese, sandwiches, and fish and chips.

Pub 34 serves lunch from noon-3 p.m. and dinner from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Otherwise, it is open later for cocktails, of course, spotlighting such Hollywood-themed libations as The Celebrity and The Screenwriter.

The owners also plan to book bands and DJs playing the music that defined the period of Hollywood grandeur.

The West Haven Breast Cancer Awareness Program is supporting this fundraiser. The Susan A. Ruickoldt Scholarship Fund was founded in March 2003 to raise breast cancer awareness in honor of Ruickoldt, who taught third grade at Savin Rock Community School before succumbing to breast cancer in 1997. Each spring since 2003, scholarship organizers have awarded $2,000 in Ruickoldt’s memory to a female high school senior from West Haven who plans to continue her education.
West Haven receives $500K in grant funding from EPA
City gets $500K in funding from EPA

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 6, 2022 — The city has received $500,000 in grant funding from the Environmental Protection Agency, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.

According to the EPA, the federal funds are designed to pay for environmental investigation and historical reports for commercial properties where development is being considered.

“This critical funding will help the city attract investors that might otherwise shy away from certain parcels because of unknown environmental considerations,” Rossi said. “People interested in a commercial parcel for development can contact the city and apply for 100% funding of the Phase I and Phase II Environmental Assessment reports.”

Armed with the report information on potential or actual contamination, buyers and sellers can make informed decisions and arrive at fair market value, said Grant Coordinator Doug Colter, who secured the funding for the city.

“Our hope is that properties that have sat off the market for many years will take advantage of this program to define what contamination there is, if any, and return the property to its full economic value,” Rossi said.

Those interested in the program should contact Colter at [email protected].

An aerial view of the West Haven Centennial Fire Expo on Nov. 6, 2021. Families, fire service enthusiasts, and paid and volunteer firefighters from across the state turned out to see the colorful fleet of engines and trucks, including antique fire apparatus, on display in the parking lot of the former Savin Rock Conference Center. West Haven’s three fire departments held the free exposition to salute the community’s 100th anniversary. Organizers are expanding this year’s exposition on Oct. 15 to include all things fire, police, public safety and health. The expo will take place at Old Grove Park and Palace Street from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (City Drone Photo/Andrew Kosarko)

West Haven Fire/Police Service, Public Safety & Health Exposition scheduled for Oct. 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 4, 2022 — West Haven’s three fire departments and the city will salute National Fire Prevention Week with an exposition of all things fire, police, public safety and health.

The second annual West Haven Fire/Police Service, Public Safety & Health Expo is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 15 at Old Grove Park and Palace Street. The rain date is Oct. 16. Free parking is available in the lots off Captain Thomas Boulevard.

See the Flyer.

West Haven’s collective fire services include the independent West Haven Fire Department, which serves the First Fire Taxation, or Center, District, and the independent West Shore Fire Department, which serves the Shore’s 2nd District. It also includes the 3rd District’s formerly independent Allingtown Fire Department, which was taken over by the city in July 2012 and is now known as the City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown.

Together, the departments have been in operation for 350 years — West Haven since 1888, Allingtown since 1907 and West Shore since 1918.West Haven Chief James P. O’Brien, West Shore Chief Stephen Scafariello and Allingtown Chief Michael R. Terenzio are organizing the large public exhibition, which will feature fire engine and firetruck displays, including antique fire appa

ratus, and a fire service exhibit at Old Grove Park and Palace Street.

The expo will include Mack firetruck rides, a hazmat trailer, food trucks, the departments’ rescue boats and fire merchandise vendors, as well as live music by Tre Paul and an appearance by Sparky the Fire Dog, said organizer Beth A. Sabo, the Expo Committee’s chairwoman.

It will also include educational demonstrations on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, drone technology, home sprinkler systems, first aid, and fire code and investigation.

West Haven firefighters will demonstrate the department’s 35-foot smoke trailer and show children what to do in the event of a fire.

West Haven Professional Firefighters Local 1198 will collect donations for its annual Muscular Dystrophy Association charity event.

Allingtown firefighters will perform a certified inspection or installation of child safety car seats for the public free of charge. They will also show how to ensure that the portable seats have been properly fastened for securing small children.

Fire apparatus dealers and members of the University of New Haven’s Fire Science and EMS/Paramedic clubs will have resource tables with information on products and programs.

Jennifer A. Amendola, the director of West Haven’s 911 Emergency Communications Center, which operates out of police headquarters at 200 Sawmill Road, will educate the public on the structure of the city’s Emergency Reporting System and what the dispatchers do.

Amendola and other ERS dispatchers will demonstrate how to make a “real” phone call to 911 while showing people what the dispatcher on the other end of the call would be doing. For example, dispatchers will show the public the premade, established card sets that consist of a series of questions they must ask when receiving certain types of medical emergencies to give the callers an idea of why the questions need to be asked and why.

Dispatchers will show how to “TEXT 911” if people cannot place a phone call in an emergency. There will also be a display of what the dispatcher workstations look like, along with some of the equipment they use, such as headsets and portables.

“West Haven 911 will be happy to educate the public on any questions they may have about the system, how it works, what to do,” Amendola said. “We want to make sure people know when to call and reassure them that there will always be a voice on the other end to help them.”

ERS dispatchers will also distribute educational materials and pass out goodies to people of all ages to remind them that 911 should be called for any police, fire or medical emergency, Amendola said.

The West Haven Department of Emergency Management will have information on the city’s Community Emergency Response Team, storm preparation, post-storm recovery, and natural and human-made disasters.

Emergency Management Director Joseph Soto said the CERT program, which needs volunteers, educates volunteers on disaster preparedness for hazards that could impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.

Soto will sign up residents for West Haven’s emergency notification system to receive alerts. The Citizen Notification System enables the city to quickly provide residents with critical information in a variety of situations, such as severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons, and building or neighborhood evacuations, he said.

The system is operated in partnership with Everbridge Inc. of Burlington, Massachusetts, the world’s leader in incident notification systems.

Once registered in Everbridge’s secure database, the site will send subscribers time-sensitive messages via cell, home or business phones or email or text messages. The notifications are broadcast through the city’s Emergency Operations Center.

Members of the West Haven Health Department will give doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to those 18 and older and have information on the coronavirus, food sanitation and the flu.

Local health care agencies, including Bridges, will present their programs.

The West Haven Police Department will hold a K-9 demonstration and have information on public safety, crime prevention and law enforcement programs.

The call to “save the date” for vendors and fire, police, public safety and health organizations to participate is underway.

“Save the Date”

Saturday, Oct. 15, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cleanup targets litter in downtown; city, Moby Dick’s partnering Oct. 15

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 4, 2022 — The city and Moby Dick’s, a new “raw bar cafe” at 560 Campbell Ave., are planning a downtown cleanup from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 15.

The public-private partnership is aimed at cleaning up litter along Campbell Avenue from Elm to Court streets, said organizer Doug Ruickoldt, who owns Moby Dick’s with Evan Mink on West Haven’s main thoroughfare.

Anyone who wants to volunteer for the cleanup can call Ruickoldt at 203-415-2470.

The Department of Public Works will supply volunteers with bags, gloves and pokers, and Moby Dick’s will provide water.

“We’re hoping to get the city more involved in enforcing regulations on the books and do what we can to help the cause,” Ruickoldt said.

Public Works Commissioner Tom J. McCarthy said the cleanup is also aimed at ensuring that business owners maintain the public spaces in front of their properties.

A public space is defined as the area from a business’s front door to the street. The area also includes the sidewalk and the tree belt, a strip of ground lying between the sidewalk and curb lines.

“All merchants are responsible for keeping the sidewalk in front of their business premise free of litter,” McCarthy said. “They are also responsible for maintaining their dumpster.”

Violations of the “Littering” ordinance under Chapter 142 of the West Haven Code carry a $150 fine per offense per day.

The ordinance is enforced by the city’s property maintenance/zoning enforcement officer and police.

Support groups resuming meetings at West Haven Senior Center

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 29, 2022 — West Haven Youth and Family Services’ new Bereavement Support Group for Grieving Parents will hold its inaugural meeting and open house from 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 19 at the West Haven Senior Center on the upper floor of the Johnson Community Center, 201 Noble St.

The group, facilitated by Marianne Gambardella and Cate Saxton, will meet monthly on the first and third Wednesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. at the senior center.

The Bereavement Support Group of West Haven for widows, widowers and partners meets monthly on the second and fourth Wednesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. at the senior center.

The West Haven Interagency Network for Children’s support groups for parents and guardians of children with autism and other disabilities will resume meetings in October from 6-7:30 p.m. at the senior center.

The Parent Support Group, facilitated by Viola Waldo, will resume Oct. 17 and meet the second Monday of each month.

The Spanish-speaking Parent Support Group, facilitated by Gricel Aguilar-Cobos, will resume Oct. 10 and meet the second Tuesday of each month.

Youth and Family Services has intended to offer on-site child care so people can attend support group meetings, but the respite service has been suspended until further notice. Anyone needing the service to attend a meeting must contact Youth and Family Services Director Diane Dietman at least a day before the meeting at [email protected].

Those attending support group meetings must follow all national, state and local COVID-19 safety protocols. Face masks are recommended but not required.