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NORWALK, Conn. – When asked what they would like to see happen in Norwalk in 2013, several residents responded on The Norwalk Daily Voice and on Facebook that they would like to see improvements to the city’s infrastructure.
Additionally, residents would like to see improvements in the fight against crime in Norwalk, particularly as it involves the city’s youth.
“Problem to solve: gang crime,” wrote Christine K. McCloud.
One way to help with that task could be the suggestions posed by Keri Stanislawscyk Arpino, namely putting “assistant principals and security guards” back in Norwalk schools.
Dana Marie Ross also would like to see more attention paid to Norwalk’s young citizens.
“I'd like to see some initiatives to get our teenagers working here in Norwalk,” Ross wrote. “There aren't any ‘after-school’ jobs for these kids! I was able to start working at 16 and while it is difficult for everyone (I myself am unemployed right now), the kids need to find a way to enter the workforce. Maybe a city run youth job corps could be implemented!”
Evan Boorstyn, tired of seeing all of the empty lots and buildings scattered around the city, would like to see at least “one developer actually develop something” in Norwalk, while Edward Philip Cleary wrote that he wants to see “these dam things you consider roads” get fixed.
Local Justice of the Peace Don Burr said he would like to see Norwalk improve the way it deals with the less fortunate. “Meaningful efforts need to be made (community wide) with regard to how Norwalk deals with homelessness.”
A reader who went by the moniker “kybrdplyr” wrote that he would like to see more transparency in city government.
“I would like to see changes in the Planning and Zoning regulations that would allow greater constituency input BEFORE the developers have obtained virtually all of the permits they need to move forward,” kybrdplyr wrote. “I would like to see an audit of the books for the Oak Hills Park Authority BEFORE any more money is spent, especially to put in a driving range. I would like to see 'Work Force' housing be fully integrated into regular housing complexes and not sequestered into their own ghettos, a la Spinnaker. I would like to see a full accounting of the Mayoral books as well as those of all of City Government before we are stuck with tax bills in this new valuation to support these services.”
Comments (6)
How about a functioning police department that can actually solve a crime instead of the comedy act that we currently have.
Gang Crime. I see no one from the city has taken the Rte 7 connector going south and connected north on 95. That ramp, full of trash (has been like that for years) and those magnificent stone walls on the left side with O_ _L and other GANG tags have that have been there for many years need to be cleaned up. It's basically a WELCOME to NORWALK for all gangs! We don't bother cleaning up your tags, so come on in! Beside that it is just an eyesore for residents. Maybe the Mayor needs to get in his car and travel it one of these days.
We need a complete public accounting of how much was paid by the owner/operator of the Island Belle, and where that money went. How much was promised and not paid ? What City agency voted to allow that business to be operated at a City Park, what insurance cetificate(s) were presented, and who is responsible for allowing it to stay through the hurricane season ? Has the City filed a claim for damage ? What assurance do we now have that similar mistakes will not be allowed to happen ? Somebody made some serious, could get you fired, mistakes and should be held accountable.
Ditto kybrdplyr. My quiet, residential street has turned into a nightmare that begins between 3:30 and 4:30 a.m. every day because P and Z decided a change of use would be fun for the neighbors. We are a parking lot for a huge business with a ton of traffic, and NOBODY cares. I hate living here, and I am stuck because of what the town has done to me.
Dear horsegirlk: I hope you are not stuck, and I am sad that it is so bad that you hate living here. No one should have to hate where they live. Anything P&Z does can be undone, or at least have the consequences mitigated. I hope you will write again and tell us more about which change of use impacted you, and a general idea of where you live (I respect your privacy and obvious desire to not rattle any cages - I'm happy to rattle a few for you).