Latino journalist, Abelardo King, named city’s Hispanic American of the Year

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 15, 2025 — Latino resident Abelardo King has been tapped to receive the city’s coveted Hispanic American of the Year award on Friday, Mayor Dorinda Borer announced.

Borer and the West Haven Hispanic American of the Year Alumni Committee will honor King, a native of Samaná, Dominican Republic, for his community commitment and cultural pride at the city’s seventh annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration.

The committee bestows the award annually on a Hispanic resident who epitomizes service in West Haven’s thriving Hispanic community.

The ceremony is open to the public and set for noon at City Hall, 355 Main St.

“Being named West Haven’s Hispanic American of the Year has great meaning for me, not only because of this recognition but also because at the same time the contributions of Hispanics to this city are being recognized,” King said.

King has been a leading Latino journalist in Connecticut since moving to New Haven in 1992 and launching La Voz Hispana de Connecticut, a free weekly Spanish newspaper.

He will celebrate his Dominican ancestry with dozens of loved ones, friends and city officials, along with an array of dignitaries and descendants of folks from the Dominican Republic and Latin America.

Committee members and West Haven officials led by Borer will escort King to the steps of City Hall for his special recognition. A Latin-flavored lunch will follow.

West Haven’s diversity is its strength, the mayor said, and King is a testament to the American dream.

“I am pleased to announce Abelardo King as our 2025 Hispanic American of the Year,” Borer said. “As an award-winning journalist and a longtime resident, his inspiring contributions to the fabric and spirit of West Haven are a testament to the diversity and promise of America.”

Committee member Sammy Rivera, the city’s 2021 Hispanic American of the Year, said: “Abelardo is a great journalist whose words transcend the page to uplift and empower the Hispanic community. With every story, he has championed the voices that often go unheard, bringing light to issues that matter most and paving the way for a more inclusive future.”

In observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from through Oct. 15, West Haven recognizes the important legacy of Hispanic Americans and the inspiring contributions they have made to the culture and history of the United States.

Hispanics have had a profound and positive influence on the civic and cultural life of America through their strong commitment to faith and family, hard work and public service. They have enhanced and shaped the national character with centuries-old traditions that reflect the multiethnic and multicultural customs of their community.

Hispanic Heritage Month, which traces its roots to 1968, specifically honors the diverse cultures and histories of people from Spain and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean, which includes the Dominican Republic.

The celebration begins mid-month because it marks the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries, including those in Central America.

Borer said King personifies the noble qualities of serving his vibrant community and carrying on the proud traditions of the Dominican Republic.

The mayor praised the public-spirited journalist for his devotion to “lifting up” the city and its robust Hispanic community.

At the City Hall event, Borer will present King with a Dominican flag and a mayoral citation for his good works.

He will also receive an embroidered “Hispanic American of the Year 2025” jacket from the mayor.

State Rep. Bill Heffernan, D-West Haven, will present King with an official statement from Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and a General Assembly citation from the city’s delegation.

The cultural event will include remarks by Borer and Rivera, the master of ceremonies. It will also include a prayer and the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the Dominican national anthem, “Himno Nacional de la República Dominicana.”

King was born and raised in Samaná, a coastal town in northeastern Dominican Republic on the island of Hispaniola, bordering the Samaná Bay and the Caribbean Sea.

After graduating from the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, he pursued a career in journalism, including a stint as a special reporter for the daily newspaper Hoy.

At a time when many print newspapers have failed, King and his business partner, Norma Rodriguez-Reyes, have maintained La Voz as the state’s leading Spanish-language newspaper as well as a source for online news.

La Voz is also a partner in running WNHH-FM, a bilingual community radio station.

King has won numerous awards for his journalistic work and is “proud to be a Westie.”

Special Olympics Connecticut bocce competition returns to West Haven

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 15, 2025 — More than 270 athletes competed in the Special Olympics Connecticut Fall Festival bocce competition at the city’s Old Grove Park courts Saturday and Sunday.

The 2025 Unified Sports Fall Festival tournament, presented by Mohegan Sun, showcased Special Olympians from several teams statewide, including West Haven, Hamden, North Haven, Westport and New Milford.

On Saturday morning, the opening ceremony took place on the grounds of the historic shoreline park and included a presentation of the colors by the West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard and the singing of the national anthem by Special Olympics Connecticut athlete Fallon Moran.

It also included remarks by Mayor Dorinda Borer and Special Olympics Connecticut President and CEO Michael B. Mason and board member Lisa Kovlakas, who served as the master of ceremonies. Kovlakas is ESPN’s manager of strategic partnerships and corporate citizenship.

Borer thanked Special Olympics Connecticut for organizing the bocce competition and selecting West Haven as the host site for the second straight year.

Before welcoming the hundreds of athletes and their families “to our great city,” the mayor also thanked the event’s corporate sponsors, including Stop & Shop of West Haven, which donated 600 lunches for the opening ceremony, along with the many volunteers and the city’s Fire and Police departments for their participation.

“We appreciate you and all that you’re doing,” said Borer, who received a glass-encased Unified Sports Fall Festival medal and plaque from Mason and Kovlakas. “Athletes, I know you’ve been practicing your skills all year long. Enjoy today and tomorrow, and I hope you have a lot of fun here in West Haven!”

The ceremony was attended by state Rep. Bill Heffernan, D-West Haven.

As DJ Steve Gourdier played John Williams’ “Olympic Fanfare and Theme,” bocce competitor Ray Hadden of New Milford Special Olympics carried the “flame of hope” into the venue with West Haven Police Chief Joseph S. Perno.

“Many thanks to the town of West Haven, including Savin Rock, and so many others who have come out this weekend to be with us,” Kovlakas said. “It’s now my pleasure to declare the 2025 Unified Sports Fall Festival bocce tournament officially open. Let the Games begin — good luck!”

West Haven’s six bocce courts were donated and constructed by Special Olympics Connecticut for the Special Olympics World Games bocce competition in July 1995.

Other Special Olympics competitions were also held across the state, including sailing in Stonington, softball in East Hartford and golf in Hamden.

Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions for more than 12,000 athletes of all ages with intellectual disabilities and Unified Sports partners — their teammates without disabilities.

Through the joy of sport, the Special Olympics movement transforms lives and communities statewide and in 190 countries worldwide by promoting good health and fitness and inspiring inclusion and respect for people of all abilities, on and off the playing field.

See the photo gallery here.

Bulk trash pickup is today through Friday; e-waste drop-off is Saturday

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 15, 2025 — The final bulk trash pickup week of 2025 is today through Friday.

West Haven residents are reminded to separate metals, recyclables and regular trash from bulk trash and put them out no more than 24 hours before pickup. Violations carry a $100 fine per daily offense, Public Works Commissioner Philip J. Sissick said.

Residents are also reminded to “Put a Lid on It!” and use lids on all trash cans. Rain-soaked trash costs West Haven 10 times more at the dump, according to Sissick, adding that using trash can lids will save the city money by reducing the weight of trash and cost of tipping fees.

Bulk items include couches, chairs, tables, carpeting, padding and fencing, which may not exceed 6 feet in length. No building materials, tires, mattresses/box springs, propane tanks or hazardous waste are accepted.

Options for disposing of building materials include renting a dumpster or bringing the materials to a disposal facility for a fee.

Tires and mattresses/box springs are not considered bulk trash and will not be collected.

Tires can be brought to Town Fair Tire, 63 Boston Post Road, Orange, for a fee of $3.75 per tire.

The New Haven Transfer Station, 260 Middletown Ave., is available to West Haven residents for bulk trash disposal. The fee is $122.60 per ton. The facility operates from 9 a.m.-noon Monday through Saturday. Household trash and garbage-filled bags are not accepted.

Hazardous waste can be dropped off for free at HazWaste Central, 90 Sargent Drive, New Haven. HazWaste is open Saturday mornings through October.

Propane tanks can be brought to Taylor Rental, 304 Boston Post Road, Orange, for a fee of $10.64 per tank.

The amount of bulk trash per collection is limited to 6 cubic yards, which is equal to a pile of trash about 6 feet long, 6 feet wide and 4 ½ feet high.

Homeowners are required to rent a dumpster or hire a junk removal service at their expense if trash exceeds 6 cubic yards. Otherwise, trash exceeding 6 cubic yards will be left at the curb, and a $100 fine per daily offense will be imposed, Sissick said.

To prevent a potential fine, property owners should familiarize themselves with the city’s trash guidelines at Public Works.

Bulk trash must be generated by the customer at the residential unit where it is collected. Trash will not be collected if it is generated by anyone other than the resident of the home.

Bulk items must be separated and orderly. Do not place them next to a mailbox or utility pole or close to a fence, Sissick said.

Also, do not place bulk items in front of a vacant lot or home — they will not be collected, he said.

Details at Bulk Trash Pickup & Other Services.

In addition to bulk trash, the city picks up metals, including household appliances, also known as white goods, and toilets. To schedule a pickup on their curbside collection day, residents must call the Highway Department at 203-937-3644 or 203-937-3585. Appliance doors must be removed.

For electronic items, including TVs, the final e-waste drop-off day of the year is Saturday.

Residents can drop off electronic recyclables — typically anything that contains a circuit board or needs a battery — from 8 a.m.-noon at the city garage, 1 Collis St.

West Haven is partnering with Take 2 Inc. of Waterbury, a state-approved recycler and collector of universal e-waste devices, to collect residential electronic items on a quarterly basis.

The collection is free for residents who have such items as computers, monitors, printers, keyboards, modems, computer mice, tablet computers, TVs, VCRs, DVD players, photocopiers, fax machines, scanners, video game machines, digital media players, personal digital assistants, stereo equipment, telephones, cellphones, cameras, microwaves and other small appliances.

Anything that has refrigerant, including air conditioners and dehumidifiers, is not accepted. Those items are considered hazardous waste and can be brought to HazWaste Central.

Details at E-waste Drop-off.

For the e-waste drop-off, residents are asked to heed the following guidelines:

— Stay in your vehicle.

— Vehicles will be spaced out. Event workers will remove electronics from your vehicle. There should be no interaction between residents and workers.

— No mattresses/box springs will be disposed of at the moment.

— No smoke detectors, ballasts or hazardous waste — lighter fluid, liquids, paint — will be accepted.

— Electronic items left curbside will be tagged with information on the e-waste schedule and must be removed, or face a potential fine.

Mayor Borer celebrates National Senior Center Month at ‘Mixtape Match Bingo’

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 10, 2025 — (Pictured): Mayor Dorinda Borer, right, reads a proclamation to West Haven Senior Center members and staff declaring the city’s commemoration of National Senior Center Month on Tuesday. With Borer is Elderly Services Director Alyssa Maddern, who oversees the center at 201 Noble St.

Borer presented the proclamation to kick off the celebration of “Mixtape Match Bingo,” hosted by DJ Anthony Apuzzo of Digital Tracks Entertainment.

Bingo winners received official WHSC promotional items.

Along with acknowledging all seniors centers and the benefits they bring to older adults, Borer recognized West Haven’s older residents, calling them “important” members of the community who have invested “their wisdom and experience to help enrich and strengthen our great city of West Haven.”

“What I love about the older population is that they have the ability to put things into perspective because they typically have lived a life of ups and downs and know what’s important and what’s not and to just enjoy life,” the mayor said.

Borer also recognized the center’s staff members for working “every day to enhance the well-being of our city’s older adults.”

“The West Haven Senior Center has been a community partner in ensuring that our city’s older residents are able to stay connected, safe and healthy,” according to the proclamation, which was given on behalf of the city.

National Senior Center Month was established in 2007 when the National Institute of Senior Centers expanded the celebration from a single Senior Center Week, first proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1985, to cover the entire month of September.

The annual observance highlights the critical role that senior centers play in providing resources and activities for older adults and challenging negative stereotypes about aging.

(City Photo/Lindsay Katz)

Tony Inzero Farmers Market open through Oct. 11

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 2, 2025 — The 2025 season of the Tony Inzero Farmers Market is in full swing.

The farmers market is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday on the Green, at Campbell Avenue and Main Street, and every Saturday next to the Oak Street Beach parking lot, off Captain Thomas Boulevard.

The market will feature homegrown fruits and vegetables, baked goods and homemade crafts through Oct. 11.

Parking is available on Campbell Avenue and in the City Hall municipal lot, 355 Main St., as well as in the Oak Street municipal lot and on Palace Street. Oak Street is on the senior shuttle route and the CTtransit route.

The farmers market was dedicated in 2010 in memory of Anthony F. “Tony” Inzero, a leader in the downtown business community who co-owned Flower Affair on Campbell Avenue with Betty DelVecchio for many years. Inzero was a founding member and longtime president of the West Haven Business Association who spearheaded a variety of events and programs to drum up business for fellow merchants, including the first farmers market in 2000.

Inzero, who lived in Hamden, died in 2009 at age 59.