The sudden and untimely passing of Economic Development Commissioner, active Chamber of Commerce member and local business leader Jean Leonard on December 28 will further challenge the panel now facing a need to fill three open seats while moving forward with strategic planning being led by their dynamic former chairman.

With EDC Vice-Chair Robert Rau transitioning into the chairman’s position, remaining Commissioners Wes Thompson, Paul Fadus, Matt Mihalcik, Michael Boyle, and Al Roznicki plan to meet January 19 to elect a new vice-chair and resume their work recruiting and supporting new and expanding commercial growth of the town’s grand list and commercial tax base.

The EDC also supports all existing town businesses by administering and qualifying applications for a local tax abatement incentive program, hosting occasional workshops, informational activities, and coordinating promotional events like grand opening ribbon-cutting festivities.

Ms Leonard was remembered on January 12 with a moment of silence and a single white rose at the annual meeting of the Newtown Chamber of Commerce, after which Mr Rau and Town Economic Development Coordinator Betsy Paynter sat down with The Newtown Bee to talk about the EDC’s plans to move on.

“Jean was extremely active in the EDC in support of Newtown businesses,” Mr Rau said. “When she passed away we were still in the early stages of our 2016 strategic planning revisions.”

Mr Rau said Ms Leonard is to be commended for all the work she did during her time with the commission. Turning his attention to the vacancies on the EDC, two of which existed prior to Ms Leonard’s passing, he said the commission would benefit greatly by recruiting or attracting a resident who has expertise in, or who owns a local small business.

“We’d also love to find someone involved in finance, banking or commercial real estate,” he said.

Mr Rau said while regular EDC meetings require about two hours of time monthly, he is asking commissioners to step up by spending some additional time doing outreach and networking among other businesses in the community, as well as bringing new ideas about how Newtown can attract more new and appropriate commercial ventures to town.

“Anyone who wants to learn more about the EDC and the work we do, can visit newtown.org to get a feel for the kind of things we’re doing,” Mr Rau said.