Master Plan Is Key

To More Playing Fields

To the Editor:

I would urge Newtown residents to vote Yes to the Fairfield Hills master plan on August 12. If this plan fails, Ruby Johnson will undoubtedly begin working to have playing fields eliminated from a new plan.

It is my understanding that during the past year Mrs Johnson has appeared at youth sports events, urging parents to sign her petitions to preserve “quality of life” at Fairfield Hills. For many of us, “quality of life” includes having adequate, centrally located playing fields for Newtown’s children’s sports teams, something that is sorely lacking. Yet, in a letter to the first selectman, dated March 24, 2003, Mrs Johnson states, “Unfortunately, some of the playing field people are selfish and don’t care about anything except getting their fields.” 

The Fairfield Hills land is too expensive for us to simply use for scenery. The central part of the campus is not open space, it has buildings on it. Buildings that are very costly to renovate.  We have already approved funding for the sports fields included in the master plan.  Vote Yes so we can move ahead with this project.

Christopher Karpenko

6 Hattertown Road, Newtown                                     August 1, 2003