The Republicans’ Collaborative Vision

To the Editor:

We Republicans believe it’s “Nicer in Newtown” despite what IPN would have us believe. We have looked at the first and second tenet of IPN’s “Declaration of Independents.” This week let’s look at the third:

 The third tenet is “Meaningful Revenue Development” by “creating a plan to bring revenue to the community, use Edmond Town Hall as a regional cultural arts center and create a strong organization to oversee development and issues in the community, including Fairfield Hills.” We Republicans believe that any revenue would help, but we need to ask “What kind of revenue?” and “What’s already in place?” Let’s look at the three pieces individually.

The first piece is to “Create a comprehensive plan to bring new revenue into the community, including tourism programs that make use of the town’s rural and historic character and agricultural business.” Currently in place and critical to forming a plan for this next phase in our community is the Planimetrics study showing our buildout capacity, where we can expect growth in town and where the municipal demands will be felt the most. This data provides the town with a window into the future and the basis for forming a vision.

The second piece is “Use Edmond Town Hall as a regional Center of Cultural Arts.” Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers has been planning new community uses for Edmond Town Hall.

Did you know the Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers recently joined forces with the Radio Town Players for several highly successful evenings of music? Don’t forget the highly successful movie theater and newly renovated kitchen that host many events, including the annual pancake breakfast for the Rotary Club.

The third piece is “Create one strong organization to oversee the development of business issues for our community, including Fairfield Hills.”

The board responsible for overseeing Fairfield Hills is the Board of Selectmen in concert with other boards like Planning and Zoning and the Fairfield Hills Authority.

Did you know the town has a land use agency and an Economic Development Commission?

Did you know the town currently has a department of Economic and Community Development whose function is to plan and develop the town’s commercial assets?

This office has been cultivating economic development in town for many years, worked with the Fairfield Hills Authority to attract business to the campus, and is constantly applying and managing millions of dollars in grants. But there is an odd discrepancy here.

Did you know IPN’s “declaration” includes tax stability and economic development to offset taxes, yet an IPN council member made a motion to reduce funding to the Economic Development Commission?

What do Republicans Think?

There is a great deal of similarities among the various parties as to what they want to accomplish. Strong leadership, starting with the first selectman, is the difference. Republican leadership will form a collaborative vision that is fact-based and data-driven with the help of town employees and public input.

Andrew Willie

Butterfield Road, Newtown                                       October 12, 2009