Letters Of Endorsement

To the Editor:

Hurray for Larry Haskel and the Park and Recreation Commission! They dared to present a plan to reserve beautiful Fairfield Hills for the enjoyment of Newtown citizens of all ages! Shout your support!

I urge voters to elect new people to serve on the Legislative Council, but there are three incumbent council members and one alternate to the Planning and Zoning Commission who have shown courage, independence, and deserve to be returned to office.

Robert Mulholland, candidate for alternate on the Planning and Zoning Commission: Alternate Mulholland reviewed the traffic report attached to the Master Plan for Fairfield Hills submitted by the selectmen and the council for approval. Mr Mulholland reported that this traffic report concerning Wasserman Way, prepared by HMA Consultants, was two years old and had been prepared before the Reed School opened. He urged the commission to require a current traffic report. He reminded the commission that private developers must submit a current traffic report; otherwise, the commission would reject it. He argued the town should be held to the same standards that private developers must meet. Nevertheless, the Commission voted 3-2 to accept the outdated report and approve the plan. Mr Mulholland voted his conviction.

Legislative Council District 1: Michael Iassogna: Just after the dot.com bubble left everyone a bit poorer and some jobless, the council considered a five percent raise for the first selectmen. Mr. Iassogna opposed any significant increase, reporting that business and industry were giving zero percent or one percent, but not more. He argued the council should hold the line on wage increases until the economy recovered. He explained his comments were not a personal attack on the incumbent, but made out of concern for taxpayers. The Council voted 11 to 1 for a five percent increase.

District 2: Joseph Borst: In the spring of 2005, the council considered the creation of a Fairfield Hills Authority whose members would be appointed by the first selectman. Mr Borst argued the council should not abdicate its responsibility to institute a system of checks and balances and suggested confirmation by the council for the appointees. Instead, the council voted 11 to 1 to give the selectman a free hand.

District 3: David Brown: Mr Brown developed a plan to help pay for the purchase of town open space to prevent overdevelopment. Sensitive to the tax burden for less affluent taxpayers, his plan shifted some of the financial burden to those who reap the greatest financial gain from the sale of property — landowners, realtors, and land-use lawyers. Voters were to approve/disapprove the Brown plan in a November election year. At the last minute, the Connecticut Secretary of State refused to allow this question to be placed on the ballot. Nevertheless, Mr Brown displayed creativity, sensitivity, and initiative.

These men have exhibited leadership regarding difficult issues. Voters should recognize their leadership skills. They are men of courage.

Ruby K. Johnson

16 Chestnut Hill Road, Sandy Hook                     October 24, 2005