First Selectman Should

Have Taken The Initiative

To the Editor:

Regarding the demolition of one of Newtown’s worst eyesores. This former Texaco gas station has remained in the center of the town’s “Business District” deserted and weed strewn for over a decade. Yet, the current Rosenthal administration, which has been in office for almost half that time, is being permitted to demolish the structure this fall. The fact that it should be accomplished by election day is of no small coincidence.

While it is certainly noble of DGR Contracting and Demolition to volunteer the undertaking of this job at no cost to the town (more residents with similar capabilities should take heed and, perhaps, baseball fields would not cost the taxpayers a million dollars), it is ludicrous that the town’s residents should foot the bill for the removal of debris from said demolition! The owner of the property walks away without having to do a thing about the eyesore. The only reason this action is occurring at all is because, as Mr Rosenthal says, “Ernie Wiehl [the property owner] took the initiative and made an appointment to see me.”

Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Shouldn’t the first selectman show some initiative and be pro-active? Not just 90 days before a contested election, but throughout his term. Perhaps that is a reason why the Heise-Dresser plant is moving to Shelton instead of consolidating to Newtown. Rather than sit on his hands, the first selectman owes it to his constituents, his hard-working, tax-paying constituents, to promote proper economic development, thus stabilizing personal property taxes. There is absolutely no reason for our property taxes to be increasing ten percent annually while businesses leave town. Rather businesses should be enticed to move to Newtown. Isn’t it supposed to be “Nicer in Newtown”?

This Labor Day, as my fellow residents arrive to watch the wonderful parade on Main Street, take a moment to notice the empty store fronts and the numerous “for lease/sale” signs throughout town, the empty Grand Union location and the Heise-Dresser plant. Marvel at the self-storage behemoth that was erected on Route 25 and fits in so beautifully, while contributing so much in commercial taxes (?), and, as Herb Rosenthal and his Democrats march down the street and wave to you, wave back. Wave good-bye! Vote wisely in November. Change is good!

Robert Hennessey

21 Sleepy Hollow Road, Sandy Hook  August 27, 2001