Heartened By Growing Support

To The Editor:

Thanks to The Bee for last week’s editorial, “Pivoting Toward The Future At Fairfield Hills.” The editorial did an excellent job articulating the frustration many of us in Newtown have had with the process surrounding the development of this property. The editorial called for a review of the current Fairfield Hills Master Plan, something Po Murray and I have been requesting for more than two years.

Most recently, Po and I, on July 13, formally submitted a request to First Selectman Borst asking that the Board of Selectmen begin identifying a process by which we can review the Master Plan for Fairfield Hills.

We hope that other members of elected Newtown bodies will join our call for a thorough review of the Fairfield Hills Master Plan before further monies are spent to develop this property.

Last year, Chris Lyddy, Po, and I supported having the Legislative Council’s Ordinance Committee review the Fairfield Hills ordinance that determines the government oversight for this property.  The rest of the Democrats and Republicans on the council did not support this suggestion, thus protecting the status quo.

I deeply appreciate The Bee’s editorial support for review of the Fairfield Hills Master Plan, which is also part of IPN’s 2009 campaign platform. Perhaps it is the start of having some people reassess their previous positions on this issue.

When Po and I, along with other like-minded individuals, decided to form the Independent Party of Newtown it was because we found little support for our positions in the town’s two established political parties. We wanted to create an outlet that would infuse new faces and new thinking into Newtown government. We are heartened at the support IPN has received. It is truly a grassroots success story.

What unites the diverse supporters of IPN is a desire for greater long-range strategic planning and to create a better local government that engages as many citizens as possible in its decisionmaking.

The 2009 election will be one of the most momentous in our town’s history. It has the potential to bring significant change to our town government. Now it is up to the voters to get to know the candidates and their positions. It really boils down to who you trust to lead your local government and to maximize the investment of your hard-earned tax dollars in improving our community.

You can learn more about IPN candidates and our campaign platform at our website, independentpartyofnewtown.com. We will be working hard to earn your trust and your vote in November.

Gary Davis

23 Charter Ridge Drive, Sandy Hook                           July 28, 2009