Trust The Government

To the Editor:

I would like to respectfully take issue with The Bee editorial on Fairfield Hills.

Last week you said, “Most people have only vague notions of the plan.” Whose fault is that? You fault it for addressing “so many issues.” Wouldn’t you fault it even more if it didn’t address all the issues? You say that communities should charter their futures “one question at a time.” The Town Plan of Development addresses many more issues than the Fairfield Hills plan and will be voted on not by the people but by representatives chosen by the political parties. And finally, you assert that we should settle the issues “the old-fashioned way –– one at a time.” Since when did we ever do that? Did you get to vote on the war in Iraq? Did you vote on the state budget? Did you ever vote on any subdivision or zoning proposal? The old-fashioned way is to vote for representatives who vote or appoint people to do jobs. To do it your way would be to invite chaos or California. The plan took over a year to develop. It took into account the interests of open-space advocates, economic development, youth leagues, and cultural arts advocates.

I will vote Yes on Fairfield Hills and trust my government, especially on the local level, to work out the details.

Richard S. Eigen

5 Johnny Appleseed Drive, Sandy Hook                    August 5, 2003