Newtown Needs Commercial

Development

To the Editor:

I have been following reports on progress in our town, especially most recently.

For Fairfield Hills to survive we need commercial input, regardless of our town leaders’ opinion. We need a small cafe there, small deli for drinks and water for sports events there or for walkers, a small cafe for those who work there, and a banking facility, small branch, as contrary to four banks on one corner! It does not have to be a separate town within a town as Dr Reed suggests, but a part to facilitate our community, especially those who work and recreate there. It would benefit our community as a whole. And the idea of a police branch there is beneficial, as opposed to a whole new police headquarters.

And as for these new police vehicles that Mrs Llodra recommends, I think they are totally unnecessary and a waste to taxpayers. We have plenty of nice police vehicles, some parked empty in front of the flagpole to deter violators. However this empty vehicle could not stop the bank robbery on Main Street this past year. What do we need more vehicles for? To stop local patrons from going 40 mph in a 35 mph zone, while others rob and speed through town? My kids pointed out to me two high-powered special vehicles parked in the police lot, probably very expensive, when I went to pay our Summer Parks and Rec fee. Who’s driving these expensive cars and why can’t we use them? We do not need more police vehicles to sit empty on Main Street to deter crime, it does not work. Why waste our taxpayer $$?

As a resident of Newtown and taxpayer, our property taxes have increased five percent a year, since we moved here in late 2003. The town and many towns in Connecticut cannot expect the local citizens to flip the bill for so many things, while our appointed town officials sit back and refuse to let commercial influence into our community. We need to let responsible commercial growth, including Fairfield Hills, come into Newtown to relieve some of the tax pressures on local residents.

And actually a police presence in Fairfield Hills might give the police something more to do for their community, than sitting at the curve on Route 25 waiting to stop someone going over the speed limit, which is usually violated by others that live outside of Newtown. I always try to respect the law here and especially the speed limit, and I have been stopped going over by five mph several times, while I see others speed by me going up to 50 plus. Just think police could make there focus a little better to serve our community.

Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter. Let us as residents of this community stand up and try to make it better with common sense growth and encouragement.

Gina Luquette

44 Farrell Road, Newtown                                        January 15, 2011