Community Chased Away

By CURT CLARK

Published: Feb 01, 2008 12:00 am

To the Editor:

Beautiful winter weather landed easily last weekend. A light covering of snow still lingered, the sun jumped in and out between clouds and families gathered together to enjoy each otherâs company and participate in a true New England tradition; skating on a pond. It was truly a Norman Rockwell like image at Ram Pasture. But this magic would only briefly last. In short order parents, children, and neighbors were chased away.

Having moved here a just a few years ago, my wife and I were drawn to Newtown by the strong sense of community. It is easily seen each year during the Labor Day Parade, Halloween on Main Street and tree lighting serenades with the high school choir. Another wonderful tradition was neighbors gathering at Ram Pasture and Hawley Pond for a casual skate, good company, and possibly some pond hockey.

Recent days on the pond were truly magical. Currently neighbors are at odds on significant issues such as Fairfield Hills, speed bumps to manage traffic, and high school expansion. For the most part, pressing issues like these temporarily disappear as we gather together on a pond with children for laughter during an afternoon skate. Even with several days of subfreezing temperatures and inches of black ice the local police department was called to unceremoniously remove dozens people from the pond. Itâs just very sad that this safe environment was broken to remind neighbors that the community is changing away from what it could be.

It may not seem like such a big deal, sending people home. However in these days where each minute of a childâs life is programmed, it is wonderful to grab a few hours of creative, nonstructured, exercise and play. We must recognize that this is not public land and to access the property is a privilege. Yet it is sad and disappointing that police were brought it to chase away a community that came out of their winter cocoons to share a winter tradition. Hopefully a day will soon come when neighbors can meet again for a quick skate and some pond hockey.

Tom Long

3 Birch Rise Drive, NewtownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â January 28, 2008

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To the children and their parents: I have delayed this message for eight months because I was in a dark place following the last two of my nine surgeries, in December and February. I apologize for the lack of clarity that resulted. Now again in the light, I want to express my sincerest and deepest gratitude for the life you have given me. For the honor and privilege and indescribable responsibility you have bestowed upon me, as your children’s pediatrician. Twenty five years ago, I was brought to Sandy Hook to practice alongside a friend and colleague. We built something together. And then life, in its stark and brutal efficiency, took that away. A spinal cord injury following the first of those surgeries almost broke me. Just months after that, our community also fractured. The deaths at Sandy Hook Elementary School occurred soon after my paralysis. 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