Real Estate Developer Or Land Preserver?

By GAIL SLUPATCHUK

Published: Mar 23, 2007 12:00 am

Real Estate Developer

Or Land Preserver?

To the Editor:

I am not a proponent of economic development at Fairfield Hills. Let me explain why.

Newtown already owns approximately 80 acres in Commerce Park acquired as part of the Fairfield Hills acquisition from the state. There are nineâten proposed available lots which will become the Newtown Technology Park. In the capital improvement plan, the town proposes to spend $3.11 million over the next five years developing this land. This is your money and mine! Would it not be wiser to hand this project over to a licensed commercial developer rather than spend our tax dollars?

Newtown has been in possession of these 80 acres for some time without any firm plans to develop it. Now why would we designate Fairfield Hills for economic development when we have 80 available acres?

An ordinance established The Fairfield Hills Authority to implement the Fairfield Hills master plan for development. According to the ordinanceâ¦

The Authority shall have the power to:

1. implement the master plan for the development and operation of the premises including, without limitation, the power to clear, to demolish, repair, rehabilitate, construct and insure real property in its possession;

2. make site improvements essential to the preparation of land for its use in accordance with the provisions of the master plan;

3. install, construct and reconstruct streets, utilities and other improvement necessary to carry out the master plan;

4. negotiate leases for all or any part of the land and buildings of the premises, in the name of the town of Newtown, in accordance with the provisions of the master plan, provided that any lease shall be subject to approval of the Board of Selectmen; etc.

My point is, our local government and the Fairfield Hills Authority do not have the expertise or knowledge to market, develop and negotiate leases. Marketing and developing property is a complex job and needs to be given to commercial developers. Also, itâs my understanding, the town has proposed to spend $20 million at Fairfield Hills for economic development. Do we really want to be in the real estate business? Additionally, the Charter Revision Commission should not add the Fairfield Hills Authority to our town charter. We donât need it.

Fairfield Hills needs to be preserved for the future needs of Newtown.

Linda E. Dunn

26 Old Bethel Road, Newtown March 19, 2007

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Yes, elections have consequences — Democrats lost. Now it’s time to deal with it instead of trying to turn every local race into a national political drama. Dragging “Project 2025” into a Newtown election is a stretch that borders on absurd. Our local government isn’t deciding national policy — it’s fixing roads, managing budgets, and keeping taxes reasonable. If you think Washington politics are running Town Hall, you haven’t been paying attention. Jeff Capeci and the local Republican team are focused on what actually matters here at home: fiscal responsibility, public safety, and smart development. That’s the kind of leadership Newtown needs — not scare tactics and conspiracy-laced talking points pulled from cable news.

Elections Have Consequences XVII

I’m not sure the author of that letter was actually at the debate, because she seems to have missed the portion near the end when Bruce Walczak couldn’t explain (remember?) how the town pays for its roads. That moment was uncomfortable to watch — and it underscored exactly why experience in town government matters. Jeff Capeci didn’t rely on “pat answers”; he relied on facts. His understanding of how Newtown operates — how projects are funded and how to actually get things done — comes from years of hands-on service, not theory or guesswork. And let’s be honest: it’s not a bad thing that Jeff Capeci was “practiced.” I want someone who prepares for a debate, who does their homework, and who takes the role of First Selectman seriously enough to be ready. Winging it might sound authentic, but it’s not leadership. At several points, Bruce struggled to follow along. He had to have a question repeated because he couldn’t hear, and at yet another point Jeff had to ask for clarification because no one could understand what Bruce was saying. It was clear he wasn’t answering the questions that were actually asked. It was shockingly reminiscent of a recent debate on the national stage.

After The Debate, I’m With Bruce

... he’s “not a politician.” That may sound appealing, but it’s a little disingenuous — Bruce has been trying to become one for the better part of twenty years. He’s run for local office multiple times, often under different party banners. That’s not the résumé of an outsider; that’s the record of someone who has been seeking political office for decades. Newtown voters deserve honesty. You can’t say you’re “not a politician” while campaigning for office year after year. Leadership isn’t about slogans — it’s about results, collaboration, and credibility.

It’s Time for Bold Change in Newtown

Open Letter to Dave Ackert. Mr. Ackert, you are a very angry and mean-spirited person who, in my recent memory, has never done anything but complain and has never shown anything but a one-dimensional uncompromising way of thinking. Want to change Newtown in a way you feel would be better? Then why don’t you RUN FOR OFFICE and stop hiding behind your ranting posts and letters and stop thinking that world revolves around you. Hating Trump (or Trump derangement Syndrome) HAS NOTHING to do with Newtown! Zero! I have talked with Democrats and “Never Trumpers” while out campaigning and knocking on doors that think critically and feel the same way. The Democrats have raised the taxes in Newtown to an unsustainable level and plan on making Newtown even more unaffordable in the future if they retain the majority. If you are not happy with how low (sarcastic) your taxes are? Vote for the Democrats. They will be more than happy to remedy that situation. They just passed a generational tax increase that if you read between the lines, essentially means if you don’t agree with the way they are stealing the innocence and charm out of Newtown, then leave. They have shown no regard to all the people that are struggling to pay their current taxes or rely upon the food pantry to put food on their table. At least the Republicans here in Newtown are dealing with real local issues and quite honestly have shown more common sense in the way the taxpayer’s money is spent. I think some of your arguments are valid, but I would like to see you use the intelligence God gave you in a more constructive way than just criticize. I am serious about you running for office. It would force you to see the big picture and maybe wield your influence in a more productive way.

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I appreciate your optimism about keeping national politics out of local government — we all want leaders who put Newtown first. But calling Paul a “centrist” just doesn’t match what we’ve seen. If you look at his comments online or watch the recent debate, Paul was the first to go negative and came across more like a national political candidate than a neighbor. That’s not the tone of someone trying to bring people together. Now, Paul is another story entirely. He’s honest, articulate, and clearly knows what he’s doing. Frankly, I think local Democrats would have been better off putting him at the top of their ticket.

I’m With Bruce And Paul

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