The Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial Commission (SHPMC) conducted a special meeting on April 30, to continue its discussion of a new chairman and to create a short list from the top 13 memorial designs previously selected. It was the first meeting with former First Selectman Pat Llodra present as a new commission member. She previously helped the commission as an Advisory Panel member.

During the public participation portion of the meeting, Richmond Jones of Hawleyville spoke about how he has been very invested in the commission's process of selecting a permanent memorial for the town and felt frustrated that his design had been eliminated in prior rounds.

"I have waited five years to bring my proposal before the public," Mr Jones said as he looked out to the commission members.

He added that he believes the current list of designs that the SHPMC have chosen all appear to have a "corporate feel," and he proposes they reconsider choosing his submission.

His proposal is focused on the symbol of peace, which is implemented by a large peace sign pathway on the memorial property. Mr Jones mentioned that his design also included building a learning center for the community.

When going into the specifics of why Mr Jones believes his design was eliminated, First Selectman Dan Rosenthal - who has been leading the commission meetings since former SHPMC Chairman Kyle Lyddy resigned in April - said, "Mr Jones, I think you have asked the commission to consider reviewing your submission again. I think the commission will consider that, but now is not the time to go through point-by-point."

Mr Jones thanked the commission for their time and remained at the meeting with extra copies of his proposal for any members that had further questions for him about his design plans.

New Chairman

On the forefront of the meeting's agenda was the topic of possibly electing a new chairman for the commission. SHPMC member Alan Martin started the conversation by saying he nominates SHPMC member Daniel Krauss for the position.

When Mr Rosenthal asked if there was anyone on the commission that would second the nomination, multiple members were eager to speak up that they would. Mr Krauss accepted the nomination.

"I do appreciate Dan's willingness to pick up the task and move the ball forward. I know it's a lot of work being chair, but I know there's a thoughtful group here," Mr Rosenthal said.

After a formal vote, Mr Krauss was unanimously voted in as chairman of the SHPMC.

"I am humbled and honored," Mr Krauss said of his newly appointed position. He then swiftly led the group to the next item on the agenda.

Community Feedback

SHPMC members continued to discuss the influential feedback that they have received from the 12/14 families and from the public about the top 13 memorial designs.

Mr Alan said the responses they have been given have been "extremely varied" and that as a commission they will need to understand the reality is some people will be supportive of their decisions and others just will not.

Brian Engel, SHPMC member and father of Olivia Engel who died on 12/14, relayed that hearing the input from others has both helped reinforce his feelings for some designs, but it has also shown how difficult the decision of choosing a memorial design will be for the commission.

Top Designs

During the SHPMC's meeting on April 12, the commission decided to have members come prepared to its special meeting with their individually selected top three design choices. In doing so, they hoped to use that information to narrow down their 13 designs to a shorter list.

It was mentioned, though, that the commission was recently notified about one design submission that did not get reviewed, but that was sent in before the deadline last December.

Mr Rosenthal said that since it was not included in the agenda, the design will have to be reviewed at the next meeting.

Each member then relayed his or her top three design choices, a tally was made, and members were invited to share why they selected the designs to stay in the running. With each member choosing three designs, except for Mr Krauss who chose to pick just two, the results of the 26 votes were: seven people in favor of SH37; four people in favor of SH240; three people in favor of SH108 and SH279; two people in favor of SH141, SH179, and SH233; and one person in favor of SH102, SH147, and SH203.

After much discussion and seeing all the designs that members were in favor of keeping, another preliminary vote was done with people's updated preferences. The top three designs that received the most people interested in keeping were SH37, SH108, and SH240.

JoAnn Bacon, SHPMC member and mother of Charlotte Bacon who died on 12/14, was the first to use her passion vote and used it for SH233, which she felt strongly in favor of keeping.

The SHPMC members decided not to officially vote on narrowing down the 13 designs to the four they discussed keeping. They agreed they would like to wait until the commission's Advisory Panel of experts gives feedback about the designs at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

SHPMC members Sarah Middeleer and Agni Pavlidou Kyprianou will be compiling any questions commission members have for the Advisory Panel. Advisory Panel members that cannot attend the upcoming SHPMC meeting will be asked to send their feedback digitally.

The public is welcome to attend the next SHPMC meeting on Thursday, May 10. For more information, visit newtown-ct.gov/sandy-hook-permanent-memorial-commission.