Ruby Johnson's Facts
Ruby Johnsonâs Facts
To the Editor:
I am writing in regard to Edward Marksâ disingenuous letter to the editor regarding Ruby Johnson [âRuby Johnsonâs Good Story,â May 16]. Ms Johnson has judiciously hounded town officials regarding the mishandling of Fairfield Hills since the townâs purchase from the state. Previous leaders and all those involved can be embarrassed regarding their poor decisions and manipulative political moves to further an agenda which wasted tax dollars and also stopped the people of Newtown from having any voice in the process. As for Mr Marksâ comments, who cares that Parks & Rec requested the funds and that supposedly it wasnât for lighting but a mere suggestion for lighting at baseball fields. La-dee-dah. Please spare us all from the minutia. Ms Johnsonâs point is that the money was spent and continues to be spent in a wasteful manner. Furthermore, she has provided endless facts and figures regarding the small financial tax advantage, if any, to the town with the full development of Fairfield Hills. This has been her story and continues to be the true story regarding the development of Fairfield Hills.
I am amazed the townspeople have not listened to such reasonable logic which may lead one to consider that the town leaders (especially past) and all committees have an agenda of development and not preservation or tax savings... with of course the full blessing and encouragement of Newtownâs business community. Are the taxpayers expected to subsidize the risk of Fairfield Hills while a few select private investors profit? Could this be why the âFFH Authority and Board of Selectmen have simply grown weary of respondingâ? That Ms Johnson is questioning their spending policies?
Finally, I would hope that town officials never become weary of responding to its citizens, because this is their job.
I would suggest that present leaders listen to Ms Johnsonâs long-term logic and step away from the politics, business agendas, short-sightedness, and daily minutia of their handpicked kangaroo committees.
John Peeling
119 Poverty Hollow Road, Newtown                             May 21, 2008