EDC Reaches Out

To Commercial Realtors

To the Editor:

On Tuesday, July 22, Newtown’s Economic Development Commission (EDC) organized and hosted a reception for 35 commercial realtors from all over the state of Connecticut.

In its coverage, The Newtown Bee (August 1, 2008) failed to credit Robert Morey, Bob Rau, and Chet Hopper, the people in the EDC responsible for the successful planning, organization, and presentation of this event. Liz Stocker, director of Planning and Community Development, assembled a PowerPoint presentation that ran as a continuous loop on a monitor showing many of the presently available properties in Newtown.

Chet Hopper, EDC chairman, welcomed the assembled realtors and guests and described Newtown as a very desirable place for the location of upscale businesses. Several invited guest speakers followed.

Joe Borst, Newtown’s first selectman, spoke of the willingness of the Board of Selectmen to listen to any enterprise wishing to expand or relocate in Newtown. Robert Morey explained from his point of view as realtor, why Newtown is a great location for a successful business. Will Rodgers, chairman of the Newtown Legislative Council, promised to hear all companies who wish to make Newtown their home base. Don Droppo, CEO of Curtis Packaging, told the commercial realtors of his success in developing and marketing Curtis Industrial Park, and Bob Geckle, Fairfield Hills Authority chairman, spoke of the progress, improvements, and opportunities at the Fairfield Hills campus.

The members of the Economic Development Commission greatly appreciate the outstanding service, food, and charming ambience created by John and Jane Vouros, owners and hosts of the Dana Holcombe House.

Grateful thanks are due to Bob Rau, Ted Kranik, and John Torak, attending members of the EDC, to Peter Giarratano, Newtown Chamber of Commerce chairman, and to all of the commercial realtors who suspended a busy schedule in order to join us.

This precedent-setting reception represents the first time any organization in Newtown has reached out to a large, statewide group of commercial realtors to show we are truly a welcoming town that wishes to include business and industry under the “Newtown tent.”

Chet Hopper

Chairman EDC

131 Boggs Hill Road, Newtown                                    August 5, 2008