Date: Fri 29-Aug-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

Newtown-license-plate-Kellogg

Full Text:

Newtown License Plate Project Lacks Only 50 Orders

(with cut)

BY DOROTHY EVANS

So near and yet so far.

Boosters of the Steven Kellogg-designed, historic Newtown license plate are

refusing to let go of their dream, despite the fact that after a year's hard

work there still is no actual license plate to show for their efforts.

They anticipate seeing hundreds of the colorful blue license plates featuring

a jaunty rooster atop Newtown's familiar flagpole, permanently affixed to the

front and rear of every other car in town - and they also look forward to the

additional funds the purchase of those license plates will contribute to the

Newtown Scholarship Association.

But their dream is unfulfilled because, even though there are 150 orders for

the specialty plates already in hand, the drive is still lacking the necessary

200 orders required by the Department of Motor Vehicles before a vanity plate

design order may be submitted for printing and production.

"It's amazing that for the number of cars in Newtown, we can't sell 200 of the

historic plates," committee member Kathie Troccola said recently.

Mrs Troccola had hoped that since $24 of each order would be allocated for the

benefit of Newtown students, the project would be more widely embraced.

In fact, the 1996 grand list shows that Newtown has approximately 9,500

households (as real estate listings) and that there are approximately 20,000

cars in town (as shown by the number of motor vehicle registrations).

150 Orders In Data Bank

Mrs Troccola said one drawback to the drive's success might be the fact that

because people simply aren't seeing the plates on cars right now, they just

don't think of ordering them.

Or perhaps many who have taken the committee's informational fliers home

haven't gotten around to actually ordering the plates, Mrs Troccola surmised.

She knows the fliers are out there because the committee has been distributing

them throughout town over the past several months, visiting civic

organizations and schools to spread the word.

"We went to school open houses, historic commissions, the Board of Selectmen,

flea markets, craft fairs and even walked the Historic District of Main Street

distributing the fliers," Mrs Troccola said.

The idea was nearly always received with enthusiasm, she added, saying that at

least 150 Newtown residents have already signed up and sent their checks in.

The checks are in the amount of $89 (a tax-deductible contribution of $24 will

be given to the Newtown Scholarship Association; the balance of $65 covers DMV

fees to produce the plate) and are being held by the committee treasurer Karin

Rennert until the requisite 200 orders are received.

Mrs Troccola said that any person who has a concern about an outstanding check

and calls the committee will be assured that the check is being safely kept

until the full order for 200 plates can be submitted to the DMV.

"If they would rather have us destroy their check or send their check back,

we're glad to do that. But most people say, `Don't worry about it,'" Mrs

Troccola said.

The important thing, she added, was to maintain the data base intact.

Scholarship Association

Lends A Hand

The project, which has been fully endorsed by the Newtown Scholarship

Association, has gained the interest of one particular NSA committee member,

Claudia Coopersmith.

Mrs Coopersmith is hoping to have time this fall to help spread the word about

the specialty plates and gather in those last 50 orders that are needed to

make them a reality.

"I think we can do it. My goal is to take this over," Mrs Coopersmith said

from her Newtown home last Thursday.

Informational brochures and fliers will be placed in prominent places around

town so people interested in placing orders can learn more, Mrs Troccola said.

A mass mailing will not be attempted, however.

"We don't want to spend our profits," said Mrs Troccola, adding that any money

they receive over and above the cost of ordering the plates is being set aside

for the Newtown Scholarship Association.

Anyone wishing to order the "Historic Newtown" license plate may call 426-0478

or 426-6532 for more information.