Don’t Allow Newtown To Be Defaced

To the Editor:

I live on New Lebbon Road, and throughout the summer I had noticed cars driving up the road every day and parking on the side along the woods. While my first guess was that it was kids having parties in the woods, I was quite surprised to read in the August 25 edition of The Bee that these kids were actually writing graffiti on the High Bridge Road railroad underpass, with the full knowledge, consent, and support of Newtown High School security officer, Rich Novia.

I fail to understand how defacing property can be described as “a healthy way to allow them [the kids] to express themselves,” as Mr Novia was quoted in the article. This “art project” is clearly visible from my home and is an atrocious eyesore. While Mr Novia’s students’ intentions may have been honorable in covering over the anti-Semitic remarks, their use of bright blue, red, and yellow colors is highly objectionable and sticks out like a sore thumb in the middle of a wooded area. Before Mr Novia’s art project began, the graffiti that was there was not visible from my home or from the road. Now, every time I look out my windows I am confronted with a gaudy display of these bright colors in the middle of an otherwise natural setting. This eyesore will only become more visible as the leaves start to fall from the trees in a few weeks. I strongly encourage Mr Novia and his artists to reconsider this “project” and to paint over their graffiti to restore the underpass to its original condition.

In addition, the area all around the underpass is covered with empty spray paint cans and other debris. I ask Mr Novia and his students if this is their idea of maintaining a nice, clean community? The area looks more like a neighborhood in Harlem than Newtown.

While Mr Novia apparently received permission for this project from Housatonic Railroad, the owner of the underpass, I wish he had taken into consideration the rights of the residents who have to view this eyesore every day. I seriously doubt that Mr Novia or any other resident would want to have to view graffiti from their kitchen and living areas. I have written to Mr Novia and sent him a dozen pictures showing the ugliness of this site. However, he has failed to respond, and therefore I decided to bring this situation to the attention of The Bee and its readers. We must not allow Newtown to be defaced. Please, Mr Novia, have your students restore the underpass to its original condition.

Gordon Bergen

89 New Lebbon Road, Sandy Hook September 3, 2000