To the Editor:

I would like to comment on some of the rude behavior my neighbors and I have witnessed during the public comment portion of the P&Z meetings regarding the Hawleyville Mixed-Use Site.

It was my understanding that if someone gets up to speak at the microphone and states their name, then they are allowed to speak without interruption from the other people in attendance.

Unfortunately, it seems that those requesting this Hawleyville development lack manners. When expressing concern over added traffic, my neighbor said that Grace Family Church has some kind of function every day of the week, with the exception of Monday. Someone from the other side yelled out, “That’s not true.”

When my neighbor cited the source of this info, from the Church's own schedule printed in The Newtown Bee, there were no more outbursts.

At last week’s meeting, it was suggested that the developer of the apartments possibly scale back the size of the project to cut down on the environmental impact and traffic. At that, there was a loud, sarcastic laugh from the other side.  Perhaps if they have something to say, they should state their name for the record and then make their snide remarks.  

I would also like to comment on the Editorial Ink Drops from the paper last week. 

It was printed that “The reception of the development plans for Hawleyville has not been hostile,” but make no mistake, this project is not met with open arms either.  We were led to believe, years ago, that the only development in our small neighborhood would be a large church.  I guess because they can’t finance that, Grace Christian Family is selling off parcels and turning this project into a three ring circus.

As I have said before, we know there will be development here.  But a church, 182 apartments, and 24-hour diner is too much for this parcel of land.

Janet Mckeown

10 Hillcrest Drive, Newtown         October 20, 2015