To the Editor:

I would like to say a few things to Bill Sheluck, candidate.

I have been anxiously waiting for you to stop the usual political platitudes, i.e., “utilize technology, establish a marketing plan, develop a communications program, create a multiyear action plan,” etc, etc, and offer solutions to specific problems.

 Finally, at the Pizza & Politics debate you came up with the “solution” to traffic congestion with the following statement as quoted in The Bee: “At the very minimum, we need turn lanes on Route 25.” Turn lanes? Where do you live, Mr Sheluck? Turn lanes at the very minimum? What would you offer at the very maximum? A four-lane, limited access, highway through town?

If you had taken the time to talk to anyone who lives on Main Street I believe they would have gasped in horror and disbelief at your “solution.” You want turn lanes so that the through traffic can go even faster? You are in need of a reality check.

Don’t you realize that traffic congestion is the only check we have on high-speed traffic on Main Street (Route 25)? No one pays attention to the 30 mph speed limit in the center of town and no one enforces it. So congestion is the only deterrent.

Looking for a recommendation to the traffic problems on Main Street? Try these. First, heading north from Bridgeport/Monroe into Newtown you come to a traffic light at Mile Hill Road, the turn for Fairfield Hills. You will notice two small signs that point to Route 84 and Route 34. How about getting the state to put up a large sign instead that reads: “No Through Trucks –– Use Route 84 for Danbury and NY State.”

Here’s another one. Drive from Danbury to Newtown on Route 84. Soon after Exit 8 you’ll see a sign that reads, “Alternate Route to Rt. 25 South and Bridgeport use Exit 11.” Alternate route? That should be the primary route. It’s six miles from the exit. Get it changed and get the state to put the same sign just before Exit 9 and Exit 10.

Here’s another reality check for you. How much do think it would cost to cut in a turn lane? A million? A half million? How many do you want? Six, seven how about ten? What do you think a couple of road signs would cost?

 We all know the tight fiscal restraints under which all states are suffering. Go to Hartford and ask for a few million dollars so that the locals can have a special lane to make turns off Main Street thus allowing through traffic to cruise by at a nice steady 60 mph. I don’t think the reception will be very warm. While you are in Hartford ask why Newtown can’t keep some of the money collected in issuing speeding tickets on Route 25. Newtown does not get one penny from those tickets.

If this is the kind of “action” your advertisement promises, I think I’ll stick with what I know and that’s the current leadership.

Richard F. Mulligan

74 Main Street, Newtown                                            October 27, 2003