Date: Fri 18-Aug-1995

By ANDY GOROSKO

Published: Aug 11, 1999 12:00 am

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

Exposition-Hall-Hawleyville

Full Text:

Residents Poised To Protest Exposition Hall

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

A proposal to build a large exposition hall in Hawleyville was slated for

discussion Thursday evening as Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members

were set to conduct three public hearings on aspects of the plan.

The hearings were scheduled to begin at 8 pm, after the deadline for this

edition of The Bee.

On August 15, the town's Economic Development Commission (EDC) had been

scheduled to hear a presentation on the proposed Connecticut Exposition and

Performance Events Center (CEPEC) from Connecticut Expo Development, a limited

liability corporation. On August 11, however, the EDC canceled its August 15

meeting.

A three-page, anonymous handbill was distributed to Hawleyville area residents

last weekend urging them to attend the August 17 public hearings and to oppose

the CEPEC proposal.

Joy Brewster of Mt Pleasant Road, managing partner of Connecticut Expo

Development, has said the proposed 113,000-square-foot facility is much needed

in the region for various trade shows, public shows and recreational sports.

Such an exposition hall would provide a stimulus for the regional economy

during its construction and operation, according to Ms Brewster.

But Hawleyville area residents who have raised objections to the proposal

charge that an exposition hall would adversely affect their section of town.

The residents claim that a hall could have negative environmental effects,

including wetlands damage, water supply problems, and sewage disposal woes.

The residents also charge the presence of a hall would overload the area with

traffic.

At the August 17 P&Z meeting, the P&Z was scheduled to hear public comments on

three requests from the developers: a zone change for 80 acres at 33

Hawleyville Road from Farming/Residential-2 (R-2) zoning to Industrial (M-5)

zoning; a zoning amendement to allow an exhibition hall as a permitted land

use in a M-5 zone; and a zoning amendment to allow such a hall to be as tall

as 50 feet.

If the three requests are granted by the P&Z, the applicant, at some future

time, would apply for P&Z approval of construction plans. Such a request also

would require a public hearing.

The three public hearings on August 17 were expected to be well attended. The

session was slated to be held in the Alexandria Room at Edmond Town Hall

rather than at the Town Hall South conference room to accommodate a larger

than normal audience. The last land use public hearing to draw such interest

was held in November 1994 when Walnut Tree Asociates presented its plans for

Walnut Tree Village, a condominium complex now under construction on Walnut

Tree Hill Road.

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The editorial took no position on the budget going up or down so you're reading things into the editorial that simply aren't there. The turnout is tied to the lack of passage, in that people who came out to vote last time did not this time, indicating a lack of support on their part. Perhaps it wasn't spelled out clearly enough, but that's what the editorial was driving at, people showing lack of support by not casting a vote. The editorial did address likely concerns among voters that may have led to lack of support and lack of turnout. This lower turnout also follows increasing turnout over the past four referendums in three years (meaning it is an aberration from that), and increased turnout is something that I do push for regularly in editorials. Any disappointment you might be seeing is at the break in that trend, not at whether the budget passed or not. I'd rather see more people come out and vote "no" then not vote at all.

Lower Turnout Results In Two Budget Defeats

Clearly, property owners no longer want to bear the burden of expenses while the state does not meet it’s responsibilities. Rising costs must be addressed by actions that do not include yearly increases of property owners’ taxes. The state of CT must meet its share of the educational costs, and other costs.

Town And School Budgets Fail At Referendum

This feels like an oddly misleading headline and narrative, particularly coming from the Editorial Board. The headline "Lower Turnout Results in Two Budget Defeats" pushes a misleading narrative regarding voter turnout, and then seeks to tie the outcome of the referendum to that misleading narrative. Sure, voter turn out for this year's referendum, 18%, was lower than last year's. However, last year's turnout, 25.4%, represented the highest turnout in the most recent 10 budget referendums. If you take the time to examine turnout percentages between 2017 and 2026 (2017: 19.9, 2018: 15.7, 2019: 17, 2020: 0, 2021: 8.98, 2022: 7.7, 2023: 8.8, 2024: 15.1/17.49, 2025: 25.4, 2026: 18), this year's turnout was actually the third highest in the past 10 cycles. Perhaps the headline of this article should say "Lower Voter Turnout Than Last Year", which is more accurate, rather than creating an impression that this year's turnout is some type of aberration - a narrative that the turnout numbers, in all their binary glory, simply do not support. Further, the headline of this article appears to tie the "lower turnout" to the defeated budgets. Sure, that could be true. But, perhaps, its more likely that Newtown residents are feeling the squeeze of multiple economic influences. In Newtown, we've experienced property revaluations and increased municipal spending. Eversource continues to raise rates. The state legislature gives PURA the authority to impose Public Benefit charges that benefit a tiny percentage of the public (and subsequently burdening the rest of us). At the national level, inflation has run rampant for years and many of those costs remain high to this day. In short, the data tells a far less dramatic—and far more honest—story than the headline suggests. This wasn’t an electorate vanishing in apathy; it was a fairly typical turnout delivering an verdict that, perhaps, some at the Editorial Board didn't like. At some point, it’s worth considering that residents aren’t confused, disengaged, or misled by turnout; they’re simply doing math at their kitchen tables and concluding that “no” is the only responsible answer left.

Enjoyed the forum which only confirmed my support for Brandon Moore as the Democratic candidate to run for the state representative position. Brandon Moore did not waiver about his duty to all the people, if elected, when an issue presents itself that requires that he voice a difference of opinion for the wellbeing of Newtown residents. If Michelle Ku’s 16 years have led to her loyalty being to other elected officials, as she implied, then Newtown is going to continue to witness actions that do not protect its residents. She could not unseat republican, Mitch Bolinsky, during a Blue Wave, and once again, will not do it now. Winning that seat is critical for all. That explains why her previous campaign committee now campaigns for Brandon Moore. It explains all the endorsements he has received from local elected democratic officials. It’s why we need Brandon Moore to be the democratic candidate to run for state representative.

Second Newtown DTC, League Of Women Voters Candidates Event Planned

Appreciated the opportunity to hear from both candidates as we were present for the College Dems forum but only heard from Brandon Moore. It was an opportunity to see who can unseat the Republican incumbent and there is no doubt that Brandon Moore should be the Democratic candidate. One concerned parent posed a question about discrimination unaddressed by the school district and interestingly enough, Michelle Ku, who proudly speaks of her Board membership years, said little, while Brandon Moore passionately addressed the issue along with his experience as an Apache Helicopter Commander. This family is supporting Brandon Moore. We need change and someone who is not afraid to disagree, especially about the rising costs of living in Newtown.

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Date: Fri 18-Aug-1995

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