Date: Fri 15-Sep-1995

By ANDY GOROSKO

Published: Aug 11, 1999 12:00 am

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

CEPEC-EDC-exposition-hall

Full Text:

EDC To Hear Exposition Hall Developers

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

The developers of a proposed exposition hall are expected to present their

concept for a Hawleyville facility to the town's Economic Development

Commission when the commission meets at 8 pm on Tuesday, September 19, in Town

Hall South.

The EDC guides and promotes local growth by implementing the town's strategic

plan of economic development.

Connecticut Expo Development, a limited liability corporation chartered in

Connecticut, has proposed the construction of Connecticut Exposition and

Performance Events Center (CEPEC), a more than 100,000-square-foot hall which

would contain a 90,000-square-foot exhibition space, plus related facilities

such as meeting rooms and a restaurant.

Three zoning requests sought by Connecticut Expo Development are pending

before the town's Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z). CEPEC is seeking a

zone change from Residential to Industrial for 80 acres in Hawleyville across

Route 25 from the Hawleyville Post Office. It also is seeking two amendments

to the zoning regulations. One request seeks to allow exhibition halls as a

permitted land use in an industrial zone. The other request seeks to allow

50-foot-tall buildings in an industrial zone. Current zoning rules restrict

industrial buildings to a 30-foot height limit.

The proposed exhibition complex would be used for trade shows, public shows,

public events, and recreational sports.

Hawleyville residents turned out in force for a P&Z public hearing August 17

to register strong opposition to the proposal. However, some residents said

they like what they see in the CEPEC proposal.

Objections to the proposal focus on what its opponents say would be an adverse

effect on Hawleyville's character due to increased traffic generated by an

exhibition hall. Opponents also say a hall could pose environmental hazards in

terms of septic waste disposal and depleted underground water supplies.

Supporters of the project say an exposition hall would bring economic

development to the area, providing new jobs and stimulating area businesses.

The exhibition hall proposal has drawn widespread public attention based on

the approximately 200 people who attended the August 17 P&Z public hearing and

the numerous letters to the editor received by The Bee on the topic.

If its membership chooses to do so, the EDC could make a recommendation to the

P&Z on the CEPEC proposal.

Malcolm Andrew 'Andy' Bryant

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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 15-Sep-1995

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