Dear Editor,
I am writing in support of the Democratic Candidates for First Selectman and Board of Selectmen. I have known all of them for years and appreciate their integrity, commitment to good governance and desire to work on behalf of ALL the people of Southbury.
In their campaign appearances, they committed to developing the 45 acres at the old Personnel Village after more than a decade of inaction by the current Board of Selectmen. This state land presents an “attractive nuisance” that is a disgrace to the Town and State. Despite state legislation passed earlier in the year, the Board has not addressed it since.
The Democratic candidates committed to re-establishing monthly meetings with the leadership of Heritage Village, which worked so well prior to 2015. This is part of their commitment to meet the needs of ALL seniors in Southbury. In addition, they will work to reinstate a five-day work week that focuses on the needs of the residents. Unlike the current Board that has walked away from the Town Charter’s commitment to continuously update the Strategic Plan, causing all the members of the Southbury Strategic Plan Commission to resign in frustration, the Democrats see strategic planning as critical to setting direction and policy. And unlike the current administration, they are committed to gathering data and community input before making whimsical decisions without justification. This happened when they eliminated residential trash to be taken to the Town Transfer Station if it is handled by a third party and when they eliminated the Community Resource Officer for the Senior Communities.
The team of Tim O’Neil, Wendy Barnard, Cathy De Carli and Kelly Keenan has the talent and experience needed to lead this town toward being a more vibrant community willing to take on the challenges of the 21st Century.
I have worked most directly with Kelly Keenan. Her commitment to this community and ability to get the job done are exceptional. Some may not realize how relevant her experience in Art Management is to local politics. Having followed the art world through family, I can say there is no other field that is more political. Kelly has risen to the top echelons of that world, which is a testament to her work ethic. Kelly has a keen sense of our community, including young families and seniors.
This Democratic team is the right ticket for Southbury. Vote Row A.
— Ed Edelson
Southbury, CT
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