Letters to the Editor

DTC thanks volunteers

for Himes event

To the Editor:

As chairman of the Democratic Town Committee, I would like to thank all those who made the question-and-answer forum with Congressman Jim Himes a success. First I would like to thank Tom Stadler, Walter and Pam from Town Hall for being willing to answer all my questions and help me get the answers to make this go smoothly; the New Canaan Police and Dexter Sutton for their help in being sure the event was safe; the Democratic Town Committee, John Emert and Beth Jones whose help from promoting the event to clean up made this event a success. The donations to the New Canaan Food Pantry and Diaper Co-op have been delivered and were greatly appreciated. Last, I would like to thank Congressman Himes for coming, listening, talking and answering so many questions on such a wide variety of issues. I am proud to call him my congressman.

Ginny Apy

Chairwoman, New Canaan DTC

Dick Bond's leadership will last for generations

To the Editor:

While there are many cherished memories of Dick Bond, I have a few thoughts that I would like to add to those that have been made already. Dick's time as first selectman of New Canaan had an everlasting and positive impact on our town. Future generations will take advantage of all of the contributions that he helped make happen. The list of improvements and changes are incredible.

There are the little things that he made happen, like getting a left turn signal at Cherry Street and South Avenue that has added a degree of civility to driving downtown. The new lights on Elm Street, the widening of the Waveny entrances, the brick sidewalks, the 9/11 memorial and the trees on South Avenue.

There are all the facility additions or improvements at places like the transfer station, the Vine Cottage and The Outback. And of course, it was his leadership that helped us get the community pool. There were upgrades to the playing fields around town that literally hundreds of children take advantage of nearly every day. There were the improvements to the three elementary schools, Saxe and the train station. And he helped make Dunning Field a possibility.

And there are those things that he took the leadership on that will having a lasting impact on our town. Things like helping us secure the 125th district for New Canaan to insure town representation after the 2000 census. A new ambulance and new fire engines, the lumberyard parking and helping our town keep a bookstore and a movie theater.

We know that Dick would be the first to admit that he had a lot of help and generous assistance. He took chances -- he led and he made decisions. He got things done.

New Canaan will be forever grateful for his active leadership. And if we ever need to be reminded, all we will ever need to do is to take a drive around town. The town is a better place because of Dick's leadership and commitment.

Todd Lavieri

Dick Bond was an

asset to New Canaan

To the Editor:

Many will recount the accomplishments of Dick Bond as we mourn the loss of a wonderful human being and town leader. His record of accomplishment will benefit New Canaan for generations to come. I have lost a trusted friend and counselor. He cared greatly about all of us and that love has left an indelible mark on me and this town. May he rest in peace.

Jeb Walker

First Selectman

ANCC urges Scripps,

Cablevision to reach

agreement

To the Editor:

The Area Nine Cable Council has received a number of complaints regarding the current dispute between Cablevision and the Scripps Network over carriage of the HGTV and the Food Network, which were dropped from Cablevision's channel lineup when the contract between Scripps and Cablevision expired on Jan. 1.

Although it is not appropriate for ANCC to take sides in a carriage dispute based on a disagreement of the economic positions of the parties, the ANCC understands that many subscribers who wish to view these channels have been the victims of this dispute. ANCC urges the parties to come to a quick resolution to get the channels back on Cablevision.

The Area Nine Cable Council is an advisory group made up of volunteers appointed by the towns of Darien, Easton, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Redding, Stamford, Weston, Westport and Wilton in the Cablevision of Connecticut franchise.

More information about ANCC and its work can be found at: www.westportct.net/ancc/

Roger Williams

Paul Sedlak

New Canaan ANCC Members

Open letter to first

selectman regarding

CCRC review

Dear Jeb:

Happy 2010. May it be one filled with satisfying accomplishments and joyful personal happiness.

Thank you for responding to the Advertiser and the New Canaan News' headlines, which named "A CCRC in Waveny Park" as the top story of 2009, by initiating a review of the idea of constructing a Continuing Care Retirement Community in New Canaan.

The Health & Human Services' review of the idea of a CCRC in New Canaan and the feasibility of Waveny Park as a possible site are two important, completely separate public policy issues: the needs of New Canaan's senior population and the protection of scarce and valued public parkland.

Waveny Park

The Health & Human Services' agenda for its Jan. 7 meeting stated that the Waveny Care Board would give a special presentation on the Lapham Road CCRC proposal. (Jeb, WCN has fooled no one by using "Lapham Road." Everyone knows WCN wants to take 18 acres of parkland forever.) Isn't now the time for you to ask Attorney General Blumenthal to give an official reading of Mrs. Lloyd's deed?

If after the H&HS review of a CCRC is complete and the town wishes to explore possible CCRC sites, the Park & Recreation Commission should spearhead the feasibility of a CCRC in Waveny Park (if the Attorney General has given permission) and not the Health & Human Services Commission. Anything else would be improper. Waveny Park, its land and use, is under the umbrella of Park and Rec and not the Health & Human Services Commission.

The Health & Human Services review

A study should not be designed with a pre-conceived, hoped-for premise, backed up by findings that will prove it. Rather it must be open to what it discovers. I hope H&HS will follow correct methodology.

On the Waveny Care Network Web site, both Jim Lisher, chairman of Health & Human Services, and study group member Tom Ferguson, president of Staying Put, are shown to be in favor of a CCRC as a concept.

Will they be able to maintain objectivity? Does a sufficient range of point of view exist for the final study to be credible? There seem to be too many with vested interests. Who, Jeb, appointed the study group members? Did you confer with your fellow Selectmen Hines and Mallozzi about this review?

In addition, what methodologies will the commission use and who is paying for the study? How does the commission plan to survey the entire town? Will the process be transparent? Will agendas, regular and special meetings, and public hearings of H&HS and other town bodies be noted in the newspapers' legal notices sections with sufficient time for the public to plan to attend or comment? Will there be adequate time span between meetings of different town bodies for the public to absorb and think about various findings? Will all the H&HS Commission meetings always take place at 8:30 a.m. on Thursdays, an hour which is not convenient for many people? Will some of their meetings be scheduled in the evening?

Thank you for undertaking this important process and thank you for making sure it's done right!

Tanya Bickley

New Canaan

CCRC review

must remain objective

To the Editor:

First Selectman Jeb Walker recently announced the formation of a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) Policy Development Team that will review the need and options for a local CCRC in order to recommend a long-term policy for the town. This review will also include studying alternative locations where one might be placed. This idea makes sense.

In this regard, I am sure that all members of the community hope that this team takes a totally objective look at all the aspects of this important issue. To ensure this objectivity, I would strongly recommend that team members Jim Lisher, as head of the Health & Human Services Commission, and Tom Ferguson, as president of Staying Put in New Canaan, take both their names, and those of their organizations, off the page on the CCRC Web site that shows that they already support the concept of a CCRC in New Canaan ... either that or recuse themselves from participation on this new team.

George F. McEvoy

Board Member

Keep Waveny a Park!

Hartford readies

for new session

To the Editor:

The year 2010 might be called the year to die for -- or the year to die in anyway. Beginning Jan. 1, the estate of a Connecticut resident amounting to less than $3.5 million will not be subject to tax. Also, the "cliff" is eliminated, so the estate tax is not retroactive even if the deceased was rich enough to leave more than

$3.5 million. These changes were enacted last August. But on Dec. 23, remorse apparently struck the Democrats who used their majority to put the estate tax threshold back down to $2 million. Next, Gov. M. Jodi Rell vetoed the revision which had the effect of restoring the exclusion at $3.5 million. A session was called to override the veto, but in the end the effort was not made. So the higher exemption stands -- at least for now.

There is more. As scheduled under the Bush tax cuts, our national death levy was allowed to die Jan. 1. As a result, right now many more Connecticut estates will pay no state tax and none will pay a federal estate tax. But before any heirs get too excited, several cautions are in order. There is nothing to prevent Congress or the Connecticut Legislature from passing new estate tax legislation retroactive to Jan. 1, 2010. In fact, Congress is generally expected to do just that as soon as a health-care bill is completed.

Incidentally, it should be noted that if nothing is done by Congress the federal estate tax will come roaring back in 2011 at pre-cut levels. Also it is highly recommended that people review their estate plan with a qualified professional. Some elements, including will provisions dealing with a credit shelter trust, could have unanticipated consequences in the absence of an estate tax. So, while the estate tax stars seem uncommonly well aligned in 2010, it is probably still better to defy the tax collector altogether by not dying.

Other legislation that became effective Jan. 1 carries good and not so good news. In a particularly mean stroke, the real estate conveyance tax now applies to the transfer of foreclosed properties as well as those conveyed in a voluntary sale. The scheduled reduction in the state sales tax from 6 percent to 5.5 percent did not happen because the needed stabilization of revenue was not met. The minimum wage in Connecticut went from $8 to $8.25, which may be good news if you have a job or belong to a union with a contract sparking a wage increase when there is an increase in the minimum wage. If you run a small business or like to offer jobs to beginners, then not so much.

Finally, a new law that I was proud to co-sponsor requires health insurance coverage of autism spectrum disorders for children under the age of 14.

So now we must look ahead. In this even year, the regular session of the Legislature begins Feb. 3. It's our job to do our best to make 2010 a happy new year for Connecticut.

State Rep. John Hetherington

R-125

NCPS mourns loss of Bond

To the Editor:

Last week the New Canaan Public Schools lost a great friend, Dick Bond. In addition to his many accomplishments as the first selectman, Dick was, first and foremost, a man who cared deeply about the young people in this town.

Dick could be tough when he had to be and was not afraid to ask a difficult or penetrating question but, in truth, he was a kind and generous man, and one who put other peoples' interests above his own.

Dick remained a strong and loyal advocate for education even when it was not fiscally or politically expedient. Throughout high school building project Dick listened carefully to the rationale behind every aspect of the plan and made his judgments accordingly. Ultimately the project withstood his scrutiny and he remained an unwavering supporter of it. Dick understood that the vitality and the future of New Canaan was linked to its young people.

Dick contributed in many ways that people will never know. He didn't do things loudly or with animated passion. That simply wasn't his style. He looked at what needed to be done and then rolled up his sleeves and did it.

Whenever there was a crisis or a rough patch at the high school, my phone would invariably ring and it would be Dick on the other end saying, "How can I help?" If you referred to him as "Boss" he would bristle and say, "I'm not your boss. I work for you." These simple gestures lifted those around him and it was never lost on me how fortunate I was to work for a man of this caliber.

Dick was many things: a family man, a World War II veteran, a successful businessman and a stellar first selectman. As a member of the "Greatest Generation" he served his country, his family, his community and his friends to the very end. There are countless people who owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude, including me, to whom he was a generous friend and mentor. We will all miss Dick terribly and I would like to express my gratitude to this extraordinary gentleman who gave so much of himself and left an indelible mark on all those whose lives he touched.

Tony Pavia

Principal, New Canaan High School