Here is why I am interested in running for Alderman.
In September of 2006, Derby officially opened two soccer fields at beautiful Witek Park.
Many citizens were concerned that this park was destroying the wetlands.
Part of the stipulation that allowed for the building of these fields stated that there would be no permanent structures built in order to prevent further disruption to the wetlands. I feel that the children using this park deserve better facilities, but we must obey the current law.
This is a strong interest of mine given its proximity to my house and the fact that my young son may play on these fields in the near future.
While I can’t change the past decision made at Witek Park, you can be sure that I will only support well-researched and well thought out proposals that will have a positive impact on our community and our children.
In the future, if there are certain stipulations that prevent the proper development of proposed projects, then I feel that we should not make concessions that would negatively impact our community.
Preserving our environment and supporting our children are two of my top interests that I will pursue if elected to the Board of Aldermen for Ward One.
The writer is a Republican seeing election to the Board of Aldermen in the First Ward.
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We all remember when the current administration was in the process of authorizing a pornography store. They issued permits and at the eleventh hour (we know they love to look at pictures, perhaps this was another instance) found themselves scrambling to correct yet another error in judgement.
I was at the Board of Alderman meeting that argued whether or not a porno shop was good for Derby. Of course the answer is no, but why issue the permit in the first place?
At the beginning of that meeting, I spoke on behalf of the the children and citizens of Derby who were denied access to the Witek Park Soccer Field.
I was armed with a pretty picture of the Mayor and his cohorts smiling as they threw out the first ball when the soccer field was opened.
I was also armed with a photograph of the soccer field gates padlocked shut on the soccer opening day.
At that time, I listened to insane reasons for locking children out of the park. I walked out of the meeting as it became apparent that this administration was denying children the opportunity to play on the new field. Porno guy also must have seen the writing on the wall. After all, he had just heard an administration lock innocent little children out of a soccer field, so there was no chance he would be allowed to operate in Derby.
I am glad your son may play on the field some day. It really is a beautiful park and the former mayor and his administration deserve all the credit in the world for creating such a jewel in our city.
Now for the common sense test. What happens when little children run around and are told to hydrate themselves? The little boys adapt…there are plenty of woods nearby. What about the little girls? Derby Youth Soccer has become the largest recreation sport in Derby. There are routinely over two hundred children registered for the Spring and Fall seasons. There is one port-o-potty located in the complex.
Whether something gets built or more units are rented, the current administration poo-poos (like how I worked that in there?) any discussion of the issue and chalks it up to political gamesmanship. It’s not…it’s just common sense to address situations as they arise. Government cannot become stagnant.
To their credit, the current administration calculated 200 children times two voting parents (and perhaps the same number of grandparents) and the result has been that the soccer fields have been open for soccer these past few years.