ANSONIA — The Ansonia Democrat Party’s fierce opposition to the development of a $15 million Multi-Sports Complex on Olson comes as no surprise: Mayor Cassetti’s opponents have been aggressively critical of every development initiative in recent memory.
Their disapproval has previously been registered against moving a variety of important projects forward, such as the demolition of vacant factory buildings downtown (they opposed the City taking possession, a prerequisite to demolition) and construction of the Downtown Police Station and Senior Center (they opposed a 2020 Resolution to bond funds needed to complete the construction).
In essence, the local Democrat Party has morphed into a sustained anti-development campaign, with a message that inverts the City’s “Ansonia Recharged” philosophy.
The message they are sending sounds more like “Ansonia Decharged.”
Democrat Town Chair John Feddern’s recent attack on the Olson Drive Sports Complex truly scrapes the bottom-of-the-barrel in terms of low the Party will stoop to stop progress.
Consider what the Democrat Party leader’s letter gets wrong:
First, Mr. Feddern conveniently “forgets” that the City went through a three-year process to get Federal and State approval to purchase Olson Drive from the Ansonia Housing Authority. This approval was based on a statement of use that needed to include a community component. Not any use would be approved. A sports complex was considered the best strategy to satisfy the requirement, and still allow a private, tax-generating use. The strategy was successful, and the City was able to acquire the property.
Second, it is entirely disingenuous for Mr. Feddern to suggest he is concerned about the taxes this property generates. Olson Drive has not generated tax revenue since the 1960’s. Further, the lawsuit brought by his DTC party member seeks a public use for the property. A public use of the property – a park, for example – would cost the City money to develop and maintain, while straining resources for the upkeep of Ansonia’s existing fields and park spaces.
Third, suggesting that the City sold the property for less than its true value is also incorrect. The sales price was based on independent appraisals reviewed and approved by the Federal government. Moreover, the high City assessment value was shown to be an error by the previous assessment company, as confirmed by the current City Assessor. At the end-of-the-day, the Property was sold for higher than its properly assessed value.
Fourth, the renovations to Ansonia’s Animal Shelter are absolutely a part of the overall renegotiated incentive agreement. All documents will be acted on as a package, and in relation to each other.
Joseph Jeanette Jr.
The writer represents the Third Ward on the Ansonia Board of Aldermen.
Read The Valley Indy’s policy on letters to the editor.
