To the Editor:
As Director of the Valley Fire Chiefs Regional Training School, I feel compelled to reply to the letter submitted to the Valley Independent by Mr. Clark Hurlburt.
First, the funding for the construction project in Beacon Falls that was already approved was never placed on a bond agenda by Governor Malloy.
Second, the reduction of funding for operating budgets was done by Governor Malloy, even after our legislators sought to restore funding. It was only through the hard work of our legislators and senators that our operating budgets were restored to what they are today.
What I disagree with wholeheartedly is Mr. Hurlburt’s assertion that certain legislators and senators, citing specifically Representative Themis Klarides and Senator George Logan, have “magically discovered,” and are using the lack of funding of the fire school construction project as political grandstanding, and that the attention by them regarding our project has occurred only in the re-election season.
I can confirm that many of our local legislators and senators, especially Representative Klarides, has been working on this matter for years.
In addition, eleven days after the election in 2016, I was contacted by Senator Logan to find out more information regarding our project.
Shortly thereafter, he along with Representative Klarides, Representative Klarides-Ditria, and Representative Gentile, worked very hard to get our project the attention it deserved only to be shut down by the Governor.
While their efforts were not made public, many hours have been spent in meetings to determine the best way to move our project forward. Only after $450 million of unfunded projects by Governor Malloy went before the Bond Commission in September did our fight become public.
During the election season, it is important that the mudslingers get their facts straight before smearing individuals who are not only Valley through and through but are honest representatives who are dedicated to serving our communities.
Thank you.
James Vincent
Director of Training
Valley Fire Chiefs Regional Training School
