Parks Referendum - Response to Mr. Gianazza's Opinion in Patch

I am compelled to respond to Rob Gianazza’s August 29 post in Patch in order to set out the facts. Mr. Gianazza claims that the Parks Revitalization referendum on September 17 is being kept a secret and that he had to search the Town’s website because information was not on the home page. Really? The facts are that there have been two links on the home page since July 24th. One link is the complete PowerPoint presentation of the proposed improvements that was shown at a public hearing on June 26th. The second link is a video (over an hour long) of the public hearing.  In addition, large informational display boards have been posted at the Library, Town Hall, Cadigan Park, Kids Kingdom and Town Beach for the past few weeks. The media (Patch and The News Times) has had articles regarding this Parks Revitalization Program.

Mr. Gianazza asks: “How did we allow our resources to get to this level or disrepair?” That answer is simple. Administrations prior to Davidson-Lasser failed to have a plan to maintain the Town’s facilities and, more importantly, failed to provide leadership and funding to take care of the Town’s assets. Examples: roads, Kids Kingdom, Town Hall, Cadigan Park and Town Beach. The Davidson-Lasser team has “fixed” the roads, Kids Kingdom, Town Hall and a number of other important Town assets.

Mr. Gianazza questions the $5.3 million cost and asks why there is an “all or nothing philosophy” regarding this project. Actually, the cost to the Town is $4.5 million because I obtained a state grant for $750,000 to fund a portion of the project. Regarding “all or nothing,” everything at these two facilities needs repair or replacement. The Town has not invested in them over the years. Does Mr. Gianazza suggest that we not reopen the tennis courts? Not fix the drainage? Not upgrade the field playing surfaces? Not prevent the sea wall from collapsing? Not provide ADA compliant access? Not upgrade the worn-out restroom facilities?

Mr. Gianazza states that the Town’s debt “has been growing at a significant rate recently.” Here again he presents a grossly inaccurate statement. While the residents have authorized additional borrowing to fix roads, replace Kids Kingdom and repair the roof at Huckleberry School, we have at the same time been paying down prior debt.  The Town's long-term debt is going down, and it is lower now than it was four years ago when the Davidson-Lasser team took office.

Mr. Gianazza offers criticism, but he does not offer alternate ideas.

This Parks Revitalization Project was first presented to the Town in 2010 but was defeated at a referendum. We’ve been working on the project since then to respond to input from the residents, to make it more practical and to obtain state funding ($750,000 grant). I urge Brookfield residents to vote YES to approve the Parks Revitalization Project on September 17. Let’s continue the progress and maintain Brookfield as the best small town in Connecticut.

Bill Davidson
First Selectman