Letter to the Editor: Candidates Lack Long-Term Vision

I am disappointed that many of the candidates for the Boards of Selectmen and Finance seem blinded by hot-button issues and lack a long-term vision for Canton.  Polling at the recent Town Plan update workshop showed that future-looking economic growth, open space, and natural resource conservation were the highest priorities – not the immediate needs of our buildings, roads, and facilities.  We all recognize that the town must maintain its existing infrastructure, but I heard residents calling for a balance between sustaining our existing excellent schools, neighborhoods, and quality of life with a coherent long-term vision that will retain our town character and build on our strengths.  Those characteristics include enacting a planned capitol improvement plan WHILE protecting open spaces and natural areas; encouraging redevelopment of the Collins Company WHILE protecting our historic resources; encouraging development along Route 44 WHILE making sure that the development is in keeping with the character of our community; and cutting our expenses WHILE investing wisely in long-term energy needs such as hydropower.  I urge residents to vote for the visionary candidates such as Tom Sevigny, George Thimot, Mary Tomolonius, and, yes, Dick Barlow, and urge folks NOT to vote for those candidates who are so mired in the need to fix potholes that they can't understand the need to purchase open space now, protect our land use policies and regulations, nurture our town’s design-review process, and support our economic planning agency.  The hallmark of a leader is one who balances immediate needs with future directions – let’s elect those leaders.

Sarah Faulkner
25 Dyer Avenue
Collinsville, Ct  06019     ____________________________________________________________________________
If you want to build a ship, don't herd people together to collect wood and don't assign them
tasks and work but rather, teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea."
                           -- Antoine de Saint-Exupery