About Sperry Lane, Carfora Weighs In

In a submitted opinion piece, Democratic Mayoral Candidate Joseph Carfora addresses the Sperry Lane discussion:

"First off, I would like to praise the efforts of Kat Bowery. Ms. Bowery created a petition that mobilized so many hardworking East Haven residents and created a location for their voices to be heard. Over 900 people signed her petition and voiced their public opinions about the Sperry lane project/ZONE change.

I was proud to sign that petition and encouraged by the bipartisan support throughout this process. My opponent has yet to stand with our constituents, nor has he signed Ms. Bowery’s petition, making many residents question where his loyalties actually align.

I feel duty-bound to respond to my opponent’s 11th hour proposal for the Girl Scout Camp/Sperry Lane/ ZONE change. It is obvious that my opponent hides from speaking publicly about his proposals. After all that would expose him and require him to defend them.

It seems to me that my opponent’s team, time and time again, shield him from having to speak publicly or to explain publicly his limited and self-serving proposals. Their latest attempt to curry political favor is just one. He now proposes an open space position on the eve of the planning and zoning meeting – the results of which will impact thousands of families. We all have been discussing the Sperry Lane issue for months now.

One would think, that he would hold an informational meeting on his proposal or show up at the non-partisan meeting that we organized the other day at the Foxon Firehouse to outline his plan—Where was he? There is only one logical explanation, these proposals aren’t his ideas at all, but those of his handlers, who include a state senator and the developer who would financially benefit by a zone change. We've seen this before in East Haven, big players who receive big benefits

My opponent needs to realize that actions speak louder than words. People like Kat Bowery talked with actions. People like Councilman Lou Pacelli, who has worked tirelessly to educate the impacted neighborhoods, talked with actions. The community members who showed up at the organizational meeting Sunday, September 29, 2019 talked with actions.

I have been told that my opponent is talking less about his plans during his golf cart door knocking escapades and more concerned about badmouthing my team and me.

We don’t operate that way. We work with our community voices and listen to their needs. We worked hard to support the steamrolled neighbors of the DC Moore area—my opponent is not. We work alongside the great neighbors of Girl Scout area to hear their concerns and to mobilize efforts —my opponent is not. We spoke loudly and publicly about our concerns – out front and transparent because that is the way to govern.

Finally – this “New” open space plan would have been a perfect fit for the horrible republican backed decision to sell the DC Moore land to a private developer against the wishes of neighbors in our second district. A much more natural fit since the land was owned by the Town. But my opponent voted for the developer in the face of clear neighborhood opposition. Again, he was on the side of the developer. Beware of 11th hour deals that are clearly not written by my opponent—he has proven that he’s not capable of standing up and speaking for his position-and, how do we know this? Because he hasn’t done it. On the Sperry Lane deal, his handlers came up with an idea to “stem” the tide of a political tidal wave.

I am happy to be a contributing part of the opposition on Sperry Lane, as well as a supportive and active voice on DC Moore. I understand that I will have to make difficult decisions – some that might not be popular- when I am elected. However, prior to making such decisions, I will continue to do what I have done throughout my time as a councilman, and during this campaign—that is; listen attentively, and with purpose, so that I can make informed, honest and transparent choices."

CORRECTION: Apologies to Mr. Carfora. His name was misspelled in a previous headline.