Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial Commission 'Disappointed and Discouraged' Over Rejection of High Meadow as Memorial Location

SANDY HOOK, CT — The Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial Commission said in a statement on Tuesday that they are "disappointed and discouraged" that the site they wished to build a permanent memorial to honor the 26 lives lost on December 14, 2012 would not take place at High Meadow.

The Commission said they were saddened that a compromise "from individuals who never gave us a chance to prove that this could be something special" could not be reached.

Opponents objected the site by collecting over 200 signatures on a petition.

During an April meeting, Mary Wilson said residents don't object to the memorial, just the location.

Ann Astarita said any disruption to the High Meadow location would disrupt wildlife and favored keeping it as open space.

The Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial Commission was created in September of 2013 by the Newtown Board of Selectmen in order to gather information to make a recommendation for a permanent memorial to honor the 26 lives lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.

The Commission is chaired by Kyle Lyddy who said:

"The Commission has always said we were willing to listen and we will continue to do so for the duration of this project. Despite the disappointment of the motion, I am encouraged by our Commission's ability to be inclusive. In no way have we ever wanted this project to be divisive, and therefore we will continue to evaluate the best location to make this work."

The Commission also includes Newtown residents and parents of victims of the Sandy Hook shooting including JoAnn Bacon, Joanne Brunetti, Steffan Burns, Brian Engel, Daniel Krauss, Agni Pavlidou Kyprianou, Alan Martin, Sarah Middeleer, Tricia Pinto, Donna Van Waalwijk and Lynn Kovack, Clerk.

For more information and to read meeting minutes, click here.