Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial Commission Invites Residents to Open Forums

Press release from Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial Commission:

NEWTOWN, CONN – The Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial Commission is inviting the Greater Newtown Community to participate in two open forums in January on the topic of a permanent memorial that honors the 26 lives lost on 12/14/12.

Both open forums will take place at the Newtown High School lecture hall on the following dates:

* Tuesday, January 20th, 2015 - 7PM

* Thursday, January 29th 2015 - 7PM

The Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial Commission has completed the first two phases of information gathering, which included an initial, yet ongoing outreach to the 26 families who lost a loved one on 12/14/12. The Commission has heard from 18 of these families through open forums, in-person meetings, and surveys. Phase II included collaboration with emergency services groups, parents of students enrolled at Sandy Hook Elementary School on 12/14/12 as well as staff members employed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on 12/14/12. The results of those forums are forthcoming.

The final two phases will include communication and information gathering from the Greater Newtown Community as well as continued conversations with the 26 families regarding the findings throughout this process.

The Commission will welcome community members at these forums with an update on the Commission’s work over the past 16 months and will have a moderator assist with the conversations. Commission members will be on-hand to answer questions the community may have.

The purpose of these forums is to give the community a voice, be transparent about our discussions and in turn listen to what those interested in participating have to say regarding the nature, design and location of a memorial in our community. Come collaborate with us!

Statement from Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial Commission Chairman, Kyle Lyddy

“We have received incredible insight from many different groups around our community on the topic of a memorial and the Commission wants to assure all of those who want to contribute to this conversation have the opportunity to do so. The Commission wants to hear from those in or around the community that may have productive insight – we’re here to listen. In every decision the Commission continues to make, we try to assure the best interest of the 26 families are considered. That priority won’t change. Understanding the sensitivity of this topic is still very raw in Newtown, we will continue to work to assure what we accomplish on this Commission respectfully honors the 26 lives lost and is appropriate for our community.

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