John Lucker Endorses Democratic Land Use Candidates

Today we have a special Guest Blogger, Simsbury resident John Lucker. John has been instrumental in drawing attention to important land use issues, and we're honored that he has chosen to endorse the entire team of Democratic land use candidates. Thank you, John, for taking the time to write. We are grateful!

To my fellow Simsbury Residents:

It has taken over 300 years for our town to develop into the beautiful, bucolic and harmonious community that we all call home. This has not happened without top-notch land use stewardship – because, as we know, once something is built on a parcel of land, it tends to stay that way for a very long time.

Elected officials serving on the Planning Commission, the Zoning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals have enormously important roles in maintaining the developmental direction of our amazing community. Until recent years, the land use leadership in Simsbury has maintained a laser focus on what is most appropriate, what maintains functional balance and factors that collectively create unique form, interest and visual appeal while also generating net economic benefit.

However, I believe we are approaching a slippery slope that requires your attention and careful evaluation of candidates running for land use boards this November 5th. With the challenges in our economy there is a cry for more taxes to be generated through commercial development to relieve the burden on residents. I feel this need too.  But we must also have responsible economic development that achieves net economic benefit AND maintains the character of our town.  Unfortunately over the past few years, on numerous occasions, some of our elected land use officials have not paid enough attention to the details required of them.

For this reason I think it’s time for change – not change for change’s sake but change to redirect the thinking to what’s most important for the development of Simsbury and to ensure that when every parcel of land is developed (and Simsbury is approaching land use capacity) that we are collectively satisfied with what we have to look at, drive by, live with, generate taxes from and have as neighbors for many years to come.

Personally I tend to lean more Republican – my affiliation is a matter of public record.  But this November I plan to vote for the entire Democratic Party land use slate.  I know these people, what they stand for, what they believe in and what they hope to accomplish if elected.  They are committed to representing all of us – residents and land owners – to do what is best for all of Simsbury by focusing on net economic benefit done right in a manner in which we will be proud for many generations to come.

So please consider voting for the entire Democratic Party land use slate.

Planning Commission: Alan Needham, Jonathan Laschever, Thomas Kyzivat

Zoning Commission: Emil Dahlquist, Kevin Gray, Steven Kapiloff

Zoning Board of Appeals: Dennis Fallon, Katie Martin, Stephen Ersinghaus, Elinor Englander

Respectfully, 

John Lucker