A Visit from the "Smiling King"

If you weren’t there….You really missed a great time Thursday night in Haddam--and up and down river from Deep River. 

I think everyone is by now aware that the (CPPL) Citizens for the Protection of Public Lands held quite a welcoming for Commissioner Esty, as he pontificated at the meeting of the Friends of the CT State Parks on board the Valley Railroad's Becky Thatcher riverboat.  

We escorted him and the Friends both up river and back by boat--and greeted him both at the Deep River Landing departure point, and at his turn around location opposite the Clark Creek Wildlife Management Area--which he is currently helping all of us to place in the hands of a business developer to build a hotel, shopping center, and "entertainment venue" (think: "Goodspeed Opera House"--but don't say it). I think of Gary Hart with Dan--on a boat, taunting everyone( I mean--opposite the swap land???) but without the hookers. (hmmm?) 

Many signs helped guide his way to the boat in Deep River, just so he wouldn't get lost, and, aided by a cacophony of noises and  fireworks,his arrival in Haddam was celebrated, as only befits the royalty that he is. Our little boat flew a "welcoming" sign that said: "Our GREEN Is NotYour GOLD". (which was designed, printed, and assembled within the 3 hours before Dan's boat left Deep River.--see photo)

I chatted briefly with Dan from our boat on the way up, and a few more CPPL members boarded our boat at the Haddam Bridge and they "serenaded" Dan back to Deep River as he gave his speech on board, with those ever popular tunes: "DO Your Job"; "Give It Back", and that all time favorite: "Read The Deed". Oh---I did hear a few strains of a tune gaining more and more play timelately: "We are the 99% and we want our land back". (see photos elsewhere on Patch, and more on the landswap.org)

I was told he mentioned his "cheering section" during his talk. 

I understand that the riverboat's cap'n, who clearly was a real pro and diligent, was a little concerned, although we kept a very good distance and signaled all our navigational intentions, until he was told there was a "river rat" running our boat. 

What a blast, I must tell you. "Come into our web, said the spider to the fly". 

I also have enjoyed the press’s travels (and travails?) into Dan Esty (and Mrs. Esty) Land. By the way, some people (I hear--hmmm) call him "The Smile", "Trav Esty", and "Mr. KiloBucks". 

For a few more thoughts on Mrs. Esty's campaign largess bestowed from those connected with Dan-o, see the attached word document. There are many environmental and energy related firms and companies listed and who do you suppose they are trying to court? I only ran down a few of the names, as it takes too much time, but found a few connections you may find interesting. I bet there are more on that list. 

I know Missy Schlag contacted quite a few people, but this was an eight hour turn around; sorry if you couldn’t come on this short notice; but don’t miss the NEXT ONE! You really should come--we always put on a great show--even when we only have less than a day to organize the event. It was also simply a blast--Dan trapped for 3 hours on a river boat, and, the Friends of the Connecticut State Parks on board, whose leader, Eileen Grant, had sent a letter to the legislature giving the land swap a big stink bomb rating. Who could have not "attended" that?

I wonder if Esty gave any thoughts to jumping overboard and swimming to shore? 

Meanwhile the Haddam P&Z isn't even trying to pretend they will listen to any resident as they rush to pass zoning regulations on October 17^th that will assist their approval-later--of the Riverhouse's project on their (soon to be) swap property. Their just released agenda for their "Public Hearing" (emphasis on first word—forget about the second)—which they are shoe horning the same night between a regular meeting, first, then right after the “hearing” that night they will quickly open a special meeting to vote on the new improved “Riverhouse” regulations.  So much for the great safety net of the local zoning board that Eileen Daily, the Governor, and Esty himself assured all citizens would be their voice in the planned demise of their public property--and that gave those jokers such a great excuse for ignoring the many thunderous voices themselves. 

The CPPL haven't given up--have some things planned--and more and more people are signing up, signing petitions, attending events, and giving money at www.Landswap.org and our meetings. 

Make sure you will be at the Zoning “hearing” on October 17^th— and be sure to submit written and oral testimony---at least tell the members what you think of DeStefano and all the Riverhouse cheerleader’s plans for your property. And…come join us at the Farmer’s Market on October 14^th at the Town Green—at 5pm—what a thrill!!!—it’s Candidate’s Day—you can’t miss that….can you? 

Hey everyone, why not “Give Land a Chance”, to mis-quote John Lennon.