Torrington — Don't Give Up on Courthouse

I do not think we should be deterred in our pursuit of the new courthouse for Torrington. A recent interview of State Senator Andrew Roraback might make one think it's curtains for the courthouse in Torrington! I encourage you all to continue to speak out in favor of Torrington as the only legal and logical site. I invite you all to attend a press conference that will be held on the steps of City Hall on Friday, October 26 at high noon! We are inviting all of our elected officials to attend also.

At a meeting on Thursday evening, October 18, the Courthouse for Torrington Coalition decided they should urge all landowners with property suitable for the courthouse to contact: State of Connecticut, Dept. of Public Works, State Office Building, 165 Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT 06106; Attn.: Bidding and Contracts Section. You could call this office, or contact the State's website. Of course, there is not an official posting for this at the current time, but it's important to educate these people to the potential sites. Don't be shy.

The time is right for property owners because of the recent developments regarding the Anderson site in rural Litchfield. State Senator Andrew Roraback and State Representative Craig Minor have suggested to the Dept. of Public Works Chairman, Ted Anson, that it would be prudent to abandon the Anderson site. I won't repeat the many reasons that this site was in violation of all the guidelines from the Office of Policy and Management's Conservation and Development Plan. You've read this well researched documentation before (and if you haven't, there are fact sheets available!).Since Senator Roraback is "promising" that the courthouse will be built in Litchfield, make yourself aware of the requirements via the OPM's C&D Plan.

Torrington is designated a Regional Center and should have a high priority in development. If Torrington doesn't seize the moment (carpe diem!), this badly needed courthouse can be held up even longer.

Don't ask the members of the Coalition what site they think should be chosen. You are as aware as we are as to which "idle" properties are in and around downtown, and each of us would probably favor a different site.