More Aggressive Leadership Needed

Only now, after more than fifteen years, is the State of Connecticut taking action to alleviate the water contamination problem from the polluted Mitral site by providing city water from Torrington to the affected residents, and conducting site cleanup trials and monitoring of the polluted area. Where have Harwinton's leaders and administrators been? Who has advocated for Harwinton? First Selectwoman Marie Knudsen has held office for ten of those years. The quiet on this issue over the past decade has been deafening!

The 2001 Harwinton Democratic candidates are firmly behind a pipeline to provide clean water for those who need it in Harwinton. We will advocate vociferously and ensure that the "ball does not drop" short of complete remediation of the pollution that sits beneath our community.

But trials are not cleanup or remediation of the problem. They are only attempts to test if certain methods work. Are the people of Harwinton aware that the current plan will take 30 years or more to clean up the site? Is Knudsen asking the State why it is not using cheaper, more efficient, and less polluting methods of cleanup? We are told the State is in charge and we have no say. But if the people of Harwinton have strong leadership that advocates vociferously on our behalf, the State will have to respond. A pipeline has been a necessity for some time. Cleanup is a necessity, too. Will Knudsen advocate for us or will she again be silent?

The Democratic team supports the Democratic Town Committee's platform: (1) provide a twelve-inch water pipe for the people in Harwinton and Burlington who have polluted water from the Mitral site and from other sites in Harwinton, and for the needs of the school district, Senior Housing, Town Hall, the churches, and fire fighting; (2) pressure the state for remediation of the Mitral site; (3) locate and purchase or rent athletic fields for our community's children; and (4) maintain open spaces in the town. Harwinton's officials must have the will, knowledge, and voice to address these and other major issues.

It's time to elect a more aggressive team to run Harwinton—the Democratic team!