Send us a text Moderated by Senator Tony Hwang, Ranking Member in the Connecticut State Legislature of the Planning & Development Committee and featuring: -Tom O'Dea, State Representative New Canaan and Wilton -Kevin Moynihan, New Canaan First Selectman -John Goodwin, New Canaan P&Z Chairman -Scott Hobbs, New Canaan Housing Authority Chairman -Francis Pickering, Executive Director Western Council of Governments (WestCOG) -Laszlo Papp, former New Canaan P&Z Chairman Sponsored by CT169Strong.org This is Laszlo Papp's letter because it summarizes his views and the views of many of the panelists in last night's panel discussion. To the Editor: "Arriving in Connecticut 64 years ago, the first thing I learned was that it was a “home rule state” where every community regulated itself for the benefit of its citizens. Soon after, I was appointed to the New Canaan Planning and Zoning Commission. I had to face lawyers during depositions. We were sued by a “do-good institution,” but the judge approved the Planning and Zoning ruling as this happened each time we were challenged. Now, many proposals go far beyond what would be considered a Planning and Zoning issue. This is because some people don’t know the difference between social concern and social engineering Social concern is when the community reviews its regulations on behalf of its citizens, assuring that health, safety, and property are protected without favoritism or discrimination. Social engineering is when rules and regulations are forced from the outside. Those who have lived under socialist regime know well what social engineering means, (and that is) disaster for individuals and communities. Our representatives in Hartford need to remember how important it is for the community to make decisions for itself. Our Planning and Zoning Commission did this with consideration for affordable housing, transit-oriented development, and most of the other issues people talk about. We need to help and support Chairman John Goodwin in his efforts to create model regulations for the entire state that takes into consideration each community’s historic character." Sincerely, Laszlo Papp (former Chairman of the New Canaan Planning & Zoning Commission in New Canaan for over 20 years) See also: https://ctmirror.org/category/ct-viewpoints/a-plea-for-a-hold-on-zoning-reform/?fbclid=IwAR0IEcbr34X4MJYIekL9rYy2PeMwwpv-aUoZb6O-M191HwHrhAelMBK6sGQ

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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