Letter to the Editor of The Hartford Courant       		July 11, 2005

We are writing to support the candidacy of Austin D. "Dunny" Barney to continue as a Zoning Commissioner in the Town of Simsbury and urge all registered Republicans to participate in the Party’s selection process.

Dunny Barney is arguably the single most qualified land use commissioner in Simsbury and should again be the Republican candidate.  The Republican Nominating Committee thought so!  However, the Republican Town Committee at large, without notice to Mr. Barney, voted to replace his candidacy with another's, thereby overriding the Nominating Committee's recommendation (see The Hartford Courant, Connecticut Section, July 5, “GOP Ouster Highlights Battle Over Town Growth”). That decision can and should be reversed by a broader-based representation at the Republican Caucus on July 21st.

For 30 years, Dunny has been a proven, invaluable mainstay on the Zoning Commission. No wonder.  His experience, education and concern for the future quality of life in Simsbury are exemplary and have earned him the respect of applicants and land use planners alike across the state.  Moreover, he does not have ties to the development community, thereby enabling him to be independent without the potential or even question of conflict of interest.  He understands the role of a Land Use Commissioner in a process that balances the key issues of (1) economic development, (2) community, and (3) the environment.  

He does ask “tough questions,” and that is what good commissioners do to determine the what, where, and why of a project in order to assess its eventual impact on the community. To ascribe “drawbridge mentality” to any commissioner's diligence is a startling misinterpretation of the process and does a disservice to the many volunteers who donate their time and talents for the community’s benefit and not their own personal gain. The reality: Over the past 5 years the Zoning Commission has approved 97% of all applications considered.  The regulations are fully documented and the process is, in fact, well defined, carefully considered, fair and consistent, and supported by the written record at Town Hall.
 
We urge registered Republicans who want Simsbury to continue on its path of balanced growth and development to support Dunny Barney as a Zoning Commissioner.  In our opinion, he is the candidate of choice. How can you help return Austin D. Barney to the Zoning Commission?  We urge you, as we will, to attend the town-wide Republican Caucus scheduled for Thursday, July 21 at 7:30 in the Henry James Junior High School gymnasium . . . and vote your support for this distinguished and eminently qualified candidate. 

Michael J. Bradley		    Emil T. Dahlquist		          John M. Loomis
Chairman			    Chairman			          Chairman
Simsbury Zoning Commission   Simsbury Design Review Board   Simsbury Planning Commission