Voices Supports Woodbury Democrats

Below is the letter to the Editor I submitted to Voices to print in their Wednesay, Sept.  25th's paper. They placed it on page 26, carried it over to page 28 and renamed it "Will Not Vote For Candidate". Previous letters of support by members of the Woodbury Democrat Town Committee were printed on the first page of their Letters To The Editor and given the Heading "Support For Candidate Overton". So you can see what we are up against even here in Woodbury with the local press and their coverage of positions of Conservative Republicans on their issues and candidates.

I reprint below what was submitted for you review and support.
Thanks,
Art McNally,
aka Joe The Voter Woodbury

Don’t Support Candidate Overton

To the Editor:

In reply to Sharon Sherman’s Voices letter of September 11th. Some reasons for supporting Overton were: “Eight years serving on the Woodbury Zoning Commission (seven as chair). Martin’s expertise, town government experience and commitment to the future of Woodbury…” Look closer, what has occurred while Mr. Overton was chair over the past seven years? Woodbury Lumber relocated to Oxford, Voices and American Flooring relocated to Southbury. WEST Chevrolet denied expansion application, LaBonnes withdrew expansion plan and Dunkin Donuts was denied, as Woodbury developed an anti-business reputation. There’s a fast food Taco Truck business in town with possibilities of more these using the same confusing zoning regulations to gain approval or invite new lawsuits.

Ms. Sherman also stated: “As a selectman, he would ensure transparency and honesty by studying the issues and asking the right questions…” before making decisions. Having attended Zoning Commission meetings since October, 2009, I have observed Mr. Overton bullying and deceiving the public and members of the Commission at meetings. His total lack of commitment to transparency was demonstrated numerous times, including withholding town lawyer’s opinion letter on political signs for over a year from commission members and public. He released it in Executive Session, and then was forced by other commissioners to release it, when voted on in public hearing. He used his position to limit participation of commissioners expressing opinions he doesn’t want the public to hear. Under the guise “meeting minutes are a summary of what actually happens, public participation statements/document submissions are often left out of minutes.

Due to word limitations, other things Mr. Overton does as Chair can’t be enumerated here. One thing is certain, based upon his conduct on the commission he will not be a selectman, who will “ensure transparency and honesty...”

Please do not vote for Martin Overton on November 5th.

Art McNally
56 Orchard Avenue
Woodbury, Ct. 06798
203-263-3528

P. S. Thank you Woodbury-Middlebury Patch for not limiting free speech with the number of words allowed in our communications!!!!!