"In a sense, I
have been running unsuccessfully for the Presidency for a quarter of a
century—first almost as a national joke; then as a visionary from my
secure senate seat, accumulating weight and solidity; now, finally, as a
remote elder statesman whose old prophecies have long come to pass,
whose far-out and impractical proposals are now seen by the millions as
the right roads not taken in the easy clarity of failure's hindsight."
—Norman Spinrad
:: Sierra Maestra :: Star-Spangled Future
(1979)
Issues ::
We need to change Planning & Zoning Commissions and replace them with Environmental Review
Boards, merging zoning and conservation, so the map is no longer the territory and all future
construction decisions can be made on a case by case basis after board
inspection of the physical property, not some arbitrary lengthy and
costly legal process inside Town Halls.
This means pushing to pass, as they already have in many other communities
around the country, town or district wide ordinances making it mandatory
for any new construction, either private or municipal, to abide by the
Green Building Council's
LEED Principles.
Another P&Z issue that is driving all honest food business owners crazy,
is not being able to put as many tables and chairs outside their delis,
coffeeshops, restaurants, as they see fit! We need to Europeanize the
overseeing process into new urbanism development, reviving town centers, creating
pedestrian malls.
I'd push for free parking and charging of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles at all railroad stations. I'd start a
hitch hiking
club where both riders and drivers would be required to have
a photo ID issued by their
local Police department.
I'd push "again" (after the town of Weston turned it down 20 years ago)
for a Combo Beach Shuttle between Weston Center and Compo Beach so kids
can go to the beach during the summer months without having to get an
adult to drive them back and forth. Traffic at Compo is already
ridiculous... one car for each kid just makes it worse. A bus from
Weston Center, or even Bethel-Weston-Compo would reduce traffic to and
from Compo Beach tremendously, but the bus has to be fun... like an old
painted bio-diesel school bus open with an awning and bright colors!
I'd ask for a one month moratorium on ALL planned and current school
construction in the district to immediately incorporate renewable clean
energy sources. I'd push for an end to the one home on 2 acre zoning
rule in cases where it can be demonstrated that responsible cluster
housing can have less environmental impact on ground water and the land,
creating more open space and wildlife areas.
I'd have both Police departments and Fire & Emergency services host
public days every three months where members of the community can visit
these facilities to get a sense of who these people are and what their
job is, so they don't function in isolation of public concerns about the
Patriot Act and FEMA powers.
I'd make it illegal for cell phone towers to be erected within a 1 mile
radius of elementary and junior high schools, in effect tearing down the
tower in Weston and in New Canaan, moving them elsewhere! People need to
realize that in Europe this is LAW and for good reason, we
are putting their kids at great risk! The last thing we need is more brain
damaged Young Republicans!!!
I support the grandfather clause, so residents over 65 who own their
homes would no longer have to pay taxes on them! I also oppose death and
estate taxes for inherited assets of under $5 million dollars. That's
the only way to keep a sense of community. Otherwise all our older
citizens who can't pay their land taxes get carted off to retirement
homes. I feel if someone worked all their life to build a small business
or purchase a house, that their kids are entitled to it in its integrity
so they can follow in their parents footsteps and carry on the old
homestead. On the other hand I think income should be taxed on a rising
scale, the more you make, the more you should pay, not the other way
around.
I'd ban leaf blowers unless and until the
Outdoor Power Equipment Aftermarket Association can impose on manufacturers to make these devices quiet, and
pollution free. Basically allowing their use on a case by case basis,
after modifications for noise and air pollution have been made. It just
means putting on a muffler! We banned leaf burning to clean the air,
eradicating centuries old tradition of the sweet smell of burning leaves
in autumn, only to replace it with the whinny noise and the foul stench
of 2 cycle engines! Many other communities have banned leaf blowers.
Contact me with your ideas:
Remy Chevalier
remyc @
prodigy.net
25 Newtown Turnpike, Weston CT
06883
203-227-2065
Join our
open forum to discuss the issues.
Link to the CGP with
great animated
logos from Bob Eaton.
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