Most of the information that citizens use concerning Greenwich, Connecticut policy and politics comes from the local media outlets. This forum endeavours to provide a more complete set of viewpoints on current issues in town. The authors are local residents who hope to provide insight into how decisions made in the town will affect all of its citizens. Others are welcome to comment. The only rules are no personal attacks on anyone and back up your opinion with verifiable facts.

Friday, February 9, 2007

Transparency in Government & The Downtown Master Plan

According to the Greenwich Time (2/9/2007):

http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/local/scn-gt-a1budget2.9feb09,0,6853801.story?coll=green-news-local-headlines

"Another group with a stake in the school board's decision to relocate is the Greenwich Center for the Arts.

In an unprecedented move, the nonprofit arts group was allowed to present its plan to lease and renovate the historic Havemeyer Building as a downtown arts center to the budget committee.

Backed by First Selectman Jim Lash in its initiative, the group said it will pay for the $22 million renovation and upkeep of the building if the town agrees to lease the facility at a nominal fee."

Here is a prime example of bad government. Mr. Lash's Downtown Master Plan is not public .... there is no document detailing what is included available to anyone, including the RTM or the public. This plan is entered in the capital budget for $350,000 this year, with another $7 million over the next few years. How is the public and the RTM supposed to judge this appropriation without having any information on what is proposed?

In addition, the BET Budget Committee allowed the Greenwich Center for the Arts to make a presentation in a public meeting (not at the Public Hearing on February 5th). This is unprecedented, as stated above, and again excludes the public and RTM from commenting on the proposal or even ask questions. Many have questions about how this $15,700,000 Town owned asset will be utilized to the benefit of the citizens. When the Greenwich Center for the Arts board members were asked about the use of the facility, they said that 70% of the space and time in their new arts center would be utilized by organizations outside the local community.

Without a copy of the "Master Plan" and the details of the Arts Center proposal available, do we want to commit almost $8 million dollars for the plan, and give away a $15 million Town asset that will only be available to local arts organizations 30% of the time?