Well apparently W/S Development has submitted “plans” for a hotel to be built next to the 162 unit condominium complex at the Interchange zone near I-691. These two “proposed” buildings would be located off Dickerman Road. If any of you know the area, there is already an adult condominium housing development which is still being built right across the town line in Southington.

Oh this ought to be good. The hotel and conference center right next to the 162 unit two bedroom condo complex (on the Cheshire side) that won’t have “a significant” impact on our school system. And then all these other plans: “the amphitheater” and making the Farmington Canal Arch “a place of interest” where people can go to relive the past. Come on.

I personally have nothing against W/S Development or anyone for that matter. I mean W/S Development is in the business of developing. But, my question is why wasn’t any of this discussed at the July 9th Plan and Zoning Meeting. I can’t believe none of these people knew about these (I will call them “ideas.”) And it almost seems insulting to have another “Public Hearing.” I don’t think they heard the people the first or the second time for that matter. Many people came out and expressed concerns about the impact this condo complex would have on the school system. Some supporters of the plan indicated that two bedrooms could not accommodate a large family. Have some of the people who run this town ever heard of BUNK BEDS? And then all of this will be connected to the Lifestyle Center by these walking bridges. It seems they will be squeezing a lot of things onto this 100 acres.

Think about it: you need room for the Farmington Canal Arch, the actual Lifestyle Shopping Center, the hotel AND the Condominiums. Many people are asking if the condos will be townhouses or just a high rise building. I guess they could be townhouses if they were built on 1/4 acre lots.

And, what about the other “300 acres.” Think about that–take a minute. My message to the people who showed up for the first two public hearings and expressed legitimate concerns over traffic congestion and speeding: pack your bags and move to New Hampshire!! No, seriously–you have to KEEP SHOWING UP to these meetings. Not once, not twice, ALL THE TIME during this application process. Whether it is a public hearing or not–you must show up. On July 9th, when the P and Z made their decision, very few members of the public were there. I know many of you don’t think so, but that makes an impact. If they saw 200 faces all the time, there might have been a different outcome. “Oh, it doesn’t really matter–I don’t have time–blah blah blah. Then don’t complain about what is to come.

I was going down Rt. 10 the other day near the Town Hall–I never realized how nice the Town Hall really is–I never go there-so I took a few minutes to admire the building. I think one of these days I will actually get the courage to go inside and meet some of the people who run our town. This will take a lot of courage for me, because I still am shy about meeting people. But, I am taking another assertiveness training class in September which should solve my shyness problem.

Speaking of problems, on my way down Rt. 10 I noticed a “For Lease” sign near the Downey’s Restaurant. Well, there is another business that is biting the dust. Let’s do a recap over the past several years: CLOSED–Burger King; KEN-TACO-HUT; Frankies: Seafarer Restaurant; Callahans: Club Farenheit (now occupied by Cugino’s Restaurant); Le Femme clothing store near the Town Hall; Cheshire Vacuum; that Middle-Eastern Restaurant that is now the Sushi Place; Peters II Restaurant; Lums; Cheshire Gourmet Chinese Restaurant;  Cheshire Waterbeds;  The Bakery in that Blue House near the old Stop and Shop; The ice cream place that is now Vespucci’s Italian Restaurant; Damons Restaurant, Friendlys, Wendys.  There were several business in the Watch Factory shoppes  and a small children’s clothing store in the Everybody’s Plaza that opened for several months in the late 80’s. also. Need I go on. Remember, one of the FEATURES of the Lifestyle Center will be–the restaurants!

Are you taking note W/S Development? You would think that a town that has at LEAST 60,000 cars passing through it each day would not have this problem. Is it the economy or something else? Think about it. Especially our Town Government Officials. Think long and hard and you will come up with the answer. For those of you who don’t know what I am talking about–you will soon. They are addicted to this behavior and they keep bragging about it! Yep, that attitude has had a real positive impact on this town as you can see from above.  Keep up the good work!!

IN OTHER NEWS: I may be making an appearance at one party’s caucus  this Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. I will let you know how I made out. I did meet with someone in Town Government this weekend to discuss the possibility of me running for Town Council. I don’t think this is going to work out. Too many people in town government don’t like me–I don’t know why –I am so shy and soft spoken. I think I might have the same chance as David Duke at an NAACP Convention. We will just have to wait and see. Please people don’t be too hard on me on you know who’s webblog!! (Who is David Duke, you ask? Look it up).