Citizens for Eaton, the Easton-based community action group involved in preservation of the town’s natural and agricultural resources, will sponsor a debate between candidates for Selectmen and Board of Finance on Tuesday, October 30 at 7:30.
The debate - the last in a series between the town's political candidates before election - will be held at the Media Center at Helen Keller Middle School in Easton, on Sport Hill Road.
Those participating are Tom Herrmann and Scott Centrella on the Republican ticket; Elaine Spicer and Robert Lessler on the Democratic ticket; and Lee Hanson and Peter Graupner, who are running as independents. In addition, Board of Finance candidates in attendance will include Andrew Kaechele, Salvatore Tartaglione, Claire Gold and Wiley Mullins.
CFE, one of Easton's leading civic organizations, has sponsored political debates in town for over thirty years, and while CFE does not endorse candidates, we attempt to focus these events on topics relating to open space, historic preservation, agriculture, and our town's zoning practices. As such, the CFE debates often revolve around pivotal issues relating to the election, and this year, areas of focus will include commercial development, defining and preserving Easton's character, allocation of town funds, and whether Easton's long-standing efforts to preserve its rural character remain consistent with our town's financial goals.
Media coverage is invited, and for additional information, please contact, Verne Gay, president, Citizens for Easton, at 261-1288, or Vernegay@aol.com
Monday, October 22, 2007
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Bill Kupinse: Signing Off
We at CFE have been proud to call Bill Kupinse a friend and colleague for much of our history. He was instrumental in the success of CFE, while his dedication to our town and our mission is without parallel. This question-and-answer piece appeared in the Connecticut Post last weekend. You will note - as we did - that Bill is characteristically modest. The simple fact is that Easton owes Bill Kupinse an enormous debt of gratitude.
Winding Down 10 Years in Office
TONY SPINELLI
Article Last Updated: 10/07/2007 11:49:21 PM EDT
After a decade, William Kupinse is packing it in as the top elected official in Easton, saying he feels it's time for someone else to manage this small town with a big sense of community.
"Ten years is enough," Kupinse said earlier this year when announcing his decision to step down after serving five two-year terms as first selectman.
The 68-year-old Republican was born in New Haven and practices law at the Bridgeport firm, Goldstein and Peck.
He is a 1961 Dartmouth College graduate and also attended Cornell University Law School. He has been a member of the Connecticut Bar since 1964.
His hobbies include gardening, growing tomatoes and basil. He and his wife, Pat, are the parents of three grown children and one granddaughter.
Kupinse has called the town of nearly 8,000 residents, who are vigilant to any threats to its largely rural character, the jewel of Fairfield County. He elaborated on that in a recent interview.
Q: You have called Easton the jewel of Fairfield County. What exactly do you mean by that?
A: "Easton is an unusual town in Fairfield County, in that it doesn't have any real commercial activity. It has a lot of open space that used to be property of the Aquarion Water Co. About 45 percent of Easton will remain open space forever. In my opinion that makes it a jewel."
Q: What are your best memories of serving the town?
A: "I think probably, when I first got in, we worked very hard to make sure the state did buy the Aquarion property when control was sold to an English company. We were very concerned the English company might sell off the land and develop it, so we had many meetings with state officials and were successful in having the state approve the purchase.
"So a significant amount of land, called the Centennial Forest, will be preserved forever. I think I left the town pretty much as it was delivered to me. It continues to remain a jewel. There were attempts to change the character and we've been successful."
Q: What did you like least about being the chief elected official?
A: "I'm not a very negative person and I can't say there was anything I didn't like. I do like the variety. You walk in your office and never know exactly what you're going to be doing. I enjoyed serving the people of the town of Easton.
"If there's anything I enjoyed the least, I would say going through the budget seasons was pretty intense."
Q: What advice would you give to the person who replaces you?
A: "I would suggest that the person remember they indeed are a servant of the people of the town. That person should really listen to what the townspeople have to say and do their best to satisfy the people."
Q: What do you think Easton will be like in 10 years?
A: "I hope it will be about the same as it is now in 10 years. There are continuing attempts to change the character in one way or another, but because a lot of the land is already preserved, I don't think there will be significant change. There are a couple of big farms we'll have to deal with when they come on the market."
Q: Is the town any different today than when you came to the helm? How?
A: "The town itself is not, but the office of first selectman has changed. It was a more relaxed office, and many of the state requirements and items we have to watch out for really weren't in play. The paperwork has become more intense."
Q: What is the town's most under-rated asset?
A: "Its people, probably. We have a wonderful group of citizens. Without volunteers, we wouldn't be able to do the things we do in town."
Q: In your travels, do you find Easton compares favorably with towns in northern New England like Vermont?
A: "Comparable towns to Easton really don't exist in Vermont. They're more city type towns like Burlington or really small towns. I don't think you have a rural atmosphere town surrounded by a lot of Fairfield County-type business, commercial and industrial development. You don't have that."
Q: How big can the town grow, residentially speaking, in the next 10 years?
A: "I think there are 1,100 acres left undeveloped, and most of that is in three-acre zones. So it's probably 300 more houses if everything were developed."
Q: Will there always be a farming element?
A: "I hope so. I know that Silverman's plans on going as long as he can, Snow's son is taking over the operation, and Edwards is being taken over by children, so I think, yes, we'll still have a farming presence for a long time."
Print Email Return to Top
Tell us your breaking news! or call us at 1-800-423-8058
Winding Down 10 Years in Office
TONY SPINELLI
Article Last Updated: 10/07/2007 11:49:21 PM EDT
After a decade, William Kupinse is packing it in as the top elected official in Easton, saying he feels it's time for someone else to manage this small town with a big sense of community.
"Ten years is enough," Kupinse said earlier this year when announcing his decision to step down after serving five two-year terms as first selectman.
The 68-year-old Republican was born in New Haven and practices law at the Bridgeport firm, Goldstein and Peck.
He is a 1961 Dartmouth College graduate and also attended Cornell University Law School. He has been a member of the Connecticut Bar since 1964.
His hobbies include gardening, growing tomatoes and basil. He and his wife, Pat, are the parents of three grown children and one granddaughter.
Kupinse has called the town of nearly 8,000 residents, who are vigilant to any threats to its largely rural character, the jewel of Fairfield County. He elaborated on that in a recent interview.
Q: You have called Easton the jewel of Fairfield County. What exactly do you mean by that?
A: "Easton is an unusual town in Fairfield County, in that it doesn't have any real commercial activity. It has a lot of open space that used to be property of the Aquarion Water Co. About 45 percent of Easton will remain open space forever. In my opinion that makes it a jewel."
Q: What are your best memories of serving the town?
A: "I think probably, when I first got in, we worked very hard to make sure the state did buy the Aquarion property when control was sold to an English company. We were very concerned the English company might sell off the land and develop it, so we had many meetings with state officials and were successful in having the state approve the purchase.
"So a significant amount of land, called the Centennial Forest, will be preserved forever. I think I left the town pretty much as it was delivered to me. It continues to remain a jewel. There were attempts to change the character and we've been successful."
Q: What did you like least about being the chief elected official?
A: "I'm not a very negative person and I can't say there was anything I didn't like. I do like the variety. You walk in your office and never know exactly what you're going to be doing. I enjoyed serving the people of the town of Easton.
"If there's anything I enjoyed the least, I would say going through the budget seasons was pretty intense."
Q: What advice would you give to the person who replaces you?
A: "I would suggest that the person remember they indeed are a servant of the people of the town. That person should really listen to what the townspeople have to say and do their best to satisfy the people."
Q: What do you think Easton will be like in 10 years?
A: "I hope it will be about the same as it is now in 10 years. There are continuing attempts to change the character in one way or another, but because a lot of the land is already preserved, I don't think there will be significant change. There are a couple of big farms we'll have to deal with when they come on the market."
Q: Is the town any different today than when you came to the helm? How?
A: "The town itself is not, but the office of first selectman has changed. It was a more relaxed office, and many of the state requirements and items we have to watch out for really weren't in play. The paperwork has become more intense."
Q: What is the town's most under-rated asset?
A: "Its people, probably. We have a wonderful group of citizens. Without volunteers, we wouldn't be able to do the things we do in town."
Q: In your travels, do you find Easton compares favorably with towns in northern New England like Vermont?
A: "Comparable towns to Easton really don't exist in Vermont. They're more city type towns like Burlington or really small towns. I don't think you have a rural atmosphere town surrounded by a lot of Fairfield County-type business, commercial and industrial development. You don't have that."
Q: How big can the town grow, residentially speaking, in the next 10 years?
A: "I think there are 1,100 acres left undeveloped, and most of that is in three-acre zones. So it's probably 300 more houses if everything were developed."
Q: Will there always be a farming element?
A: "I hope so. I know that Silverman's plans on going as long as he can, Snow's son is taking over the operation, and Edwards is being taken over by children, so I think, yes, we'll still have a farming presence for a long time."
Print Email Return to Top
Tell us your breaking news! or call us at 1-800-423-8058
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
