Yes, Colebrook, there is a choice 

The Nov. 8, Colebrook municipal election will, at last, see a choice for the position of First Selectman—it has been a long time coming. Michael Truss, a committed Colebrook resident, is challenging the incumbent, Tom McKeon, on all fronts. He shows promise of being the leader Colebrook needs.

First, and foremost, Colebrook requires an immediate transformation in town government. Colebrook residents deserve a transparent government; no more behind the scenes, backdoor deals. The town needs to involve residents in decisions, not make them and then hide when things don’t go as planned. Our present town officials have made, and continue to make, costly decisions that have long term effects on Colebrook. Mr. Truss pledges to not let that happen again.

Colebrook has seen an increase in property taxes, with no boost in services. Our roads are deplorable; cracks, holes, and washouts are the norm. Our bridges are in need of repair. The frequently used bridge on Deer Hill Road has been closed more than a month, and the First Selectman is waiting for FEMA to fund the replacement of the bridge. Why can’t Colebrook do what all other towns do and take the money out of the rainy day fund, fix the bridge and then seek reimbursement?

This bridge is not only an inconvenience, but is a safety issue.

There is a hole in Eno Hill Road that is marked by a cone. If you look down this hole you can see right through the top of the pipe carrying water under the road surface. These types of deficiencies are unacceptable and unsafe.

Tax money spent to “repair” roads might as well have been thrown into Sandy Brook…the newly paved roads are already cracked and breaking apart, patched areas are sunk in, if not completely washed away. If the plan was to fix the roads, then fix them, and do it the right way. To reduce costs, Colebrook needs to apply to take advantage of state or federal programs and bid lists.

If you think property taxes are high now, just wait. The industrial wind turbine fiasco set off by the town officials, who initially approved the “temporary” meteorological tower without informing residents of what was to come, will certainly have a negative impact on town property taxes. There is no mention of the industrial turbines in any Selectman meeting minutes. How can that be? The town Selectman didn’t think this project important enough to discuss and share with residents? Or didn’t they want to let us know ahead of their decision?

If Colebrook practiced an open, transparent town government, knowledgeable residents would have voiced concerns and the town would have averted the costly mess ahead.

The current First Selectman, Mr. McKeon, assured us the town would reap huge amounts of property taxes from these monstrosities, only to find out, like all green energy projects, they will be property tax exempt. The town will get no property tax for these projects. Now think about the property values around these turbines which will certainly collapse-would YOU buy a house near them? Realize those declining property values lead to declining tax revenue, revenue that the rest of the town will have to make up. Property taxes in Colebrook will not be going down, they will be going UP! Mr. McKeon has not shared this information with the town, he’s hoping people won’t hear the truth, or better still, they won’t believe it.

What about the “free” electricity? Some of our town elders have been led to believe that their electric bill will be going down once the turbines start generating electricity. There is no free electricity coming to Colebrook. If you don’t believe it, go ahead, ask Mr. McKeon. Ask him to guarantee the property tax revenue and free electricity the turbines will bring to town. You will never see it. The legal costs alone have put an unnecessary burden on the town. Do Colebrook residents know how many thousands of dollars have been spent on legal issues surrounding these turbine projects? Think about how those dollars could have been put to use throughout the town?

I’m mad, mad as hell, about the current state of affairs in this town. Colebrook, it is time to take our town back, time to stand up and say we want change.

Mr. Truss promises be the strong leader Colebrook needs. He promises to run a transparent town government and to get the most from every tax dollar.

Make your voice heard.

Mark your calendar and exercise your right to vote on Nov. 8. Vote for change.

Vote to secure a better future for Colebrook.

Alan White

Colebrook