To The Editor:

Sloan Danenhower wants us to see him as a local hero for his strident opposition to the Halls Road Overlay District (HROD) proposal. To be clear – as a member of the public, his opposition was an appropriate part of the public discourse that he had every right to express.

However, as documented in the minutes of the HROD public hearing on January 15th of this year, Mr. Danenhower, while sitting at the Zoning Commission table, stepped away to speak as a member of the public in opposition to the application.

That behavior, at best, demonstrated a lack of understanding of the role of the Zoning Commission, abandonment of his responsibilities as a Zoning Commission member, and disrespect for the fair due process afforded to all applicants. At worst, had this been a private application, it could have subjected the Town to costly litigation.

Mr. Danenhower can’t have it both ways. The Town needs Zoning Commission members who possess the judgment and temperament needed to handle controversial matters appropriately. Michael Fogliano brings those qualities to the Zoning Commission as an alternate. We now have the opportunity to elect him to a full five-year term. 

Sincerely,

Betsy Groth,
Old Lyme.