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Politics Driving the Bus

I have read, with interest, your coverage of the Branford Costco application and the dismantling of the Branford Inland Wetlands Commission. As a resident of North Branford, I know that our Town Council has in the last 20 years twice removed the most qualified member of our Inland Wetlands Commission, precisely because her training as a wetlands scientist would have caused her to oppose a project unsuitable to the location.

I have long envied Branford’s commitment to the environment and the care the commission took to address difficult issues and resolve problems. I realize commission members are volunteers serving town and community, but too often, elected officials manipulate the membership of independent commissions who will support their vision for the town. I am very disappointed to see Branford’s top-shelf commission replaced by people who have neither training nor experience. I have direct knowledge of the quality expertise that Richard Orson brought to his profession and would have thought that Branford would be thrilled to have so qualified an individual willing to serve.

From the outside looking in, it appears that politics is driving the bus and that cronyism may have replaced good governance.

Susan DeSilver

Northford