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The Blue Wave Surges in Bethel

Bethel CT Today Returns!

Please enjoy the first installment of the Bethel Democratic Town Committee’s new web-based show intended to inform and educate viewers about the various goings on about town.

In this episode, First Selectman Matthew Knickerbocker sits with host Janice Stevenson to share some valuable information about his and Rich Straiton’s announcement of their intention to run for re-election this fall, plus updates on projects around town, recent events, and more.

Bethel Democrats March in Bethel’s First LGBTQ Pride Parade

First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker with event organizers Hailey Gesler and Marcella Antunes

By: Matt Dalen-

The weather was gorgeous last weekend as Bethel Democrats joined hundreds of residents and visitors on Sunday for the town’s first Pride parade, organized by a pair of local 12-year-olds, Hailey Gesler and her friend Marcella Antunes. The two middle schoolers decided to organize the parade after doing a project on LGBTQ rights for English class.

The parade marched from PT Barnum Square and ended at the municipal center, led by a pickup truck adorned with a rainbow of handmade flowers. The Bethel Democrats marched not far behind the lead float.

A good time was had by all on the lawn of the municipal center with music, food, and vendors selling an assortment of goods and services. Artisans displayed their jewelry; photographers took commemorative pictures of attendees; a number of organizations had informational booths; and singer-songwriter Wrabel performed live.

BDTC Vice Chair Raghib Allie-Brennan with organizers

After giving people time to visit, Hailey’s mother Alexis, led off the speakers by welcoming everyone to the event. She was later joined at the podium by keynote speaker Chris Avery Bennet, an LGBTQ activist from Newtown who started the blog “Make a Difference” in high school, as well as Pastor Rachel Fay Beam of the First Congregational Church of Bethel, Katelyn Owens of the Triangle Community Center, and the Bethel Democratic Town Committee’s  Vice Chairman, Raghib Allie-Brennan.

“Today we are all part of a legacy that is changing not only our community, but the world for the better,” Allie-Brennan said.

The event’s website is at https://www.facebook.com/events/592225097650047

My First Bethel DTC Annual Dinner

By: Rick Magee- 

The Bethel Democratic Town Committee Annual Dinner took place on Saturday, April 8, at Michael’s at the Grove, and this year’s event was to honor Mary Gert McCollam. Mary Gert, a legendary figure in Bethel Democratic politics, was to receive the Bill and Jane Shannon Community Service Award.

We had never attended an event like this before, so my wife and I were a little nervous. Would we be instantly recognized as newcomers or outsiders? Would we be relegated to the unpopular table where we would be pelted with wadded up napkins and uneaten food?

Our fears were immediately assuaged when we pulled into the parking lot and saw a smiling Raghib. My wife and I greeted him and went inside, where more familiar faces welcomed us warmly. We saw First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker posing for photos next to Representative Elizabeth Esty. Matt gave us a friendly nod before turning back to the camera, and any remaining anxiety faded away.

Inside the spacious room, knots of people gathered and flowed, many of them familiar from town meetings or Bethel businesses. In one group, State Representative William Tong from Connecticut’s 147^th district stood out as a recognizable face, while in another, we spotted State Representative David Arconti from the 109^th. We made our way through the room, stopping to talk with several groups before picking up glasses of wine.

Shortly after this, Senator Richard Blumenthal arrived. As he shook our hands, he recognized us from a rally in Westport a few weeks ago. Later, we spoke to Representative Esty, and I mentioned some work of her that I admired, a bill aimed to help veterans with PTSD, and I mentioned a friend involved in that effort. She and her very capable staffer, Sherri Vogt, responded with enthusiasm, and I later learned that Sherri had contacted my friend to tell him that I had expressed my support for the bills. We worked our way back to our table, where we had a chance to talk to both state representatives.

Soon the dignitaries began to speak about Mary Gert’s contributions to her home town, and expressed their admiration for her commitment to Bethel with great warmth. Others took the microphone, and the message from each was the same: we are a community, and we make each other stronger. Only by working together can we accomplish anything, and Mary Gert stands as the embodiment of the local action ethos.

As we left at the end of the evening, my wife and I were impressed by the overall tone of the event. The politicians were sincere and warm, showing obvious interest in their constituents. The members of the public were neighborly and welcoming, enthusiastic about their community. Gatherings like this are crucial in a time when many of us are feeling distraught at the direction our country has moved in the last few months. Despite the chaos and fear in Washington, DC, we can come together as friends and neighbors and work together to improve our world, beginning with our own town.

Public Site & Building Commission: Police Station Project Moving Forward

Efforts to build the new police station continue to move forward as the Request For Proposal (RFP) solicitation phase will culminate with all bids due on Tuesday, March 8 at 2 p.m. The PS&BC will then gather all of the submitted project architect bids and construction manager bids, and review and evaluate proposals from each firm before working with the Police Commission, Board of Finance, and Board of Selectmen to establish a timeline for the project from that point. One the respective firms are chosen, the design phase will begin with renderings being submitted for feedback and approval.

The town-supported budget for the project is $13.5MM, which was approved by voters in December, 2015. The goal is to break ground no later than the spring of 2017. For more information on the project, continue to check Bethel’s town website, and the Bethel Democrats’ website for periodic updates moving forward.

Public Site & Building: Update on the Bethel Police Station Project

The Police Commission held a brief Informational Session at the end of July to outline nearly 900,000 dollars worth of cuts, efforts to move this project toward a second referendum remain ongoing. The Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance have yet to settle on a budgetary number after having been presented three specific and distinct options by the Public Site & Building Commission, per the directive of the Board of Selectmen.

Once it is discussed, and the two boards agree to a specific maximum number, the next steps include another informational meeting or public hearing, a town meeting to request a referendum date, and then, finally, the referendum itself. It remains to be seen if there is enough time to put the vote up this November, but all of the associated boards – elected and appointed – are working hard to make sure what is put forth to the taxpayers is a responsible proposal that satisfies the Police Department’s needs while keeping costs in line.