Thomaston First Selectman requests Greenway Funding

THOMASTON FIRST SELECTMAN ED MONE WANTS TO TAKE AWAY YOUR RIGHT TO RIDE THOMASTON DAM.

Ed Mone has requested support for the greenway from Senator Blumenthal’s office. In his request he asks the senator to provide funding for the greenway and to force the Army Corps to “take all actions necessary” to put the greenway through the riding area. This is NOT the fault of the Army Corps… do not blame them. This is all on the shoulders of Thomaston First Selectman Ed Mone.

Here’s a copy of Selectman Mone’s letter to Senator Blumenthal.

Concerned riders are encouraged to:

1. Contact Senator Blumenthal’s office and encourage him to deny Mone’s request.
   You can write to the Senator Blumnethal using his website.
   
2. Contact the First Selectman’s office in Thomaston and voice your opinion (don’t be vulgar or inappropriate). This is especially important if you reside in Thomaston!
   You can contact The First Selectman using the Thomaston website.

Below are sample letters you can use:

Letter 1: This letter will have more impact if you type your own feelings.

Senator Blumenthal,

My name is _____ and I reside in ______. I’m writing to ask you to strongly oppose the recent request that your office received from the First Selectman of Thomaston, Connecticut, Edward Mone. Selectman Mone’s request would erase the ability of tens of thousands of annual visitors to enjoy recreation at the Thomaston Dam facility operated by the Army Corps of Engineers.

While the State of Connecticut has nearly one hundred locations where residents can enjoy hiking, walking, and bicycling on public land, there is only ONE location where motorized off-road recreation is allowed; Thomaston Dam. Mr. Mone’s request that you fund a greenway at this site, would put an end to the ability to enjoy this precious resource for the motorized recreation community. Removing this last legal resource would surely drive otherwise-law-abiding residents to seek recreation elsewhere. Mr. Mone is in possession of a report by NVCOG that shows there are other routes that the greenway could take that would not disrupt this singular and unique recreation opportunity.

Please deny Mr. Mone’s request from the Town of Thomaston.

Respectfully,

Letter 2: Only for residents of Thomaston

Messrs. Mone, Perreault, and Dunn.

I was angered and dismayed to learn that Mr. Mone’s has requested funding from the office of Senator Blumenthal. As a resident of Thomaston for ___ years and an active member of the motorized off-road recreation community, I’m offended that Mr. Mone would propose actions that would so greatly and negatively impact my ability to enjoy Thomaston Dam’s recreation area. As Mr. Mone and the Selectmen are well aware, Thomaston Dam is the only legal location in the state of Connecticut at which dirt bikes are legal to ride. Mr. Mone is also very aware that the flawed report prepared by NVCOG does not bear the endorsement of NETRA or any of the riders who attended multiple public comment sessions that took place before the report was finished.

I live in Thomaston and I vote. I will be communicating my displeasure with the direction that the Selectmen have taken on this issue with my friends and neighbors.

I hope that you will do the right thing and inform Senator Blumenthal’s office that you are rescinding your request.

Respectfully,
(Name)
(Thomaston address)