Reprinted from The Trumbull Times © Copyright 2009
August 6, 2009

To the Editor:

I've read the Trumbull Times article on Ray Baldwin's nomination. I also viewed the new and improved website. Impressive.

One of the first things I noticed on the site is a photo of Mr. Baldwin in front of Frenchtown, the newest, most appealing looking school. Why not one of the other schools neglected for the last eight years?

"Trumbull, First Selectman Raymond G. Baldwin said he is more connected than ever with the struggles of the town's young families and senior citizens."

Really? The economy didn't tank just this month. Yet in the last year, a non election year, Mr. Baldwin recommended an 11% tax increase. Did he just have an epiphany or did he just pick up a newspaper for the first time in two years? When did you become in touch, exactly? I missed it.

"This year, with a full-time economic development director on board, our Grand List grew 1.6%, which translated into a tax increase of less than 1%.

No offense to Deborah Cox, but which one of those projects was she directly responsible for?

He neglected to note that in the past 10 years, Timothy Herbst served on the Planning and Zoning board, an "uncooperative board" according to Mr. Baldwin, the commercial Grand List doubled, the town received a moratorium on affordable housing legislation and updated the Master Plan of Conservation and Development.

The title of Mr. Baldwin's article says "leadership vs. promises." Well Mr. Baldwin, with TIm Herbst we will get both. We won't have to choose.

Cindy Penkoff
Trumbull