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Keynote Calls For a More ‘United United States’ During Veterans Day Ceremony at God’s Acre

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When Col. (ret.) Greg Conti was a cadet at West Point, he was told that the sprawling military academy overlooking the Hudson River was “a major tourist attraction,

ranking only after New York City and Niagara Falls, in New York State.”

“Thousands would come out to see the parades, watch football games and tour the grounds,” said Col. Conti, who was the keynote speaker during a well-attended Veterans Day ceremony held Saturday at the Wayside Cross at the bottom of God’s Acre. “Marching in a West Point parade is an interesting experience,” Col. Conti recalled.

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Planning & Zoning Commission Approves Special Permit for Newly Purchased Land Trust Property on Valley Road

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The Planning & Zoning Commission on Tuesday approved a special permit for 1124 Valley Road that will enable the New Canaan Land Trust to establish its headquarters in the circa-1750 farmhouse located on the property, which abuts the Grupes Reservoir. The approval of the special permit follows the Land Trust’s purchase of the antique home from the First Taxing District (FTD) of Norwalk, which acts as a municipal water company. The town contributed $150,000 toward the purchase. In terms of acreage, the Land Trust and FTD are two of the largest land owners in New Canaan. Under the terms of the private land deal, 1.82 acres of the four-acre property will be deeded to the Land Trust by FTD.

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Denning, Healy Spar for Seat in Newly Formed State House District 42 During LWV Candidate’s Debate

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Although candidates for the newly formed 42nd State House district Keith Denning (D) and Kim Healy (R) largely agree on topics including early voting, affordable housing and lowering energy costs, their approaches to tackling these and other complex issues were contrasted during a League of Women Voters Candidates Debate held Oct. 20 at Town Hall. Denning, a Wilton resident, has been a practicing certified registered nurse anesthetist for the past 38 years, while Healy, also a Wilton resident, is a CPA and former auditor with PricewaterhouseCoopers who was elected to the Wilton Board of Selectmen in 2021. The newly formed House District 42 includes Wilton, Ridgefield, and New Canaan. The debate was one of five held during the evening – including three races for the State House and two for State Senate.

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O’Dea Defends House District Seat From Alvarez During LWV Candidate’s Debate

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Affordable housing, rising energy costs, balancing revenues with expenditures and women’s reproductive rights were topics wrangled by state Rep. Tom O’Dea (R-125) and his Democratic challenger Victor Alvarez during a League of Women Voters candidates’ debate on Oct. 20 at Town Hall. The evening featured debates for five races – including three races in the state House of Representative and two races in the State Senate – including the race between Alvarez and O’Dea for House District 125, which includes Darien, New Canaan and Stamford. On the topic of the state’s controversial 8-30g affordable housing statute, both candidates agreed that the law doesn’t achieve its intended goal and needs to be overhauled. “Since 2016, I have been on record about being against over development,” said Alvarez, a New Canaan resident and businessman who has been a member of the town’s board of finance since 2020.

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Dathan, Mastronardi Tackle 8-30g, Early Voting, Women’s Reproductive Rights During LWV Candidates Debate

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State Representative Lucy Dathan (D-142) defended her seat against challenger Don Mastronardi (R) during the League of Women Voters New Canaan Candidate Debate held Oct. 20 at Town Hall. The debate, which was moderated by students from New Canaan High School, was one of five held during the evening, including two for races for the State Senate and three for the State House. The 142nd House District includes New Canaan and Norwalk. “Local elections are so important and truly affect our daily lives,” said Dathan, who was elected to the post in 2018, in her opening remarks.