State Representatives Hector Arzeno (D-151), Steve Meskers (D-150) and Rachel Khanna (D-149)
Newsletter Volume 2 • Number 16
Recently, Republicans have claimed that Democrats are not protecting Greenwich from state housing mandates. Further, there have been absurd allegations that if Democrats are elected, they will build “skyscrapers” and “high rises” in our backyards.
This rhetoric is not only inflammatory, it’s untrue.
Democratic State Representatives voted to protect Greenwich from overdevelopment
In the last legislative session, your three Democratic state representatives spoke out, worked behind the scenes, and voted against two onerous state bills that would have required towns like Greenwich to add a lot more density than our town residents would like or our infrastructure could handle. We do not want to lose the historic feel of our town.
The fact is Greenwich needs more housing for our seniors, our graduates, and our working men and women, like our teachers and first responders. Renting in Greenwich is so expensive because there are not enough homes to meet demand from middle-income earners or seniors on fixed income.
Further, until 10% of our total housing meets the definition of affordable, Greenwich will continue to be subject to a burdensome state law called 8-30g. This statute allows developers to bypass local zoning departments and build as large as they want, as long as 30% of the units are deemed affordable. Although this law was passed 34 years ago, Greenwich has made little progress. In fact, in the last 21 years, Greenwich has only increased its affordable housing stock by 1.3%. At this rate, we will not meet the 10% threshold until the year 2093!
Greenwich needs leaders with vision who will shepherd development of moderately priced housing; doing it in a way that preserves our local autonomy – on our own terms.
The upcoming elections are for town leadership. The people you elect this November 7th do not vote on state zoning laws – as your state representatives, we do. We will keep fighting to preserve local control. To make our case the most effective, we need partners in Greenwich town government who will make progress on building affordable housing – unfortunately, our current town leaders have failed to deliver.
“We should have had a traffic plan in place before pulling police off Greenwich Avenue,” says Laura Erickson.
Campaign Calendar
Write to Voters
Let’s give that writing hand a workout to get out the vote! Sign up here to write letters to voters, or for help organizing your own writing party, or to join someone else’s party. Voter to voter outreach is proven to boost turnout, which we must do to win big on November 7.
October 14th Day of Action
Join our candidates and fellow volunteers for a day of door-knocking to help us tell voters about our vision for Greenwich. Two time slots this Saturday, 12-2 and 3-5.
Please bring a charged smart phone and comfortable walking shoes. We’ll provide scripts, training, and water. 23 Benedict Place, rear entrance.
October 19 Phonebank
Help us get our Democratic slate elected in Greenwich this November! Come make calls with us at our headquarters at 23 Benedict Place, rear entrance, between 5:30 and 7:30 pm on Thursdays through November 2nd! 23 Benedict Place, rear entrance.
October 14, 10:00 am – No
Grab a free costume at our Halloween swap!
Save some $$, reduce waste, and meet our candidates at the Halloween Costume Swap at Greenwich Common Park.
Lawn sign, anyone?
Show your support for the team with a better vision for our town. Request a lawn sign here.
Heading out of town this fall?
Don’t forget to request your absentee ballot! And don’t think your vote doesn’t matter. In a recent election, a candidate for the Board of Education won by one vote. It only takes a moment to make your voice heard.
| Volume 2, Number 16 • October 12, 2023 |
| Paid for by the Greenwich Democratic Town Committee. |
| Greenwich Democratic Town Committee P.O. Box 126 Greenwich, CT 06836 |