Malloy not as green as he says

Stamford Advocate, Greenwich Time - Friday, August 6, 2010

To the editor:

In his second attempt to win the Democratic primary for governor, Dan Malloy promises to bring green jobs to Connecticut.

But as mayor of Stamford, Dan favored development over the environment.

In 1996, shortly after Dan became mayor, the Environmental Council of Stamford twice cleaned up a neglected city-owned property and proposed a green restoration of the property's 100-year-old-structure -- Stamford's first public high school and Burdick Junior High.

Dan had other plans. He sought proposals and bids from private developers to buy the three-acre property and public street. Despite public support to preserve open space downtown and restore the neoclassical school building, despite a Board of Representatives committee's advisory vote against sale of the public property, Dan prevailed in his desire to demolish the historic school building in favor of a 14-story apartment building. The city sold the property, once assessed at $14 million, for between $5 and $6 million.

In 1999, Dan was a chief proponent of Stamford Golf Center's plans to cut down 170 mature native trees for a golf range at Rosa Hartman Park. Greenwich sued over wetlands impacts to the adjacent Laddins Rock Sanctuary. Blumenthal intervened: Park dedication restricted use for passive purposes.

Dan's record demonstrates that he favors private interests over environmental protection.

Richard Stowe

New Canaan

The writer is a past board member of the Environmental Council of Stamford.