Opposition to Golf Course Proposal

Much has been published encouraging the development of a nine-hole golf course on former CVH property that Middletown now owns.

This letter was mentioned at the Economic Development Committee meeting, and was entered into the record, but was not read in full:
Feb. 3^rd, 2010
Mr. Gerald Daley & Commissioners
Economic Development Commission
City of Middletown
245 DeKoven Drive
Middletown, Conn. 06457

Mr. Daley & fellow E.D.C Commissioners,  
       
I write, as a Middletown resident, taxpayer and member of Middletown's Conservation Commission, to express my opposition to the leasing of Middletown's public Maromas lands (conveyed to the City by the State of Conn.) to private individuals for the purpose of establishing a golf course. I will explain my reasons, briefly, below, but I also write to urge you and your fellow E.D.C commissioners to think very carefully before you approve even a tentative lease agreement for this land. I do so because I believe, first and foremost, that this is a bad idea, and should be stopped before it takes on a life of its own. Every step forward the City makes on this project will make it harder to say 'no' later- and could end in an outcome that does not serve Middletown or its citizens. The time to say 'no' is now, not later. 

 My main argument is this: the land in question is best left alone. Period. It best serves the city and its citizens as open space. More importantly, its future is uncompromised if we leave it alone. I cannot stress enough how important this is. To convey the rights of substantive use for one purpose, for a long period of time, and for dubious financial benefit to the City, ill serves the worth of this land, in beauty, heritage and future potential use. It is not in the best interests of Middletown or its citizens.   
              
There are many other good arguments against this proposed project, but I maintain the most important are these: one, the land best serves Middletown as it is. Second- and equally important- I believe that the substantive and overriding intent of the deed that conveyed this land to the City of Middletown was that it remain  unencumbered, unrestricted, and uncompromised  by uses that would change its character or availability to its citizens. The proposed golf course radically changes both. I may be wrong legally, but I don't think I misunderstand the spirit under which the land was given to Middletown.          

The other reasons are also compelling: the failure of another nine-hole golf course in Middletown in the recent past; the availability of many other golf courses in near proximity to Middletown; the seasonal nature of golf-course revenues and the likely lack of real financial benefit to Middletown; lastly, the disruption of and potential harm to the environmental integrity and health of the land. If there is one last point to be made, it is this: these parcels are a large and integral part of the Maromas landscape- to alter them radically you are changing not just the parcels themselves, but the larger, unspoiled natural infrastructure of Maromas itself. Forever. This is not a good idea. You are compromising one of Middletown's last great untouched places by doing so.      
   
I am not an environmental radical, or "dying breath" conservationist; I believe there is often benefit and value to development over conservation, or a fair balance between them. However, I don't believe this idea for a golf course rises to the level of quality- or usefulness- to warrant surrendering some of the most pristine open space Middletown possesses. It just doesn't balance out.         

This is especially true if the main intent is to garner financial benefit to the City. To give up that much land, for the negligible monetary gains we are likely to receive, seems like a poor decision and bargain. Just because open space is "unused" does not mean it doesn't have value. It does.          

Another way of putting it is this: if you do begin the process of surrendering that much City land for so narrow a purpose, you better make damn sure you are getting a lot of dough for it. Now, and soon, not later and maybe.          

Thank you for your time and attention, and for considering carefully before you move forward. I am sorry I can't be there Monday in person, but my work requires me to be elsewhere. I will hope to be in further dialogue with you about this, and welcome your comments and response. Again, thank you for hearing me out.

Cordially,
Michael Ennis
570 Maple Shade Road      Middletown, Conn.  06457