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Letter: Fairfield Citizens Need Facts On Penfield Pavilion

FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The Fairfield Daily Voice accepts signed letters to the editor. Send letters to fairfield@dailyvoice.com.

Fairfield's Penfield Pavilion, which was completed in 2011, was damaged by Hurricane Sandy.

Fairfield's Penfield Pavilion, which was completed in 2011, was damaged by Hurricane Sandy.

 Photo Credit: File
by Ian Bass

To The editor:

In a letter, Fairfield resident John Mitola accused Fairfield First Selectman Candidate Chris Tymniak of producing a "piece of campaign literature" regarding Penfield Pavilion that was "misleading, sad and laughable".

Unfortunately, much like campaign rhetoric in politics, Mr. Mitola's allegations were misleading and inaccurate.

I offer full disclosure: I am a member of the Penfield Building Committee and my comments in this letter are my own, not to be deemed representative of the full committee.

One of my goals of serving on the committee is to make sure no one "pulls the wool over" the eyes of Fairfield residents on this project as politicians have done in the past.

Mr. Mitola alleges Mr. Tymniak voted "against funding for Penfield Pavilion" at the RTM meeting, and that "If Mr. Tymniak had his way, Penfield would be closed for many more years."

That allegation is not accurate. Here’s the truth: In preparation for the committee's presentation to the RTM, the committee was instructed by the current administration to "present only one option."

Despite the fact the committee had several viable options, we were told: "The RTM vote will be an up or down vote," which means it could vote for or against the one option proposed.

There have been misleading statements and published articles about the Penfield Pavilion. If we stick to the facts, everyone would realize the Pavilion was only open for one year as a "year-round banquet facility."

The former building was there a long time, but not as a year-round banquet facility.

It is a residential neighborhood, and parties for the full year of year-round operation were allowed to go on until midnight, according to town documents.

How would you feel if you lived in a nice residential neighborhood, and all of a sudden you were in the middle of a banquet hall business?

I take no position on who I am supporting for First Selectman. I only want to make sure he facts are known and not influenced by political rhetoric.

Ian Bass

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