Politics & Government

You Said It, New London: Reaction To The RCDA Shake-up

'Does anyone else in the New London community notice what is happening or even care?'

There was no shortage of response on Patch and The Day in the wake of Monday's announcement that the top leaders of the Renaissance City Development Association were stepping down.

Agency President Michael Joplin, and vice presidents Karl Sternlof and John Johnson announced in a press release from the mayor's office that they would resign at the end of this week from the organization.

The same release went on to note that on Friday, New London Attorney Linda Mariani would be nominated and approved as President, New London developer Joe Grillo as first Vice President, and former New London Mayor Ron Nossek as 2nd Vice President.

“The city administration is going to get a lot more involved,’’ Mariani told The Day on Monday. “I’ll be steering the ship, but citizens of New London will be telling me where to steer it.”

On Patch, readers found it interesting that the nominations and apparent approvals for the new leaders were already in.

Patch user Mark Felt: Interesting press release. How can the administration know who will be nominated and placed in office unless the administration is pulling all the strings? Does anyone else in the New London community notice what is happening or even care? It is like a kingdom rather than a democracy. The democratic machine is alive and well in New London.

Spencer:  It is kind of like being picked to be elected and appointed both on the same day. Is that even legal? Are the people of NL not going to be allowed to vote on this one? By the way...is there going to be another name change for the same organization? A rose by any other name is still a rose!! It is signifying of doing the same thing over and over again--and expecting different results. It aint happening.

Find out what's happening in New Londonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Others saw this is a power play by Mayor Daryl Finizio, including William Desmond: This is just a play by the puppet master of New London. He is placing more of his puppets onto the grand stage. The show is always the same the puppets change that is all.

In the comments on The Day article, some readers cheered the change.

Native
: Hooray for a changing of the guard. No matter what the nay-sayers have for input, this property can be a dream come true for New London's tax base, tourism and benefit. Linda, at a minimum is shrewd, hardworking and care's deeply about success as it relates to her resume. This is a great next chapter in the Ft Trumbull story.

Robert: I could be nasty regarding the changing of the guard. There isn't any need to be now. It's taken more time than we wanted, but the mayor has made good on his promise to change the face of the NLDC. It's very important for any future use of the Fort Trumbull properties to sever the ties with the organization that caused New London so much embarrassment, cost so many state dollars, argued all the way to the Supreme Court and ultimately caused our eminent domain case to be THE bad example held up for study in municipal government classes. NLDC had to go in more than just its acronym; the faces that ran it had to change and the organization had to come back to local control. Lets see the new leadership get something positive done in the Fort. There's a beautiful waterfront, an outstanding State Park, lots of jobs nearby and a working downtown just around the corner. The elements are all there for success in building new homes and businesses. With new leadership and a new philosophy, Fort Trumbull can become a place that New London wants and likes, not just a wasteland where the weeds grow in silent memory of a bitter legal fight. Good luck Linda, and the city of New London, in this new chapter.

Find out what's happening in New Londonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

But LDC had a different perspective: They took our house.... last month when I drove by the site there was a homeless encampment on the property. At least someone is able to use our property. I wonder how much in taxes gets collected from the current residents?? What a scam NLDC now known as Renaissance City Development Association was and continues to be.

What are your thoughts? Will the change in leadership make a difference in the city's efforts to develop the Fort Trumbull property? Is the plan to build 103 housing units at Fort Trumbull the right plan?

Share your thoughts in the comments below.



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