And yet it is interesting to read the entire Riverkeeper newsletter, which I receive on a regular basis, and count how many times outside of the New Milford development article that the names "Inserra", "Hekemian" and yes, even "Subrizi" pop up.

His motives were obvious. Switch temporarily to the side which he felt would garner more votes for his son. Didn't fool me or get my vote. I figured the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Why don't you just give us the "facts" as the Riverkeeper told them to you?

Mr Drake, you raise good points. Unfortunately, one grows thick skin when posting here under one's real name. If you say something that goes against the current, as Mr. Sheehan has, as the Mayor has, as you have, well the rug is pulled from beneath you because you are not allowed to have your own opinion. You become a target and then it's a free for all.

Mr. Robalino, thank you for admitting you are going against the current because that's what most voters in town are trying to tell you.

In my humble opinion, all of this back and forth must be making Inserra and Hekemian, giddy as school girls. Ever hear the phrase divide and conquer? That is exactly what is happening here, they have already divided and are planning the conquest right now. There has to be an impartial way to gauge what the majority of the town wants to have happen to this property, then EVERYONE'S focus needs to be on that common objective or everyone gets screwed.

Mistakes have been made on this property for years, through both Democratic and Republican control. There is no way to undo the past, but there is a small window of opportunity to move forward with what is best for New Milford.

The escalating anger and the “tet for tat” from all of these posts are just making the town more divided. True impartial leadership needs to emerge, all sides need to sit down and try to come to some agreement on what it is that the majority want and then go from there.

While the Patch is a good sounding board, it is the same 100 people going back and forth. A very real possibility is that the final outcome is going to be something that no one wants.

Mr. Drake:

With the way certain people twist every word that is said here, I understand you for not relating anything said at your meeting with Mr Sheehan.

I did meet one day with the RiverKeeper by chance. I took a group of students on a river tour with him as our captain and spoke to him last year about the potential development in New Milford. He told me that Mr. Berner and he spoke about money that Bill ( the Riverkeeper) had been donated to his foundation and could be used towards non-development of that area. According to Sheehan, Berner never called him back. I implored him to please contact our representatives to give us the money but he found another use. So my point here is that last year Bill Sheehan was against the development, but it was too late as he already donated the money to another cause. I now ask: Why did Bill Sheehan change his course of direction as far as the development is concerned? Why was important to keep the area as is a year ago and not now? He also associated the Water Company property with the Elm Street Bridge that held areas of bird migration and nesting. To quote Shakespeare, "Something is rotten in Denmark (New Milford)!

Jimmy, we tried to get the River Creeper to meet with us but he would not. He printed total lies in his newsletter, stating that the current proposal before the zoning board was submitted as retaliation against SOD. Meanwhile SOD was not formed until a few months AFTER the current proposal was submitted. All we wanted was a chance to talk to him, alert him to our concerns and set the record straight. He ignored us. What kind of environmental advocate is he? He is a Bill Sheehan advocate. Period.

Lori, anyone in town who is anyone, knows how my family feels about you and Michelle. However, I will not answer you here because we have been embarrassed enough already.

I am now a racist, turncoat and Darren is an opportunist......You know me very well and you know how much I'd like to set the record straight, but I'll be God damned if I allow Barbara and Darren to become targets of loose cannons.

Confidentiality was never a prerequisite nor anticipated at the meeting, but the very thought of bringing another into this kangaroo court just will never happen.

One thought though - due to Christie falling victim to intimidation, U.W. did lower the water. Let's just hope we don't have an anticipated drought now. Believe it or not.

take care.

not to get off topic, but has anyone noticed that Sandy seemed to wash away this guy who was trying to lure kids. I haven't heard a peep about it in over 6 weeks.

Hi Tax, how are ya I'm sure you realize that many people read this & speak to their neighbors who may not have a computer (funny, nowadays you shudder the thought of not even being on line LOL) and MISinformation runs rampant. My personality is outgoing and protective. Also, I am a Democrat but have taken the time to (again - shudder the thought) meet, greet & actually engage in real conversations, develop loyal friendships and also regret some experiences with Republicans,Unaffiliated, Democrats and non-voters. Please just look back at the non stop berating of only Republicans! NOT ONE WORD has been said about ANY Democrat . I think sometimes a poster may simply feel that their post is innocuous & fleeting, but the printed word stays forever no matter who is humiliated, scorned or perhaps at the slightest made to look a fool. I know I'm heavy into politics, but that's my arena. I have communicated with every councilperson in one email or another over the past 8 years and our past two Mayors and the three past Presidents of the Council have all been to my house. They are all good people. They all have to avail themselves occasionally and they all are human like you & I. In my heart of hearts, I believe Diego means no harm & perhaps like me, recently has had it with every day to day harassment. Keep in mind, there doesn't seem to be any Pulitzer worthy posts here. So, we are all human and do get embarrassed and do feel the need to answer back. Please forgive the question ?

To question a person's ideas is not the same as attacking the person. A public figure, whether Republican or Democrat, must expect disagreement. I don't believe the criterion for a council member is whether the council member "means no harm." And if - as you say - poor beleaguered Diego has "had it," then perhaps he should not be on the council.

Tom;, Love Benny. Although I would never cast out my son as he did. Tory or not. Larry Flynt (yes that Larry Flynt) wrote it with a PHD's help or whatever - "One nation under sex" . the documented dirt on the founding fathers kept me in stitches for hours. Just researched documentation. F U N N Y!!! JFK and Billy Jeff apparently, couldn't hold a candle to Eleanor Roosevelt. and J. Edgar - well now we know where her dresses went. beyond LOL.

On a less serious subject, i found out that it is simply a sale from a private owner to a private buyer. Yes we did have the opportunity to purchase the land with a 1.5 million dollar gift and yes howie did get a call. I don't have any documentation as to what he did with the news, nor did he ever follow up with the offer. Some demand it to stay pristine, while others want a baseball field.. Apparently Hekemian wants to have homes for financially challenged families and others want it to be a combination of beautiful landscape walking paths and maybe some tax revenue generating small businesses. As I've said ad nauseum, i do not want OVER development but SOME development is fine with me. So that's it. {Guess i'll be getting measured for a crucifix any minute now} and if hekemian declines the sale altogether, we are left with a swamp which could cost us 8 million dollars. Yes I know yada yada yada, Our knight in shining red armor presented it to the court of Queen Ann the vicious, terrible, merciless, despicable - and she was only interested in being able to get groceries in a bigger ShopRite.

What I see is Annie saying to herself, "the people will never allow the purchase IF the 1.5 mill is actually NOT there, the "leap of faith" theoretical Grants do not come through and what do we do with an 8 million dollar white elephant and how do I explain to homeowners that they're paying $70.00 a month extra for the next ten years in order to watch soil and shrubs rot?"

Tom, there are no hero's nor villains in this swamp debacle. Just human beings doing what they - in their own mind think is the right thing to do. Take a minute and think about the emotions that have been poured out here recently for all to see and regretfully be mocked.

Dreams shattered and then abused, well meant volunteers insulted, innocent candidates accused of being opportunistic, families embarrassed, friendships ruined, reputations gone and trust is now a long lost sacrament.

and for what?

Something that more than likely will wind up in court and the buyer, since he perhaps acquiesced to COAH homes only, may very well win the heart of the deciding judge.

Leaving so many neighbors still at each other's throat.

Merry Christmas.

No, sorry Jimmy Drake...I was not that teacher. While I did attend the march, I did not attend the sign making at the Senior Center. Enjoy your evening!

Darlene, that is SOOOOOO cute!

Thanks.