Winsted is getting better and better

To the Editor:

I’d like to take this opportunity to ask fellow Winsted residents if they see what I see. Do they see the dramatic, positive changes and the upbeat climate of our business people and fellow towns-people over the past couple of years?

So much has been happening that it’s almost difficult to keep up with. Sure, Winsted has lost a few things, due to either unexpected circumstances or to dedicated, long-serving owners who are simply ready to retire, but boy, has it gained!

More and more residents are showing tremendous pride and are banding together to pitch in and help create The New Winsted.

Our community college now has a snazzy, modern building, with a new (and very motivated) president, and it has been nominated best community college in Connecticut two years in a row.

The American Mural Project is well underway to completion, which is huge. A nation-wide contribution of art, melded into a massive mural , built in dedication to the American worker — and what better place to have it reside? This massive piece of artwork is being housed in one of our proud old structures — one of the many our local history buffs gush about.

Speaking of proud old structures, Mad River Lofts and The Edge — beautiful buildings, diamonds in the rough, being repurposed by developers who have a vision, who have gathered with us and who have believed in the town.

Mad River Lofts was an idea which has come to fruition for us and Marty Goldin, a dedicated developer who pretty much knows all of us now. He is a regular at meetings, events and gatherings. It’s so amazing to see the artwork from Main Street and is now lit up. The artwork was a fun way to dress up the front of the building. I can’t wait to see what he does with the rest of his properties, also strong and grand buildings.

Then there is Brian Lyman with Parker Benjamin, another developer who has decided to believe in Winsted and take on “Lambert Kay,” the building over on Lake Street. It is being called The Winsted Edgeworks, aka: The Edge.

There have been a few great people involved in this endeavor. It is a thrill watching dreams come true, for instance, groups like the three guys heading The Little Red Barn Brewers and the people building Mad River Market Co-Op. We also have a fun, new place coming for us girls (or guys!) who just need a night out.

Foxtail Catering and Restaurant, Rowley Grill and Tap and Noujaim’s were three amazing additions. We have so many great choices.

These additions are just the tip of the iceberg. More is on its way. We have had businesses steadily move in. It’s really great. Our town manager, Bob Geiger, has been a key influence on how people have changed how they feel about their hometown.

Along with Bob comes police Chief Bill Fitzgerald. Bill has energized our police department in so many ways. He, along with support from our manager and selectmen, have made a great group of officers into a strong and higher educated force of men and women who are more proud. Their pride is evident when you see them working street jobs, patrolling or at local establishments. We have an amazing team of selectmen lead by our tireless, caring and knowledgeable mayor,who work together like a welloiled machine, keeping this vibrant community moving forward. This group is the glue keeping this machine chugging along.

I’m very optimistic that this trend is going to continue. Remember this on Election Day, Nov. 7.

— Lara Green-Kazlauskas, Winsted