Joining Forces - Supporting Military Families

I was watching Oprah Winfrey on the OWN network and heard about Joining Forces, an initiatieve to support military families started by First Lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden.

My town has an affordable homes located on property that was once the Fitch Home for Soldiers. It was the first home for soldiers ever in the country and was blessed by President Abraham Lincoln. The homes provided temporary housing for veterans returning from war.

Currently the housing authority wants to redevelop the property and in doing so will pave over the Fitch Home for Soldiers Parade Ground and move the monument to another location on the property.

I am trying to save the Parade Ground, including starting a petition in 2010, and additionally assign 10% of the new units in the redevelopment to veterans as a way to pay homage to the original intent of the property.

I have struggled for the past 5 years to have a voice in this project but the residents and neighbors have been steamrolled by the housing authority and officials in Town who approve of this project due to political pressure and fear of 8-30g, a bill that allows developers higher density in building projects if they include 10% of units as affordable in towns with less then 10% affordable housing. Since this town has less then 10% and an "8-30g preditor" in town, pushing this through even if it is not the best plan for the property, resident and neighbors, will save the NIMBYs in town.

I will continue to fight for a better plan that honors the original intent of the property and preserve its historical heritage and include veterans in the resident make-up.

Please visit Joining Forces to learn more about the initiative and how you can help military families.

If you would like to help in the fight to save the Fitch Home for Soldiers Parade Ground, please sign the petition, visit and like my Facebook page, or send an email to stephandjanblog@gmail.com.

Thanks.
Jan