FREY: As you know, the state has abandoned 'Super 7' and replaced it with making significant improvements to existing Route 7. I have worked hard to get the widening of existing 7 off the ground, starting with a 'summit' of all of the players two years ago. With the federal highway budget (containing the necessary funding for the widening project) now approved, we should see work commence in the spring.

I agree that, often, major highway improvements can be "traffic-inducing." I would point to Route 8 as an example. However, I believe the Route 7 is necessary to adequately move local traffic rather than inducing more traffic.

The State DOT has long had a 'concrete and asphalt' mentality. If we are truly going to address traffic concerns, we need to include mass transportation. One successful example is the shuttle from Jesse Lee Church to the Katonah Train Station. I was a key proponent in securing funding for this - removing 240 car trips a day from Route 35. We currently have a study underway of the Danbury rail line that will look at both improvements to the existing line as well as extending service to New Milford.

As a member of the legislature's Transportation Bonding subcommittee, I have supported major improvements to Bradley Airport for passengers as well as airfreight. The state is ready to assist Bridgeport in further developing their deep-water port, both to alleviate freight traffic and as a potential economic engine for that city.

BALMER: In the interest of traffic flow, both for individuals and for businesses, we must proceed immediately with the widening of Route 7 north of the 35 intersection. (John Frey claims that he has headed the effort to get it done and that he has held the various parties to a timetable. Yet, he says in the next breath that construction was supposed to begin last March, and now he hopes it will start next March - or maybe April.)

The larger issue is the volume of traffic, especially truck traffic, here in southwestern Connecticut. Much of the traffic comes from Newark, where containerized cargo is loaded onto trucks, not trains, because there is no railroad bridge across the Hudson River south of Albany. As I've suggested throughout this campaign, we need to develop Bridgeport (and possibly New Haven) as deep-water ports for containerized shipping. The cargo then could be loaded onto trucks or (preferably) trains for distribution throughout New England, thereby easing traffic - and pollution - here in southwestern Connecticut.

Aside from the mitigation of traffic, there are two bonuses for pursuing this idea. First, it would provide a much needed economic boost for Bridgeport. Second, as things stand now, only 5 percent of containerized cargo is inspected, which means that, as trucks with containers roar past you on I-95, the chances are only one in twenty that the containers have been inspected for explosives or chemical weapons. With the help of funds from the Department of Homeland Security, we could build a state-of-the-art inspection facility in Bridgeport and thereby make all of us safer.

Finally, I'd like to convert the Super 7 corridor (already owned by the state) into a recreation path that might even connect with the greenway now being developed that will extend all the way from Calais, Maine, to Key West, Florida. (Aside from the intrinsic benefits of a recreation path, such a project would also ensure that Super 7 is never built.)

FREY: It is true much of our problem originates in the West and Mid-Atlantic states. But there is action we can take.

I have sponsored legislation to remove mercury from our coal to energy power plants. The good news is that we have six plants in the pipeline that will burn at the new emission standards replacing the older plants, such as the one in Bridgeport.

I sponsored SB 119 that requires automobiles sold in CT meet the strict California emissions standards as well as SB 218 that extended the tax credit for hybrid cars.

With record number of poor air quality days and the significant increases we are seeing in asthma, we need to do more to improve our air quality and encourage other states to do the same.

BALMER: See my answer above regarding the mitigation of truck traffic, which would address a major part of the problem. California-style emission standards for vehicles will also help, and we need to proceed with the cleanup of the worst power plants, the so-called "Sooty Six." John Frey voted against the bill (2001 HB-6365) that would clean up these power plants. As for pollution from out-of-state plants, that requires the cooperation of Congress as well as the state. Legislators and members of Congress from all of New England need to band together to demand emissions controls from plants and industries in the Midwest, which affects us with both air pollution and acid rain. In 2004, SB-595, "An Act Concerning Climate Change," established greenhouse gas reduction goals; John Frey voted against the bill.

The Rowland-era neglect of rail travel has left us with hopelessly out-of-date cars on Metro North. We cannot afford to allow our commuter-rail system to fall further into disrepair and desuetude, which will prompt more commuters to take to the road. More locally, I will push for the electrification of the Branchville line to make it more efficient (by making the cars interchangeable with other lines on Metro North).

The above responses address the issue on a macro level. On a micro level, the state can and should do more to reduce "emissions" by individuals. Other states have recognized the value of cigarette taxes as a means both to discourage smoking and to enhance revenue (to help pay for those rail cars, for example). New Jersey levies a tax of $2.05 on a pack of cigarettes; this summer, Michigan raised its tax to $2.00 per pack. The bill to restrict smoking in public places was a boon to public health and, according to merchants like the Ancient Mariner, it has increased rather than decreased patronage in formerly smoke-filled restaurants and bars. Regrettably, John Frey voted against that bill (2003 SB-908).

FREY: I was an early supporter of SB 445 and was a cosponsor of the bill. This is the language that proponents of the bill wanted the legislature to pass. I am not aware that some do not think it went far enough. I would certainly be open to further measures to protect our wetlands and preserve local control. My 2004 90% rating from the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters took into account my vote on this bill and others.

BALMER: I agree that further statutory protection for wetlands is essential. These Boards should be granted greater powers of eminent domain, and they should be encouraged to engage in planning on a regional basis. See my response to question #5 for elaboration.

FREY: I was an early and steadfast supporter of the Bennetts Pond acquisition. In fact, no other single issue took more time in my first term than this one. I was able to get the state to, for the first time, commit funds ($4,500,000) for open space that a municipality was taking by eminent domain. I think my efforts on this issue are well known to ROSA.

I think the town needs to be more proactive in identifying potential open spaces before they are sold. The town came close on the McKeon's Farm (which I was able to get the state to commit $641,000) but time apparently ran out.

I was also a key supporter in the 15,300 acres the state acquired from Aquarian Water Company, including land right here in Ridgefield.

State dollars are still available - as much as 50% of acquisition costs. I have and will continue to ensure that the two state programs are adequately funded. If we are ever to meet our state or town goals of open space preservations, we need to act sooner than later.

BALMER: John Frey accepts lavish praise for the bond money for Bennett's Pond, and, to the extent that he was involved in the transaction, I salute him. As the French would say, "chapeau!" - a tip of the hat! I do note, however, that in the early accounts of the proposal as reported in the Ridgefield Press, Mr. Frey's name never came up as a player in the transaction (see Kathy Powers, "State will help town buy part of Bennett's Pond," Ridgefield Press, September 14, 2000, pp. 1ff). Sometimes, I'm not sure which John Frey I'm running against. Is it the Frey who assisted (commendably) with Bennett's Pond, or is it the Frey who voted against cleaning up the "Sooty Six," against cleaning up sewage sludge incinerators (1999 HB-6103), and who has, over his six years in Hartford, a mere 60 percent approval rating from conservationists. (In my line of work, teaching, 60 percent is a failing grade!)

In 2002, SB-563 contained a variety of pro-environment provisions to encourage preservation of open space and grasslands habitat. The House Finance Committee, of which John Frey was a member, deleted an important section that would give towns the first opportunity to purchase land that had been previously identified as desirable open space when it is offered for sale. Unfortunately, the bill died in the Finance Committee; I will support legislation similar to SB-563.

As for sources of funding, private sources, including donations of land in return for tax deductions, are always a possibility. I've been arguing throughout this campaign that Ridgefield suffers fiscally because for every dollar we send to Hartford in income taxes, we receive less than a nickel in return. If we can improve on that dismal rate of return - and I believe that I can - that would free up funds for other needs here in town, including education and open space. Finally, there is the prospect of legislative appropriations for specific acquisitions. Here, I want to distinguish between bond money and legislative appropriation. Sometimes, the former is necessary, but our bond indebtedness, which is the equivalent of credit-card debt, increased from $2,800 to over $3,500 per capita during the Rowland-Frey years. I much prefer legislative appropriation to bonding as more fiscally responsible.

FREY: There was a 'smart growth' bill proposed this year that my opponent touts as one in which he would have supported. While it had some good components, it contained some terrible ones as well.

It did more than 'promote' consistency in state and regional plans of conservation and development; it took away powers now enjoyed by local planning and zoning boards.

Furthermore, it provided for 'priority funding areas'. These areas include growth areas, distressed municipalities, targeted investment communities - in other words, another bureaucracy would be created to disburse state funds to urban areas at the expense of suburban communities.

The bill was voted down 87-62 in one of the most non-partisan roll calls I have seen. Rather, the suburban and rural legislators joined together in defeating the bill.

I hope next session the good in the bill - state and regional plans of conservation and development, and some priority funding areas but not done at the expense of suburban towns be addressed.

BALMER: During the 2004 session just past, Lew Wallace of Danbury pushed a bill, HB-5044, which would have provided for priority funding areas as well as promoted consistency in state and regional plans of conservation and development. Unfortunately, John Frey voted against the bill, and it went down to defeat. Regional planning is essential to conservation efforts, and I will support such legislation. Sprawl is a kind of cancer, gobbling up the Connecticut countryside. I will work tirelessly to retard sprawl.

A final note, if I may. I have been an environmentalist ever since the first Earth Day in 1970. That is to say, I have been involved in conservation efforts and have both advocated and practiced recycling for decades. In addition, I am an outdoorsman. For several summers, I guided canoe expeditions in the Boundary Waters Wilderness of northern Minnesota and southern Québec. I've climbed mountains in New Hampshire, Vermont, Washington, Oregon and California. I've done technical climbing, whitewater rafting, and twice I've ridden the famous RAGBRAI, the annual week-long bicycle ride across Iowa. My wife and I hike frequently here in Connecticut, including Bennett's Pond. I mention all of this not to call attention to myself, but to illustrate my commitment to conservation and environmental causes.