12/14 Memorial Commission Comes Together

Town officials introduced —and swore in — the twelve residents charged with creating a permanent town memorial for the Dec. 14 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School at a Monday night meeting.

Parents of children lost in the shooting join former town officials, professional designers and other community members on the commission. They will sift through the many suggestions for a memorial currently stored by the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission.

"You're not starting from scratch, although you might find yourself starting from scratch," said First Selectman Pat Llodra. "You might go through these ideas and say, 'No, I don't think so.' We're entrusting you to go through that activity."

Llodra and other selectmen cautioned the members to be patient.

"This is a long term process," said Selectman James Gaston. "Get to know each other. The best functioning committees and groups happen when you know each other. We know each other, we like each other. It works. Never hesitate to go to selectman's office, land use, there are no improper questions."

After Llodra and other selectmen thanked the members, clerk Debbie Halstead swore them in. GE Capital / Newtown representative Anne Alzapiedi will work with the team on setting up their first meetings.

The members are:

• JoAnn Bacon
  Mother of Charlotte Bacon, a victim of the Dec. 14 shooting.
• JoAnne Brunetti
  A 14-year resident who has worked alongside professional grant writers.
• Steffan Burns
  Owner of landscaping company Schemmen Nurseries and former GE Capital employee.
• Brian Engel
  Father of Olivia Engel, a victim of the Dec. 14 shooting.
• Daniel Krauss
  Parent of a Sandy Hook Elementary School third-grader.
• Agni Pavlidou Kyprianou
  An interior architect / designer and Newtown resident for 10 years.
• Scarlett Lewis
  Mother of Jesse Lewis, a victim of the Dec. 14 shooting.
• Kyle Lyddy
  At 26, the youngest member of the commission. A marketer for We Are Newtown, a group formed after Dec. 14.
• Alan Martin
  45-year resident, previously served on the Board of Education with Pat Llodra and hired John Reed as Superintendent.
• Sarah Middeleer
  A landscape architect and resident since 2000.
• Tricia Pinto
  Mother of Jack Pinto, a victim of the 12/14 shooting.
  Donna Van Waalwijk
  Resident for 27 years.