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Little Pink House_ A True Story of Defiance and Courage - Jeff Benedict [170]

By Root 1098 0
the reported conversations—and in some cases, the witnesses to these conversations—were asked to provide their best recollection of what was said. In all, interviews were conducted with officials from the State of Connecticut, Pfizer Inc., the City of New London, New London Development Corporation, Connecticut College, the Institute for Justice, the Coalition to Save Fort Trumbull Neighborhood, the Fort Trumbull Conservancy, and the residents of the Fort Trumbull neighborhood.

Despite my requests, the following principal characters declined to be interviewed: Governor John Rowland, Peter Ellef, Jay Levin, David Goebel, Stephen Percy, Sarah Steffian, and Edward O’Connell. Quotes attributed to them come from transcripts, public records, published reports, and interviews with individuals who were parties to conversations depicted in this book.

John Steffian also declined to be interviewed. But he did provide a written statement—through his attorney, Scott Sawyer—in response to a question from the author.

THE CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE AUTHOR

In response to queries for very specific details, I received more than a hundred written answers from individuals. Most of these responses came via e-mail. A few came in the form of letters and memos.

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PAPERS

Under the Freedom of Information Act, I received access to more than one thousand pages of documents from Connecticut’s Department of Economic Development and the Department of Environmental Protection. These included confidential memos, correspondence and contracts between Peter Ellef and Jay Levin, as well as records of invoices and payments between the State of Connecticut and Jay Levin. Additionally, state records turned over to the author included scores of e-mails and memos between Claire Gaudiani, state officials, and Pfizer.

I was also granted access to public records through the City of New London, the Town of Preston, the Norwich Superior Court, and the New London Superior Court.

I obtained minutes from New London Development Corporation meetings, as well as motions the agency passed.

The Institute for Justice provided thousands of pages of documents in the form of briefs, memorandums, deposition transcripts, and court transcripts. The institute also permitted me to conduct research at its Arlington, Virginia, law office, providing access to files, records, and photography.

The following individuals granted me access to private papers that included handwritten notes, diaries and journals, personal correspondence, and minutes: Susette Kelo, attorney Thomas Londregan, attorney Scott Bullock, John Markowicz, Steve and Amy Hallquist, Professor Fred Paxton, publisher Reid MacCluggage, and Kathleen Mitchell.

In the case of Susette Kelo, she turned over numerous boxes of documents, diaries, photo albums, personal papers, correspondence, financial records, and various other documents, including vital records. She also permitted me to dig through files and belongings in her home.

Thomas Londregan provided me with personal correspondence and letters, as well as notes containing his thoughts and remarks at various key junctures reported in this book. Mr. Londregan’s brother Frank Londregan provided written responses to questions about the Londregan family history in New London.

Scott Bullock provided copies of his personal notes reflecting his thoughts, strategies, and remarks at various points in this history.

John Markowicz, Steve and Amy Hallquist, and Fred Paxton are meticulous keepers of copious notes and records. All four generously shared their notes, minutes, and records with me. And all four submitted to tape-recorded interviews that expanded on their notes.

Reid MacCluggage provided personal letters and correspondence. He also submitted to a lengthy tape-recorded interview and various follow-up interviews to elaborate on the nature and context of his private papers turned over to me.

Kathleen Mitchell maintained perhaps the most comprehensive archive of e-mails spanning the years covered in this book. These e-mails are to and from members

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