June 3, 2008

REP. BUTLER DELIVERS ON LAKEWOOD FISH

State Rep. Larry B. Butler, working with the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), delivered more than a thousand catfish to Lakewood Lake.

Rep. Butler had worked on stocking Lakewood Lake for a year and a half. The journey began as an idea from constituent John Luccia. Mr. Luccia told Rep. Butler that hundreds of people signed a petition to stock the lake years ago but nothing became of the request.

"This was at the top of my list of priorities when I was elected," Rep. Butler said. "After talking to DEP, which required a letter from the local parks and recreation department, the process began. Upon my request the Parks and Recreation Supervisor James Nemec wrote the letter in a timely fashion which opened the door to all of the future communications with DEP."

Rep. Butler continued, "I sent letters, emails, made phone calls and talked to administrators and scientists and any one else that would listen before this became a reality. I didn't realize it would take such a great effort but I'm glad the catfish are finally here".

After talking to many DEP staffers, Rep. Butler spoke with Robert Lafrance leading to Waterbury's to participation in the new DEP Urban Fishing program; thus bringing more than 1,200 catfish from Arkansas to Waterbury.

"With the price of gas approaching 4.25 a gallon our folks don't have to travel to other parts of the state to go fishing. It's a quality of life issue that I'm so glad to deliver to our local fishing population. Hopefully this will serve as a genesis to the future development of Lakewood Park," Butler said.