Feb. 16, Channel 3 Airing of Plaza Fire

The following is an e-mail I sent to Chanel 3 News 2/19, 2012:

"....As you know, that on September 7, 2010 Oakdale Plaza was destroyed by a fire caused by arson. This fire put 8 businesses out of business.

The News channel 3 airing done on Feb. 16, 2012 with Kevin Hogan dealt with the "property owners" suing the Southeastern Connecticut Water Authority and the Town of Montville. Channel 3 News opened the segment with news anchor Denise  D'Ascenzo stating "owners of businesses that were destroyed in a strip mall fire in Montville are suing the town and claiming their building would have been saved if it had not been for the fire hydrants."

Further, as Kevin Hogan was reporting the story the title heading at the bottom of the screen showed BUSINESS OWNERS SUE OVER HYDRANTS AFTER STRIP MALL FIRE. This is neither true nor correct.

It is the property owners of 430 Chapel Hill Rd. who are suing. Since the airing of that segment all three newly located businesses (Oakdale Pizza, K9 Corner and Great Wall Chinese Restaurant have been getting phone calls and walk-ins asking if we, the business owners are suing the Town and SCWA.

We would like to request a retraction or an on air correction of these facts. Thank You for your consideration regarding this matter.

Jerry Roberts, Business owner K9 Corner LLC."

I have left my Number with the news desk on 3 occasions and still have not received a return phone call. We at Oakdale Crossings would like to let the citizens and Town officals to know we have not filed any suit against the Town of Montville or SCWA. This tragedy is something we wish to put behind us once and for all.   ps. Having been a firefighter for over 20 years I can tell you that given the time, location, accelerate used and type of roof construction...No hydrant on this planet could have been able to keep up with the size and quick spreading fire of that night.