Rockville Downtown Association Chief Stepping Down

The head of the Rockville Downtown Association is stepping down.

RDA Executive Director Cliff Edwards submitted a letter of resignation on Tuesday at a board of directors meeting. It is effective on June 10. Edwards said today he is leaving the state in late June for Cape Coral, Fla. He said his real estate transactions are scheduled to close on June 23.

He did not elaborate on what his immediate plans are once he moves. The RDA board of directors has not said when the replacement search would commence.

Edwards recently has aired his frustrations both privately about what sees as a contrast between the traditional small-town feel of Rockville and the town growing.

"It has been an enlightening voyage,'' he said. "I had hoped to make a substantial contribution to my old home town and give back a bit of love to the great small town that I was raised in.
 
"That small town is unfortunately gone, and has been replaced with a larger, more complex, politically charged machine that alienates residents, discourages civic organizations and creates a climate of fear amongst town employees who are afraid to freely speak their minds, for fear of retaliation from the administration."

Mayor Jason McCoy complimented Edwards on all his work over the years, but was disappointed in the tone of his comments.

"We have always worked closely withthe RDA, so if there is any part of this adminstration not doing its job, I want to know," he said.

Edwards' resignation comes at a busy time for the RDA.

The RDA and The Friends of the Hockanum River Linear Park Committee have been awarded a grant to spruce up the area around Hockanum Falls and are about to name a design firm to get those efforts on track.

The falls, located behind the Amerbelle and Ano-Coil plants in Downtown Rockville, are an industrial landmark that can be traced back to the height of the mill era in Vernon. The $10,000 grant is administered by the Connecticut Main Street Center and the “Preservation of Place” program in cooperation with the Commission on Culture & Tourism with funds from the Investment Act of the State of Connecticut.

"I am blessed to have been able to work alongside of some energetic, loyal and concerned citizen volunteers, shop owners, merchants and local business people who have the good sense to support this worthy organization even in times of financial hardship,'' Edwards said. "Bless them, and I pray for them to keep going forward.
 
"The Hockanum Falls project is a historic mark that can be left on downtown that the whole town will be proud of and I hope the administration can somehow appreciate and acknowledge all the hard work that RDA and partner volunteers are putting into making it happen. It would truly be a sad thing if they politicized that too."

The annual downtown cleanup day is scheduled for Sunday morning.

Edwards has also been heading up the Gene Pitney Commemorative Committee, an organization dedicated to preserving the memory of Rock 'N' Roll Hall or Famer and Vernon Native Gene Pitney.

He owns an extensive music collection.

The RDA is a volunteer-driven, membership organization formed by businesses and residents who want to work toward improving the image, physical environment, and economic stability and revitalization of downtown Rockville.

Its office are at 30 Park Street.