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HARTFORD, Conn. President Barack Obama's visit to Westport Monday has earned the condemnation of Norwalk State Rep. Larry Cafero.
The House Republican Leader released a statement ripping Obama and Gov. Dannel Malloy for "shutting down Sherwood Isle State Park in Westport to ferry the president to fundraising events that will earn [Obama] millions in donations."
"It is the arrogance of power and crass partisanship to shut down Sherwood Isle at the height of the summer vacation season and dislodge all these families,'' Cafero said in the statement. "It is outrageous that the Democrats turn Sherwood Isle into a personal heliport for the president so that he can be ferried back and forth to hobnob with millionaires and billionaires for the day.''
The President was scheduled to attend a $35,800 per head fundraiser at a Westport mansion and another less pricey event in Stamford. Both were expected to raise millions for the Obama campaign. There is no "official visit'' associated with the trip, Cafero said.
Cafero said that if Republicans acted the same manner the media outrage would have sparked protests. "Where is Occupy Wall Street when you need them?'' Cafero asked.
"Democratic high-rolling donation bundlers dine in luxury with the President, and people whose only relief are state parks are left to bake in the summer heat with no relief," Cafero said in the statement.
Malloy's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection agency is responsible for overseeing state parks. DEEP put out a press release Friday afternoon noting the closure due to a "special event'' but offered no other details, according to Cafero.
"Obviously the administration was worried about how this event would play in the public's mind and did not want to broadcast it because they know how badly the public is being treated,'' Cafero said in the statement.
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