Legislature Discussing Compromise to Keep Both Horse Guards Facilities

Ever since hearing about the proposed consolidation of the First and Second Company Governor's Horse Guards, both units have talked about private fundraising options to keep both open.

There has been discussion in the legislature to find a compromise so that the First Company's Avon facility will not be closed as approved last Thursday by the Connecticut General Assembly Appropriations Committee in a consolidation plan. One idea circulating is funding each company at 50 percent of the $78,000 budget normally received for each, and relying on fundraisers to buffer the remainder of the costs.

GianCarl Casa, undersecretary for legislative affairs in the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management, confirmed in an e-mail that he has heard talk of a compromise "along those lines," but that he did not think the issue has been settled yet.

"The budget the governor proposed increases the savings from the Horse Guard in the second year, and that's what we would be looking for in any compromise," Casa wrote in an e-mail.

Some local politicians are rallying to keep the First Company in Avon. Rep. Brian Becker (D-19), who represents Avon, wrote in an e-mail that the legislature is still in negotiations about the proposal. He also wrote that he, along with State Sen. Kevin Witkos (R-17) and Rep. Tim Legeyt (R-17), who both represent Avon, "are all working to maintain the Guard's presence in Avon."

State Rep. Chris Lyddy (D-106), who is advocating for the Second Company Governor's Horse Guards in Newtown, previously said that he and his colleagues have been discussion alternate solutions to keep both facilities open, such as reducing the budget of both and allowing them to raise the rest of the funds privately.

“There is still some time and one of the ideas that I have kicked around with my colleagues [is] about preserving both guards by reducing their appropriation and allowing both guards to fundraise,” he said Monday. “That is an option we are still working on.”

Maj. Michael Downes, commandant of the First Company Governor's Horse Guards, said that he had heard legislators are trying to reach a compromise, but could not confirm that or provide an update. He did, however, say that the company supports that solution.

"That sounds like a very good compromise that allows both units to stay open and be able to raise the difference privately, which is what we sought to do all along," Downes said. "Our intention is that we would be able to offset anticipated budget cuts even if we were cut 50 percent."

The First Company is looking at fundraising options and is also researching grants that would support the unit's recent horse-mounted search and rescue training that will make them the first equestrian search and rescue unit available to the entire state. There will be a graduation ceremony for the search and rescue trainees on May 5 at the unit's headquarters at 280 Arch Rd at 7 p.m.

In the meantime, the First Company continues to put concerned citizens in touch with legislators. Downes said that the unit has received well over 50 emails sent to the savefirsthorse@yahoo.com account set up in a campaign to keep the First Company in Avon. Most of the letters come from the Avon and Canton area, but Downes has also seen letters from people across the state.

"Until this thing is signed, sealed and delivered, we’re not taking anything for granted," Downes said.

Editor's Note: Newtown Patch editor and freelancer contributed to this article.