And the winner is...

The voters of Preston, in a non-binding referendum, gave their first selectmen a vote of confidence Tuesday for their decision to end the agreement with Utopia Studios on the Norwich State Hospital property.  But wait...the Utopia officials were quick to call it a victory for their side, since they had instructed their voters to stay home - a move which is one of the stupidest or smartest tactics I've ever seen in my 25 year political career. Regardless, it reeks of sleaziness and is another indication that the Utopia folks don't like to play by the rules. I don't live in Preston so I couldn't vote. I would have voted for the Utopia project a year ago and then for the first selectmen this week. So yes, I was for Utopia before I was against it.  The whole ugly situation is indeed a mess.