Norwich's state legislators are unanimous on this: Three Rivers Community College should remain in Norwich.

The agreement ends there. 

State Sen. Edith Prague, D-Columbia, supports the Thames Valley site.  State Rep. Jack Malone, D-Norwich, wants to see it go downtown.  And state Rep. Melissa Olson, D-Norwich, is uncertain.

"I say it should go on New London Turnpike," Prague said Thursday, "and then use the building on Mahan Drive for the (Norwich Regional Vocational) technical high school, with plans for a road into the school from Route 32."

"I'm not in favor of Thames Valley," Malone said.  "I think you'll run into the same problems there that we ran into at the Mahan Drive site and then what are you going to do?"

Malone, who has long favored a downtown plan, said the resolution approved by the City Council this week opposing the Mahan Drive site called for the city to work with state and school officials to find a suitable location in the city.

"And I think that's what needs to be done," he said.  "But as you know, I have in the past, and I'm not afraid now to say a portion or all of it should be in the city.  What I am opposed to is saying that just because it can't go on Mahan Drive it has to leave here."

Olson said the idea of a downtown college is attractive and has worked in other downtown settings.  And while she has some reservations regarding the Thames Valley campus, she said the important issue is for everyone involved to review the options based on facts.

"This college is a tremendous asset to this community," she said, "and we should all be working very hard to keep it in the city.  I do believe the foundation of the decision on where should be decided on the facts and I'm looking forward to sitting down with everyone and looking at those facts."

Olson said her concerns about the Thames Valley campus were the wetlands and traffic issues and she would want to see more information on that before supporting it.

Prague said she would hope hope that all three lawmakers would be available to meet with the Community-Technical College Board of Trustees July 28 to express their strong convictions that Three Rivers remain in Norwich.

Malone contacted Community College Chancellor Marc Herzog shortly after the Norwich City Council voted 4-2 to oppose he consolidation on Mahan Drive asking for a meeting to discuss that issue.