A second public forum is being held tonight in Newtown by the Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial Commission.  A little more than a dozen people attended the first gathering last week to hear from the commission member on their progress and to give their opinion on the matter. 

Commission chairman Kyle Lyddy says the memorial is to honor the 26 lives that were lost at the school and to honor what is best for the Newtown Community.  Lyddy says some families still need time and he hopes that the community will be patient with the Commission through the process.  They do not have a deadline. 

At the first forum, resident George Osuch asked how a final decision would be made and was told that the Commission wants to find one memorial to provide comfort to those who loved and were touched by the children and women.  Lyddy says this is not about the event, but about the lives lost. 

The Commission has an inventory of everything that's come to Newtown since 12-14.  While fundraising has not yet started, Lyddy says $80,000 so far has been earmarked in donations for a Memorial. 

A subcommittee for locations has been set up.  Property owned by the town, the state and the Newtown Forest Association are being considered.  A philanthropist may be willing to donate land as well.  The subcommittee is working with the Zoning Department on potential sites and will survey them in the spring.  Their focus is on a place that can be a destination , not something people would have to drive past daily. 

The Commission has heard from 18 of the 26 families.  He hopes once a few locations suggestions are set and they have something solid to present to the families, they will reengage. 

Tonight's public forum is at 7pm at Newtown High School.