Malone said he would cut short the scheduled reception after tonight's 47th Assembly District convention -- at which he will be nominated for re-election -- to attend the hearing on the school construction project.

"I'm not happy, but I will be there," he said. "This is a very important issue to me."

The informational meeting will be held at 7 p.m. today in the auditorium at Three Rivers Mohegan campus on Mahan Drive. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The state will update neighbors and residents on the plan to expand and relocate the college's two campuses at the Mahan Drive site, which was endorsed on May 20 by the state Community Colleges Board of Trustees.

Malone said he asked the state Department of Public Works to reschedule after learning that his nominating convention would be held at that same time, only to be told it was the department's policy not to cancel hearings after they have been posted. Department spokesman Patrick Nolan confirmed Monday the agency's policy.

"Once a hearing date is set, we don't change it," Nolan said. "This date was publicized three weeks ago. But we do have a provision where someone who cannot attend can send someone in their place and read their comments into the record."

Malone sent a letter to Gov. John G. Rowland on Friday, asking him to intervene and have the meeting rescheduled. However, Rowland spokesman Chris Cooper said Monday that to change the date would be unfair to others who may be planning to attend tonight's hearing.

"It is regrettable that this conflict came up," Cooper said, "but I am sure the DPW will accept Rep. Malone's written testimony. We would hope to have, and value, his input on this important project."