Letters

Elections Have Consequences XXIII

By Jim Taylor

Published: Mar 26, 2026 3:26 pm

To The Editor:

This year Newtown Democrats in the 106th district will have a choice to make. We have two great candidates running to represent us this November. We will follow a democratic process to help us make this decision. A caucus will be held sometime in May which will be opened to all registered Democrats in the district. There will be opportunities between now and then to hear both candidates present their positions and to make their case as to why they are the best choice. Depending on the results, there may still be a primary in August.

I want to hear more from both Michelle Embree Ku and Brandon Moore before I decide who I think is the best candidate — but regardless of who wins — that is the person I will support in the mid-term election. I will not be voting for any candidate who is a member of the party that is headed by this current so-called Commander in Chief.

It remains a mystery as to why Trump is so submissive to Putin and we may never learn the truth, but he continues to favor this dictator to the detriment of our national security. Putin is helping Iran identify US military targets and Trump’s response is to lift sanctions on the sale of Russian oil. Ukraine offers to help the US with the knowledge they have gained about Iranian drones and Trump’s response is to bash Zelenskyy and blame him for the war that Putin started.

I believe that giving aid and comfort to the enemy is ground for treason. Any politician blindly following this most corrupt President in the history of our country needs to be defeated. 221 days till November 3.

Join us for the No Kings Rally, March 28, at 3 Main Street, 1:30 to 2:45 pm. Let your voice be heard.

Kathy Quinn

Newtown

None

Brandon Moore says:

March 26, 2026 at 9:30 pm

It is music to my ears to hear you say “I want to hear more from both Michelle Embree Ku and Brandon Moore before I decide who I think is the best candidate.”

I take my responsibility very seriously as a candidate to be as open, available, and transparent as possible. It is fundamental to our democracy for voters to be able to hear directly from those seeking their support. I’m really looking forward to every future opportunity to speak to you, Kathy, as well as all Newtown voters! Thank you for such a thoughtful letter!

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Yolanda Castro-Arce says:

April 2, 2026 at 9:41 am

I appreciate this reminder to all that there is a process we should all engage in if we are going to turn this country around. The image of the current state representative enjoying the “Ice In” plastic leather jacket of a colleague, is sickening. I don’t believe this country has flipped so many seats in such a short amount of time, in its history. It speaks volumes and we have to get these forums going and pick the state representative democratic candidate and get back to focusing on community needs and advancing the common good, with transparency and a common goal.

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Mr. Ackert’s letter leaves out an important point: many of the legal expenses he references exist because of the legal challenges and complaints he and his facebook group has chosen to pursue. It is not fair to blame the Borough Zoning Commission Chair for costs that were driven, in large part, by Mr. Ackert’s own actions. Taxpayers should understand that litigation and FOIA complaints do not appear out of nowhere. They are initiated by individuals who decide to take those matters forward. Public officials should absolutely be held accountable, and the Borough should follow proper procedures at all times. But accountability should run both ways. If someone repeatedly challenges the Borough through legal channels, then points to the resulting legal bills as proof of poor leadership, the public deserves that context. Reasonable people can disagree about zoning decisions, development, and procedure. However, turning every disagreement into a legal fight has consequences, and those consequences are paid for by Borough taxpayers. Before assigning blame for legal expenses, Mr. Ackert should acknowledge his own role in creating them.

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And Chris Gardner, if anybody is Mr. Newtown, it’s you! Not only do I deeply appreciate all the support you gave me throughout this campaign, but I look forward to joining you in the Lions Club. I know it sounds silly, but truly one of my highlights this year was helping to raise the summer flag on the flagpole alongside you! I know we’re going to be great friends well into the future.

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I didn’t have enough word count to thank my full team the way they deserve, so I’m doing that here! My debt of gratitude is enormous and I’ll never be able to repay it fully. Laura Miller and Peter Schwartz, you two were my incredible sounding boards through this entire campaign. And Laura, you kicked off my campaign launch with a speech so full of energy and humor that it set exactly the right tone from Day 1. I cannot thank you both enough for being with me from the very beginning. Jordana Bloom, this town is so, so lucky to have you! You know absolutely everyone, which honestly is a testament to how much people around Newtown adore you. And you’re one heck of a fighter! Thank you for being such a wonderful friend, such a selfless person, and for sharing your heart so generously with us. Arnie Berman, you were basically my campaign consigliere lol. Having you as a core part of this team made us so much better, no question about it. You’re doing great things on the Legislative Council, but I think we need you in Congress one day! Aidan Music, it was so great to have not just another young guy on the campaign, but someone so fired up about winning and willing to put in the work to make it happen. I lost count of how many times you rushed home from work just to make a campaign meeting. I owe you a drink, or a few, anytime you’d like! Michelle Assante, thank you so much for being so devoted to our mission and for being willing to give so much insight and feedback on the best way to accomplish our goals. Not only do I have you to thank, but I have Violet and Willow to thank too! They brought so much energy to the campaign and I am so indescribably appreciative of everything you've all done. Beth Young, you are so deeply valued, not just on our campaign but in our town and on the Board of Finance. Thank you for letting me plant that giant, gaudy sign in your front yard lol, for all your help making calls, and for being committed from the very start. And a huge thank you to your daughter for starring in one of our very first campaign videos! You both are the absolute best.

I’m not sure I would call this a victory lap. The contentious relationship between the NIMBY crowd and local builders has not served Newtown well. In fact, this kind of obstructionist approach is part of what leaves us with worse outcomes. We have already seen projects like the cinder block row housing on Oakview pushed through in ways many residents were unhappy with, and it is only a matter of time before a company like Vessel Technologies decides to block up an area like Castle Hill if we continue down this path. We need to learn how to work with builders, not meet every proposal with lawsuits, angry Facebook groups, and organized opposition. That does not mean residents should stay silent or accept every plan as presented. It means we should engage constructively, negotiate for better outcomes, and work toward development that fits Newtown rather than spending everyone’s money fighting until there are no good options left. Let’s learn to work together.

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"Think about women seeking reproductive healthcare." In which state does Brandon think he's running for office? If that's your moral imperative to run for office, move to Texas and insert yourself in their culture wars. Campaigns like this one choose the very odd "but Trump" angle because they have no other leg to stand on. Mitch has represented Newtown with integrity in Hartford, and it is evidenced by the complete lack of criticism of his record in the statements above.

Democrats To Choose Candidate For 106th District

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Elections Have Consequences XXIII

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