Don't Wait To Save Open Space

By CURT CLARK

Published: Mar 30, 2007 12:00 am

Donât Wait To Save Open Space

To the Editor:

âGenuine long term planningâ (Po Murray letter of March 21) and âsound analysisâ of relevant information sound like terrific ideas. But not spending the currently allocated $16 million to save open space, now, while we wait to calculate exactly how many dollars it will save the town in taxes is a terrible idea. We already know that land built on while we wait will never be recovered. And we already know that the new houses built on it will generate tax deficits forever.

Genuine long-term planning for Newtown must start with lowering the so-called buildout number. Iâm relieved to read that the number has dropped from 2,700 homes to 1,800 homes. The day we get it close to zero is the day we can start repairing the tax damage caused by years of unplanned development.

Justin Scott

Parmalee Hill Road, NewtownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â March 28, 2007

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Candidates Verbally Spar During Selectmen Debate

Let us be honest: saying he’s “not afraid to cross party lines” because he switched affiliations to get on the ballot isn’t the same as actually doing something non-partisan once in office or on a commission. I haven’t seen any examples of him putting partisanship aside to get things done — only to get on the ballot.

Endorses Walczak

October 26, 2025 Top of The Mountain, Head Cat The Newtown Bee 5 Church Hill Road Newtown, CT 06470 Dear Top of the Mountain: Good day, kind sir. I read your posting on Friday, October 24th, with happiness and then sadness. You started so happy with the Library’s display celebrating Lucy’s Black Cats, then moved on to Halloween, always a treat (with a trick thrown in) in our community. Then onto the costumes and how the Sibleys are stepping aside from NUMC—not walking away—and then to the Drive-Thru Food Drives on Saturday mornings. What got to me was the final paragraph on the closing of the Watertown paper. You were/are upset over that, and it is understandable. To ever think we would lose the Newtown Bee makes me so sad. The Bee is where children learn to read, surrounded by their family as they talk about the articles and the pictures of family and friends. That’s how my daughter learned to read and recognize people. No computer or phone, just pages of articles of those we have lost and those who make our community such a wonderful place to be. I can’t imagine a world where the Bee isn’t in it. It’s where our children see themselves and friends in the School / Sport Section. It’s where many of us can read about our history in the Way We Were and say goodbye to friends and family in Obituaries (where it doesn’t matter how long it is —you will print it). The Bee is where the past and the future come together, we laugh, cry, shake our heads, and TALK about what is written. It is where we LEARN. I am proud to be born and raised in Newtown. Even though my sister moved to New Hampshire, she still gets the Bee (she is keeping track of me, I think). I get my news from the Bee, and I pay attention to the articles, the Opinions, and the Letters to the Editor. You are unbiased in your reporting and in your Editorials; you keep us honest, in my humble opinion. I can’t imagine a world without the Bee, and let’s face it, if I buy you my local convenience store, it’s one (1) single dollar – the “other” local paper is three (3) dollars a day, and I don’t get half the news I get from the Bee. I know where to get the news that I want to read, but no week is complete without my Bee. So, please don’t be sad, there are so many of us here in town that feel the same way, and we WILL (yes, pun intended), come back and … read you again! With much love and respect, Maureen A. Will

Top Of The Mountain

No one is discussing your post about Charlie Kirk. What people are responding to is your use of hateful and demeaning language toward the very people you were elected to represent. Calling your constituents “leftist libtards” is not only disrespectful, it is deeply offensive. That word combines a political slur with a term historically used to demean people with disabilities. It’s shocking and disappointing that an elected official would use such language publicly, let alone in reference to members of her own community. Rather than deflecting from this by shifting the focus elsewhere, I urge you to restate your logic. Do you truly believe this is how public servants should speak about those they represent? Our community deserves clarity and respect.

An Open Letter To The DTC: Setting The Record Straight

Yes, elections have consequences — Democrats lost. Now it’s time to deal with it instead of trying to turn every local race into a national political drama. Dragging “Project 2025” into a Newtown election is a stretch that borders on absurd. Our local government isn’t deciding national policy — it’s fixing roads, managing budgets, and keeping taxes reasonable. If you think Washington politics are running Town Hall, you haven’t been paying attention. Jeff Capeci and the local Republican team are focused on what actually matters here at home: fiscal responsibility, public safety, and smart development. That’s the kind of leadership Newtown needs — not scare tactics and conspiracy-laced talking points pulled from cable news.

Elections Have Consequences XVII

I’m not sure the author of that letter was actually at the debate, because she seems to have missed the portion near the end when Bruce Walczak couldn’t explain (remember?) how the town pays for its roads. That moment was uncomfortable to watch — and it underscored exactly why experience in town government matters. Jeff Capeci didn’t rely on “pat answers”; he relied on facts. His understanding of how Newtown operates — how projects are funded and how to actually get things done — comes from years of hands-on service, not theory or guesswork. And let’s be honest: it’s not a bad thing that Jeff Capeci was “practiced.” I want someone who prepares for a debate, who does their homework, and who takes the role of First Selectman seriously enough to be ready. Winging it might sound authentic, but it’s not leadership. At several points, Bruce struggled to follow along. He had to have a question repeated because he couldn’t hear, and at yet another point Jeff had to ask for clarification because no one could understand what Bruce was saying. It was clear he wasn’t answering the questions that were actually asked. It was shockingly reminiscent of a recent debate on the national stage.

After The Debate, I’m With Bruce

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Don't Wait To Save Open Space

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