To The Editor:

It’s good to live in Newtown. We have excellent schools, teachers and administrators, park and recreational activities, first responders and a majority of government that listens to its constituents.

First, I want to commend Officer Adam Greco for his heart-felt letter to the editor recognizing the dedicated works of Officer John McCluskey, Officer Felicia Figol and Sergeant Doug Wisentaner who are retiring from the Newtown Police Department. For the last decade we have been blessed with an exceptional police force, as well as three excellent Police Chiefs in a row.

Second, I want to commend the Legislative Council’s 9-2-1 vote denying a proposed Assembly ordinance to move forward to its Ordinance Committee.

I think the letter to the Legislative Council from Jim Gaston (Board of Finance and 40+ year trial lawyer) expressed best the problem with the Ordinance. 1) The proposed ordinance was modeled from a spontaneous Danbury parade that occurred after a Brazilian World Cup victory. We are comparing apples to oranges. 2) The Ordinance required permits for sidewalks, streets and property owned by or under control of the Town of Newtown. The problem is, the property between the sidewalk and street is owned by the home and commercial owners, the sidewalks are controlled by the Borough, Main Street and Church Hill Road are controlled by the State of CT (DOT). 3) The language of the proposed Ordinance to limit 1st Amendment speech and Assembly is unconstitutionally vague, overly broad and encroaches on owner property rights. 4) Finally, the Ordinance is the tail wagging the dog.

The purpose of police is to respond to the needs of the people, not the people responding to the needs of 1st responders. If this Ordinance was passed, the Labor Day Parade, American Legion Memorial Day Ceremony at the Sailors and Soldiers Monument, Main Street Halloween with 3,000+ Trick O’ Treaters, Holiday Festival would all be endangered and onerously taxed with police overtime charges.

Finally, it should be made crystal clear, this was not originated from Chief Kullgren. It was initiated by our First Selectman, Jeff Capeci. This came out clearly at the Legislative Council meeting on July 2, 2025. Let’s remember this as we move forward to November elections and vote accordingly.

Again, a sincere thank you to all our first responders and the officials that overwhelmingly rejected the threats on our 1st Amendment Right to Assemble.

Lynn Hungaski

Newtown