Cultural Events
Legislative Coffee & Conversation With Bolinsky And Foncello, August 7
Published: Aug 01, 2026 7:00 am
State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky (R-106) and Martin Foncello (R-107) will be holding "open legislative coffee & conversation hours" for Newtown and Sandy Hook residents to discuss state government issues on Friday, August 7, from 8:30-10 am, at Ralph's Sandy Hook Cafe, 3 Glen Road.
This event will be one of a series that welcomes constituents to directly bring their concerns, discuss, ask questions, and present suggestions relating to state government.
Those unable to attend but would like to speak to Bolinsky or Foncello, or find out the next scheduled events, can call their State Capitol office at 1-800-842-1423 or e-mail Mitch.Bolinsky@housegop.ct.gov or Martin.Foncello@housegop.ct.gov.
State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky and Martin Foncello will hold "open legislative coffee & conversation hours" on August 7 for residents to discuss state government issues.
I sincerely appreciate Representatives Mitch Bolinsky and Martin Foncello holding open coffee and conversation hours. Making yourself readily available to listen, answer questions, and hear concerns from the public is the mark of a responsive elected official.
Newtown’s previous first selectmen understood this. Dan Rosenthal held “Walk & Talk with the First Selectman” sessions that were open to residents without reservations, and Jeff Capeci held regular “Java with Jeff” conversations.
Bruce Walczak ran heavily on responsiveness, transparency, and listening to residents. Yet his answer appears to be “Brews with Bruce” at the Senior Center—a program requiring reservations and, for residents who are not Senior Center members, the purchase of a day pass. That is not meaningful townwide access. It creates a barrier to participation and effectively limits the conversation to one narrow segment of the community.
A first selectman should not be waiting behind a paywall, however small, to hear from the public. He should be holding open coffee hours, evening forums, neighborhood walks, and other accessible events where any Newtown resident can participate without registering, joining a particular organization, or paying for admission.
Thank you, Mitch and Martin, for showing what genuine constituent outreach looks like. Listening to residents should be more than a campaign promise—it should remain a visible and continuing responsibility after Election Day.