Date: Fri 06-Jun-1997

By DOROTHY EVANS

Published: Aug 11, 1999 12:00 am

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

Daphne-Gibney-schools

Full Text:

Daphne Gibney Retires From Newtown Middle School

(with photo)

BY DOROTHY EVANS

"Newtown Middle School. Mrs Gibney speaking. May I help you?"

The accent is British, and the tone of cheerful good will comes through loud

and clear.

That's the phone voice of Daphne Gibney, longtime middle school secretary, who

is about to retire from a position she has held for 17 years.

It just won't be the same without her, Mrs Gibney's co-workers say.

She's so totally unflappable and pleasant, even in the most hectic of

circumstances - and you would have to say her job at the hub of the middle

school office is hectic, though Mrs Gibney insists she thrives on the

challenge.

Not only does she answer the phone, she takes attendance, she writes out and

delivers messages for students and faculty members, she oversees the copy

machine and she answers the million and one questions that students bring to

her desk, knowing she'll help if she can.

"Oh, no! Mrs Gibney can't leave. Who's going to be our person now?" said one

girl in dismay, when she heard the news of Mrs Gibney's imminent retirement.

As Mrs Gibney said Monday, "It's time, even though I'll miss the discipline of

going to work every day. Most of all, I'll miss the children."

There are family commitments and things she wants to do.

Her son Jonathan is getting married on June 14 at St Rose Church to a Newtown

girl, and son David is coming in from California.

Then she plans to do some traveling in England and Europe, maybe find "a

little cottage in the ideal spot" and put her feet up for a while.

One thing she looks forward to is having time to sing, and listen to her

favorite choral music.

"But I'll be around. You'll see me," she promised.

For one thing, she'll keep up with her SMART job at Sandy Hook during the

summers, helping children with their remedial work.

"I've had a good time. Been involved and enjoyed myself," she said, mentioning

Jaycees' wives, 4-H and Boy Scouts while her children were in the Newtown

schools.

Faculty and friends hosted an English Tea Party in Mrs Gibney's honor Tuesday

afternoon, complete with crumpets and jam, at Assistant Principal Virginia

King's home.

Lower Turnout Results In Two Budget Defeats

The ‘Me’ Generation

Says Budget Was Not In 'Best Interest'

'Rejection Of Business-As-Usual Budgeting'

Says Voters Sent Clear Message

Enjoyed the forum which only confirmed my support for Brandon Moore as the Democratic candidate to run for the state representative position. Brandon Moore did not waiver about his duty to all the people, if elected, when an issue presents itself that requires that he voice a difference of opinion for the wellbeing of Newtown residents. If Michelle Ku’s 16 years have led to her loyalty being to other elected officials, as she implied, then Newtown is going to continue to witness actions that do not protect its residents. She could not unseat republican, Mitch Bolinsky, during a Blue Wave, and once again, will not do it now. Winning that seat is critical for all. That explains why her previous campaign committee now campaigns for Brandon Moore. It explains all the endorsements he has received from local elected democratic officials. It’s why we need Brandon Moore to be the democratic candidate to run for state representative.

Second Newtown DTC, League Of Women Voters Candidates Event Planned

Appreciated the opportunity to hear from both candidates as we were present for the College Dems forum but only heard from Brandon Moore. It was an opportunity to see who can unseat the Republican incumbent and there is no doubt that Brandon Moore should be the Democratic candidate. One concerned parent posed a question about discrimination unaddressed by the school district and interestingly enough, Michelle Ku, who proudly speaks of her Board membership years, said little, while Brandon Moore passionately addressed the issue along with his experience as an Apache Helicopter Commander. This family is supporting Brandon Moore. We need change and someone who is not afraid to disagree, especially about the rising costs of living in Newtown.

I am glad to see First Selectman Bruce Walczak engaging the electorate. Mark your calendars, folks — apparently, communication from Town Hall is possible after all. But where was Bruce two days ago, when Connecticut State Police requested assistance from Newtown Police after two individuals fled on foot from an I-84 crash? As a manhunt went through town, police were stationed at our schools, and many residents checked their car doors, deadbolted their houses, and armed themselves (Thank you James from Port Conway). That sounds like exactly the kind of situation where residents would expect timely communication from town leadership. Parents, neighbors, and residents in the affected area should not have to piece together information after the fact while police are actively searching the community. The issue is not whether our police did their job. They did. The issue is whether Town Hall is doing its job when it comes to keeping residents informed during real-time public safety situations. If the First Selectman can write to residents about the importance of showing up for the budget, he should also show up when residents are looking for clear, timely information during an active police incident. This kind of communication was promised during the campaign. Unfortunately, Bruce Walczzzzak is starting to look like just another politician: campaign on change, criticize the last guy, ask taxpayers for more staff, and then tell residents the job still cannot be done.

The First Selectman On The Budget

528 more feet of broadsheet paper ... we have passed the dump ... as for the details, it is worth pointing out that Merrimack's coal plant shifted to two (2) 4 oil generators. I wonder if this is why crude oil production hit record highs in July...

Elections Have Consequences XXV

Where was our CodeRED? For over 4 years Newtown has a CodeRED system. The town tells residents it exists for emergencies and points to things like missing persons, wildfires, and criminal activity as the kinds of incidents it is meant to address. Yet we had no CodeRED for Kateri Doty, no CodeRED for the brush fires, and no CodeRED for yesterday’s manhunt with police and tracking dogs moving through our backyards. That is not one oversight. That is a pattern. Under sleepy Bruce Walczak, the town has an emergency notification system that never seems to get used when actual emergencies happen. Whether or not Bruce physically sends the alert himself is beside the point. If the system is not being used, if residents are left hearing about dangerous situations from Facebook and the neighbors’ kids instead of from their own government, then that failure belongs to him. Newtown residents should not have to guess when there is a public safety issue unfolding around them. If Bruce Walcz"zzz"ak cannot make sure an emergency alert system is used for emergencies, then what exactly is he doing?

State Police Seeking Two Evading Responsibility For Incident

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Date: Fri 06-Jun-1997

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