Date: Fri 15-Aug-1997

By Previous Employees

Published: Aug 11, 1999 12:00 am

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

snapshot-Msgr-George-Birge

Full Text:

SNAPSHOT: Msgr George Birge

Occupation: Pastor of St Rose parish. I've been here 11 years. I've been a

priest for 41 years and served all this time in the Diocese of Bridgeport. I

graduated from Fairfield University and went to St Mary's Seminary in

Baltimore. I was ordained in 1956.

How has the role of pastor changed over the years: In the Catholic church what

has changed in these recent years is the increased role of laity in ministry

which has been a blessing. It's not just the priest ministering. More and more

people, according to what they can do, are becoming lay ministers: many

catechists here, Eucharist ministers, lectors, and those who reach out to the

sick and teach our children.

What do you enjoy most: The greatest joy is the children. Little children just

bring joy, warmth and happiness to the heart. We're blessed with many children

here.

Family: This is my parish family here; we like to say "brothers and sisters in

the Lord." In Stratford, where I grew up, I have a brother, three sisters and

their families; a sister in Trumbull; and many nieces and nephews. I'm very

blessed to have them so close.

Biggest change in Newtown: The increase of new families and new people coming

into town. I've noticed at St Rose the number of young families coming into

our parish.

Hobbies: I like to swim, exercise, walk, play a round of golf on occasion. I

like to read and I like to write articles or spiritual poems.

What do you like to read: Besides the daily papers, I enjoy reading about

church history, spiritual books and, in recent years, I've been interested in

interfaith subjects.

Where/what is the biggest need in the world today: I think the biggest need is

in the third world. Those of us who are more fortunate in the western world

somehow have to help - not just through charitable works but in the economy

and in their lives. I see that as the greatest need. There seems to be a split

between those who are blessed and, on the opposite side, the extreme less

fortunate. It's a huge problem.

Personal philosophy: My personal philosophy reflects the gospel - "Do unto

others as you would have them do unto you." I always found that to be a guide;

it sums up charity.

‘Color Our World With Hope’ Filled Newtown With Music, Meaning, And Community Impact

Nighthawk Baseball Team Beats Conference Opponents

Late Goal By Ruddy Lifts Nighthawk Lacrosse Team To Victory, Showcases Chemistry In Midfield

Reed Intermediate Presents Sold-Out Performances Of 'Willy Wonka Jr'

Draw Dominance, Transition Game Lift Boys' Lacrosse Team To Lopsided Wins

Well that is some spin. The Democrats have a super majority on the LC and passed the Education Budget without serious consideration of if the voters could afford the multi million dollar increase. "Was the request justified?" rather than "is this needed?" and "can the voters shoulder yet another large increase?" The voters rightly sent it back. Then for some reason all the discussion around reductions to the increase seemed to be coming from the classroom, rather than administration and overhead costs. Is this a coercive tactic to manipulate parents into supporting the budget like tacit threat of cutting freshman sports was two years ago? Who believes the Democrats did not caucus privately before the meeting and came in with a number already worked out? This is the Dems budget, they own it.

Education Cuts: Who Voted For What

I think it is important that we do not villainize every black box seen around a home, business, farm, or municipal property. A black exterior station does not always mean rat poison is being used. These stations can hold a number of different products, including monitoring blocks, snap traps, non-toxic bait, anti-tick bait stations, organic salt- or cornmeal-based control products, and newer fertility-control approaches intended to reduce rodent populations without traditional poisons. The better conversation, in my opinion, is not simply “black boxes are bad,” but rather: what is inside them, who is maintaining them, and whether the rodent issue is being managed responsibly. Exclusion, sanitation, trapping, habitat reduction, and careful monitoring should all be part of a responsible IPM strategy. To be fair, on my own property I do use rodenticides, including Bromethalin and Bromadiolone, in secured bait stations. But that is a choice I make for my property, based on my circumstances and the risk I am trying to manage. I also believe property owners should understand the tradeoffs and be encouraged to use the least harmful effective method whenever possible. I support protecting Newtown’s wildlife. I also support giving residents accurate information and not assuming that every black box represents reckless or unsafe pest control. The goal should be responsible rodent management, not fear of the box itself.

Discusses Policy Against Rodenticides

Debora, thank you! I accidentally doubled the project prices by adding the bond to the appropriation. Thank you so much for catching that and pointing it out. With the corrected numbers, the voters approved a combined $1.32 million for a salt shed ($600k) and library pavement ($720k), while rejecting the $1.12 million replacement turf. Regarding the 80s, I truly respect the hurdle of 14% mortgage rates. My point is simply that the math has shifted: in 1980, while the rates were higher, the price of a home relative to earnings was significantly lower. We are facing a different, but equally crushing, financial wall. Ultimately, it is disheartening that voters who recognized safe sidewalks and parking lots as essential, dismissed a playing field in the exact same condition. The turf has passed its life cycle and is just as much of a liability as the library’s pavement, the only difference is that this safety concern affects thousands of children who, coincidentally, cannot vote. These are apples-to-apples needs. I was hopeful our community would agree that all Newtown residents deserve safe conditions, regardless of which facility they utilize. Again, I would be remiss not to mention that when 82% of residents don’t show up, we have to deal with the interests of those who did. Hopefully, the next referendum will have a bigger turnout.

The ‘Me’ Generation

Thanks for the reply. I meant the numbers you presented in your letter. I found one place where other numbers were listed: https://www.newtownbee.com/04232026/get-out-and-vote-on-the-2026-27-proposed-municipal-and-school-budgets/?q=\\\%22advisory%20questions\\\%22. In that article, the numbers were cited as: Treadwell field: $1,125,000 Library: $720,000 Salt Storage: $600,000 As one who started out in the early 80's when inflation was double digits, my 1985 mortgage rate was 14%, and child care costs were comparable (in present value), I shared your grief but never considered the voters ironic or shameful. PS. I agree college tuition is ridiculous. Thankfully, universities are offering (or considering) waiving all or most tuition for middle class families (upwards of $200,000 incomes). Hopefully, they'll also reconsider their need for those funds in the first place.

Sure! Child care costs: https://www.ffyf.org/2022/10/13/data-child-care-prices-continue-to-rise-ahead-of-midterm-elections-outpacing-inflation/ (also from 2021-2025 we had 2 children in a local daycare in Newtown and it cost us $3200 a month, so that's a number I am very familiar with) Home price / median price vs income source: https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/home-price-income-ratios Tuition increase vs inflation: https://feed.georgetown.edu/access-affordability/noting-a-decline-in-middle-class-students-colleges-provide-more-aid/ Hope this helps :)

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Date: Fri 15-Aug-1997

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