Date: Fri 19-Apr-1996

By STEVE BIGHAM

Published: Aug 11, 1999 12:00 am

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

invention-convention

Full Text:

with: Two Local Students Cited At Invention Convention

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

While not yet on par with Thomas Edison and Eli Whitney, two Sandy Hook School

fifth graders were recently recognized for their clever and practical

inventions.

Competing at the 13th annual statewide Invention Convention at Central

Connecticut State University in New Britain last month, Jessica Horvath and

Elizabeth Krohn won top awards for their creations.

Jessica and Elizabeth were 2 of only 130 of the 650 competitors to be judged

as "Recognized Inventors" at the K-12 convention.

This year's judges included patent lawyers, manufacturers, inventors,

entrepreneurs and a host of other talented professionals. Each contestant was

judged and awarded according to his or her grade level.

Jessica, a student in George Stockwell's class, took home a new Timex watch

and a certificate for her portable chalk board supplier, which enables

students and teachers to more easily reach areas on the chalk board. Using a

painter's pole, Jessica devised a device with which washers can attach sponges

and erasers to the pole with velcro.

"That way you don't have to stand on a chair," the young inventor explained.

"It also helps because the pole does all the work instead of the person."

Elizabeth's creation entitled "The Lighter Collar," won her a new timepiece

and certificate as well. The collar, which can be used for either a dog or a

cat, has a red flashing light attached to it so if an owner's pet is dark, it

can be more easily spotted in the woods at night.

Elizabeth, a fifth grader in Cathy Mazzariello's class, came up with the idea

based on her own experiences.

"I have a black Labrador retriever who's black and hard to see at night," she

explained.

Elizabeth's dog currently wears the collar and, as the inventor reports, it

works quite well.

The two were among joined by five other Sandy Hook School fifth graders who

attended the statewide competition after advancing past a contest of inventors

held at the school. Other inventors included Katie Benson, Kristin Beraux,

Jared Lokes, Brian Pious and Michelle Grimaldi.

According to Sonya Richmond of the Invention Convention, the purpose of the

event is to teach students creative problem solving, but that some inventions

have gone far beyond the learning stage.

"In the past, we've had inventions at the event that have gone on to receive

their own patents," she explained.

Students were required to keep logs while they worked on their inventions.

Next HRRA Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Event Scheduled In Newtown

Genealogy Club's Next Program To Dig Into 'Dissecting A Civil War Pension Record'

Choral Society Planning ‘Voices Of America’ Performance

Newtown Earth Day Festival Was A Success

Local Fourth Grader To Host ‘Gaming For Change’ On May 16

The editorial took no position on the budget going up or down so you're reading things into the editorial that simply aren't there. The turnout is tied to the lack of passage, in that people who came out to vote last time did not this time, indicating a lack of support on their part. Perhaps it wasn't spelled out clearly enough, but that's what the editorial was driving at, people showing lack of support by not casting a vote. The editorial did address likely concerns among voters that may have led to lack of support and lack of turnout. This lower turnout also follows increasing turnout over the past four referendums in three years (meaning it is an aberration from that), and increased turnout is something that I do push for regularly in editorials. Any disappointment you might be seeing is at the break in that trend, not at whether the budget passed or not. I'd rather see more people come out and vote "no" then not vote at all.

Lower Turnout Results In Two Budget Defeats

Clearly, property owners no longer want to bear the burden of expenses while the state does not meet it’s responsibilities. Rising costs must be addressed by actions that do not include yearly increases of property owners’ taxes. The state of CT must meet its share of the educational costs, and other costs.

Town And School Budgets Fail At Referendum

This feels like an oddly misleading headline and narrative, particularly coming from the Editorial Board. The headline "Lower Turnout Results in Two Budget Defeats" pushes a misleading narrative regarding voter turnout, and then seeks to tie the outcome of the referendum to that misleading narrative. Sure, voter turn out for this year's referendum, 18%, was lower than last year's. However, last year's turnout, 25.4%, represented the highest turnout in the most recent 10 budget referendums. If you take the time to examine turnout percentages between 2017 and 2026 (2017: 19.9, 2018: 15.7, 2019: 17, 2020: 0, 2021: 8.98, 2022: 7.7, 2023: 8.8, 2024: 15.1/17.49, 2025: 25.4, 2026: 18), this year's turnout was actually the third highest in the past 10 cycles. Perhaps the headline of this article should say "Lower Voter Turnout Than Last Year", which is more accurate, rather than creating an impression that this year's turnout is some type of aberration - a narrative that the turnout numbers, in all their binary glory, simply do not support. Further, the headline of this article appears to tie the "lower turnout" to the defeated budgets. Sure, that could be true. But, perhaps, its more likely that Newtown residents are feeling the squeeze of multiple economic influences. In Newtown, we've experienced property revaluations and increased municipal spending. Eversource continues to raise rates. The state legislature gives PURA the authority to impose Public Benefit charges that benefit a tiny percentage of the public (and subsequently burdening the rest of us). At the national level, inflation has run rampant for years and many of those costs remain high to this day. In short, the data tells a far less dramatic—and far more honest—story than the headline suggests. This wasn’t an electorate vanishing in apathy; it was a fairly typical turnout delivering an verdict that, perhaps, some at the Editorial Board didn't like. At some point, it’s worth considering that residents aren’t confused, disengaged, or misled by turnout; they’re simply doing math at their kitchen tables and concluding that “no” is the only responsible answer left.

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.

Log In

Date: Fri 19-Apr-1996

Leave a Reply Cancel reply