Date: Fri 20-Feb-1998

By DOROTHY EVANS

Published: Aug 11, 1999 12:00 am

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

Snapshot-Charlie-Lewis

Full Text:

SNAPSHOT: CHARLIE LEWIS

Occupation: I am retired now but I was owner and operator of the J. Charles

Custodial Service for 32 years, covering many areas in Wilton, Westport,

Brookfield and Newtown.

As a volunteer, I have belonged to the Newtown Lions Club for the past 40

years. I was given the Lions' highest honor when I was named Knight of the

Blind in 1994-95.

How long in Newtown: I was born and raised here as were my parents and my

grandparents, who owned a farm on Hattertown above the Green. They owned a

cider mill which was once operated by the waterfall.

The Lewis name has been around for a long time now. In fact, Morgan's Pond off

Castle Meadow Road is fed by the Lewis Brook.

Family: Besides my wife, Gloria, I have a daughter and a son-in-law and three

of the greatest grandchildren: Danielle, Nicolle and Jordan, ages 12, 8, and

5. I also have a sister whom we call "The Snowbird," because she goes south to

Florida every winter.

Pets: We used to have a German Schnauzer but our last one died about four

years ago. We enjoy our neighbors' cats, which hunt for mice and moles on our

property.

Hobbies: Repairing clocks and woodworking.

Change in the town: I miss the small town atmosphere, the population has just

gone out of sight. What I miss most is not seeing people that I once knew.

In 1962, when we built our home, there were three houses on Maltie Road. Now

there are 24 houses and a lot of great neighbors and children.

Another thing I miss is being able to drive on the road without playing

Russian roulette and avoiding the young boys with their hats on backward who

drive wildly. I often wondered what the hats-on-backwards means. I'm not

criticizing the look, I am just interested.

Personal philosophy: I try to be good to people and maybe they will be good to

me. I have another saying that is not original, but I like it: "Learn like you

will live forever, but live like you will die tomorrow."

Mary Hanlon Celebration Of Life

Former Resident Who Started Fire Career With Newtown Hook & Ladder Inducted Into Connecticut Firefighters Association Hall Of Fame

Snapshot: Cyndi Adams

Real Food CT, Inc Receives $150,000 Purchasing Grant From State

Town And School Budgets Fail At Referendum

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 20-Feb-1998

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