When former New York Jet Joe Klecko comes to Newtown High School to shine some shoes, it will be because of a bet he made with some Nighthawk football players.

By KIM HARMON

Published: Dec 14, 1999 12:00 am

During the recent Giants-Jets game in the Meadowlands in New Jersey, Rich Petretti, Jon Werbeck, John Pantan and Mark Werbeck â all NHS players â were enjoying the ritual tail gate party when former Joe Klecko and Ted Banker, former Jets, stopped by to toss around the football and joke about the game.

But Klecko made the mistake of betting the three Giantsâ fans in the group â Petretti, Pantan and Jon Werbeck â that the Jets would not lose.

The Jets lost.

And now Klecko has to pay up â meaning, he will come to Newtown High School and some point in the coming year and shines the shoes of those three Giantsâ fans. Mark Werbeck, a Jets fan, can probably help.

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The voters certainly spoke — and I respect the outcome — but let’s not forget that a “majority” doesn’t mean everyone agreed. Many of us are deeply concerned about the rising cost of living here. Supporting schools and services is important, but so is ensuring that residents can afford to stay in the town they love. We all want Newtown to be a great place to live, but lately, it’s starting to feel less like “Nicer in Newtown” and more like “More Expensive in Newtown.” That’s not sustainable, and it’s not a criticism of the town itself — it’s a call for responsible budgeting and long-term planning that doesn’t rely on tax increases year after year. I hope future decisions will reflect not just the desire to maintain services, but also the need to ease the financial burden on residents.

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I appreciate the passion behind this message, and I absolutely understand the desire to invest in our town. That said, I voted no — not because I don't care about Newtown, but because I do. Fiscal responsibility is not about ignoring problems, it’s about making sure we address them in a sustainable and transparent way. It’s frustrating to feel like every year there’s a new “urgent” reason to raise taxes, with little serious effort to curb spending or prioritize needs. I worry this just sets the stage for another round of increases next year. That doesn't mean I’m against education, safety, or our town’s future — it means I believe in accountability and in asking tough questions about how our money is managed. Voting no wasn't a rejection of Newtown — it was a call for more thoughtful, balanced leadership. I hope future conversations can include all perspectives, not just those willing to write a bigger check.

The Voters Chose Newtown

The voters spoke, loud and clear that they support our schools and municipal services. The majority vote was a mandate to keep delivering well rated education services and keep it" Nicer in Newtown."

Great effort by the those who attended to shine a light on the attacks on Democracy. Thanks for the article so all can understand whats happening.

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Thank you LeReine, for speaking out about this. The list of public servants who are unfairly targeted for abuse just for doing their jobs has been growing. It is a testament to the power of propaganda that otherwise good and well-meaning people can get so emotional as to act out in this way.

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When former New York Jet Joe Klecko comes to Newtown High School to shine some shoes, it will be because of a bet he made with some Nighthawk football players.

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