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NFP To Host ‘Never Search Alone’ Speakers July 14

Published: Jul 06, 2026 7:30 am

Northern Fairfield Professionals (NFP) is a free networking group that meets the second Tuesday of every month. Meetings typically feature a guest speaker whose presentations are geared toward business professionals, focusing on topics relevant to the job search and ongoing career development.

Organizers typically include a “Landed Talk” where a former NFP attendee briefly shares their job search success story and insights from their journey.

The next meeting is Tuesday, July 14, 5:30-8 pm at the Knights of Columbus building at St Rose of Lima campus, 46 Church Hill Road. The speaker presentation will be from 6-7:30 pm, providing attendees with two 30-minute networking periods at the start and end of the meeting.

This month’s speakers are Cheryl Smith and Peggy Harris. They will present the “Never Search Alone” method for landing.

“Never Search Alone” is a highly structured, volunteer-driven free program for anyone laid off, let go, or looking for their next job. Attendees will learn about this program and experience some of the exercises so they can decide if this method is for them.

Peggy Harris, PMP, is a project and program management leader with over 15 years of experience delivering ERP, integration, and business transformation initiatives. Based in California's Silicon Valley, Harris is an active member of the PMI Silicon Valley chapter, where she co-hosts a monthly networking breakfast. She joined the Never Search Alone (NSA) community in 2025, completed the 11-week Job Search Council program, and continues to participate in the NSA community. She is passionate about helping professionals build meaningful connections and navigate career transitions through the power of community, accountability, and networking.

Cheryl Smith is a seasoned HR/OD professional with significant experience both as an internal and external consultant. She has a track record of success in talent assessment, leadership development, employee engagement, organizational surveys, and change programs for organizations ranging from not-for-profits to Fortune 500 companies. She is a single mom of three young adult daughters living in Weston, Conn.

To receive an NFP Evite e-mail, e-mail johnbarryitech@gmail.com.

For information on the next topic and speaker, please go to the Northern Fairfield Professionals LinkedIn group, linkedin.com/groups/74193.

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This should have been printed as XXVII in case you would like to redo your calculations.

Elections Have Consequences XXVI

It is actually XXVII - 27. There was a misprint in the title.

With the publication of installment No. 26, Trump’s Triumphs has now consumed enough broadsheet paper—approximately 3.6 miles—to stretch from the center of Newtown, past the dump, and nearly to Sand Hill Plaza. That is the amount of paper used to print these 26 installments alone. Do you think they will stop before we get to Monroe? If Trump becomes 48 in 28 then we would make the sound for sure!

Dave, you are right that only those in the Borough signed onto the law suits, as it was made clear during the Borough meetings that signers had to be residents of the Borough. However, as you know, there was a concerted effort by the Newtown Conservation Coalition to organize people (throughout town) and to orchestrate actions intended to foil the overall development. If one searches the Bee for “Newtown Conservation Coalition” one will find many articles and editorials that cite the coalition. More that 18 of those articles and editorials, from March 2024 through February 2025, are about the Castle Hill Development and include direct quotes from the NCC head/founder including, e.g.,: 1) Newtown Conservation Coalition founder Dave Ackert has sagely urged his fellow NCC members to “stick to the relevant regulations issues and concerns in your testimony,” as “general opinions and concerns will not be considered when making their decision." [https://www.newtownbee.com/08292024/borough-zoning-to-begin-20-60-castle-hill-public-hearing." [https://www.newtownbee.com/08292024/borough-zoning-to-begin-20-60-castle-hill-public-hearing] 2) “We’re being sold a lot of things,” said Ackert. “The developer said he is going above and beyond in preserving open space, but the only part [of the plan] that doesn’t have houses are the steep slopes. He’s not avoiding buildable land, he’s using every buildable inch.” [https://www.newtownbee.com/09272024/borough-zoning-hears-perspectives-on-castle-hill-development] In addition to the articles and editorials, you (Dave) also wrote over 8 letters related to the development, in essence speaking for the residents, e.g., saying “On behalf of hundreds of concerned residents living within 500 feet who signed protest petitions, and residents downstream who’s property and finances could also be negatively impacted, I ask the BOS to rescind the discontinuance decision now.” [https://www.newtownbee.com/07102025/discusses-rochambeau-trail-and-6-commerce-road] The main tools for the Newtown Conservation Coalition are FOI complaints and legal action. These actions have increased the amount both the Town and the Borough have had to pay for legal counsel over the last few years. The cost is shared by all households and businesses for Town actions. Unfortunately, it is shared by very few, relatively speaking, for Borough actions. This year’s Borough costs are $58,000 to date. There were FOIA/legal actions in 2024 and 2025 too. Eventually, we will all see if that was money well spent. My sense is that the answer is no.

What’s Going On In The Borough?

my concern is not limited to this single FOIA request or this one case. It is the broader pattern of obstructionism, fear-mongering, and personal nastiness reflected in your Facebook page and other public commentary. You routinely call people to action by presenting only one side of complicated issues, assigning the worst possible motives to those who disagree with you, and giving little consideration to the legitimate concerns or perspectives on the other side. That may generate outrage and attention, but it does not make you a constructive participant in Newtown’s civic affairs. You are entitled to question public officials and pursue whatever legal remedies are available to you. But you should not pretend that your own conduct, rhetoric, and repeated escalation of disputes have played no role in the hostility and expense surrounding these matters. Newtown would be a nicer and more productive community with less of this kind of divisive behavior.

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NFP To Host ‘Never Search Alone’ Speakers July 14

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