Cultural Events

Newtown Democratic Town Committee Announces ‘An Evening For Blue’ Honoring Jim Gaston

Published: Sep 24, 2026 7:00 am

Newtown Democratic Town Committee will host “An Evening for Blue,” a special celebration honoring longtime Newtown resident and dedicated Democrat Jim Gaston, Esq, as the recipient of The 2026 Democracy in Action Award.

The event will take place on Friday, October 2, from 6 to 8:30 pm, under the pavilion at Castle Hill Farm, 1 Sugar Lane.

Organizers say Gaston's years of dedication to Newtown and his commitment to Democratic principles "have made a meaningful difference in our community. We look forward to celebrating his contributions with friends, neighbors, and members of the community."

Special guests scheduled to attend include Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Connecticut Democratic State Party Chairman Roberto Alves, and Newtown First Selectman Bruce Walczak.

The celebration will provide an opportunity for members of the community to join together to recognize Gaston’s contributions and celebrate civic engagement and Democratic values.

Tickets are $65, space is limited, and reservations are requested. To reserve a place and obtain additional event information, visit the Newtown Democratic Town Committee website at newtownctdemocrats.org.

Newtown Democratic Town Committee will host a special celebration honoring longtime Newtown resident and dedicated Democrat Jim Gaston, Esq, the recipient of The 2026 Democracy in Action Award.

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Michelle Embree Ku raises valid concerns about local property taxes, but ignores a basic political reality: Representative Mitch Bolinsky serves in the minority in a legislature dominated by a single-party supermajority where minority-party proposals are routinely sidelined. Suggesting that a single minority representative could rewrite the state's ECS formula is politically unrealistic and disingenuous to Newtown voters. Despite those odds, Mitch’s CGA track record speaks for itself. He led the charge to protect special education funding, preserve Drug-Free School Zones, safeguard school safety drills, advance science-based structured literacy, and defend homeschooling choices for families. If Ms. Ku knows how to fix the ECS formula, what has she done to convince her own party—the same party that controls the House, Senate, and Governor’s office? If the supermajority has the votes to fix ECS today, why hasn’t it happened during the 13 years she cites? Adding another seat to a supermajority that made Connecticut one of the highest-taxed states won't help Newtown taxpayers. If the current majority hasn't delivered relief with absolute power, expanding that majority won't change the outcome. Newtown’s interests are best served by keeping Mitch in the House and increasing Republican margins to provide real checks and balances. When one party holds every lever of power, accountability disappears. Strengthening the minority ensures our town’s voice is heard, not drowned out.

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Bruce, your advice that voters should “read, listen, and engage” would be much more persuasive if you practiced it yourself. You campaigned on openness and responsiveness. You declared that “evasive answers or silence are unacceptable in government” and promised to answer constituent inquiries within two days. Yet you never answered my straightforward public question about Main Street demonstrations, traffic disruption, pedestrian safety, and the effects on local businesses. After taking office, meaningful public engagement has largely been replaced by “Brews with Bruce” at the Senior Center—requiring reservations and, for some residents, a day pass. That is not accessible, townwide engagement. Previous first selectmen held open coffee hours and walk-and-talk sessions that any resident could attend. Then came the failed storm communications, your apology, and another promise to communicate better—followed shortly afterward by more silence while multiple police agencies conducted a significant search near Saw Mill Road. You now tell voters to examine what candidates say and “how they say it.” I would suggest going one step further: compare what politicians promise while seeking office with what they actually do after winning. Your record presents a stark contrast. You told voters exactly what they wanted to hear to get the job, then failed to live by those promises. Whether that is dishonesty or simply indifference, it is the same familiar, two-faced politics you once claimed you would replace.

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Newtown Democratic Town Committee Announces ‘An Evening For Blue’ Honoring Jim Gaston

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