Date: Fri 10-Nov-1995

By Previous Employees

Published: Aug 11, 1999 12:00 am

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

youth-Gaines-award

Full Text:

WITH PHOTO:Carlen Gaines Wins State Youth Advocacy Award

Carlen Gaines isn't shy about being an advocate for youth in the community,

but when the spotlight turns to her tremendous achievements, she suddenly

becomes self conscious. This proved the case when she received the Connecticut

Youth Services Association's (CYSA) Youth Advocate of The Year Award on

October 27, at its annual meeting.

"Very often the CYSA gives this award to somebody who is involved with

politics on the state level - someone who might have helped pass a bill [to

benefit youth, for example]," said the organization's outgoing president David

Melillo. CYSA has a membership of 86 youth bureaus from 110 cities and towns

throughout the state. "But Carlen Gaines was just so outstanding that we were

really happy to make that different approach this year."

Mrs Gaines was nominated by Newtown Youth Services because of the enormous

amount of time and energy she has devoted to every facet of the lives of youth

in our community, according to Deborah Richardson, director of NYS. "Her

contributions are done in a quiet, unassuming way and the effects are far

reaching," said the director. "She certainly believes in 'youth' and works

hard to contribute to creating opportunities for positive growth - physically,

spiritually, psychologically, and socially."

Mrs Gaines, who has lived in Newtown for ten years, said she was overwhelmed

to even have been considered for the award. "Receiving the award has let me

see how important [Newtown] Youth Services is and all Connecticut youth

services," she said. "I think Newtown does a phenomenal job as an advocate for

youth and families. And I'm proud to be a part of this organization."

Mrs Gaines is willing to say things that "are unpopular" and is committed to

all children, especially those she feels are not being fairly represented,

according to Ms Richardson. "She has been a very successful lobbyist, both

with the Board of Education and with the town's Legislative Council, with

regards to youth issues and funding for youth services," said the director.

The award recipient has been an active member of Hawley School PTA, was

instrumental in spearheading the construction of new playground equipment at

the school and served as the Hawley School PTA president for two years. She

was also vice president of Newtown PTA Council, assisted with the DARE

program, and has been a member of the Newtown Substance Abuse Task Force. Mrs

Gaines has helped coordinate the Newtown Fund's holiday gift and food

distribution program, served as Cub Scout den leader for more than three

years, was co-chair of SAFE Homes, has worked on the After Prom Party, and has

chaperoned many Middle School dances.

"What are known only to her closest friends, are all the thoughtful and

compassionate acts of kindness she does for others, personally," said Susan

Costa, assistant director of NYS. "Whenever Carlen learns of someone who may

be going through a difficult time in his or her life or in need of something,

she is the first one at the door with a hot meal, support, or words of

encouragement."

Mrs Gaines has assisted the Meals On Wheels Program in Newtown. She has served

on the Discipline Committee and the Governance Council, which examined all the

aspects of education and life at the Middle School and made recommendations

for how it could be more effective for students.

She is a member of the Middle and High School PTAs, and teaches religious

education classes at St Rose Church. She has also been active in both Parks

and Rec and school youth sporting programs.

"She is everywhere - and she works and raises her family," said Ms Richardson.

"Carlen is an exceptional and wonderful human being. We're proud of the fact

that she got selected - she was up against some pretty tough competition."

Since April, 1992, Mrs Gaines has been a key member of the board of directors

for Newtown Youth Services. She has been adviser to Youth Advisory Board, and

also has chaired NYS's Haunted Yard the past two years.

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.

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Date: Fri 10-Nov-1995

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