NYS Seeks Nominees For Gail Smith Awards

By KAAREN VALENTA

Published: Apr 26, 2000 12:00 am

Newtown Youth Services is calling for nominations for this yearâs Gail Smith Awards. The awards are given annually to an adult, a youth, and a business that have dedicated their time to improve the services for youth in Newtown.

All nominations must be received at the Youth Services office, 41-A Main Street in Newtown, by noon on Thursday, May 4. Call 270-4335 to obtain a nomination form.

Previous adult recipients have included Aggie Burns, Barbara Reilly, Andrea Zimmermann, Susan Hills, James Shpunt, James C. Behan, Karla Bernstein, Carolyn Dieselman, and Vickie Bassett.

Youth awards have been given to Kelly Clark and Kristin Jeffe, Sarah Doherty, Emily Fries, Carrie Rief, Amanda Luf, Kristen Thompson, Christen Polnitsky, and Jessie Keys.

Businesses that have been honored include TC Cycle, The Drug Center, Lathrop School of Dance, My Place Restaurant, ATCO Construction, Newtown Hardware, and the Pepsi-Cola Company.

Gail Smith, a founder of Newtown Youth Services, believed in the youth of this community. A large part of her life as teacher, volunteer and parent was dedicated to enabling children to realize their full potential, and in turn to help Newtownâs youth use their gifts and talents for the well-being of peers and community.

The presentation of the awards will be at this yearâs annual meeting on Monday, May 22, at 7 pm, in the Memorial Room of Newtown Congregational Church House, at 41-A Main Street.

The guest speaker will be Ed Meincke, the director of Glastonbury Youth Services and founder of the Connecticut Youth Services Association. He will speak on âThe Importance of Youth Work in Todayâs World.â

There are several openings on the NYS Board of Directors. Board meetings are held monthly on the last Monday of the month at 7:30 pm. Various committee meetings are held during the month. Anyone who is interested in donating time and talents to NYS is asked to call 270-4335.

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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.

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NYS Seeks Nominees For Gail Smith Awards

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