Snapshot: Nick Borrello

By DOROTHY EVANS

Published: Aug 11, 1999 12:00 am

SNAPSHOT: NICK BORRELLO

Occupation: I have been in practice as a dentist for 32 years. My office, Stony Hill Dental Care, is located in Bethel. I have a bachelor's of science degree in agriculture from Rutgers University College of Agriculture and graduated in 1963 from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dentistry.

How Long in Newtown: I have lived in Newtown for 27 years. We have had two homes here. Prior to Newtown, I lived in Bethel.

Biggest Change Seen in Town: The biggest change is the tremendous amount of building going on. It has tripled the number of homes on my road in the last three years.

Family: My wife Barbara and I have been married 31 years. Our daughter, Nicole, is 24. She graduated from the University of Miami and is employed in the legal department of ABC Communications in California. Our son, who died in 1988, would have been 28.

Pets: We have a cocker spaniel named Sienna.

Hobbies: I do a lot of boating and have a boat in Florida. I'm also on the Internet a lot, looking at different web sites.

Favorite Books and Authors: I don't have as much time as I'd like to have to read. I read journals on computers and anything that crosses my desk about boating.

Favorite TV Show: My favorite show was Star Trek. I kind of grew up with that. When I grew up, I found out that other people were enthusiastic about it, too.

Organizations: I have recently become the president of the Newtown Rotary Club, which is taking up a lot of my time. Rotary meets Monday evenings at 6:15 pm at the Fireside. It does several service projects. I also am a member of the US Power Squadrons, a boating organization, and a yacht club. I am a member of the American Dental Association and several other dental associations. I have been a full attending dentist in Danbury Hospital for several years at the dental clinic. I feel I have an obligation to see people I can't see in my office.

Most Vivid Memory of Newtown: Up until recently I would have said the Newtown Labor Day parade, but ever since this shooting Saturday, it's been on my mind. The family attends my church.

Favorite Vacation Spot: The Bahamas. I enjoy going there by boat. There are some places there I have always liked. I couldn't believe the colors of the water. Everything looks different from the water.

Personal Philosophy: I always have felt it's important to be the best at whatever you choose to be. If you don't give it 100 percent, you're not being true to yourself.

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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Snapshot: Nick Borrello

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