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By STEVE BIGHAM

Published: Aug 11, 1999 12:00 am

Full Text:

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Rosenthal Runningmate A Loyal Party Man

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

Joe Bojnowski first got involved in local politics in 1984 when the late Art

Spector urged him to join the Democratic Party and serve on the Planning and

Zoning Commission.

He has been a loyal member of the party ever since, and recently appeared in

the spotlight when first selectman hopeful Herb Rosenthal chose him as his

running mate. Mr Rosenthal introduced Mr Bojnowski just moments after

receiving the party nomination at last week's caucus.

"I'm very pleased Herb asked me to run with him. I know we'll make a strong

team and I think Herb is going to make a very good first selectman," the North

Branch Road resident said earlier this week.

Mr Bojnowski spent 27 years at Union Carbide as an engineering manager, during

which time he managed the construction of a chemical plant in Italy. Now Mr

Bojnowski works out of his home as a commodities broker.

He moved to Newtown with his wife, Jane, in 1981 after being transferred by

Union Carbide from Charleston, W.Va. The couple has five children, Wendy

Bojnowski, Perry James, Laura James, Chad Bojnowski and John Bojnowski. All

five went through the Newtown school system.

Mr Bojnowski may best be known for his work as head of the local Democrats'

recent car raffle, which raised nearly $18,000 for the party. The Democrats

sold 2,500 tickets at $20 each for a chance to win a BMW Z-3 like the one seen

in a recent James Bond movie.

"I talked with Earl Smith and we both felt that it would be helpful for the

party to get a significant resource behind the campaign," Mr Bojnowski said.

The fundraiser turned out to be one of the most successful in the history of

the party.

"Joe ran it just as if he were running a business project," said town

committee chairman Earl J. Smith. "Goals were set, Joe would prepare computer

printouts about twice a week and he was constantly meeting with ticket sellers

and ad people."

Last week, Herb Rosenthal predicted he and Mr Bojnowski would make a strong

team. Mr Bojnowski agreed.

"I bring an organizational background, energy, and an understanding of the

process. Herb has administrative and management experience as well as a deep

understanding of town issues," he said.

The two candidates met several years ago when both were involved in the

political campaigns for Jack Rosenthal, Herb's father and former first

selectman.

"He has top business qualifications and I think he'll make a fine complement

to Herb," said Mr Smith. "Joe has always been working hard behind the scenes.

He's the kind of guy you can count on."

Mr Bojnowski acknowledged the Republicans' stronghold on the town, but

believes this could be the year for the Democrats.

"We've got a long way to go," he said. "We have to get our message out there."

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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