It's That Time Again

By SHANNON HICKS

Published: Apr 08, 2011 12:00 am

Itâs That Time Again

To the Editor:

Thank goodness it seems like winter is over, or at least the heaviest of its punches should be past. Now its time to think about tick bites. Sorry to be the bearer of what seems like the never-ending warnings, but we are in tick season. And tick-borne diseases are serious business. The Newtown Health District has already received five ticks which we send to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station for testing. The first one came back positive for the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. We know there are plenty more out there which have been on pets, or found crawling on residents and removed before they could get their meal. This is just the beginning.

Please, please, please be aware of the potential for a tick bite. There are lots of ticks out there â they are looking for a blood meal. It is critically important that residents be mindful of their risk and that they try to manage it â avoid tick habitat when possible (pretty hard to do if you enjoy the outdoors), wear protective clothing, use repellent according to the manufacturerâs directions, check for ticks every day, remove attached ticks promptly, properly (with fine tipped tweezers), and bring them to the Health District to send out for testing, bathe soon upon coming in from the outdoors, consider utilizing a licensed pesticide applicator to spray your yard, make some landscaping adjustments in your yard to make it less tick friendly, do not feed deer, talk to your veterinarian about treating your pets, and be sure to talk to your health care provider if you have been bitten and/or are experiencing unexplained symptoms.

It is a challenge for the Newtown Health District to broadcast a strong warning about a serious and present risk and try to balance it with the encouragement to be physically active and enjoy all that Newtown has to offer. But thatâs exactly what we want you to do! Enjoy the outdoors and beauty that makes Newtown what it is, but use caution and be aware that you can be at risk for tick bites and the diseases they may cause.

You can expect to hear plenty more from us. Its still early and we have a long way to go. Nymph season has yet to begin â thatâs the part of the tick life cycle in which they are smaller than a poppy seed. Normally nymph season is May, June, and July. They are easy to miss â even more important to be aware.

Visit our webpage on the town website: www.newtown-ct.gov, then click on Town Departments, Health District. Review our front page, our BLAST message and also click on Tick Information and Test Results; there is valuable info and links there too. Our telephone number is 203-270-4291.

We really want to BLAST tick-borne diseases out of our lives.

Talk to you soon,

Donna M. Culbert, MPH, PE, RS

Director of Health, Newtown Health District

3 Primrose Street, NewtownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â April 6, 2011

The Voters Chose Newtown

The Plastic Problem

Margaret ‘Peggy’ Elizabeth Annett (July 31, 1943-April 26, 2025)

Making America: The Story Of An Immigrant

Snapshot: Andy Ashla

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.

Budget, Capital Projects Pass: Officials Respond

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.

The voters spoke, loud and clear that they support our schools and municipal services. The majority vote was a mandate to keep delivering well rated education services and keep it" Nicer in Newtown."

Great effort by the those who attended to shine a light on the attacks on Democracy. Thanks for the article so all can understand whats happening.

Hundreds Attend ‘Rock This Democracy’ Rally

Thank you LeReine, for speaking out about this. The list of public servants who are unfairly targeted for abuse just for doing their jobs has been growing. It is a testament to the power of propaganda that otherwise good and well-meaning people can get so emotional as to act out in this way.

Discusses Role As Registrar

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