News

Chickos Sentenced To Probation In Drug Ring Conviction

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: January 11, 2016 12:00 am

HARTFORD — Jason Chickos, 46, of Bridgeport, was sentenced on Monday, January 11, by US District Judge Robert N. Chatigny to two years of probation for his role in an anabolic steroids manufacturing a...

Residents Sought For Commission Posts

By John Voket

Published: January 09, 2016 12:00 am

First Selectman Pat Llodra is seeking residents to fill several opening on local appointed boards and commissions. In some cases the appointments are required to be affiliated with a specific politica...

Continuing Its Look At 2016-17 Budget, School Board Hears From School Principals

By Eliza Hallabeck

Published: January 09, 2016 12:00 am

The Board of Education continued its review of the superintendent’s proposed 2016-17 budget at a meeting on Thursday, January 7, when building principals continued discussing individual school budgets...

State Website Fights Waste, Fraud and Abuse: Public's Help Needed

Published: January 09, 2016 12:00 am

The State of Connecticut has launched a website to help its efforts at fighting fraud, waste and abuse that cost state programs tens of millions of dollars each year. is a one-stop source to both edu...

'Retired' BOF Officials Influenced Financial Policies, Taxpayer Savings, Bond Rating Hikes

By John Voket

Published: January 08, 2016 12:00 am

As four “retiring” veteran Board of Finance members gathered one late December evening at a local restaurant to visit with The Newtown Bee and to reflect on some of the work they collectively accompli...

That Ominous Helicopter? It's Just Eversource

Published: January 08, 2016 12:00 am

If you see a low-flying black helicopter over Newtown today, there is no need to worry about invasions or catastrophes, according to Newtown’s Director of Emergency Communications, Maureen Will. The u...

Tenured Professor Calling 12/14 'Staged' Fired By University

By Shannon Hicks

Published: January 08, 2016 12:00 am

BOCA RATON, FLA. — A Florida college has fired a professor who has been claiming on his personal blog that 12/14 was staged. The same professor has been taunting at least one couple whose son was amon...

Study Recommends Traffic Signals For Flagpole Intersection

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: January 08, 2016 12:00 am

A traffic engineering firm is recommending a range of changes at the Main Street flagpole intersection, including installing traffic signals, altering the geometry of the junction, and modifying some ...

Council To Review Elderly, Disabled Tax Relief; Seniors Offer Suggestions

By John Voket

Published: January 08, 2016 12:00 am

Resident Steve Rosenblatt told the Legislative Council Wednesday evening that he believes lowering property taxes for all local seniors will help the town in the long run as the proportion of aging ho...

Mark Barden To Be Guest At State Of The Union Address

Published: January 08, 2016 12:00 am

WASHINGTON — US Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn) announced Thursday, January 7, that he has invited Mark Barden to be his guest for the State of the Union address. Mark Barden is the co-founder and manag...

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.

Lower Turnout Results In Two Budget Defeats

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.

Second Newtown DTC, League Of Women Voters Candidates Event Planned

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