News

Volunteer Drivers Needed For Newtown Meals On Wheels

Published: October 20, 2015 12:00 am

Winter is coming, and many “snowbirds” who volunteer all over Newtown are heading south. Newtown Meals On Wheels is one local organization that is experiencing a fall off in the number of drivers avai...

Council Hearing On Charter Revision Wednesday Evening

By Eliza Hallabeck

Published: October 19, 2015 12:00 am

The Legislative Council will conduct a public hearing on the proposed charter changes on Wednesday, October 21. The hearing will begin at 7 pm, in the Council Chamber at Newtown Municipal Center. At i...

NVAC To Host Free Child ID Registration Event

By John Voket

Published: October 19, 2015 12:00 am

Normally, Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps members race out of their headquarters responding to emergency calls. But on November 14, volunteers and partners from Hiram Lodge No. 18 in Sandy Hook will...

Former Dispatcher Pleads Guilty in Drug Trafficking Case

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: October 19, 2015 12:00 am

HARTFORD – A former Newtown emergency services dispatcher pleaded guilty on Monday, October 19, in US District Court to one count of conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids. In court, Jason Chickos...

Last Call For Questions Before BOF Candidate Forum

Published: October 17, 2015 12:00 am

Newtown taxpayers and residents have until noon on Monday, October 19, to submit questions they may have for candidates running for the Board of Finance this coming Election Day. Continuing an annual ...

GOP Position Paper Weighs Question Of Party Balance

By John Voket

Published: October 16, 2015 12:00 am

Newtown Republicans have issued their latest position paper focusing on the topic of balance this election season. “Our opponents are suggesting that voting for them will return balance to the system,...

Data Breaches Hit As Cyber Security Awareness Month Arrives

Published: October 16, 2015 12:00 am

HARTFORD — The recent T-Mobile and Experian data breaches are a sobering reminder that cybercrimes are a global concern, claiming 556 million victims annually with $100 billion in related costs. Ironi...

Water Fountains To Become Part Of Fairfield Hills Landcape In The Spring

By Kendra Bobowick

Published: October 16, 2015 12:00 am

Thirsty? Two new water fountains and a dog fountain will be installed in early spring along the new trail at Fairfield Hills. Walkers and joggers passing by the Victory Garden will be able to quench t...

Dems Urge Voters To End 'One Party Domination' Of Local Government

By John Voket

Published: October 16, 2015 12:00 am

In a pair of recent press releases, local Democrats are coming out swinging just weeks before voters go to the polls. The local candidates and Democratic party leaders are railing against local Republ...

Newtown GOP Hosting Candidate Meet & Greet

Published: October 16, 2015 12:00 am

On Saturday, October 24, from 4 to 6 pm, the Newtown Republican Town Committee will host a Candidate Meet and Greet at Newtown Country Club, 2 Country Club Road. Light refreshments will be served. The...

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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