News

Llodra, Rodgers Seeking Reelection This November

By John Voket

Published: June 10, 2015 12:00 am

Newtown’s Republican First Selectman Pat Llodra, and her GOP running mate, Selectman Will Rodgers told The Bee June 10 that they would both be seeking reelection in November. In a prepared statement, ...

Three Adults Safe After Boat Capsizes On Lake Lillinonah Monday Night

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: June 09, 2015 12:00 am

Police report that three adults from Norwalk, who were traveling on the Lake Lillinonah section of the Housatonic River in a small boat at about 8:30 pm on Monday, June 8, fell into the cold water whe...

Gaston Analyzes Point To Hawley Closing Costs, Not Taxpayer Savings

By John Voket

Published: June 09, 2015 12:00 am

After presenting information, which he said took more than 40 hours to compile with interested Hawley School parents and PTA members, Democratic Selectman and Borough of Newtown Warden James Gaston, S...

Fresh Air Fund Seeks More Host Families

Published: June 09, 2015 12:00 am

Newtown resident and Friendly Town Chairperson Marie Athans says The Fresh Air Fund is seeking more families to welcome inner city children to a summer vacation through the Fresh Air Fund this summer....

Serious Accidents Result In Injuries, Snarl I-84 Morning Rush

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: June 08, 2015 12:00 am

Motorists traveling in both directions on Interstate 84 in Newtown on the morning of Monday, June 8, encountered extensive travel delays following serious motor vehicle accidents that occurred on both...

Newtown Mulls Grant For Electric Vehicle Charging Station

By John Voket

Published: June 08, 2015 12:00 am

Owners of electric powered vehicles, including those that may be part of the town’s future municipal fleet, could soon cruise into Fairfield Hills or Edmond Town Hall parking lot and plug-in for a fre...

Lightning Strike Damages Fairfield Hills Water Supply System

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: June 06, 2015 12:00 am

A lightning strike that occurred sometime during the weekend of May 29–31, damaged electrical lines in the town-owned Fairfield Hills water supply system, resulting in a series of events that caused t...

Rabies Clinic Scheduled At ETH

Published: June 06, 2015 12:00 am

Residents are invited to take advantage of a cost-effective opportunity to have pet cats and dogs vaccinated against rabies. The rabies clinic will take place Saturday, June 20, from 10 am to noon, in...

Local Registrars Support Training Mandate In New Bill

By John Voket

Published: June 06, 2015 12:00 am

Newtown’s registrars of voters both said they liked stipulations in a new bill proposed by Secretary of the State Denise Merrill that provide for training and continued professional development to ass...

Horse Guard Funding Remains In State Budget

By Kendra Bobowick

Published: June 06, 2015 12:00 am

The Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard (2GHG) unit in Newtown will be spared from state budget cuts, State Representative Mitch Bolinsky (R-106) told to The Bee Wednesday afternoon in an email conf...

Nighthawk Track And Field Teams Host Meet

New Heights Vacation Bible School Returning

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

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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Llodra, Rodgers Seeking Reelection This November

Three Adults Safe After Boat Capsizes On Lake Lillinonah Monday Night

Gaston Analyzes Point To Hawley Closing Costs, Not Taxpayer Savings

Fresh Air Fund Seeks More Host Families

Serious Accidents Result In Injuries, Snarl I-84 Morning Rush

Newtown Mulls Grant For Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Lightning Strike Damages Fairfield Hills Water Supply System

Rabies Clinic Scheduled At ETH

Local Registrars Support Training Mandate In New Bill

Horse Guard Funding Remains In State Budget