News

Ferris Acres Creamery Seeking Solutions To Traffic Congestion

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: May 23, 2015 12:00 am

Ferris Acres Creamery, a family-operated ice cream stand that opened for business at 144 Sugar Street (State Route 302) in 2004, has become a popular destination for both residents and out-of-towners,...

Lower Flags Monday Morning; Holiday Closings Posted

By Shannon Hicks

Published: May 23, 2015 12:00 am

In observance of Memorial Day, all United States and state flags should be lowered on Memorial Day Monday, May 25. In accordance with US Flag code, flags should be lowered from sunrise until noon on t...

Remembering All Veterans

By Kendra Bobowick

Published: May 23, 2015 12:00 am

Honoring veterans both living and deceased was a small group of residents, setting out flags to surround the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, a/k/a the War Memorial, on Main Street Friday, May 22, in ti...

Selectmen Quiz Mental Health Hospital Developer On Security, Admissions

By John Voket

Published: May 22, 2015 12:00 am

Selectmen this week peppered a principal developer of a planned new, state-of-the-art mental health recovery hospital being eyed for Fairfield Hills with questions about security, and the potential fo...

VFW To Host Memorial Day Program

Published: May 22, 2015 12:00 am

The public is invited to attend a Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony on Monday, May 25, at 11 am, at VFW Post 308, Freedom Defenders Way (formerly 18 Tinkerfield Road, off of Mile Hill Road). The pro...

Residents Sought For Commission Posts

Published: May 22, 2015 12:00 am

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

After $6M In Reported Losses, Town Retaining Pension Consultant

By John Voket

Published: May 22, 2015 12:00 am

It was not lost on local officials that in a 20-year window, Newtown’s pension investments have met a benchmark goal set by local policies. It was the last five years that have prompted a call for hir...

Eminent Domain Action Secures Utility Right-Of-Way For SHES

By John Voket

Published: May 22, 2015 12:00 am

After failing to reach an acceptable settlement with the owner of a private residential road adjacent to Sandy Hook Elementary School, the town has sought and received court authorization to take an u...

Avielle Foundation Pitches Collaboration With School District

By Eliza Hallabeck

Published: May 22, 2015 12:00 am

Jeremy Richman introduced himself to the Board of Education during its meeting on Tuesday, May 19, before he explained an interest in a collaboration between The Avielle Foundation and the school dist...

With Minor Modifications, Newtown's Dancing Traffic Agent Cleared To Dance Again

By John Voket

Published: May 22, 2015 12:00 am

NOTE: This is an extended version of a story published on May 19, with comments from Kathy Ballwig Holick. “Dancing Traffic Agent” Kathy Ballwig Holick said she tried to convey everything w...

Charter Revision Commission Begins Planning For Upcoming Work

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'

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

Copyright ©2026 The Newtown Bee / All rights reserved