Treasured Memories
To the Editor:
With the dissolution of my position as Restitution Facilitator/Solution Room Manager at Newtown Middle School, I am hoping to...
BETHEL – Beautiful skies, wonderful volunteers and happy competitors were the highlights of the 41st annual 4-H Spring Benefit Horse Show at the Uni...
Inviting Wildlife To The Backyard Banquet
By Jan Howard
Two Newtown properties have joined the growing number of residential properties certified by the Nationa...
Lessons On Managing Money
By Tanjua Damon
Ed O’Malley from Western Connecticut Federal Credit was the speaker during the program titled “...
Connecticut’s Civil War Heritage:
A Special Exhibition
HARTFORD — Many people save certain mementos or have special treasures hidde...
Park Bathrooms Taking Shape
By Steve Bigham
The Dickinson Park bathroom project is finally moving forward more than two years after being started, and it looks ...
Richard R.    Kopnicky
Richard R. Kopnicky, 84, husband of Valerie (Horny) Kopnicky of Castle Meadow Road, Newtown, died June 30 in Ashlar of Newtown.
He w...
Police Celebrate Three Promotions On June 28
By Andrew Gorosko
Police Chief Michael Kehoe, Captain Joe Rios, and Sergeant Darlene Froehlich took the oaths of of...
What a wild weekend we had last weekend! I’m glad I have claws because I really had to dig in to keep from being blown away with everything else tha...
Fundraising Homes & Gardens Tour Returns Saturday
S
Six of Newtown’s loveliest gardens and four of the town’s prettiest historic homes w...
Bruce, not a single member of the BOE (including GOP members, who I sense you are focused on here) initiated the action to have these books reviewed. It was a parent in town. So to insinuate that a political party (GOP) was guiding the hand of the BOE just isn't based in facts. I would counter that such an assertion is indicative of someone who is being hyper-partisan themselves.
Not to be overlooked, not a single member of the BOE, from either party, motioned to have the books removed. In fact, it was the GOP members who made motions seeking compromise to address the concerns of parents both in favor and against the books (i.e., keep the books but allow parents to opt-out of having them checked out by their children). That sure doesn't sound like national partisanship to me.
Emotionally charged is a good way to describe it. And if you’re in a public facing role as a volunteer, you need to develop a thicker skin. The majority of people in attendance at this meeting were incensed at the fact that four members were completely ignoring expert opinion, students, and a large contingent of their community. Were some people a little over the top, I think yes — but a very small minority in attendance. You and I saw the same thing but take away different views. Fine. I’ll respect your view. But I’ll agree to disagree.
Respectfully, I am sorry to hear what your child and family had to go through. But that is in no way an excuse for adults to bully other adults. Where do our children learn a bulk of their behaviors from? Adults. If adults act like bullies don’t you think that will influence some children to act like bullies?
And I would love to focus more on bullying in our schools - and force the school system to do more - but my comment, this article, and this whole controversy are not about bullying in school. I am simply calling out poor public behavior I see from my fellow adult neighbors.
mkmurphyphd: Vile is an overstatement for May 16; though the behaviors were definitely disrespectful. If you want a true display of “vile” behavior I IMPLORE you to watch the recording at the June 1 meeting. Watch 33:20-43:20.
This doesn't pass the smell test. Let's assume that the 2 of them were really on this quest for the children. If they had the votes, which they would have if the 4 voted together, then it would have been a shame for them to leave the day before the vote essentially sabotaging their own chances after working so hard for a desired outcome. Would it have really made a difference for them to wait one more day, get the vote they want, then step down? And if there was a credible threat, the police would be involved.
The way it looked to me is that the 2 remaining GOP board members were enthusiastic to vote for the final motion--not resigned to do so, or disappointed, or reluctant. They could have abstained in protest. But they didn't. It tells me that Larkin & Kuzma knew the vote wasn't going to go their way (probably because they became a liability after all those screenshots of ethics violations) and thought it best to move on.
Nice try though. I would guess someone going by the name "qstorm" would know a thing or 2 about mobs.