From baking goodies to weaving baskets, local children in this year’s Newtown Summer History Camp — hosted at the Matthew Curtiss House by the Newtown Historical Society — experienced living under a summer sun in the Colonial era from July 15 to 19.
“Wave hello, on the Isle of Skoo; wave hello, there’s so much to do,” sings Francine Wheeler, Ben’s Lighthouse Creative Director/Administrative Director, on the welcome track for “The Isle of Skoo” pr...
The first session of Newtown Continuing Education’s SMART (Summer Music and Art) Camp wrapped up on Friday, July 19.
Throughout the afternoon, children and their families collected crafts the campers ...
Newtown Youth & Family Services’ Safety Town program is teaching local children about safety through interactive lessons and visits from local experts.
Newtown residents whose children need backpacks and school supplies for the coming school year have four convenient Wireless Zone locations hosting the company’s annual backpack giveaway on Sunday, July 21.
Newtown Continuing Education’s SMART (Summer Music and Art) Camp first week of summer classes, July 8 to 12, included smiling students attending a range of programs.
The following students made the High Honor Roll and Honor Roll for the fourth quarter marking period at Newtown High School for the 2018-19 school year. The honor roll listings were recently released by the school for publication.
After meeting for a private executive session to interview a candidate for position of Reed Intermediate School principal, the Board of Education (BOE) convened for its public session on the evening o...
If the smell of food was not enough to draw students to visit three Reed Intermediate School clusters participating in this year’s June 5 Kindness Carts effort, the sounds of cheer and excitement certainly did the trick.
Middle Gate Elementary School fourth grade teacher Linda Baron ran a Flag Day assembly on June 10, and students and special guests were treated to history lessons about the Stars and Stripes.
I agree with your point, Tom.
However, the sheer volume of Trump's false statements and claims -- vs. anyone else -- is astonishing and noteworthy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_or_misleading_statements_by_Donald_Trump
President Biden, too, has claimed “inflation was 0%,” when in fact prices remained elevated. He told us his Afghanistan withdrawal was a “success,” even though Americans and allies were left behind and 13 service members lost their lives. He promised not to build another foot of border wall, but later quietly restarted construction. These examples matter just as much as Trump’s because they show that political dishonesty isn’t unique to one side.
The point is not to excuse Trump or Biden—it’s to recognize that truth matters, and voters deserve accountability from all leaders. Singling out one politician while giving others a free pass only fuels division.
It’s important to put the 8-30g application into context. The reason developers in our town resort to Connecticut’s 8-30g affordable housing statute is precisely because obstructionist voices, led by Mr. Ackert, have repeatedly opposed reasonable housing proposals through local zoning channels. When projects are delayed or denied outright under the guise of “protecting character,” developers have little choice but to pursue the state-level remedy.
Mr. Ackert portrays 8-30g as a loophole being abused, when in fact it exists because communities that resist creating diverse housing options need accountability. If our town had a stronger record of working collaboratively to meet housing needs, developers wouldn’t feel compelled to bypass local boards in the first place.
Regarding wetlands and Inland Wetlands Commission review, it’s worth remembering that these processes are not ignored or hidden from the public. Applications that impact wetlands must comply with environmental regulations, and developers are subject to oversight. Suggesting otherwise unfairly discredits both the staff and the commission, who follow established procedures.
The public certainly deserves transparency, but it is misleading to imply that this project was pushed through in secret. The broader issue is that continued “Not In My Back Yard” obstructionism drives applicants to use 8-30g, ensuring that local zoning boards lose the very control residents claim to want preserved.
If we truly want more local say in how projects are shaped, then we need to stop reflexively opposing housing and start working constructively with applicants. Mr. Ackert’s campaign of resistance has only created the exact conditions he now complains about.
It's certainly good news that a temporary patch to rationed water in Newtown is in effect. But taking a year to come up with a patch is concerning. Where is the sense of urgency to get this permanently fixed?
