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US Supreme Court Declines To Consider Sandy Hook Gun Ban

By Mark Pazniokas

Published: June 21, 2016 12:00 am

The US Supreme Court declined without comment Monday to consider a challenge by Connecticut gun owners to gun controls the state passed in response to the shooting deaths of 26 children and staff at S...

Senate Rejects Murphy Background-Check Provision And 'Terror Gap' Bill

By Ana Radelat

Published: June 21, 2016 12:00 am

WASHINGTON - For the second time since the slaughter at Sandy Hook Elementary School, the US Senate has rejected an effort to expand FBI background checks of gun purchasers. Lawmakers on Monday, June ...

Resident Offers Concepts For A Permanent Memorial

By Kendra Bobowick

Published: June 20, 2016 12:00 am

Not to be confused with Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial Commission (SHPMC) planning, one resident has his own independent ideas for a permanent memorial to honor those who were killed on 12/14. Making h...

High Meadow Management Plan Starts With Five-Acre 'Experiment'

By John Voket

Published: June 20, 2016 12:00 am

Newtown's Land Use Office has accelerated efforts to establish a preliminary pilot management program at the High Meadow to help facilitate short-term restoration and preservation of native wildlife a...

Newtown Air Quality Alert May Linger Into Tuesday

By John Voket

Published: June 18, 2016 12:00 am

HARTFORDÃÂ -ÃÂ Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is forecasting unhealthy air quality for "sensitive groups" beginning Rare Occurrence? ground level...

Volunteers Sought For Local River Assessment Project

Published: June 18, 2016 12:00 am

Over the past decade, The Pootatuck River and Deep Brook have experienced major changes that have taken a toll on the wildlife inhabiting their waters. Due to declining habitat within the river, Poota...

Neighbors Raise Concerns About Tractor Supply Proposal

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: June 17, 2016 12:00 am

Some nearby property owners, concerned about the possible negative environmental effects of developing a South Main Street site for a proposed Tractor Supply Co. store and adjacent outdoor sales area,...

Underage Drinking Enforcement In Full Force This Summer

Published: June 17, 2016 12:00 am

Newtown Prevention Council, the Newtown Police Department and Newtown Youth & Family Services (NYFS) are joining efforts this summer season to help encourage safety while preventing the possible dange...

Orlando Massacre Hits Home Among Local LGBT Community Members

By John Voket

Published: June 16, 2016 12:00 am

Current and former Newtown residents who are part of the LGBT community, responding to requests for reflections about Sunday's massacre at a gay Orlando nightclub, reacted with sadness and hopes that ...

Memorial Commission's Return To Drawing Board May Be Short-Lived

By John Voket

Published: June 16, 2016 12:00 am

A half-mile or so could make all the difference. The Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial Commission has agreed to table plans to develop a site on Fairfield Hills' High Meadow and return to the drawing boar...

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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US Supreme Court Declines To Consider Sandy Hook Gun Ban

Senate Rejects Murphy Background-Check Provision And 'Terror Gap' Bill

Resident Offers Concepts For A Permanent Memorial

High Meadow Management Plan Starts With Five-Acre 'Experiment'

Newtown Air Quality Alert May Linger Into Tuesday

Volunteers Sought For Local River Assessment Project

Neighbors Raise Concerns About Tractor Supply Proposal

Underage Drinking Enforcement In Full Force This Summer

Orlando Massacre Hits Home Among Local LGBT Community Members

Memorial Commission's Return To Drawing Board May Be Short-Lived