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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
The State Board of Mediation and Arbitration has awarded long-term disability pay to a former Newtown police officer, who left his job after the December 2012 shooting incident at Sandy Hook Elementar...
It appears while a Connecticut State Police pilot program attempting to regionalize related dispatching operations is being scrapped (see related story, “State Police Call-Taking/Dispatching To Return...
The award of approximately $380,000 reached in settlement between former Newtown Police Officer Thomas Bean and the Town following a State Board of Mediation and Arbitration ruling will be reduced sub...
This story has been updated from the original version posted at 1:43 pm to include additional details from the arbitration document, and comments from Newtown Police Union President Scott Ruszczyk...
The Borough Zoning Commission (BZC) is continuing its review of Aquarion Water Company’s proposal to build an above-ground water pumping station at 12 Church Hill Road, the address where the Newtown H...
The author's comment "And last, Michele understands that our state needs to control what is built and where." says everything voters need to know. Land use decisions belong to Newtown residents through our local elected and appointed land use commissions who actually live here—not bureaucrats in Hartford. Local control matters, and we shouldn't elect a representative who will cede our town's future to state mandates. Just one more reason to support Mitch.
A quick fact check easily debunks the claims in this letter.
Rep Bolinsky was instrumental in getting Exit 11 fixed which has greatly alleviated traffic at our most previously most dangerous intersection. He worked to get the light put on 34 at Bennetts Bridge which has prevented many accidents. He has pushed DOT for many of the bridge widening and onramp improvements we have seen on the highway, along with advancing legislation for 84 traffic studies, rear-seat seat belts laws, DUI legislation, wrong way signaling, distracted driving and more - working with Vision Zero, CTDOT, NTSB and AAA. He also opposed tolls on 84 which would have shifted even more congestion from the interstate onto local roads. He has been a champion of public transportation efforts for our seniors. Mitch was instrumental in passing the 2017 bipartisan budget with fiscal reforms that protected Newtown's funding, the loss of which would have been passed onto property tax payers. He has proudly never supported a tax increase and opposed and killed many "bad bills" that would have worsened the issues the author is focused on.
We can and should hold our representatives to account, but lets be factual when making such claims.
Another police search in a Newtown neighborhood. Did I miss the notification from the First Selectman’s office, or are we still using the “read about it afterward” emergency communication system?
I raised this same concern after the April police search. How many times do residents have to ask for timely information? At this point, perhaps it’s the First Selectman’s office that needs a welfare check. Anybody home, Bruce?
Thank you to Newtown Police for doing their job. Wake up, Bruce. Keeping residents informed is part of yours.
This strikes me as a pretty one-sided assessment. Let me add some context.
You highlight that his opponent has lived in Newtown for only two and a half years, yet leave out that Rob Blanchard moved here in July—roughly two and a half months ago. If residency matters, apply the same standard to both candidates. Isn't there a name for someone who moves to a town to run for election? Something like a rug or carpet, something?
I also question the mortgage-struggle framing in advertisements he approved and appears in. The public payroll figures put his household gross earnings at roughly $300,000—nearly twice Newtown’s median household income of $155,110. That doesn’t mean they have no financial pressures, but it is fair to question how closely that portrayal reflects the circumstances of a typical Newtown household.
Both candidates deserve scrutiny. Highlighting one candidate’s short residency while overlooking the other’s much more recent arrival is a double standard.
An incredible event... again. Thanks so much to Leslie and the entire gang who make this gathering of friends, family and classmates happen every year! And thanks to Devery Stickles for his generous support. This event is truly the Heart & Spirit of Newtown!
Binky Patrol Underway