It was a big week in Connecticut as state officials balanced good news about multiple virus related restrictions being lifted with a grim notice that the state’s COVID-19 death count topped 8,000.
Learn why State Senator Tony Hwang spent the morning of April 13 enjoying a late breakfast at Sandy Hook Diner and a pre-lunch sample of freshly brewed suds at the Reverie Brewing Company.
The plucky ...
There's a lot of Newtown exclusive news revolving around the COVID-19 situation you will not get anywhere else - be among the first to learn all about it.
Read all about a guy with a dream to strike out on his own - with a great tasting cup of coffee and a few culinary secrets he's revealing to new customers right down in Sandy Hook Village.
Are you 16 or over and looking for a vaccine? Read on and learn about more than two dozen new vaccine sites going live in the coming days within close proximity to Newtown.
Governor Ned Lamont earlier this month announced rollbacks on pandemic restrictions for many businesses.
As of March 19, capacity limits have been eliminated for restaurants and non-theater indoor rec...
After spending her younger years locally, graduating from Newtown High School and returning home through college, Beth Bogdan moved on and out to work in the music industry.
Readers may recall she cre...
I had the pleasure of working with Renee for years as an Assistant Town Clerk. Everything she states in this letter is true and if I was still a resident of Newtown, I would gladly vote for her. As an Assistant Town Clerk, the only opportunity for advancement is to run for Town Clerk. Renee has proven her dedication to the community and deserves the chance to serve Newtown in that capacity. I wish you the best of luck, Renee!
Ann LoBosco
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.
