State Senator Tony Hwang — whose 28th District includes Newtown — has sent to Connecticut’s Department of Labor (DOL) demanding detailed information about how the agency is handling the sharp surge in new unemployment claims.
Two Newtown-based cutting edge manufacturing companies a couple of miles apart are working overtime to support strategic response to the novel coronavirus that by the weekend claimed almost 1,100 Connecticut lives and killed more than 150,000 globally.
The next Newtown Leaders Forum webcast, scheduled for Monday, April 20, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm, will key in on helping business owners/leaders focus on resiliency.
Newtown’s Economic and Community Development team — Christal Preszler and Kim Chiappetta — along with E&CD team member Christine O’Neill have been working throughout the COVID-19 crisis to supply reso...
The opening of an ice cream stand is among the things that herald the return of spring. But what happens when a pandemic is added to the mix? In Newtown, there are two answers to that question.
Newtown’s cases of COVID-19 hovered just below 60 as nearly 5,200 others in Fairfield County logged positive test results Friday. By that time Connecticut was marking a statewide total in excess of 10,500 positive cases of the coronavirus.
Following the launch of a live streamed Facebook forum with several local experts unpacking and discussing the federal Payroll Protection Plan (PPP), organizers will be welcoming a new panel in an effort to help local businesses survive and thrive during the coronavirus emergency.
Philanthropic initiatives across a widening landscape of businesses, nonprofits, and even utilities, are trying to respond to help fill some of the growing burdens faced by local and state residents.
The voters certainly spoke — and I respect the outcome — but let’s not forget that a “majority” doesn’t mean everyone agreed. Many of us are deeply concerned about the rising cost of living here. Supporting schools and services is important, but so is ensuring that residents can afford to stay in the town they love.
We all want Newtown to be a great place to live, but lately, it’s starting to feel less like “Nicer in Newtown” and more like “More Expensive in Newtown.” That’s not sustainable, and it’s not a criticism of the town itself — it’s a call for responsible budgeting and long-term planning that doesn’t rely on tax increases year after year.
I hope future decisions will reflect not just the desire to maintain services, but also the need to ease the financial burden on residents.
I appreciate the passion behind this message, and I absolutely understand the desire to invest in our town. That said, I voted no — not because I don't care about Newtown, but because I do. Fiscal responsibility is not about ignoring problems, it’s about making sure we address them in a sustainable and transparent way.
It’s frustrating to feel like every year there’s a new “urgent” reason to raise taxes, with little serious effort to curb spending or prioritize needs. I worry this just sets the stage for another round of increases next year. That doesn't mean I’m against education, safety, or our town’s future — it means I believe in accountability and in asking tough questions about how our money is managed.
Voting no wasn't a rejection of Newtown — it was a call for more thoughtful, balanced leadership. I hope future conversations can include all perspectives, not just those willing to write a bigger check.
The voters spoke, loud and clear that they support our schools and municipal services. The majority vote was a mandate to keep delivering well rated education services and keep it" Nicer in Newtown."
Thank you LeReine, for speaking out about this. The list of public servants who are unfairly targeted for abuse just for doing their jobs has been growing. It is a testament to the power of propaganda that otherwise good and well-meaning people can get so emotional as to act out in this way.
