Two Town employees and three local business people attended “Open For Business?,” a forum on October 31 hosted by State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky and J.P. Sredzinski and State Senator Tony Hwang. The local politicians who hosted the forum were not disappointed at the turnout. They seemed to expect it, in fact.
Local professionals are invited to the next Northern Fairfield Professionals networking event featuring guest speaker, Melanie Szlucha presenting on “ Ending Sweaty Palms and Awkward Answers—a Better Way of Preparing for Job Interviews.”
Business name: Your Healthy Pet
Address: 61 Church Hill Road
Owners: Dianne Bromley & Chris Ranaudo
Business background: My name is Dianne Bromley, and my journey has finally brought m...
In honor of its 50th anniversary, Children’s Adventure Center is set to hold an evening event at Barnwood Grill, 5 Queen Street, on Thursday, November 7, from 6 to 9 pm.
Paul Brautigam and his staff at Brautigam Land Surveyors PC have been delivering for clients across Newtown and the region, amassing a total of 3,500-plus projects completed in 30 years.
Organizers have announced that Newtown-Sandy Hook Restaurant Week, being held October 7-13, supports the diverse offering of more than 50 eateries in Newtown and Sandy Hook.
Faced with mounting pressure from the governor on down through the statehouse and into Connecticut consumers’ homes, the state Department of Revenue Services (DRS) admitted it had erred in interpreting new legislation that levied an added tax on what was originally a huge menu of prepared foods.
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?
