Robert George Goyda, 72, died peacefully in his home in Southbury June 21. He was born in Queens, N.Y., January 19, 1943, and was the son of the late Pauline (Smolinsky) Goyda and George Goyda. Mr Goy...
John Louis Kopins, 80, of Sandy Hook died June 18 at Danbury Hospital, with his loving wife Yvonne at his bedside. He was born December 11, 1934, in Hague, Va., and was the son of the late Lucinda “Co...
Irene Mias, 87, of Sandy Hook, died peacefully June 18. Born July 25, 1927, in Bayside, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Mary Ann (Humenik) and George Evancik.
Mrs Mias and her late husband, St...
Patricia Anne Neary Glover of Woodbury, born in Rochester, N.Y., died June 12.
A former resident of Newtown, she is survived by her beloved husband of 34 years, Lee W. Glover, Sr; her sons, Tim Ennis...
Stanley M. Bernstein, 80, died on June 11, surrounded by his family, after a long illness.
A 45-year resident of Mt Kisco, N.Y., Mr Bernstein was born on May 6, 1935, in Brooklyn, N.Y.
He was the fath...
Michael D. Hurley, 76, of Newtown died May 29 in Colorado Springs, Colo., with his loving wife of 43 years by his side, after a courageous battle with cancer. Mr Hurley was visiting family at the time...
Ann Lisa (Cook) Osto, 73, died peacefully June 6, in the compassionate care of Regional Hospice Center for Comfort Care and Healing in Danbury. She spent her final days surrounded by the love of famil...
Richard V. “Rich” Petershack of Oconomowoc, Wis., 87, formerly of Richardson, Texas, and Brookfield and West Allis, Wis., died June 5. He was born April 1, 1928, to Marie and Victor Petershack. After ...
Dorothy Thompson, 91, formerly of Newtown, died peacefully June 4, in Fort Myers, Fla., after a brief illness. She was the wife of the late S. Franklyn Thompson. She was born July 6, 1923, in Sharon...
Mary Jane Murphy, 86, died May 18. She was born in Wellington, Kansas, and was the daughter of the late Hubert A. and Grace Smith Richards.
Four daughters, Lynda G. Lindbloom of Newtown, Susan Jean Ki...
To add a bit more context: the adopted Borough budget was for just under $300,000 [https://boroughofnewtownct.gov/borough-of-newtown-budget-approved/]. $58,000 in legal fees (to date) means a significant cost must be shouldered by Borough residents and businesses, increasing taxes noticeably. Many of those pushing the lawsuits were not subject to the added costs because they do not reside nor do business in the Borough.
Well said. Unfortunately, we are back to more of the same and we know how this will end. However, it gives us an opportunity to question many ways in which the DTC failed residents, voters, candidates, everyone. Brandon Moore was the first candidate to voice interest in running. A strong and well prepared candidate that the town republicans did not want to run against. They made it clear they wanted Ku to be the candidate. We all know you endorse the candidate you have no concerns about. Once Ku decided to try to unseat Bolinsky again, the DTC should have done what it can do and that was choose a candidate or put a good process in place to set up forums and get the caucus over and done smoothly, fairly, and ethically. It did neither. and this is what resulted: The Young Dem Debate became a Ku strategy to claim Ku being victimized, and it backfired; Ku's previous campaign committee went with Brandon Moore in hopes of finally flipping the seat; the DTC delay in organizing any candidate forums led to an inability to get the information out to all (as we see in complaints from new residents regarding lack of information); the DTC was severely split by the caucus chaos and some did not fully participate as a result; and we are back to square one with the candidate Alex Villamil preferred, and the same old guard and the same chance of flipping the seat.
Welcome and thank you for your insightfulness. I agree wholeheartedly, however, you will soon learn that the intention is to contain participation. I believe the new residents and the new families are invaluable and hope that you will attend a DTC meeting. You will learn a great deal. Second Thursday of the Month and tonight, June 11th, 7 pm, it is at the Edmond Town Hall. : )
Mr. Ackert’s letter leaves out an important point: many of the legal expenses he references exist because of the legal challenges and complaints he and his facebook group has chosen to pursue.
It is not fair to blame the Borough Zoning Commission Chair for costs that were driven, in large part, by Mr. Ackert’s own actions. Taxpayers should understand that litigation and FOIA complaints do not appear out of nowhere. They are initiated by individuals who decide to take those matters forward.
Public officials should absolutely be held accountable, and the Borough should follow proper procedures at all times. But accountability should run both ways. If someone repeatedly challenges the Borough through legal channels, then points to the resulting legal bills as proof of poor leadership, the public deserves that context.
Reasonable people can disagree about zoning decisions, development, and procedure. However, turning every disagreement into a legal fight has consequences, and those consequences are paid for by Borough taxpayers.
Before assigning blame for legal expenses, Mr. Ackert should acknowledge his own role in creating them.
