C. Harold Schwartz of Palm Beach, Fla., beloved husband and father and highly respected Connecticut attorney, passed away at his home on February 2, 2022, at the age of 93.
“Praise God,” the prayerful last words of Dorothy Louise McGinnis, age 91 years, who entered eternal peace on March 25, 2022, surrounded by her loving family.
James F. X. O’Reilly, age 85, of Newtown, Conn., passed away peacefully at home, on Thursday, March 17, 2022 with his partner of 30 years, Carolyn Settzo, by his side.
John Alexander Watson, age 93, long-time resident of Newtown, Connecticut, passed away March 22, 2022, at Griffin Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.
Laura Beatrice Devine (nee Hotaling), 96, passed peacefully in her sleep on March 6, 2022, at the Newtown nursing home where she had resided for a number of years.
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.
