Education

Ben's Bells Murals Bring Kindness To Two Elementary Schools

By Eliza Hallabeck

Published: Jun 03, 2017 12:00 AM

Kindness is spreading in Newtown's schools. During the week of May 22, school staff, Ben's Bells staff, and volunteers installed three new murals sharing the message to "be kind" in two Newtown school...

'Gallery 2017' Celebrates All Things Artistic At Middle Gate School

By Shannon Hicks

Published: Jun 02, 2017 12:00 AM

Jessica Powers and her father were among the first guests at Gallery 2017, Middle Gate Elementary School's spring student art show. The two had the opportunity to speak with art teacher Jean Walter, a...

Head O'Meadow Families Enjoy An Artistic Celebration

By Shannon Hicks

Published: Jun 02, 2017 12:00 AM

The noise level inside the front lobby and library area of Head O' Meadow Elementary School gradually increased round 5:30 last Monday evening, as students returned to their school for an annual rite ...

Newtown High School Band & Guard Mattress Sale This Saturday

Published: Jun 02, 2017 12:00 AM

The Newtown High School Marching Band & Guard is partnering with Custom Fundraising Solutions (CFS) to hold its second annual Mattress Fundraiser this Saturday, June 3, from 10 am to 5 pm, in the high...

Schools Release Butterflies At CVH Animal Sanctuary

By Eliza Hallabeck

Published: May 28, 2017 12:00 AM

Before they were released at the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary the week of May 15, orange and black Painted Lady butterflies transformed from caterpillars at each of the elementary schools...

Cate Gosselin Named Paraeducator of the Year

By Eliza Hallabeck

Published: May 27, 2017 12:00 AM

Cate Gosselin was surprised in a Head O' Meadow Elementary School classroom on May 16, with students surrounding her, with the news that she had been chosen as Newtown's Paraeducator of the Year. Supe...

Hawley Kindergarten Students Learn To Walk The Walk

By Eliza Hallabeck

Published: May 27, 2017 12:00 AM

Hawley Elementary School kindergartener Gracie Arbogast was first diagnosed with diabetes when she was 3½ years old, her mother Stephanie Moody explained. Since the school year began, Gracie's kinderg...

NMS Jazz Band Ranks Platinum At State Fantastic Festivals Adjudication

By Eliza Hallabeck

Published: May 27, 2017 12:00 AM

The Newtown Middle School Jazz Band earned a platinum rank after performing at the Fantastic Festivals statewide adjudication on May 19.Groovin' Hard, made popular by Buddy Rich; Song of the Rainfores...

David C. Shaw

Multiple Organizations Collaborating For Newtown's Semiquincentennial Celebration

Snapshot: Andrea Rios

Local Artists Responded To A Call To Present Their Work In ‘The Great Art-Doors’; Opening Reception Saturday Afternoon

Lisa Greto

Dave, you are right that only those in the Borough signed onto the law suits, as it was made clear during the Borough meetings that signers had to be residents of the Borough. However, as you know, there was a concerted effort by the Newtown Conservation Coalition to organize people (throughout town) and to orchestrate actions intended to foil the overall development. If one searches the Bee for “Newtown Conservation Coalition” one will find many articles and editorials that cite the coalition. More that 18 of those articles and editorials, from March 2024 through February 2025, are about the Castle Hill Development and include direct quotes from the NCC head/founder including, e.g.,: 1) Newtown Conservation Coalition founder Dave Ackert has sagely urged his fellow NCC members to “stick to the relevant regulations issues and concerns in your testimony,” as “general opinions and concerns will not be considered when making their decision." [https://www.newtownbee.com/08292024/borough-zoning-to-begin-20-60-castle-hill-public-hearing." [https://www.newtownbee.com/08292024/borough-zoning-to-begin-20-60-castle-hill-public-hearing] 2) “We’re being sold a lot of things,” said Ackert. “The developer said he is going above and beyond in preserving open space, but the only part [of the plan] that doesn’t have houses are the steep slopes. He’s not avoiding buildable land, he’s using every buildable inch.” [https://www.newtownbee.com/09272024/borough-zoning-hears-perspectives-on-castle-hill-development] In addition to the articles and editorials, you (Dave) also wrote over 8 letters related to the development, in essence speaking for the residents, e.g., saying “On behalf of hundreds of concerned residents living within 500 feet who signed protest petitions, and residents downstream who’s property and finances could also be negatively impacted, I ask the BOS to rescind the discontinuance decision now.” [https://www.newtownbee.com/07102025/discusses-rochambeau-trail-and-6-commerce-road] The main tools for the Newtown Conservation Coalition are FOI complaints and legal action. These actions have increased the amount both the Town and the Borough have had to pay for legal counsel over the last few years. The cost is shared by all households and businesses for Town actions. Unfortunately, it is shared by very few, relatively speaking, for Borough actions. This year’s Borough costs are $58,000 to date. There were FOIA/legal actions in 2024 and 2025 too. Eventually, we will all see if that was money well spent. My sense is that the answer is no.

What’s Going On In The Borough?

my concern is not limited to this single FOIA request or this one case. It is the broader pattern of obstructionism, fear-mongering, and personal nastiness reflected in your Facebook page and other public commentary. You routinely call people to action by presenting only one side of complicated issues, assigning the worst possible motives to those who disagree with you, and giving little consideration to the legitimate concerns or perspectives on the other side. That may generate outrage and attention, but it does not make you a constructive participant in Newtown’s civic affairs. You are entitled to question public officials and pursue whatever legal remedies are available to you. But you should not pretend that your own conduct, rhetoric, and repeated escalation of disputes have played no role in the hostility and expense surrounding these matters. Newtown would be a nicer and more productive community with less of this kind of divisive behavior.

My "actions" were a single request for audio recordings of public meetings. It would have cost the Borough ZERO dollars to turn those over, as required by law. Instead, the Chair of the Borough Zoning commission decided, unilaterally, without informing the rest of his commission, to fight that Freedom of Information request. Mr. Johnson attempt to deflect blame falls flat on its face here. Facts matter.

Can you name a single person involved in one of the lawsuits who does not reside in the Borough? I'll wait......

You do realize President Trump was born on June 14, the same date the US Army was founded. The parade was to honor the 250th anniversary of the United States Army. My uncle was a sergeant in the Army and was KIA 3 months before the war in Europe ended fighting the Germans. I'm happy there was an acknowledgement by the President for the brave men and women who are veterans of that branch. Too bad others don't honor them by insisting it was a "birthday parade". What an insult to our veterans! I'm not into cage fighting, but as far as being tacky or disgraceful, I would the UFC fight at the White House pales in comparison to Bill Clinton and an intern named Monica did during working hours.

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Ben's Bells Murals Bring Kindness To Two Elementary Schools

'Gallery 2017' Celebrates All Things Artistic At Middle Gate School

Head O'Meadow Families Enjoy An Artistic Celebration

Newtown High School Band & Guard Mattress Sale This Saturday

Schools Release Butterflies At CVH Animal Sanctuary

Cate Gosselin Named Paraeducator of the Year

Hawley Kindergarten Students Learn To Walk The Walk

NMS Jazz Band Ranks Platinum At State Fantastic Festivals Adjudication