Education

School Board Celebrates Profiles In Professionalism Awardees

By Eliza Hallabeck

Published: May 26, 2017 12:00 AM

The Board of Education celebrated its 2016-17 Profiles in Professionalism awardees at its meeting on May 16. Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, said the Profiles in Professionalism award ...

Newtown Middle School Third Quarter Honor Roll

Published: May 26, 2017 12:00 AM

Newtown Middle School recently released its honor roll for the third quarter marking period of the 2016-17 school year. The following seventh and eighth grade students earned their place on the list. ...

Pat Llodra Celebrated As St Rose's Hands & Hearts Awardee

By Eliza Hallabeck

Published: May 21, 2017 12:00 AM

St Rose of Lima School celebrated First Selectman Pat Llodra throughout the day on May 5, first in school with students, then in the evening at the second annual Hands & Hearts in the Community event,...

Grandparents Welcomed At Fraser Woods And St Rose Schools

By Eliza Hallabeck

Published: May 20, 2017 12:00 AM

Grandparents were welcomed at both Fraser Woods Montessori School and St Rose of Lima School for Grandparents Day events. A number of grandparents visited Fraser Woods Montessori School on May 8 for t...

Middle Gate Students Celebrate Their Principal With 'Mr Geissler Day'

By Eliza Hallabeck

Published: May 20, 2017 12:00 AM

Middle Gate Elementary School Principal Christopher Geissler knew something was coming, but he did not know just what was in store for him on May 1. PTA President Debbie DeBlasi said Mr Geissler's fir...

BOE Hears Financial Report, Survey Update

By Eliza Hallabeck

Published: May 20, 2017 12:00 AM

The Board of Education heard the district's monthly financial report and an update from the board's School Start Time Committee at its May 16 meeting. "Our financial position has not really changed th...

NHS Teen Mental Health Advocates Help Train Exceptional Sidekick Service Dogs

By Alissa Silber

Published: May 20, 2017 12:00 AM

For those who have been affected by mental illness, whether personally or by a family member or friend, openly discussing their feelings can be difficult.The Exceptional Sidekick Service Dogs and Ther...

NHS Unified Theater To Present Original Play: 'Finding The Power Within'

By Eliza Hallabeck

Published: May 19, 2017 12:00 AM

Newtown High School's Unified Theater program will stage its original play Finding The Power Within this Saturday and Sunday, May 20 and 21, in Newtown High School's cafetorium, 12 Berkshire Road. Per...

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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School Board Celebrates Profiles In Professionalism Awardees

Newtown Middle School Third Quarter Honor Roll

Pat Llodra Celebrated As St Rose's Hands & Hearts Awardee

Grandparents Welcomed At Fraser Woods And St Rose Schools

Middle Gate Students Celebrate Their Principal With 'Mr Geissler Day'

BOE Hears Financial Report, Survey Update

NHS Teen Mental Health Advocates Help Train Exceptional Sidekick Service Dogs

NHS Unified Theater To Present Original Play: 'Finding The Power Within'