With more than half of Newtown’s residents over age 75 completing at least a first round of COVID-19 vaccinations, town officials are following the state’s lead by opening up pre-registration options ...
The Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement has launched its 7th Annual Choose Love Awareness Month during February to promote hope, healing and connection through social and emotional learning.
Former Newtown resident and accomplished dancer turned physician assistant Mia Malin is finding a creative outlet in her art that helps relieve the stress and angst she experiences helping care for critical COVID-19 patients.
Newtown Health District Director Donna Culbert is joining counterparts across the state and country strongly advising against holding or attending Super Bowl parties on game day, February 7.
Every agency providing emergency services locally weighed in on whether COVID-19 could compromise their response - find out what Newtown's local lifesavers had to say.
Hear from Newtown First Selectman Dan Rosenthal and Health official Donna Culbert in The Newtown Bee’s ongoing series of “COVID-19 Clips,” and get the latest local and state COVID transmission stats for this week.
After three cases of the aggressive and potentially more deadly B.1.1.7. variant of the COVID-19 virus were discovered in neighboring Oxford, Governor Ned Lamont announced he will be extending his emergency powers to help control the impact of the pandemic statewide.
Like so many of those who contracted COVID-19, transplanted Newtown native Carl “Chad” Werden was in good health and had never suffered any serious health threat — never mind spending months in hospital and surviving through a virus-related double lung transplant.
Ross Salvo was a kind-hearted, strong-willed 12-year-old who loved karate, complimented people whenever possible, and did what he could to help others have good days.
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?
