News

Sewer Costs For River Walk Multifamily Complex Under Review

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: Jan 24, 2017 12:00 AM

The Water & Sewer Authority (WSA) is having an appraisal firm review the estimated value of a 65-unit multifamily complex planned for Washington Avenue in Sandy Hook Center, now that the complex would...

Police Chief: Investigators Tirelessly Working 'First Ever' Robbery, Hate Crime

By John Voket

Published: Jan 24, 2017 12:00 AM

In more than three decades in law enforcement and with all his associations both state and nationally, Newtown Police Chief James Viadero told The Newtown Bee January 24 that he has never seen or hear...

Storm Appears To Be Decreasing In Strength, Precautions Still Advised

By Shannon Hicks

Published: Jan 23, 2017 12:00 AM

UPDATE (Monday, January 23; 4:17 pm): This story has been updated to include information from the Town of Newtown. * * * * * A strong coastal storm that has been moving north along the East Coast...

Newtown Police Seek Public Help After Two Robberies, Apparent Hate Crime

By John Voket

Published: Jan 22, 2017 12:00 AM

UPDATE (Monday, January 23, 2017): This story has been updated to reflect the proper name of the business, and the number of fire and ambulance personnel sent to the scene. * * * * * Two robberie...

First Selectman Unveils 2017 Budget Proposal

By John Voket

Published: Jan 20, 2017 12:00 AM

First Selectman Pat Llodra and Town Finance Director Robert Tait unveiled a 2017 municipal budget proposal to the Board of Selectmen January 17 requesting an overall 1.8 percent increase, and set asid...

Town Leaders Called To Support Developing ECS Legislation

By John Voket

Published: Jan 20, 2017 12:00 AM

How does a town like Farmington receive a 153 percent allotment of state Educational Cost Sharing (ECS) funding - while Newtown, with myriad demographic similarities - only sees 47 percent of its enti...

Southbury Man Killed In Mt Pleasant Road Motorcycle Accident

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: Jan 20, 2017 12:00 AM

Police report that a Southbury man was killed about 3 pm on Thursday, January 19, when riding a motorcycle on Mt Pleasant Road; the vehicle traveled off the roadway and struck some flex-beam metallic ...

Selectmen Consider Three Adjacent Community Center Sites

By John Voket

Published: Jan 20, 2017 12:00 AM

The Board of Selectmen reviewed three possible locations in the southwestern corner of Fairfield Hills for the future community center site January 17, but the final decision on which will be chosen c...

Selectmen Consider Three Adjacent Community Center Sites

By John Voket

Published: Jan 20, 2017 12:00 AM

The Board of Selectmen reviewed three possible locations in the southwestern corner of Fairfield Hills for the future community center site January 17, but the final decision on which will be chosen c...

Town Leaders Called To Support Developing ECS Legislation

By John Voket

Published: Jan 20, 2017 12:00 AM

How does a town like Farmington receive a 153 percent allotment of state Educational Cost Sharing (ECS) funding - while Newtown, with myriad demographic similarities - only sees 47 percent of its enti...

Cross Country Teams Race At Wolfe Park

Two For One: Girls' Swim And Dive Begins Season With Pair Of Wins

The Way We Were

First Week Of October Is Mental Illness Awareness Week

Newtown Historical Society Schoolhouse Storytelling Event Rescheduled

A quick fact check easily debunks the claims in this letter. Rep Bolinsky was instrumental in getting Exit 11 fixed which has greatly alleviated traffic at our most previously most dangerous intersection. He worked to get the light put on 34 at Bennetts Bridge which has prevented many accidents. He has pushed DOT for many of the bridge widening and onramp improvements we have seen on the highway, along with advancing legislation for 84 traffic studies, rear-seat seat belts laws, DUI legislation, wrong way signaling, distracted driving and more - working with Vision Zero, CTDOT, NTSB and AAA. He also opposed tolls on 84 which would have shifted even more congestion from the interstate onto local roads. He has been a champion of public transportation efforts for our seniors. Mitch was instrumental in passing the 2017 bipartisan budget with fiscal reforms that protected Newtown's funding, the loss of which would have been passed onto property tax payers. He has proudly never supported a tax increase and opposed and killed many "bad bills" that would have worsened the issues the author is focused on. We can and should hold our representatives to account, but lets be factual when making such claims.

Vote For Michelle Embree Ku

Another police search in a Newtown neighborhood. Did I miss the notification from the First Selectman’s office, or are we still using the “read about it afterward” emergency communication system? I raised this same concern after the April police search. How many times do residents have to ask for timely information? At this point, perhaps it’s the First Selectman’s office that needs a welfare check. Anybody home, Bruce? Thank you to Newtown Police for doing their job. Wake up, Bruce. Keeping residents informed is part of yours.

Driver Arrested After Fleeing Crash Scene

This strikes me as a pretty one-sided assessment. Let me add some context. You highlight that his opponent has lived in Newtown for only two and a half years, yet leave out that Rob Blanchard moved here in July—roughly two and a half months ago. If residency matters, apply the same standard to both candidates. Isn't there a name for someone who moves to a town to run for election? Something like a rug or carpet, something? I also question the mortgage-struggle framing in advertisements he approved and appears in. The public payroll figures put his household gross earnings at roughly $300,000—nearly twice Newtown’s median household income of $155,110. That doesn’t mean they have no financial pressures, but it is fair to question how closely that portrayal reflects the circumstances of a typical Newtown household. Both candidates deserve scrutiny. Highlighting one candidate’s short residency while overlooking the other’s much more recent arrival is a double standard.

Vote For Rob Blanchard For State Senate

An incredible event... again. Thanks so much to Leslie and the entire gang who make this gathering of friends, family and classmates happen every year! And thanks to Devery Stickles for his generous support. This event is truly the Heart & Spirit of Newtown!

Dozens Enjoy Annual Panacea Labor Day Weekend Concert

Michelle Embree Ku raises valid concerns about local property taxes, but ignores a basic political reality: Representative Mitch Bolinsky serves in the minority in a legislature dominated by a single-party supermajority where minority-party proposals are routinely sidelined. Suggesting that a single minority representative could rewrite the state's ECS formula is politically unrealistic and disingenuous to Newtown voters. Despite those odds, Mitch’s CGA track record speaks for itself. He led the charge to protect special education funding, preserve Drug-Free School Zones, safeguard school safety drills, advance science-based structured literacy, and defend homeschooling choices for families. If Ms. Ku knows how to fix the ECS formula, what has she done to convince her own party—the same party that controls the House, Senate, and Governor’s office? If the supermajority has the votes to fix ECS today, why hasn’t it happened during the 13 years she cites? Adding another seat to a supermajority that made Connecticut one of the highest-taxed states won't help Newtown taxpayers. If the current majority hasn't delivered relief with absolute power, expanding that majority won't change the outcome. Newtown’s interests are best served by keeping Mitch in the House and increasing Republican margins to provide real checks and balances. When one party holds every lever of power, accountability disappears. Strengthening the minority ensures our town’s voice is heard, not drowned out.

ECS Funding Debate Should Focus On Results

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