News

Fire Reports | February 18-25, 2016

Published: Feb 26, 2016 12:00 AM

The radio dispatchers at the Newtown Emergency Communications Center at Town Hall South, 3 Main Street, report the following fire calls and the responders:Thursday, February 18: 2:48 pm, wires down, n...

Storm Update: Additional Eversource Crews Expected

By Shannon Hicks

Published: Feb 26, 2016 12:00 AM

For those who have been without power since the overnight hours of February 24-25, the latest update from Eversource is not exactly encouraging.As of 2 pm Thursday 6% of the town's customer base - 613...

FHA Weighs In On High Meadow As Memorial Site

By Kendra Bobowick

Published: Feb 25, 2016 12:00 AM

Noting some residents' "concern about use of the High Meadow" as a permanent 12/14 memorial location, Fairfield Hills Authority Chairman Thomas Connors on February 22 spoke about his board's role in t...

Schools Closed By Overnight Storm, Multiple Roads Closed

By Shannon Hicks

Published: Feb 25, 2016 12:00 AM

Newtown Public Schools will be closed today, Thursday, February 25.This story was updated at 8:45 am to include preliminary storm details. The district initially announced a two-hour delay early Thur...

Edmond Town Hall Facing Financial Difficulties

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: Feb 25, 2016 12:00 AM

First Selectman Pat Llodra has told Board of Finance members that within one year, Edmond Town Hall, at its current rate of spending, "will have exhausted all of its [financial] resources, revenue as ...

Reps Bolinsky, Sredzinski Testify On Horse Guard Bill

Published: Feb 25, 2016 12:00 AM

HARTFORD - Two of the three state lawmakers who represent Newtown in the General Assembly testified February 23 before Connecticut's Veterans' Affairs Committee on a bill that they say will provide mo...

Santucci Sentencing On Drug Charges Delayed To July

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: Feb 25, 2016 12:00 AM

HARTFORD - The sentencing of former Newtown police sergeant Steven Santucci, 39, of Waterbury on two felony drug convictions has been delayed by four months, from March 3 to July 8, to allow Santucci ...

Storms Block Roads, Cut Power, Close Schools

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: Feb 25, 2016 12:00 AM

Intense thunderstorms involving lightning, thunder, high winds, and heavy rains hit Newtown hard overnight Wednesday into Thursday, resulting in power outages, many street closures, and widespread dam...

Town Publishes Updated List Of Closed Roads

By Shannon Hicks

Published: Feb 25, 2016 12:00 AM

The Town of Newtown offered residents an updated list this afternoon of roads that remain closed or significantly impacted by downed trees and/or wires following last night's rain, thunder and wind st...

Conservation Restriction Sets Open Space Status Of High Meadow

By Kendra Bobowick

Published: Feb 25, 2016 12:00 AM

Officials Tuesday signed and notarized a conservation restriction detailing stipulations and limitations on High Meadow open space use, which "closes the loop" for land records, according to First Sel...

Blair Balmforth

Harold John Benson Jr

Newtown Organizations Within Deep Pool Of Union Savings Bank Foundation Awards

It’s pretty clear that David completely missed the point. The comment about building a stadium—just like the tongue-in-cheek suggestion of suing Newtowners for “being stupid”—was obviously satire. If Dave took the stadium idea literally, maybe the “stupid” comments struck a little closer to home than he’s willing to admit. Sometimes satire isn’t meant to be taken at face value—but then again, if you have to explain the joke, maybe that’s part of the problem.

If, as Mr. Gaston states, the property between Main Street sidewalks and the road belongs to the private property owners, then let me ask this: Would I, as a property owner, be within my rights to post “No Trespassing” signs and have any protesting group arrested for trespassing on that strip of land? If the answer is yes, then these protests are occurring on private property without permission, and the conversation shifts from free speech to property rights enforcement. If the answer is no, then there’s clearly some form of public right-of-way or easement that permits public use, which contradicts the argument that this land is entirely private. Either way, this issue seems far less clear-cut than Mr. Gaston suggests.

Bruce Walczak’s promise of RESPONSIVENESS sounds great on paper, but my own experience tells a different story. After his July 25th announcement, I congratulated him and asked a sincere question about the ongoing traffic disruptions on Main Street caused by frequent rallies at the flagpole—a concern shared by many residents and businesses. I never received an answer. No acknowledgment, no follow-up, nothing. If a candidate pledging openness and “no evasive answers or silence” can’t even respond during the campaign, how can voters expect better once in office? Responsiveness is proven by action, not slogans. Newtown needs better!

A Commitment to Responsiveness

Hi Bruce, I am not sure what meeting you attended but there was no extensive discussion. It was pretty much a popularity contest with over 200 protestors in attendance. In my estimation, no one on the LC even did any research on the subject, and those who voted NOT TO EVEN CONSIDER the benefits of an ordinance was a blatant act of conflict of interest and dereliction of duty. I for one presented 4 quantifiable benefits. If you are not able to think critically, then you really shouldn't be chiming in on the subject.

Says ‘No’ Vote Sidestepped Due Diligence

Let's ask an imaginary third grader shall we Wendy? Is it a good idea or a bad idea to protect Newtown businesses from being impeded because of a protest? Third grader; "GOOD IDEA". Is it a good idea or a bad idea to make Newtown traffic safe during a protest? Third Grader "GOOD IDEA". Is it a good idea or bad idea to pay have Newtown taxpayers pay $15k in police OT EVERY PROTEST that could be avoided with ample notice? Third grader; "BAD IDEA. VERY BAD IDEA!!". Is a good idea or a bad idea to protect Newtown from any legal risk because they were negligent in providing any preparation in the event anyone was killed, injured, or property damaged? Third grader; "Good Idea. Anything else is just stupid!" Now third grader, we shouldn't use that word. Do you know what does the word "Stupid" even means? Third grader: "Yes, According to the Merrian Webster dictionary, it means tending to make bad decisions." If Newtown wants to re-elect me to always keep their best interests at heart, they will re-elect me. It they want officials sitting on the LC that are more sympathetic to protestors then they are acting in the best interests of Newtown, so be it.. One more thing Wendy, Kerrville, TX; the legislative body there had the opportunity to vote for a Flash Flood siren warning system. They voted "no". Now over 200 people are dead. Family's are destroyed. Was that a good idea or a bad idea? Don't answer that; let me answer that for you. Derek Pisani: IT WAS STUPID! I intentionally wanted to offend those who need to be offended and if you are one of them, you tell me where that imaginary third grader was wrong in answering those questions. I'll wait.

Use Of The Word ‘Stupid’

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