News

Missing Man Found In Woods Off Eden Hill Road

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: Apr 08, 2016 12:00 AM

Following a massive search involving about 25 police officers, ten police dogs, volunteer firefighters, and the state police helicopter, a frail 73-year-old man was found safe in the woods on a trail ...

New Social Groups Forming For Young Adults On The Autism Spectrum

By John Voket

Published: Apr 08, 2016 12:00 AM

Following the successful launch of social/recreational groups for youth on the autism spectrum and others with social challenges, Newtown Youth & Family Services has taken the next step and is positio...

Police Reports | March 29-April 4, 2016

Published: Apr 08, 2016 12:00 AM

[naviga:h3]Sandy Hook DUI[/naviga:h3]Chevy vs Pole[/naviga:h3]Hawleyville Collision[/naviga:h3]Snowy Conditions[/naviga:h3]Taunton Lane Tree Strike[/naviga:h3]Botsford Hill Road Embankment Strike[/nav...

Erardi Named Outstanding Administrator Of The Year By State PTA

By Eliza Hallabeck

Published: Apr 08, 2016 12:00 AM

Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, was surprised on Friday, April 1, when Middle Gate PTA President Debbie DeBlasi carried balloons and led a group of district educators and employees int...

School Board Approves Graduation Dates

By Eliza Hallabeck

Published: Apr 08, 2016 12:00 AM

The Board of Education approved the Newtown High School graduation date and the date for the Newtown Middle School Moving Up Ceremony at its meeting on Tuesday, April 5.newtown.k12.ct.us. The NHS comm...

Police Use Antidote To Revive Heroin Overdose Victim

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: Apr 08, 2016 12:00 AM

Town police, who have been equipped with an antidote for narcotics overdoses since mid-February, had their first occasion to use the substance last weekend, when an officer administered the drug to a ...

Heading Into Nat'l Telecommunications Week: Emergency Communications Director Encouraging Residents To Be Prepared For Emergencies

Published: Apr 08, 2016 12:00 AM

Public safety officials are encouraging residents to sign up for a free lifesaving service that increases speed of response in emergencies.in a letter to The Newtown Bee. "Telecommunicators [dispatche...

7-Day Traffic Closure Set For Silver Bridge

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: Apr 07, 2016 12:00 AM

Silver Bridge, which spans the Lake Zoar section of the Housatonic River, linking Glen Road in Sandy Hook to River Road Southbury, is scheduled to be completely closed to vehicular and pedestrian traf...

Presidential Primary Absentee Ballots Available

Published: Apr 07, 2016 12:00 AM

Any person who would be eligible to vote in the Republican and Democratic Presidential Preference Primary to be held on April 26, and is unable to appear in person for one or more of the reasons set f...

State Rep Dan Carter Declares Candidacy For US Senate

By Shannon Hicks

Published: Apr 07, 2016 12:00 AM

BETHEL - Representative Dan Carter (R) announced his candidacy for US Senate for Connecticut, a seat currently occupied by Senator Dick Blumenthal. Flanked by friends and colleagues April 5, including...

Next HRRA Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Event Scheduled In Newtown

Genealogy Club's Next Program To Dig Into 'Dissecting A Civil War Pension Record'

Choral Society Planning ‘Voices Of America’ Performance

Newtown Earth Day Festival Was A Success

Local Fourth Grader To Host ‘Gaming For Change’ On May 16

The editorial took no position on the budget going up or down so you're reading things into the editorial that simply aren't there. The turnout is tied to the lack of passage, in that people who came out to vote last time did not this time, indicating a lack of support on their part. Perhaps it wasn't spelled out clearly enough, but that's what the editorial was driving at, people showing lack of support by not casting a vote. The editorial did address likely concerns among voters that may have led to lack of support and lack of turnout. This lower turnout also follows increasing turnout over the past four referendums in three years (meaning it is an aberration from that), and increased turnout is something that I do push for regularly in editorials. Any disappointment you might be seeing is at the break in that trend, not at whether the budget passed or not. I'd rather see more people come out and vote "no" then not vote at all.

Lower Turnout Results In Two Budget Defeats

Clearly, property owners no longer want to bear the burden of expenses while the state does not meet it’s responsibilities. Rising costs must be addressed by actions that do not include yearly increases of property owners’ taxes. The state of CT must meet its share of the educational costs, and other costs.

Town And School Budgets Fail At Referendum

This feels like an oddly misleading headline and narrative, particularly coming from the Editorial Board. The headline "Lower Turnout Results in Two Budget Defeats" pushes a misleading narrative regarding voter turnout, and then seeks to tie the outcome of the referendum to that misleading narrative. Sure, voter turn out for this year's referendum, 18%, was lower than last year's. However, last year's turnout, 25.4%, represented the highest turnout in the most recent 10 budget referendums. If you take the time to examine turnout percentages between 2017 and 2026 (2017: 19.9, 2018: 15.7, 2019: 17, 2020: 0, 2021: 8.98, 2022: 7.7, 2023: 8.8, 2024: 15.1/17.49, 2025: 25.4, 2026: 18), this year's turnout was actually the third highest in the past 10 cycles. Perhaps the headline of this article should say "Lower Voter Turnout Than Last Year", which is more accurate, rather than creating an impression that this year's turnout is some type of aberration - a narrative that the turnout numbers, in all their binary glory, simply do not support. Further, the headline of this article appears to tie the "lower turnout" to the defeated budgets. Sure, that could be true. But, perhaps, its more likely that Newtown residents are feeling the squeeze of multiple economic influences. In Newtown, we've experienced property revaluations and increased municipal spending. Eversource continues to raise rates. The state legislature gives PURA the authority to impose Public Benefit charges that benefit a tiny percentage of the public (and subsequently burdening the rest of us). At the national level, inflation has run rampant for years and many of those costs remain high to this day. In short, the data tells a far less dramatic—and far more honest—story than the headline suggests. This wasn’t an electorate vanishing in apathy; it was a fairly typical turnout delivering an verdict that, perhaps, some at the Editorial Board didn't like. At some point, it’s worth considering that residents aren’t confused, disengaged, or misled by turnout; they’re simply doing math at their kitchen tables and concluding that “no” is the only responsible answer left.

Enjoyed the forum which only confirmed my support for Brandon Moore as the Democratic candidate to run for the state representative position. Brandon Moore did not waiver about his duty to all the people, if elected, when an issue presents itself that requires that he voice a difference of opinion for the wellbeing of Newtown residents. If Michelle Ku’s 16 years have led to her loyalty being to other elected officials, as she implied, then Newtown is going to continue to witness actions that do not protect its residents. She could not unseat republican, Mitch Bolinsky, during a Blue Wave, and once again, will not do it now. Winning that seat is critical for all. That explains why her previous campaign committee now campaigns for Brandon Moore. It explains all the endorsements he has received from local elected democratic officials. It’s why we need Brandon Moore to be the democratic candidate to run for state representative.

Second Newtown DTC, League Of Women Voters Candidates Event Planned

Appreciated the opportunity to hear from both candidates as we were present for the College Dems forum but only heard from Brandon Moore. It was an opportunity to see who can unseat the Republican incumbent and there is no doubt that Brandon Moore should be the Democratic candidate. One concerned parent posed a question about discrimination unaddressed by the school district and interestingly enough, Michelle Ku, who proudly speaks of her Board membership years, said little, while Brandon Moore passionately addressed the issue along with his experience as an Apache Helicopter Commander. This family is supporting Brandon Moore. We need change and someone who is not afraid to disagree, especially about the rising costs of living in Newtown.

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Missing Man Found In Woods Off Eden Hill Road

New Social Groups Forming For Young Adults On The Autism Spectrum

Police Reports | March 29-April 4, 2016

Erardi Named Outstanding Administrator Of The Year By State PTA

School Board Approves Graduation Dates

Police Use Antidote To Revive Heroin Overdose Victim

Heading Into Nat'l Telecommunications Week: Emergency Communications Director Encouraging Residents To Be Prepared For Emergencies

7-Day Traffic Closure Set For Silver Bridge

Presidential Primary Absentee Ballots Available

State Rep Dan Carter Declares Candidacy For US Senate