News

Presentation For Parents, March 23: Recent Drug And Alcohol Trends

Published: Mar 22, 2016 12:00 AM

Newtown Prevention Council, Newtown Parent Connection and Newtown Youth & Family Services are co-hosting a Wednesday, March 23, presentation at Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen Street, at 6:30 pm, on ...

Following Recommended Cut, Council Hears From Employee Medical Benefit Board

By John Voket

Published: Mar 22, 2016 12:00 AM

Newtown Finance Director Robert Tait began a recent presentation to the Legislative Council about the town employee self-insured medical plan with an apology. "I'm sorry - I wish I could make this exc...

Costs Rise To Replace Edmond Town Hall Boilers

By Kendra Bobowick

Published: Mar 21, 2016 12:00 AM

A project at Edmond Town Hall for upgrades to the boilers, "the ladies down below," will cost more than the $300,000 allotted in the town's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) said Board of Managers Chairm...

A Snowy Start To Spring

By Shannon Hicks

Published: Mar 21, 2016 12:00 AM

Mother Nature coated Connecticut with a blanket of snow on the second day of spring, although the western half of the state was faring much better by daybreak than the eastern side. Newtown awoke to 2...

Two Hour Delay For Newtown Public Schools Monday

Published: Mar 21, 2016 12:00 AM

Newtown Public Schools will have a two hour delay Monday, March 21, due to the weather.

Rochambeau Woods: 29-Unit Condo Complex Proposed For Mt Pleasant Road

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: Mar 21, 2016 12:00 AM

A development firm is proposing the construction of 29 condominiums at a multifamily complex that would be built on Mt Pleasant Road in the borough.Environmental Review Site History Hunter Ridge, ...

Police Commission Conditionally Hires New Officer

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: Mar 21, 2016 12:00 AM

Following a March 10 job interview, the Police Commission conditionally hired a Newtown woman as a probationary police patrol officer. Following her interview in executive session, commission members ...

WSA Recommends Firm To Expand Hawleyville Sewer System

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: Mar 21, 2016 12:00 AM

The Water & Sewer Authority (WSA) is recommending a construction firm to expand the Hawleyville sanitary sewer system, a municipal infrastructure project intended to stimulate economic development nea...

More Restaurants In Business Zones?

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: Mar 21, 2016 12:00 AM

In response to a letter of inquiry concerning the possibility of adding a "restaurant" as an allowed use in a Business-Professional Office (BPO) zone, George Benson, town director of planning, has tol...

Newtown's School Budget Earns CABE Award

By Eliza Hallabeck

Published: Mar 20, 2016 12:00 AM

Board of Education Vice Chair Michelle Ku spoke as the Area 5 director for Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) to announce and present the Award of Excellence for Educational Communi...

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.

Lower Turnout Results In Two Budget Defeats

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.

Second Newtown DTC, League Of Women Voters Candidates Event Planned

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