News

Commission Begins Reviewing Public Survey Data On Community Center

By Kendra Bobowick

Published: Nov 14, 2015 12:00 AM

Creating a place that offers a destination, “feels like an experience,” and serves as a “place to gather,” are just some of the “takeaways” of what the public wants in a community center. Newtown Comm...

Newtown Fund Announces Depot Day, Annual Appeal For Help

By Shannon Hicks

Published: Nov 14, 2015 12:00 AM

The Newtown Fund has for many years helped Newtown’s residents in need around the December holidays. Most referrals come through the town’s Social Service Department or local clergy. Families, couples...

Police Quell Threatening Situation In Botsford

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: Nov 13, 2015 12:00 AM

Following a report of a man threatening to "shoot anybody" who went to his Botsford home on the night of November 8, police responded to the Dusty LaneÃÂ residence in number, and following a bri...

Pesky Leak Continues To Plague NHS Years After Occupancy

By John Voket

Published: Nov 13, 2015 12:00 AM

Technically, the long completed Newtown High School addition is not yet complete. According to Public Building and Site Commission Chairman Robert Mitchell, a pesky leak that has confounded school mai...

P&Z Continues Review Of Hawleyville Mixed-Use Proposal

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: Nov 13, 2015 12:00 AM

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members are continuing their long-running review of a major mixed-use complex proposed for a 42-acre site in Hawleyville, which would include a 180-unit rental apa...

Instead Of An Investigator, School Board Turns To Ethics Panel And FOI

By Eliza Hallabeck

Published: Nov 13, 2015 12:00 AM

After learning that hiring an investigator would cost roughly $15,000 to $20,000 to look into leaked board communications, the Board of Education decided at a special meeting on Wednesday, November 11...

Newtown Men Arrested In Monroe Robbery Case

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: Nov 13, 2015 12:00 AM

MONROE — Monroe police have arrested two Newtown men on robbery charges, alleging that they robbed a gas station/convenience store there early on the morning of September 6. Police said they have arre...

School Bus Driver Suspended Following Arrest By Bethel Police

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: Nov 13, 2015 12:00 AM

Following his recent arrest by Bethel police on burglary/larceny charges, All-Star Transportation has suspended from work without pay a Monroe man who had driven School Bus #20 in Newtown. In an e-mai...

District 2 Council Recount Seats Wiedemann

By John Voket

Published: Nov 12, 2015 12:00 AM

Democratic Registrar of Voters LeReine Frampton released the results of a District 2 Legislative Council recount, which was completed late in the afternoon of November 5. Ms Frampton notified The Newt...

Town Attorney: No Provision To Settle Split Vote For Finance Chair

By John Voket

Published: Nov 12, 2015 12:00 AM

In the event of a tie vote, should Democrat James Gaston chair the newly elected Board of Finance based on the fact that he received the most votes on November 3, or because he spent several terms as ...

Charter Revision Commission Begins Planning For Upcoming Work

Nighthawk Track And Field Teams Host Meet

New Heights Vacation Bible School Returning

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'

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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