News

Organizations Are Here For The Long Haul As Newtown Moves Forward

By Nancy K. Crevier

Published: Dec 12, 2013 12:00 AM

“Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anyth...

'Kids Share' Their Writing And Art Through Book Workshop

By Kendra Bobowick

Published: Dec 12, 2013 12:00 AM

Children celebrating a book showcasing their creativity and writing efforts, along with parents and Kids Share Workshops and Publishing Inc (KSWP) coordinators and volunteers threw a pizza party on Fr...

Special Weekend Events To Honor And Reflect

By Shannon Hicks

Published: Dec 12, 2013 12:00 AM

This article has been updated to reflect a change in plans for visits by The Therapy Dogs of Sandy Hook at Newtown Veterinary Specialists. Most of Newtown’s houses of worship are offering special...

Council To Explore Eminent Domain Option On Parcel Needed For New School

By John Voket

Published: Dec 12, 2013 12:00 AM

The Legislative Council is scheduled to consider and possibly endorse eminent domain options to acquire a privately owned parcel for the planned new access road for Sandy Hook School. The meeting is s...

Fairfield Hills Research Reveals 'Fascinating' Look At Facility's Past

By Kendra Bobowick

Published: Dec 11, 2013 12:00 AM

More than once Andrea Zimmermann said she was surprised by what she learned recently while researching Fairfield Hills. Author, researcher and Newtown resident, Ms Zimmermann in October submitted to t...

Sandy Hook Families Joining Vice President Announcing $100 Million In Mental Health Funding

By John Voket

Published: Dec 10, 2013 12:00 AM

This afternoon, surrounded by families of victims of 12/14, Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled to announce that $100 million will be made available to increase access to mental health services and ...

Highway Crews Busy Treating Roads, Police Advise Drivers 'Plan Accordingly'

By John Voket

Published: Dec 10, 2013 12:00 AM

Newtown Public Works crews have been on the job since 2 am preparing for what forecasters are predicting will be a three to five-inch snow event, and prompting a winter weather advisory until 5 pm. Sc...

Newtown Public Schools Closed Tuesday

Published: Dec 10, 2013 12:00 AM

Newtown Public Schools will be closed Tuesday, December 10, due to the weather.

Cancellations & Postponements

By Shannon Hicks

Published: Dec 10, 2013 12:00 AM

Due to today’s storm, meetings, parties and other events are being postponed. Following is a list of events that have been affected by today’s weather. Please call Newtown Bee Associate Editor Shannon...

Pizza Palace Owners Hosting Collection For Fire Victims

By John Voket

Published: Dec 10, 2013 12:00 AM

Newtown Pizza Palace patrons have enjoyed the engaging conversations of server Ingrid Bergquist for three decades. Now Pizza Palace owners James Donahue and Katrina Lekay are calling on patrons and ne...

‘Color Our World With Hope’ Filled Newtown With Music, Meaning, And Community Impact

Nighthawk Baseball Team Beats Conference Opponents

Late Goal By Ruddy Lifts Nighthawk Lacrosse Team To Victory, Showcases Chemistry In Midfield

Reed Intermediate Presents Sold-Out Performances Of 'Willy Wonka Jr'

Draw Dominance, Transition Game Lift Boys' Lacrosse Team To Lopsided Wins

Well that is some spin. The Democrats have a super majority on the LC and passed the Education Budget without serious consideration of if the voters could afford the multi million dollar increase. "Was the request justified?" rather than "is this needed?" and "can the voters shoulder yet another large increase?" The voters rightly sent it back. Then for some reason all the discussion around reductions to the increase seemed to be coming from the classroom, rather than administration and overhead costs. Is this a coercive tactic to manipulate parents into supporting the budget like tacit threat of cutting freshman sports was two years ago? Who believes the Democrats did not caucus privately before the meeting and came in with a number already worked out? This is the Dems budget, they own it.

Education Cuts: Who Voted For What

I think it is important that we do not villainize every black box seen around a home, business, farm, or municipal property. A black exterior station does not always mean rat poison is being used. These stations can hold a number of different products, including monitoring blocks, snap traps, non-toxic bait, anti-tick bait stations, organic salt- or cornmeal-based control products, and newer fertility-control approaches intended to reduce rodent populations without traditional poisons. The better conversation, in my opinion, is not simply “black boxes are bad,” but rather: what is inside them, who is maintaining them, and whether the rodent issue is being managed responsibly. Exclusion, sanitation, trapping, habitat reduction, and careful monitoring should all be part of a responsible IPM strategy. To be fair, on my own property I do use rodenticides, including Bromethalin and Bromadiolone, in secured bait stations. But that is a choice I make for my property, based on my circumstances and the risk I am trying to manage. I also believe property owners should understand the tradeoffs and be encouraged to use the least harmful effective method whenever possible. I support protecting Newtown’s wildlife. I also support giving residents accurate information and not assuming that every black box represents reckless or unsafe pest control. The goal should be responsible rodent management, not fear of the box itself.

Discusses Policy Against Rodenticides

Debora, thank you! I accidentally doubled the project prices by adding the bond to the appropriation. Thank you so much for catching that and pointing it out. With the corrected numbers, the voters approved a combined $1.32 million for a salt shed ($600k) and library pavement ($720k), while rejecting the $1.12 million replacement turf. Regarding the 80s, I truly respect the hurdle of 14% mortgage rates. My point is simply that the math has shifted: in 1980, while the rates were higher, the price of a home relative to earnings was significantly lower. We are facing a different, but equally crushing, financial wall. Ultimately, it is disheartening that voters who recognized safe sidewalks and parking lots as essential, dismissed a playing field in the exact same condition. The turf has passed its life cycle and is just as much of a liability as the library’s pavement, the only difference is that this safety concern affects thousands of children who, coincidentally, cannot vote. These are apples-to-apples needs. I was hopeful our community would agree that all Newtown residents deserve safe conditions, regardless of which facility they utilize. Again, I would be remiss not to mention that when 82% of residents don’t show up, we have to deal with the interests of those who did. Hopefully, the next referendum will have a bigger turnout.

The ‘Me’ Generation

Thanks for the reply. I meant the numbers you presented in your letter. I found one place where other numbers were listed: https://www.newtownbee.com/04232026/get-out-and-vote-on-the-2026-27-proposed-municipal-and-school-budgets/?q=\\\%22advisory%20questions\\\%22. In that article, the numbers were cited as: Treadwell field: $1,125,000 Library: $720,000 Salt Storage: $600,000 As one who started out in the early 80's when inflation was double digits, my 1985 mortgage rate was 14%, and child care costs were comparable (in present value), I shared your grief but never considered the voters ironic or shameful. PS. I agree college tuition is ridiculous. Thankfully, universities are offering (or considering) waiving all or most tuition for middle class families (upwards of $200,000 incomes). Hopefully, they'll also reconsider their need for those funds in the first place.

The ‘Me’ Generation

Sure! Child care costs: https://www.ffyf.org/2022/10/13/data-child-care-prices-continue-to-rise-ahead-of-midterm-elections-outpacing-inflation/ (also from 2021-2025 we had 2 children in a local daycare in Newtown and it cost us $3200 a month, so that's a number I am very familiar with) Home price / median price vs income source: https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/home-price-income-ratios Tuition increase vs inflation: https://feed.georgetown.edu/access-affordability/noting-a-decline-in-middle-class-students-colleges-provide-more-aid/ Hope this helps :)

The ‘Me’ Generation

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