The early arrival of Logan Oliver Phillips on January 7 meant a very happy start to the year for his parents. Additional joy arrived in the Sandy Hook home of Sabrina and Russell Phillips three days l...
Dave Samoskevich had one of those "I know those people!" moments recently.
The longtime Newtown resident was flipping through the December 30, 2016, issue of The Newtown Bee, and reached the page with...
January 17, 1992
Board of Ethics members voted 6-0 on January 14 to absolve First Selectman Zita McMahon of allegations that she might have violated the town's code of ethics through her authoriz...
Retired NMS tech-ed teacher Don Ramsey received a beautiful gift from Mother Nature last Wednesday. While walking across the Fairfield Hills campus, Don spotted a double rainbow during one of the brie...
"Photographs From The Fruit Trail," the latest exhibition hosted by Newtown Cultural Arts Commission, was celebrated with an artist's reception on December 29.
The public was invited to join George Du...
The monthly series that offers at least one free movie screening at Edmond Town Hall Theatre will continue this month with ten screenings over the course of three days, thanks to sponsor Ingersoll Aut...
We use them all the time, and never give them a second thought - idiomatic expressions. Those are the phrases we use that have a different meaning than the words used to express them.
We "hold our hor...
A took box once belonging to Sarah and Bill Mannix, who made some of the original Scrabble game pieces, has been inherited by family friend Susan Osborne White.
Occupation: I am Newtown's municipal animal control officer. I have always loved animals. I worked part-time on weekends at the old pound, then I was hired for kennel. When there was an opening fo...
Along with being able to borrow books, movies, board games, and countless other recreational wonders, the C.H. Booth Library now offers patrons the power of the internet with its free, portable Wi-Fi ...
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.
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.
I am glad to see First Selectman Bruce Walczak engaging the electorate. Mark your calendars, folks — apparently, communication from Town Hall is possible after all.
But where was Bruce two days ago, when Connecticut State Police requested assistance from Newtown Police after two individuals fled on foot from an I-84 crash? As a manhunt went through town, police were stationed at our schools, and many residents checked their car doors, deadbolted their houses, and armed themselves (Thank you James from Port Conway).
That sounds like exactly the kind of situation where residents would expect timely communication from town leadership. Parents, neighbors, and residents in the affected area should not have to piece together information after the fact while police are actively searching the community.
The issue is not whether our police did their job. They did. The issue is whether Town Hall is doing its job when it comes to keeping residents informed during real-time public safety situations.
If the First Selectman can write to residents about the importance of showing up for the budget, he should also show up when residents are looking for clear, timely information during an active police incident. This kind of communication was promised during the campaign.
Unfortunately, Bruce Walczzzzak is starting to look like just another politician: campaign on change, criticize the last guy, ask taxpayers for more staff, and then tell residents the job still cannot be done.
528 more feet of broadsheet paper ... we have passed the dump ... as for the details, it is worth pointing out that Merrimack's coal plant shifted to two (2) 4 oil generators. I wonder if this is why crude oil production hit record highs in July...
Where was our CodeRED?
For over 4 years Newtown has a CodeRED system. The town tells residents it exists for emergencies and points to things like missing persons, wildfires, and criminal activity as the kinds of incidents it is meant to address. Yet we had no CodeRED for Kateri Doty, no CodeRED for the brush fires, and no CodeRED for yesterday’s manhunt with police and tracking dogs moving through our backyards.
That is not one oversight. That is a pattern.
Under sleepy Bruce Walczak, the town has an emergency notification system that never seems to get used when actual emergencies happen.
Whether or not Bruce physically sends the alert himself is beside the point. If the system is not being used, if residents are left hearing about dangerous situations from Facebook and the neighbors’ kids instead of from their own government, then that failure belongs to him.
Newtown residents should not have to guess when there is a public safety issue unfolding around them. If Bruce Walcz"zzz"ak cannot make sure an emergency alert system is used for emergencies, then what exactly is he doing?
