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 ...
Former Newtown resident Stan Shadwell sent me a note last week, just touching base and saying "Hello" prior to the new year. Stan and his family used to live on Robin Hill Road, and when they moved in...
A quick fact check easily debunks the claims in this letter.
Rep Bolinsky was instrumental in getting Exit 11 fixed which has greatly alleviated traffic at our most previously most dangerous intersection. He worked to get the light put on 34 at Bennetts Bridge which has prevented many accidents. He has pushed DOT for many of the bridge widening and onramp improvements we have seen on the highway, along with advancing legislation for 84 traffic studies, rear-seat seat belts laws, DUI legislation, wrong way signaling, distracted driving and more - working with Vision Zero, CTDOT, NTSB and AAA. He also opposed tolls on 84 which would have shifted even more congestion from the interstate onto local roads. He has been a champion of public transportation efforts for our seniors. Mitch was instrumental in passing the 2017 bipartisan budget with fiscal reforms that protected Newtown's funding, the loss of which would have been passed onto property tax payers. He has proudly never supported a tax increase and opposed and killed many "bad bills" that would have worsened the issues the author is focused on.
We can and should hold our representatives to account, but lets be factual when making such claims.
Another police search in a Newtown neighborhood. Did I miss the notification from the First Selectman’s office, or are we still using the “read about it afterward” emergency communication system?
I raised this same concern after the April police search. How many times do residents have to ask for timely information? At this point, perhaps it’s the First Selectman’s office that needs a welfare check. Anybody home, Bruce?
Thank you to Newtown Police for doing their job. Wake up, Bruce. Keeping residents informed is part of yours.
This strikes me as a pretty one-sided assessment. Let me add some context.
You highlight that his opponent has lived in Newtown for only two and a half years, yet leave out that Rob Blanchard moved here in July—roughly two and a half months ago. If residency matters, apply the same standard to both candidates. Isn't there a name for someone who moves to a town to run for election? Something like a rug or carpet, something?
I also question the mortgage-struggle framing in advertisements he approved and appears in. The public payroll figures put his household gross earnings at roughly $300,000—nearly twice Newtown’s median household income of $155,110. That doesn’t mean they have no financial pressures, but it is fair to question how closely that portrayal reflects the circumstances of a typical Newtown household.
Both candidates deserve scrutiny. Highlighting one candidate’s short residency while overlooking the other’s much more recent arrival is a double standard.
An incredible event... again. Thanks so much to Leslie and the entire gang who make this gathering of friends, family and classmates happen every year! And thanks to Devery Stickles for his generous support. This event is truly the Heart & Spirit of Newtown!
Michelle Embree Ku raises valid concerns about local property taxes, but ignores a basic political reality: Representative Mitch Bolinsky serves in the minority in a legislature dominated by a single-party supermajority where minority-party proposals are routinely sidelined. Suggesting that a single minority representative could rewrite the state's ECS formula is politically unrealistic and disingenuous to Newtown voters.
Despite those odds, Mitch’s CGA track record speaks for itself. He led the charge to protect special education funding, preserve Drug-Free School Zones, safeguard school safety drills, advance science-based structured literacy, and defend homeschooling choices for families.
If Ms. Ku knows how to fix the ECS formula, what has she done to convince her own party—the same party that controls the House, Senate, and Governor’s office? If the supermajority has the votes to fix ECS today, why hasn’t it happened during the 13 years she cites?
Adding another seat to a supermajority that made Connecticut one of the highest-taxed states won't help Newtown taxpayers. If the current majority hasn't delivered relief with absolute power, expanding that majority won't change the outcome.
Newtown’s interests are best served by keeping Mitch in the House and increasing Republican margins to provide real checks and balances. When one party holds every lever of power, accountability disappears. Strengthening the minority ensures our town’s voice is heard, not drowned out.
