Features

The Way We Were

Published: Jan 29, 2016 12:00 AM

February 1, 1991 The US Postal Service plans to consolidate the Newtown and Sandy Hook Post Offices by building an approximately 17,000-square-foot post office on Commerce Road, according to a Po...

The Top of the Mountain

Published: Jan 29, 2016 12:00 AM

It took the weather stations some doing, but they were finally able last Saturday to nail the season’s first storm down to between nothing and a foot. I guess they were accurate, if you take the entir...

Library Focus Groups Seek Input For The Future

By Nancy K. Crevier

Published: Jan 28, 2016 12:00 AM

Public focus groups held Wednesday, January 27, started the process of discovery for C.H. Booth Library. The library is seeking input for long-range planning, scheduling a series of forums facilitated...

The Way We Were

By Newtown Bee

Published: Jan 28, 2016 12:00 AM

February 1, 1991 The US Postal Service plans to consolidate the Newtown and Sandy Hook Post Offices by building an approximately 17,000-square-foot post office on Commerce Road, according to a Po...

Library Focus Groups Seek Input For The Future

By Nancy K. Crevier

Published: Jan 28, 2016 12:00 AM

Public focus groups held Wednesday and Thursday, January 27 and 28, started the process of discovery for the C.H. Booth Library. The library is seeking input for long-range planning, scheduling a seri...

Recycling Opportunities In Newtown

By Kendra Bobowick

Published: Jan 27, 2016 12:00 AM

Kathy Quinn thinks twice before tossing her trash; she recycles instead. Recycling options in town have "really changed how I manage the garbage around my house," she said.newtown-ct.govInformation is...

Lisa Unleashed: Seven New Breeds Descend On Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show In 2016

By Lisa Peterson

Published: Jan 26, 2016 12:00 AM

It's that time of year again! The 140th Annual Westminster Kennel Club All-Breed Dog Show is coming on Monday and Tuesday, February 15-16, in New York City. Most dog lovers are aware of this world-fam...

Local Pet Sensations Enjoy Another "Fun Experience"

By Kendra Bobowick

Published: Jan 26, 2016 12:00 AM

Ron Kroha's springer spaniels Hope and Rosey continue to bring unexpected joy to him and those who have found the pair online. The dogs were introduced to the world in 2013, when Mr Kroha posted a vi...

The Top of the Mountain

By Newtown Bee

Published: Jan 25, 2016 12:00 AM

Monica and Mark Sievel were sitting at their kitchen table reading the January 8 edition of The Bee when someone else in the household had to take a look. It just so happens the paper was flipped open...

Free 'Spectre' Screening, SolarCity Program Sunday At Edmond Town Hall

By Shannon Hicks

Published: Jan 24, 2016 12:00 AM

A free screening of Spectre that had been planned for Saturday, January 23, has been rescheduled for tonight. The screening is being sponsored by SolarCity, a company that offers solar powered systems...

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.

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.

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The Way We Were

The Top of the Mountain

Library Focus Groups Seek Input For The Future

The Way We Were

Library Focus Groups Seek Input For The Future

Recycling Opportunities In Newtown

Lisa Unleashed: Seven New Breeds Descend On Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show In 2016

Local Pet Sensations Enjoy Another "Fun Experience"

The Top of the Mountain

Free 'Spectre' Screening, SolarCity Program Sunday At Edmond Town Hall