Features

The Top of the Mountain

Published: Nov 13, 2015 12:00 AM

There were many fine Veterans Day celebrations at the local schools this past Wednesday, as well as one for the general public at the VFW Post 308. I hope you had the opportunity, one way or the other...

Hiss Golden Messenger Wrapping Up ETH Concert Series

By John Voket

Published: Nov 13, 2015 12:00 AM

Since June 2011 Newtown resident Hayden Bates has almost single-handedly produced a series of boutique concerts in the Edmond Town Hall Theatre, bringing some of the more eclectic gems sparkling on th...

Growing A Shrinking Life: Now That You've Grown Up, What Do You Want To Be?

By Nancy K. Crevier

Published: Nov 13, 2015 12:00 AM

Where do we go from here? It is a question that arises when middle age takes a turn toward “maturity.” It could be a death, a change of residence, a joining of two homes, or the flight of the last chi...

Members Of 1965 NHS Football Team Honored

By Andy Hutchison

Published: Nov 13, 2015 12:00 AM

Players who got it all started a half century ago were back on the Newtown High School football field on November 6. Members of the 1965 Newtown High team, the first to play organized football to begi...

Snapshot: Matt Taylor

Published: Nov 13, 2015 12:00 AM

Occupation: I’m a physical therapist assistant at Church Hill Physical Therapy. I graduated from Norwalk Community College for the two-year PTA degree, and from Franciscan University in Ohio, with...

Theater Review: A Once-In-A-Lifetime Production Of 'Glengarry Glen Ross'

By Elizabeth Young

Published: Nov 12, 2015 12:00 AM

RIDGEFIELD — In the eat-or-be-eaten world of 1970s Chicago real estate, fast talking brokers would sell their mother worthless swamp land just to score a closing. Nowhere is this pressurized environm...

Lisa Unleashed: Horses Parading Around - Including American Pharoah

By Lisa Peterson

Published: Nov 12, 2015 12:00 AM

Horses and parades go together like peanut butter and jelly! This partnership began millennia ago when horses were paraded around to celebrate battle victories. More recently, the Horse Guard Parade, ...

Theater Review: A Well Designed Conclusion For Town Players Season

By Elizabeth Young

Published: Nov 12, 2015 12:00 AM

Elegantly introduced by tuxedo clad director Gene Golaszewski, Design for Murder unfolds as a whodunit in the classic style. Town Players of Newtown are currently presenting George Bateson’s play. Las...

Ram Pasture Tree Lighting Scheduled

By Shannon Hicks

Published: Nov 09, 2015 12:00 AM

The Newtown Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a fundraising drive for the 31st Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and luminaria display that will be part of the annual tree lighting at Ram Pasture. This ye...

Ana Grace Project Planning 'Love Wins' Events For Town, Trauma Responders

By John Voket

Published: Nov 09, 2015 12:00 AM

“This is how love wins.” That was the parting sentiment from Nelba Marquez-Greene following a Newtown Bee interview with her and husband Jimmy Greene, founders of The Ana Grace Project, a multifaceted...

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 Top of the Mountain

Hiss Golden Messenger Wrapping Up ETH Concert Series

Growing A Shrinking Life: Now That You've Grown Up, What Do You Want To Be?

Members Of 1965 NHS Football Team Honored

Snapshot: Matt Taylor

Theater Review: A Once-In-A-Lifetime Production Of 'Glengarry Glen Ross'

Lisa Unleashed: Horses Parading Around - Including American Pharoah

Theater Review: A Well Designed Conclusion For Town Players Season

Ram Pasture Tree Lighting Scheduled

Ana Grace Project Planning 'Love Wins' Events For Town, Trauma Responders