Features

Thousands Visited Main Street For Halloween

By Shannon Hicks

Published: Nov 02, 2015 12:00 AM

One resident of Main Street reported more than 2,700 people stopped at her home Saturday night, when she and her family — and everyone else who live on the busiest street in town each October 31 — wel...

Howl-O-Ween Had Dozens Of Costumed Canines Romping At Dog Park

By Andrew Gorosko

Published: Nov 02, 2015 12:00 AM

About 100 dogs and their owners gathered on Halloween for the Sixth Annual Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Party at the town's Park and Bark dog park at Fairfield Hills to celebrate the spooky holiday amid su...

Halloween Photos From Newtown Bee Readers

By Shannon Hicks

Published: Nov 02, 2015 12:00 AM

The Newtown Bee issued an invitation over the weekend, encouraging readers to share their Halloween photos. With just a small window available, a few readers shared some of their photos, includin...

Lisa Unleashed: MTA Police Canine Graduates - Furry First Responders

By Lisa Peterson

Published: Nov 01, 2015 12:00 AM

The most recent Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) police graduates came heeling into New York City’s Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall last week amid the “Pomp And Circumstance Walking Comme...

Newtown Native Jenna Von Oy Pens 'Best Friend's' Guide To Motherhood

By John Voket

Published: Nov 01, 2015 12:00 AM

Newtown’s own actor, recording artist, voice talent, blogger, and now author Jenna Von Oy has never played a doctor on television — but she is capitalizing on her portrayal of gal pal Six Lemeure on t...

What Does Your Halloween Look Like?

By Shannon Hicks

Published: Oct 31, 2015 12:00 AM

Main Street will certainly be the loudest, busiest, craziest place for Trick-or-Treaters again this year. Homeowners know to expect a few thousand costumed guests at their doors within a few hours Sat...

Snapshot: Antoinette Capodicci

Published: Oct 30, 2015 12:00 AM

Occupation: I’m a homemaker right now. I used to be an office manager. Now I do a lot of volunteer work, anywhere I’m needed. Family: My first husband, Rocco, passed away at an early age. We h...

The Way We Were

Published: Oct 30, 2015 12:00 AM

November 2, 1990 Management of the A&P in the Newtown Shopping Center has confirmed rumors the supermarket will close its doors for good on November 10 — news that surprised center owner Joseph K...

Ian Anderson - Weaving A Lifetime Of Music Into Jethro Tull Rock Opera

By John Voket

Published: Oct 30, 2015 12:00 AM

I remember how intimidating it was the first time I interviewed Ian Anderson. His gentlemanly but take-no-bull-from-the-press reputation long preceded that call. I mean, here’s a guy issuing advances ...

Top of the Mountain

Published: Oct 30, 2015 12:00 AM

Are you ready for Halloween? Plenty of homes up and down Main Street are decked out for this one-day holiday, and ready to greet the goblins that swarm the street, October 31. Don’t forget that Dental...

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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Thousands Visited Main Street For Halloween

Howl-O-Ween Had Dozens Of Costumed Canines Romping At Dog Park

Halloween Photos From Newtown Bee Readers

Lisa Unleashed: MTA Police Canine Graduates - Furry First Responders

Newtown Native Jenna Von Oy Pens 'Best Friend's' Guide To Motherhood

What Does Your Halloween Look Like?

Snapshot: Antoinette Capodicci

The Way We Were

Ian Anderson - Weaving A Lifetime Of Music Into Jethro Tull Rock Opera

Top of the Mountain