Vera Emma (Plante) Smith, 84, passed away at her home Saturday, May 11, 2019, after a long battle with vascular dementia. She was born October 22, 1934, in Fall River, Mass.
While working as a home ec...
John E. Platt, Jr, 67, of Sandy Hook, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, May 11, 2019. He was the loving husband and best friend of Christine (Foley) Platt.
John was born in Danbury on Ma...
Patricia L. (Sobol) McDermott, 52, of Trumbull, passed away on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. She was born on March 15, 1967, to Anthony and Viola (Houle) Sobol.
Patricia is survived by her sons, Jack and Dy...
Robert “Bob” Weidenhamer passed away peacefully at Danbury Hospital on March 1, 2019, from complications of Parkinson’s Dementia at the age of 91.
He is survived by his wife, Dr Linda Weidenhamer; his...
Margaret Janice Lovering Bevan, of Newtown, died peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. She was 85 years of age.
Jan is survived by her loving husband, Joseph Bevan; her daughter Alison Be...
Florence DePalma, age 99, of Newtown, passed away peacefully April 25, 2019, at River Glen Health Care Center, Southbury.
Florence was a woman who always loved life. She enjoyed cooking, baking, and e...
The Avielle Foundation, aviellefoundation.org, announces a Celebration of Life for Jeremy Richman, PhD, Sunday, May 26, at Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Road, Sandy Hook.
Mr Richman was born March...
Keith Alfred Rivoir died at home in Southbury on April 28. He was born on August 3, 1954, in New Haven, and was the son of Robert H. Rivoir, Sr, and Eleanor Esther (Anderson) Rivoir. Keith grew up in ...
I agree with your point, Tom.
However, the sheer volume of Trump's false statements and claims -- vs. anyone else -- is astonishing and noteworthy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_or_misleading_statements_by_Donald_Trump
President Biden, too, has claimed “inflation was 0%,” when in fact prices remained elevated. He told us his Afghanistan withdrawal was a “success,” even though Americans and allies were left behind and 13 service members lost their lives. He promised not to build another foot of border wall, but later quietly restarted construction. These examples matter just as much as Trump’s because they show that political dishonesty isn’t unique to one side.
The point is not to excuse Trump or Biden—it’s to recognize that truth matters, and voters deserve accountability from all leaders. Singling out one politician while giving others a free pass only fuels division.
It’s important to put the 8-30g application into context. The reason developers in our town resort to Connecticut’s 8-30g affordable housing statute is precisely because obstructionist voices, led by Mr. Ackert, have repeatedly opposed reasonable housing proposals through local zoning channels. When projects are delayed or denied outright under the guise of “protecting character,” developers have little choice but to pursue the state-level remedy.
Mr. Ackert portrays 8-30g as a loophole being abused, when in fact it exists because communities that resist creating diverse housing options need accountability. If our town had a stronger record of working collaboratively to meet housing needs, developers wouldn’t feel compelled to bypass local boards in the first place.
Regarding wetlands and Inland Wetlands Commission review, it’s worth remembering that these processes are not ignored or hidden from the public. Applications that impact wetlands must comply with environmental regulations, and developers are subject to oversight. Suggesting otherwise unfairly discredits both the staff and the commission, who follow established procedures.
The public certainly deserves transparency, but it is misleading to imply that this project was pushed through in secret. The broader issue is that continued “Not In My Back Yard” obstructionism drives applicants to use 8-30g, ensuring that local zoning boards lose the very control residents claim to want preserved.
If we truly want more local say in how projects are shaped, then we need to stop reflexively opposing housing and start working constructively with applicants. Mr. Ackert’s campaign of resistance has only created the exact conditions he now complains about.
It's certainly good news that a temporary patch to rationed water in Newtown is in effect. But taking a year to come up with a patch is concerning. Where is the sense of urgency to get this permanently fixed?
Getting an endorsement from Jinm Gaston is one of the biggest compliments any candidate can get, and Chris certainly deserves the high marks. He has served us well and will in the future.
