James J. Hornyak, 64, of Newtown, born on November 17, 1954, in Stamford, lost his courageous battle with cancer on Tuesday, January 1, at Gaylord Specialty Healthcare in Wallingford. He died peaceful...
Donald Sharpe, 85, died peacefully December 29, at home in Sandy Hook. At his side were Jane, his wife of 52 years; son, Marcus, of Brookfield; and daughter, Kim, and her husband, Dave Mead, of Newtow...
Joan Sullivan Gereg, 93, mother, grandmother, aunt, nurse, teacher, and world traveler passed away at home on December 30, 2018, surrounded by her family, who will always remember “Mimi” as unwavering...
William “Bill” Lewis Landgrebe, 47, of Newtown, passed away on Thursday, December 27, 2018. He was born on August 2, 1971, in Norwalk, to devoted parents Bruce and Jane Landgrebe. A lifelong resident ...
Whether a person was a lifelong resident or called Newtown home for just a short while, the community faced the loss of many people this year who will be remembered for their great impact.
On February...
John Heffernan, 79, of New Fairfield, died peacefully December 22, surrounded by his family. He was born February 28, 1939, in Yonkers, N.Y., and was the son of the late Dorothy and Clifford Heffernan...
Linda S. Heil/Decker, 64, of Augusta, died peacefully Wednesday, December 26, 2018, at Capital City Manor in Augusta, Maine. She was born in Bridgeport, Conn., October 20, 1954, the daughter of Robert...
Adolf J. “Junior” Dreher, Jr, 82, of Sandy Hook, died peacefully December 22. He was born in Mount Vernon, N.Y., June 11, 1936, to Anna (Auer) and Adolf Dreher, Sr. He was a resident of Sandy Hook for...
Katherine Marie Colgan, 93, of Southbury, died December 18, in Bethel, following a long illness, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born in Limestone, Maine, June 8, 1925, and was the daughter of E...
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.
