Janet “June” (Vandetti) Yoburn, 88, died peacefully August 24, at Maplewood Senior Living in Newtown, with her daughter at her side. She was born December 31, 1929, in Danbury.
Her daughter, Cheryl Bi...
Stephen Louis Tranzillo, 75, of Danbury, beloved husband of Phyllis (Antedomenico) Tranzillo, died peacefully August 24, at home. He was born in Port Chester, N.Y., December 5, 1942, and was the son o...
John David Lennon, 73, former Newtown resident, died June 29, in his home in Grayson, Ga., surrounded by his loved ones. He was a Newtown High School graduate.
Mr Lennon retired from his long career o...
Dermot Daly, 43, of Roxbury, died August 15. Born March 12, 1975, in New York City, he grew up in Fairfield and Newtown.
His beloved mother, Alice Daly; his siblings and their spouses, Paul and Maggie...
William Ernest “Bill” Uhde, 80, a longtime Sandy Hook resident, died March 7. He was born in New York and was the son of Wilhelm and Kathe (Mattner) Uhde.
His wife of 56 years, Gay Uhde; his children ...
Catherine Marie Hourican, 81, of Newtown, died peacefully August 13, at her home, surrounded by her loving children. Born March 5, 1937, in Queens, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Michael Houri...
Frances Perille Lemieux, 94, of Newtown, formerly of Shelton, beloved wife of the late Lawrence O. Lemieux, died peacefully August 11, at her home, surrounded by her loving family. Born October 27, 19...
Anna Grasso Pesavento, 93, of Fairfield, wife of the late Alfred Pesavento, died peacefully August 6. Born in Bridgeport, daughter of the late Anthony and Angelina Petite Grasso, she was a lifelong Fa...
Dan was a real gentleman. I had the honor of knowing him for about 10 years from high school and into early adulthood. He was always upbeat and amiable. His love of golf was boundless. I remember him droning on about the type of wedge this or that professional golfer was playing at any given time. He loved to play also. Dan made the winning putt that clinched a championship for NHS men’s golf in 1984. It was a snaking, downhill putt that few people would have had the nerve or imagination to have holed at such a critical moment. It was magic!! You are a true gem, Dan. May your eternal reward be endless days of long, straight drives and the sound of difficult putts finding the bottom of the hole.
Congratulations John! This is quite a feat & shows a lot of perseverance, endurance, & commitment while becoming more healthy & having fun! The ultimate achievement! Wishing u a long healthy life!
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
The 1st Amendment does NOT say "except when there's a budget problem, or when some people wish things would quiet down." There is no way a proposed ordinance can be construed as other than singling out RockthisDemocracy, and also no way the town does not get expensively buried in court should it be foolish enough to go down this path.
The Editor suggest a meeting between the "Rock This Democracy " and the Police Commission. As a former Police Commissioner the Chief should have followed the chain of command and discussed this with the Police Commission. The Chief reports to the Elected Police Commission not our Republican First Selection. Can't help but feel this is Republican politics again making an issue out of a non issue.
I support Chief Kullgren’s request to explore permitting, and cost-sharing for large gatherings. The right to protest is a cornerstone of our democracy, and I fully support the constitutional right to free speech and assembly. However, where and how often these protests occur matters.
Main Street is not just a symbol — it’s a vital artery for daily life in town. When events are held there monthly, and at increasing scale, they cause disruption to residents, businesses, and traffic. While the Rock This Democracy group may describe these protests as unique or urgent, the frequency — roughly once every two weeks this spring — suggests more of a recurring series than a singular, spontaneous moment of civic expression.
This isn’t about silencing anyone. It’s about fairness, public safety, and fiscal responsibility. Every time a protest happens, our police department is forced to assign resources, often on overtime. That expense adds up quickly. If any group wants to use public space regularly, particularly in a way that impacts traffic and requires police presence, then it’s reasonable for the town to consider permitting and cost-sharing — just as we do for other organized events like races, festivals, or parades. Let’s protect everyone’s rights — including the right of the community to function smoothly and the right of taxpayers not to bear undue cost for repeated events. I trust the Council to consider a reasonable path forward that balances speech with responsibility.
