Mario Deluca, 92, of Boynton Beach, Fla., formerly from Brookfield, died peacefully December 31, surrounded by his family. He was born December 13, 1925, in Pelham, N.Y., the son of Teresa and Giovann...
Henry "Harry" William Dieck, 90, of Newtown died peacefully December 30 in his home, in the presence of his loving family. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on November 19, 1927, the loving son of Kather...
The Honorable John H. Shannon, 89, retired probate judge for the Town of Fairfield, beloved husband of the late Rita Jane Shannon, died peacefully December 27, at Cambridge Manor, Fairfield. Born in B...
Jeremiah Halsey "Jerry" Renjilian, 83, of Newtown, beloved husband of Jean Renjilian, died peacefully December 18, at Filosa in Danbury. He was born in Fairfield, on August 15, 1934, the son of Inez a...
Jeremiah Halsey "Jerry" Renjilian, 83, of Newtown, beloved husband of Jean Renjilian, died peacefully December 18, at Filosa in Danbury. He was born in Fairfield, on August 15, 1934, the son of Inez a...
The Honorable John H. Shannon, 89, retired probate judge for the Town of Fairfield, beloved husband of the late Rita Jane Shannon, died peacefully December 27, at Cambridge Manor, Fairfield. Born in B...
Arliene "Toby" Bender, 85, of Sandy Hook, formerly of Fairfield, wife of the late Clark Bender, died peacefully December 29 at St Vincent's Medical Center. Born in Bridgeport, she had been a Fairfield...
Arliene "Toby" Bender, 85, of Sandy Hook, formerly of Fairfield, wife of the late Clark Bender, died peacefully December 29 at St Vincent's Medical Center. Born in Bridgeport, she had been a Fairfield...
Arlene Grugle of Southbury died peacefully on December 29, surrounded by her family.
Her husband of 63 years, John "Jack"; her daughter, Kathryn Wolf and husband Scott of Newtown; her daughter-in-law,...
Henry "Harry" William Dieck, 90, of Newtown died peacefully December 30 in his home, in the presence of his loving family. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on November 19, 1927, the loving son of Kather...
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?
