Edward Thomas "Ed" Hylan, 72, of Southbury, formerly of Newtown, died peacefully July 27, after a long illness. He was born on September 30, 1944, in Stamford, son of Gerda (Lindgren) Hylan and Arthur...
Lynn Tracy McKeen Mora, 56, of Sandy Hook died peacefully July 21 at Regional Hospice in Danbury, surrounded by loving family. She was born November 21, 1960, in Port Chester, N.Y., to Mary Ellen Cohe...
Ruth M. Campbell Gilbane, RN, 93, of Monroe, died July 12. She was born in Bridgeport, daughter of the late J. Edward and Anne Donahue Campbell and was a lifelong area resident, living in Bridgeport, ...
John Edward Matz of Newtown died peacefully at Danbury Hospital on March 3, surrounded by his family. He was born in Los Angeles on July 18, 1927, son of Anna (Hinsch) and Adolph Matz.
A memorial serv...
Dorothy M. "Dot" Cavanaugh, 91, former longtime resident of Newtown, died June 28 at Bedford Hills Center in New Hampshire. She was born March 20, 1926, in Bridgeport, daughter of Jessie and Hugh Quin...
Jeannette Subik Jurman, 81, of Monroe, devoted wife to the late Rudolf Jurman, Jr, died peacefully in her home on July 23.
She will be remembered by her children and their spouses, David Jurman of San...
Pamela J. "Pam" (Huebner) Mitchell, 72, of Brookfield, died peacefully in her home on July 23, surrounded by family. She was born to the late Ruth and Frank Huebner on July 13, 1945.
Her daughter, Aud...
Joseph A. "Joe" Novella, Sr, 86, of Newtown and formerly of New Fairfield, died unexpectedly on July 19. He was born in September of 1930, in Danbury, son of Jenny (Petrizzo) and Michael Nove...
Laura Lee Kulp Trester, 59, of Danbury died July 15 at Danbury Hospital, surrounded by her family. She was the widow of Mark David Trester. She was born March 30, 1958, in Danbury.
Her sister, Susan M...
Rose Madaffari Raymond, 82, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister, died peacefully July 16, after a long illness. She was born on January 30, 1935, in Norwalk, daughter of the lat...
To add a bit more context: the adopted Borough budget was for just under $300,000 [https://boroughofnewtownct.gov/borough-of-newtown-budget-approved/]. $58,000 in legal fees (to date) means a significant cost must be shouldered by Borough residents and businesses, increasing taxes noticeably. Many of those pushing the lawsuits were not subject to the added costs because they do not reside nor do business in the Borough.
Well said. Unfortunately, we are back to more of the same and we know how this will end. However, it gives us an opportunity to question many ways in which the DTC failed residents, voters, candidates, everyone. Brandon Moore was the first candidate to voice interest in running. A strong and well prepared candidate that the town republicans did not want to run against. They made it clear they wanted Ku to be the candidate. We all know you endorse the candidate you have no concerns about. Once Ku decided to try to unseat Bolinsky again, the DTC should have done what it can do and that was choose a candidate or put a good process in place to set up forums and get the caucus over and done smoothly, fairly, and ethically. It did neither. and this is what resulted: The Young Dem Debate became a Ku strategy to claim Ku being victimized, and it backfired; Ku's previous campaign committee went with Brandon Moore in hopes of finally flipping the seat; the DTC delay in organizing any candidate forums led to an inability to get the information out to all (as we see in complaints from new residents regarding lack of information); the DTC was severely split by the caucus chaos and some did not fully participate as a result; and we are back to square one with the candidate Alex Villamil preferred, and the same old guard and the same chance of flipping the seat.
Welcome and thank you for your insightfulness. I agree wholeheartedly, however, you will soon learn that the intention is to contain participation. I believe the new residents and the new families are invaluable and hope that you will attend a DTC meeting. You will learn a great deal. Second Thursday of the Month and tonight, June 11th, 7 pm, it is at the Edmond Town Hall. : )
Mr. Ackert’s letter leaves out an important point: many of the legal expenses he references exist because of the legal challenges and complaints he and his facebook group has chosen to pursue.
It is not fair to blame the Borough Zoning Commission Chair for costs that were driven, in large part, by Mr. Ackert’s own actions. Taxpayers should understand that litigation and FOIA complaints do not appear out of nowhere. They are initiated by individuals who decide to take those matters forward.
Public officials should absolutely be held accountable, and the Borough should follow proper procedures at all times. But accountability should run both ways. If someone repeatedly challenges the Borough through legal channels, then points to the resulting legal bills as proof of poor leadership, the public deserves that context.
Reasonable people can disagree about zoning decisions, development, and procedure. However, turning every disagreement into a legal fight has consequences, and those consequences are paid for by Borough taxpayers.
Before assigning blame for legal expenses, Mr. Ackert should acknowledge his own role in creating them.
