Olga Myra Fear, 90, formerly of Newtown, died peacefully on the morning of May 23, in Wallingford. Born in Gorseinon, Wales, on January 22, 1927, she grew up in London as the only child of Florence an...
Richard John Cole, 90, of Newtown died peacefully on June 5. He was born in New York City in 1926.
His wife of 56 years, Birgitta; and his son, Christopher of Maryland, survive him. His son John prede...
Richard Lee Ainsworth, 80, of Sandy Hook died peacefully on June 3, after a long and hard-fought battle with Alzheimer's disease just short of his 81st birthday. He was born June 8, 1936, in Springfie...
Amil W. Muzzio, Sr, 91, formerly of Norwalk, died peacefully in his sleep at his Village of Brookfield residence on May 2. Mr Muzzio was born and raised in Stamford. He graduated from Technical School...
Kirk William "Mike" Weldon, 54, of Seymour, beloved husband of Tina Marie (Andreucci) Weldon, died June 3 at Griffin Hospital, surrounded by his family and friends. Born in Derby on July 7, 1...
Barbara Jean Bridges Mawdsley, 74, of Danbury died May 21, due to complications following a 16-month battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born on November 8, 1942, in Los Angeles to Elsa Rothschild ...
Kenneth N. Rancourt, 90, of Monroe, beloved husband of 68 years to Irene (Macey) Rancourt, died peacefully at his home on May 30, after a brief illness. He was born in Redstone, N.H., on January 18, 1...
Janet Sherman Porteous, 87, of Shelton, beloved wife of the late Trumbull Police Chief Norman W. Porteous, died May 3 at Wesley Heights. Born in Trumbull on August 20, 1929, she was the daughter of th...
Marilyn Louise (Cristini) Perry, 81, of Stratford died peacefully May 26. She was born in Derby on New Year's Day 1936, daughter of the late Mae (Cawthra) and Leslie David Cristini. She was the widow ...
Shirley North Pitcher, 89, previously of Southbury and Sandy Hook, died May 30, surrounded by her family. Born on September 7, 1927, in Torrington, she was the daughter of Madeline and Roy North.
She ...
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.
