We know a lot is happening in October. But one particular celebration merits special promotion since the Newtown community has always been so welcoming and inclusive to individuals with alternate abilities who are living here independently or with support, and are becoming more visible working at more of our local businesses.
With two more print editions before the November 7 municipal elections, we are issuing important reminders for those who plan to send related letters to the editor.
“A free press is the guardian of democracy. In whatever form, it must be preserved.” —Charlotte Tillar Schexnayder (1923-2020), member of the Arkansas House of Representatives and publisher and editor...
The voters spoke, loud and clear that they support our schools and municipal services. The majority vote was a mandate to keep delivering well rated education services and keep it" Nicer in Newtown."
Thank you LeReine, for speaking out about this. The list of public servants who are unfairly targeted for abuse just for doing their jobs has been growing. It is a testament to the power of propaganda that otherwise good and well-meaning people can get so emotional as to act out in this way.
While I respect the outcome of the referendum, I’m disappointed by the way this budget was presented and passed. A 6.72% tax increase and a mill rate jump to 28.78 may have been framed as “just a few dollars a day,” but for many families in town — especially those already stretched thin — those “few dollars” add up quickly.
It’s frustrating to see large increases minimized in this way, and I worry that next year we’ll hear, “It’s only a little more than last year,” as if that justifies an ongoing trend of rising taxes. This year’s combined municipal and education budgets total over $141 million — that’s a significant sum.
All of the referendums deserve to be pasted. We have a history of deferring needed maintenance and then paying more years later. These are required to keep our town owned building and roads in working condition.
