To the Editor:Mr. Kearney and Ms. Jacob are confusing to the taxpayer.
Two letters in this week's Newtown Bee, written by
Mr Kearney suggests that because Newtown's mill rate is higher than other tow...
To the Editor:
Friends of C.H. Booth Library volunteers held their usual Spring Donation Day event on Sunday, April 17. Once again, it was a pleasure seeing so many generous townspeople bringing boxes...
To The Editor:
I am writing in response to Mr Rosenthal's most recent letter criticizing the actions of the Legislative Council regarding the recent bond premium. While I am Chairman of the Legislativ...
To the Editor: ipse dixit statements are part of his intended modus operandi.
ipse dixit statements are dominating his campaign. We can become fiscally responsible, but it will take more t...
To the Editor:Jennifer K. Rielly I would like to join
in questioning the wisdom of concluding paving all our roads would reduce the cost of maintaining them. As a resident of a dirt road for 39 years...
To The Editor:
The go-ahead at referendum by Newtown voters April fifth on the Newtown Community Center was won, with a significant number of voters maybe wanting a delay until firm figures on princip...
To the Editor:The Dirt On Newtown's Dirt Roads," 4/8/16.] Zoar Road and Old Mill Road provided welcome respite from some of the busier roads along my route. In addition to passing beautiful l...
To the Editor:
Many thanks to the speakers and participants who attended the CT Grasslands & Meadows Seminar on April 9 at the Cyrenius Booth Library. Sponsored by the Newtown Forest Association and t...
To The Editor:
Thanks to Lisa Schwartz and Tracy Van Buskirk
Twenty people each read a poem.
They weren't risk adverse
To risk a verse.
Patricia Barkman
49 Taunton Lake Road, Newtown  ...
To the Editor:
Contrary to the description in two Newtown Bee articles this week, the $519,000 bond premium that Newtown will receive from our recent $12 million bond sale is not a "windfall" and shou...
An incredible event... again. Thanks so much to Leslie and the entire gang who make this gathering of friends, family and classmates happen every year! And thanks to Devery Stickles for his generous support. This event is truly the Heart & Spirit of Newtown!
Michelle Embree Ku raises valid concerns about local property taxes, but ignores a basic political reality: Representative Mitch Bolinsky serves in the minority in a legislature dominated by a single-party supermajority where minority-party proposals are routinely sidelined. Suggesting that a single minority representative could rewrite the state's ECS formula is politically unrealistic and disingenuous to Newtown voters.
Despite those odds, Mitch’s CGA track record speaks for itself. He led the charge to protect special education funding, preserve Drug-Free School Zones, safeguard school safety drills, advance science-based structured literacy, and defend homeschooling choices for families.
If Ms. Ku knows how to fix the ECS formula, what has she done to convince her own party—the same party that controls the House, Senate, and Governor’s office? If the supermajority has the votes to fix ECS today, why hasn’t it happened during the 13 years she cites?
Adding another seat to a supermajority that made Connecticut one of the highest-taxed states won't help Newtown taxpayers. If the current majority hasn't delivered relief with absolute power, expanding that majority won't change the outcome.
Newtown’s interests are best served by keeping Mitch in the House and increasing Republican margins to provide real checks and balances. When one party holds every lever of power, accountability disappears. Strengthening the minority ensures our town’s voice is heard, not drowned out.
The idea that a freshman Democrat would be able to stand up to the special interests and prioritization of urban districts that are the base of that caucus to deliver results for Newtown is laughable - especially someone who could not even build the "relationships, coalitions, and the support necessary" to garner the endorsements of her fellow Democrat Council members ahead of Newtown's local caucus this spring.
More likely Newtown would see something akin to Leeper in Fairfield, performative actions after vote counting, while privately advancing their party's interests over their community's.
Dear Alyssa, Kelela, and Brandon,
We send our sincere sympathy to you and your family. We will also keep you in our prayers asking our Lord to grant you comfort and peace.
With love,
Vince and Sandy Venitelli
Bruce, your advice that voters should “read, listen, and engage” would be much more persuasive if you practiced it yourself.
You campaigned on openness and responsiveness. You declared that “evasive answers or silence are unacceptable in government” and promised to answer constituent inquiries within two days. Yet you never answered my straightforward public question about Main Street demonstrations, traffic disruption, pedestrian safety, and the effects on local businesses.
After taking office, meaningful public engagement has largely been replaced by “Brews with Bruce” at the Senior Center—requiring reservations and, for some residents, a day pass. That is not accessible, townwide engagement. Previous first selectmen held open coffee hours and walk-and-talk sessions that any resident could attend.
Then came the failed storm communications, your apology, and another promise to communicate better—followed shortly afterward by more silence while multiple police agencies conducted a significant search near Saw Mill Road.
You now tell voters to examine what candidates say and “how they say it.” I would suggest going one step further: compare what politicians promise while seeking office with what they actually do after winning.
Your record presents a stark contrast. You told voters exactly what they wanted to hear to get the job, then failed to live by those promises. Whether that is dishonesty or simply indifference, it is the same familiar, two-faced politics you once claimed you would replace.
