Among the many talented and hard-working athletes who completed ultra successful high school careers this spring are Carly Swierbut and David Brestovansky who, for their performances on the track, ice surface, and golf course, have been selected as The Newtown Bee’s Newtown High School Athletes of the Year.
Competitive matches unfolded in the once-annual, back-again Newtown Tennis Open at Dickinson Park and Newtown High School during a pair of perfect weather days, June 22 and 23.
Fans who attend Newtown High School sporting events are consistently treated to announcements of goals, player check-ins, statistics, and more detail courtesy of public address announcer Jason “J” Edwards. A big part of making this happen is the effort of team managers.
The 27th Annual Jack Friel Memorial Golf Scramble, sponsored by Newtown Scholarship Association (NSA), was held at two courses, Newtown Country Club and Rock Ridge Country Club on June 17.
The Mad Dash Adventure Race, Newtown's Mud Run, will take place at Fairfield Hills on Saturday, June 29. The Elite and Superhero/ Team races (4.3 miles) begin at 8:30 am; the Mini Dash (seven mini stations finishing in the mud) is at 9:45 am; and the Open Course race (1.7 miles) is at 10 am.
Justin Halmose won another race, and a neck-and-neck battle produced a close finish among the top women in the 5K, as Lyndsey Fregoe was the top female in the Rooster Run race on June 15.
The game of balls and strikes, America’s Pastime, has predominately been a boys’ and man’s game. But while the underhand pitch game of softball is the route most girls take for competition, there are some who prefer throwing fastballs overhand style.
The CH Booth Library’s 10th Anniversary Turkey Trot Celebration Committee has announced a new layout for this year’s racecourse. The milestone event will take place on Thanksgiving morning, November 28.
The Nighthawks Summer Baseball Camp, led by Ian Thoesen, coach of the Newtown High School baseball team, and other instructors, has several sessions in June, July, and August.
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?
