Occupation: I have been the owner of My Place Restaurant for 20 years. My sons, John and Mark, joined me ten years ago. I love working with the kids - I enjoy having them working here so I see them more. I bought the restaurant from the owners of V

By JAN HOWARD

Published: Mar 21, 2000 12:00 am

Occupation: I have been the owner of My Place Restaurant for 20 years. My sons, John and Mark, joined me ten years ago. I love working with the kids â I enjoy having them working here so I see them more. I bought the restaurant from the owners of Veraâs Luncheonette, where I worked for four years. I always wanted to own my own restaurant. I learned a lot from Vera. You have to work hard for what you want to do.

How Long in Newtown: I have lived in Danbury for 28 years, but I have been with the restaurant in Newtown for over 20 years. I lived in Port Chester, N.Y., prior to Danbury.

Biggest Change Seen in Town: There have been so many changes here. The Big Y and Dunkin Donuts coming in, and the prison. The closing of Fairfield Hills. A lot of the doctors and other employees who lived there would come to the restaurant to eat.

Family: My husband, Adrian, and I have been married for 37 years. We have two sons, John and Mark, and a daughter, Stacey Miller. We also have five grandchildren, Dylan, 6; Nicole, 4; Roy, Jr, 3; Michael, 1Â½; and Felicia, three months.

Hobbies: I donât have much time for hobbies. I get up around 5 or 5:30 in the morning to get to the restaurant so I donât have much time for other activities. I do enjoy working in my flower beds. I have a lot of roses. I also have a lot of birdhouses and enjoy feeding the birds. I like being outside.

Favorite Books and Authors: I do a lot of reading. I like to read books about the law. John Grisham is my favorite author.

Favorite TV Show: My favorite show is ER. I also love two new shows, Providence and Judging Amy. I tape them and watch them the next day. I also like The Practice.

Most Vivid Memory of Newtown: I remember a lot of the people Iâve known who have passed away. I have had a lot of good times and friends through the years here. This is a great town for families. Itâs a close-knit community.

Favorite Vacation Spot: Disney world, Fla. I also love Boston. Itâs a great city. Iâm not really a vacation person. Four days is about the most I can take of vacation.

Personal Philosophy: I live my life for my family and grandchildren. I donât plan. I live one day at a time, and live that day the best I can.

The Way We Were

Kathleen M. Yomazzo (November 29, 1942–April 16, 2025)

Water Every Where, But Not A Drop To Drink

Rock This Democracy To Hold Next Street Protest, Rally On May Day

Several Hundred Attend Vigil To Protest Recent Deportations, Support Due Process

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.

Discusses Role As Registrar

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.

Everything Passes: Budgets, Capital Projects Referendum Results In

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.

Vote “Yes” To Question #5 On Referendum

Every vote matters and that’s exactly why it’s important to recognize that voting No on a proposed budget is not a vote against Newtown, but rather a vote for accountability, transparency, and fiscal responsibility. Last year, when voters rejected the education budget in its first round, it wasn’t just a symbolic gesture—it resulted in a reduced spending plan that ultimately passed. That outcome showed that our voices can and do make a difference. Voting “No” is one of the few tools residents have to encourage our town leaders to re-evaluate spending, find creative solutions, and prioritize needs over wants. So yes, please vote on April 22—but don’t be afraid to vote “No” if you believe we can do better. Last year’s vote proved that when residents speak up, real changes can follow.

Get Out And Vote

Breaking the tax increase down to a “cost per day” may make it sound more palatable, but it minimizes the real impact these increases have—especially on those already struggling with rising costs across the board. A dollar here and a dollar there adds up, and for many families, it's not just about the price of a cup of coffee—it's about stretching every dollar to cover groceries, fuel, healthcare, and housing. A 6.72% property tax increase is significant, regardless of how it’s framed. Saying “it’s only $1.13 a day” overlooks the fact that for some residents, every expense matters. Just because costs are rising doesn’t mean the burden should automatically fall on taxpayers without exploring real efficiencies, cost savings, or long-term planning. We need to prioritize fiscal responsibility and find smarter ways to manage our town’s needs without assuming residents can or should absorb another round of tax hikes.

Is Our Community Worth $1.67 Per Day?

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Occupation: I have been the owner of My Place Restaurant for 20 years. My sons, John and Mark, joined me ten years ago. I love working with the kids - I enjoy having them working here so I see them more. I bought the restaurant from the owners of V

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