Richard Gingras and Dr Melissa Bassett

By SHANNON HICKS

Published: Jul 30, 2010 12:00 am

Richard Gingras and Dr Melissa Bassett

Marilyn and Dick Gingras of Sandy Hook announce the engagement of their son, Richard (Richie) Paul Gingras, Jr, to Dr Melissa Greer Bassett, daughter of Mrs Terry Bassett of Fairhope, Ala.

Richie, who lives in Spanish Fort, Ala., is a 2002 graduate of Fairfield Prep. He earned a bachelorâs degree at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala., and also attended Connecticut Police Academy in Meriden, Conn. He is a former police officer for Southbury, and is currently Deputy Sheriff of Baldwin County, Alabama.

Melissa, who lives in Fairhope, Ala., is a member of the Gulf Shores High School Class of 2002. She also earned a bachelorâs degree at Spring Hill College.She is a registered pharmacist at CVS in Mobile, Ala.

An August 2010 wedding is planned. Richie and Melissa will be wed in St Josephâs Chapel, with a reception to follow at historic Stewartfield, on Avenue of the Oaks, at Spring Hill College, where they met.

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Anne Murray

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.

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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?

Let’s have the library present a 20-year, 40-year, and 60-year OPEX/capital investment plan to determine whether this is truly a sustainable investment or just another sunk cost fallacy. Two of the items we’re voting on next week were originally framed as “donations,” yet they continue to cost this town more money over time. It’s time to say no, and force a serious reevaluation of how we approach these decisions.

Quiz Time

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Richard Gingras and Dr Melissa Bassett

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