Features

Parade From Above

By Nancy K. Crevier

Published: Sep 09, 2016 12:00 am

Newtown resident Julie Vanderkroef has provided The Newtown Bee with photographs of the 2016 labor Day Parade - from a bird's eye view. While paradegoers watched at ground level, Ms Venderkroef's registered drone buzzed overhead, capturing the Newtown High School Marching Band and the Hook & Ladder Fire Co. No. 1, as they turned the corner from Main Street onto Glover Avenue.The Newtown Bee. She has a student pilot license, and will be taking the test for FAA small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) in the near future.

Ms Vanderkroef, of Drone Photography CT, has been taking aerial photographs of various events in town since early 2016, and has previously contributed aerial photographs to

The Newtown High School Marching Band rounds the corner from Main Street to Glover Avenue, Monday, September 5, leading the annual Labor Day Parade. (Drone Photography CT photo)

Hook & Ladder firefighters in dress uniform, followed by apparatus from the fire company, are the focus of this drone photo taken by Julie Vanderkroef. (Drone Photography CT photo)

Julie Vanderkroef's drone captured the Newtown High School Color Guard and Marching Band as they led the way in the Monday, September 5, Labor Day Parade. (Drone Photography CT photo)

Hook & Ladder fire engines are seen from high above as they turn the corner onto Glover Avenue, with firefighters in uniform leading them on. (Drone Photography CT photo)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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Parade From Above

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