“Asheville, North Carolina and surrounding municipalities are not being ignored!” That was the gist of a phone call I had this week with Robert Wright, who grew up in Newtown but now lives in Asheville, the city in western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains that was devastated by Hurricane Helene once it made landfall there on September 27. Robert called this week while driving toward New York City, where he and his family will be staying with some friends. He was upset after starting to hear rumors of his city and its residents being ignored and left to fend for themselves in the wake of the historic destruction. He hadn’t heard any of these rumors about the absence of FEMA and other agencies until he left the Ashville region because he had been so focused on other concerns.

“It’s ugly,” he said. “It’s bad. But it’s not that no one is paying attention to us.” Robert described fuel and water arriving with police escorts and then being disbursed — “without price gouging,” he added — grocery stores reopening within days of the storm, neighbors helping neighbors, “and substantial resources coming in. There’s an influx of materials and resources, in fact. Police officers from across the region, Homeland Security and other government officials — what Asheville needs, it’s getting,” he said. “It makes me angry to hear that people are saying we’re not getting help.”

What Ashville’s leaders need from the country right now, he said, is patience. “It’s going to take time to get everything cleared, and then rebuilt.” He asks those who are reading this to not blindly send donations of items or money. Wait, he said, and find the proper channels to make those donations. “There is a lot already being managed, and a lot more that will need to be managed,” he said. “Honestly, people are doing a good job down there. They’re doing an exceptional job, and they’re working diligently.”

He closed with a few words of advice: “People have the right to believe what they want, but please know we are not being ignored or forgotten. It’s divisive, and hurtful, and causing a lot of problems.” We plan to talk further with Robert within a week or so, once he’s had time to finish driving his family to safety and get some rest. Until then, please listen to his words and be cautious about offering or sending help.

I actually received an email last week from a candidate who said “we’re losing the sign wars.” Really?! Judging from the exploding population of lawn signs supporting candidates at all levels ahead of November 5, I find it difficult to believe anyone could feel that way. Here’s my question, however: Who puts all those signs out? I get the ones that appear on personal property, and even those that appear in front of businesses. Support who you want (and stop vandalizing the signs of candidates you don’t like — this needs to stop), it’s your First Amendment right of free speech. But who puts all those signs — and in some cases, mini billboards — out along empty stretches of road, or in unused lots, intersections, and traffic islands? Shouldn’t there be a limit to this? Multiple locations in town have been overrun with signs. The grassy corner of 2 Riverside Road had more than two dozen signs early this week, including nine (!!!) for one candidate alone as of Monday morning. Talk about eye pollution!

According to a recent survey, as of last week more Democrats (41.6%) than Republicans (36.4%) and Centrists (27.9%) report being “very likely” to put up signs this election season. Sadly, 36.37% of those surveyed said they were concerned about vandalism of their sign if they were to put one or more in their yard. That was the largest concern, in fact, above harassment, trespassing, offending/angering neighbors and loved ones, breaking HOA rules, or intimidation by community members. In fact, Northeasterners said vandalism (40%) was their biggest concern, while Western voters said they were most concerned with offending or angering others, breaking HOA or community rules, and intimidation. Of those who responded overall, 43.51% said they have no intention of posting a lawn sign on their property. The next highest percentage (23.89%) said they would welcome one, 20.61% were fine with two, and the remaining 11.99% would have three or more signs.

I’m curious about another election-related topic, and then we’ll move away from this subject for a little while. We regularly offer an online poll on the home page of The Newtown Bee’s website. The most recent question was “Will you be voting on November 5?” As 418 responses slowly trickled in, the scale tipped sadly to an overwhelming negative response. A stunning 70.57% of those who chose to respond to the wholly unscientific poll said No, while just 29.43% said Yes. One reader had a suggestion, however: What if many of those who said No did so because they do plan to vote, but not on Election Day. With absentee and early voting options available, readers could technically say No to our poll, but still plan to participate in the election cycle. With thanks to Ned Simpson, we have updated our poll question to better cover voting options. If you haven’t already done so, please consider visiting the home page of our website and scroll down to This Week’s Poll, which can be found along the right side of the page. As always, we’re not telling you how to vote, we’re just encouraging you to vote.

Over the past year, Newtown Police Officer Tim Schoen has developed a relationship with Phillipe’s Friends Academic School in Tanzania. He is planning a return trip next month and seeking laptops and tablets with working chargers to take with him, to donate to the school. Readers who have any of those available are invited to drop them at the PD, 191 South Main Street, by October 25.

Belated congratulations to Newtown PD School Resource Officers Stephanie McDermott and Fernando Pereira, who each reached their tenth anniversary with our local department.

Talk about immersing yourself in your job! Bee Reporter Jenna Visca visited C.H. Booth Library last weekend to cover “Introduction to Babysitting with Amanda,” and spent so much time there she was invited to take the final exam. During our Editorial meeting Monday morning, Jenna proudly showed off the certificate she received at the conclusion of Saturday’s program. She did manage to take plenty of notes and photos while learning as well.

Meanwhile, Bev Bennett-Schaedler would like to remind everyone that this year’s Friends of Newtown Seniors OktoberFest is just a few weeks away. “Get your tickets before it’s too late,” she implored. Tickets are $36 per person and reservations are required for the all-you-can-eat event. Tickets cover the buffet dinner featuring bratwurst, knockwurst, German potato salad, pizza, giant pretzels, and one beverage. (Guests can buy additional drinks, of course.) Solid Gold Times Two will be performing and a 50/50 raffle will also be offered on October 22. Bev and a few FONS friends stopped in the office recently, all dressed up for the themed event. She’s hoping others who attend OktoberFest on October 22 will again do the same. While this year’s plans are very similar to previous FONS OktoberFests, there’s one nice difference: this year everyone will be gathering indoors at NewSylum, so there’s no need to worry about rain or chilly temperatures. For tickets or additional information call 203-430-0633 or 475-236-1111 or send email to luann0570@yahoo.com.

Bruce the Spruce is ready for Halloween. He may not look like someone you’d see at OktoberFest, but the permanent seasonal tree in The Bee’s Production Department is definitely ready for October 31 and all the fun that comes with dressing up that day.

I’m ready to think about my own costume. Maybe Taylor Swift’s favorite pet? Smelly Cat? A Sphynx? I promise to put some thought into this if you’ll promise to come back next week, when you can … read me again.