Category: community

activism, community

Democracy in Unprecedented Times

Whether this is your first visit or one of many, we want to assure you that there are things we can do to save our democracy in these unprecedented times. Our Town Committee acts on the principle that good policy and politics begin on the local level. With that in mind, we seek out and put forward municipal candidates we believe will best serve the Killingworth community and support democratic principles, locally, statewide, and nationally. Our municipal elections will be held this November 4, 2025. There will be more about our candidates and our election activities from late spring through early fall.

With the White House and the GOP-controlled Congress throwing us into chaos, it is easy to be discouraged. But we can do many things to let legislators know how we feel and to make sure they know that they will be held accountable for bad faith actions. There are groups out there fighting legally and morally to preserve the rule of law under our Constitution. We may not be able to stop every unlawful act or terrible policy, but we can surely try to win a few battles.

There are many organizations you can support with donations and/or actions. A few suggested at our last KDTC meeting were:

  1. Common Cause
  2. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
  3. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington

A statewide organization that has national affiliations is DWA (Democracy Women in Action). You can find the group’s mission statement and learn what they do at info@dwaindivisiblect.com.

Calling and texting your national legislators, The White House, House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer becomes part of a chain of such calls. It is never just one voice. They all have websites and local offices.

In the coming months we will be posting relevant articles from legislators and others that explain what is going on and how the Democrats are planning action going forward. We hope you find them useful. And, of course, you can join us on the Killingworth Democratic Town Committee or stop in for one of our meetings. KDTC meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month at 7 pm, in the Killingworth Library meeting room.

Our Connecticut national legislators’ phone numbers are:
Chris Murphy
860 549 8463
DC phone number 202 224 4041

Richard Blumenthal
860 258 6940
DC phone number 202 224 2823

Joe Courtney
860 886 0139
DC phone number 202 225 2076

We hope you will join your own voice to so many others in support of this democracy we share.

community

Christmas at the Farm

The Killingworth Democratic Town Committee was once again happy to participate in the seasonal celebration, Christmas at the Farm. This year our cookie decorating activity included sharks as well as trees and the same smiles from children of all ages.

Christmas at the Farm is a wonderful site-wide event sponsored by the Parmelee Committee. It brings families to the farm for several free activities, including a wagon ride and a visit to Santa, and dovetails perfectly with the Historical Society’s Christmas Fair. It then all winds down at sunset with song and the tree lighting.

This is one of many gatherings in this village of ours where neighbors come together to enjoy an event, and where a corps of volunteers keeps things running smoothly. Kudos to Killingworth. May we always find reason to gather as neighbors in friendship and fun.

community, elections, events

State Rep Debate Oct. 7

On Monday, October 7, 7:00pm (Morgan High School Auditorium), the Clinton Chamber of Commerce will host a debate between the candidates for State Representative of the 35th District. The event will be moderated by Marty Hausberger.

Please come to show your support for Cinzia Lettieri, the Democratic candidate, in the debate against the current State Rep.

Hear for yourself how she will be a voice for the hard-working families of the district and address the issues that matter to our communities!

community, elections

Early Voting Dates & Times

DID YOU KNOW?

Registered Connecticut voters can now vote early in elections!

The 14 early voting dates and times for the November 2024 general election are:

October 21, 10:00am – 6:00pm
October 22, 10:00am – 6:00pm
October 23, 10:00am – 6:00pm
October 24, 10:00am – 6:00pm
October 25, 10:00am – 6:00pm
October 26, 10:00am – 6:00pm
October 27, 10:00am – 6:00pm
October 28, 10:00am – 6:00pm
October 29: 8:00am – 8:00pm
October 30, 10:00am – 6:00pm
October 31: 8:00am – 8:00pm
November 1, 10:00am – 6:00pm
November 2, 10:00am – 6:00pm
November 3, 10:00am – 6:00pm

Kilingworth’s Early Voting Location is Killingworth Town Hall, Meeting Room, 323 Route 81. 

Learn more:

https://portal.ct.gov/sots/election-services/early-voting/early-voting

community, events

Town Meeting August 5

There’s a town meeting scheduled for Monday, August 5, 2024, at the Killingworth Emergency Operations Center (across the driveway from Town Hall). Please come and support the budget measures.

These measures are the most efficient way to fund the capital projects the town has planned—the ones we voted for earlier this year. The town is moving ahead with Pickle Ball courts, ball fields, equipment purchases, and roadwork, making use of federal and state grants as much as possible.

The meeting is at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 5. Bring your I.D. 

community, elections, events

Budget hearing & referendum

The Killingworth Board of Finance will present the proposed FY 2024/25 municipal operating budget and capital budget in a hearing on Monday, May 6, 7:00pm in the HK Middle School cafeteria. A Q&A will be held after the presentation.

The RSD-17 school budget referendum will be held on Tuesday, May 7. Polls will be open at KES from 6:00am – 8:00pm.

community

First Selectman holds coffee chat at Beechwood

On Wednesday morning, February 21, First Selectman Eric Couture held his first coffee chat with Beechwood residents.

Twenty-five residents attended as Couture gave a synopsis of current issues before the Board of Selectmen and the town. His presentation was followed by questions from his audience. Many of those questions centered around septic clean outs, rent increases and taxes.

Couture discussed in detail how the budget process works. He explained how the school budget fits into the picture and the role of both the Board of Finance and the Board of Education. Road safety, a major concern for his audience, was also discussed.

Couture said he recognizes the frustration and pain of increasing costs. He described the balancing act of keeping the town in good shape, its people safe, and its children well educated, with the need to keep costs and taxes as reasonable as possible.

The First Selectman then introduced Joan Gay and Brandon Geraghty representing River Valley Transit. Gay wearing two hats, also represented the Committee on Aging. She thanked the Beechwood Community for their response to the recent Senior Citizens Survey and distributed printed copies of the Survey Report. Gay went over the prioritized areas of concern which, to no one’s surprise, included housing costs and taxes.

Brandon Geraghty addressed the services provided to Killingworth by River Valley Transit which is the new organization formed from combining Nine Town Transit with Middletown Transit. Brochures, “Ride Guide,” were distributed and Geraghty explained the different services provided by the bus line and Dial- a- Ride. Both Gay and Geraghty were happy to announce that a regularly scheduled bus stop would soon be available at the Beechwood Clubhouse so that no one must wait for a bus on Route 81.

(Submitted by KDTC member Kathy Amoia)

community, events

Christmas at the Farm

The Killingworth Democratic Town Committee joined with several other organizations and many volunteers in welcoming the arrival of the holiday season at Parmelee Farm on December 2, 2023. The event was sponsored by the Parmelee Farm Committee and all activities were free to children and their families.

Our table provided an opportunity for children to decorate Christmas tree sugar cookies. It was a bit messy, but the children had fun and took the decorating very seriously. Over a hundred children and a few adults participated. Judging by wishes written on a large card at our table, Killingworth’s children are hoping for peace, love, and snow this holiday season.

The whole day of activities, including pictures with Santa and a wagon ride, symbolized the very best of who we are and what this village of ours represents.