We have the results of the BROOKFIELD REFERENDUM…. The School Operating Budget was voted down, 844 to 809. The non binding advisory on the School Operating budget showed 818 people think it is too high; 527 believe it is adequate; and 284 said it was too low. As for the town operating budget, it passed, 878 to 776. The non binding
advisory showed that 752 people thought it was too high; 736 felt it was adequate; and 138 people thought it was too low. The referendum on Capital Investments passed with 958 YES votes and 680 NO votes. The NEXT BUDGET REFERENDUM will be on Tuesday, May 30th from 6AM to 8PM
The former CEO of the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Corporation was sentenced on Tuesday in federal court, for misusing funds. 62 year old DREW RANKIN was ordered by a judge to serve 12 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Prosecutors say between 2010 and 2015, the corporation got more than $9 million dollars from the U.S. Department of Energy. They argued that Rankin and others on the Board of Directors used much of the money for lavish trips outside of Connecticut, including trips to the Kentucky Derby and to a luxury golf resort in West Virginia… including travel expenses such as private chartered airfare, first-class hotel accommodations, meals, tickets to sporting events, golf fees, souvenirs and gifts. Rankin was released on $100,000 bond. He is required to report to prison on July 11.
A man from Bethel is headed to prison after being found guilty of molesting a child he was babysitting. 46 year old Nathan Shupp was arrested back in July 2019. He was later found guilty of fourth-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor. Last Friday, Shupp was sentenced in state Superior Court in Danbury to 15 years in prison, suspended after seven years, plus 10 years of probation. In addition to the time in prison and probation, Shupp was also ordered to pay $302 in fines.
The new Teacher of the Year in Ridgefield Public Schools is an English teacher and the Ridgefield High School Dean, and the person who also happens to be the Weston assistant fire chief. Andrew Maccabe was chosen for his care, compassion, and support of teachers, staff, and students. They say he has a natural ability to treat all people with dignity, equity, and kindness. One of the criteria for Teacher of the Year recognition is service to the community.