Election day outlook for school bond, local races

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A strong turnout — and that seems likely — may bode well for the $89 million school bond. The JFK bond provides some insights. In 2017, the JFK bond failed during a municipal election. The town reduced the project cost, and it returned to the ballot in the 2018 election. But 2018 was a gubernatorial race, with a much stronger turnout. The turnout in the 2017 race was less than half of the 2018 overall election turnout. The rest of the ticket: Without local polling, it’s hard to predict how any local race will turn out. But comparing the races to 2024 does provide some insights. — State Sen. John Kissel won 54% of the vote in 2024. He won in every town but Windsor. He is facing Democrat challenger Davide Kiner. For what it is worth, in my Southwood Acres neighborhood, Kiner signs are abundant. But even if Kiner wins Enfield, the problem will be in more Republican leaning towns that make up this district. Somers, for instance, has 2,100 registered Republicans, 1,218 registered Democrats...

Enfield's five best things? No Kings protest makes the list


 
Someone was telling me yesterday about a group effort to list the five best things about Enfield. The first was Costco. Everyone struggled after that. Then there was a suggestion to add Raising Cane's.
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Enfield doesn't have a movie theater, much in the way of parks, a mall, or a downtown. Our main library hasn't been renovated in decades and has more videos than Blockbuster. Too many of our restaurants are fast food. The fastest-growing occupation in town may be takeout delivery drivers. You need your car for everything. But the town does have a civic spirit.
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Saturday's No King’s protest was my third one. Similar to the others, it attracted a good number of people. Perhaps not as many as the first one, but a lively turnout.
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It was a chance to strike up random conversations and meet new people, something that is hard to do in Enfield. One fellow I met turned out to be an EHS grad from my era. I graduated in 1972, and my newfound friend in 1973. He had a rally-free idea for protesting Trump.
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Once Trump's name appeared on dollar bills, he suggested crossing it out with a Sharpie. One bill at a time. It actually sounded like a good idea and the type of thing we might have come up with in the 1970s. It won't accomplish a thing, but it does give us something to do.
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The bright sun made it seem warmer than it might otherwise. It was a pleasant time with people sharing a common interest. Drivers honked their horns and waved in support.
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How odd this all was. People are all worried. Firstly, the war; then, the economy, and the nation's general direction.
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Despite this cloud, at the No King's protest, people smiled, complimented each other on their signs, and chatted under the sharp blue skies.
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As I think back on Saturday, here's something else that belongs on the list of the five best things to do in Enfield: Attend a No Kings protest.
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