By Jody Dietch
Orange Democratic Town Council
Jody Dietch
The mission of the Orange Democratic Town Committee is to improve the quality of life for Orange residents by engaging, educating and advocating for our community. We promote the advancement of Democratic Party ideals and foster inclusive civic participation while developing and supporting Democratic Party candidates for local, state and federal office who represent the diverse voices of all Orange residents.
In each issue of the only print newspaper to serve Orange, the Orange Democratic Party, hopes to include information on what’s happening in town and with the Orange Democratic Party.
Let’s kick off our first column reminding you that the town budget referendum is Wednesday, May 15. Polls are open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. There is no early voting option for the referendum, but you can vote by absentee ballot if you are not available that day to vote.
The town of Orange has an $83 million budget. This is your chance to vote on whether or not to pass this budget. The recent boom in residential real estate values and our mandated revaluation of properties will likely lead to property tax increases for most, if not all, residents. Copies of the budget are available at Town Hall or view it online at https://shorturl.at/mqJKU.
At the recent monthly meeting of the ODTC, the elected members voted to endorse President Joe Biden for reelection. We recognize that much is at stake in November and applaud the many accomplishments of President Biden including, and certainly not limited to: the American Rescue Plan Act to get us out of the financial mess COVID and the previous administration left us in; the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that is rebuilding America coast to coast that we are seeing right here in Connecticut; the Chips & Science Act; the Respect for Marriage Act enshrining marriage equality for all; the Inflation Reduction Act; and protecting women’s rights and the rights of the LGBTQ community.
The ODTC membership also endorsed the Amity budget. We recognize the value of education in our community. We know that the Amity Regional school system is exemplary and in order to maintain the high standards of education we have become accustomed to in the BOW community, we must support Amity. Our children deserve nothing less. Even if you don’t have children in the school system, our property values are tied to our school system’s success. The ODTC encourages you to support our schools and our kids.
We also engaged in a discussion on unleveling at the Amity middle schools. Many of us were unfamiliar with the term and what it means for our students. There is much misinformation out there on this as well. We wanted to take the time to learn the facts. Amity Board of Education members Carla Eichler and Paul Davis took the time to explain how this is working and to answer questions anyone had. We learned that math is not being unleveled. We also learned that unleveling helps promote confidence in children and gives children struggling in a subject a better opportunity to improve their skills and rise up in that particular subject. At the same time, it doesn’t hinder higher achieving students from continuing their gains. Studies have found that when a child gets leveled in middle school, they accept that level and don’t strive to get to the next level. Unleveling removes that stigma and allows children more opportunities to grow. Learning the facts was an eye opener for many.
As the weather warms, we look forward to seeing you at the Orange Memorial Day parade on Sunday, May 26. Look out for information on our Annual Meet the Candidates picnic happening Sunday, Sept. 8 and our booth at the Orange Country Fair the weekend of Sept. 21-22.
If you would like to learn more about the Orange Democratic Town Committee, you can reach out to me at JLDOrange@yahoo.com, visit our website at OrangeCTDems.org, or go to our Facebook and Instagram pages at OrangeCTDems.