Frederick Douglass’s Prophetic Night in Newtown
A historic return to the Newtown stage—then in 1864, and again in 2026 through a performance by Darius Wallace. “Being Frederick Douglass” brought Douglass’s words and presence back to the Newtown stage..
Douglass’s story still lands with force because it is, at its core, an “impossible trajectory”—from being legally defined as property to becoming the master of his own narrative. That’s the heartbeat of his “Self-Made Man” philosophy: a blueprint for psychological and social liberation that still applies today.
Read more here...
Listen to a 13-minute podcast review of the performance...
| |
Further Notes:
When we revisit moments like Douglass’s 1864 appearance in Newtown, we’re not just remembering — we’re measuring ourselves against the standards of courage, voice, and civic responsibility.
Just a few days after "Douglas" appeared on stage, the White House posted a racist video depicting the Obamas as apes!
|
|
How two residents turned an unexpected grant surplus into a $750,306 pedestrian safety win— and why persistence, receipts, and good math mattered more than “bucolic vibes.”
TFor many months Newtown Township residents fought for installing sidewalks and curbing along Newtown-Yardley Road to improve pedestrian safety and connect local trails to Newtown Borough.
Local leaders emphasize that these improvements will enhance community walkability and provide better access to nearby small businesses.
Read more details here...
Listen to this 17-minute "Deep Dive" podcast…
|
There are four key takeaways from the January 2026 Newtown Township Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) meeting — where policy, politics, and practical constraints collided in real time.
Members discussed a proposed gas leaf blower ban, managing a native plant project at Robert’s Ridge Park, and exploring solar energy grants for an array on a local 100-acre parcel of land.
A significant portion of the dialogue focuses on a controversial proposal for a pedestrian bridge over Newtown Creek, highlighting disagreements regarding floodplain protection and the impact on natural resources.
Read more details here...
Listen to this 15-minute "Deep Dive" podcast...
|
A consent agenda is a procedural method used by governing bodies, such as the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors, to approve multiple routine and non-controversial items with a single vote and withou comment!
While this practice promotes administrative efficiency and allows more time for significant policy debates, the source warns that it must not be used to bypass public transparency.
To preserve public trust, boards should provide clear documentation in advance and allow officials to pull specific items for separate discussion.
Read more details here...
Listen to this 5-minute "Deep Dive" podcast...
|
|
Led by Chair William Mahler, the Newtown Joint Historic Commission (JHC) is expressing frustration over unanswered requests regarding the lack of legal authority to prevent the demolition of significant buildings located outside established districts.
Both a formal letter and meeting transcripts highlight the need for a joint planning session involving supervisors, solicitors, and zoning officers to establish better governance and enforcement. To bridge the knowledge gap, officials are also advocating for specialized training so board members can better identify and protect architectural heritage during the planning process.
Ultimately, the materials serve as an urgent call for municipal cooperation to ensure that historic structures are not lost to development due to regulatory loopholes.
Read more details here...
| |
Further Notes:
The most significant and repeatedly emphasized recommendation is to draft and adopt an ordinance that mandates a building permit for specific types of work within the historic district.
|
|
We rarely think about sewers until something goes wrong—like a “depressed manhole” rattling your car, or a utility sink failing in a mechanical room. But the January 13, 2026 meeting of the Newtown Bucks County, Joint Municipal Authority (NBCJMA) shows how “keeping the flow” is a constant balancing act of liability, technology, and big-dollar infrastructure decisions.
A substantial portion of the meeting involved financial oversight, including the authorization of a large payment for sewer infrastructure improvements and the review of overdue accounts. Professional services and land development agreements for specific local properties were also approved.
Read more details here...
Listen to this 15-minute "Deep Dive" podcast...
|
At the 28 January 2026 Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting, representative of the Newtown Library Company - Meg Griffin (Library Board Secretary) and Johanna Hager (Library Board President) - made a formal request for financial assistance from the Township.
The proposal currently before the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors is not a request for a simple donation, but a call for a strategic investment in community stability. By contributing a modest investment, the Township would acknowledge a shared responsibility for a resource that its residents already use and value.
When Ms. Griffin volunteered to answer questions from the Board she heard crickets - i.e. silence!
More details here...
Listen to this 14-minute "Deep Dive" podcast...
| |
Further Notes:
A commenter on FB asked "are they willing to share their financials for the past few years? Have they applied for public/private grants?" I don't know if NLC has applied for grants, which sounds like a good idea, but I know that the it is a non-profit organization and its finances should be open to the public.
|
|
At the January 28, 2026, Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting, supervisors approved $283,438.19 in total checks and transfers. The largest share came from the General Fund ($194K), with additional spending across fire protection, hydrants, highway aid, escrow, and capital projects.
This item was approved as part of the contentious "Consent Agenda" WITHOUT any discussion by the Board! And no comments from the public were allowed! [Read The “Consent Agenda” - Pros & Cons.]
Here's what they didn't tell you: Key cost drivers this cycle included professional engineering and legal services, utilities (street lights and fire hydrants), and winter operations such as snow plowing and road salt. Police and DPW vehicle repairs were also significant, along with advance deposits for 2026 Adventure Camp recreation programs
Read more details here...
Listen to this 20-minute "Deep Dive" podcast...
|
 |
