Jewett City residents appear on 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart'

'Daily Show' airs Jewett City piece
by Ed Dunn - published by Norwich Bulletin on March 8, 2007

JEWETT CITY -- Bill Russell of Norwich is an atheist and he was none too pleased last winter when he visited Jewett City and heard the chimes of the Jewett City Baptist Church.

The music was playing on a system owned and installed in the church by the town. Russell said the chimes should be shut down, citing a violation of the principle of separation of church and state.

Russell's complaint set off a flap that made its way to The New York Times and, Tuesday night, to Comedy Central's "The Daily Show."

On "The Daily Show," Russell's comments were interspersed by host Samantha Bee with comments of former basketball star Bill Russell.

It was either very confusing or hilarious.

Jewett City resident Phil Anthony, co-owner of Anthony's Hardware in Jewett City, was a participant in the segment, and he held his own quite handily against the professional comedian and "investigative reporter" Bee.

"I'd seen 'The Daily Show,' so I was wary," Anthony said.

Regarding the chimes, Anthony told Bee, "There's nothing illegal about them. In fact, I would invite litigation."

Anthony said he and other local business people had offered to buy the chimes and give them back to the church if the church-state issue became problematic.

The show's producer said Anthony supported the chimes playing in the borough "as if he were debating international law."

Anthony said he got a huge response from friends and relatives in Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Milwaukee.

People came and went Wednesday complimenting him on his appearance.

Griswold First Selectman Anne Hatfield said she had missed the show, but would try to catch it if it were rebroadcast.

"I've got to see it. I think I'm glad I wasn't on it," Hatfield said.

Kate Frazier of Canterbury works at the Movie Gallery in Jewett City.

She said she missed the show, but she would advise anyone from out of town who is offended at the chimes to leave, because most people enjoy the music.

"It gives a feeling of unity to those who enjoy it," Frazier said.

Brittany Weisberger, 15, of Jewett City attends Griswold Middle School.

She also didn't see the show.

But regarding the chimes, she said, "They're really beautiful. They are energizing and refreshing. It is a different and unique sound."

View Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart: Bee - Sam on Your Side"

[On assignment in Jewett City, CT]: Samatha Bee, Senior Consumer Advocate, was dispatched by The Daily Show with Jon Stewart to investigate the Bell Chimes controversy in Jewett City, CT.

To the entire crew and especially Samatha Bee, you were "incredibly fabulous!"
Thank you for visiting Jewett City.

Jewett City Party candidate for Warden, Ron Ward, appears on Comedy Central's 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart'

Report from 'Godless Hellscape'

by Roger Catlin - 'TV Eye' columnist & TV critic for The Hartford Courant -
published by Courant.com on March 6, 2007
Read the 'TV Eye' by Roger Catlin - click here

“The Daily Show” piece on Jewett City finally ran Tuesday, disguised as a consumer advocate report by Samantha Bee.

“The Sam on Your Side” segment began with a complaint from one Bill Russell about the bells in a Jewett City church that chimes songs – some of them religious -- from a system paid for by the town.

Unfortunately it was not the NBA Hall of Famer Bill Russell who Bee first interviewed:

Q. Why are you so offended by these chimes? You know, the chimes? Jewett City, Connecticut? You’re Bill Russell, chime hater?
A. I don’t have the slightest idea bout what you’re talking about.

Eventually she talks to the real but less famous Bill Russell, identified as lightbulb salesman and atheist, who had complained about the bells during the Christmas season as a violating the separation of church in state.

Trouble was, he wasn’t a town resident and couldn’t file suit. So Bee goes door to door to try to find a plaintiff for him. She finds that everyone likes the chimes.

Borough warden candidate Ron Ward, described as an “the incredibly fabulous” Jewitt town elder, says, “It just gets our dander up that somebody would challenge us on something as important as our bells.”

Finally, she wonders if she could still be “Sam on Your Side” against these odds.

"This is a tough one,” she levels with Russell. “You don’t live in the town, the church barely plays religious music and everyone in town loves it. If you were me, would you still be on my side?”

He takes a long time to answer.

So she asks if there’s some other issue she can more easily side with.

He then goes on, if editing is to believed, a long litany of slights and persecutions. So by the end, she’s “Sam on Your Side” for the town of Jewett City, being terrorized by this mustachioed guy with a corduroy cap.

And she gets more screen time with the more famous Russell.

As the episode’s credits roll, Bee is back in front of the Jewett City church as its chimes pound out “Onward Christian Soldiers.”

Then she pauses and grabs her cell phone, saying “Oh, I’m sorry, I think that’s me.”

And she mutters to her friend on the line: “I’m just in some godless hellscape, doing another story.”

Jewett City Party candidate for Warden makes offer to have public debate

Jewett City Party candidate, Ron Ward, indicated his willingness to participate in a public debate between the three candidates for Warden of the Borough in the upcoming Jewett City elections to be held in May.

In a letter addressed to the incumbent Democratic Party candidate and the Republican Party endorsed candidate, Ward stated, "Any weekday date between now and April 27, 2007 would be agreeable. I defer the selection of the date to Cynthia Kata, the incumbent Warden and Democratic Party endorsed candidate."

Ward suggested, "that the debate be moderated by a joint panel assembled at the discretion of the Norwich Bulletin and The Day." Regarding the debate format and questions, he stated, "The editors of each paper are in the best position to jointly determine the format and select the questions."

It was suggested that the Griswold middle school auditorium might be a possible location to hold the event.


To view a copy of the letter: click here

Ron Ward, Jewett City Party candidate for Borough Warden speaks out to make his position known to Borough residents

The Jewett City Borough election on May 7, 2007 is taking place in nine weeks. For the first time in years, Jewett City voters will have a choice on election day between candidates for the Office of Warden of the Borough of Jewett City. Democrats have nominated incumbent Cynthia Kata. Republicans have nominated, for the first time in more that 8 years, a candidate, Melinda Seaman Brooks for the Office of Warden.

A new independent third party was organized by Jewett City resident Ron Ward. The Jewett City Party has nominated the party Founder, Ron Ward to be the Jewett City Party candidate for the Office of Borough Warden.

Since January 1st of this year, Ron Ward has been writing articles and posting them on the Jewett City Party eBlog! site. Voters, residents, taxpayers and community members have been able to read about the specific plan that Ron Ward has to address issues effecting the residents of Jewett City.

Thank you for visiting this website! It is intended that the articles listed below will communicate to you the position of Ron Ward, Jewett City Party candidate for Warden, on the issues and provide specific information regarding his plans to enhance the quality of life in the Borough of Jewett City.

Please V-O-T-E on May 7th -- Your support is greatly appreciated!

Listed below is an index to some of the articles that are posted on the Jewett City Party eBlog! site. To read an article, move your mouse pointer over the words "click here" and left click your mouse.

Profile of Ron Ward published by the Reminder Newspaper: click here

Norwich Bulletin, January 21st, editorial, Our view: More choice on Ballot: click here

January 19, 2007 the Jewett City Party announced goals: click here

Former Jewett City Fire Chief, James Couillard, is JCP candidate for Bailiff: click here

Sewer customers of JCDPU to receive credit for retro-active fees: click here

Consumer pay 77% more for sewer, JCDPU makes charges retro-active: click here

Offer electric to Griswold homes to save consumers money: click here

Ron Ward will defend Borough Charter & oppose consolidation: click here

Appointed commissioners of JCDPU will not be re-appointed: click here

New Consumer Board of Utility Control to establish electric & sewer rates: click here

Residents of Jewett City pay electric rates that are 16% higher: click here

Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart interviewed Ron Ward: click here

Economic and Community Development Council to support local merchants: click here

Jewett City Party candidate for Warden says, "Let the Bell Chimes Ring!": click here

Past commander of Jewett City American Legion Post 15 honored: click here

Ron Ward files complaint with CT Election Enforcement Commission: click here

Republican candidate changes website in response to complaint: click here

Julie A. Varughese, Norwich Bulletin reporter, writes on role of third party: click here

New York Times story discusses the Borough of Jewett City: click here

Public Transportation Advisory Board to keep SEAT bus in Jewett City: click here

S.E.A.T. bus No. 9 to Jewett City may have more cuts in level of service: click here

Jewett City Charter requires Town to pay for Borough road maintenance: click here

Heating Assistance available from TVCCA for residents of Jewett City: click here


Questions regarding any of these articles or positions taken by the Jewett City Party candidate for Borough Warden can be directed to:

Ron Ward, JCP candidate for
Jewett City Borough Warden
860-376-3530 phone
email: founder@jewettcityparty.com