Recently, I made a decision to come out from behind the camera and take people powered media to the next level by becoming a co-guest host on the public access show Ideas at Work and Beyond.
Since the show covers the Danbury area (which includes such towns as Bethel and Ridgefield), last night, Democratic State Senate candidate John Hartwell sat in the hot seat with myself and host Mary Heiser (Republican Board of Finance Chairman for Ridgefield) and answered a series of questions that centered on issues in the 26th district (Bethel, New Cannan, Redding, Ridgefield, Westport, Weston, Wilton).
1. Public financing of campaigns.
As a big fan of the new campaign finance laws in Connecticut, I asked for Hartwell for his take on new law and how the new way of financing of campaigns levels out the playing field.
2. Health Care:
In his travels talking to people across the district, I asked Hartwell what was the biggest concern in the minds of his constituents. His response was Health care.
3. Transportation
As someone who had to endure traveling to New York from Danbury, one of the biggest complaints in portions of the 26th district is the terrible rail service on the Danbury section of the Metro-North New Haven Line. I asked Hartwell for his take on improving the line as well as his take on the ongoing problem with transportation in the area.
4. Minimum wage and earned income tax credit
My final direct question to Hartwell centered around the increase to the minimum wage and whether or not he approved with the decision of the Democrats to override Gov. Jodi Rell's veto.
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On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
The amended complaint states that plaintiffs sought to remedy the continued discriminatory and unauthorized enforcement of federal immigration laws against the Latino residents of the City of Danbury by Danbury's mayor and its police department.
Plaintiffs allege that the arrests violated their Fourth Amendment rights and the Connecticut Constitution because defendants conducted the arrests without valid warrants, in the absence of exigent circumstances, and without probable cause to believe that plaintiffs were engaged in unlawful activity. In addition, plaintiffs allege that defendants improperly stopped, detained, investigated, searched and arrested plaintiffs. Plaintiffs also allege that defendants violated their Fourteenth Amendment rights when they intentionally targeted plaintiffs, and arrested and detained them on the basis of their race, ethnicity and perceived national origin. Plaintiffs raise First Amendment, Due Process and tort claims.
Plaintiffs request declaratory relief, damages and attorneys fees.
On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
