Danbury TV: June 2010 Common Council Meeting

Saturday, June 05, 2010
Time: 3:22 PM


LOCAL ACCESS VIDEO: Danbury Live 05.29.10 broadcast

Friday, June 04, 2010
Time: 6:42 PM


DTC chairperson rips Boughton, city officials over mistakes made in firefighter lawsuit


Time: 2:30 PM

In an upcoming News-Times letter to the editor, Danbury Democratic Town Committee chairperson Lynn Taborsak criticizes Mayor Boughton, Former Fire Chief/At-Large City Councilman Phil Curran and Civil Service Chairman Mike Finn for their alleged roles in the firefighter lawsuit.

Taborsak letter gives more insight into the case and why city officials have an obligation to explain to the public details about the admitted "administrative errors" that resulted in the city settling the lawsuit.

There is good news for the residents of Danbury! The city is now accepting applications for the position of entry level firefighter! Applications will be accepted until June 23rd. Let’s hope this round of hiring strictly follows civil service rules and let’s make sure our “part-time” Mayor understands how a merit eligibility list works. It requires selections to be made on the sole basis of ability as demonstrated by the examination. We don’t want another lawsuit or another $450,000 settlement coming out of city coffers. That money could have been used to save five or six teaching positions in this year’s school budget.

However, mistakes were made and they cannot be explained away as simple administrative errors. There were eight rounds of hiring using the old list and in every single round the city made the same mistake over and over. In every round the Mayor selected less qualified candidates over better qualified candidates and the City Council went along and approved them. It’s outrageous that one of the less qualified candidates was engaged to Acting-Chief Philip Curran’s daughter and that a second less qualified candidate was the son of Michael Finn, Chairman of the Civil Service Commission These particular selections give an appearance of bias or favoritism.

I don’t think the Mayor would make the same mistake eight times in a row. One time is a mistake. Eight times is purposeful and willful. He must think that he can get away with anything.

I think it is embarrassing that a Ridgefield attorney had to go into court for a Writ of Mandamus to make the City follow its own rules. Add to that $450,000 settlement another $180,000 that our municipal risk insurance paid to defend us for making the same mistake over and over.

The public has a right to know what happened in this case where the city's admitted wrongdoing probably costs taxpayers over 600,000 in settlement cost and attorney fees and Boughton's continued silence on the matter speaks volumes about his leadership qualities.

Sad day


Time: 1:55 PM

Deepest condolences to the family of Donald Hassiak.

Hassiak, a 41 year old Danbury Police officer, was killed as a result of a hit and run Thursday night.

I was unable to attend this afternoon's press conference at the police station but you can read more information on this tragic loss over at the News-Times website.

Danbury TV: Zoning Commission 05.25.10


Time: 8:30 AM


Criticism against Boughton silence in firefighter settlement continues

Thursday, June 03, 2010
Time: 5:44 PM


Where's the leadership?


A recent letter to the editor echoes my concerns regarding the media's coverage of the recent firefighter lawsuit settlement.
In a recent News-Times article, it was reported that a lawsuit had been settled involving the city of Danbury and five individuals who were on the hiring list for the fire department. It was reported that two of these individuals would be offered jobs with our fire department. I take it that the other three must already have jobs. It was reported that the city of Danbury agreed to pay these five individuals $450,000, which included the fee for the attorney that represented these individuals.

I question if this amount includes the attorney fees incurred by the city of Danbury? Does it also include back pay and/or contractual benefits for the two individuals offered jobs for the four years in question? What is the actual amount the tax payers of the city of Danbury will be expected to pay (minus the amount picked up by insurance, if any)?

Administrative mistake vs. violation of civil service policy and procedures -- which is it?

[...]

To date, why have we not heard from our representatives on the (City) Council, both Republican and Democrat, as to the question how and why did this happen and how long have these "administrative mistakes" been occurring?

[...]

I don't believe that to a reasonable citizen, the term "administrative mistake" is a responsible answer.

As I've reported on this site, the allegations of wrongdoing against Mayor Boughton, City Councilman Phil Curran and Civil Service Commissioner Mike Finn are serious...very serious. Again, when the suit was filed Boughton stated that the city "categorically reject the allegations made in the complaint and defend our positions," yet the city later admitted to unspecified "wrongdoing" in the matter.

Here's the list of questions that residents should demand Boughton to answer:
  • If the city admitted wrongdoing, then who in particular screwed up?


  • How was the wrongdoing fix?


  • The plaintiff's complaint stated:
    74. On information and belief, Michael Finn, one of the candidates that were appointed over higher ranking ie: more qualified candidates is the son of Michael Finn, Sr. the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission.

    75. On information and belief, Michael Finn was arrested and prosecuted for impersonating a police officer. On information and belief, Michael Finn was ultimately convicted of a misdemeanor.

    76. On information and belief, other candidates listed in paragraph 66 are related by blood, marriage or impending marriage to current and past fire department administrators.

    77. 0n information and belief, certain candidates, including O'Hanlon and Sussman, were passed over because City officials, including the Mayor and Fire Department administrators "blackballed" the candidates based on unofficial investigations.

    78. The Civil Service Rules designates the Civil Service Commission with the sole authority to do a pre-employment "police record, employment, educational and reference check" and post-appointment employment verification and police record check.

    79. Neither pre-employment nor post-appointment investigation was initiated or completed regarding Timothy O'Hanlon,

    80. Sussman was never informed of any negative information discovered about him pursuant to the background check he authorized.

    81. Neither Sussman nor O'Hanlon was given an opportunity to address or appeal the "blackball".

    82. Based on the Civil Service Rules and the Charter, the authority to appoint or pass over O'Hanlon was the Mayor's alone, based on the objective testing, satisfactory physical ability test, and criminal background check.

    83. 0n information and belief, the decision to pass over Sussman and O'Hanlon was made by Fire Department officials based on false and defamatory information procured outside of the background check process required by the Civil Service Rules.

    Was there nepotism involved in the hiring of the firefighters?

  • Is Mike Finn Sr. still on the payroll at City Hall? If he's not on the payroll, then doesn't the city have an obligation to the public to come forward and explain why's he's been removed from his role at Civil Service?


  • What was current Former Fire Chief and currant City Councilman Phil Curran's involvement in the case? If the city's admittance of wrongdoing is in anyway connected to Curran, then shouldn't he be asked to resign from the city council?


  • It was alleged in the lawsuit that Mayor Boughton played a central role in the matter. Did Boughton's role play a factor in the city's "wrongdoing" and/or was a determining factor in the city decision to settle the case as opposed to denouncing the charges?

  • If the mayor stated in 2009 that the city would fight these charges, why did the city settle the case as opposed to moving forward and dispute the allegations made in the suit? Did the city fear that the allegations made in the case would be proved factually true if the case moved forward.

Many questions remain unanswered regarding the mayor's role in this lawsuit and the mayor's continued avoidance in addressing the matter speaks volumes in terms of his leadership qualities.

New details emerge in firefighter lawsuit settlement


Time: 11:27 AM


...still no comment.


While Mayor Boughton continues to avoid addressing the city's admitted wrongdoing and allegations made against him and city officials in the recent firefighter lawsuit, this week, new details emerged that new light on other costs that were attributed to the case. While the 450,000 dollar settlement has been reported, what not been talked about are the attorney fees which will also be paid by the taxpayers of Danbury.

Information provided via a recent Freedom of Information request outlines how much was paid to the attorneys who defended the city in the case. Here's a summary of the costs:



Payments to the attorneys were made via the Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency (CIRMA) insurance account. Nonetheless, when it comes to the cost of this case towards the taxpayers of the city, you can add aprox. 180,000 dollars to the 450,000 dollars from the settlement.

To recap:

Although the mayor stated to the public that "we will continue to categorically reject the allegations made in the complaint and defend our positions", the city, which was forced to admit wrongdoing, settled the case for 450,000 dollars and forked over an aprox. 180,000 dollars in attorney fees.

…and to this date, the mayor and candidate for lieutenant governor continues to keep the residents of Danbury in the dark regards the details of the city's admitted wrongdoing in the matter and the allegations of nepotism made against him and city officials.
74. On information and belief, Michael Finn, one of the candidates that were appointed over higher ranking ie: more qualified candidates is the son of Michael Finn, Sr. the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission.

75. On information and belief, Michael Finn was arrested and prosecuted for impersonating a police officer. On information and belief, Michael Finn was ultimately convicted of a misdemeanor.

76. On information and belief, other candidates listed in paragraph 66 are related by blood, marriage or impending marriage to current and past fire department administrators.

77. 0n information and belief, certain candidates, including O'Hanlon and Sussman, were passed over because City officials, including the Mayor and Fire Department administrators "blackballed" the candidates based on unofficial investigations.

78. The Civil Service Rules designates the Civil Service Commission with the sole authority to do a pre-employment "police record, employment, educational and reference check" and post-appointment employment verification and police record check.

79. Neither pre-employment nor post-appointment investigation was initiated or completed regarding Timothy O'Hanlon,

80. Sussman was never informed of any negative information discovered about him pursuant to the background check he authorized.

81. Neither Sussman nor O'Hanlon was given an opportunity to address or appeal the "blackball".

82. Based on the Civil Service Rules and the Charter, the authority to appoint or pass over O'Hanlon was the Mayor's alone, based on the objective testing, satisfactory physical ability test, and criminal background check.

83. 0n information and belief, the decision to pass over Sussman and O'Hanlon was made by Fire Department officials based on false and defamatory information procured outside of the background check process required by the Civil Service Rules.

The adventures of the last honest man in Danbury continues...



RELATED POSTS:

Boughton can't be reached for comment?!?

Questions remain unanswered in firefighter's lawsuit

Court documents outline allegations made against Mayor Boughton, City Councilman Phil Curran and Civil Service chairman Mike Finn Sr. in firefighter lawsuit

Nice try Mark...

Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Time: 8:38 PM



...but when it comes to the LIES you told the public regarding the Danbury 11 case, no one is buying your line of nonsense.
I look forward to having an opportunity to address and correct the record," he said. "We look forward to going to trial and vigorously defend our position. We think we are right.

Yeah right, this is the same line Boughton used when the firefighter lawsuit was filed and in the end, he settled before any the damaging details of the case could come to light (to this date, Boughton has refused to comment on the allegations against him in that matter.

...by the way, if Boughton so ready to defend his position in the case, why offer a "sealed offer of judgement" a month before his scheduled and LONG AWAITED deposition?
City officials filed a "sealed offer of judgement" in the federal lawsuit last month and the plaintiffs had up until this week to accept or reject it.

An attorney for the plaintiffs said a judgment offer isn't a settlement in the traditional sense, but an offer by a party that would "let the court enter a judgement against it," in this case the city, if specific terms are met.

"Such offers are rarely made in federal court," said Elizabeth Goergen, an attorney with the Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher law firm that is co-counsel on the case for the plaintiffs.

"Danbury filed such an offer and the plaintiffs have rejected it because the terms were inadequate," she said.


Face it Mark, no matter what you and your cronies are saying now about the case:

  • You flat out LIED to the public about the city's role in the Kennedy Park raid.

  • There is VERY good chance that your lying about what you knew about the raid before it took place.

  • You tried everything in your power to NOT be deposed in the case...and lost.

  • And you tired to settle the case before you were set to be placed under oath and questioned by the very law student from Yale that you've mocked for years...and lost.


After three and a half years, in a few weeks, Boughton is going to be forced to do something that you haven't done in years...tell the truth. Since Boughton is running for lieutenant governor, the state has a RIGHT TO KNOW what else the mayor has lied about regarding this case...and the only way we're going to get answers is by having Boughton's deposition made available to the public.

...MUCH more later.

Tom Foley campaign showed lack of respect for Memorial Day observance


Time: 4:13 PM

IMG_5789
No class...


When it comes to honoring this country's fallen soldiers, some politicians have a complete lack of respect.

For many, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance in which campaigning is not welcomed. While many politicians are careful not to engage in campaigning at Memorial Day parades, other like Tom Foley can't resist making a spectacle out the event.

On Monday, while at the Memorial Day parade in Danbury, I observed several Foley supporters walking along the parade route passing out campaign literature without any awareness of how offensive there actions were to many people who were in attendance.



Foley's goon squad disrupted the Memorial Day event with their distribution of his campaign material DURING the parade and it was wrong plain and simple. You would think that someone who wants to become the chief elected official in the state would have the common sense to understand that when it comes to Memorial Day, it's best to leave the partisan politics at home.


Pepe's Pizzeria to open in Danbury?

Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Time: 4:31 PM

Pepes

Word on twitter is that the World's Famous Pepe's Pizzeria of New Haven is set to open a locale in Danbury.

Now, this is a rumor and I'm trying my best to get verification as quickly as possible but if it's true, it would be a great as Pepe's has the BEST pizza in the area HANDS DOWN.

UPDATE: Received one confirmation of the opening of a place in Danbury but haven't heard back from management at Pepe's yet...

UPDATE 2: Received more reports that Pepe's is opening a new locale in Danbury. Reports include plans from Pepe's that's been submitted to the permit's office at City Hall. The location of the place will be at 59-67 Federal Road.



Still waiting on confirmation from management.

UPDATE 3 (06.02.10):Here's what the News-Times has to say.
Owners of the popular New Haven pizzeria have submitted plans with the city to open a Frank Pepe Pizzeria on Federal Road near the Harley-Davidson store.

The plans call for a restaurant with enough seating for nearly 70 customers. The application still needs to be reviewed by building officials.

[...]

Charles Troccolo, the owner of the building, said he believes the pizzeria could be very successful at the location, which is near Interstate 84. He declined to comment on when the restaurant might open its doors.

Wrong picture


Time: 3:09 PM

A couple of readers pointed me to this article in yesterday's News-Times regarding the new route 7 bypass.

NT_Route7

If you're looking at the photo and wondering "where's that part of the route 7 bypass"...save your energy because the photo is actually exit 9 on I-84.

Exit_9

Here's the Route 7 bypass (there's no satellite imagery of the road as of yet)...

Route7_bypass

2010 Memorial Day parade


Time: 10:33 AM



Here's my video/photos from the Danbury 2010 Memorial Day parade.


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10.03.18 (PDF):
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10.30.20 (HatCityBLOG VID): Charter School discussion during 2020 interview with Julie Kushner

2018 (RADIO): WLAD
"State Board of Ed signs off on Danbury charter school proposal"

08.20 (VID): CT-LEAD
"Stand up for Education Justice" Rally

08.20.20 (OP-ED): KUSHNER: "Charter schools are not ‘magic bullet’ to improving Danbury schools"

09.13.20 (OP-ED): CHAPMAN
Candidate for state Senate supports charter school for Danbury

01.15.21 (VID): CT-LEAD
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03.19.21 (OP-ED): CT MIRROR
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04.01.21 (OP-ED): CT-LEAD:
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05.06.21 (VID): Danbury rally to fully fund public schools

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Danbury candidates quarrel over charter school, education funding

01.10.22 NEWSTIMES
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01.10.22 NEWSTIMES
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01.21.22 (OP-ED): CT MIRROR
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02.09.22 NEWSTIMES
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02.18.22 NEWSTIMES:
Danbury residents plead for charter school funds in 9-hour state budget hearing: ‘Just exhausted’

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04.25.22 (RADIO): WSHU
Latino group call on Connecticut lawmakers to open a Danbury charter school

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"Career Academy ‘a great deal for Danbury"

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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.

CLICK HERE TO READ/DOWNLOAD MAYOR BOUGHTON'S DEPOSITION

CLICK HERE TO READ/DOWNLOAD MIKE McLACHLAN (then MAYOR CHIEF OF STAFF) DEPOSITION

Danbury Area Coalition for the Rights of Immigrants v.
U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security
3:06-cv-01992-RNC ( D. Conn. )

(02.25.08) Court docket

(10.24.07) Memorandum in Opposition to Defendant's Emergency Motion for Protective Order

(09.26.07) Press Release

(12.14.06) Complaint


Barrera v. Boughton, No. 07-01436
(D. Conn. filed Sept. 26, 2007)

(02.25.08) Court Docket

Amended complaint

Defendants' Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Subject Matter Jurisdiction

Defendants' Motion to Dismiss State Law Claims

Plaintiffs' Opposition to Motion to Dismiss

Order on Motion to Dismiss

Defendants' Answer to Amended Complaint

NEW HAVEN REGISTER: Immigrant's 2006 arrest was flawed Danbury mayor testifies

(10.05.07 (VIDEO) Boughton mislead the public about Danbury's involvement in raid

(09.18.07) Yale Law Students expose Danbury involvement in raid

(12.14.06) VIDEO: Interview with Yale Law Students at FOI presser

(12.14.06) VIDEO: Danbury 11 FOI complaint media roundup

City Clerk Jean Natale standing next to skinhead sparks outrage

(10.03.06) VIDEO: Danbury 11 rally

(09.29.06) VIDEO: Danbury 11 case deepens

Word of raid spread across the country

(09/29/06) VIDEO: Danbury 11 protest news conference

(09/29/06) Immigrant newspaper "El Canillita" gives best account of ICE day labor raid at Kennedy Park


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VIDEO: Tereza Pereira's ordeal with ICE agents

VIDEO: Danbury Peace Coalition Immigration Forum (April 2006)
featuring Mayor Boughton and Immigration attorney Philip Berns

VIDEO: 2007 Stop the Raids immigration forum at WCSU

2007: Community protest anti-immigration forum

A tribute to Hispanic Center Director and immigrant activist Maria Cinta Lowe

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2023 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Results:
11.15.23 Recanvass return
(Head Moderator Return Format)

11.07.23: Election night returns
(Head Moderator Return Format)

11.07.23: Initial returns


ESPOSITO FINANCE REPORTS:
Oct 10 2022
Jan 10 2023
Apr 10 2023
Jul 10 2023
Oct 10 2023

ALVES FINANCE REPORTS:
Apr 10 2023
Jul 10 2023
Oct 10 2023

CAMPAIGN SLATE DATABASE
Dem/GOP slate/ballot position

VIDEO: DRTC convention
VIDEO: DDTC conveniton


2021 (ALVES/ESPOSITO)

TOWN COMMITTEES
(VID) DDTC nomination convention
(PDF) DDTC campaign slate flyer

(VID) DRTC nomination convention
(PDF) DRTC campaign slate flyer

FORUMS/DEBATES
(VID) 2021 Danbury City-Wide PTO educational forum

CAMPAIGN FINANCE
First quarter
Alves Apr 10th SEEC filing

Second quarter
Alves Jul 10th SEEC filing
Esposito Jul 10th SEEC filing

Third quarter
Alves Oct 12th SEEC report
Esposito Oct 12th SEEC report

CAMPAIGN MAILERS
Alves "Jan 6th" attack mailer 10.21.21
Esposito "you can't trust Alves" attack mailer 10.20.21
Alves mailer 10.20.21
Alves mailer 09.30.21
Esposito mailer 09.28.21
Alves mailer 09.27.21
Esposito mailer 09.27.21


PAST CAMPAIGN COVERAGE

2005 (BOUGHTON/ESPOSITO)
Danbury 2005 election results
Newstimes Dean Esposito profile (10.25.05)

2007 (BOUGHTON/ABRANTES)
Danbury 2007 election results
(VID) Helana Abrantes TV ad
(VID) BRT tax deferral presser
(VID) Helena Abrantes "Community Forum" interview

2009 (BOUGHTON/GONCALVES)
Danbury 2009 election results
(VID) 2009 Danbury City-Wide PTO educational forum
(VID) 2009 Danbury Chamber of Commerce mayoral debate
(VID) 2009 DDTC nomination convention

2011 (BOUGHTON/TABORSAK)
Danbury 2011 election results
(VID) Saadi/Nero campaign kickoff

2013 (BOUGHTON/NO DTC ENDORSED CANDIDATE/MCALLISTER)
Danbury 2013 election results
(VID) 2013 DDTC nominaiton convention

2015 (BOUGHTON UNCHALLENGED)
Danbury 2015 election results

2017 (BOUGHTON/ALMEIDA)
Danbury 2017 election results
(VID) Al Almeida concession speech
(VID) 2017 Danbury City-Wide PTO educational forum
(VID) Al Almeida nomination acceptance speech

2019 (BOUGHTON/SETARO)
Danbury 2019 election results
(VID) 2019 NewsTimes Editorial Board interview with Mark Boughton and Chris Setaro
(VID) 2019 Danbury City-Wide PTO educational forum
(VID) 2019 Danbury Chamber of Commerce mayoral debate
(VID) 2019 convention endorsement speeches from Mark Boughton and Chris Setaro