Connecticut Light & Power reported that nearly 3,500 people around Greater Danbury are still in the dark Friday morning, five days after Tropical Storm Irene swept through the state.
For many who remained without power, frustrations were boiling over about what some perceived to be utilities dragging their feet on restoration efforts.
Ridgefield with 1,978 outages, Danbury with 707 and Redding with 183 were among the hardest hit.
Although the number of residents without power has dropped dramatically from Monday to Friday, throughout the week we had politicians who are clearly using the power outages for political purposes. This includes:
Our fearless mayor who on Sunday went out of his way to defend the efforts of CL&P...
Hello this is Mayor Mark Boughton with an important priority message regarding power outages in the City of Danbury. Currently 11,000 customers are out of power in Danbury. Like you, I have been deeply frustrated by CL&P's lack of response and preparedness, but will continue to advocate on our behalf for a timely restoration of power. In addition, we have communicated to Governor Malloy's office our concerns regarding the lack of restoration of power in Danbury. Finally, if you have any questions regarding your power feel free to call CL&P at 1-800-286-2000.
Many of you have inquired about debris that came down during the storm. You can always drop off your brush at Ferris Mulch Products free of charge located at the Danbury landfill. If you cannot drop your brush off, we will collect it when we do our annual fall leaf pick up.
During Hurricane Gloria in the 80s, I was without power for nearly a week...and at that time when I lived in GREATER HARTFORD. During that time instead taking cheap shots, local officials provided information on where to receive water and ice as well as calls for volunteerism, which included requests to check on elderly neighbors who could be in need of assistance.
...oh, did I forget to say that politicians during that time routinely thank the restoration workers who eventually got the power back across the state.
During Hurricane Floyd in 1999, the damage to Danbury was FAR more significant with many residents losing their homes, roads and bridges being washed away, and overall damage estimated in the millions. I don't recall then Mayor Eruqiez taking cheap shots at Governor Rowland while Danbury attempted to recover from one of the strongest storms in 40 years.
WIKIPEDIA:
The effects of Hurricane Floyd in New England stretched across the region from Connecticut to Maine and included two casualties. Floyd, once a large and powerful hurricane, made landfall in North Carolina and weakened as it tracked northward along the U.S. East Coast. By September 17, 1999, the storm, downgraded in strength to a tropical storm, was situated over New England. It produced heavy rainfall and gusty winds throughout the entire region, leading to widespread downing of trees and extensive power outages before it moved away later that day. In Danbury, Connecticut, Floyd triggered severe flooding, considered the worst in 40 years, that damaged hundreds of homes.
[...]
As Floyd tracked up the Connecticut River Valley towards Massachusetts, it dropped heavy precipitation. The heaviest rainfall occurred in a southwest–northeast orientated swath from northern New Jersey to southwestern Connecticut, including southeastern New York. At the Danbury Airport, 11.13 in (283 mm) of rain was reported. Rainfall rates of 1 to 2 in (25 to 51 mm) per hour occurred at Bethel and Danbury. Numerous rivers overflowed; for example, the Still River and its tributaries triggered severe flooding.[8] The worst of the flooding—considered the worst in 40 years—took place at Danbury.[9] Hundreds of homes, two car dealerships, several roads, and other structures were damaged there.[8] At Greentree Motors, all 200 vehicles were declared a total loss.[9] Parts of the city were submerged with 4 ft (1.2 m) of water.[10]
Compared to earlier storms in Danbury, besides the power outages, Floyd's impact to Danbury was next to nothing YET we have politicians taking every opportunity to capitalize on the situation for political purposes.
If Jim Dyer or Gene Eriquez acted the way Mark Boughton and Mike McLachlan are acting, Republicans would be crying foul...and our current local officials should be ashamed on themselves.
...but of course, we're talking about local officials who apparently have no shame.
04.25.22 (RADIO): WSHU Latino group call on Connecticut lawmakers to open a Danbury charter school
06.03.22 (OP-ED): KUSHNER: "Career Academy ‘a great deal for Danbury"
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.
The effects of Hurricane Floyd in New England stretched across the region from Connecticut to Maine and included two casualties. Floyd, once a large and powerful hurricane, made landfall in North Carolina and weakened as it tracked northward along the U.S. East Coast. By September 17, 1999, the storm, downgraded in strength to a tropical storm, was situated over New England. It produced heavy rainfall and gusty winds throughout the entire region, leading to widespread downing of trees and extensive power outages before it moved away later that day. In Danbury, Connecticut, Floyd triggered severe flooding, considered the worst in 40 years, that damaged hundreds of homes.
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.
