Spring cleaning

Friday, March 18, 2011
Time: 9:52 PM

Doing a little tweeking of the site...you might notice some things go out of whack over the next two days.

Be back up to full speed REAL soon...and wait till you read what I have in store for ya!

CTDream Act moves forward

Thursday, March 17, 2011
Time: 4:50 PM

Great news from CTNewsJunkie.
The Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee seems to have forwarded a bill that gives in-state tuition to undocumented students to the floor of the House. The vote will be held open until 4 p.m. but a slim majority of lawmakers present voted in favor of the bill.

Sen. Gary LeBeau, D-East Hartford, had been on the fence, but a “passionate” public hearing earlier this week convinced him to vote in favor of the bill, even if it means losing his re-election bid.

He said this bill, which was vetoed in 2007 by former Gov. M. Jodi Rell, is even more difficult to vote for this year because there are divisions in society. But he said it was a moral issue and “if I’m not re-elected so be it.”

“We can’t afford to throw away this talent,” LeBeau said.

Once out of committee, the proposal to allow in-state tuition for undocumented students will come before the General Assembly for a final vote.

Here's something you don't see everyday

Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Time: 7:09 PM



A Danbury man's drive took a turn to the worse as the axle in his minivan suddenly fell off as he approached the corner of Triangle and Wildman.

...oh, did I mention that the guy driving the vehicle told police that he purchased the minivan three months ago!

Luckily I was driving by the scene and had my camera with me...


CT-N VIDEO STREAM: Committee on Higher Education and Employment Advancement

Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Time: 2:42 PM



Today, the Committee on Higher Education and Employment Advancement will hold a public hearing on Gov. Malloy's proposal to allow in-state tuition for undocumented students. Click here to read my write-up on the recent rally held in New Haven in support of the legislation.

UPDATE: The public hearing is over. I'll post highlights from the event later.

Press release:
A coalition of students, clergy members and elected officials held a news conference at the Legislative Office Building today to urge support for House Bill 6390, “An Act Concerning Post Secondary Education,” which would allow all state residents and graduates of Connecticut high schools to attend community colleges and state universities at the in-state tuition rate regardless of their immigration status.

The press conference was attended by a number of elected officials, including Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman; Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven / Hamden); Senator Toni Harp (D-New Haven); Senator Edith Prague (D-Columbia); and State Rep. Juan Candelaria (D-New Haven). They were joined by Fr. James Manship Pastor St Rose of Lima, New Haven; Isaias T. Diaz, Chairman of the Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission (LPRAC); and a few students who would be affected by the legislation.

Currently, Connecticut residents pay approximately one third of the “out of state” tuition rate charged to non-Connecticut residents and to Connecticut students who do not have U.S. citizenship. Nearly 10 other states, including Texas and California, have already passed bills allowing for in-state tuition for all their residents.

Some argue that it would be too costly to implement the in-state tuition bill but the General Assembly’s Office of Legislative Analysis said it wasn’t clear the 2007 version of the bill had any cost at all. The fiscal note predicted that the proposal could result in a revenue loss to some schools but a revenue gain at others, “… if additional students chose to attend school as a result of lower tuition rates.”

“These young people are the friends and classmates of our own children and grandchildren. They are Connecticut residents and are American in every way except for the circumstances of their childhood. They should not have to suffer for a decision that their parents made very long ago,” Senator Looney said. “It's also important to note that the legislation as passed but vetoed in 2007 did not provide any sort of scholarships or financial aid for these students--it simply allowed them to pay in-state tuition rates.”

“Some of those who argue against this initiative say we’ll be inundated with second-generation immigrants clambering to attend college and first of all, I see nothing wrong with that. Second, this new law would require them and their parents to pull their weight and pay state income tax, and third, the ten states that already have this policy don’t report that inundation,” Senator Prague said. “It just seems contradictory to me to deny in-state college tuition for the exact same students we are required to educate through high school. It would be to our advantage to have them go on and earn a college degree.”

“This new law would be a realistic acknowledgement that students from other countries are not going to suddenly disappear – many have grown up here and know no other culture – so they really should be given a chance to succeed and contribute to the best of their ability,” Senator Toni N. Harp said. “In Connecticut, regardless of heritage, it simply follows that college graduates are more likely to qualify for higher-paying jobs that in turn will attract a higher caliber of employers and generate more residual economic activity.”

Rep. Juan Candelaria said, “Access to affordable education is a moral issue. These students are not asking for a free ride - they are and have been paying their way with personal sacrifices and their willingness to improve themselves and become productive individuals. Their courage to stand up for what they feel is fair is commendable. I am with them in support of in-state tuition legislation on behalf of many excellent individuals who live in our great state and are forced to pay out of state fees because of their legal status.”

“It is essential in today’s society to provide opportunities for people to work hard in order to continue the process of maintaining diligent work ethic,” said Chairman Diaz.

Fr. James Manship said, “We’ve heard it over and over again the importance of education, for individuals, for communities, and for our state. It makes no sense to effectively deny access to higher education to students who have attended four years of a Connecticut high school and who have distinguished themselves academically, by treating them differently than their classmates graduating with them. HB 6390 makes sense for us as state to promote excellence in education at all levels. HB 6390 makes sense for the state because high achieving students will be high achieving graduates and contribute to the wellbeing of all in our state."

“All Connecticut students deserve the opportunity to go to college regardless of their immigration status,” said Tara Parrish, Lead Organizer for Hartford Areas Rally Together. “Passing in-state tuition can create additional revenue and it sends the message that if Connecticut students work hard, they will have access to higher education. Passing in-state tuition is good for all of us in Connecticut.”

SENATE 2012: CT Congressional delegation endorse Murphy for senate


Time: 2:41 PM

Today, Chris Murphy announced they senatorial campaign has received the support of the state's Congressional delegation.

Press Release:
The quickly growing momentum behind Congressman Chris Murphy's campaign for the U.S. Senate continued today with the announcement that Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3), Congressman John Larson (CT-1), Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2), and Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) are all endorsing Murphy's candidacy for U.S. Senate.

Today's announcement continues a flood of early support for Murphy from both grassroots activists and Democratic officials throughout the state. In the last few weeks, Murphy has received the support of more than 2,000 Democratic and progressive activists from around the state and dozens of Democratic leaders in the 5th Congressional District. In addition, Murphy was recently endorsed by Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen, Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, and State Comptroller Kevin Lembo.

"My friend and colleague Chris Murphy has consistently fought to make Connecticut, and this country, a better place to live. Chris has made a name for himself as a leader and a skilled legislator, and building upon the health care efforts made during his time as Chairman of the Connecticut Public Health Committee, he played a critical role in the fight to pass the Affordable Care Act. He is a proven leader, and someone who knows how to get things done for the people of Connecticut. I am pleased to endorse Chris to be the next Senator from Connecticut," said DeLauro.

"Chris personifies the energy, vision and enthusiasm of what Connecticut needs from it government and public servants. From fighting for job creation and economic development to protecting working families, he has quickly become one of the most informed and educated leaders in the Democratic Caucus while working nonstop for his district and our great state. He is the perfect choice to represent the people of Connecticut in the U.S. Senate and has my full support," said Larson.

"When Chris and I ran as challengers in 2006, I saw firsthand his tenacity and tireless work ethic. Over the past four years, he has paid diligent attention to his district and constituents, while not yielding a bit of the energy that carried him to that first victory. Chris is a passionate and tireless advocate for our state, and I know he will make a great U.S. Senator," said Courtney.

"I am delighted to support Chris Murphy, one of my closest friends in the Congress, as he seeks to serve Connecticut in the United States Senate. He's a proven leader we know we can count on to fight to create jobs, grow our businesses, and build strong communities. He knows his constituents like he knows his own family, and I look forward to being represented by him," said Himes.

Murphy concluded: "These endorsements mean the world to me. Since I came to Congress, Rosa and John have been my mentors so I know their support in this campaign will be invaluable. Joe and I started these jobs together - we've grown to be close friends and I have tremendous respect for his work on behalf of the Second District. And as soon as Jim got to Congress, we hit the ground running, working together to advocate for our neighboring districts. I'm thrilled to have them on my team as we continue to build support from the grassroots and up leading into next year."

NYTimes editorial criticizes Boughton's handling of Danbury 11 case


Time: 11:52 AM



Well said.
In September 2006, an undercover police officer in Danbury, Conn., who was driving a van and posing as a contractor, picked up 11 Latino day laborers at a park and delivered them straight to federal immigration agents. The men were arrested and placed in deportation proceedings. In another city, this would have struck officials as abusive policing and a gross violation of civil rights. Not in Danbury. Its mayor said the city had only supplied “logistical support” to the agents.

The city should have learned its lesson last week when it agreed to pay $400,000 to settle a civil-rights lawsuit brought by eight of the laborers. The federal government is paying another $250,000 to settle claims against six of its immigration agents. Plaintiffs’ lawyers say it is the largest settlement ever won by day laborers. Even now, Danbury’s mayor, Mark Boughton, insists the city did nothing wrong and that the settlement was agreed to only at the suggestion of an insurance company. “We are not changing any of our policies, practices or customs,” he told The Times.

Day laborers have waged struggles across the country for the right to assemble peaceably and look for work. Cities and towns keep passing ordinances to keep day laborers off the streets only to have them overturned by federal courts as violations of Constitutional rights. In Oyster Bay, N.Y., town officials are appealing a federal judge’s decision to block, on First Amendment grounds, an anti-solicitation law that critics say was specifically — and unconstitutionally — aimed at stifling the rights of a single group: immigrant Latino men.

Mr. Boughton was the co-founder with Steve Levy, a county executive on Long Island, of Mayors and Executives for Immigration Reform, which sought to channel suburban resentment through harsh — but costly and ineffective — crackdowns. Both men should have learned that tough talk and unconstitutional laws don’t do the community any good. Sometimes they also cost the taxpayers a lot of hard-earned money.

"Good Guys playing Bad Hockey"

Sunday, March 13, 2011
Time: 9:18 AM



If you're looking for good entertainment today, I have the deal for you!

Today at 3PM, the Danbury Police Department will face off against the Danbury Fire Department in a charity ice hockey game.

Called "Good Guys playing Bad Hockey", proceeds from the 8th annual charity event will go towards the Fraternal Order of Police Survivors Fund and for the Connecticut Children’s Burn Camp.

Time: Sunday, March 13 · 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Location: Danbury Ice Arena

More Info: EVENT STARTS AT 3:00 PM 1 Independence Way, Danbury, Ct. 06810
After game party at Tuxedo Junction.

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INDEPENDENT PARTY OF DANBNRY
DATABASE COMING SOON


“Facebook”“Twitter”“Email”

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CITY OF DANBURY VIDEO ARCHIVE (Dec 2012-present)

The Mercurial (RIP)
Danbury News Times
Danbury Patch
Danbury Hamlet Hub
Danbury Daily Voice
Tribuna Newspaper
CT News Junkie
CT Capitol Report

10.03.18 (PDF):
"Approval of Danbury Prospect Charter School"

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
Danbury Prospect Charter School press conference

03.19.21 (OP-ED): CT MIRROR
"Danbury leaders do not want a charter school"

04.01.21 (OP-ED): CT-LEAD:
"Why did Sen. Kushner vote against us?"

05.06.21 (VID): Danbury rally to fully fund public schools

10.07.21 (VID): Danbury City-Wide PTO "Meet the Candidates" education forum

10.07.21 NEWSTIMES
Danbury candidates quarrel over charter school, education funding

01.10.22 NEWSTIMES
"New operator named for Danbury charter school: ‘I’m a huge advocate for parent choice’"

01.10.22 NEWSTIMES
"Some Danbury Democrats ‘open minded’ about charter school after new, CT operator named"

01.21.22 (OP-ED): CT MIRROR
"Lessons from Danbury: Ending the dual process for charter school approval"

02.09.22 NEWSTIMES
"Proposed Danbury charter school won’t open in 2022, governor leaves funding out of budget"

02.18.22 NEWSTIMES:
Danbury residents plead for charter school funds in 9-hour state budget hearing: ‘Just exhausted’

03.05.22 (LTE):
Time has come for Danbury charter school

03.12.22 (OP-ED): TAYLOR
"Why I am excited about the Danbury Charter School"

03.16.22 (LTE):
"Why a Danbury Charter School?"

04.02.22 CT EXAMINER:
"Crowding and a Lack of Options for Danbury Students, But No Agreement on Solutions"

04.04.22 (OP-ED): DCS
"Danbury Charter School plans debut"

04.07.22 (PODCAST): (CEA)
"SENATOR KUSHNER DISCUSSES POINTS OF OPTIMISM FOR DANBURY PUBLIC SCHOOLS"

04.18.22 (VID): CT-LEAD
Protest press conference

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"

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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


trans_button Santos Family Story
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