Danbury Democratic City Council caucus speak out in support of Main Street Post Office

Friday, April 01, 2011
Time: 9:14 AM



It's like Groundhog Day all over again.

With the possible closure of the post office on Main Street, the United States Postal Service will place a real hardship on residents who reside downtown/east side section of Danbury. When the proposal to close the Main Street post office was considered years ago, it was met with opposition from residents who rely on the downtown location. With the location on Main Street back on the chopping block, residents are speaking out in opposition again.

Today, the Democratic caucus of the city council released a letter expressing their support for a downtown post office presence. This morning, a had to chance to interview to City Council Minority Leader Tom Saadi and have him elaborate on the statement from the caucus.




You can read the letter from the Democratic caucus as well as Saadi's October 2010 correspondence with the Post Master and the Post Office Survey below.






Danbury TV: Zoning Commission 03.22.11

Thursday, March 31, 2011
Time: 10:35 PM


LOCAL ACCESS VIDEO: Progressive Soup 03.30.11


Time: 6:20 PM


Gov Malloy to kick off CT Film Festival

Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Time: 9:19 PM

Press release:
City Council members Paul Rotello, Tom Saadi and Connecticut Film Festival Director Tom Carruthers announced today that Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy will attend the opening ceremonies of the Fourth Annual Connecticut Film Festival in Danbury on Wednesday, April 6.

Governor Malloy, who as a youth struggled to overcome a learning disability, is scheduled to speak at the VIP reception for The United Way of Western CT and WeCAHR then attend the Welcome Reception at the Palace Theater from 6:15pm – 6:45pm where he will kick off the 2011, Danbury festival discussing his own struggle to overcome Dyslexia.

After receiving the news that the Governor would attend Carruthers credited Councilman Rotello and Saadi stating “for weeks I was concerned that the Governor’s busy schedule and town Hall meeting would prevent him from attending the Film Festival but after enlisting the help of Councilmen Rotello and Saadi they were able to work with his staff and bring this to fruition.”

Councilman Rotello, a longtime supporter of the Film Festival praised Governor Malloy for attending the Film Festival. “After three years of the City providing funding we are pleased with the progress Mr. Carruthers is making with the Festival and the Governor’s visit underscores that progress,” Said Rotello.

“The Governor kicking off the Film Festival demonstrates his commitment andf efforts to revitalizing Connecticut’s downtowns and support for local merchants during difficult economic times” Said Saadi.

Danbury’s Palace Theater will open its doors for the Forth Annual Connecticut Film Festival on Wednesday April 6th at 6:15 PM.

5 CD: Lisa Wilson-Foley throws hat into Congressional race?


Time: 9:17 PM

So says Rennie.
Simsbury Republican Lisa Wilson-Foley attended a “Liberty Unplugged” fundraiser in Avon Friday evening and told some of the 100 guests that she will be a candidate for the Republican nomination for Congress in Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District. The open seat is an invitation to crowded races for the nomination of both major parties. Wilson-Foley, who ran for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor last year, will join Mark Greenberg and Justin Bernier, both making return bids for the congressional nomination. Farmington Republican and former FBI agent Mike Clark is expected to join the race late this week.

Comunidade News on Danbury 11 case: "The court documents proved that he [Boughton] lied"


Time: 10:53 AM

The Comunidade News came out with a blistering editorial regarding the Danbury 11 case and the mayor's LIE to the public about the events that transpired at Kennedy Park.

NOTE: This editorial was written in Portuguese and translated to English via Google Translate. The translation is off due to the limitations of Google.
In my last editorial, I reported here as the Immigration Department gave a shot in the foot by arresting and trying unsuccessfully to deport an American citizen as if it were an undocumented immigrant. The failure cost taxpayers $ 400,000 in damages to Rennison Castillo.

Now is the time from the City of Danbury, CT, also pay for its mistake. It left last week the outcome of the process in which the city and the Department of Immigration were defendants. Mark Boughton struck a deal with justice by agreeing to pay $ 400,000 to 11 Ecuadorian immigrants. Other $ 250,000 will be paid by ICE, the Immigration Police.

The case, known as "The Danbury 11", has generated much controversy in the state after 11 day laborers, all undocumented immigrants from Ecuador, were arrested in a trap. A plainclothes policeman passed by an employer interested in hiring workers. Upon entering the car, they were taken to a place where they were arrested by ICE agents.

Mark Boughton, known for his anti-immigrant in the city, denied all along that the city knew of the operation, moreover, he had no knowledge of what was to happen.

The court documents proved that he lied. Boughton had made several requests to Immigration to make beats on the spot where migrants are seeking work. In addition, the driver of the car was a police officer.


On the brink of having to go to trial and spend even more money from municipal coffers, Boughton has accepted the agreement and pay compensation.
It is noteworthy here that the immigrants' lawyers, the Yale Law School and later the firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, Washington DC, worked for free in the case.

The events serve to alert anti-immigrant, even being here without proper documents, the immigrants have rights. One prohibits any person from being discriminated against based on race, religion, race and marital status.

These people were arrested, not because they are looking for work, but simply because they were immigrants, particularly Latinos.

The stupidity of the mayor, backed by a group of extremists, put paid to all taxpayers of the city of Danbury.

I hope the lesson has been learned.


Regards,
Brenda Mata

RIP Maxwell's


Time: 9:41 AM

IMG_3310

I was planning on writing on what I learned regarding the whole Maxwell's closing situation but Mark Langlois at the Danbury Patch pretty much nailed it.
Maxwell’s Sports Bar and Grill closed at 1 Ives St., last week and sometime between midnight on March 24 and 1:27 p.m. March 25, someone stole 14 TVs, liquor, three kegs of beer and two video games.

“They were carefully removed,” said Capt. Thomas Wendel, spokesman for the Danbury Police Department. “None of the wires were severed.”

Wendel also said there was no sign of forced entry into the downtown eatery.

This isn’t good news for Ives Street, said Victor Aravena, who opened the Alley Way Diner, 14 Ives St., in 2006.

“I’ve seen three pizza restaurants come and go and nine other places come and go out,” Aravena said. “We’re getting Sonic, but the heart of Danbury is slowly dying. It used to be a destination.”

Ives Street has been in a tailspin since the mayor's office placed new restrictions on establishments on the street once known as a popular entertainment destination.
Wendel also said there was no sign of forced entry into the downtown eatery.

This isn’t good news for Ives Street, said Victor Aravena, who opened the Alley Way Diner, 14 Ives St., in 2006.

“I’ve seen three pizza restaurants come and go and nine other places come and go out,” Aravena said. “We’re getting Sonic, but the heart of Danbury is slowly dying. It used to be a destination.”

[...]

One of the numerous changes Danbury is considering involves the ordinance that says a restaurant is a business that makes most of its money from food, while a nightclub makes most of its money from liquor. The city limited the number of nightclubs allowed. (So business owners sought restaurant liquor licenses, but served little or no food, the city argued.) Now the city is struggling to find a balance. In the economic downturn, the city ordinance seems to be getting in the way of business.

“Something drastic has to happen,” Aravena said.

It may not sound drastic, but the city is preparing a downtown plan that will look at this issue and other downtown issues with the goal of improving downtown Danbury.

“We’re evaluating the whole issue of night clubs and the food and beverage mixture,” said Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton. “We want to encourage full-blown development. We may be loosening the regulations.”

Andrea Gartner, executive director of CityCenter Danbury, said Danbury has to rediscover its heart.

“The downtown contributes to the wellness and health of the region,” Gartner said.

Make sure to read the entire piece at the Patch. The article provides a good history on the chain of events that resulted with the increase of entertainment establishments along Mill Plain Road in the last 5 years.

LOCAL ACCESS VIDEO: Danbury Live 03.26.11


Time: 9:17 AM


Smash and grabs on the rise

Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Time: 10:06 PM

Danbury Patch has the details:
Danbury Police said two Subway Restaurants, one on Padanaram Road and one on Germantown Road were both burglarized over the last week.

[...]

"I know we've been hit pretty bad," said Danbury Police Spokesman, Capt. Thomas Wendel. He didn't know how many other commercial establishments had been burglarized, but he said the city is experiencing a number of them right now.

Danbury's experiencing a alarming spike in burglaries ranging from several robberies of commercial and family owned establishments, to the recent break-ins by people who are targeting the Indian community.

Chili madness!!!


Time: 8:36 PM



Last Sunday, food fanatics packed Two Steps Downtown Grille to cheer on their favorite ammeter chef at the fifth annual Chili-Cook Off.

This year, I decided to stop by the popular event and witness the madness first-hand…


Where is Mark Boughton's anti-immigrant BFF?


Time: 6:08 PM



Mark Boughton and Steve Levy during happier times. Mayors and County Executives for Immigration Reform press conference, City Hall 12.08.05

Seems like Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy is no where to be found.

Levy, along with Mark Boughton, co-founded the anti-immigrant group Mayors and County Executives for Immigration Reform, recently announced that he would not seek a third term in office amid a 16 month investigation into his campaign fundraising practices.

CBS New York, March 24:



Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy says he will not seek a third term and voluntarily turned over about $4 million in campaign funds to the district attorney following a 16-month investigation.

[...]

Levy, who unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2010, made the stunning announcement Thursday afternoon in a press release.

In the statement, Levy said he had “been blessed” by being able to work as a public servant for 25 years. He said his decision “was not made lightly,” adding that “long hours, tough decisions, grueling debates, family sacrifices” have made him “look to new challenges.”

District Attorney Thomas Spota said a 16-month investigation by the Government Corruption Bureau “revealed serious issues with regard to fundraising and the manner in which it was conducted, including the use of public resources.”

As Boughton's anti-immigrant BFF, Levy is no stranger to controversy when it comes to the topic of immigration but his AWOL status has several in Suffolk Country concerned.

CBS New York March 29:
Has Steve Levy gone into hiding? Several days after the embattled Suffolk County Executive announced he would not seek re-election amid an ongoing campaign fundraising investigation, the question remains…where is Levy?

[...]

A move that has legislator John Cooper question Levy’s timing.

“This is not the time for us to have an absent county executive so my hope is after the next few days the county executive will come back, collect himself and get back to doing the peoples’ business,” said Cooper.

Cooper is not calling for Levy to resign amid all the controversy, but he’s hopeful that if the controversy becomes too much of a distraction the county executive will, as Cooper told WCBS 880, do the right thing for the county.

“I remain concerned about how that’s going to – long term – affect the ability of Steve Levy to lead,” said Cooper.

Fundraising controversy? It seems like Boughton and Levy have more in common besides their anti-immigrant stance.

Ridgefield Republican Town Committee=No Class


Time: 5:56 PM

In honor of the disgraceful display of arrogance from the minions at the Ridgefield Republican Town Committee at Jim Himes town hall meeting last night, a reader at the Ridgefield Patch had this to say.
It’s unfortunate our publicly elected officials, whether at the podium or in the audience, are politically unable to encourage if not require the need for basic courtesies during public meetings. So, what they didn’t say, I will.

I was embarrassed, ashamed & disheartened by the boorish behavior of so many at Representative Himes' Town Hall Budget Meeting last night. Lies, erroneous stats, & partial truths were championed as gospel by many opposing what is going on in our government, yet when Rep Himes wanted to respond to the comments, he was interrupted, spoken over & wasn't respected enough by them to even listen to his clarification, correction, or his perspective on the subject.

One needn’t agree with any of what our congressman has done or stands for, but there is a certain decorum that should override the grandstanding and pontificating exhibited last night. There were many of us that DID want to hear what Rep. Himes had to say but were unable to do so because of disruptive & rude behavior.

To Rep Himes’ credit, he remained interested, engaged, calm & respectful- even of the louts in attendance. Thank you Rep Himes for taking the time to share your knowledge & perspective on where we are & how we can move forward. No rose colored glasses here- Just the truth- We all must share the pain & we must manage the debt such that it doesn't corrupt the forward momentum & financial correction we are seeing- Thank you for your measured approach.

Another Ives Street business closes it's doors?


Time: 3:54 PM

IMG_3302

I'm told that late last week, Maxwell's Sports Bar and Grill closed it's doors. I dont' have details on what happened but I'm working on the story.

...developing.

Is State Senator Mike McLachlan looking out for your best interest?

Monday, March 28, 2011
Time: 2:52 PM

TinFoilMcLachlan

You would think that after being roundly criticized over his "birther bill, State Senator Mike McLachlan would try any avoid embarrassing himself.

Think again.

Pat Scully of The Hanging Shad has the details...
Despite the fact the state is facing an historic $4 billion budget deficit, Sen. McLachlan seems to want to spend time debating:
  • A bill that would prohibit rationing of health care. Apparently playing on the fears of those who say the Obama healthcare plan would result in “rationing” care, the bill’s (No. 545; LCO 1998) stated purpose is, “To prohibit private and public insurers from rationing health care benefits or requiring insured persons to participate in end-of-life counseling.” Seriously? He wants to spend time on this? It gets better.

  • A bill requiring the study of “the founding documents” of the United States in high school. The bill (No. 426, LOC 1672) requires “the study of the founding documents, including, but not limited to, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights, in the civics and American Government component of the high school graduation requirements.” One would think the leaders of his own caucus would slap this one down. Republicans have long screamed for local control in education.

  • A Joint Resolution (No. 10, LCO 1368) calling “upon the Congress of the United States to abide by the terms, conditions and spirit of the tenth amendment to the United States Constitution.” The tenth amendment, of course, says, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”


Sen. McLachlan is certainly entitled to his political views. But it seems a monumental waste of time to spend even a moment of the state legislature’s time for McLachlan to make his political statements. Each one of these bills has to be drafted and printed by the Legislative Commissioners Office. It takes time and money. He should go join a conservative activist group and stop wasting the legislature’s time.

If you plan on attending Senator McLachlan's hour long complaint on the state budget tonight at City Hall (6-8PM), make sure to ask him why he's wasting the people's time (and money) with his frivolous proposals.

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Danbury candidates quarrel over charter school, education funding

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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

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

ALVES FINANCE REPORTS:
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Jul 10 2023
Oct 10 2023

CAMPAIGN SLATE DATABASE
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(VID) 2021 Danbury City-Wide PTO educational forum

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Esposito Jul 10th SEEC filing

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Alves Oct 12th SEEC report
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PAST CAMPAIGN COVERAGE

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

2007 (BOUGHTON/ABRANTES)
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(VID) Helana Abrantes TV ad
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2009 (BOUGHTON/GONCALVES)
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(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)
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2015 (BOUGHTON UNCHALLENGED)
Danbury 2015 election results

2017 (BOUGHTON/ALMEIDA)
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(VID) Al Almeida concession speech
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2019 (BOUGHTON/SETARO)
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(VID) 2019 NewsTimes Editorial Board interview with Mark Boughton and Chris Setaro
(VID) 2019 Danbury City-Wide PTO educational forum
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(VID) 2019 convention endorsement speeches from Mark Boughton and Chris Setaro