Pro-charter school advaocates celebrate Election Day victories
Saturday, November 06, 2021 Time: 11:43 AM
Republicans in Danbury weren't the only group who were celebrating the results of the municipal election.
With Danbury Democrats making their oppositon to the Prosepct Charter School proposal and education funding the centerpoint of their campaign season, the voters overwheling Election Day rejection of the party's platform is not only a victory for charter school advocates, but should also serve as a warning to several members of the state delegation when it comes to their own re-election prospects as the GOP set their sites recapturing the State Senate and 138th State Rep seats.
Charter school advocacy group Latinos for Educational Advocacy and Diversity have a unique reason to celebrate as one of their members, Michelle Coelho, received the third highest amount of votes among all candidates at 7484 in her first run for Board of Education. Only Constable Louise McMahon and the widely popular Treasurer Dan Jowdy recieved more votes on Election Day.
In resposne to the election results LEAD isseued the following statement.
Latinos for Educational Advocacy and Diversity released the following statement regarding the results of this year's municipal elections.
LEAD’s Mayoral Election Statement
LEAD would like to congratulate the newly elected mayor of Danbury, Dean Esposito. We would also like to commend Roberto Alves for a hardfought campaign. It is our sincere hope that the new administration will not only be one of inclusion but that it will work to address some important challenges faced by our city. Up to this point Dean Esposito has been a tremendous supporter and friend of LEAD’s mission and vision.
LEAD commends Dean Esposito and the entire Republican Party slate for their support of the proposed charter school to be built on Main Street. We are confident that the new administration will continue to support our efforts to build this school. A building that will be paid with a generous 25 million dollar philanthropic donation. The school will serve 770 students and bring an amazing educational option to our city. The school will also bring millions of additional dollars directly from the state with no extra cost to Danbury’s taxpayers!
We also look forward to working with the new majority in the Board of Education. In areas like decreasing the 50% drop out rate of ELL students, teacher diversity and other programs. LEAD has not been able to become an active partner of DPS because of the makeup of the current board. We are confident that with the election of new board members LEAD will have better access and opportunities to ensure that the voices of the largest demographic in the city are properly heard and represented.
LEAD would like to congratulate our very own LEAD member Michelle Coelho, our first Cuban American elected to the city’s Board of Education. Her innovative ideas and fresh perspectives will be a welcomed addition to the Board. We are so proud of the fact that Michelle was one of the candidates with the most votes. We believe she has a bright future not only in politics but also as a community leader and representative.
LEAD is excited to work together with the new administration to ensure that Danbury continues on its path of prosperity. We are even more hopeful that this new administration will bring forth more opportunities for equity and diversity at city hall.
As the Danbury Latino community continues to grow, LEAD will be a vital partner to ensuring that our community has representation and a seat at the table that this community deserves.
LEAD is ready to help work on the areas our city needs to improve on while being an active partner that ensures Danbury continues to be one of the most amazing cities to live in.
Congratulations to the new elected authorities and best wishes for your continued success
Danbury Dems dominate absentee returns...more than double return total from 2019
Monday, November 01, 2021 Time: 7:52 PM
If the election was based only on absentee ballots, then Roberto Alves is our next mayor of Danbury.
The latest absentee numbers from city hall show that Danbury Democrats put in the work and more than DOUBLED their abs ballots returned (2019: 290; 2021: 777) with the most notable abs gains in the 4th and 6th wards.
In contrast, Danbury Republican's trend line between 2019 and 2021 is a net negative of 30 returned ballots (2019: 273; 2021: 243) with fewer ballots in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th wards.
How does a net gain of 487 Democratic ballots will factor into tomorrow's election? If I were the Dems, I'd be thrilled with their results as it might give them the edge to get over the 20-year slump and put the state's seventh-largest city back under Democratic leadership.
If I were the GOP, I would be concerned about the numbers as they should have improved from their 2019 totals. In politics, abs are free votes, and it's the responsibility of the town committee to collect as many of those free votes as possible.
How this will impact tomorrow's race is yet to be determined. Are these absentee votes from people who ususally vote or new voters? Remember, we're in the COVID era where more Dem residents vote absentee verus Republicans who prefer to vote in person.
If anything, these numbers makes for great local political banter...we'll see if it's a factor in the election tomorrow :-)
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.
Republicans in Danbury weren't the only group who were celebrating the results of the municipal election.
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.
