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HatCityBLOG EXCLUSIVE: Danbury Fair Mall festival

Friday, March 21, 2008
Time: 1:54 PM

Since this is a slow weekend, I've decided to do a little catch-up and post my footage from the Danbury Fair Mall festival

As you're aware, the Danbury Fair Mall has been completely renovated and an indoor festival was held to kick off the opening of the newly remodeled place.

NOTE: Don't worry, the high-flying acrobat, who scared the living hell out of everyone, was not hurt.



Later I'll post before and after pictures of the interior of the mall and you can judge the renovations for yourself.

posted by ctblogger at 1:54 PM | Permalink|

Uncounted: The new math of American Elections

Thursday, March 20, 2008
Time: 12:52 PM

Tonight at the Bethel Cinema, the Connecticut Blue 2 PAC will screening the latest documentary from filmmaker David Earnhardt entitled "Uncounted: The new math of American elections.

This film recounts the tales of election fraud in the 2004 presidential race as well as tales of voter disenfranchisement in 2006 elections. This movie should be a wake-up call for everyone and be a reminder of things to come as we approach the 2008 elections.

UNCOUNTED is an explosive new documentary that shows how the election fraud that changed the outcome of the 2004 election led to even greater fraud in 2006 - and now looms as an unbridled threat to the outcome of the 2008 election. This controversial feature length film by Emmy award-winning director David Earnhardt examines in factual, logical, and yet startling terms how easy it is to change election outcomes and undermine election integrity across the U.S. Noted computer programmers, statisticians, journalists, and experienced election officials provide the irrefutable proof.

UNCOUNTED shares well documented stories about the spine-chilling disregard for the right to vote in America. In Florida, computer programmer Clint Curtis is directed by his boss to create software that will “flip” votes from one candidate to another. In Utah, County Clerk Bruce Funk is locked out of his office for raising questions about security flaws in electronic voting machines. Californian Steve Heller gets convicted of a felony after he leaks secret documents detailing illegal activities committed by a major voting machine company. And Tennessee entrepreneur, Athan Gibbs, finds verifiable voting a hard sell in America and dies before his dream of honest elections can be realized.

If you're not a fan of the NCAA tournament, stop on by the Bethel Cinema and catch the screening of this important movie.

Click here for a viewing of the movie trailer.

posted by ctblogger at 12:52 PM | Permalink|

Zoning Board of Appeals: March 13 2008 broadcast


Time: 12:23 PM

From City Hall on March 13th, here's the City of Danbury's broadcast of the Zoning board of appeals.

NOTE: The city experienced problems with the sound as it appears that the microphone for the speakers was not turned on.



AGENDA – REGULAR MEETING
March 13, 2008
COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS
7:00 PM

ROLL CALL:

NOTE: THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR March 27, 2008.

CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC HEARINGS:

#07-77 – CONTINUED - Antonio A. Ramos & Antonio C. Narciso, 2 Broad Street (K12270), Sec.6.A.3.a., to reduce rear yard setback from 30 ft. to 3 ft., to reduce side yard setback from 20 ft. to 3 ft., to reduce front yard setback from 30 ft. to 27.7 ft.; Sec.8.C.1.c., to allow continued parking in front yard, for ironworks operation (IL-40 Zone).

#08-08 – CONTINUED - Pamela Equities Corp., Candlewood Pines, Lots 1 – 5, Winnebago Trail (H03069), Sec.4.G.1., to permit parking in req’d. front yard (RA-80 Zone).

NEW BUSINESS:

#08-09 – Richard Rizzo (Agent for Colonial Ford), 126 Federal Road (L08024), Sec.8.E.3.a.(3)., to very requirement allowing only 1 free-standing sign for each 300 ft. of street frontage for proposed 2nd sign (CG-20 Zone).

#08-10 – Elizabeth Ryder, 47 Westville Avenue (G14152), Sec.4.C.3., to reduce min. req’d. lot width from 75 ft. to 66 ft.; to reduce min. E side yard from 15 ft. to 10.9 ft.; to reduce min. W side yard from 15 ft. to 12 ft.; Sec.8.B.1.b.(4)., to reduce 2-way driveway width from 20 ft. to 8 ft. to legalize 2-family residence (R-3 Zone).

#08-12 – Victorian Associates, LLC / Robert Botelho, 24 Granville Avenue (I13227), Sec.4.B.3., to reduce min. req’d. front yard setback from 20 ft. to 16 ft. for architectural entrance overhangs (RMF-4 Zone).


posted by ctblogger at 12:23 PM | Permalink|

Five years


Time: 10:26 AM

IMG_3808

Five years, countless lives lost, and no end in sight.


That's the thought which comes to mind when I think about the war in Iraq and it's the overwhelming response I heard from people I talked to in my travels last night at the various anti-war vigils held across Connecticut.

Unlike years past when I attended the Connecticut Opposes the War rallies in Hartford (2006, 2007), for this anniversary, I decided to travel to smaller vigils in Connecticut and get a sense of what people are saying in their communities about our present situation in Iraq.

With thousands of lives lost, more proof that the war was based on fear and untruths, and the sense that conditions in this country are worse than when the war started, people I talked to had a great deal to say about the failures of the Bush administration as well as their desire that the next president has the wisdom to bring our troops home as quickly as possible.


posted by ctblogger at 10:26 AM | Permalink|

HatCityBLOG EXCLUSIVE: Richter Park Authority meeting highlights

Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Time: 10:34 PM

Members of the Richter Park Authority gather for their monthly meeting to discuss the park's future
Richter Park: 03.18.08. Photo by CTBlogger


The Richter Park Authority (RPA) held their monthly meeting on Tuesday to discuss various topics including the preliminary 20-year plan that was unveiled last week. With residents alarmed by the authority's attempt to close the Richter House, and the increase criticism over the management of the park, I decided to sit in on the meeting and hear what they had to say.

NOTE: Background noise was due to people dining at the restaurant.



BONUS: For those interested in obtaining a copy of the preliminary copy of the 20-year master plan for the RPA, you can download a copy by clicking here.

posted by ctblogger at 10:34 PM | Permalink|

Another bank robbery...


Time: 10:19 PM


This is becoming an alarming occurrence.
Police are on the scene investigating a robbery at a Chase Bank at 111 Newtown Road. Police are looking for a black male with dark clothing in relation to the investigation.

Police say a weapon was displayed during the event but there are were no injuries reported. Police are describing the investigation as "an ongoing event." Canine units have been dispatched to the scene.

The suspect was described as having a medium build and between 20 and 40 years old. He was wearing a charcoal gray T-shirt under a black sweat shirt and a black parka. He exited the bank through the Payne Road exit.

posted by ctblogger at 10:19 PM | Permalink|

Danbury Live: March 8 broadcast

Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Time: 11:24 AM


posted by ctblogger at 11:24 AM | Permalink|

A blogger's guide to the 2008 State Legislative Agenda

Monday, March 17, 2008
Time: 9:05 AM









As we reach the midway point in the 2008 session at the State Capitol, MikeCT over at My Left Nutmeg has put together an excellent package that summarizes the legislative agendas of a variety of state leaders and organizations.

For those of you who are not up to date on what's happening in Hartford, this post is a must read.

posted by ctblogger at 9:05 AM | Permalink|

© 2022 Hat City Blog | READ, WATCH, AND LEARN.
No part of the content or the blog may be reproduced without prior written permission.
PEOPLE-POWERED MEDIA.

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License

REAPPORTIONMENT CONTROVERSY DATABASE
DEVELOPING…

MEDIA
02.04.23 (OP-ED/NEWSTIMES): Letter: "Republicans rigged the system in Danbury"

01.25.23 (OP-ED/PATCH):
"Letter: 'Danbury Is Not Immune To Gerrymandering'"

01.24.23 (NEWSTIMIES-TENSA):
"Is proposed Danbury ward map 'gerrymandered' or does it better represent downtown? Plan sparks debate"

02.17.22 (NEWSTIMES-PERKINS): "Danbury is redrawing its ward maps. Here’s what it means for voters."

CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
01.25.23: (VID) REAPPORTIONMENT AD-HOC

01.17.23: (VID) REAPPORTIONMENT AD-HOC
• (DOC) PLAN A MAP (01.17.23)
• (DOC) PLAN B MAP (01.17.23)

R.A.C MEETINGS
10.06.23: (VID) R.A.C. final report
09.29.22: (VID) R.A.C. meeting
04.28.22: (VID) R.A.C. meeting
04.21.22: (VID) R.A.C. meeting
04.07.22: (VID) R.A.C. meeting
03.16.22: (VID) R.A.C. meeting
03.10.22: (VID) R.A.C. meeting
03.03.22: (VID) R.A.C. meeting
02.17.22: (VID) R.A.C. meeting

02.01.22: (VID) Establishment of R.A.C. (02.22 City Council)

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"

trans_button
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.

COURT DOCUMENTS (PDF)

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

POSTS

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

“Facebook”“Twitter”“Email”

trans_button
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

trans_button

trans_button

2023 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
MAYOR
trans_button
ESPOSITO | ALVES

PAST CAMPAIGN COVERAGE


2022 STATE ELECTIONS
24th STATE SENATE
KUSHNER (D) | COEHLO (R)

JULIE KUSHNER
Video
04.11.22: Town Hall Meeting
09.30.22: Boceto Media interview with Julie Kushner
10.06.22: Somos Latinos VIP interview

MICHELLE COEHLO
Campaign website

Video
Nomination speech
09.22.22: Boceto Media interview with Michelle Coehlo

2nd STATE REP. DISTRICT
ALLIE-BRENNAN (D) | LEWIS (R)

Dem. State Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan

GOP candidate Jenn Lewis

107th STATE REP. DISTRICT
HOLMES (D) | FONCELLO (R)

PHOBE HOLMES
Campaign website
(VID) Remarks at Newtown DTC picnic

MARTIN FONCELLO

108th STATE REP. DISTRICT
CALLAHAN (R) | GINSBURG (D)

JEFF GINSBURG

PAT CALLAHAN

109th STATE REP. DISTRICT
SANTOS (D) | FERNANDEZ (R)

FARLEY SANTOS
Campaign website
(VID) Nomination speech

JESY FERNANDEZ
Campaign website
(VID) Nomination speech

110th STATE REP. DISTRICT
GODFREY | GLEISSNER

ROBERT GODFREY

(VID) Nomination speech

ERIC GLEISSNER
(VID) Nomination speech

138th STATE REP. DISTRICT
GUCKER (D) | CHALESKI (R)

KEN GUCKER
02.21.22 (NEWSTIMES):
"A lawmaker wants to build a school on Danbury’s most blighted site; GOP leaders say ‘absolutely not’"
(VID) Nomination speech

RACHEL CHALESKI
Info
Campaign website

Video
(VID) Nomination speech

News
03.31.22 (NEWSTIMES):
"With two Danbury school board candidates seeking state office, education emerges as major issue"

OFFICE OF PROBATE
DASILVA (D) | CHIEFFALO (R)

JOE DASILVA JR.
(VID): Nominaiton speech
10.20.22 (VID): Danbury Dems (local access TV)

DOM CHIEFFALO
(VID): Nomination speech

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