Danbury
Total registered voters: 32618
Number of votes casted: 11450
Turnout percentage: 35.10%

Secretary of the State Denise Merrill today released voter turnout numbers from the 2011 Municipal Elections which showed that overall, the statewide voter turnout among registered voters in Connecticut was 30.62%. The town with the highest voter turnout for the municipal offices was Hampton, where 63.75% of registered voters cast ballots. The town with the lowest voter turnout was Sterling, where only 6.01% of registered voters cast ballots. A complete listing of turnout among towns that held elections on November 8, 2011 is available online at www.sots.ct.gov and also follows on the bottom of this news release. Two towns that held municipal elections on November 8th have yet to report turnout figures to the office of the Secretary of the State. In addition, five towns held municipal elections in May.

“The devastating October snow storm presented some serious challenges to election administrators all over the state of Connecticut, and I think that shows up in the somewhat lower turnout figures compared to past municipal elections,” said Secretary Merrill, Connecticut’s chief elections official. “Despite the difficulties posed by a lack of electricity and mobility, and the displacement of many residents into shelters, I am proud of the way local elections official came together to make sure registered voters in Connecticut could cast ballots as scheduled on November 8th. Residents of our cities and towns got to see firsthand how the people elected to municipal government can have great impact on their communities – especially in a time of crisis. There were some communities where contested races clearly increased the voter turnout. I hope in the future we can help all of Connecticut’s citizens understand the importance of choosing the right leaders in their communities so we can see more people going to vote.”

n the spirit of creating downtown Danbury as the center for community
unity, prosperity and health, Andrea Gartner, Executive Director of
CityCenter Danbury, announces CityCenter's new seasonal initiative intended
to attract people to come to downtown Danbury and raise awareness of the
myriad scheduled events going on. This year, for CityCenter's Holiday
Season, from Light the Lights to First Night, there is truly something for
everyone to enjoy.

"I think it's important for the community to think of CityCenter as a
destination for the holidays this season," states Ms. Gartner, "We have
great momentum moving forward into 2012 with the formation of the Danbury
Main Street Partnership and a newly appointed Economic Development Director.
We need the support of everyone interested in seeing a thriving, revitalized
downtown. I invite the public to make at least one visit before the end of
the year, from Light the Lights to First Night, and come see what we're up
to. For example, a tour of our Museum in the Streets outdoor installation
might just be what interests visiting relatives; a show at the Palace
Danbury could be a welcome break from mall shopping; vacationing teens can
hit the independent, all-ages music scene at the Heirloom Arts Theatre,
sports fans can take in a Whalers game and youngsters can delight in the
Danbury Railway Museum's annual Santa Train. There is no better time than
the holidays to explore Main Street Danbury."

CityCenter Danbury's Holiday Celebration begins with the 36th Annual holiday
lighting event "Light the Lights". This year, the program has been moved to
Saturday, November 26th ( Thanksgiving holiday weekend) to provide a more
family-friendly program than the Tuesday nights of the recent past.

All events are free on Saturday, November 26th.

* Beginning at 11AM, the iconic Danbury art-scene mainstay, Malcolm
Tent, offers his Trash American Style 25th Anniversary Celebration Pop-Up
Store at the Heirloom Arts Theatre at 155 Main Street until 7PM.

* At 2PM, a Holiday Crafters' Gallery located down stairs in the
Danbury Library will be on hand until 7PM to help shoppers jumpstart their
gift giving ideas.

* From 3-4:30PM, there will be a drop-in holiday craft for children to
do at the Danbury Library

* The Palace Danbury located at 165 Main Street will be screening The
Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation for a free at 3:30PM. This movie is a
family comedy with a positive message for children ages 5 and above. Running
time is approximately 90 minutes.

All these activities precede the main event.

Each year, the community joins the Mayor of Danbury at sundown on the
Danbury Library Plaza for a countdown to turning on the downtown holiday
lights. This highly-anticipated Light the Lights program begins at 5:15PM
with performances by the Singers of St. James' Episcopal Church Choir,
students from 5-6-7-8 Dance Arts and a community brass ensemble coordinated
through the Danbury Music Centre.

Those gathered will be invited to join in the carol singing; a count down to
the tree lighting; and the arrival of Santa Claus. After the Honorable
Mayor Mark Boughton has flipped the giant light switch and downtown has been
illuminated, the Beckerle Hose Company will deliver Santa via fire truck to
Library Plaza where children can enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, tell their
wishes to Santa and have their picture taken with him.

Light the Lights kicks off a complete calendar of over two dozen events
happening in downtown at Danbury Library, Danbury Music Centre, Danbury
Museum and Historical Museum, Danbury Railway Museum, Danbury Whalers at the
Danbury Arena, Heirloom Arts Theatre, the Palace Danbury. The holiday
season culminates on Saturday, December 31st with the annual Run Into the
New Year 5K at 3PM and the community-wide, family-friendly First Night
Danbury from 4-8PM and finishing the year with a fireworks display. For a
complete list of everything that's happening, visit
www.citycenterdanbury.com or call 203-792-1711

One of the major credit ratings agencies warned Monday that October's nor'easter might have taken a toll on municipal credit ratings as towns head into winter with budget shortfalls.

While not issuing any official downgrades, Moody's Investors Service said the impact on credit ratings will vary by town, but overall it's a challenge.

"The prolonged delay in the restoration of electrical service is credit negative for many Connecticut local governments given the budgetary pressure of cleanup and other costs that are due early in the winter season," the Moody's report said, citing overtime costs and the need to open emergency shelters as contributing to budgetary stress.

[...]

The costs Moody's is particularly concerned about include: the depletion of winter storm budgets; the need to extend the school year due to lost days; and the lag in payments from federal and state sources that might create a liquidity problem for the municipalities.

Colleen Flanagan, a spokesman for Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, said he understands the problem.

"Municipalities have incurred a number of expenses following Tropical Storm Irene and last month's nor'easter, which is why Gov. Malloy has been so aggressive in pursuing (Federal Emergency Management Agency) funding for cities, towns, and homeowners," Flanagan said.