Mayor Cavo on DDTC endorsement reversal: "almost seems like they just shut the door on anybody else and said this is the guy"

Friday, April 16, 2021
Time: 2:56 PM

It's not everyday when Joe Cavo is in agreement with Democrats in Danbury who are enraged by Danbury Democratic Town Committee's endorsement reversal and walk back from their pledge to not nominate a candidate until the summer.

From today's Ethan & Lou show...

Lou Milano: "Big, big news from the Democrats in Danbury. The Danbury Democratic Town Committee has thrown their support and endorsed Roberto Alves as their candidate for Mayor."

Does this, first of all, your experience with Roberto but does this impact your decision as whether to run or not, in any way?

Joe Cavo: "None whatsoever. You know it's early for them, I mean extremely early for them. They do have other people that have expressed interest in running for Mayor. And, they should be looking at all of their folks and saying, you know, who would be the best candidate for us in the future?

To me, it just seems a little early but that's their business not mine. And, so it has no effect on my decision."

Lou Milano: "OK, so you think they did it too early? Is that what I am hearing or am I putting words in your mouth?"

Joe Cavo: "I don't think it should really happen for them. I think they are, I read something that their date is sometime in June or July, before the official nomination happens.

And, so you know, it's just early for that and their system of nominating is slightly different than the Republicans system of nominating, so I don't generally follow it but I just, when I heard that, I thought it was just a little early.

Just a little early, especially since there are other people that have expressed interest in running in the race. And so, you know they, to me, it almost seems like they just shut the door on anybody else and said this is the guy."


The 2021 budget proposal primer

Thursday, April 15, 2021
Time: 7:20 PM

It's budget time!

Here's all you need in order to get up to speed with this year's 267 million dollar budget proposal; the budget is scheduled for vote by the city council on May 4th.

DOCUMENTS:

(PDF) Proposed FY22-Budget and Ordinances

(PDF) 2021-2022 Proposed Budget

VIDEOS

Budget Workshop:


If you have concerns of questions about this year's budget proposal, make sure to contact your city council member and tell them what you think...

AT LARGE

Roberto Lopes Alves (D) • r.alves@danbury-ct.gov

Emile G. Buzaid, Jr. (R) • e.buzaid@danbury-ct.gov

Michael J. Esposito (R) • m.esposito@danbury-ct.gov

Warren M. Levy (R) • w.levy@danbury-ct.gov

Frank R. Salvatore, Jr. (D) • f.salvatore@danbury-ct.gov

Colleen A. Stanley (R) • c.stanley@danbury-ct.gov

Robert J. Taborsak (D) • r.taborsak@danbury-ct.gov

1ST WARD

Irving M. Fox (R) • i.fox@danbury-ct.gov

John Priola (R) • j.priola@danbury-ct.gov

2ND WARD

Council President Vinny DiGilio (R) • v.digilio@danbury-ct.gov

Elmer Palma (R) • e.palma@danbury-ct.gov

3RD WARD

Jack Knapp (R) • j.knapp@danbury-ct.gov

Mike Henry (R) • m.henry@danbury-ct.gov

4TH WARD

John J. Esposito III (D) • j.esposito@danbury-ct.gov

Farley Santos (D) • f.santos@danbury-ct.gov

5TH WARD

Duane E. Perkins (D) • d.perkins@danbury-ct.gov

Fred Visconti (D) • f.visconti@danbury-ct.gov

6TH WARD

Benjamin Chianese (D) • b.chianese@danbury-ct.gov

Paul T. Rotello (D) • p.rotello@danbury-ct.gov

7TH WARD

Nancy Cammisa (R) • n.cammisa@danbury-ct.gov

Richard W. Molinaro (D) • r.molinaro@danbury-ct.gov


Gartner endorsement reversal rationale raises more credibility concerns

Tuesday, April 13, 2021
Time: 8:39 PM

Today, Danbury Democratic Town Committee Chairperson Andreqa Gartner attempted to provide a raionale behind going back on her promise made on April 2nd to not endorse a candidate till the summer.

Previously, Gartner had said Democrat leadership would wait until its nominating meeting on July 20 to make its pick for mayor. On Tuesday, Gartner reasoned that in 2019 Democrat leadership endorsed Chris Setaro well before its summer meeting, and that Monday night’s endorsement of Alves was hardly a rash decision.

“It might have been different if Roberto Alves hadn’t already raised $75,000 and hadn’t already distributed literature to 2,000 doors and hadn’t already been endorsed by Danbury’s entire state delegation,” Gartner said. “He has clearly been getting the work done.”


Things to note:

1. The end of the fundraising period for Roberto Alves occured on March 31, two days before Gartner's promise to voters not to endorse any candidate until the summer.

2. The "entire state delegation" made their intentions known about their approval of Alves in statements and/or campaign contributions, weeks if not months before the recent state legislation announcement.

3. Most of the distribution of Alves literature happened BEFORE Gartner's promise to voters on April 2nd...and Gartner overstepped her bounds as being an impartial chairperson by actively campaigning for the Alves team.

In short, Gartner's explanation makes no sense.

As I stated in an earlier post, the top criticism among elected local and state officials centers around Gartner's political hubris and her inability to be honest with the public when being questioned about her decision-making.

This is not rocket science...Alves is Gartner's choice for mayor and her choice for mayor or Alves himself is not the issue.

The root of the problem with Gartner's interference in the process comes down to a lack of fairness that Democrats and progressives expect (and demand) to see from their party.

The problem with Gartner lies when a person blurs the lines between being an impartial chairperson and a campaign surrogate; in fairness to the process, Gartner simply can't have it both ways.

It's been twenty years since the city had an open seat mayoral election, and Danbury Democrats have 139 reasons to learn from the fallout that occurred the last time more than one candidate competed for the top of the party's ticket.


Esposito lashes out against "corrupt" town committee endorsement reversal; vows primary fight


Time: 7:19 PM

As fallout continues regarding last night's Democratic town committee endorsement reversal continues, Democratic Mayoral candidate John Esposito lashed out against chairperson Gartner and committee memebrs going as far as accusing them of corrupting the selection process.

In his remarks to the media, Esposito also promising a primary so that the voters will make the final decision on who will lead the Democratic slate in November.

I wasn’t surprised and expected the DDTC would endorse Roberto at that meeting, and I’m not loosing any sleep over it because I know the Danbury voters, and I’m going to force a primary and let them decide who the democratic candidate will be, not the members of the DDTC who have corrupted the process because many of them are elected officials and have spent the last few years recruiting DDTC members that will only support their people.

Neither myself or Mr Lawrence stood a chance at a endorsement or will get the nomination on July 20th.


Mayoral candidate Lawrence "surprised" with town committee endorsement reversal, demands: "let the voters voice be heard"


Time: 6:12 PM

As the controversy surrounding the Danbury Democratic Town Committee's decision to go back on thier promise to not endose a candidate until the summmer conveniton, earlier today in a statement to the media, a surprised Democratic mayoral candidate Sedeaka Lawrence expressed his frustration with the committee's sudden reversal.

The news of Danbury DTC endorsement of a candidate (official or unofficial) came as a surprise, the DTC is a body that represent the democratic voters of The City of Danbury.

I believe that the DTC should have waited until the summer as the chairperson stated in an article published in the Newtimes April 2, 2021 to back a candidate, "let the voters voice be heard". With the elections approaching and the quick decisions of the DTC, a question the voters will ask is "will my vote count or will it be a victim of vote suppression?"

Because of the DTC quick endorsement of a candidate 100 days before the nomination meeting, many democratic voters will now think their votes for a mayoral candidate might be swept aside. For over two decades of democratic defeats and three strong candidates, I believe that the DTC should have waited until after the primary (let the people of Danbury decide) as opposed to the DTC make such a decision.

Finally, regardless of which candidate the DTC favors, the citizen of Danbury should have a say before any official or unofficial endorsement made public.

Looking forward to a schedule debate

Sedeaka Lawrence, Mayoral Candidate

There is no word whether or not Democratic mayoral candidate John Esposito will issue a statement; I will provide an update if the situation changes.

DEVELOPING...


Has Danbury Democratic Town Committee Chairperson Andrea Gartner tarnished her credibility?


Time: 11:18 AM

To say that Andrea Gartner has given her critics more reason to question her competency as chairperson of the Danbury Democratic Town Committee would be an understatement.

Here's what Gartner told Newstimes reporter Julia Perkins on April 2nd regarding the steps the town committee would take in endorsing a candidate for mayor (NOTE: There are currently three Democrats challenging for the party's mayoral nomination: Roberto Alves, John Esposito, and Sedeaka Lawrence).

The Democratic Town Committee won’t endorse a candidate until the summer, said Andrea Gartner, chairwoman of the committee. Lawrence is a registered Democrat but not a member of the committee, although she said she welcomes his candidacy.
Here's what Gartner said at last night's town committee meeting (ten days after the Newstimes article).

Alves' early endorsement (and the avoidance of providing a roll call vote or an allowance to have "no" votes heard) came to no surprise to people who stated that the long-rumored move was in the works well before Gartner made her remarks to the newspaper.

I guess it's not like the chairperson was hiding her lack of impartiality since she was seen volenteeering for Alves door knocking campaigning...

It's one thing for the town committee to endorse a candiate when no one else has shown interest in the race. It is another matter when you have multiple candidates in the race and a chairperson who claimed that there would be no endorsement "until the summer" turns around and does the exact opposite in less than ten days.

To be crystal clear, I have no issue with Alves or his campaign, but I have serious concerns about the actions of a town committee chairperson who, in my opinion, overstepped her role as head of the town committee on more than one occasion and is stacking the decks in favor of HER candidate when she should and remain neutral and respect the process.

The main critique among Gartner's detractors is that her viewpoint takes precedence over the public's view. The recent actions of the chairperson only provide more merit to her critics.


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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