Ridgefield Issues With A Democrat Republicans Love: May 31, 2007 Broadcast.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Ridgefield issues were the topic on this week’s Ideas at Work and Beyond cablecast, with Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi and Ridgefield Board of Education member Kathy McGerald as guests and Ridgefield Press Editor Macklin Reid as guest host. Topics ranged from the 509-unit affordable housing plan put forward by Eureka V LLC for the 153-acre Bennett’s Pond property, to a new proposal being talked of to make zoning violations subject to a town fines, to some of the reasons and history behind Ridgefield’s lack of participation in the Danbury-based magnet school offering Spanish language to elementary-aged students. Next Thursday’s June 8 show will feature a talk with Ridgefield Board of Education Chairman Keith Miller, followed by a discussion of Danbury’s proposed parade ordinance.
Rudy Marconi-A Brief Biography
Rudy Marconi, a native Ridgefielder, grew up and attended school here in Ridgefield. After graduation Mr. Marconi attended the Nichols College of Business Administration where he earned his BBA. For 15 years, Mr. Marconi worked in the paper and printing industry until he decided to return to Ridgefield and join the family contracting company.
Mr. Marconi joined the Ridgefield political scene in 1989 when he campaigned for a seat on the Planning and Zoning Commission. He served in this position for 4 years when he campaigned and was elected to the Board of Selectman in 1993, an office he also held for 4 years. In 1999, Mr. Marconi challenged the incumbent and won. Mr. Marconi was re-elected to his fourth term as First Selectman in November of 2005.
Currently, Mr. Marconi’s energies include, but are not limited to, Co-chairing the Ridgefield Community Coalition Against Substance Abuse; a member of CAACE (CT Alliance Against Casino Expansion); working as Vice Chairman of HRRA (Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority); as Chairman of HVCEO (Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials); and working with the Ridgefield Lyme Disease Task Force to address the overpopulation of deer and tick-borne disease issues.
Rudy Marconi-A Brief Biography
Rudy Marconi, a native Ridgefielder, grew up and attended school here in Ridgefield. After graduation Mr. Marconi attended the Nichols College of Business Administration where he earned his BBA. For 15 years, Mr. Marconi worked in the paper and printing industry until he decided to return to Ridgefield and join the family contracting company.
Mr. Marconi joined the Ridgefield political scene in 1989 when he campaigned for a seat on the Planning and Zoning Commission. He served in this position for 4 years when he campaigned and was elected to the Board of Selectman in 1993, an office he also held for 4 years. In 1999, Mr. Marconi challenged the incumbent and won. Mr. Marconi was re-elected to his fourth term as First Selectman in November of 2005.
Currently, Mr. Marconi’s energies include, but are not limited to, Co-chairing the Ridgefield Community Coalition Against Substance Abuse; a member of CAACE (CT Alliance Against Casino Expansion); working as Vice Chairman of HRRA (Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority); as Chairman of HVCEO (Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials); and working with the Ridgefield Lyme Disease Task Force to address the overpopulation of deer and tick-borne disease issues.
Senator Christopher Dodd and Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut: Do They Support the Troops in Iraq?
The United State Senate approved $120 billion bill funding military operations in Iraq. Sen. Christopher Dodd voted NO and Sen. Joseph Lieberman voted YES. The question is, which one of these senators is really supporting our troops in Iraq?
I almost forget to mention pretty boy. He also voted No. Is he supporting our troops in Iraq? Click here to see what he has to say.
How clever are the United States politicians? Instead of impeaching President Bush, they want to give our soldiers a blank check so they can be murdered by al Qaeda in Iraq. Very clever guys! Very Clever!
Click here to read what is being published on the war in Iraq in Lebanon Newspapers. Lebanon? Let's be real!
I almost forget to mention pretty boy. He also voted No. Is he supporting our troops in Iraq? Click here to see what he has to say.
How clever are the United States politicians? Instead of impeaching President Bush, they want to give our soldiers a blank check so they can be murdered by al Qaeda in Iraq. Very clever guys! Very Clever!
Click here to read what is being published on the war in Iraq in Lebanon Newspapers. Lebanon? Let's be real!
Mayor Mark Boughton Disrespected Our Veterans and Soldiers on Memorial Day
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
On Monday, May 28, 2007, the City of Danbury and its residents celebrated Memorial Day. A truly special day for our veterans and soldiers, a day of gratitude for giving their lives to protect the citizens of our country, proud citizens and humble men and women. In no way should this day have any political tinge to it. It’s a day of respect, honor and dignity. When I saw Mayor Boughton’s enormous political signs on the corner of Main Street, I was appalled and embarrassed as a resident of this wonderful City. No candidates have gone to this extreme for their own political gain, nor did any other candidate post signs or promote their campaign on this solemn day. Respect for our solders is what this day is all about Mayor, not your political campaign, shame on you for disrespecting our men and women in uniform. We demand an apology!!!!!!
This letter was sent to me from a reader of this blog and a viewer of the show.
Email your concerns and news to me at makenews@yahoo.com
This letter was sent to me from a reader of this blog and a viewer of the show.
Email your concerns and news to me at makenews@yahoo.com
Public Housing in the News: Not Good!
This is a must read article from the news. You can read the article by clicking here.
Honoring The Dead and Screwing the Living
Monday, May 28, 2007
One of the best ways to honor the dead is to seriously consider becoming a politician? It is an appealing profession. It provides the venue to be human and beast simultaneously. You can call yourself a "Conservative Christian" while blatantly lying, stealing, cheating, conspiring to commit fraud, committing fraud, silencing others, violating the constitution, state laws and city & town charters and blaming others for your mischievousness. Don't worry, we won't think anything less of you. You would only be a part of a brilliant system that has survived since the beginning of time, and has been proven to work. The beauty of this is that "we the people" knowingly allow potentials like you to take full advantage of this brilliant system for your own personal gain at our expense. I would like to end by saying happy Memorial Day. Please read this press release from one of our Conservative Christian Brothers! The man who really knows how to work the system.
P.S. This passage might seem cynical or that I am using a national holiday that is precious to many people who wish to honor the dead who risked their lives for others; however, many politicians use Memorial Day as a platform to propel their careers for their own personal gains knowing perfectly well that they have no regard for the dead, or the living for that matter, but only want to pursue their own personal agendas.
P.S. This passage might seem cynical or that I am using a national holiday that is precious to many people who wish to honor the dead who risked their lives for others; however, many politicians use Memorial Day as a platform to propel their careers for their own personal gains knowing perfectly well that they have no regard for the dead, or the living for that matter, but only want to pursue their own personal agendas.
Danbury taxpayers have become victims of fraud in BRT’s bait and switch urban renewal project.
Friday, May 25, 2007
By Lynn Taborsak,
Danbury Common Council, At Large (D)
Danbury taxpayers have become victims of fraud in BRT’s bait and switch urban renewal project. The “bait” was an offer to the City Council in 2005 to develop 115 units of market rate rentals at 30 Crosby Street for young professionals and mature empty nesters with disposable income to spend in our urban core.
The “switch” was Bertram’s 2006 offer to WCSU for exclusive use of the property as a residence for 324 students paying $6650 to $7050 to live there for nine months.
Bertram gets to double the occupancy of his building, double his rental income and walks away with a property tax deferral worth 1.2 million dollars. He can laugh all the way to the bank.
WCSU gets a free dormitory without lobbying the governor, the legislature or the Bond Commission. The university will close Fairfield Hall for renovations next year thanks to the generosity of the previous Common Council. Maybe Western should secede from the State University System and change its name back to Danbury Teachers College.
Taxpayers in Danbury get royally screwed and there is no public outcry. No members of the public were allowed to speak at the May 22nd meeting to rescind the deferral. No coverage of the meeting was provided by the News Times. The seven Council members who petitioned to rescind the deferral were not allowed to fully debate the issue. The chairman apparently thought the developer’s views were more important. Bertram gave a 10 minute power point presentation. Mark Boughton sang the projects’ praises. What more was needed?
The meeting was continued to allow Council Members to tour the building. Will the physical form of the project somehow justify Bertram’s bait and switch? Wouldn’t the building look the same with real tenants in it?
I hope the public is fed up with the rubber stamp administration of Mark Boughton and his Republican Common Council. It has ended even the appearance of checks and balances, real discussion and real debate by the legislative body.
Danbury Common Council, At Large (D)
Danbury taxpayers have become victims of fraud in BRT’s bait and switch urban renewal project. The “bait” was an offer to the City Council in 2005 to develop 115 units of market rate rentals at 30 Crosby Street for young professionals and mature empty nesters with disposable income to spend in our urban core.
The “switch” was Bertram’s 2006 offer to WCSU for exclusive use of the property as a residence for 324 students paying $6650 to $7050 to live there for nine months.
Bertram gets to double the occupancy of his building, double his rental income and walks away with a property tax deferral worth 1.2 million dollars. He can laugh all the way to the bank.
WCSU gets a free dormitory without lobbying the governor, the legislature or the Bond Commission. The university will close Fairfield Hall for renovations next year thanks to the generosity of the previous Common Council. Maybe Western should secede from the State University System and change its name back to Danbury Teachers College.
Taxpayers in Danbury get royally screwed and there is no public outcry. No members of the public were allowed to speak at the May 22nd meeting to rescind the deferral. No coverage of the meeting was provided by the News Times. The seven Council members who petitioned to rescind the deferral were not allowed to fully debate the issue. The chairman apparently thought the developer’s views were more important. Bertram gave a 10 minute power point presentation. Mark Boughton sang the projects’ praises. What more was needed?
The meeting was continued to allow Council Members to tour the building. Will the physical form of the project somehow justify Bertram’s bait and switch? Wouldn’t the building look the same with real tenants in it?
I hope the public is fed up with the rubber stamp administration of Mark Boughton and his Republican Common Council. It has ended even the appearance of checks and balances, real discussion and real debate by the legislative body.
State and Local Budget: Should we worry? May 24, 2007 Broadcast.
The round table discussed the State and local budgets as well as BRT’s bait and switch practices in Danbury.
Part 1:
Part 2:
Danbury Democratic Town Committee Members: Traitors or Heroes?
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Rumor has it that few Danbury Democratic Town Committee members contributed to Mayor Boughton re-election victory two years ago. Some people might see these members as traitors or heroes. Why did they help Mayor Boughton and not their own candidate? As I was searching for answers, I came a cross an article titled "Incumbents vs Debutants." In the article, it is stated,
Could this be the reason some Danbury Democratic Town Committee members secretly campaigned for Mayor Boughton two years ago? I wonder if these same people will help Mayor Boughton this year. Should Helena Abrantes worry? Will the behavior of these members affect the voters in 2007? Should democrats get the “feeling that their candidate [Helena Abrantes] is destined to fail,” and therefore, “vote for the incumbent candidate [Mayor Mark Boughton] to make their vote bear fruit”? If those Danbury Democratic Town Committee members thought that their candidate was destined to fail before the election took place, they should have read the paragraph below from the article.
The incumbent candidate with active support of his personal staff – who are paid from the Govt kitty- unleash vicious campaigns through visual medias maligning the opponent’s image; who finds it hard to counter as he has less access with powers that be. Lack of resources and media coverage makes him low-profile from the very beginning. Even his voters get a feeling that their candidate is destined to fail, and do not take pains to work for him not even cast a vote for him. Even his party-men may vote for the incumbent candidate to make their vote bear fruit!
Could this be the reason some Danbury Democratic Town Committee members secretly campaigned for Mayor Boughton two years ago? I wonder if these same people will help Mayor Boughton this year. Should Helena Abrantes worry? Will the behavior of these members affect the voters in 2007? Should democrats get the “feeling that their candidate [Helena Abrantes] is destined to fail,” and therefore, “vote for the incumbent candidate [Mayor Mark Boughton] to make their vote bear fruit”? If those Danbury Democratic Town Committee members thought that their candidate was destined to fail before the election took place, they should have read the paragraph below from the article.
A debutant candidate has his own plus points; he offers a change in the whole boring landscape of electoral politics, he rekindles hope and new aspirations in the minds of people who wish to see some pleasant change –however small it is- in the process of democracy which has been here for quite a lot of time. Whether the debutant will fulfill the aspirations is another matter, but can offer some hope for the voters even for the sake of just hope, it would be far better than living without hope!
Chaos on Padanaram
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
I have traveled down Padanaram Road toward Route 37 for the last 24 years of my life. I am amazed at the absurdity of the recent development on this roadway. Since the opening of Elmer’s Diner, chaos is the only word I can think of. The parking situation is out of control. People are parking on the roadway, across the street in the shopping center and attempting to stop traffic to cross the street. This situation is an unsafe and was irresponsible in allowing this type of business to be placed at this location. If I remember correctly, this piece of property was only approved for a small house for Ann’s Place. The traffic would have been very minimal, basically not interfering with the flow of traffic and causing havoc. I am very concerned for the safety and well-being of people at this location, it’s a disaster waiting to happen. I pray to God that I am wrong. Mayor Boughton, please don’t blame the prior administration, the zoning requirements were changed during your administration in the last 6 years.
By Helena Abrantes, Candidate for Mayor (D)
By Helena Abrantes, Candidate for Mayor (D)
GRANDSTANDING AT THE COST OF OUR RESIDENTS
By Helena Abrantes, Candidate for Mayor (D)
In attempting to personally defeat amendments to the parade ordinance, Mayor Boughton has once again not abided by the City Charter and has not followed the democratic process on which this country was founded. The initial proposal for this ordinance was for the purpose of stopping sporadic parades which interfere with the normal function of our city. The city streets cannot be blocked in a manner which could hamper the safety of the residents of Danbury. The Mayor and Corporation Counsel knew or should have known that the Charter only allows the Mayor to vote in the event of a tie vote. The Mayor’s actions were not only wrong, they were a blatant attempt to subvert the bipartisan majority of the Common Council.
In no way will this ordinance aide the city in the safety issue of our residents and tax payers with regards to sporadic parades. This is a form of headlining for press once again without accomplishing anything. The city already has a parade ordinance that in fact will provide the Police Department with the ability to follow through with the laws of our City.
The new ordinance specifically states in Sec. 11-15 (Definitions) (d):
In attempting to personally defeat amendments to the parade ordinance, Mayor Boughton has once again not abided by the City Charter and has not followed the democratic process on which this country was founded. The initial proposal for this ordinance was for the purpose of stopping sporadic parades which interfere with the normal function of our city. The city streets cannot be blocked in a manner which could hamper the safety of the residents of Danbury. The Mayor and Corporation Counsel knew or should have known that the Charter only allows the Mayor to vote in the event of a tie vote. The Mayor’s actions were not only wrong, they were a blatant attempt to subvert the bipartisan majority of the Common Council.
In no way will this ordinance aide the city in the safety issue of our residents and tax payers with regards to sporadic parades. This is a form of headlining for press once again without accomplishing anything. The city already has a parade ordinance that in fact will provide the Police Department with the ability to follow through with the laws of our City.
The new ordinance specifically states in Sec. 11-15 (Definitions) (d):
Public assembly means any meeting, demonstration, picket line, rally or gathering, which the parade permit applicant believes will consist of more than twenty-five (25) persons, held on the streets, sidewalks, parks or other public property owned by or under the control of the City of Danbury.
This ordinance also states that a requirement of 3 days is necessary to obtain a permit. This ordinance can interfere with the homecoming for Danbury High School . The Homecoming parade, which would require a permit if this ordinance is enacted and cause the tax payers once again to foot the bill for a fee which is required at this point of $100.00. This does not impact anyone except for the wallets of the taxpayer. This would no way stop a sporadic parade. This would interfere with a strike, a possible rally. That is not what the residents asked for.
I believe that we need to start truly caring about this city and do what is necessary for the safety of our community and educate people. Education is the most important form of communication. If someone is living here, they need to learn the laws already in existence and abide by the laws of this City. If the individuals do not want to abide by the laws of our city then in fact there are consequences which arise and the matter needs to be addressed in our court system. I don’t believe in political grandstanding, I believe in the safety and the well being of our community and I do believe we used to have that safety when we had a government that was truly caring and visionary.
Highly Recommended
Don't leave home without reading The Hill and the Roll Call! These newspapers are highly recommended.
These People Got Balls!!: Democracy at Work
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
On May 10, 2007, News-Times Online Editor Elizabeth Putnam sat down with Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton and Police Chief Alan Baker for the second half of the show of Ideas At Work and Beyond discussing the parade ordinance, sex offender ordinance, the recent rash of robberies in the city and over-development issues, etc. On May 11, 2007, however, the Mayor shared his feelings of the show on his blog. People who saw the show decided to respond to the Mayor's comment, and the Mayor responded back and it went on and on. For your enjoyment, I copied and pasted the comments. You can also read what other bloggers have said about the Mayor's remark of the May 10th show. Enjoy!
Comments Made on Mayor Boughton's Blog
Friday, May 11, 2007
Always do your homework.
Last night I was on a cable access show here in Danbury. Most of the 1/2 hour was taken up by a discussion of illegal immigration, the final few minutes were dedicated to development in Danbury.It was interesting to see that some of the callers were local Democratic activists who are passionate about their beliefs (including one Democratic Councilwoman who forgot to turn down her T.V.), but don't always have all of the information at their fingertips.I learned long ago as a candidate and as a public servant to always do your homework. I never ask a question that I don't already know the answer to. I'm not bragging, it is just necessary for my own political survival to make sure I have a mastery of the issues. This does not mean that I am always right, nobody is always right. But you can count on that I have done my homework...
Posted by MayorMark at 10:12 PM
Labels: Always do your homework.
9 comments:
Anonymous said...
You can see the entire show at www.iawab.blogspot.com.
May 13, 2007 9:09 AM
Anonymous said...
Good job Mayor.Keep the heat on illegal aliens as much as possible...you have the support of the majority of the community.Please run again for Mayor, we need you.
May 13, 2007 10:02 AM
MayorMark said...
Thanks. I would also be remiss if I did not mention there was some discussion about the Parade Ordinance and a brief discussion about robberies.Unfortunatly, due to the heavy volume of calls by political insiders, Elizabth Putnam could not get to all of her questions. I would be happy to do it again.
May 13, 2007 11:30 AM
MayorMark said...
I had to turn on the moderate comments section due to people leaving unsigned posts.It's unfortunate, but if you are going leave silly comments, then have the courage to leave your name..
May 14, 2007 6:39 AM
Chris said...
From your comments, I'm not sure whether I saw the same show that you've been describing. On the show I saw, you got a compliment on Clean City Danbury from Lynn (Waller?) and Chief Baker was asked about the pipe bomb case by, you said, Lynn Taborsak. Those calls, together with the responses, took about 2 minutes. How much of the "heavy volume of calls by political insiders" did they constitute?Another caller wanted to know about driving with a Brazilian driver's license (not valid) and a fourth saw some people fishing for trout at Candlewood Lake and wondered if the local police can enforce fish and game laws (no). The interviewer,Liz Putnam, was actually able to ask about quite a few issues. There were 5 minutes on police matters, including the statistics on robberies and assaults, our next safe-city ranking and the date for the ground-breaking for the new police station. There were another 4 minutes on the parade ordinance in which Chief Baker praised the ordinance in his previous city and you disagreed with the view of the Corporation Counsel who drafted it on the scope of Danbury's proposed ordinance. And there were about 3 minutes on the future of Kennedy Park, BRT building plans and the prospects for a hiring site for day laborers. There were three segments on "illegal immigration" per se which took about 4 minutes. One was the assertion by a fifth caller that day laborers are illegal immigrants and therefore any contractor stopping near Kennedy Park should be arrested. You said the courts had ruled against that and we need judges who will make different interpretations. In response to the driver's license caller you said that the Congress should enforce immigration law. Liz answered the trout caller that she is not qualified to determine someone's immigration status. With about 8 minutes left,"Ken" who did indeed sound like a Democratic activist,asked about responsibility for over-development and you responded with a long statement on the history of development in Danbury.So, all in all, most of the show was not taken up with illegal immigration, Liz got to ask a lot of questions and the only Democratic activist was Ken who didn't really get to say much and with whom you seem to be in agreement, at least on the Cotswold parcel. I hope you will be on IAWAB again soon. How about next time stay for the whole hour and appear with some members of the loyal opposition.
May 14, 2007 12:58 PM
MayorMark said...
Chris,Thanks for the comments. See my comments above. What you could not see was the volume of calls on the phone (all lines were busy for most of the 1/2 hour.)I think we are nit picking issues here-for example do you classify where Day Laborers would stand with the larger issue of illegal immigration? etc. etc.I would be happy to do a full hour and have in the past.I did not disagree with the Corporation Counsel regarding the scope of the Parade Ordinance, I disagreed with the statement made by Liz and others that the ordinance would not impact the World Cup celebrations on Main Street.I was asked by Ivan to come on for 1/2 hour with Chief Baker. I was not asked to do a debate nor would I be willing to participate in one at this time. There will be plenty of time for debating in the fall.
May 14, 2007 2:07 PM
ken said...
I will try this again for I am new to this blogging thing. I did not know there was a rule that you needed to id yourself as the first two posts did not do so.Prevously deleated post:First, I find your statements both insulting and hypocritical. As far as someone doing his or her homework, with regard to the Cotswold project that you brought up, it is you who needs to study some more. We both know the truth on that subject, and the only reason that the project has met the resistance it has, and which has caused the developer to pull out twice before, is due to myself and my neighbors doing our homework. If there is any project I know, it is Cotswold.Second, I do not like partisan politics and do not like being accused of such, as I ask questions of the Democrats as well. It shouldn’t be ‘us and them’, but ‘right and wrong’. This time I think you are wrong, but I will address that at a later time and place.It’s funny, I did not tell you my party affiliation, but since I disagreed with you, you automatically assumed I must be a “Democratic Activist.” Apparently, you must have assumed I was a Democrat because you believe a good Republican would just blindly follow your lead, no matter the harm it might bring to the city or to the constitutional rights of it’s citizens. That is something that I will not stand by and watch. I have witnessed too much of that already.Trust me, I have done my homework, and I will now be doing a lot more.Oh, and if you look at the tape again, you’ll see who was doing all the talking -- and it was not “political insiders” taking up all the time.
May 14, 2007 10:20 PM
Chris said...
You say you were disagreeing with "Liz and others". Well, the main "other" is Corporation Counsel Gottschalk.From the minutes of the Common Council meeting of April 23 which followed a public hearing on the Parade and Public Assembly Ordinance: "Attorney Gottschalk said the concept for this arose because of public concern about outbursts of enthusiasms after sporting events...what they are looking at here doesn't go to the heart of the motivation." In other words, the ordinance will not have, according to its drafter, any effect on spontaneous events like the World Cup celebrations on Main Street. Mr. Gottschalk has said this over and over again in public meetings.For you to claim that the World Cup celebrations were "planned" because you and Chief Baker were talking about your own contingencies does not make them "planned" for the purposes of the ordinance. Your logic in claiming that the many calls which could not be taken was because of "political insiders" and "Democratic activists" is equally flawed. Six calls were taken, the rest of the callers lost out and will have to try again next time you are on. It was only a half-hour show and you, as the main guest, did most of the talking, which was as it should be. There was only time for a limited number of calls.On the Parade and Public Assembly Ordinance: you and President Cavo must return the deliberations to the last valid vote, the one before your improper vote. That was a bipartisan majority vote to recommit the ordinance so that the proposed amendments, which were also supported by a majority, could be properly reviewed.Anything else shows the utmost disrespect for the Common Council.
May 15, 2007 9:23 AM
MayorMark said...
Folks, thanks for your comments and thanks for stopping my blog. I guess we will have to agree to disagree.All the Best,MayorMark
May 15, 2007 4:32 PM
Comments Made on Mayor Boughton's Blog
Friday, May 11, 2007
Always do your homework.
Last night I was on a cable access show here in Danbury. Most of the 1/2 hour was taken up by a discussion of illegal immigration, the final few minutes were dedicated to development in Danbury.It was interesting to see that some of the callers were local Democratic activists who are passionate about their beliefs (including one Democratic Councilwoman who forgot to turn down her T.V.), but don't always have all of the information at their fingertips.I learned long ago as a candidate and as a public servant to always do your homework. I never ask a question that I don't already know the answer to. I'm not bragging, it is just necessary for my own political survival to make sure I have a mastery of the issues. This does not mean that I am always right, nobody is always right. But you can count on that I have done my homework...
Posted by MayorMark at 10:12 PM
Labels: Always do your homework.
9 comments:
Anonymous said...
You can see the entire show at www.iawab.blogspot.com.
May 13, 2007 9:09 AM
Anonymous said...
Good job Mayor.Keep the heat on illegal aliens as much as possible...you have the support of the majority of the community.Please run again for Mayor, we need you.
May 13, 2007 10:02 AM
MayorMark said...
Thanks. I would also be remiss if I did not mention there was some discussion about the Parade Ordinance and a brief discussion about robberies.Unfortunatly, due to the heavy volume of calls by political insiders, Elizabth Putnam could not get to all of her questions. I would be happy to do it again.
May 13, 2007 11:30 AM
MayorMark said...
I had to turn on the moderate comments section due to people leaving unsigned posts.It's unfortunate, but if you are going leave silly comments, then have the courage to leave your name..
May 14, 2007 6:39 AM
Chris said...
From your comments, I'm not sure whether I saw the same show that you've been describing. On the show I saw, you got a compliment on Clean City Danbury from Lynn (Waller?) and Chief Baker was asked about the pipe bomb case by, you said, Lynn Taborsak. Those calls, together with the responses, took about 2 minutes. How much of the "heavy volume of calls by political insiders" did they constitute?Another caller wanted to know about driving with a Brazilian driver's license (not valid) and a fourth saw some people fishing for trout at Candlewood Lake and wondered if the local police can enforce fish and game laws (no). The interviewer,Liz Putnam, was actually able to ask about quite a few issues. There were 5 minutes on police matters, including the statistics on robberies and assaults, our next safe-city ranking and the date for the ground-breaking for the new police station. There were another 4 minutes on the parade ordinance in which Chief Baker praised the ordinance in his previous city and you disagreed with the view of the Corporation Counsel who drafted it on the scope of Danbury's proposed ordinance. And there were about 3 minutes on the future of Kennedy Park, BRT building plans and the prospects for a hiring site for day laborers. There were three segments on "illegal immigration" per se which took about 4 minutes. One was the assertion by a fifth caller that day laborers are illegal immigrants and therefore any contractor stopping near Kennedy Park should be arrested. You said the courts had ruled against that and we need judges who will make different interpretations. In response to the driver's license caller you said that the Congress should enforce immigration law. Liz answered the trout caller that she is not qualified to determine someone's immigration status. With about 8 minutes left,"Ken" who did indeed sound like a Democratic activist,asked about responsibility for over-development and you responded with a long statement on the history of development in Danbury.So, all in all, most of the show was not taken up with illegal immigration, Liz got to ask a lot of questions and the only Democratic activist was Ken who didn't really get to say much and with whom you seem to be in agreement, at least on the Cotswold parcel. I hope you will be on IAWAB again soon. How about next time stay for the whole hour and appear with some members of the loyal opposition.
May 14, 2007 12:58 PM
MayorMark said...
Chris,Thanks for the comments. See my comments above. What you could not see was the volume of calls on the phone (all lines were busy for most of the 1/2 hour.)I think we are nit picking issues here-for example do you classify where Day Laborers would stand with the larger issue of illegal immigration? etc. etc.I would be happy to do a full hour and have in the past.I did not disagree with the Corporation Counsel regarding the scope of the Parade Ordinance, I disagreed with the statement made by Liz and others that the ordinance would not impact the World Cup celebrations on Main Street.I was asked by Ivan to come on for 1/2 hour with Chief Baker. I was not asked to do a debate nor would I be willing to participate in one at this time. There will be plenty of time for debating in the fall.
May 14, 2007 2:07 PM
ken said...
I will try this again for I am new to this blogging thing. I did not know there was a rule that you needed to id yourself as the first two posts did not do so.Prevously deleated post:First, I find your statements both insulting and hypocritical. As far as someone doing his or her homework, with regard to the Cotswold project that you brought up, it is you who needs to study some more. We both know the truth on that subject, and the only reason that the project has met the resistance it has, and which has caused the developer to pull out twice before, is due to myself and my neighbors doing our homework. If there is any project I know, it is Cotswold.Second, I do not like partisan politics and do not like being accused of such, as I ask questions of the Democrats as well. It shouldn’t be ‘us and them’, but ‘right and wrong’. This time I think you are wrong, but I will address that at a later time and place.It’s funny, I did not tell you my party affiliation, but since I disagreed with you, you automatically assumed I must be a “Democratic Activist.” Apparently, you must have assumed I was a Democrat because you believe a good Republican would just blindly follow your lead, no matter the harm it might bring to the city or to the constitutional rights of it’s citizens. That is something that I will not stand by and watch. I have witnessed too much of that already.Trust me, I have done my homework, and I will now be doing a lot more.Oh, and if you look at the tape again, you’ll see who was doing all the talking -- and it was not “political insiders” taking up all the time.
May 14, 2007 10:20 PM
Chris said...
You say you were disagreeing with "Liz and others". Well, the main "other" is Corporation Counsel Gottschalk.From the minutes of the Common Council meeting of April 23 which followed a public hearing on the Parade and Public Assembly Ordinance: "Attorney Gottschalk said the concept for this arose because of public concern about outbursts of enthusiasms after sporting events...what they are looking at here doesn't go to the heart of the motivation." In other words, the ordinance will not have, according to its drafter, any effect on spontaneous events like the World Cup celebrations on Main Street. Mr. Gottschalk has said this over and over again in public meetings.For you to claim that the World Cup celebrations were "planned" because you and Chief Baker were talking about your own contingencies does not make them "planned" for the purposes of the ordinance. Your logic in claiming that the many calls which could not be taken was because of "political insiders" and "Democratic activists" is equally flawed. Six calls were taken, the rest of the callers lost out and will have to try again next time you are on. It was only a half-hour show and you, as the main guest, did most of the talking, which was as it should be. There was only time for a limited number of calls.On the Parade and Public Assembly Ordinance: you and President Cavo must return the deliberations to the last valid vote, the one before your improper vote. That was a bipartisan majority vote to recommit the ordinance so that the proposed amendments, which were also supported by a majority, could be properly reviewed.Anything else shows the utmost disrespect for the Common Council.
May 15, 2007 9:23 AM
MayorMark said...
Folks, thanks for your comments and thanks for stopping my blog. I guess we will have to agree to disagree.All the Best,MayorMark
May 15, 2007 4:32 PM
We Are Looking for News from Around the World!
If you have breaking news you want people to know, please email it to me at makenews@yahoo.com, and I will publish it on this blog.
Shouldn’t all residents of the City of Danbury have a local police department that provides safety and security for all?
Monday, May 21, 2007
By Lynn Taborsak,
Danbury Common Council, At Large (D)
On Thursday, May 17th, a delegation of Danbury residents traveled to New Haven to meet with Police Chief Francisco Ortiz, Sergeant Luiz Casanova, District Manager for the Fair Haven Substation, Kica Matos, , Director of Community Services. Sean Matteson, Chief of Staff for Mayor John DeStefano Jr. and leaders of New Haven’s Latino community. We came away with a good understanding of why New Haven has been named an “All American City” by the National Civic League, not once, but twice, since 1998. They resoundingly deserve the “Nobel Prize” for good citizenship.
We went specifically to learn about their nationally recognized community policing initiative and Chief Ortiz’s 2006 General Order concerning citizenship status and enforcement of federal immigration laws. New Haven’s General Order was modeled after the very successful immigration policy of the City of Houston.
In New Haven, the goal of the General Order is to provide for the safety and security of all community residents, regardless of their immigration status, and the results have been dramatic. There has been an 18% reduction in crime in the Fair Haven district, home to the city’s 12,000 undocumented immigrants. Community policing and strong involvement with community organizations empower neighborhoods to stand up to crime and criminal activity where they live.
Chief Ortiz explained that he requires three things of his officers: a commitment to the community, both on duty and off duty; good communication skills that can help diffuse volatile situations and resolve problems; and the courage to be a moral authority in the community and stand up to injustice.
New Haven joins 9 other major cities in protecting all residents and their property without regard to immigration status. But it’s not carte blanche for criminals! You will be arrested for breaking the law. Shouldn’t all residents of the City of Danbury have a local police department that provides safety and security for all?
Danbury Common Council, At Large (D)
On Thursday, May 17th, a delegation of Danbury residents traveled to New Haven to meet with Police Chief Francisco Ortiz, Sergeant Luiz Casanova, District Manager for the Fair Haven Substation, Kica Matos, , Director of Community Services. Sean Matteson, Chief of Staff for Mayor John DeStefano Jr. and leaders of New Haven’s Latino community. We came away with a good understanding of why New Haven has been named an “All American City” by the National Civic League, not once, but twice, since 1998. They resoundingly deserve the “Nobel Prize” for good citizenship.
We went specifically to learn about their nationally recognized community policing initiative and Chief Ortiz’s 2006 General Order concerning citizenship status and enforcement of federal immigration laws. New Haven’s General Order was modeled after the very successful immigration policy of the City of Houston.
In New Haven, the goal of the General Order is to provide for the safety and security of all community residents, regardless of their immigration status, and the results have been dramatic. There has been an 18% reduction in crime in the Fair Haven district, home to the city’s 12,000 undocumented immigrants. Community policing and strong involvement with community organizations empower neighborhoods to stand up to crime and criminal activity where they live.
Chief Ortiz explained that he requires three things of his officers: a commitment to the community, both on duty and off duty; good communication skills that can help diffuse volatile situations and resolve problems; and the courage to be a moral authority in the community and stand up to injustice.
New Haven joins 9 other major cities in protecting all residents and their property without regard to immigration status. But it’s not carte blanche for criminals! You will be arrested for breaking the law. Shouldn’t all residents of the City of Danbury have a local police department that provides safety and security for all?
The Ongoing Revitalization of Danbury ’s Historic District. May 17, 2007 Broadcast
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Description:
Danbury has always been a place about community and nowhere can the community convene, congregate, and celebrate than downtown. CityCenter is committed to the ongoing revitalization of Danbury ’s historic district.
On May 17, 2007, Andrea Gartner, Manager of CityCenter Danbury sat down with former Mayor Gene F. Eriquez to discuss her ongoing revitalization initiatives.
The Ongoing Revitalization
Beginning Saturday, June 16th at 7:30PM with the Danbury Symphony Orchestra Pops Concert which includes fireworks for everyone at 9:40PM, CityCenter Summer Series, Concerts on the Green will bring 10-weeks of outdoor, free to the public performances in the heart of the dining district on Ives Street.
Thursdays is Family Night with many activities for the kids prior to the 6:30PM concert. Programs were selected to bring a variety of music and theatre to be enjoyed by every generation. An ice cream social follows at 8PM.
Friday is “Local Scene on the Green”. Help us cultivate a local music scene by enjoying our area’s talent. Concerts at 7:30PM
CityCenter Saturdays begin at 7:30 with quality alternative, R&B, and world rhythms. Come and explore a new level of music.
The CityCenter Farmers’ Market begins July 13th and continues every Friday from 11-4 at Kennedy Park.
Contact CityCenter Danbury:
Andrea Gartner Jabara
Manager
CityCenter Danbury
186 Main Street
Danbury, CT 06810
Office: (203) 792-1711
Fax: (203) 792-7981
Email: andreagartner@citycenterdanbury.com
Danbury has always been a place about community and nowhere can the community convene, congregate, and celebrate than downtown. CityCenter is committed to the ongoing revitalization of Danbury ’s historic district.
On May 17, 2007, Andrea Gartner, Manager of CityCenter Danbury sat down with former Mayor Gene F. Eriquez to discuss her ongoing revitalization initiatives.
The Ongoing Revitalization
Beginning Saturday, June 16th at 7:30PM with the Danbury Symphony Orchestra Pops Concert which includes fireworks for everyone at 9:40PM, CityCenter Summer Series, Concerts on the Green will bring 10-weeks of outdoor, free to the public performances in the heart of the dining district on Ives Street.
Thursdays is Family Night with many activities for the kids prior to the 6:30PM concert. Programs were selected to bring a variety of music and theatre to be enjoyed by every generation. An ice cream social follows at 8PM.
Friday is “Local Scene on the Green”. Help us cultivate a local music scene by enjoying our area’s talent. Concerts at 7:30PM
CityCenter Saturdays begin at 7:30 with quality alternative, R&B, and world rhythms. Come and explore a new level of music.
The CityCenter Farmers’ Market begins July 13th and continues every Friday from 11-4 at Kennedy Park.
Contact CityCenter Danbury:
Andrea Gartner Jabara
Manager
CityCenter Danbury
186 Main Street
Danbury, CT 06810
Office: (203) 792-1711
Fax: (203) 792-7981
Email: andreagartner@citycenterdanbury.com
"NON BELONGERS"
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
This is sad!! Law-abiding Haitians living in the Turks and Caicos Islands see themselves as "NON BELONGERS." Trenton Daniel from the Maimi Herald reports:
Please read the entire article by clicking here.
I am amazed. How can a colonized country mistreat free people like this? A little history on the Turks and Caicos Islands for my readers...
The Providenciales airport offers a primer in the uneasy relations between locals and foreigners on the Turks and Caicos' largest island. Inside the bright-white Customs room, travelers line up in separate categories: ''visitors'' and ''returning residents,'' and ''belongers.'' Visitors are tourists, and returning expatriates and belongers are locals or longtime resident expats. Of course, the signs above don't mention the ''non-belongers,'' the group of people who enter the island through its illegal port: the pristine shoreline. And into that category fall many Haitians. Talk about Haitians in this British dependency was rekindled last week after a 30-foot sailboat carrying about 160 migrants from northern Haiti overturned off Providenciales Island as a Turks police boat towed the vessel. At least 61 bodies have been recovered and 78 survivors were put in a detention center, later repatriated to Cap-Haitien.
Please read the entire article by clicking here.
I am amazed. How can a colonized country mistreat free people like this? A little history on the Turks and Caicos Islands for my readers...
Turks and Caicos Islands:
The islands were part of the UK's Jamaican colony until 1962, when they assumed the status of a separate crown colony upon Jamaica's independence. The governor of The Bahamas oversaw affairs from 1965 to 1973. With Bahamian independence, the islands received a separate governor in 1973. Although independence was agreed upon for 1982, the policy was reversed and the islands are presently a British overseas territory.
The Turks and Caicos Authorities Are Hampering International Efforts to Fight Terrorism
Monday, May 14, 2007
To avoid the wrath of the United States, the Turks and Caicos authorities requested the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to assess its offshore financial sector. An IMF team conducted an assessment February 3-14, 2003. Since then, the Turks and Caicos authorities have sidelined any effort for its country to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism. According to the IMF Country Report No. 05/24 (January 2005):
The full report can be read at by clicking here (pdf format)
In order to reduce this vulnerability on the shores of the United States, call your elected officials and tell them to act now.
However, despite obvious government efforts to meet international standards, chronic shortage of staff at all levels and lack of adequate powers have prevented effective regulatory enforcement in the Area of AML/CFT. Lack of compliance checking is a fundamental weakness in the regime for preventive measures. (pg. 7)
The full report can be read at by clicking here (pdf format)
In order to reduce this vulnerability on the shores of the United States, call your elected officials and tell them to act now.
Turks and Caicos Islands: Havens for Terrorists, Drug Traffickers and Organized Crime?
Sunday, May 13, 2007
According to the CIA-The World Factbook,
In October 21, 1999, Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) understood the potential threat to the United States national security from countries that provide offshore financial services. Therefore, he decided to act swiftly because offshore financial activities are havens for terrorists, drug traffickers and organized crime to hide billions of dollars. Please read Senator Schumer's press release by clicking here.
The Turks and Caicos economy is based on tourism, offshore financial services, and fishing. Most capital goods and food for domestic consumption are imported. The US is the leading source of tourists, accounting for more than three-quarters of the 175,000 visitors that arrived in 2004. Major sources of government revenue also include fees from offshore financial activities and customs receipts.
In October 21, 1999, Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) understood the potential threat to the United States national security from countries that provide offshore financial services. Therefore, he decided to act swiftly because offshore financial activities are havens for terrorists, drug traffickers and organized crime to hide billions of dollars. Please read Senator Schumer's press release by clicking here.
A Terrorist Country too Close to the United States: Turks and Caicos Islands
Native Haitians and Haitian descendants across the world should declare war against the Turks and Caicos Government and its citizens for the murdering of 61 Haitian migrants in its national waters. Haitians should contemplate all actions necessary to avenge the senseless death of their brothers and sisters. Haitians residing in all parts of the global diasporas should boycott the Turks and Caicos Islands’ vital economic resources, and aggressively recruit friends of Haiti and human right activists to help seek justice. Because Haiti has a weak and divided government (which is controlled by the Bush administration that has consistently confirmed its disregard for black people around the world, such as New Orleans and Darfur), it’s imperative that the diasporas unforgivably strike back within the boundaries of international laws and with respect and dignity for human life.
Please read about this incident in this article from The Washington Post Newspaper.
You can see pictures of the incident by clicking here.
Please read about this incident in this article from The Washington Post Newspaper.
You can see pictures of the incident by clicking here.
'Thumbs up' for Elizabeth Putnam, The News-Times Online Editor. May 10, 2007 Broadcast.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Description:
News-Times Online Editor Elizabeth Putnam sat down with Danbury Democratic Caucus leader Tom Saadi to discuss the city’s parade ordinance, its policy on military leave and ongoing over-development issues on the May 10 edition of Ideas at Work and Beyond.Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton and Police Chief Alan Baker joined Putnam for the second half of the show, discussing the parade ordinance, sex offender ordinance, the recent rash of robberies in the city and over-development issues.
Also, callers asked the mayor and chief about illegal immigration issues.
Part 1:
Part 2:
Town of Ridgefield on Focus. May 3, 2007 Broadcast
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Description:
Ridgefield issues from developers plans for a 509-unit affordable Housing development at Bennett's Pond to talk of an ordinance banning livestock on small lots were discussed in the May 3 Ideas at Work and Beyond public affairs show. Guests were Ridgefield Board of Finance Chairman Marty Heiser, Ridgefield Economic Development Commission Chairman Bob Cascella and the guest host was Macklin Reid, editor of the Ridgefield Press. Discussions also touched on the use of the police dog to sniff for drugs at the high school, on the May 15 budget vote and plans on the ballot for an expansion of the police station and Onalfo soccer field, and on the pitfalls of the town¹s little-enforced noise ordinance.
Part 1:
Part 2:
