Looked Like Good Celebration!

I've noticed a lot of blogs out there that voice some extremely good, strong opinions however it's sad to see that only a minimal amount of them have something nice to say, non-opinionated.
Soooo.... recently I saw photos on the Tribuna's website of the 8th Annual City of Danbury Mayor's Ball and decided to let you know about them. It looked to be a great evening and if I could have found a babysitter I surely would have attended.
The beneficiaries of the evening were The Danbury Museum and Historical Society, The Healing Hearts Center, and the Volunteer Center.
The Amber Room looked to be jammed on Saturday Night. It is so good to see a community coming together for a particular cause moreover, being with people within their community...some meeting for the very first time and others continuing lifetime friendships.
I hope those of you who went enjoyed yourselves and danced off all you ate!
(The photos of the ball are available on the Tribuna's website...www.tribunact.com or click on Dbyblogger's link to the Tribuna.) Check them out!

"MORE HARM THAN GOOD....???" WHAT???

It's time to wake up ACLU!!

After just posting my latest on the city's new sex offender ordinance I have a few more words to say after reading today's Danbury News Times. In short, " The American Civil Liberties Union thinks the plan by the school system and the city to send parents information about registered sex offenders living in Danbury will do more harm than good."
Hello...How is it that a mailing informing parents that they may be residing in distance to a registered sex offender doing more harm than good? How is it that this information is available via the Internet and the ACLU doesn't have a problem with that? How is it that a community service based class at Danbury High School (Peer Leadership) took the initiative to inform Danbury residents and now they are unfortunately having to deal with this?
Another point in the article stated by the ACLU, "Right now we are opposed to the initiative, but we don't know if we will take out a lawsuit," Redman said Monday. "First of all, it does create complacency among parents, and it will not prevent sex offenders from offending again."
Question ACLU...if a parent recognizes a man/woman hanging around their child's soccer scrimmage and that man/woman is one photographed on the mailing you don't think that parent will say boo? Of course the parent will and of course enforcement will take route on this particular man/woman. Let's wake up a little here!
I truly hope together the Peer Leadership program in especially the two young adults of this program who have work immensely hard, The Board of Education and Mayor Mark Boughton will stay confident in that they are doing the right thing. Dbyblogger supports!

Sex Offender Ordinance Spreads

On December 5, 2006, the city of Danbury passed an ordinance that bans labeled sex offenders from city parks and play areas. States with similar ordinances are those of Texas and Florida. However, Danbury is the first city in the state of Connecticut to pass this enforcement.
Danbury High School students will be spreading the word to 4,000 families of the communities 10,000 students. Students taking part in this effort are enrolled in Peer Leadership, a class offered at Danbury High School in which one has to be recommended. These students must display skills of strong leadership, academics and overall well being. Young people in this program are involved in hours of community service, school wide events, (pre prom Mock Crash) and more. I truly believe these students are keeping the ball rolling for Mayor Boughton's efforts in passing this ordinance. It is very hard to believe that Councilwoman Taborsak was the only member of the Common Council objecting to this ordinance. Taborsak stated in an article from The Courant, "This shouldn't give parents any peace of mind, the only thing that will really keep a child safe is a parent's own vigilance." In another article from the News Times, Taborsak stated, "It's not a go-to-jail-directly card."
Councilwoman Taborsak are you aware that 4,000 people are listed on the state's registry and 40 of them reside here in Danbury? Even though this ordinance doesn't extend into the home, it will open the eyes to the young people who are largely the victims and they in turn can decide if they are treated uncomfortably by strangers or even family/friends. These children will see the signs posted by their play areas in hopes that their parent or guardian will explain to them what the sign means in a simple term. An enforcement banning sex offenders from areas where young children fill is a rational step to protect our youth.
We commend our Mayor for taking such actions along with Danbury Police Chief Alan Baker. If it benefits the life of a child, a mother, a father, or a friend it will also benefit the safety in Danbury's Community.

Ribbon Cutting

From parking garages to a brand new student center, it seems as though Western Connecticut State University has it all. The new student center is located on the Westside Campus, Lake Avenue Extension. The Center will provide a game room, cardio fitness center, meeting rooms, activity space, lounges, and overall a huge welcome mat for students and staff alike to be apart of the great university. Word has it that this is just the start of new renovations at Westconn.
Today's events at 3:30 p.m. will include, Gov. M. Jodi Rell, James. T. Fleming (CT Dept. of Public Works), Lawrence D. McHugh (Board of Directors for CSUS), Dr. David G. Carter (CSUS chancellor) and many local officials.

Facts provided about the new student center were found on Westconn's homepage (www.wcsu.edu.)

1. Total Cost = $ 17.8 Million
2. Architect = Hom + Goldman Architects, P.C., New York, NY
3. Contractor = Konover Construction Corporation, Farmington
4. Construction Administrator = Strategic Building Solutions, Old Saybrook
5. Building Administration = Office of Student Center/Student Life, Dr. Paul M. Simon, Director
6. Size = 49,000 square feet
7. Floors = 2 stories

Congratulations on a wonderful addition to a great state school! We look forward to the construction that remains ahead.

Snow Finally...

Well, the snow has arrrived throughout the region. I came home from work last night and watched the brief, wet snow squall die down only to wake up this morning to find another dusting. Not enough to delay schools, this snow surprise some weather forecasters say may not happen again anytime in the next 7 days, but the cold weather will persist.
It's all ready noon time and many of the city streets look to be already dry. The city sand trucks were out very early this morning and continued throughout the morning...Well, they had the whole month of December and half of January to prepare for today...And they did a great job!

Mayor Honors Danbury Resident

A press release on the City of Danbury's website stated early this week, "Mayor Boughton Honors Danbury Resident's Lifetime Of Service To The Community." According to the web, Reverend Bush has resided in Danbury since 1943 and has been an original member of the Danbury Fair Rent Commission, leader in the Christian Community and Pastor for Trinity Christian Tabernacle Church here in Danbury.
Those celebrating Reverend Bush's successes will come together today, January 19th at 3p.m. in the Common Council Chambers at City Hall.
From all of us at DbyBlogger, your dedication to the city has been appreciated.

Mayor's Live Broadcast

Last night, Danbury's Mayor was a guest on Bob Crnic's, "Common Sense." In an hour long program, Mayor Mark Boughton addressed some of the current issues facing Danbury. Those included, CityLine 311, BRT development on Crosby Street, New Police Station, Location of Elmer's Diner, Ives Concert Park, & Drivers operating a vehicle without a license or proper registration. I would like to designate this post for updating those who didn't catch last night's program.

• CityLine 311: Nothing but success was addressed by the Mayor about CityLine 311. The on call representative from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. has informed the Mayor about such calls received on 311...Potholes needing filling....Christmas tree pickups....Street Lights Out...and even a single woman in the Danbury area searching for something to do on New Years Eve. The Mayor would like to have an on call representative for 311 beginning in the spring who will answer calls from 8:30 a.m - 11 p.m. Currently 311 is receiving about 20 calls a day, roughly between 500 - 600 a month. CityLine 311 also gives the Mayor a better understanding as to when the service request was fulfilled and the length of time it took. He stated, "today it may take 8 days to fill a pothole but now with CityLine 311 we can direct the call immediately to the Highway Department and the pothole will be filled in 4 days." He compared Danbury's CityLine 311 to Hartford's, (only other city in CT that has 311) and Danbury's 311 was set up in just 90 days...Hartford took a much longer time. Hartford also spent over $ 3 million on the same call set up as Danbury's was near just $6,000. CityLine 311 aids the police department's non emergency phone calls as 60% of the calls the Police Department receives are not emergency related are now being received through CityLine 311. I myself have called 311 (past entry) to report a street light out. Two things, the representative for 311 who answered my call was indeed knowledgeable and helpful and the Street Light was fixed within a week. Again, TERRIFIC JOB MAYOR AND ALL THOSE WHO HELPED GET 311 UP AND RUNNING!
  

• BRT's newest development project takes place on Crosby Street in Danbury. It is designed to have studio, 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom apartments. This development is available to WCSU students only. The Housing Department at WCSU has stated that there is a waiting list for those who have applied for on campus housing. Mayor Boughton clearly liked the
  idea of housing available to WCSU students on Crosby Street, "it isn't to rid the community of a certain group but it is to bring about change to downtown Danbury." According to the mayor the young people will increase business downtown and it is in great walking distance back and forth to the Midtown Campus.
  

• Many residents have displayed much concern regarding the location of Elmer's Diner. Some question as to who approved this spot on a busy road and further as to where there will be designated parking available for diner customers as there is a river in the back of the diner. The Mayor made clear that the new diner was approved back in the 1990's by a past administration. If it was up to him, he said last night that he for one would not put a diner in such a location.
  

• The last issue I would like to comment on was brought up on the show last night by a man who questioned commercial vehicles opposite his property with PA plates on it. The commercial vehicles have apparently been parked there for quite some time and he asked the Mayor as to what steps were being taken to check the status on such vehicles as well as those who drive without a valid license or proper registration. The Mayor instructed the Man to contact a department in City Hall called the UNIT. The UNIT's main goal is to assist Danbury residents to preserve neighborhoods and communities. The UNIT will then get out on the streets and take a look at the vehicle(s) with PA plates (in this case) and according to the Mayor, if they are being garaged here in Danbury overnight or for whatever reason they must be registered within the state of Connecticut. The next point was directed to those who drive without a license and the Mayor said he was working closely with Police Chief, Alan Baker to crackdown on those particular drivers who just aren't breaking a law in Danbury...DRIVING WITHOUT A PROPER LICENSE IS A STATE LAW! I really hope the Mayor and Chief Baker initiate this problem and I strongly agree with the Mayor that they just won't be stopping certain cars driven by certain drivers....they will be stopping everyone...If you or anyone can't answer yes to, "Do you have a proper driver's license and registration and fail to show it to an officer then get off the road!

All in all, last night's broadcast with guest, Mayor Boughton was enjoyable to watch and by doing so I learned about the current issues facing Danbury and the Mayor's thoughts on various topics. I truly feel the Mayor was open and honest to callers and to viewers. He wasn't just saying what we all like to hear...he was saying what he is doing...(20 years to establish a new fire engine department....guess what - he's doing it) as well as (Kaplanis Field, Magnet School, Spray Parks, New Police Department......) I can't say anymore...Mayor Boughton has completed it...I look forward to seeing what the Mayor will accomplish in 2007. If you have any opinions on last night's broadcast feel free to comment on this post...You're reasoning matters too!

Lights, Camera.....Mayor Boughton

Tonight at 8 p.m. I will be tuning in to our local cable t.v. network, (Ch. 23) , as Danbury's Mayor Boughton will be on live. The show, "Common Sense," with Bob Crnic of Bethel will chat about local issues and receive phone calls which will be answered live on the air. Make sure you tune in!

Local Restaurant Shuts Down

The Danbury News Times commented briefly on the closing of Bennigans Restaurant here in Danbury. The Restaurant's owners had failed to pay certain tax bills in which they owed to the city.
Currently, the water at Bennigans Restaurant remains shut off.
If I remember correctly, I believe this isn't the first time this has happened to the owners of Bennigans. I remember it closing for a period of time in the past.

Saturday Mornings....

In a recent News Times article and a posting on the City of Danbury's website, was a mention of Danbury's Mayor Mark Boughton who will be available to the community on Saturday mornings in City Hall. These meetings will take place on every third Saturday of the month beginning this Saturday, January 20th from 9 a.m. - Noon.
I believe the Mayor is really concerned about the residents of Danbury. He is taking the initiative to listen to both complaints and suggestions. After all, we the Danbury Citizens must guide him....to guide us!

See You There!

Save The Date!!

April 21, 2007

F.Y.I...I've heard that the date is set for Clean City Danbury Day 2007! Last year a few friends and I organized a small group from our neighborhood and had a blast. How great it was to see a community working together. If you have not participated in Clean City Danbury Day in the past, please get out there and experience the day on April 21, 2007.

Any Press Is Good Press...

So it seems Listen Up Danbury! has actually been noticed! News Time's Eugene mentioned this blog in a piece he did recently about blogs on his Online Editor blog for the News Times. To be mentioned among The Danbury Dan and The Hat City Blog is pretty cool considering they've done a great job of keeping up with daily news and of bringing their views to the table. Although this blog was "sent the way of the dinosaurs" by Eugene, and I can't say I disagree (this blogging stuff can definetly be time consuming), we plan to continue what was started, hopefully with alittle more enthusiasm. So, don't give up on us yet!

Who says "No one is happy"?

So there hasn't been much going on in Danbury news recently to spark major debate but there was an article is yesterday's Danbury News Times that I thought was worth some further discussion. The article,

Boughton on immigration: 'No one is happy'
By Elizabeth Putnam THE NEWS-TIMES

got me thinking about whether the issue of illegal immigration did, and will, play a pivotal role in Mayor Mark Boughton's bids for office. My take is simple, its not really a matter of no one being happy but rather the fact that you can't make everyone happy. Everyone has an opinion on illegal immigration so it was an issue in 2005 and it will be again in 2007. If you support illegal immigration then you are for breaking the laws of our nation and no one can provide a legitimate argument for that. If you support illegal immigration reform then you have to recognize that it is a federal issue that involves boarders, economics, deportation, cultural and language barriers and those can only be fixed at a national level. In the end the most anyone can complain about is that Mayor Boughton didn't do enough, but he addressed the issue, which is a lot more then other politicians in his place would have done, he asked for help, and he continues to stand by his choices and to do what he can at a local level. No one is Happy? I say some of us are happy that our Mayor is doing something.

"...I Will Lead & Inspire"

Yesterday was indeed a very busy day for Connecticut's 87th governor, M. Jodi Rell. Our 2nd woman governor gave her inaugural speech in Hartford on Wednesday. Prior to the formal inauguration last night, Rell greeted many as she marched in a parade in downtown Hartford alongside family, friends and numerous supporters.
"This is our time to dream of a Connecticut that is yet to be." Rell's inaugural speech was based on CT's 'education, energy and job creation.'
We here at dbyblogger will bring you the Governor's final comment in her inaugural speech last night and that is, "And I commit myself to creating that Connecticut that is yet to be a Connecticut that must be a place of opportunity where every person has the chance to chart their own course, by the integrity of their own heart." (The complete inaugural address is available on the Danbury News Times Website.)
All the best to you, Jodi! We wish you good health and success in your next term.

City Line 311 = Very Helpful

I usually find myself these days coming home from work around the 5 o'clock 6ish hour...and at that time especially it being early January...it's dark out! As I get off the exit closest to my home which sits directly on the Danbury/New Fairfield border I've noticed how the street lights closest to the inner city of Danbury are well lit yet heading towards my home I've found myself using my high beams only because the dark roads are extremely hard to navigate. One street light that was out was at the corner of Barnum and East Lake Road...this light truly helps a road moderately traveled, brighten the intersection. A few nights later, driving home, a car in front of me completely missed the turn onto Barnum most noticeably because the light was still out and the intersection very easy to miss.
Just out of curiosity I dialed 311 the next morning. For you who aren't familiar with 311, it is a brand new city line number answered from a department within Danbury City Hall. This CityLine 311 transfers and sends calls to various departments regarding the issue..(i.e. Highway, Housing Authority, Parks & Recs, Neighboorhood Assistance and more.) Danbury's Mayor Mark Boughton proposed the CityLine311 call system and it is to my knowledge only a handful of other cities in the nation benefit from this system. My call, I assume was handled by the Highway Department and the light on Barnum Road was fixed within the following few days. Many years ago following Hurricane Floyd I had some questions about a road destroyed next to my home and both New Fairfield and Danbury's call systems just sent me back and forth between departments and no one was of any help. Again my road sitting directly on the border between Danbury and New Fairfield, I was very glad when Danbury answered to this call.
I heard about CityLine311 via the News Times and I truly hope it is successful to others as it was for me and my situation. Don't Hesitate...Call 311

Dbyblogger Remembers Our 38th President

Gerald R. Ford

On December 26, 2006, America said farewell to our 38th president, Gerald R. Ford. At 10:30 this morning a bell will sound 38 times at Washington's National Cathedral remembering Ford as the 38th president. 10:30 a.m. this morning State Offices will pause to remember Ford who led the United States from August 1974 through January 1977. We will also take a moment to reflect upon our 38th president who was the first U.S. President to take office without ever been elected president or vice president.
Gerald R. Ford will then be brought to Grand Rapids, Michigan where he grew up in which the public is free to pay their respects.
A sad farewell yet a time to reflect upon what Vice President Dick Cheney remembered Ford as, " a dear friend and mentor."