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!