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P.O.Box164
Danbury, Ct. 06813
A
regular meeting of the Democratic Town Committee was
held on March 10,2008 at Democratic Headquarters.
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M.
Present:
DaSilva L, Morgan,
Anders, Gallo, McNamara, Abrantes, Coladarci, Rapp,
Earle, Schlemmer, Saadi, Tomaino, Conciatore,
DaSilva J, Eriquez, Lewis, Braguez, Council,
Mackenzie, Armstrong, Lees, Halfar.
Absent:
Merante, Cooke,
Galloway, Kelly, Schlemmer W, White.
Eleanor Lewis made a motion to accept the call of
the meeting. Bobbie Anders seconded and the motion
passed unanimously.
Eleanor Lewis made a motion to accept the minutes of
the January meeting. Eileen Coladarci seconded.
The motion carried unanimously.
Guest Speaker:
There was
no guest speaker planned for this meeting.
Public
Participation:
Ken Gucker addressed
the Town Committee with his concerns that he was
wasting his time because it did not seem to him that
enough of the Town Committee members were involved
in the community and were out of touch with the
issues that constituents were concerned with. He
also felt there was a disconnect with the few
elected Democratic officials we do have. “Where is
the accountability”.
Al
Robinson passed out a sample of one of his Hat City
Blog articles. He is very upset and concerned about
the ICE issue. He feels the Democrats on the Common
Council need to do a better job of arguing the
issues put before the Council. He also said that a
large group of Brazilian residents gathered to hear
information about the ICE proposal from Democratic
Council members and only Paul Rotello showed up. Al
is also concerned about the sex offenders ordinance,
the ability to” zone hop” allows for too many
warnings and should be changed.
Correspondence:
The Town
Committee received a thank you note from Eileen
Coladarci expressing her sincere thanks for all the
support she received during her recent campaign.
She donated her remaining funds, $221.09 to the Town
Committee to be used to support our headquarters.
The City of Danbury
Welfare Department sent a thank you to the Town
Committee for the toys donated as a result of our
annual Christmas Party.
New Business:
The JJB Dinner
will be held on May30, 2008 at the Amber Room. John
Olson, a “super delegate” will be the speaker.
Start now to sell ads for the booklet. There is no
surplus money available and money will be needed for
State Rep candidates. Remember that Lobbyist and
State Contractors cannot donate money.
Gene Eriquez made a
motion that we add and carry an item titled
Municipal Election 2009 to the call for the purpose
of continued work towards planning and meaningful
dialogue to insure our success in future elections.
Tom Saadi seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Election of Town
Committee Officers:
Chairman:
Bernie Gallo
nominated Joe DaSilva Jr. for the office of
Chairman. Tony Tomaino seconded.
Linda DaSilva nominated Eleanor Lewis for the office
of Vice Chairman. Bernie Gallo seconded.
Bobbi Anders nominated Kevin Morgan for the office
of Second Vice Chairman. This office would
coordinate future elections. Eleanor Lewis
seconded.
Bernie Gallo made a motion to close the
nominations. Gene Eriquez seconded. The vote was
unanimous for each nomination.
Treasurer:
Eleanor
Lewis nominated Linda DaSilva for the office of
Treasurer. Bobbi Anders seconded.
Eleanor Lewis nominated Eileen Coladarci for the
office of Deputy Treasurer.
Tom
Saadi made a motion to close the nominations.
Bernie Gallo seconded. The vote was unanimous for
each nomination.
Secretary:
Eleanor
Lewis nominated Kate Conciatore for the office of
Secretary. Bernie Gallo seconded.
Eleanor Lewis nominated Bobbi Anders for the office
of Co- Secretary. Tony Tomaino seconded.
Bernie Gallo made a motion to close the
nominations. Kevin Morgan seconded. The vote was
unanimous for each nomination.
Chairman DaSilva congratulated the newly elected
officers.
Old Business:
None
Reports:
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Chair: The Clambake
is Sunday August 24,2008. Save the date!!
Chairman DaSilva reported that March 19,2008 is
the date for the District Delegate Caucus. Joe
will attend the Oboma caucus and Jason Bartlett
will attend the Clinton caucus.
There will be a special
meeting of the Town Committee on March 25,2008 to
appoint delegates to the various District
Conventions. The State Convention will be held at
Central State College on May 10,2008. The Fifth
District will be held on May 12,2008, the State
Senate on May 19 2008 and the 109 and 110th
on May 20, 2008. April 15 to 25th will
be noticed to nominate State Central. Delegate
primaries are outlawed.
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Treasurer:
Linda DaSilva thanked everyone for the support
of the breakfast, which added $1344.71 to the
treasury. Our balance as of 3/10/08 is
$1532.02. Eleanor Lewis made a motion to accept
the report. Bruce Lees seconded. The report
was accepted unanimously.
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State Central:
Jim Maloney spoke if the special election to
fill the 32nd State Senate District
seat vacated by the resignation of Lou DeLuca.
Ken Curran, the Democratic candidate did not win
but doubled the amount of votes a Democratic has
received in the past. Jim feels that this
proves that the message of the party is out
there and we need to keep at it. Ken is running
Chris Murphy’s Waterbury office. Jim said that
we need to get behind our candidates early.
Public financing will help level the playing
field. William Melillo, a retired Danbury
police officer is running for State
Representative in the 138th District.
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State Officials:
Joe Taborsak said he is very busy in Hartford.
He said Gov. Rell is out talking about the teen
drinking and driving problem and how both the
teens and parents need to take responsibility
for solutions. Danbury Day at the Capitol will
be held on April 12,2008. Wear your hat ! There
will be Capital tours and more.
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Local Officials:
Tom Saadi reported that the budget and the mill
rate is the issue that the Common Council is
working on. There will be a series of committee
meetings and a public hearing. The workshop
session is open to the public. The City Hall
web site will have time and date information.
Tom said that any one with concerns or questions
about ICE should speak to the Common Council
members. There are many reasons for the way
people voted and he felt a separate discussion
on the subject would violate FOIA.
Marge Gallo reported that the Registrars office has
been very busy, they registered 800 new voters, 750
of them registered Democratic. Voter canvas has
begun; if you know anyone who has moved out of our
area, let her know.
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Committees:
Eileen Coladarci
needs to have bio info for our website. Please
get her your information as soon as possible.
Eleanor Lewis needs
$10.00 from each member for 2008 to continue the
Sunshine committee’s good deeds.
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Wards:
Chairman DaSilva
would like each ward to name a captain and
report that information at the April meeting.
Eleanor Lewis made a
motion to adjourn the meeting. Kevin Morgan
seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Catherine Conciatore |
