Present:  Merante, Morgan, Anders, Abrantes, Coladarci, Neptune, Kelly, Conciatore, DaSilva J, Braguez, Kabeck, Armstrong, Lees, Halfar,

Absent:  DaSilva L, Seri, McNamera, Cooke, Golwala, Estefan P, Estefan S, Saadi, Tomaino, Kendall, Lewis, Bernstein, Murphy, Knight.

Eileen Coladarci made a motion to accept the call of the meeting.  Barbara Braguez seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

Eileen Coladarci made a motion to accept the minutes of the previous meeting.  Barbara Braguez seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

Guest Speaker:  John Olson, a former Chairman of the Connecticut Democratic Party was the March guest speaker.  John offered his congratulations to Chris Murphy on his impressive win against Nancy Johnson.   He and the members of the AFL-CIO would like to reach out and help with local election.  He feels we should already be preparing for the challenge of re-electing Chris now that he proved that the seat no longer was Nancy Johnson’s exclusively.  Hot button items the AFL-CIO will be looking at are Health Care, there needs to be a better way to cover the “regular person” and wages, unions used to be valuable to workers to help them progress and earn a better salary, though they are not as popular today they still serve a purpose.  There is also a need for a sane policy on immigration.  The AFL-CIO has not endorsed anything as of yet.

Public Participation:  Kathy from Danbury wanted to know what has happened to the Democrats?  She feels that they are not acting like the powerhouses of past years. She would like to see more open reactions to what is happening in the City, perhaps by letters to the Editor and more people at Council meetings, making our presence felt.

Sara Waterfall informed the Town Committee of a Ct. opposes the War march that will take place March 17,2007 in Hartford.  Chris Halfar said there would be a bus leaving from the War Memorial on the 17^th.  Please see Chris for further information.

Ken Gucker thanked Helena Jim Kelly and Joe DaSilva Jr. for speaking at the Common Council meeting, He feels we must continue to fight the development in Danbury.  He urged everyone to go on the City web sight and sign up to receive meeting notices.  It is quick and easy and will keep you informed of meetings you may want to attend or that might affect your Ward.

Al Robinson thanked those who came out to speak against the BRT tax abatement, Illegal Immigration and the Dunkin Donut issue.  While Al feels that there needs to be more participation, some progress has been made.  We need to get information out to the people and keep it going.

Bob Williams asked if there was some type of Democratic objectives that could be used to help explain the ideals of the party to new comers and those who may want to run for office for the first time.  Chairman DaSilva said that he was working that issue.

Correspondence:  Mayor Boughton sent a letter inviting our participation in the Annual Clean up day in Danbury to be held on April 21,2007 For further information please call Elisa Munoz at 203-797-4511.

New Business: A motion was made by Bruce lees and seconded by Bobbi Anders to amend the call so that Sara Merriam, who heads the Connecticut for Dodd campaign could address the Town Committee and ask for our endorsement of Chris Dodd for President.  The motion passed with 1 vote to abstain and 13 in favor.

Sara said that Chris Dodd has the charisma, personality, credibility and experience in foreign policy as well as local issues to be a viable candidate for the Presidency.

Jim Maloney said we should be practical at this point as often the front-runners like Oboma and Clinton don’t always get the nomination in the end.  He encouraged us to contribute to the Dodd campaign. 

Glenda Armstrong wondered how Dodd would be able to make any inroads with the likes of Clinton and Oboma so far ahead of him in the polls.

Sara acknowledged that it would be a long road but she felt he had a shot and after all not many people thought that Chris Murphy could beat Nancy Johnson either.  She feels that people are paying more attention than ever before.

Bruce Lees was concerned that an endorsement would carry with it the availability of our headquarters for use by the Dodd team very early in the game.  Bruce also wanted to know if this was the” norm” to endorse this early.  Chairman DaSilva said that we were really showing support for our State Senator.  Joe fells that Chris Dodd would be a breath of fresh air, a vote to endorse his candidacy would not bind any of us to vote that way.

Jim Kelly voiced his concern that the process was premature and that a Dodd nomination would be a long shot.

After much discussion Bruce R. Lees made a motion to support the endorsement of Senator Dodd, reserving his right to use of our headquarters for later clarification.  Helena Abrantes seconded.  The motion passed with a vote of 13 for and 1 opposed

Old Business:  The JJB Dinner has been changed to May 18,2007.  So far only $2500.00 has been collected in ad money.  Much more is needed to insure enough money for our candidates in the November Election.  Please go out and get as many people to contribute as possible. 

Chairman DaSilva proposed a special meeting of the Town Committee in March 28,2007 to discuss platform ideas, criteria for those who may want to run for office and candidate requirements.  Formal nominations need to take place between July 17 and the 24^th.

Kevin Morgan is in charge of the search for candidates.  Glenda Armstrong wondered if some thing could be put on the Web page for interested people to respond to.  Jim Kelly thought perhaps a small ad in the News Times to direct people to the Web site might be a good idea.  We will need to check on the cost of an ad like that

 Reports

     Chair:  Joe said that we must focus on raising money through the JJB ad book so we can finance the mailings the candidates will need in November, He would like all of us to look to our constituents for candidates for office. 

     Treasurer:  As of March 12,2007 we have a balance of $7986.21.  Sherrie Neptune made a motion to accept the report.  Eileen Coladarci seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

:  No report this month.

     State Officials: Bob Godfrey reported that he attended a Forum on education with Chris Murphy.  Fifty people were in attendance and Bob said it was “enlightening”.  Bob is concerned about the impact on Danbury in so far as funding is concerned with the State budget, He is also concerned with the push by Mayor Boughton to pass our budget early due to the resignation of the Finance Director as numbers could change.

Local Officials: Tom Saadi said the budget was almost set.  There does remain a concern that State funding may change some of what has already been decided.  Tom will be in Germany for several weeks but will be available by e-mail.

Marge Gallo brought a sample of the new voting machine for all to see and try.  Her office has sent out 1538 pieces of mail to canvas new voters.  The city now has30, 500 registered voters.

Sunshine Committee:  Eleanor Lewis reports several cards were sent out last month.  If you still owe her the $10.00 for the fund, please see her. 

Wards:  Glenda Armstrong is concerned about affordable housing issues in Danbury. People are looking for answers on the BRT tax abatement and she wondered if we could get information on our web site.

Jim Kelly is very concerned about how BRT could suddenly rent all those units on Crosby Street to Western Connecticut students.  There is no documentation that the property had to be used for market rate housing for middle class families.

Saturday March 17^th there will be several events starting with a flag raising at City Hall, a ceremony CWV and the Irish Parade, candidates should be visible at these events

SAVE THE DATE AUGUST 26,2007 FOR THE CLAMBAKE!

 Barbara Braguez made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Bobbi Anders seconded.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 P.M.

 Respectfully submitted,