A regular meeting of the Democratic Town Committee was held on April 9, 2007 at Democratic headquarters, 161 Main Street.  The meeting was called to order at 8:00 P.M. 

Present:  DaSilva L, Merante, Morgan, Anders, McNamara, Abrantes, Cooke, Tomaino, Conciatore, DaSilva J. Lewis, Kabeck, Armstrong, Halfar.

Absent:  Seri, Coladarci, Golwala, Neptune, Kelly, Estefan S, Estefan P, Saadi, Kendall, Braguez, Bernstein, Murphy, Lees, Knight.

Eleanor Lewis made a motion to accept the call of the meeting.  Bobbi Anders seconded, the motion passed unanimously.

Kevin Morgan made a motion to accept the minutes of the previous meeting.  Eleanor Lewis seconded, Chris Halfar made a motion to amend the minutes by removing the word immigration from the sentence describing what Al Robinson spoke about.  Tina Merante seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.   

Guest Speaker:  there was no guest speaker at this meeting. 

Public Participation:  Ken Gucker remarked that it had been one year since he first attended the Town Committee meetings.  He voiced his concern about the Cotswold’s of Danbury project and its possible environmental effects as well as traffic effects on an already congested Clapboard Ridge Road.  He said the developer had walked away twice due to EIC concerns.  Ken feels that this is a special concern for the first ward and any one running in that ward should be ready to fight this project.

As a person who attends many meeting in the City, Ken is concerned with the lack of support he sees within the Democrats at these meetings.  Backstabbing seems to be a standard.  Why are we (Democrats) not fighting in the back room and presenting a unified front in public as he feels the Republicans are? 

Al Robinson said that he had seen much bad behavior by Democrats in the local political arena.  He questioned why Ben Chianese stood up at the council meeting and blocked the funding for the Spanish Center.  He also wondered why after Lynn Taborsak spoke about the budget at the same meeting, and hit every point as to why the budget was bad, all Ben could do was criticize her.  Why can’t we all work together?

Al Robinson has recently taken over running My Left Nutmeg. 

Correspondence:  No correspondence received for this meeting. 

New Business:  there was no new business slated for discussion at this meeting. 

Old Business:  Chairman DaSilva reminded every one that the JJB Dinner has been re-scheduled for May 18, 2007 due to a conflict in Chris Murphy’s schedule.  We are lagging behind in ad sales for the JJB booklet.  Take advantage of the extra time to sell more ads as we are far short of our goal of $10,000.00.

Reports: 

     Chair:  Joe commented on the behavior of the Democratic saying that perhaps they should keep the public bickering down but the tendency to fight in public is long standing. 

UE Local 222 will be passing out health care reform information at the Danbury train station between 6 and7 A.M. on Wednesday April 11, 2007.  See Lynn Taborsak for more information.

Joe Taborsak held a Forum for Veterans in Danbury, which was very well received.

Please be aware that due to stricter donation laws, many of us will need to fill out a form for the State of Connecticut.  Linda Davila has the forms.  Please comply.

Treasurer:  Linda DaSilva reported a balance of $9560.17.  She reminded everyone that many more ads and dinner tickets needed to be sold to ensure the Committee would have enough money to run the campaign’s for the November elections.

Eleanor Lewis made a motion to accept the Treasurers report.  Kevin Morgan seconded.  The motion passed unanimously. 

State Central:  No member in attendance this month. 

State Officials:  Joe Taborsak informed the committee that by the end of the week he should have a better idea about the budget dollars that could affect our area.  Health care is still a concern, one Joe plans on tackling.

Joe hosted a forum on senior housing addressing seniors who do not qualify for help.  He also did a Veterans forum that went well.  If anyone has any ideas for future forums, please contact Joe.  He also wondered if there was any interest in a “Danbury Day” in Hartford.   

Local Officials:  Lynn Taborsak said that Mayor Boughton is happy to keep the democrats divided.  She said that we are the minority party at this point and it will be difficult to raise money.  Lynn then began to talk about all the computer work done on the voter list at headquarters and work done at City Hall and a remark about Bobbie Anders and her involvement when the Chair told her she was out of order.  Lynn agreed but kept on talking.  After a heated exchange between Lynn and Joe DaSilva Jr. Lynn left the meeting.

Ben Chianese said the budget passed after a four-hour meeting.  One issue is what will happen to current allocations of funds is the State does not come through with the promised dollars.  It will mean re allocation of dollars.  Ben does not want to see a mill rate increase.  Other concerns are an inability to get information that is need to make good decisions, such as the fire house being built near a bridge that a fire truck could not use and what would be the impact of a West side Sports Complex on our current Police Department.  Ben will see that the senior tax credit is brought forward again.  Ben also wondered why the ad hock committee dealing with the Dunkin Donut traffic issue has not met.  He would also like to see more support from the Committee and the general public at as hock meetings.  The council members are looking for support and advice from us.  Ben is also pushing for buttons or passes for residents to the Town Park.

Duane Perkins is concerned that the Planning and Zoning commission seems to be rushing through changes without any thought.  A prime example was the heli-pad on the edge of a new condo development.  We need to let them know that this type of zoning change is not acceptable.

Helena Abrantes thought it was unacceptable that department heads were not at the budget meetings.  She did not think that the Financial Director should be answering for the Department Heads.  She feels that mayor Boughton is keeping the immigration issue on the top and is sweeping all other issues under it,

Gene McNamara suggested going to the City Planner for answers to specific issues.

Glenda Armstrong remarked that in the Danbury News Times 25 years ago column the Democrats did take a position on an issue and she feels that we can now be messy but cohesive at the same time. She is very concerned about all the infighting in our party and feels we need to discuss the issues and clear the air, Her challenge was to ”bring your passion to the table and lets get our act together,” Chairman DaSilva offered to call a special meeting to deal with zoning concerns and other issues. 

Chris Halfar felt is a bad idea to suspend the funding for the Spanish Center.  She wanted to know why Ben Chianese stopped said funding.  Ben Explained that it appeared the board was not in control and he felt that an audit was needed. 

Sunshine Committee:  Eleanor Lewis reported that only $ 47.00 was left in the Sunshine fund.  Please do your part to fill the fund again. 

Wards:  Ward captains are needed in the third and sixth wards.  Please let Eleanor know whom you have made captain. 

Bobbi Anders made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Tony Tomaino seconded.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 P.M. 

Respectfully submitted,