A regular meeting of the Democratic Town Committee was held on August 13,2007 at Democratic headquarters, 161 Main Street.  The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M. 

Present:  DaSilva L, Merante, Morgan, Anders, Abrantes, Coladarci, Cooke, Neptune, Kelly, Saadi, Tomaino, Conciatore, DaSilva J, Lewis, Braguez, Lees, Halfar. 

Absent:  Seri, McNamara. Estefan P, Estefan S, Kendall, Kaback, Armstrong, Knight,

Tom Saadi made a motion to accept the call of the meeting. Ellen Cooke seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

Linda DaSilva made a motion to accept the minutes of the previous meeting.  Bobbie Anders seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

Guest Speaker:  No speaker this month. 

Public Participation: Ken Gucker feels that the biggest issue in the City is overdevelopment.  He also feels that that the immigration issues need to be addressed at a higher government level.  Check out IAWAW.blogsopt.com.

Al Robinson still feels the parade ordinance is bad for the City.  He sited a recent prayer vigil where the promoters tried to obtain the proper permit and neither City Hall nor the Police Department could come up with a form and they were told “no big deal”.  He also feels that the current sex offender law is just a slap on the wrist.

Lynn Taborsak is concerned about Town Committee members who are also running for elected office.  She feels they should step down and make room for new members.  She also questioned whether candidates were picked on their worth or so they wouldn’t “rock the boat”.

Cathy Perruzzi felt that the recent nominations showed a lot of enthusiasms and unity, She also agrees with Lynn that elected officials should step down to broaden the base of the party.

Correspondence:  No correspondence at this meeting. 

New Business:  Election 2007, Chairman DaSilva was very happy that Brian Cotter stepped forward as the candidate for Treasurer.  Headquarters will open Monday thru Thursday after Labor Day.  A schedule for each Ward will be handed out.  The expectation is that everyone will help out all the candidates.  You are welcome to work any other night if you cannot be at headquarters on your Wards designated night.  There will be one Master List per ward that needs to stay at headquarters.  One very important thing that Chairman DaSilva wants to make clear is that there should never be any candidate walking in the dark. 

Bernie Gallo is missing Bio’s for the walking piece that he is working on.  Please get him the information so the brochures can go to the printer.

September 8 and 9 is the Taste of Danbury.  We will man a table at the event and need help with that.  Please see Ellen Cooke for details.

Old Business:  The clambake is Sunday August 26, 12 noon till 5 P.M.  Everyone should plan to be there and bring your friends and family!!  This is our fundraiser to help fuel the upcoming elections.   

Chairman DaSilva asked for a motion to amend the call to include filling one vacancy in the sixth ward with Sonnie Council.  Bobbie Anders made the motion to amend the call for the purpose of filling one vacancy in the sixth ward.  Ellen Cooke seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.  Tom Saadi cast 1 ballot to appoint Sonnie Council to fill one-sixth ward vacancy.  Sherri Neptune seconded.  The appointment was unanimous. 

Reports:

     Chair:  Chairman DaSilva urged all members to support the upcoming clambake.  This is an important fundraiser for the November elections.  Joe also reminded everyone that headquarters would be open Monday thru Thursday.  Please come and help drive the election process. 

     State Central:  No report this month.

     State Officials:  No report this month.

     Local Officials:  Tom Saadi reported that the Common Council meeting in August was a short one.  Some of the subjects touched on were the continued debate over the sex offender amendment as well as open space and the senior tax and the issue of extending compensation for those in military service.

Marge Gallo reported that training on the new voting machines continues. Tom Saadi wondered what she felt the problems were with the elderly voters on these machines.  Marge said that filling in the ovals for their choices seemed to be the most troubling.  They can get a new ballot if they “spoil “ their original.  There will be an auxiliary bin for any ballot issues.  Help will be available on Election Day and training will continue.  Jim Kelly hoped that training on the new machines would be as wide spread as possible. 

Committees:  No reports this month. 

Wards:  Ward 1 meet with their Council candidates to set up times to walk, and to explain what they needed to do to WIN. 

Tom Saadi and Lynn Taborsak are planning a training session to help all the candidates understand what a campaign is all about.  Thank you to Tom and Lynn. 

Barbara Braguez made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Ellen Cooke seconded.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,