Hat City Blog

• LEAVE SANTA ALONE!

  
  
  Lets make a deal...NO GROPING Santa at the mall (or any other place) this year!
  
  Deal?
  
  
  
  RELATED POSTS:
  
  Police say woman groped Santa
  
  Woman accused of Santa groping: 'I did not do anything wrong'
  
  [...]
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  Posted: November 21, 2009, 4:30pm EST
  

• LOCAL ACCESS VIDEO: Ideas at Work and Beyond 11.19.09 broadcast

  GUEST: Keith Miller
  
  [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 8:30pm EST
  

• LOCAL ACCESS VIDEO: Progresive Soup 11.18.09 broadcast

  GUEST: Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy
  
  [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 2:18pm EST
  

• Ignoring the issue of racism doesn't make it go away

  
  
  Over the last couple months, people who desire that the topic of immigration would go away are trying to claim that Danbury doesn't have a racial intolerance problem or that the problem has "toned down".
  
  Case in point:
  
  
  The most recent' [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 7:09pm EST
  

• LOCAL ACCESS VIDEO: Spotlight On 11.17.09 broadcast

  [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 1:41pm EST
  

• LOCAL ACCESS VIDEO: Bethel Today 11.16.09 broadcast

  [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 11:06pm EST
  

• Hate crime charge filed in assault case

  Although very briefly reported in today's article, the hate crime charge filed against the four individuals who allegedly attacked two immigrants back in October is rather significant.
  
  Here's a real brief recap of what happened:
  City police arrested four suspects Tuesday morning for an alleged bias attack on [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 9:48pm EST
  

• State Rep Jason Bartlett arrested on motor vehicle charges

  
  
  State Representative Jason Bartlett was arrested in Newtown on several motor vehicle charges stemming from the state lawmaker using a cell phone in his car without a hands free device.
  
  From what I learned, after being pulled [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 3:33pm EST
  

• Hate crimes are nothing new in Danbury

  As someone who's been following xenophobia and racial tensions in Danbury, this story is not shocking because people have long complained about hate crimes such as this for years.
  City police arrested four suspects Tuesday morning for an alleged bias attack on two Mexican men last month that a [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 1:06pm EST
  

• CT-05: Chris Healy throws fellow Republicans under the bus; urges Sam Caligiuri to run for Congress

  Is GOP chair Chris Healy urging State Senator Sam Caligiuri to abandon his U.S. Senate aspirations and turn his sights to the 5th Congressional race?
  
  Well, here's Caligiuri in his own words:
  In response to Chairman Healy's call for Senator Caligiuri to enter the Fifth [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 6:02pm EST
  

• IRRESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT: Jeffery Court update

  
  
  I've been working on my update regarding the latest case of irresponsible development that underway over on Hospital Avenue (Jeffery Court) and to put it bluntly, there is a great deal of land history to research.
  
  Without going into the history of the land' [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 5:14pm EST
  

• The case against John McGowan, day five: Endless subpoenas and bizarre motions to dismiss

  Sorry for the delay but here's the latest in the rape case against John McGowan.
  
  The former mayoral candidate, vice president of Elise Marciano’s anti-immigrant hate-group, United States Citizens for Immigration and Law Enforcement, and prominent figure in the xenophobic movement in the' [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 2:23pm EST
  

• Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano predicts immigration overhaul starting in 2010

  Today, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano spoke about the need for immigration reform at the Center for American Progress and made the strongest indication that a change to the current immigration policy will be addressed by Congress starting in early 2010.
  
  Here's the details of what happened' [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 4:21pm EST
  

• Irresponsible development strikes again

  Bumped to the top with new information 11.14.09
  
  
  
  Residents along Hospital Avenue noticed the BRT "No trespassing" signs for the last few months and have asked me "what are they planning to do with that land?"
  
  If your familiar with that stretch [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 8:50am EST
  

• Common Councilman John Esposito honored

  
  
  This month marks the last month of John Esposito's term on the Common Council.
  
  The Democrat from the 4th ward has been a staple on the Council for many decades, serving under the Dyer, Sauer, Eriquez and Boughton administration.
  
  There isn't enough one [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 3:32pm EST
  

• Under pressure, Lou Dobbs resigns

  
  
  Rejoice as the one of cable's most racist talking head calls it quits due to his own mouth!
  
  
  
  Longtime CNN host Lou Dobbs shocked his viewers Wednesday by announcing that he would be leaving the network effective immediately.
  
  The daily host of' [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 9:26pm EST
  

• HatCityBLOG VIDEO: CT Film Festival ad-hoc committee (meeting 2)

  From Monday, here's video footage of the second meeting of the Connecticut Film Festival Ad-hoc committee:
  
  
  
  
  
  RELATED POSTS:
  
  VIDEO: CT Film festival ad-hoc committee (meeting 1)' [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 8:12pm EST
  

• Details behind student arrest emerges

  []The News-Times did a write-up regarding a student at Western who was charged with charged with second-degree breach of peace last week.
  WestConn police arrested a 21-year-old student after a professor reported that someone was stating racial obscenities in a classroom building on campus Thursday afternoon.
  
  Western [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 1:02pm EST
  

• Danbury votes to be audited

  Today, Secretary of State selected Danbury's 7th Ward (Mill Ridge School) as one of the voting locations to be audited as required by law (Public Act 07-194).
  
  Here's a complete list of the voting locations picked to be audited.
  Bridgeport Park City Magnet School 135-1
  Bridgeport Wilbur Cross School [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 4:13pm EST
  

• BREAKING NEWS: Gov Rowland-Rell not seeking re-election

  
  
  Moments ago at the State Capitol, Gov. Rowland-Rell just announced that she will not seek re-election in 2010.
  
  Names of Republicans who could throw their hat into the governor's race include State Senator John McKinney, State Rep. Larry Cafero, and former Congressman Rob Simmons.
  
  UPDATE:' [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 5:15pm EST
  

• HatCityBLOG TV: 11.04.09 broadcast

  
  
  Due to popular demand, this show will be rebroadcast THIS Wednesday at 6 PM and Thursday at 11 AM.
  
  TOPIC: Examination of the rise of racist and radical extremism in Connecticut (un-editied version); 2009 Bethel municipal election results.
  
  
  
  
  [...]
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  Posted: November 08, 2009, 1:18pm EST
  

• REPOST: 2010 CT Film festival ad-hoc committee meeting

  (In advance of Monday's continuation of the 2010 CT Film festival ad-hoc committee, here's video footage from the first meeting.
  
  Originally posted on Sept 18 2009:
  
  From Sept 15, here's video footage of the Common Council ad-hoc committee meeting regarding future funding of the CT Film' [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2009, 9:38am EST
  

• Anti-immigrant rape case gets national attention

  
  
  Well, if John McGowan wanted to become famous and once again place Danbury on the map for it's nativist attitude towards the immigrant community, then he just got his wish.
  
  The Southern Poverty Law Center's (SPLC) hatewatch now [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 11:42pm EST
  

• BETHEL: Burke applies for accelerated rehabilitation

  []Robert Burke was in court today for his second degree harassment case.
  
  In his brief appearance, the First Selectman of Bethel applied for accelerated rehabilitation and will be back in court on December 4th to determine if he's eligibility for the special form of probation.
  
  [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 12:19pm EST
  

• The sexual assault case against John McGowan, day three and four: He's competent!

  Okay, now that the election season is behind us, and in light of the fact that tomorrow is the next court date, let me turn my attention back to the court case against John McGowan.
  
  As you know, the former mayoral candidate, former Vice President [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 10:14pm EST
  

• HatCityBLOG EXCLUSIVE: Person behind complaint behind SEEC complaint against Derek Roy goes on record

  
  
  Today, I had a chance to interview Western Connecticut State University Student Sara Watrerfall, who individual asked the State Elections Enforcement Commission to look into the activities of the Derek Roy campaign.
  
  As stated in an earlier post, Roy's campaign tactics on campus caused a' [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 5:04pm EST
  

• Voters not given a choice on charter revision changes

  []This comment in the News-Times article regarding the passage of the charter revision best sums up my greatest concern with the changes to the city's version of the U.S. constitution.
  Lorinda Arconti, meanwhile, said she voted against the proposed changes.
  
  "Mainly because of the bonding issue," she' [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 12:28pm EST
  

• Danbury 2009 election numbers

  You want them, you got them!
  
  CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD EXCEL FILE.
  
  [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 8:15pm EST
  

• HatCityBLOG VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: Election night Bethel 2009

  []
  
  Last night Democrats in Bethel rejoiced as Matt Knickerbocker became Bethel's First Selectman-Elect beating Republican Larry Craybas and current First Selectman (and Pro-Bethel candidate) Robert Burke.
  
  I'll do a more in-depth report on everything that happened in Bethel as there is an awful [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 4:03pm EST
  

• Using city vehicles for campaign purposes?

  []Received this photo from a reader today. The image was taken on election day on Ives Street (I believe it's in front of Two Steps).
  
  
  
  Can someone at City Hall (specifically, the public works department) explain to me why truck number 30 had' [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 3:35pm EST
  

• Roy campaign investigated by state for possible campaign violations

  (ed note: I spelled Roy's first name Derrick when it's spelled Derek. Site has been updated)
  
  The election might be over but former 5th ward Common Council dormitory student/candidate Derek Roy's troubles seem to be increasing by the day.
  
  []
  
  As stated in a previous' [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 12:36pm EST
  

• FLASHBACK: Words to remember

  November 2007:
  
  
  "It's not just a question of whether Mark Boughton has done enough for people to want to fire him...it's whether he's done enough bad things that people want to hire someone else."
  
  -Common Council 6th Ward member Paul Rotello remarks' [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 11:44am EST
  

• ELECTON DAY LIVEBLOG

  []
  
  10:30 AM: Well, that day has finally arrived but unlike 2007, I'll be reporting on election day activities in both Danbury and Bethel.
  
  If you have any voting stories, please email them to hatcityblog@yahoo.com and we'll post it for everyone to [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 10:35am EST
  

• Roy campaign stoops to a new low

  []…just when you thought things couldn't get worse with the Derek Roy campaign.
  
  There are now numerous reports that the Republican dormitory student who's running for the Common Council 5th wards seat is going around to people residents and asking them to vote for vote for himself and [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 4:37pm EST
  

• Anger in the wrong direction

  Today's letter to the editor from Maureen Garry underlines one of the many problems with our school system, which Gary Goncalves raised during his campaign, and you'll hear more about after the elections.
  The shortage of textbooks and access to online books at Danbury High School is alarming, to' [...]
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  Posted: November 01, 2009, 9:55am EST
  

• Phone calls

  Grr...
  
  My phone has been going off the hook with political calls!
  
  Last week I received TWO calls form the Republican Town Committee where someone read a script about Boughton's "accomplishments."
  
  Last night, I received a call from the Gary Goncalves [...]
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  Posted: October 31, 2009, 4:10pm EDT
  

• Dirty politics

  []This letter to the editor pretty much sums up Mayor Mark Boughton's dirty campaign tactics that has gone on behind the scenes.
  I vote for the candidate, not the party. This time, Mark Boughton does not get my vote. Too much has gone wrong, been neglected, and corruption' [...]
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  Posted: October 31, 2009, 11:59am EDT
  

• BETHEL 2009: Candidate for Board of Ed files lawsuit

  On October 21st, Pro-Bethel Board of Education candidate Dan Gaita filed a defamation lawsuit against the town's superintendent of schools and the Democratic and Republican first selectmen candidates.
  
  According to papers filed at Danbury Superior Court, Gaita, whose also First Selectman Bob Burke campaign treasurer, alleges that an email [...]
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  Posted: October 30, 2009, 6:16pm EDT
  

• BETHEL 2009: Interview with RTC chairman Paul Improta regarding News-Times fundraising article

  Back on October 22, I did a post on a News-Times article by Eileen FitzGerald that pertained to the latest fundraising reports from the three candidates running for First Selectman in Bethel.
  
  Here's the details:
  Democratic first selectman candidate Matt Knickerbocker came out ahead of his two opponents [...]
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  Posted: October 30, 2009, 3:53pm EDT
  

• BETHEL 2009: Candidates take to the airwaves

  Things are getting very interesting in Bethel these days...
  
  With the municipal elections being days away, the three candidates for the Selectman ticket took to their airwaves to make their case.
  
  From this week, here's interviews with the First Selectman/Selectman candidates running on the Democratic, Republican, and Pro-Bethel [...]
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  Posted: October 30, 2009, 2:55pm EDT
  

• Complaints over Roy campaign tactics mounts

  Since my initial post on the questionable practices of Derek Roy's campaign, I've received quite a deal of emails from residents of the 5th ward who wanted to give the university dormitory student/Common Council candidate a piece of their mind.
  
  Most complaints I've received pertains to the Roy' [...]
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  Posted: October 30, 2009, 1:49pm EDT
  

• HatCityBLOG EXCLUSIVE: Zoning Commission 10.27.09 meeting

  []Here's video footage of the now infamous Zoning Commission meeting which involved a proposed amendment to the LCI-40 (industrial land) zone. This amendment would pave the way to allow the Danbury Elks Lodge to open shop on the property that currently houses the Indian Trading Post on Sugar Hollow' [...]
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  Posted: October 29, 2009, 6:51pm EDT
  

• Funny photo of the day (or will the mistakes from this campaign ever end)

  []
  
  Now, as anyone who's attended Western know that the university is primarily a commuter college where a majority of the students who attend classes, live outside the fifth ward. It's also common knowledge that the voter turnout students in elections are extremely low because most students [...]
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  Posted: October 29, 2009, 2:47pm EDT
  

• Playing it straight

  Today, the Gary Goncalves campaign released a new video where the Democratic nominee for mayor talks directly to the residents of Danbury about his concerns and vision for the city.
  
  [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 8:19pm EDT
  

• Zoning Commission madness

  
  
  Dysfunctional (and/or arrogance) is the best way to describe last night's Zoning Commission meeting...and since the News-Times' Dirk was not at the meeting, the recklessness among the members of the commission is absent in his write-up.
  
  In short, there were members of' [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 4:22pm EDT
  

• Taking the fight to ICE

  []Although the Danbury 11 case is ongoing, the students at Yale University are filing another lawsuit against Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. The suit stems from the raids in New Haven back in 2007 which the lawyers for Yale claim were a retaliation for Elm City's ID card program.
  [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 3:18pm EDT
  

• BETHEL 2009: Bethel RTC chairman questions News-Times fundraising article

  I was contacted by the chairman of the Bethel Republican Party in regards to a post I did on the fundraising activities of First Selectman candidate Larry Craybas, Robert Burke, and Matt Knickerbocker.
  
  Hopefully, I'll have a post ready on everything tomorrow but apparently, there needs to be' [...]
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  Posted: October 27, 2009, 5:57pm EDT
  

• LOCAL ACCESS VIDEO: Common Sense 10.23.09 broadcast

  NOTE: Bethel First Selectman Robert Burke opted to not attend the News-Times editorial board candidate forum. You can read his statement below:
  Bethel First Selectmen, Bob Burke, declines an invitation to the News Times Candidate Forum.
  
  Citing the News Times’ documented campaign of personal and political bias against [...]
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  Posted: October 27, 2009, 3:41pm EDT
  

• Priorities

  In the wake of tonight's VERY IMPORTANT Common Council At-Large debate (at 7PM TONIGHT), lets take a look at the Elephant Party and get a glimpse at their priorities...
  
  
  
  
  Wonder if any of the Republican At-Large candidates will take a cue from [...]
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  Posted: October 27, 2009, 3:33pm EDT
  

• COMMON COUNCIL AT LARGE DEBATE TONIGHT!

  TONIGHT at Ives Concert Hall at Western Connecticut State University, the local League of Women Voters will be holding a Common Council At Large candidate forum.
  
  The forum is at 7 p.m. TONIGHT so if you're not doing anything, please attend.
  
  I will be on hand to videotape' [...]
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  Posted: October 27, 2009, 3:28pm EDT