Thank You!

I wanted to take this time to thank everyone who has come so far to check out this blog. I do want to say that I encourage everyone who checks this blog to comment on the stories that are posted. I have opened the option to comment to anybody. I want to here how everyone feels about the issues.

We have received good views up to this point, and I look forward to that continuing. Thanks. Please come back often.

(Coming soon: a look at Danbury's State Representatives.)

State of the Union Review

The other night President George W. Bush delivered his seventh State of the Union. This was the first time he did so in front of a Democratic Congress. This post will analyze his speech.

On the Democratic Control:
The President was very sincere in congratulating the Democrats, for the first time in front of all of them, on their majority. He couldn't have been any nicer to the first female Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. The President gave her all do respect that she has deserved.

"I have the high privilege and distinct honor of my own
as the first president to begin the State of the Union message with these words: 'Madame Speaker' ... Congratulations, Madame Speaker!"

On the Iraq War:

President Bush did not turn his back on his new plan
to send more than 20,000 additional troops to Iraq. He continued to say that victory is necessary in Iraq for success in our fight against terrorism. The President did not go into much detail about the war, except for the fact that he wants the public to understand the importance of the war. He also asked for Americans to support the troops, and the mission. The President has been given much negativity under his handily of the war, and this new policy, but he came to Congress with a strong outlook, and talked very powerful on this issue. For that, he was successful.

"Our country is pursuing a new strategy in Iraq and I ask you to give it a chance to work. And I ask you to support our troops in the field and those on their way."

On The War on Terror:

The President spoke about the threat that we are facing here at home based on terrorism. He mentioned all the attacks that we have prevented, and the cause to make sure we continue too. He also said that he feels success in the Middle East is a necessity for us to continue to succeed in the fight against terrorism. I felt that when he brought up all of the attacks that could have occurred was one of the strongest points in his speech because it made people realize that we are still facing a large terrorism threat, which shows we need to continue our fight, but more importantly that our nation is able to handle the threat.

"For all of us in this room, there is no higher responsibility than to protect the people of this country from danger."

On Energy:

President Bush mentioned once again the need to look into alternate fuel sources. He said that our dependence on foreign oil is not only not good, but not safe for our country. To deal with an insecure region of the world, is not the smartest thing for us to do, especially when we are dealing with oil. This is one issue that I feel almost everyone agrees on, and wants to do something about it.

"Tonight, I ask Congress to join me in pursuing a great goal. Let us build on the work we have done and reduce gasoline usage in the United States by 20% in the next 10 years - when we do that we will have cut our total imports by the equivalent of three-quarters of all the oil we now import from the Middle East."

On Health Care:

The President mentioned this issue for one of the first times in the past few years. He tried to reach across party lines because it was part of his bi-partisan approach in his address. He stressed the need to be able to solve the health care burden that we face, in an attempt to try to gain some support for his policies and presidency.

"We must remember that the best health care decisions are made not by government and insurance companies, but by patients and their doctors."

On Immigration:

President Bush decided to bring up an issue that his party is tending to not want to talk about. Immigration has become a rising problem for our country, and our border security is so important for our safety. This will be an interesting issue to watch Congress follow especially because we face it here in Danbury.

"Extending hope and opportunity in our country requires an immigration system worthy of America - with laws that are fair and borders that are secure."

This wraps up the review of the State of the Union Address of 2007. President George W. Bush tried to salvage his presidency the other night in his speech, though the public still doesn't support him, and his beliefs. It isn't right to say that he is a lame-duck President yet, but it is looking like history will be giving him that title. He did much better than last years address, but he is going to have to do a lot of convincing to get his approval ratings up to a number that is even worthy of an okay presidency. Overall the President deserved a grade of a B on his speech, mainly due to his bi-partisan approach, and call for unity.

"This is a decent and honourable country - and resilient, too. We have been through a lot together. We have met challenges and faced dangers, and we know that more lie ahead. Yet we can go forward with confidence, because the State of our Union is strong, our cause in the world is right - and tonight that cause goes on. God bless."

A Divided Nation

This is a poll taken from the News-Times website. You want to talk about a divided nation. Could it get any worse? Stay tuned for analysis of the State of the Union. Remember to watch, tonight, at 9PM.
___________________________________________
Should Congress stop funding the war in Iraq?

Yes
50.00 % (144)

No
50.00 % (144)


Total votes: 288

Hello Mr. Mayor!

Mayor Mark Boughton (R) is going to open up City Hall every third Saturday of the month in order to talk to residents about any problems or concerns that they may have. This happens for the first time tomorrow, Saturday January 20th, from 9 AM to Noon. This is a great chance for people to go and express their feelings.

Our State Senator

A continuing of the elected officials series.

State Senator:

David Cappiello

David J. Cappiello (R) was first elected to represent the 24th District in the State Senate in 1998 representing Danbury, New Fairfield, and Bethel. He ran against Paul Esteban, and received 62% of the vote. In 2000 he ran for a second third unopposed, and did once again in 2002, when the town of Sherman got added to the district. He got another challenge in 2004 from Democrat Howard Henner, and easy defeated him earning 66% of the vote. Cappiello ran for a fifth term in 2006, and once again ran against nobody.



Prior to being elected to the State Senate, Cappiello represented the 138th House Assembly District from Danbury. He was elected to that in 1994 and to a second term in 1996. He also served on the Danbury Common Council, being elected in 1993.



Sen. Cappiello is currently the Deputy Minority Leader, and the ranking member on the Appropriations and Internship Committees. He has been known for his bi-partisan strength, and likable with the people he represents. He is considered to be a growing Republican with a long political future.

The Common Council

A continuing of the elected officials series.

The Common Council is made up of 21 people. Two from each of the seven wards and seven more at - large. Currently 14 are Republicans and 7 are Democrats.

Here is a list of the members:

At Large
Pauline R. Basso
(R)
Ted A. Cutsumpas
(R)
Robert T. Riley
(R)
Mary G. Saracino
(R)
Gregg W. Seabury
(R)
Colleen A. Stanley
(R)
Lynn H. Taborsak
(D)
1st Ward
Louise P. McMahon
(R)
Shailesh (Shay) Nagarsheth
(R)
2nd Ward
James H. Johnson
(R)
Charles Trombetta
(R)
3rd Ward
Michael J. Calandrino
(R)
Joseph M. Cavo
(R)
4th Ward
John J. Esposito
(D)
Thomas J. Saadi
(D)
5th Ward
Duane E. Perkins
(D)
Fred Visconti
(D)
6th Ward
Benjamin Chianese
(D)
Paul T. Rotello
(D)
7th Ward
Jane Diggs
(R)
Mary E. Teicholz
(R)

President of the Council:

Joseph M. Cavo

Joe Cavo became the President of the Council in April of 2006 because then-President Vinny Nolan resigned in order to become a town employee in New Milford. Cavo has been given much grief over his handling of broadcasting the Council meetings, something he does not really want to do. He was first elected in 2003, part of the Republican landslide. Cavo represents the third ward.

Majority Leader:

Pauline Basso

Pauline Basso was first elected to the Council in 1995. She became Majority Leader in December of 2003 right after Republicans took total control of the Council. Interesting points of her career is that she ran against State Rep. Bob Godfrey (D-110) in 1996, and came the closest to beating him than any other opponent that he has had. She also just ran against him in 2006, but received only 33% of the vote.

Minority Leader:

Tom Saddi

Tom Saddi represents the fifth ward in the Council. He was first elected in 1999. He has been a leader for local Democrats, and their party. He is also very well respected, and liked. Saddi is considered to be a possible challenger for Mayor Mark Boughton (R) in this years election.

Tax Relief

This sounds like a great idea. Whatever could bring tax relief to the people of our city is great. It is being proposed by our State Senator David Cappiello (R-24).

Here is the article from the News-Times:

HARTFORD -- State Sen. David Cappiello, R-Danbury, and other members of the Senate Republican Caucus are looking at ways to reform property tax laws.

"It's really pushing people out of their homes and out of the state of Connecticut," Cappiello said of the state's property tax system during Wednesday's press conference at the Legislative Office Building.

"Is there a better way for the municipalities to collect money instead of the property tax," Cappiello asked. "Every year I have served, we hear the need for property tax relief or property tax reform."

The Republicans propose eliminating the property tax and allowing municipalities to raise taxes in other ways. "The idea is we want to stop driving people out of their homes and out of the state of Connecticut."

"It clearly would benefit the homeowners," Cappiello said of the proposal. "I think this is a fairer way of doing it."

If the property tax is dropped, municipalities could choose a local income tax or a hotel tax, said Cappiello, adding state statutes don't allow municipalities to do that now.

State Sen. Judith Freeman, who represents Bethel, Ridgefield and Redding, among other towns in the 26th district, joined fellow Republicans in calling for property tax reform.

"There is no question that local governments must be able to raise the revenues they need to run their towns. For a very long time now, the method of raising money has been the property tax system. It could be that levying property taxes is no longer the answer," she said.

Cappiello said he wants lawmakers to consider the new ideas, though he is "not chained to" them at this point.

He said the next step will be for the legislature's Planning and Development Committee to look at the proposals.

Danbury's Mayor Mark Boughton said the idea is a good one.

"I think anything we can do to provide more flexibility to cities and towns would definitely be welcomed. This is a serious proposal and it warrants serious consideration," Boughton said.

Other potential ways to raise money, include implementing a sales tax or a hotel tax, he said.

We Will have to wait and see what happens.

A Fifth Term

Our Probate Judge, Dianne Yamin, (R-Danbury) was sworn in today for a fifth term. Governor M. Jodi Rell administered the oath of office at around 10:00 AM in the Common Council Chamber of City Hall.

The following is from The News-Times:

Yamin, who was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 1986, practices law in Danbury at the law firm of Yamin & Yamin. She was elected Danbury’s first woman Judge of Probate in 1990. Each term is four years.

Yamin also is the head of the state’s probate court judges. In a 58-48 vote, she ousted Brookfield’s probate judge Joseph Secola in April to become the Connecticut Probate Assembly’s President Judge. Before being elected president, she was vice president of the assembly.

Probate courts oversee adoptions and name changes and have jurisdiction over estates and trusts. They also appoint guardians for people who are mentally retarded and handle commitments for people with mental illness.

A Historic Day

Nancy Pelosi Becomes the New Speaker of the House

(This is part of the national news I said I would throw in.)

Representative Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from San Fransisco, was elected today to be the next Speaker of the House of Representatives. She beat John Boehner, the House Minority Leader, 233-202 for the title. The vote was split down the middle. As many know Pelosi is the first ever female Speaker, and the closest woman ever to the presidency. She is the third most powerful person in the country.

Pelosi has said she wants to work with Republicans to get things done. She is often described as very liberal, something that Republicans tried to run on in November, but couldn't get through to the voters.

Congratulations and good luck Speaker Pelosi. Please work well with everyone in a bi-partisan manner because that is what we need.

Legislative Session Underway

Yesterday, Governor M. Jodi Rell was sworn in to her first full term as Governor. She continued her promise to work across party lines in a bi-partisan way to get things accomplished.

"It will be up to us - those of us who hold the public trust, who share in the blessings and burdens of public service - to help the people of our state cross the bridge to a new future."

Not only was the Governor sworn in, but our new Lt. Governor Michael Fedele, Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, State Treasurer Denise Nappier, and State Comptroller Nancy Wyman were also sworn in.

The State Representatives and Senators were also sworn in. From the Danbury Delegation State Representative Bob Godfrey (D-110) and State Representative Jan Giegler (R-138) were both re-elected in November, and took the oath to continue serving. Godfrey is starting his tenth term, while Giegler will be starting her third.

Also from our delegation, Jason Bartlett (D-2) and Joe Taborsak (D-109) were sworn in for their first time on Wednesday. Bartlett and Taborsak ran for open seats because the current Representatives, Hank Bielawa and Lew Wallace chose not to run again.

Greater Danbury's State Senator David Cappiello (R-24) took the oath for a fifth term yesterday. He ran this year unopposed for the third time in his State Senate history.

This session, the legislature is expected to focus on energy prices, health care, and the economy just to mention a few issues.

Happy New Year!

Well, it's here. 2006 was one of the most interesting years in political history. Connecticut was looked at as the center-point for all of the big races. Here is a short list of major stories that occurred:

• Democrat Ned Lamont upsets Sen. Joe Lieberman in the Democratic Primary 52%-48%.


• New Haven Mayor John DeStefano beats Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy, 51%-49%, in the Democratic Primary.


• Sen. Lieberman runs as an independent on the Connecticut For Lieberman ticket.


• Republican Alan Schlesinger runs a distant third in all the polls for the U.S. Senate as Republicans back Lieberman.


• Democrats win back control of Congress.


• Republican Gov. Jodi Rell crushes her opponent, John DeStefano, 63%-35%.


• Sen. Lieberman beats challengers Lamont and Schlesinger 50%-40%-10%.


• Democrat Chris Murphy upsets Congresswoman Nancy Johnson 56%-44%, in the fifth district.


• Democrat Joe Courtney beats Congressman Rob Simmons by only 83 votes in the second district.


• Republican Chris Shays narrowly beats Democratic opponent Dianne Farrell, 51%-48%, in fourth district.


• Thirty-Eighth President Gerald R. Ford dies on December 28th.

What can we expect in 2007?

• How low will President Bush's approval ratings get?


• What will be the big, new plan forward in Iraq?


• How will Democrats do now that they are in control of Congress?

And in Danbury:

• Will Democrats position themselves to take back control of the city because......the municipal election is just around the corner.

Happy New Year everyone.