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Danbury Democratic Town Committee
P. O. Box 164
Danbury, CT 06813
A regular meeting of the Democratic Town Committee
was held at Democratic Headquarter on April
14,2008. The meeting was called to order at 7:27
P.M.
Present:
DaSilva L, Merante, Morgan, Anders, Gallo, Abrantes,
Coladarci, Cooke, Galloway, Kelly, Earle, Schlemmer,
Tomaino, Conciatore, DaSilva J, Eriquez, Lewis,
Schlemmer W, Armstrong Lees, Halfar.
Absent:
McNamara, Rapp, Braguez, Council, and Mackenzie,
White. Tom Saadi was unable to attend due to
Military Duty.
Eleanor Lewis made a motion to accept the call of
the meeting. Gene Eriquez seconded. The motion
passed unanimously.
Eleanor Lewis made a motion to accept the minutes of
the March 10,2008 meeting. Wayne Schlemmer
seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Eleanor Lewis made a motion to accept the minutes of
the special meeting held on march 23,2008. Gene
Eriquez seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Guest Speaker:
there was no guest speaker scheduled for this
meeting.
Public Participation:
Eamon Welch, a campaign worker for Chris Murphy
asked that we continue to support Chris and his
re-election bid.
Correspondence:
None
New Business:
The JJB Dinner will be held on May 30,2008 at the
Amber Room. Please send your ticket money and ad
money in as soon as possible. We need to raise ten
thousand dollars or more. Your support is vital.
Remember that the certification form is needed from
any individual who donates $50.00 or more. Call
Linda DaSilva if you need more information or forms.
The 24th State Senate district is a
win-able seat. George O’Laughlin and Duane Perkins
have expressed interest in running.
William Mellilo is our candidate for the 138th
State Representative District.
Old Business:
We should be looking for a Mayoral candidate now.
Attention should be paid to the budget before the
Common Council now s it will be an issue come
election time.
Gene Eriquez feels that many of the Republican
Council members are only there due to Boughtons
coattails. He feels we need to start early in the
first, third and seventh wards. Candidates need to
get their names out and become known in the wards in
order to win the election.
Helena Abrantes said that the Democrats need to
raise their voices and be heard. Stop letting the
Mayor and the Common Council members run the show.
She said that Ken Gucker spoke out at the last
Common Council meeting and was handed his butt and
called a troublemaker. There was no back up for him
at the meeting.
Gene Eriquez will call a meeting of the out-reach
committee in the absence of Tom Saadi who is
currently serving Military Duty.
When we speak at a meeting we are identified as
Democrats but our opinions are not those of the Town
Committee unless we have voted on an issue.
Glenda Armstrong said that we have a platform and
should be able to identify ourselves as the DDTC.
The current conversations between BRT and Avalon are
a concern.
Reports:
Chair:
Support our JJB Dinner on May 30,2008. The State
JJB will be on April 28,2008 with Joe Biden as the
speaker. Contact Dianne Eppinger or Jim Maloney for
ticket information.
Treasurer: Linda DaSilva
reported a balance of $1246.99 as of April 12,2008.
The JJB ads are very important to help pay for the
election expenses. Please do all that you can to
help. Bernie Gallo made a motion to accept the
report and Eleanor Lewis seconded. The motion
passed unanimously.
State Central: Dianne
Eppinger reported that the State Convention would be
held on May 21,2008
State Officials: Bob Godfrey
thanked those involved in the Danbury Day
festivities held at the Capitol. He said it was a
great day and hoped it would be repeated next year.
Bob said that Democratic officials were having a
hard time getting revenue figures from the Governor,
making it difficult to work on the budget. There
will be an event on June 12,2008 at White Hall to
support the Aides Project.
Local Officials: Warren Levy
voiced his concern about the budget and the tax
increase City residents will see. He is also very
concerned that the accountability for spending is
not there when individual projects can be funded
from a 500 thousand dollar fund with out a vote by
residents. Gene Eriquez questioned the legality of
such spending.
Warren said it was good to see people getting vocal
about the Richter House. The Council members then
feel the” heat”. Chris Murphy asked for funds to be
earmarked for this project. So far Gov. Rell has
not released the money.
Helena Abrantes questioned the parameters for
funding individual projects when the Mayor could
find $75,000.00 for the Film Festival.
Marge Gallo reported that 1300 canvas letters have
been sent out.
Committees: Eleanor Lewis
explained to the new members what the Sunshine
Committee does and asked that each of the members
give $10.00 for the year to be used to send cards
and flowers. Eleanor said it is good PR for the
DDTC. Please get your money to her as soon as
possible.
Eileen Coladarci needs the bio information for the
new members of the town Committee. Pleas get the
info to her at
coladarci@snet.net. Thank You.
Wards: No reports this evening.
Tony Tomaino made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Tina Merante seconded. The meeting was adjourned at
8:35 P.M.
Respectively submitted,
Catherine Conciatore |
