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Cross post from HatCityBLOG

So much for “People over Politics…”

Danbury Dems (via Facebook):

I guess next we can expect our fearless mayor to refuse to participate in FREE and OPEN debates…

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Cross post from HatCityBLOG

With memories of hurricane/tropical storm Floyd still fresh in my memory, today I made it a point to visit the exact locations a traveled back in 1999 in order to compare the flood damage cause by Irene to one of the worse rain storms of the 90s.

For those for forgot about Floyd’s visit to Hatcity, the damage caused to this area was so widespread (although it was a tropical storm Floyd seemed to stop right over Danbury and drop inches upon inches of rain) that it was noted in Wikipedia.

The effects of Hurricane Floyd in New England stretched across the region from Connecticut to Maine and included two casualties. Floyd, once a large and powerful hurricane, made landfall in North Carolina and weakened as it tracked northward along the U.S. East Coast. By September 17, 1999, the storm, downgraded in strength to a tropical storm, was situated over New England. It produced heavy rainfall and gusty winds throughout the entire region, leading to widespread downing of trees and extensive power outages before it moved away later that day. In Danbury, Connecticut, Floyd triggered severe flooding, considered the worst in 40 years, that damaged hundreds of homes.

[...]

As Floyd tracked up the Connecticut River Valley towards Massachusetts, it dropped heavy precipitation. The heaviest rainfall occurred in a southwest–northeast orientated swath from northern New Jersey to southwestern Connecticut, including southeastern New York. At the Danbury Airport, 11.13 in (283 mm) of rain was reported. Rainfall rates of 1 to 2 in (25 to 51 mm) per hour occurred at Bethel and Danbury. Numerous rivers overflowed; for example, the Still River and its tributaries triggered severe flooding.[8] The worst of the flooding—considered the worst in 40 years—took place at Danbury.[9] Hundreds of homes, two car dealerships, several roads, and other structures were damaged there.[8] At Greentree Motors, all 200 vehicles were declared a total loss.[9] Parts of the city were submerged with 4 ft (1.2 m) of water.[10]

When comparing Irene to Floyd, it’s not even close.

While it appears that Irene caused major damage to the state’s coastline, when it comes to Danbury it appears that the city was spared any major destruction.

For those in the know, when it comes to flooding in Danbury, the place better known as Swampfield has certain locations that always flood. Back in 1999, I worked at one of these locations over on Finance Drive near Newtown Road and can distinctly recall the flood damage to that area (i.e., the bridge on Old Newtown Road was destroyed, water on Finance Drive came to the hood of my Jeep, intersection of Finance Drive and Newtown Road was under at least 3 to 4 feet of water, Federal Road by Stew Leonards looked like a river, etc).

With that in mind, today, I videotaped the same locations in order to give those who remember the storm of ’99 a comparative view of the damage caused by hurricane Irene. Now, this is not to say that there wasn’t any damage in Greater Danbury…just that in terms of the city of Danbury, the area was for the most part spared any significant damage.

Areas in video: Newtown Road, Corner of Finance/Augusta Drive and Old Newtown Road, Beaver Brook Road, Federal Road (note how Greentree Toyota learned their lesson from ’99), White Street (in front of 3 Bros. Diner), West Street (Still River), White Street (Still River).

UPDATE: Here’s video I shot of a storm on West Street back in March of 2010. You can compare this footage of the video I shot on West Street in the first video (3:15 to 4:11). During 1999′s Floyd, I was unable to stand at that section of the street.

Finally, here’s a report from WTNH back in March of this year when a rain storm flooded many of the same spots I videotaped today. Note that the flood level from that storm (caused by the combination of rain and melted snow) are almost identical to the levels from Irene.

In short, yes the flooding from Irene was bad but we’ve seen MUCH worse…Danbury was called Swampfield for a reason.

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Cross post from HatCityBLOG

During his arraignment at Danbury Superior Court, accused killer Arturo Dota plead not guilty to the stabbing death of his girlfriend Natalie Ramirez.

For those unfamiliar with the case, here’s a recap of the alleged crime via WTNH.

At the court hearing, Dota’s lawyer Philip Russell entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf. Also, according to paperwork on file at court, the prosecution objected the photographers during the arraignment. The objection was overruled by the court and the photographer was allowed in court with conditions.

Since Dota’s arraignment was today, his police warrant affidavit was made available to the public…and it paints a very disturbing picture (portion of the document are redacted).

With his bond was set at 1 million dollars, Dota’s next court hearing date is set for Sept. 20th.

RELATED POSTS:

NEWS-TIMES: Accused killer pleads not guilty in Danbury stabbing

DANBURY PATCH: Natalie Ramirez Wanted To Leave Him

Read more:

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HatCityBLOG

Since the epicenter of the earthquake is located near the nation’s capitol, I decided to contact a former Danbury resident who is currently living in Washington D.C. and get his hand account on today’s event.

Ivon Alcime is the former host of the local access TV show “Ideas at Work and Beyond” (currently named the Marty Heiser Show) and is a Ph.D student/instructor at Howard University in D.C. After cell phone coverage was restored in his area, I contacted Alcime to get his take on scene in D.C. after the earthquake struck.

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Cross post from HatCityBLOG

Last night on the local access show “The Marty Heiser Show” former First Selectman for Bethel Bob Burke joined the round table talk about his campaign as well as take calls from the public.

Unfortunately I was unable to ask all my questions (which include allegations that the Tea Party movement in the state is not affiliated with the CT TEA Party Political Party. Also, Burke and Bob Crnic made several statements about the current administration which will need to be verified and I will write about in future posts. Also, Burke and Bob Crnic made several statements about the current administration which will need to be verified and I will write about in future posts.

Burke will be available for future interviews and I’m hoping that the Democratic and Republican candidates will appear on the show as Bethel’s “silly” campaign season goes into ramming speed.

On behalf of everyone at the show, I’d like to thank Burke and Crnic for coming on the program…

UPDATE: On the Bethel Buzz, First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker responded to one of the allegations referenced by Burke and Crnic last night.

Bethel First Selectman Matthew Knickerbocker Responds, 8/12/2011, 12:31 p.m. :

Dear XXXXXXX,

Thank you for your email. I’m glad to have an opportunity to set the record straight. It is very unfortunate that just because we have an election coming up, some political candidates are using this as a means of spreading distortions about a project that continues to benefit the town.

Let me assure you that no one, neither the town, any town employee nor any private business owner has broken the law. Nor has any business owner, in this case the owner of Bethel Cycle, derived a benefit at taxpayer expense. Quite the opposite, in fact. It is the town that has benefitted the most from this arrangement, since the owner of the shop has covered all of the costs of renovating a building he can use, but will never own.

Here are some facts:

The resurfacing of the parking lot was paid 100% by rent payments by the previous tenant (an art gallery that ceased business s a few years ago), as required by the Department of Transportation deed. Not one penny of Bethel tax dollars was used.

Use of both the old train station and the new one are restricted by the Department of Transportation. All monies collected from leases and parking fees (as with the new station) must be kept in separate accounts and can ONLY be used for upkeep of the property. This is how the town can reduce the workload on our town crews by using contractors to plow the old station lot in the winter, using the rent money collected from the business, as well as possible future improvements to the municipal parking lot.

As mentioned above, the business owner of Bethel Cycle paid all the costs of renovation. He obtained, on his own, a small business loan to do so. Neither the town nor me as First Selectman had anything whatsoever to do with that loan. There is no kind of personal guarantee by me or the town on that loan. There is no collateral that would cause the town to lose its property in the event the business owner defaulted.

It is true the business owner is allowed to take a credit against the rent payment while the loan is being paid off. In round numbers, the rent is $3,000 per month, and he is allowed to deduct slightly less than $2,000, which gives his a positive cash flow of $1,000 per month. When the loan is paid off (and remember, 100% of the loan money was used to improve property that Bethel owns), then he will pay the full $3,000 per month.

In effect, this private business “fronted” 100% of the money needed to fix the train station, rather than have the taxpayers pay for it. Not only is there nothing wrong with this arrangement, it is almost exactly the same as the lease that Bob Burke, the former First Selectman, negotiated with Daily Fare, the food service tenant who leases space at the new train station. In that case, the business is actually allowed to deduct 100% of the rent while the cost of the commercial kitchen is being repaid. Meaning, of course, the business has not paid a penny in rent since opening in 2008.

I have no problem with this, and I am not criticizing it. But it is more than hypercritical for any political candidate to irresponsibly accuse me personally or anyone else in town government of criminal activity.

Sincerely yours,

Matthew S. Knickerbocker

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Cross post from HatCityBLOG

Just learned that earlier today, developers of a proposed septic treatment plant on Beaver Brook Road withdrew their petition to the Planning Commission.

More later…

UPDATE:Patch has more…

With nonchalance belying the importance of the announcement, the Planning Commission simply stated that a letter had been received from Collins, Hannafin and Garamella, attorneys for Coffey Environmental Solutions, dated August 17, that said, “On behalf of the applicant in the above referenced matter, please be advised that the application is hereby formally withdrawn.”

Beaver Brook residents were beside themselves with excitement and joy. “I feel exhilaration and relief,” exclaimed Patty Taylor, Beaver Brook resident who had attended every meeting with her husband Bob.

Santo Straino, another resident, was also thrilled, “At least they knew everybody was against it. I was worried that they might do okay in the beginning, but once they were in there, it’s all over. They could do anything they want.”

Most of the residents felt a sense of empowerment and amazement that they had actually made a difference. “If nobody went to these meetings, this never would have happened,” said Straino. “The neighborhood took control.”

As I always said, when it comes to development that you don’t approve, people can make a difference by simply voicing their displeasure when the proposal is presented to the land-use boards.

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Cross post from HatCityBLOG

A day after being released on bond, speaking on his local access show, a defiant John McGowan commented on his recent rape conviction…

McGowan stated in court that he would appeal the jury’s ruling against him and is scheduled for sentencing on October 21.

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Cross post from HatCityBLOG

With the election season officially underway, candidates for municipal office are making the rounds raising the cash to mount a campaign.

On Thursday, surrounded by aprox. 70 friends and supporters 4th Ward Democratic City Councilmen Peter Nero and Tom Saadi kicked off their campaign with a fundraiser at the Lebanon American Club on West Street. Here’s video footage of the stump speech by Nero and Saadi.

RELATED POST:

Saadi/Nero 2011 campaign website