Hat City Pod

Welcome to the new season of Hat City Pod, formerly Coffee With Your Councilmen. Roberto, Frank, Joe, and Farley discuss the pod name change, the 2021 election results, what’s happening in Danbury and on the City Council including the situation with the “Danbury Career Academy,” and what’s to come! 

In this episode we discuss the happenings of the March City Council meeting with a focus on the Volunteer Tax Abatement proposal and the city’s budget cycle that is just around the corner. A deep dive into what our education funding request looks like at the moment and what we can expect. We also touch on other happenings such as Councilman Alves’ dynamic campaign for Mayor and the joining of forces in the 4th Ward. Tune in for much more Danbury talk. 

A wide ranging interview with CT Attorney General William Tong regarding all the work he’s doing and how it impacts Danbury residents featuring special guest host Danbury BOE Member Joe Britton.

A wide ranging conversation with an exceptional leader, Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz. We discuss the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic crisis as it relates to what’s happening here in CT. From mental health of health professionals to what the state is doing to fight the pandemic and what our responsibility is as CT residents to curb the virus. This is a discussion you don’t want to miss.

Did you know that some Danbury residents don’t have enough to eat, struggle with childcare and transportation? In this episode we take an in-depth look at the United Way’s ALICE Report - what it means and it’s details - with the President/COO of the United Way of Western CT, Isabel Almeida. She gives us a breakdown of what half of our residents are suffering through and how local leaders can and need to step up with sustainable solutions to help our community.

We’re joined by CT’s own Madam Secretary, Denise Merrill, the Secretary of the State to talk voting in CT. Madam Secretary discusses where we are at the moment and where we must go in the future to make voting even easier and safer. Tune into this wide ranging interview and you’ll quickly learn why she has been one of our state’s most successful government officials.

We discuss the happenings of the latest City Council meeting, and why one item required an additional special meeting this week to pass. Plus, get our first take on why change shouldn’t be partisan.

We thought we could have wrapped up our Education/Danbury Public Schools series, but recent comments and listener questions demanded a response. We go through a detailed breakdown of our education funding with Danbury Democrats Chair Andrea Gartner and BOE Member Joe DaSilva. We also dive back in to Charter schools. Transparency and forthrightness matter!

A continuation of our discussion about the Danbury Public Schools with Joseph Dasilva Jr. member of the Danbury Board of Education. Joe provides us with clarity around the current school budget, along with a breakdown on what is really in it and what isn’t from the city of Danbury. “We got[an increase of] $1.2 million from the city of Danbury, which is not even enough to cover contractual increases. Flat out. It is effectively a budget cut.” - Joe DaSilva Jr. We also speak on City growth and its impact on students, magnet schools followed by conversation on Charter Schools. We end this one with the series wrap up, thank you all for tuning in. 

Join us as we discuss the Danbury Public Schools with the Vice Chair of the Danbury Board of Education, Kate Conetta. In this conversation we get a look at the status of our schools and discuss the important aspects that affect them positively and negatively. Known for her deep dives into the subject matter that’s put in front of her and in this episode we talk to her about finance, outcomes and the future state of our schools. When asked if Danbury residents should be worried about the state of school funding from this fiscal year to next, Kate Connetta stated, “I think they should be concerned.” Definitely don’t miss this one.