Ellen VanDyke Bell Running For Danbury City Council At-Large

DANBURY, CT — The state Municipal Election is Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Patch contacted candidates to answer questions about their campaigns.

Democrat Ellen VanDyke Bell, 56, is running for City Council At-Large in Danbury.

Occupation: Attorney

Family: I have lived in Danbury for over 20 years. I am happily married to my beloved and I am the mother of 8 which includes 2 humans, 4 dogs and 2 cats, (unfortunately, 3 of my animal kids are no longer with us) My son is a graduate from Danbury High School, class of 2020. He is currently attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, studying Mechanical Engineering. My daughter is a senior at Henry Abbott Technical High School.

Experience: None

Family in government: No

The single biggest issue in town is ______, and I plan to do this about it:

The single most pressing issue facing our town is overcrowding in our public schools. I intend to use state and federal funding to adequately invest in all of our public schools to address this issue. Ultimately and fixing the deficiencies in our public school is the key to economic growth and development for small businesses which will lead to an increase in the property values of our homes.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

The school overcrowding issue did not occur over night! It occurred because some of my opponents failed to properly fund the schools and allowed funds to be diverted to other projects. I will not do that!

Accomplishments:

I was a Magistrate for the Judicial Branch for the State of Connecticut since 2008 until March 2020 when the program was indefinitely suspended in the wake of COVID. As a Magistrate, I presided over small claims cases and criminal infractions. As an impartial decision maker, after listening to the evidence presented, I applied the appropriate law and determined either in writing or from the bench as to which party prevailed in civil matters and the guilt or innocence of the defendant in criminal matters. I also facilitated settlements between opposing parties. Additionally, I have been an attorney for over 30 years. I have represented children and families in probate, civil, criminal and family court in a variety of legal matters. As the principal law clerk to the Administrative Judge for the First Judicial District, Supreme Court, Criminal Branch (NY County), in addition to other responsibilities, I interacted with heads of agencies such as the Chief Clerks Office, the Department of Correction, Department of Probation, etc., . I also participated in budget development, court administration and non-judicial employee hiring. I am also the President and CEO of Danbury Robotics d/b/a AKOMA Foundation where I oversee and develop programs to carry out the mission of the organization, as well as implement all programs. I am also the Chief Fundraiser and primary spokesperson. I write grants, and recruit donors and sponsorships for the organization.

Other issues:

In addition to improving education, our roads need to be improved! I am hoping that the federal government passes the infrastructure bill so that we can acquire some of that money to repair our roads. I am also committed to making sure we maintain affordable housing for all Danbury residents including but not limited to our working families, and senior citizens and our veterans. My website www.votebell4danbury.com gives more details concerning the issues I see facing Danbury and my thoughts about how to resolve them.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I am also the head robotics coach for 10 robotics teams. I mentor kids in grades K-12. I recently won Coach /Adult mentor of the year in robotics for all of New England this year and 2021.