Op-Ed From Roberto Alves, Danbury City Councilman-At-Large

This letter to the editor was written by Roberto Alves, Danbury City Councilman-At-Large.

I ran for the City Council on many platforms, one of which was challenging the status quo. Some argue that Danbury doesn’t have any problems, but all one has to do is look out the window to know that our roads and infrastructure are crumbling, our downtown is neglected, and our schools are overcrowded and underfunded. Clearly the status quo is not working.

A $62 million bond was recently approved by the City Council. While the funding is a necessary start to addressing our city’s issues, the lack of details or commitments on projects result in a concerning lack of transparency. For weeks we have been asking for more details on this bond, and since the Council voted against recommending it on January 28th, additional details have been scantly provided and, in some cases, walked back. The Administration still needs to tell us: Which roads and bridges will be repaired? Why is there so much inconsistency about whether a middle school expansion is planned? Has the 2020 Task Force been consulted in regards to the $23.3 million allocation for schools? Will our taxes go up $1,800 per household?

It’s been just two months since I’ve been on the City Council, but I can already tell you that it appears to be business-as-usual for this political body. Despite not receiving the details we requested, the bond passed in an 18-2 vote (with one abstention). If asking questions to get the answers and detail the public needs to get the job done has ruffled feathers, then so be it. Governing must be done in the sunlight, not behind closed doors.

After the February meeting a constituent sent me a message and said, “There is no excuse for lack of details, except to be free of accountability.” I could not agree more.

I voted “no” on the bond, not because I don’t want it to pass when it goes to voters, but because I still have serious concerns about the sheer lack of information that has been disclosed. We can’t get by with only “assurances” that everything will be okay — things haven’t been okay in Danbury for a very long time. It’s fiscally irresponsible and reckless.

Democrats have been accused of “playing politics” in regards to this bond, but that’s simply not true. I understand how upsetting it must be to those that have been in power for a long time to be challenged. I’m sure it’s tough for them. But it’s not politics, it’s just right. The residents of Danbury deserve to know exactly how and where their money is being spent.

Change is hard, but it’s coming whether people like it or not.

Roberto Alves is a Danbury City Councilman At Large