Email: mark.langlois@patch.com
Tel: 203-209-7371
Your Beliefs: Patch asks me to share with you my beliefs, so I must tell you I believe in small town democracy (town meetings, committees and boards) where people can see government at work. If people had been watching, the boards and commissions in California who voted each other outrageous pensions and salaries might have been stopped. It's easier for me to write about neighborhoods and government than it is to write about crime and corruption, but crime and corruption are my rave favs. I love knowing something and telling people about it before they heard it somewhere else. I want to beat the competition every day.
Politics: I am a registered Democrat, but because I've been a newspaper reporter since 1982, I have never been active in politics. Because both parties know how I am registered, I have to treat both sides of the aisle with visible and obvious equality. In practice, that means I am equally disliked on both parties. I defend the first ammendment rights of everyone to speak their mind, whether or not I find what they say reprehensible. I publish what they say in their words and in a way where when they read it over, they agree they said it and it's what they think.
Religion: I am a practicing Roman Catholic, and I enjoy the religious diversity in Danbury. I'd love to visit your church, Catholic or otherwise.
Local hot button issues: The local hot button issues in Danbury today are the proposed army reserve facility overlooking Danbury Fair Mall and Danbury Airport. The second issue that simmers in Danbury and is alive across the country is immigration and illegal immigration. I won't be confident the army reserve facility is gone until the Pentagon tells me so. I don't think the congress and the president have the courage to tackle the immigration issue.
Where do I stand on the issues?
My question about the army reserve facility is why buy a property in Danbury when the state owns one in Newtown. Both are linked by good roads to lower Fairfield County, and both are near I-84. My suspicion is the opposition by Newtown residents couldn't be overcome, and I also suspect this facility will make use of the Danbury Airport. One thing opponents have to consider is what are the alternative uses for the land. Would it be less offensive to the neighbors as condominiums, as factories, office space or retail? It is unlikely to remain undeveloped forever.
On the second issue, I think federal immigration law is the problem, and it needs reforming. I can understand a person's hurry to leave squalor to a piece of the good life. Somehow we have to fix the law.
When race organizers came to Danbury and started talking about a road race to benefit the Sandy Hook School Support fund, who could possibly say no? It would have been great, Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton said.
Danbury Police charged a Danbury man and woman with crack cocaine offenses while near a school in Danbury at 2 p.m. Tuesday.
The Danbury man arraigned Wednesday for threatening, first-degree sexual assault, providing alcohol to a minor and fourth-degree sexual assault was ordered to stay away from the victim.
Danbury Police charged two men with driving under the influence during a DUI enforcement patrol Monday shortly after midnight.
The Danbury City Council agreed Tuesday to ask Finance Director David St. Hilaire to seek new sources of revenue in a tight budget year.
Danbury police charged a Park Avenue man with driving under the influence after finding his truck heavily damaged in a lot at 213 Main St.
Danbury Police are investigating what they're calling a home invasion-type robbery Saturday at 8:47 p.m.
The town of Ridgefield begins its budget review this week, and the process continues through May 14.
The Danbury City Council will hear a proposal Tuesday night that asks Finance Director David St. Hilaire to figure out ways to raise more money.
The libel suit filed by Ridgefield Developer Dany Letourneau was decided in late January in Danbury Superior Court.
The libel suit filed by Ridgefield Developer Dany Letourneau against Michael Zittel was decided in Danbury Superior Court.
Ridgefield police are investigating the incident.
Ridgefield Police charged a 35-year-old man with DUI after he reportedly damaged a guardrail, a crosswalk sign and a stop sign.
Danbury police charged a Maple Avenue man with interfering with a 911 call and two counts of third-degree assault at about 2:30 a.m. Saturday.
Workers replacing poles and wires closed the intersection of Stadley Rough and Great Plain at Old Neversink Road before noon Saturday. The road opened before 3 p.m.
Danbury Police charged a Danbury man with driving under the influence after receiving a tip about an erratic driver.
The following property transfers were recorded in Ridgefield Town Hall.
Connecticut State Police warn public about drinking and driving and illegal bets on Super Bowl Sunday in this press release.
Danbury Police in the Special Victims Unit charged a Danbury man with sexual assault Thursday.
Wind and rain have knocked out power to nearly 1,000 people as of 5:32 a.m. Thursday. Down to 787 by 3 p.m.
