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.
Ana Grace Marquez-Green was one of the children shot to death in Newtown Friday. She was 6. Her father Jimmy Greene works at Western Connecticut State University.
Dick's Sporting Goods at the Danbury Fair Mall removed its rifles and other firearms from its shelves and is leaving them empty until further notice out of respect for the shooting victims and their families in Newtown and throughout the area.
Bethel First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker sent in this letter encouraging people to attend the Tribute to Newtown at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the O'Neill Center, Western Connecticut State University's westside campus.
They call it Santa Wears Blue, and for the Danbury Police Explorers, that means gathering presents around Danbury and giving them out.
Dick's Sporting Goods at the Danbury Fair Mall removed its rifles and other firearms from its shelves and is leaving them empty until further notice out of respect for the shooting victims and their families in Newtown and beyond.
Dick's Sporting Goods at the Danbury Fair Mall removed its rifles and other firearms from its shelves and is leaving them empty until further notice out of respect for the shooting victims and their families in Newtown and throughout the area.
Local towns will host a tribute to Newtown at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the O'Neill Center of Western Connecticut State University.
A community forum at Western Connecticut State University made up of the Columbine High School Principal, the founding director of the VOICES of September 11 and others told the Danbury audience they are not alone facing the Sandy Hook tragedy.
As part of a goal to cut $600 million in costs during 2013 because of federal budget Sequestration, the FAA is making plans to close towers in Danbury, Oxford, Groton, New Haven, Bridgeport and Hartford.
As part of a goal to cut $600 million in costs during 2013 because of federal budget Sequestration, the FAA is making plans to close airport towers in Danbury, Oxford, Groton, New Haven, Bridgeport and Hartford.
The families of Newtown shooting victims sent posters of thanks to surrounding towns and first responders Wednesday.
William Trudeau Jr., formerly of Newtown Oil fame, was sentenced to 188 months in prison for mortgage fraud.
Danbury Police are investigating the death of a man on Forest Avenue Friday night or Saturday morning.
Danbury and Greenwich can breath a little easier. Gov. Malloy said he opposes tolls on the state's borders. He didn't say he opposes tolls entirely.
Danbury and Stamford can breath a little easier. Gov. Malloy said he opposes tolls on the state's borders. He didn't say he opposes tolls entirely.
Danbury and Stamford can breath a little easier. Gov. Malloy said he opposes tolls on the state's borders. He didn't say he opposes tolls entirely.
Danbury and Stamford can breath a little easier. Gov. Malloy said he opposes tolls on the state's borders. He didn't say he opposes tolls entirely.
Danbury and Stamford can breath a little easier. Gov. Malloy said he opposes tolls on the state's borders. He didn't say he opposes tolls entirely.
Here are the November health inspections of Danbury restaurants.
Local towns will host a tribute to Newtown at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the O'Neill Center of Western Connecticut State University. The attached PDF describes tonight's event.