Farley Santos

Updates from State Rep. Farley Santos for July 24, 2026

I have been receiving updates on the fire at Ashwood Valley condominiums in the 109th that has displaced 80 residents. I have been in touch with the Mayor, who remains in constant communication with emergency services and the Red Cross as they coordinate assistance for those affected. My office will do everything it can to assist residents and help connect them with the resources they need as recovery efforts continue. I also want to express my sincere gratitude to the members of the Danbury Fire Department, Volunteer Fire Department, Stony Hill Fire Department and Brookfield Fire Department, along with our police officers, EMS personnel, and the Red Cross, for their professionalism and dedication in responding to this incident and helping keep our community safe. If you’ve been impacted and need any assistance, please contact me directly at Farley.santos@cga.ct.gov. More information to follow. Please join me in keeping these residents in our thoughts and prayers. News coverage can be found here, here, here, and here. A Line the Should Never Be Crossed There is no good or easy way to segue into the following item. Mayor Alves was the target of two recent social media posts in which the author wished for the mayor's death. (He and I were also called "scumbags" by the poster.) It's not the first time the mayor has been the target of comments or actions that go far beyond acceptable discourse.  We can debate. We can disagree. We can even campaign against one another. That's democracy. But before any title, we are fathers, husbands, sons, brothers, and members of someone's family. Wishing death on another person is not politics, it is a failure of basic human decency. There is no place for it in any community. Put Power in the Hands of Voters The right to vote belongs to the people, not politicians. Last week, I spoke before the City Council during the public hearing on the Charter revision about allowing that people to decide -- that’s democracy! While not every recommendation may ultimately be adopted, the people of Danbury deserve the opportunity to decide these important changes at the ballot box. Across the country, we're seeing continued efforts to limit the power of voters. We should roundly reject that mentality here in Danbury. Keeping your vote means keeping you, the voter, from deciding. Democracy isn't about guaranteeing an outcome we like, it's about trusting the people to make the decision. City Councilmembers: Let the voters decide. That's democracy! Final World Cup Watch Party What a game! What a World Cup Final! Viva La Roja! Viva La España Great to catch the final Mayor’s Watch Party at T.K.'s American Cafe, special thanks to TK, the legend. It’s been a great month of promoting and supporting Danbury restaurants and establishments. It’s been great to see communities come together for soccer! Long Game on Kennedy Ave. Bridge Repair Funding Pays Dividends for Danbury Sometimes persistence pays off. I joked with the Governor's Chief of Staff after the Kennedy Avenue Bridge was finally approved for funding. I asked him, "What are the three words you're most relieved to never hear me say again?" His answer: Kennedy Avenue Bridge. I push hard for every project because it matters to Danbury. That persistence helped secure $2.3 million in bond funding, meaning the bridge replacement will be paid for 100% with state dollars instead of requiring Danbury property taxpayers to cover half the cost. A big thank you to my colleague state Sen. Julie Kushner, state Reps. Bob Godfrey and Kenneth Gucker for working together to get this done, and especially state Rep. Ron Napoli, Jr., chair of the Bonding Subcommittee, for putting up with my relentless calls and helping get this across the finish line. This is what teamwork, persistence, and fighting for every dollar looks like. This is how we deliver for Danbury. #FarleyDeliversForDanbury Here is the latest bonding committee agenda for reference. Charter Night for Leo Lions Club Service isn't disappearing, it's being rediscovered by the next generation. I was honored to be invited to the Charter Night for the new Greater Danbury Leo Lions Club. A special thank you to my City Hall colleague and former Deputy Police Chief, Shaun McColgan, who truly embodies a life of service, for the invitation. At a time when volunteerism is declining across the country, seeing so many young people stepping up to serve their community gives me real hope for the future. These future leaders are proving that giving back is alive and well in Danbury. Congratulations to the new Greater Danbury Leo Lions Club! Wishing you years of success and impact. And thank you to the Danbury Lions Club for leading our youth through service. If you're interested in getting involved or learning more, reach out to the Danbury Lions Club. Welcome, Kelly Rybczyk! It was a pleasure to join The Center For Empowerment And Education for Empowerment and Education in welcoming Kelly Rybczyk as its new Executive Director. The Center plays an invaluable role in our community, providing support, advocacy, and hope to survivors while making a meaningful difference in the lives of so many individuals and families throughout our region. Their work strengthens our community every single day. Congratulations to Kelly on this exciting new chapter. Free Summer Meals Free Summer meals are available for all kids and teens throughout Connecticut! Find participating locations at fna.usda.gov/sfsp/sitefinder or call 2-1-1. Sincerely, Farley Santos Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.