Farley Santos

Updates from State Rep. Farley Santos for June 5, 2026

Last Friday, I attended the State Bonding Commission meeting where Danbury officially secured $2.3 million to fully fund the replacement of the Kennedy Avenue Bridge, meaning zero local property tax dollars will be needed for this long awaited project. The truth is, projects like this don’t just magically happen. They take advocacy, persistence, collaboration, and showing up to do the work. I’m grateful to have worked alongside Mayor Roberto Alves, state Sen. Julie Kushner, legislative leaders, and the Governor’s team to help get this across the finish line. That’s what delivering for Danbury looks like. On an equally rewarding note, over the last few weeks I’ve had the pleasure of having a local student, Jacob, shadow me for his capstone project. And let me tell you, this young man is impressive. Fresh off an SWC Championship win, MVP honors, Pitcher of the Year, a record 14 strikeouts in a game, and a several RBIs for good measure, the region may have its own version of Ohtani. But what has impressed me most is his curiosity about government, public policy, and making a difference. I had the chance to introduce him to Gov. Ned Lamont (they discussed pitch accuracy vs. speed) and give him his first tour of the People’s House, the State Library, and Supreme Court. We’ve spent time talking politics, education funding, and the issues shaping our future. Young people like Jacob give me a lot of hope for what’s ahead. He’s headed to Wesleyan University and hopefully law school after that. I’m sure I’ll see him in one of the seats we saw last week. Global Parents Day I may have missed Global Parents Day on June 1 as established by the United Nations, but I couldn’t miss the chance to celebrate mine. When I was just 3 months old, Odino and Vanda Viana made a life-changing decision: They took me in and raised me as one of their own. Their four children were already grown, the youngest was 14, the oldest 21, and as they approached their 40s, they started all over again with me. It was the greatest blessing and the best thing that ever happened to my life. There are no words to fully express how grateful I am for the love, sacrifices, lessons, and opportunities they gave me. I miss my dad every single day, and I can’t wait to hug my mom later this year. If you’re fortunate enough to still have your parents here, love them hard, honor them, and never take for granted all they’ve done, and continue to do, for you. Shoutout to all the father and mother figures in my life too, you know who you are and I am grateful. Old Timer's Hall of Fame I am deeply honored to share that later this year, I will be inducted into the Old Timers’ Association of Greater Danbury Hall of Fame as a recipient of the Civic Award. To join such an elite group of Danburians who have given so much to our city is truly humbling. If I’m being honest, when I look at the past and current recipients, I can’t help but feel a bit unworthy. So many giants who have shaped Danbury in extraordinary ways. For me, civic engagement has never been a title or a job, it’s who I am. Giving back, helping others, and working to make Danbury even better is rooted in my love for this city that gave me so much. From the Board of Education, to City Council, to Hartford, to community volunteering, every step has simply been about delivering for our community. While I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together, I can promise you this: I’m not done yet. In fact, this only motivates me to work even harder to continue delivering for Danbury. My sincere thanks to the Board and members of the Old Timers’ Association of Greater Danbury for this tremendous honor. I am truly grateful, even if I’m still processing being called an “Old Timer.” Special Evening in Danbury “Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Serving Danbury is an honor! In the midst of all the work we are doing and all we are delivering for Danbury, last year Mayor Roberto Alves, Chief of Staff Taylor O’Brien, 1st Lt. and City Councilman Joe Britton, and I came together to form the CT Education Foundation with one simple purpose: helping students and supporting educational initiatives for those who need it most. It was decided that it was time to bring back the Mayor’s Ball after a 16-year hiatus, and what a night it was. More than 370 guests packed the Amber Room Colonnade for a phenomenal evening celebrating Danbury’s 250th anniversary while supporting causes that will directly benefit our young people. The night was filled with hometown pride. We welcomed DelMonico Hatter with their Danbury roots to sell hats and share a piece of our city’s history. We heard inspiring words from two outstanding Danbury Police Cadets who, if you ask me, will proudly wear the Danbury Police badge one day. We watched a moving video celebrating everything that makes Danbury special. And The Vices kept the crowd going all night long, bringing incredible energy to an already special evening. And perhaps most moving of all was Mayor Alves’ speech, a reminder of the incredible good we can do when a community comes together. The proceeds from the evening will support the Danbury Museum & Historical Society, the Danbury Police Cadets, and help launch the Danbury Fire Explorers Program, all investments in our kids and their future. The night ended in classic Danbury fashion with a one night only return of the authentic JK’s Texas Hot Weiners, made by the former owners themselves. Most importantly, I was blessed to have my stunning wife by my side for a truly special evening of community, friendship, and hometown pride. Kudos to everyone who worked so hard to make this happen, especially my colleagues in the Mayor’s Office, led by Taylor O’Brien. I love celebrating all things Danbury, and doing it with friends made it even more meaningful. For the record, the Stetson Western Oak Ridge was the right choice by the people! Graduation Season Graduation season is here! One of my favorite times of the year. Tonight, I had the honor of celebrating WERACE graduates, individuals who have overcome challenges, worked hard, and earned every bit of this moment. Success is never achieved alone, so I made sure we recognized the families and friends who helped them get here with a well deserved round of applause. And speaking of family, I got a pretty special surprise myself. Looking out into the crowd, I spotted my niece and her family from out of town, my nephew and his family (serving our country in the military and living across the country), and best of all, I got to meet my grandnephew for the very first time. Yes … I’m already at the “grand” stage of life now. A night filled with pride, family, and celebration. Congratulations to all the graduates, your future is bright! Speaking to Students One of the things I love most about this work is being invited to speak with students. They truly breathe life into you. This past week, I had several opportunities to do so. First, I had the pleasure of speaking to four 4th grade classes at Ellsworth Avenue School about the meaning of representation and why it matters. There’s something incredibly special about answering their thoughtful questions and getting to be the kind of representative I didn’t have when I was their age, someone who looked like them, spoke all their languages, and understood their story. Seeing their little faces light up when I spoke in Portuguese and Spanish and they realized they understood me? Priceless. My message to them is always simple: work hard, dream big, give back to others always, and you can achieve anything in life. Also … I have to admit, getting asked for autographs, a selfie, and being gifted a purple rubber band bracelet may have been the highlight of the day. Next, I spoke to Mr. Ipkovich;s Bethel High JROTC class about financial matters, governance, and more. A note about Mr. Ipkovich: He wasn’t my science teacher at Abbott Tech, but he was admired by just about every student, and even more respected when he took a leave of absence to serve our country in the Navy before returning to the classroom. When a teacher you admire asks you to speak to his class, you show up. I left incredibly impressedf by these young leaders. From organizing veterans’ 5Ks to taking on real strategic and operational responsibilities, these students are learning leadership, discipline, service, and teamwork in ways that will prepare them for success no matter where life takes them. I think I got more out of our time together than I gave. The future is bright with young people like this ready to lead and serve. Danbury High Capstone Exhibition A day after spending a bit of time visiting classrooms and hearing from students, I saw students’ hard work on full display. I was honored to serve as a judge at the Danbury High School Capstone Exhibition and so impressed by the thought and effort students put into projects tackling real issues like mental health, gun violence, and more. Awesome to see minds at work. Congrats, Chief Lounsbury A big congratulations to Chief William Lounsbury on his appointment as Danbury’s Fire Chief by Mayor Roberto Alves and confirmation by the City Council last night. After 40 years of dedicated service, he has reached the pinnacle of his career through hard work, grit, and an unwavering commitment to our community. I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside Chief Lounsbury and have always admired his tenacity, attention to detail, and deep devotion to Danbury. I know he will lead one of the finest and most dedicated fire departments in Connecticut with honor and excellence. Looking forward to working together for the people of our city. Congratulations are also in order to Captain Peltier, Captain Rickard, Lieutenant Babcock, and Lieutenant DeGrandis on their well-earned promotions. A remarkable group of public servants who have dedicated themselves to protecting the city we all love. Danbury is in good hands. A Special Retirement Sometimes it’s hard to find the right words. And I’m not sure why, I didn’t expect to be in a room filled with educators who helped shape my life including my very first teacher when I arrived from Brazil in the 2nd grade, my 4th grade teacher from Hayestown, so many familiar faces, mentors, and friends, all gathered to celebrate Dr. Anna Rocco and an incredible career of service to students. The words just flowed. While Dr. Rocco wasn’t my teacher, I certainly remembered her and had the chance to share a funny story that has stayed with me all these years. The impact educators make lasts far beyond the classroom, and tonight was proof of that. Thank you, Dr. Rocco, for dedicating your life to shaping so many lives for the better. Here’s to a retirement filled with happiness, love, and plenty of dancing, you’ve earned it. Scholarship Awards and Breakfast Always great attending the Danbury Student and Business Connection Scholarship & Awards Breakfast, a powerful reminder of the impact mentorship can have. Years ago, I had the privilege of serving as a mentor and on the board, including as treasurer and secretary, and this morning’s stories from mentors and mentees reminded me just how meaningful that work is. Congratulations to all the graduates, scholarship recipients, and mentors, from those who have dedicated 35 years to those just getting started. A big shoutout to Alexis and the board for what looked to be the biggest breakfast yet! Mentoring Dylan was one of the most rewarding experiences, and years later, I’m proud to still call him a friend. If you’ve ever considered mentoring, reach out to DSABC, it truly makes a difference. Shoutout to my over 30 colleagues throughout the City of Danbury who give back in this way. Danbury on the Diamond Let's get behind the Danbury High 9 - both softball and baseball! First, I saw the softball team's big win at home Monday in the first round of the state Class LL playoffs (photos below)! (Side note, shoutout to the little one who remembered my name and title because I went to her school several months ago to read to her class. Thanks for asking for a picture.) These young women showed heart, grit, and what it means to represent Danbury with pride. They followed up that win with a 12-0 victory over Bristol Central on Wednesday! They play No. 1 Cheshire today at 4 p.m. at Cheshire High in the state quarterfinals! Not to be outdone, the baseball team has won two games in the state Class LL tournament and also advanced to the quarterfinals, where it plays No. 1 Fairfield Prep at Fairfield University at 1 p.m. on Saturday. LETS GO HATTERS!!! Catching Up with Major Gen. Evon It was great catching up with Major General Francis J. Evon, Jr., whose leadership and deep commitment to service continue to make a real impact across Connecticut. As Adjutant General, he oversees The Connecticut National Guard and plays a critical role in military readiness and emergency response here at home. As a member of the Veterans & Military Affairs Committee, we regularly receive briefings from the General, and I continue to be impressed by his thoughtful leadership and dedication to the men and women who serve. Proud to serve on this committee, and especially proud that this session we passed Connecticut’s version of the HEROES Act, strengthening support for veterans and military families through measures that improve benefits, recognize service, and remove barriers to care. St. Anthony's Mahrajan Glad I attended St. Anthony’s Mahrajan with an appetite.  Great Lebanese food, traditional dancing, amazing people, and an incredible celebration of culture and community. Proud to support this festival year after year. Celebrating Danbury 250 To celebrate Danbury. 250, the city partnered with the Danbury Museum & Historical Society, RmediA, and some familiar faces to tell our story: The Danbury Story, visiting our past, the present, and looking towards the future. Please take some time to watch the video on Facebook here. As always, please reach out to my office if you have any comments, questions or concerns. Sincerely, Farley Santos Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.