<p>Danbury, January 24, 2025 – IAFF Local 801 is proud to announce our endorsement of Mayor Roberto Alves in his bid for re-election in the 2025 Danbury mayoral race. In his first term, Mayor Alves has demonstrated a strong commitment to public safety through both his actions and leadership.</p><p>Under Mayor Alves's leadership, a public infrastructure bond package was passed, facilitating the development of a new firehouse, acquisition of apparatus, and increased staffing for Danbury's west side. This long-overdue initiative will significantly improve response times and enhance fire protection and emergency services throughout the city.</p><p>In the past year, minimum daily staffing in the career fire department has increased from 23 to 26 firefighters. Mayor Alves recognizes that bolstering staffing levels is essential to keeping pace with the city's growth and ensuring the safety of both firefighters and citizens.</p><p>Additionally, Mayor Alves collaborated with firefighters to establish a fair contract—the first in over a decade. This agreement provides firefighters with appropriate compensation and benefits, aiding in the retention of dedicated members and attracting top candidates in a competitive field.</p><p>"I'm honored to have the support of our Danbury firefighters, who put their lives on the line every day to protect our community," said Mayor Roberto L. Alves. "I am grateful for the strong partnership and trust we've built, and I remain committed to ensuring our first responders have the resources, training, and support they need to keep our community safe. After 12 years without a new contract, we are proud to have secured one that honors their service and incentivizes firefighters to live in the community they serve. I look forward to building on our progress and continuing our shared mission of serving the people of Danbury."</p><p>Local 801's endorsement of Mayor Alves exemplifies our union's support for public officials who prioritize firefighters' well-being. This support enables us to focus on our primary goal: protecting the lives and property of those who live, work, and visit the great city of Danbury.</p><p>James Babcock</p><p>IAFF 801</p><p>Political Action Director</p>

<p>Robert Blair of Danbury has achieved Dean's List honors for the fall 2024 semester at Nichols College.</p><p>Dean's List recognizes those students who achieve high grades during a single semester. In order to be included on the Dean's List, a student must have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 for at least 12 undergraduate credit-hours and must have received no grades below B- during the semester.</p>

<p>American International College (AIC) student Gabriel Pena Rodriguez of Danbury has earned Dean's List honors for the Fall 2024 semester.</p><p>Pena Rodriguez is majoring in International Business.</p><p>Dean's List honors are awarded to full-time students who have achieved a 3.3 to 4.0 GPA. AIC commends Pena Rodriguez and all of those on the Dean's List for their hard work and dedication.</p><p>Founded in 1885, American International College (AIC) is a private, co-educational, doctoral granting institution located in Springfield, Massachusetts, comprising the School of Business, Arts and Sciences, the School of Education, and the School of Health Sciences. AIC supports and advances education, diversity, and opportunity for its students and the community.</p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong>Historian Dr. Kevin R.C. Gutzman to sign ‘The Jeffersonians’ at Danbury Barnes &amp; Noble</strong></p><p>DANBURY, Connecticut — Historian and American Constitutional scholar <a href="https://www.wcsu.edu/history/faculty/kevin-gutzman/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dr. Kevin R.C. Gutzman</a>&nbsp;will participate in a book-signing of his sixth and most highly acclaimed book, “<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jeffersonians-Kevin-R-C-Gutzman/dp/1250135451" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Jeffersonians: The Visionary </a>Kevin Gutzman will discuss his book <em>The Jeffersonians: Presidencies of Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe</em> (St. Martin’s Press, 2022) at noon on Sunday, February 9, at Barnes &amp; Noble at Danbury Fair, 7 Backus Avenue, Space E110, in Danbury. This event is free and open to the public, with copies of <em>The Jeffersonians</em> available for purchase.</p><p>Gutzman is a professor of History, Philosophy, and World Perspectives at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury. When he’s not teaching American History courses at WestConn, he is researching, writing about, or discussing the founding of America. A project five years in the making, Gutzman considers <em>The Jeffersonians</em> to be his “best book yet.” Judging by the accolades received before and after its official release in December 2022, many scholars and historians agree.</p><p>In September 2022, <em>The Jeffersonians</em> earned a rare starred review from <em>Kirkus</em>. In October 2022, the book received a positive mention in <em>The New Yorker</em>, where Adam Gopnik included it in his piece, “How Samuel Adams Helped Ferment a Revolution.” November 2022 saw Amazon list <em>The Jeffersonians</em> as one of its Best Books of the Month in the Memoirs &amp; Biographies and History categories, and it reached #1 on Amazon’s Bestseller list in the War of 1812 History category.</p><p><em>The Jeffersonians</em> was named one of USA Today’s five “books to remember in 2022,” received a glowing review from <em>The Wall Street Journal</em> in December 2022, and was chosen as the History Book Club's Main Selection for January 2023.</p><p>Gutzman has discussed the book with Dr. Robert McDonald, West Point’s resident Jefferson expert, for the National Archives’ online interview series. He’s also appeared on podcasts, including an in-depth conversation with Tom Woods.</p><p>“Writing is a ton of work,” Gutzman has said, “but I really enjoy it.” In fact, Gutzman shares the story of being a practicing lawyer who couldn’t wait until his lunch hour so he could read history books. “I went back to graduate school after law school for a Ph.D. in History because I like it.”</p><p>All of the books he’s written have built upon each other, Gutzman explained, and there’s nothing he enjoys more than doing radio, television, print and podcast interviews where he encounters people who are interested in the subject and what he’s writing about. No stranger to literary success, Gutzman’s first book spent several weeks on the New York Times Bestseller list in 2007.</p><p>Gutzman’s other books include <em>The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Constitution</em> (Regnery Publishing, 2006); <em>Virginia’s American Revolution: From Dominion to Republic, 1776-1840</em> (Lexington Books, 2007); <em>Who Killed the Constitution? The Fate of American Liberty from World War I to George W. Bush</em> with coauthor Thomas E. Woods (Crown Forum, 2008); <em>James Madison and the Making of America</em> (St. Martin’s Press, 2012); and <em>Thomas Jefferson Revolutionary: A Radical’s Struggle to Remake America</em> (St. Martin’s Press, 2017).</p><p>He also has chapters published in the following: “James Madison and the Ratification of the Constitution:&nbsp;A Triumph over Adversity,” in “A Companion to James Madison and James Monroe,” ed. Stuart Leibiger (Malden, Massachusetts: Wiley-Blackwell, 2012); “Lincoln as Jeffersonian: The Colonization Chimera,” in “Lincoln Emancipated: The President and the Politics of Race,” ed. Brian Dirck (DeKalb: Northern Illinois University Press, 2007); Foreword to “Anthony Gregory, The Power of Habeas Corpus in America: From the King’s Prerogative to the War on Terror” (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2013).</p><p>Gutzman earned a Ph.D. in History, University of Virginia, 1999; J.D., University of Texas School of Law, 1990; Master of Public Affairs, LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas, 1990; M.A. in History, University of Virginia, 1994; and a B.A. in Plan II/History Honors, With Honors and with Special Honors in History, University of Texas, 1985.</p><p>For more information, send an email to Dr. Kevin Gutzman at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:gutzmank@wcsu.edu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">gutzmank@wcsu.edu</a>&nbsp;or Communications and Marketing at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:pr@wcsu.edu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pr@wcsu.edu</a>.</p>

<h3>Take Your Child to the Library This Winter</h3><p><strong>Danbury Library Celebrates the Positive Impact of Local Libraries on Children and Families</strong></p><p>This February, join Danbury Library and thousands of libraries across the nation in celebrating <strong>Take Your Child to the Library Day</strong> with free, fun activities for children and families.</p><p>Mark your calendar for <strong>Saturday, February 1</strong>, from <strong>10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.</strong>, and bring the whole family to experience a day filled with hands-on creativity and imaginative play. Activities include playdough stations, sand art, painting, and other crafts designed to delight and inspire budding artists and young adventurers.</p><p>Thanks to a generous donation from the Friends of the Danbury Library, each child who attends will receive a <strong>free book</strong> to take home, supporting the library’s mission of fostering lifelong reading habits. Reading together as a family not only strengthens bonds but also expands vocabulary, enhances focus, and nurtures a love of reading from an early age.</p><p><strong>Participate in the Winter Reading Challenge</strong></p><p>Extend the fun by joining the <strong>Winter Reading Challenge</strong>, a program designed for readers of all ages to explore new topics, genres, and winter-themed stories. Families can track their progress together or compete with each other using Winter Reading Bingo boards.</p><p>Pick up a Bingo board at the library's <strong>Information Desk</strong> and start marking the books you read between now and the end of February.</p><ul><li><strong>Complete one row</strong> for a chance to win a cozy gift basket.</li><li><strong>Complete the entire board</strong> to earn an additional entry into the drawing!</li></ul><p>The first 100 participants to claim Bingo will receive a <strong>coupon to Chick-fil-A</strong>, and the <strong>grand prize drawing</strong> will be held on <strong>March 3rd</strong>.</p><p>For curated book lists and to register for the challenge, visit <a href="https://danburylibrary.org/winter-read" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://danburylibrary.org/winter-read/</a></p><p>As a cornerstone of the Danbury community, the library strives to serve as a welcoming hub, responsive to the diverse needs of the city, and a source of inspiration through words, ideas, and shared experiences.</p><p>Bring your children to explore, play, and discover the joy of learning at this special event. See you at the library!</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

<p>Grace Tirado, a member of the Class of 2025 from Danbury, has been named to the Fall 2024 Dean's List at Stonehill College. To qualify for the Dean's List, students must have a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher and must have successfully completed all courses for which they were registered.</p><p>Stonehill College, a Catholic institution of higher learning, was founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1948. Located on the beautiful 387-acre campus and former estate of Frederick Lothrop Ames in North Easton, Massachusetts, it is a community of scholarship and faith, anchored by a belief in the inherent dignity of each person.</p>