Yikes! Mary, I'm not sure if you have another agenda in attacking Councilman Kimmel personally, but it is clear to me why he is sharing this letter with us. Obviously, the work required of council members goes above and beyond what might be used for the next day's headline. Mr. Kimmel is sharing from his point of view and the extent to which he, himself, fills his council role in District D. Not all those who run for a council seat fully understand the extent of its demands when they sign on for the job. We have even seen members of this current council go so far as to create issues that are not necessarily pertinent to the upcoming council agenda just to generate self-serving fanfare. Thankfully, there are those are the council who operate behind the scenes to do what they can for their constituency without the need for a press quote or photo-op. Obviously, we will not read about these good deeds in a controversial online news source. Thank you, Councilman Kimmel, for reminding us why you won in District D by a wide margin. Obviously Norwalk voters understand your council role and how well you continue to serve them. View Comment

Paige, thanks for your reply. I noticed that myself. In light of the NDV's comment policy, it's odd that the NDV would allow a recent comment calling another poster a "dumba$$" without any consideration for removal. Perhaps such editing takes time, and I hope that's the case. Comments like this are outright harrassment. The NDV needs to take these rude and baseless comments seriously in order to thrive as an online community news source that caters to a wide audience of all ages. View Comment

Thank you, Bruce. Any negative comments you receive here will be from those who resent that you no longer defend the partisan "team." Unaffiliated voters who have been watching this current council's dynamics from its inception know full well why you could no longer vote according to how “the team” instructed, particularly when this partisan control compromised your values or did not allow you the freedom of your own conviction. It boggles the mind how your partisan attackers don’t understand how very small this makes them look in the eyes of the unaffiliated. Intelligent open-minded thinkers can see through this silly strategy of hearing candidates mouth what they think the voters want to hear, particularly when it comes from an obvious partisan strategy. Here, I refer to your earlier letter about why certain council members could not defend their oppositional position to the budget. How sad to see individuals in such a level of responsibility who cannot back votes with conviction. Sadly, partisan politics will certainly try to bastardize the budget process. Again, most intelligent free thinkers understand the economic tide trickling down from the state and how it affects our city’s budget. Bruce, you stated earlier that one cannot have everything the way one might like. It boggles the mind that people are so incredibly selfish to think that their own special interest group should get the big bucks. Obviously, there is a balance here and a process that protects us from our own poor judgment. This is not to mean that we should not try to do what we can when pressed; however, the unaffiliated voter honors those individuals who try to use innovative means without the partisan blame. We owe a big debt of thanks to those individuals who physically went to Hartford to address the ECS funding for our schools. Obviously, this issue is a meaningless fight for those politicos who did not wage the battle back when. Please don’t insult our intelligence unless you are prepared to get back on that bus. It’s interesting how the newly awakened politicos attack good people who are simply filling a volunteer position that requires many, many hours of time and commitment. Norwalk's unaffiliated voters will be voting for those council candidates who do not spew partisan rhetoric and who ultimately commit to follow their own conscience for the good of all Norwalkers. One has to only watch Councilman Kimmel at work acquiring his answers to make the best possible decision he possibly can. We unaffiliated voters know a good thing when we see it. View Comment

Dumbest post? What an outrageously ignorant thing to say! Ken P. is stating his opinion. You have the right to disagree, and since it appears you do, please support your own opinion in a way that might convince others to see it your way. I honestly wish the NDV would not cater to these insulting negative posts and set a tighter restriction on responding to the issues ONLY. It is comments like this that bring down the entire credibility of the specific online newspapers who allow these personal attacks to continue unchallenged. View Comment

@sononeknows RE: "This simply says a lot about you as a council member and your predictions for the future." Yes, it does, doesn't it? Let's thank Councilman Kimmel for his insight and research. He continues to be the voice of reason based on his experience, intelligence, and his ability to effectively discuss issues rationally with others without partisan boundaries. View Comment

And your point is? Not nice, is it. Is your question to Ms. Maggio meant to be snide? I can't imagine anyone responding like this to someone face to face. Haven't you, yourself, mentioned a need for civility in public forums? That, I would believe, extends to public interaction on news blogs such as this. How is it that Internet commentary has become much like road rage where drivers respond with rude gestures and a barrage of obscenities behind a barrier of glass and metal? Have we really become so isolated via machines and technology that we forget how to speak to each other? By the way, I would reread the letter to obtain the point. Ms. Maggio makes it clear in her first paragraph, which is generally where the topic sentence is found in written text. Of course, the title helps. View Comment

@sononeknows (or is that a typo re: someoneknows?) Are you ready to run for a council seat so you can attend important committee meetings, direct the appropriate questions to the appropriate personnel, read the itemized council informational packet, and arrive at a logical well-thought out conclusion based on your involvement in the process? Everyone has an opinion. It is worth squat unless you can share it meaningfully for the greater good. View Comment

What, exactly, is a progressive Democrat, and how does this mindset distinguish one from say.. a liberal, moderate or conservative Democrat? Generally, a progressive lens provides ocular clarity and sharper vision at all distances. Does the "progressive" mindset provide insight to all viewpoints when specific issues/items are brought to the table for concensus? View Comment

@jlightfield Moccia aside, the 70's stereotype is as unflattering as polyester and striped tube socks, both of which have not yet returned to modern-day couture for obvious reasons. Hence, the success of Napoleon Dynamite as a beloved cult classic. By the way, humor is subjective, no? In my view, humor has nothing to do with issues that affect Norwalk. View Comment

I would hope we could expect more from our mayoralty candidates in the way of core substance. Mr. Mangiacopra apparently doesn't comprehend that intelligent voters are not interested in Mr. Moccia's unflattering yearbook photo or in Mr. Mangiacopra's proficiency in cyber-bullying. It is grossly insulting that Mr. Mangiacopra would even remotely think the general public would be persuaded by this bizarre ad of his. Frankly, I’m still reeling from the toxic letter Mr. Mangiacopra, the Democratic District D party chairman, co-authored to publically spank Councilman Kimmel, a fellow Democrat. Anyone with good leadership skills knows you raise your ranks to be empowered and independent, not kept on a short leash. I'm also trying to flesh out the general message of Mr. Mangiacopra’s campaign ad posted on The Vine which, I believe, supports a pro-youth position. If this is the case, a middle-school mindset in no way reflects the "reform" or positive "change" Norwalk needs at this time. We have yet to see or hear a constructive platform based on the issues and their solutions from Mr. Mangiacopra. I trust that Mr. Rilling, Mr. Miklave, and/or Mr. Garfunkel will be far better prepared to deliver meaningful debate and present themselves as serious and viable candidates. View Comment

I am inclined to agree with Ken P. Jr. Low numbers could possibly allude to teachers and administrators not reporting specific infractions. In the news we can be thankful that peer-to-peer bullying has been brought to the forefront of public awareness. No one will argue the trauma, or worse, that students experience on a day to day basis when they are not provided with a safe and comfortable school environment. These numbers appear to reflect a unified zero tolerance which serves to create safer, positive school climates for all students. The credit goes to Norwalk Public Schools! View Comment

Great to see council members lower the partisan barriers and work as one to support our city! View Comment

I have NEVER seen politics in this town stoop to such a level. This is precisely why most educated, intelligent voters in this town vote for candidates regardless of parties. This attack on Bruce Kimmel is downright disgusting. When you look at the list of authors, one has to ask how is it that the committee is run by elected officials? I am, indeed, surprised at the list of the two long-serving Democrats in this town whose names are on this list. I also wonder about some of our esteemed Democrats who have served Norwalk over the years. I would welcome their thoughts on this unproductive shift of power. View Comment

Mr. Kimmel has worked across the aisle with members of the Republican party for the good of his district for years now. Bottom line... he is a respectable human being first, and an effective council member, second. Bruce does not have to prove that he can work with people of different mindsets and use his words to make convincing points. He is known for asking questions, weighing the pros and cons, and for doing his homework to fully understand the issues that come before him. He attends his committee meetings and is fully prepared. It is ludicrous to think that he is a threat to the Democratic Town Committee. It is obvious why they would like to discredit him because, try as they might, they cannot control him. It is hilarious to watch this group turn the tables after breaking the legs. This group of crass and self-serving upstarts do not represent Democratic principles which embrace diversified thought and tolerance for others. Bruce Kimmel is the adult in the room. He is the one true Democrat and the Norwalk Town Committee would do well to recognize this if it is to win votes in November. View Comment

Mr. Greenpeace, I always found your musings endearing, but when you start speaking about things you haven't quite comprehended, it is difficult to let your words stand unchallenged. I would advise you to contact Joanne and ask her why she left the city council. It was not a Republican or Democratic issue. It was because of certain crass individuals who made her role so miserable that she simply refused to allow herself to be a part of it. When she left, she took her heart-based wisdom with her. Norwalk's loss. On the flip side, when you miscall the shots on Bruce Kimmel, you are doing yourself a grave disservice. Bruce is one of the rare few who thoroughly does his homework. He should not be denigrated for seeking a workable discussion forum for the items that come before him. View Comment

Just a suggestion, Christine. The nature of this article somehow does not align itself well with Dannel Malloy's smiling face. View Comment

@aldefchu Most will agree the building can no longer stand. Your suggestion to raise money for a new school is an excellent one. It serves to empower people in other communities with meaningful purpose at a time when they feel most especially and completely helpless. For now, the world grieves for the victims and their families. View Comment

Tim, it is absolutely astounding that you purport to uphold Democratic principles when you consistently attack others for expressing their personal opinions. By the way, I'd try editing your remarks before submitting to maximize the validity of your comments. The fine art of cynicism requires razor sharp wit on the tip of a seasoned writer's quill, not to mention proper spelling, mechanics, and language usage. View Comment

Ah, Mr. Greenpeace! You always had such a talent for the extraneous and verbose! View Comment

Old Timer, why do you feel the need to minimize the credibility of Councilman Kimmel? Your comments here are off the chart. Where do YOU get the audacity to invalidate Mr. Kimmel's stellar representation by encouraging bad manners on the council floor? Does the fact that Mr. Kimmel maintains a cool head pose a threat to your skewered perception of healthy debate? Lazy? Are you serious? At least Mr. Kimmel is volunteering his time and energies to Norwalk unlike the usual armchair critics. With your seemingly high interest level, why aren't you currently on a city board or agency? Care to share the real reason for the depth of your anger? View Comment