Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Elmwood Park

Welcome to all of you who found me from ctblogger's kind mention in Hat City Blog. If you're concerned about local politics, land use policies, open government, and civil discourse, check out Hat City Blog.

This post is an experiment in customizing Google Maps with personal photos. I really wanted to use MapLib to create my own map that could then be embedded as a live image in the blog, but I'm having a little trouble figuring out just how to do that. The interface for "creating a map" is identical to Google's–in fact it is Google Maps–but when I save it and then go back to view my map, it's not there.

So, in the meantime, here is a link to a little map that I made in Google Maps, with a few photos taken at Elmwood Park. Click on the blue markers to see the photos.

Elmwood Park

The median strip that divides much of Main Street widens between Boughton Street and Elmwood Place, roughly centered around St. Peter Church. Today this is known as Elmwood ParkElmwood Park, but back in the old days it was the Danbury Town Green. Today it's divided into two by Wooster Street, but I wonder if it didn't used to be one continuous strip of green, maybe with a bandstand where Wooster Street now divides it? The 9/11 memorial is located on the smaller strip, between the Fairfield County Courthouse on the east, and the Old Jail/Senior Center on the west. The larger strip has the fountain, and more shady seating, paths, and plantings. It's our own little oasis.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

I found out about your blog after reading the Hat City this morning. I think it's great! It's very informative about the Danbury area, and you stay away from dirty politics and do not slander public officials. Nice change of pace around the local blog area.. keep up the great work!

sharon said...

Welcome, and thanks so much!

I do think that land use, zoning, public transportation, and other subjects that I touch on, are inherently political issues, and I do think that politicians need to be reminded--often--that they work for us and not the other way around. It's all interrelated.

ctblogger said...

"...and you stay away from dirty politics and do not slander public officials."

and this gripe comes from one of my daily readers. You can't slander someone if you're backing up your material with evidence (e.g., video, interviews with public officials, audio, photographs, etc).

anyway...

I agree Sharon, land-use issues are inherently political issues, which is why it's critical that citizens attend and speak up at the zoning, planning and EIC meetings. That way, when you see something like Elmer's Diner pop up or Dunkin Dounuts on the corner of Springside and Osborne get approved, you can make an educated decision on who to vote for come election day.

No need to thank me on plugging your site as I've always been a big fan of this blog. I hope you start to post more often as Danbury has a deep architectural past.

Anonymous said...

Hey, "Dump Mark"!

You stated a certain public official attended an anti-immigrant rally. This is an absolute lie.
Like you said, certain bloggers need to be very careful with their wording...

sharon said...

anonymous...I think you're in wrong blog. This blog is not about public officials or immigration. Please take your conversation elsewhere. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

I agree with the first anon. Especially around the election the other blogs fight and complain about what is on local cable access.

sharon said...

I grew up in a big city, and I used to think that the only chance the ordinary citizen had to make his or her wishes known was at election time. But now I think that's too late. Everyone who cares about Danbury and wants to see it prosper--but not turn into another Stamford--must get involved in a visible way. For example, what would happen if each of us committed to attend just two or three meetings a year--P&Z, Common Council, whatever? We might start to drown out the negative, anonymous voices that seem to have taken over the other big public forum at newstimeslive.com.

Anonymous said...

Topix is bigger than newstimeslive. I wouldn't give that site the time of day, it's pathetic and a waste of breath.

ctblogger said...

You're so correct Sharon.

In my following around the politics of this city, there are only four meetings you need to attend if you want to make a real difference.

Zoning, planning, EIC, PBA.

That's it.

Forget the Common Council as it's only a dog and pony show (they do all the work during their caucus). Ad-hocs are good but you can really make your voice known in the land-use meetings and trust me, your presence makes a difference.

Most people who are fighting Cotswold are those have to live through the horror of Stetson Place and there are more groups of people coming together and taking a stance against developers (AND sub-contractors) who only have one thing on their mind...profit.

In short, you can't bitch if you don't get involved.

Anonymous said...

Common Council is crucial. Maybe if you attended more often you would know. We could use an extra video camera.

Anonymous said...

politics and politicians suck. it's hopeless. all of them gain office and are assimilated.

sharon, please post more! love this site. don't forget about the octagon house and/or the castle at tarrywile. true gems of danzbury.

<3

sharon said...

Thanks for the encouragement. Between school and work, I tend to get overwhelmed and don't post as regularly as I'd like. But I've got over 2 and a half weeks until the fall semester starts, so I'll have time to go out and build up a backlog of photos.

Anonymous said...

So much is ignorance and hatred in this city.

Anonymous said...

I agree, just look at what the residents post in the newspaper forum. It feels like we are taken back to the tension in the early 60's, like we are going back in time to a dark and hateful era.

Anonymous said...

They are probably kids playing on the computer. What is the big deal anyway? People spend too much time with tv's and computers these days.

Anonymous said...

Great festivals this weekend! Although I was disappointed in not finding ONE Brazilian dish at The Taste of Danbury. Maybe next year!

Anonymous said...

No Ecuadorian food either ;o(

Although, Two Steps makes great food!

Anonymous said...

You folks see the latest things they posted on the newstimes about the WV incident? Unreal. The people in this city must be from a time machine.

Anonymous said...

What's even worse is that Big T is trying to get elected, and a local Democrat (who we all trusted) is teaming up with him. She is such a sad individual.

Anonymous said...

There is so much ignorance and hatred in Danbury that my son was so angry and moved back to Brasil

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to ear that. Did you hear about the Brazil signs that were stolen? And the beating near Ives street?! Things are really heating up around here and it is very bad news.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I have. Unfortunately there was need for an increased police force in the Main Street and Ives Street areas. The city is not nearly as safe as it was say 20 years ago. Brewster has it pretty bad these days too.

Anonymous said...

Remember the riots at the carnival this summer, and the gathering at the Church because those poor parents were misled by the lies from their children about the police brutality?

I guess we could go on and on, but maybe we should start focusing on the positive things that happen in Danbury.

Anonymous said...

Yes we can focus on the positives, and put the carnival riots in the past. Truth is so much is ignorance and hatred, and the city is filled with racist bigots, not to mention the xenophobes. It really is too much to handle.

Unknown said...

Yo what's up with that? Context plz