FEBRUARY 19 AT 10AM: After clarifying details in conflicting press releases, this story was updated to include the official date of a scheduled Danbury legislative information session with the state DOT.

This story was initially re-edited at 5:30 pm on February 16 to correct the originally published and incorrect date of the DOT forum in both the online article and headline. It also removed references to the information session being a public hearing. Additional information provided to the newspaper after initial publication, about the scheduling of the session, was also added to originally published online content.

DANBURY - A state legislative candidate issued a release February 9 stating the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) would be holding a public information session in Danbury on Monday, February 26, so Newtown residents can provide input on planned service cuts and fare increases on several local transit lines.

How that meeting came to be - and the actual date of the session were initially unclear, however.

Second District State Assembly candidate Raghib Allie-Brennan sent out two e-mails related to a planned session, one in which he claims the DOT meeting was scheduled "in response to a written request" citing the need for Danbury region residents to have their voices heard, given the impact the candidate believed proposed transportation cuts will have on the community.

In a release from his campaign, Mr Allie-Brennan supplied a copy of a letter he received from the DOT representative Richard Andreski, which said "The department has considered your request and will offer an informational meeting in Danbury to gather input from the residents of Danbury, Bethel, Redding, and the surrounding area."

But Newtown State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky (R-106), and a spokesperson representing Gail Lavielle (R-143), a co-host of the DOT session, both contacted

The Newtown Bee late in the afternoon on February 16, stating that it was Rep Bolinsky who originally called for the forum and will be hosting it with a bipartisan group of legislators on March 5.

"The State House candidate you credited with calling for the forum had no involvement in setting the...forum up and will not be a participant on the panel - although he is certainly welcome to attend and voice his opinion," said State House Republican Press Secretary Rick Joslyn. "The headline is misleading as well as the assertion that the State House candidate put this together."

According to Mr Allie-Brennan's release, on Thursday, February 1, he sent a formal request to Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Commissioner James P. Redeker asking that he schedule an additional "public hearing" in Danbury on proposed fare increases and service reductions to the Danbury Line. "Based upon this request, CTDOT agreed to hold the additional hearing," the candidate's release states.

Mr Allie-Brennan goes on to thank the Department of Transportation for considering his request and for scheduling the session.

The original CTDOT schedule of hearings included seven opportunities to gather input on proposed bus and rail fare increases and service reductions on the New Canaan, Danbury and Waterbury branch lines on the New Haven Line, and on Shore Line East. The list of scheduled hearings did not include Danbury, Mr Allie-Brennan's release states.

Rep Bolinsky, as well as Rep Will Duff (R-2) whose district includes Newtown, Reps Michael Ferguson (R-138), David Arconti (D- 109), Fred Wilms (R-142) Rep Lavielle, Stephen Harding (R-107) and Senator Michael McLachlan (R-24) will be hosting the forum on March 5 in the City Hall Council Chambers at 155 Deer Hill Avenue.

Commissioner Redeker is also scheduled to attend.

According to a release from the House Republicans communications office received on the morning of February 16, the DOT recently proposed raising rail and bus fares 21.28 percent over the next 3 years, while significantly reducing rail service on the Danbury and Waterbury Lines. Additionally, the governor has reportedly cancelled over $4 billion in state-wide transportation projects and introduced a proposal to bring tolls back to the state, raise the gas tax seven cents over four years, and implement a new 'tire tax'.

Ballotpedia.In late January, Mr Allie-Brennan, declared his candidacy for State Representative of the 2nd District, after raising funds to qualify for Connecticut's Citizens Election Program in less than 12 days of announcing his second bid for the statehouse post. He was narrowly outpaced two years ago by Rep Duff, losing the district race by 282 votes according to

To qualify for the Citizens Election Program, which is public campaign financing, the candidate raised $5,000, a portion of which must come from a minimum of 150 residents of the towns a candidate seeks to represent in the General Assembly.

Contributions must be between $5 and $250.

"The speed with which we qualified is a testament to the spirit of our campaign - it is evident that we have the support of the people of Bethel, Danbury, Newtown, and Redding," he said. "I cannot wait to introduce myself and my platform to the residents, and earn their trust and votes."

Anyone unable to attend the DOT forum is asked to call toll-free 800-842-1423 and ask to speak with their legislator.

The next closest location for Newtown residents to voice their concerns to the DOT is at a February 21 hearing scheduled in Waterbury from 5 to 8 pm at City Hall on Grand Street.

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