Danbury Mayor Responds to Opponent: 'He Thinks He Can Do Better?'

On Tuesday (1/17/23) Danbury Democrat Roberto Alves announced he'd run for Mayor, challenging incumbent Dean Esposito.

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Roberto Alves wasted no time taking swings at his opponent in the media. Alves made comments in his press release and on the I-95 Morning Show that were critical of the current administration. In the opening press release he said "we (Danbury) deserve better." On the I-95 Morning Show Alves said "people are great, our businesses are great, I just think that leadership isn't."

Lou Milano

Dean Esposito made a guest appearance on the I-95 Morning Show on Thursday (1/19/23), we asked him if he'd heard the comments, and what he thought? This is what the Mayor had to say:

"I think some of comments he made yesterday were not out-of-line, but we've been doing the job here in the city of Danbury for over a year now. He almost criticized us for one year in and we need to make changes. But, we've been doing an outstanding job as far as my administration and I'm concerned. Roberto has every right to run again obviously he's a family man. I know he's putting a lot of pressure on his family but the reality is, I think my opportunity to move forward as the Mayor of Danbury. This is the best thing that ever happened to me. I've explained it to you guys before, I couldn't be more proud than to be the Mayor of the city I was born and raised in."

Photo: Lou Milano

Later, we read the Mayor quotes and asked Esposito if he thought Alves was out-of-line, this was his response:

"Yeah, I do a little bit because he said it himself, the city is awesome, the people are awesome, things are running well, we're working on education and the biggest issues facing the city. I've taken him head on and to say that leadership is not doing well, I question that. Why would he say that? Was it the alternative that he thinks he can do better? We'll get into that during the campaign but I'm confident in what we've been doing for the past year."

This is the second time the two men will have faced-off on the campaign trail with the first victory going to Dean Esposito.

Listen to Esposito's reactions to Alves' comments below.

The Mayor believes having to run for Mayor every two years is detrimental to the city.

We also managed to work some fun into the interview when Large Dave asked the Mayor about the infamous golden scissors. The City of Danbury has a pair of ceremonial scissors that they bring to ribbon cuttings and I've threatened to steal them. When the Mayor answers, it jarred free an observation about his staff members.

Photo: John DiLeo

You can listen to the unedited, full-length version of the interview below.

Esposito VS. Alves: A Complete Breakdown of Danbury’s 2021 Mayoral Race

Voting in a local election is one the best ways to express your beliefs and immediately impact the world around you but how can you really know a candidate from a few quotes in the local newspaper? You can't.

The paper cannot give you a sense for the candidates personality nor can they show you how the person performs under pressure. A radio interview is a much more intimate thing and you can learn who your local candidates are on a deeper level.

In the weeks leading up to the 2021 Danbury Mayoral Election, we believe we have provided Hat City voters with an unbiased view of their options. Each Friday we brought Roberto Alves and Dean Esposito on the Ethan and Lou Show and asked them both the same questions.

Because the person who goes last, has the ability/advantage of answering to the first candidate, we would alternate the order every few weeks. We did not endorse either candidate, we simply gave an even portrait of the two men, their politics and their vision for Danbury.

This is a look back at the I-95 Election coverage for you to review the day before Election. Below you will be given an excerpt from each article we did with the candidates and a link that can redirect you to the full article. Most of the articles include full interviews we conducted with your candidates, Vote tomorrow, it matters.

Mayor Joe Cavo Wrapping Up Virtual Restaurant Month in Danbury

Danbury Mayor Joe Cavo and the wonderful folks from the City Hall office have been celebrating virtual restaurant month for all of March. Mayor Cavo, his staff and offices with connections to City Hall have been purchasing and eating food from some of Danbury's best eateries and there are many to choose from. Take a look at where our Mayor has been.

Want more Danbury news? If so, check out the Ethan, Lou & Large Dave Podcast. The show is available wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple and Spotify. The program is the same one we do on the radio but with limited commercials and no music. You can also listen live by streaming the show on the I-95 Rock Mobile app, or tune into I-95 (95.1FM).

Photo: Aurora Photography

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