Looking to storage a second car in Stamford, preferably private garage or underground garage which would be warmer and more secluded. I know there are a few parking garages available for $100 per month downtown but prefer something more secure. Any leads or anyone looking to rent something privately for a smaller coupe? It would be minimal usage, driven once or twice a week max. thank you-

Recently moved from Stamford to Norwalk and wondering if either town’s PD makes it easy to get a new sticker for your license after you’ve changed it with the DMV

I recently moved out feeling a bit lonely in my apartment, I need some social interaction. Where is a good place to meet people in Stamford? Preferably not at bars as I'm introverted.

Event Details Here

For our Pathfinder/Starfinder players, we are running an ongoing open-table campaign Capes and Cowls: Infernal City Stories conducted in the Pathfinder/Starfinder Second Edition Ruleset. The game is about masked vigilantes in the Infernal City, where Fiendish Authorities and Criminal Syndicates rule the roost. Drop in with a vigilante hero of your own devising or use one of our newbie friendly loaner-vigilante characters. This game uses the Free Archetype Rule, providing a set Vigilante archetype to give your character a secret identity, even if you don't otherwise meet the prerequisites for that archetype. All Second Edition Classes, Ancestries and Backgrounds are legal.

Pathbuilder 2e or Wanderer's Guide are recommended as Character Building applications. All rules can be found free at https://2e.aonprd.com/. Please contact [msocci@fergusonlibrary.org](mailto:msocci@fergusonlibrary.org) for additional details.

We're very much looking for more new players to come and join the Pathfinder Open Table campaign, I've introduced a lot of people to tabletop gaming in my time, so if you're new to it and want to learn from an experienced GM, this is very much aimed at you as an excellent first foray. For those that don't know, Pathfinder is a lot like Dungeons and Dragons but is known for deeper character customization and more polished game mechanics.

The Dungeons and Dragons group itself is also continuing with their steady campaign hosted by another excellent DM with it's ongoing group of dedicated players.

This subreddit has grown a lot since last year, but if you're new in town or just hearing about this "board of representatives" and other politics stuff. Here is a simple primer:

1. Stamford has a "Strong Mayor" system, where the chief execute (the mayor) can do pretty much anything.
2. However, we have a check on that power called the Board of Representatives. The board can pass ordinances, but these have little teeth. The board's real powers are:
   1. Approving/cutting the annual city budget.
   2. Approving/rejecting mayoral appointees to boards or department heads.
   3. Approving/rejecting charter changes (which are then voted on by the public).
3. Since the beginning of time the Board of Representatives has been referred to as the "40 little mayors." Because we literally have 40 representatives (this make Stamford the lowest ratio of resident-to-representative governments in the entire country). Very few of these board members became a board member to do what board members are supposed to do. These representatives want to pretend to be mayor.
4. Our system does not function on the premise we have "40 little mayors." As a result, the board cannot do a lot of what it wants to do. You will hear this in the form about "the system isn't working" or "the mayor isn't following the charter" and etc. They may even point to some dysfunction that sounds pretty bad, but the solution here is to get rid of the board because they don't know what they're doing.

Here's a highlight reel. Stamford's Board of Representatives...

• Censured one of their own board members for quoting George Orwell's Animal Farm. Story here. I should note, I've been told "yeah, but that rep is actually really annoying," and that may be true but it's not the point. You have to be a real humorless prick to get offended by a quote from a book taught in middle school.
• Repeatedly cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars in lawsuits by repeatedly violating laws they disagree with. They don't understand their own authority. They don't understand the definition of a petition. They even admit while pursuing all these unlawful actions they don't know what they're doing. This behavior encourages local neighborhood groups to keep subjecting the city to lawsuits which continues to this very day.
• Subjected prospective volunteer candidates to 5 hours of hostile questioning. Just to be clear: this is not 5 hours of questioning of someone who has the job. This is 5 hours of questioning for someone who might want the job. Can you believe we don't get a lot of volunteers? That's why we don't have a lot of appointees. You will spend less time on the witness stand when you are accused of murder then offering yourself for an unpaid position to help the city function.
• Attempted to rewrite our local charter to make themselves 40 little mayors. This process was anti-democratic, explicitly partisan, and — as it turns out — unpopular.
  • It was anti-democratic because the public had to vote on it and the board intentionally set the vote in a year where there was low turnout. This would've been clever if it wasn't illegal (charter requires charter votes in certain years).
  • It was explicitly partisan, because it abandoned the tradition of breaking out all changes into individual votes. In previous years if there were 10 changes, then there were 10 votes to the public. Each line provided voters with an argument in favor and against each of the changes. They didn't do that. They lumped them all into one question and the language only said why you should vote in favor.
  • It was unpopular because it failed. Despite this, the board immediately pushed to redo the vote in the following year (they later gave up). However, the current arguments you hear about "appointees" is really the same thing from the charter again with more focus.
• Generally made up of immoral actors who violate the law, hold hateful views, and have no shame.

How does this affect you?

• Why is housing so expensive? The local board blocks new housing. They also don't believe there is a housing crisis.
• Why isn't there more affordable housing? The local board postures on this issue to look "tough on developers" instead of getting anything done.
• Why aren't there more bike lanes? The local board hates bike lanes.
• Why isn't Stamford more pedestrian friendly? The local board has cut sidewalk funding every year for more than a decade.
• Why do my taxes keep going up? Stamford has more than $150 million in pension debt, which can only be paid for by expanding tax revenue with new development. The board is in denial about this and restricts all growth making it impossible to catch up without raising taxes.
• Why don't I know anything about how the city functions? The local board has blocked all proposed positions relating to communicating to the public because they believe they should have their own communications staff.
• Why aren't more people involved? Why hasn't anyone fixed this problem? Because the board is such a miserable entity anyone with a clue doesn't go anywhere near it. Any pitch to reform the board is going to fail because no one wants to do that to themselves.

tl;dr?

If you're new to Stamford politics, you may hear words like "board of reps" and "violating the charter" and "appointee holdovers." We can talk specifics, but generally what people are talking about is the local government is not functional. Everyone agrees on that point. You will hear people argue this means we need to rewrite a lot of rules to make it function better.

There's a simpler solution. When you hear someone say "We should change how the government functions" what they are saying is "I don't understand how the government functions." This person should not be in government. Whatever enabled them to get that far should be abolished.

It's all the same people, from the same board, making the same mistakes. They don't know what they're doing and when they discover their own incompetence they go berserk. They fuel resentment, negativity, and rage in our community. By any definition that is useful in the modern day Stamford's Board of Representatives is evil. It is an entity that makes our community worse. Get rid of it.

Hi it’s Carl Weinberg from District 20 on the Stamford Board of Representatives. We set a new record at the December 2^(nd) Board of Reps meeting – we adjourned at 2 AM! My hat is off to the 30 or so Reps who made it to the end, especially those who remained in chambers instead of on Zoom. (I left chambers around 1:30, and attended the final half-hour by Zoom in my car while I drove home.) 

We spent most of the meeting discussing A31.160, an “ordinance for publication, establishing the order in which expirations and vacancies are filled on Boards and Commissions.” “For publication” means that the next step is a public hearing on the proposed ordinance, after which the BoR will vote whether or not to approve it.

WHAT IS A31.160?

A31.160 aims to end the practice of “holdovers” on the City’s volunteer boards and commissions. For this purpose, “holdover” is a commission member whose term has expired but continues to serve because no replacement has been confirmed. In order to ensure that boards and commissions retain a quorum and therefore can continue to function, state law essentially treats a holdover as a member of a municipality’s volunteer board or commission – even a holdover whom the Mayor has nominated for reappointment and whom the BoR has rejected.

Among other things, the ordinance would establish a hierarchy for the Mayor’s nominations. If approved, a nominee would replace a holdover whom the BoR has rejected for reappointment. If there are no rejected holdovers on the commission, a nominee would replace any other holdover. Finally, after all holdovers were replaced, a nominee would fill a vacant position.

The proposed ordinance would also prohibit a holdover member from voting on issues before the volunteer board or commission, unless their vote was necessary to establish a quorum.

THE LEGAL OPINION

On Wednesday, November 27^(th), the BoR President received a written opinion from the City’s Corporation Counsel’s office, which he forwarded to the full BoR on Friday. As per the Charter, the Corporation Counsel is the legal advisor for the entire City government, including the BoR. The gist of the opinion was that the key provisions of A31.160 violated state law and the Stamford City Charter, and thus those provisions were a legal “nullity,” i.e., they would not carry the force of law and could not be enforced.

You can find the opinion (and the full legislative history, including the draft ordinance) on the BoR’s website, www.boardofreps.org, go to Agenda & Minutes and click on the December 2^(nd) meeting agenda, go to the Appointments Committee section and click on A31.160.

While the opinion didn’t say this explicitly, I interpreted it as follows: “If you pass this proposed ordinance as currently written, it will be as if it didn’t exist. The Mayor will have no obligation to follow it.”

THE DEBATE

Notwithstanding the legal opinion, the debate went on for hours, and it was fast and furious. Proponents of the ordinance discussed the problems associated with holdovers – primarily their view that holdovers are not accountable to the voters, because they continue to serve without being re-nominated and re-confirmed. (I agree with this point.) They downplayed the significance of the legal opinion by describing it as “just an opinion” without the force of law. Several of them provided their own legal views, although I don’t believe any of them are attorneys.

Opponents of the ordinance focused primarily on the dangers of ignoring a legal opinion from the BoR’s own legal advisor. They urged their fellow Reps to send the draft ordinance back to the Appointments Committee, so it could be rewritten in a way that would avoid legal controversy.

In the end, the BoR approved A31.160 for publication by a vote of 23 YES, 10 NO (I voted NO), and 1 abstention. This means that after a public hearing, the BoR will vote again on whether or not to enact A31.160.

MY VIEW

I would also like to eliminate long-term holdovers on the City’s volunteer boards and commissions, but A31.160 won’t accomplish this objective. If it passes as written, one of two things is likely to happen. The Mayor might sign it into law and comply with it, but I highly doubt this outcome. (Full disclosure: My hypotheses about what the Mayor might do are speculation – I’ve never discussed A31.160 or the holdover situation with her.)

Alternatively (and in my speculation, most likely) she will veto it. The BoR can then try to override her veto, but an override takes 27 votes (i.e., 2/3 of the entire membership). If the override failed, we’d be back to Square One, having accomplished nothing to eliminate long-term holdovers.

In my view, the only solution is for the Mayor and BoR leadership to sit down and reach agreement on a group of candidates that the Mayor is willing to nominate and that BoR leadership is willing to confirm. That group might very well include the re-nomination of some long-term holdovers, as well as some candidates that one side or the other might be less than enthusiastic about. But that’s the nature of compromise – you give up some of your objectives in order to accomplish others. If the objective is truly to resolve the holdover problem – and not just to stock certain boards (e.g., Zoning) with one’s preferred candidates – compromise on a group of candidates is the way to go.

ONE MORE SUBJECT

The debate over A31.160 was quite heated, and at one point I lost my composure. A longtime antagonist, sitting about fifteen feet away from me, accused me of mouthing an obscenity at him. (I don’t believe I did, but in the heat of battle I may have.) He called immediately for the BoR to censure me.

As you may know, some of my fellow Representatives dislike me – principally (I believe) because they don’t like the posts that I write about BoR matters, and because of my willingness to criticize their views and actions (sometimes aggressively) in those posts or in debate.

I don’t know how long the debate over censure lasted – maybe an hour, although it felt like an eternity. Finally, my accuser took a courageous and compassionate step by offering to rescind his censure motion, if I would apologize to him. I replied that I still didn’t believe I had mouthed an obscenity, but I may have, and I apologized for it. He rescinded the censure motion, we shook hands and embraced, and the debate over A31.160 resumed.

Whether I mouthed an obscenity or not, I clearly lost control – and that’s neither good nor right. The residents of Stamford deserve better behavior from their elected leaders than that. And so I also apologize to the residents of Stamford for losing control at the meeting. I pledge to do my best to model better behavior in the future

Just to hav

Turn your brights on only when needed, then immediately turn them off until you need them again. They should be on for mere seconds at a time.

Driving around with your brights constantly on means you’re a piece of shit moron. The cars driving toward you are blinded. The car in front of you is blinded. Don’t be a piece of shit moron.

Our esteemed local legislative body, the Board of Representatives, is currently holding a meeting to discuss city business. I have tuned in here and there because a new piece of legislation regarding appointments to local boards was supposed to be discussed. The discussion almost immediately devolved into points of order when Rep. Sean Boeger objected to a motion to table the legislation because doing so would be "unfair", despite rulings from city lawyers that the ordinance as written would be unlawful. Boeger and a few other Reps claim that Rep. Carl Weinberg mouthed, not said, the words "Fuck you", in response to Boeger's objections. Thus began nearly 2 hours of nonsensical discussion and wielding Roberts Rules of Orders to censure Weinberg. I don't know when it will end.

Ron Swanson was right!

Looking to buy a big TV for my living room.

Anyone have recommendations on best brands / ideal specs for it to have ?

I’m not sure if it’s just me, but ever since they removed the dog poop bag station at Columbus Park, it feels like the amount of dog crap left on the ground has skyrocketed. I swear, every time I go for a walk, it’s like playing a game of minefield—and I keep losing.

I know it’s on dog owners to clean up after their pets, but it feels like the lack of a bag station has made things worse. Maybe people are forgetting bags or just not bothering?

Is anyone else noticing this? Or stepping in it as much as I am? What’s the deal? Do you think the station should come back, or is this just a weird coincidence?

Hi it’s Carl Weinberg from District 20 on the Stamford Board of Representatives. I am pleased to share the news that both the Lakeside Drive Bridge and the West Glen Drive Bridge will open for traffic on Friday December 6^(th). For those who wish to attend, West Glen’s ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 11:30 AM at the intersection of 30 West Glen Drive, near the intersection of Westover Road. Lakeside Drive’s ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 2:00 PM at 149 Lakeside Drive, i.e., on the Quarry Road side of the bridge (although it’s a long way from Quarry Road).

 The plans for both bridges forecasted re-opening around the end of November, so they are being completed substantially on schedule. The City government has received a lot of complaints about other bridge projects that have taken much longer than originally planned – and I’ve participated in some of those criticisms. But I also believe in thanking our City government when it does things well. Thank you for the completion of these two bridge projects!

 Regarding the Cedar Heights Bridge project, I plan to wait a few more weeks before requesting an update on whether or not the Engineering Department continues to forecast an opening by the beginning of April. I’ll report my findings at that time.

Can anyone recommend a good apartment building in downtown Stamford? I don't need any amenities but would like to be close to food shopping, a gym and metro north. I work in midtown Manhattan so proximity to metro north is important.

I have a bunch of jobs accumulated. 3 leaks, 3 sprayers I'd like to install, a couple of fixes, possibly a shower regulator replacement (not sure what it's called), a utility sink faucet replacement, etc. Nothing big or emergency, but a nice chunk of work.

Anyway, I'm trying everything. So hard to find plumbers. They are either outrageously expensive, want an upfront "consultation" charge, are unreliable/incompetent, or don't want to do anything other than installs/HVAC or big jobs.

I’m always up late and looking for a hearty snack with fresh and healthier ingredients. Who is working late aside Mickey D’s and the other fast food players.

I’m looking to buy a Tesla so looking to sell my existing vehicle (Tesla trade in values are terrible).

Any recommendations on dealers/wholesalers to sell the car to without having to buy a vehicle?

Did anyone get that email today? I understand they are rebranding but does that mean they are completing unaffiliated with the CycleBar brand? I’m so upset if so!

Hi everyone, I’m 18 and recently moved to Stamford. I used to play as a point guard for my high school team and also provincial team, I want to keep improving my skills. I’m looking for Basketball classes for adults or a league I can join or just some pickup games or a local team I can be part of.

I have experience playing competitively but would love to meet new people and be part of the basketball community here. If you know of any classes, leagues, or pickup games around Stamford, please let me know. Thanks in advance!

I’ve been looking for third spaces to meet people in an organic way but outside of run club (I’m not big on running) and with beta now closed, I’m at a loss.

have any recs?

Looking for a place in Stamford to get our car checked out. Been driving up to a place in north Wilton for years and our check engine light just came on, so finally want to find a local option.

Any recommendations for a 2006 Volvo?

Where to find men’s jeans near Stamford, for tall men.

Where can we get the cheapest real Christmas tree? And where can we donate it (e.g. for animals) after the holidays? TIA!

I have a day off tomorrow and wanted to see Queer in theatres but they’re not showing it anywhere in Stamford according to the AMC app.

I thought it was coming out in December but it says the release date was November 27th. Does anyone know if they showed it at any of our AMCs that day?

hi if anyone by any chance has the shipping box/packaging for a De'Longhi Oil Filled Radiator Heater please let me know

I need to return mine bc it makes some very loud poping noises but i threw the box away and i think they only accept it in the original shipping packaging. thank you

Madonia has come to a full close, they sold their restaurant to the already well knownn Lenny's Steakhouse! They come from a long and high reputation, already having 2 locations! The original restaurant is in Larchmont and the 2nd restaurant is in Armonk! They will now have their third in Stamford. I cannot wait!

Anyone here lived/s in the Arrival apartment complex? If so, are amenities fees included in the rent price? I assume utilities are separate?

Please lmk which salons you like that carry it. I only know of Harbor Point Nails and am looking to try another salon.

I’ve been going to LA for the past 7 years now, but am looking for a nicer gym more people my age (26). I pay $31 a month at LA and have seen that Lifetime is $199/month. Do people think Lifetime is worth it?