Beyond the "Facebook Few": Residents Turn Out for Community Forum on Town Spending and Transparency By Peter C. Frank Editor-in-Chief, the Bloomfield Community Dispatch AI Illustration for the Bloomfield Community Dispatch BLOOMFIELD, CT - August 7, 2026 — As Bloomfield taxpayers grapple with rising property tax bills and ongoing questions regarding municipal governance, local residents gathered at the Blue Hills Firehouse on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, for a grassroots community forum hosted by Town Councilors Suzette DeBeatham-Brown and Shamar Mahon. The meeting, organized to provide an open line of communication between elected representatives and the public, drew roughly 50 residents, according to attendees, whose estimates ranged from 45 to 60. They raised questions about recent Town Council decisions, budget allocations, and administrative procedures. This account is based on interviews with several attendees. The Dispatch reported on To...
By Suzette DeBeatham-Brown
Bloomfield Town Councilor
Edited by Peter C. Frank, Editor-in-Chief
Councilor Suzette DeBeatham-Brown (Photo: Peter C. Frank)
To the Residents of Bloomfield:
As the work of this new year begins in earnest, I am writing to you with both hope and urgency.
My commitment is not to the Town Council, not to the DTC, and not to any political group. My commitment is to you—the residents of Bloomfield.
This town belongs to all of us. And the future of this town depends on all of us.
We have critical work ahead. We must finalize the town’s financial audits. We are facing difficult budget decisions that will affect every household. We are reviewing our town charter to ensure it reflects the needs of today’s Bloomfield. And we are making choices about development that will shape our community for decades.
These decisions cannot be made in isolation. They should not be made behind closed doors. And they should never be made without your voice.
If we want to get Bloomfield back on track, we must be willing to show up.
“Back on track” means having a town government that listens, respects residents’ perspectives, and works for everyone—not just a select few. It means transparency, accountability, and leadership that puts people first.
But that kind of government does not happen automatically. It happens when residents are engaged.
It happens when you attend meetings—whether in person or online.
It happens when you ask questions.
It happens when you demand clear answers.
It happens when you refuse to sit on the sidelines.
Too often, decisions are made because only a small number of people are paying attention. Too often, when good people stay silent, misinformation, blame, and even outright falsehoods fill the void where facts should be. We cannot allow that to continue.
A friend once said, “I’m not telling anyone what to think. I’m encouraging everyone to think.” That message matters now more than ever.
Think critically.
Seek the truth.
Stay informed.
Stay engaged.
Our town needs residents who are willing to invest more than just opinions on social media. It needs people who are willing to invest their time, their presence, and their voice.
This is our home.
These are our streets.
These are our schools, our taxes, and our futures.
No one cares more about Bloomfield than the people who live here. And no one will protect its future better than an informed and active community.
I am committed to doing my part. I am committed to listening, advocating, and working on behalf of our residents. But I need you with me.
This year, I am asking you to get involved:
Attend the meetings.
Read the reports.
Ask the hard questions.
Hold leaders—including me—accountable.
Let’s move beyond frustration and into action. The investment we make now will shape the Bloomfield our children and grandchildren inherit.
Let’s make 2026 the year we stand up, speak out, and work together to move Bloomfield forward.
Our future is worth it.
Be Blessed and Encouraged, Suzette DeBeatham-Brown, MHS, CDE
As a resident, one should never have to attend the meetings in order to be heard. Nowadays, there are a variety of social media tools that can enable transparency while being 100% remote. Check out slido.com as an example.
As a resident, one should never have to attend the meetings in order to be heard. Nowadays, there are a variety of social media tools that can enable transparency while being 100% remote. Check out slido.com as an example.
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