Anthony Napolitano
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Platinum Board Member
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Town Politics - you be the judge. - 2008/06/26 11:20
Folks-
I am posting below a letter which was read at a BOS meeting, and which explains a situation that is unfortunate. Our new, third-party, Simsbury Citizens First (SCF), has not had one person appointed to a Board or Commission, even though qualified persons have applied.
It appears that this is about Town politics. It shows that further changes are needed to make Simbury a better place. Town Manager? Charter revision? Reform of the Boards and methods of appointment? These, and other questions, are being asked, but there are few answers offered.
Simsbury Citizens First hopes to continue to make a difference, as we represent the citizens who voted for our party and want to see meaningful changes. We must start to prepare for the next election.
Here is the letter:
This past November, Simsbury had one of the highest voter turnouts in the greater Hartford area for a municipal election. Simsbury Citizens First, a new third party, had a full slate of 18 candidates on the ballot with four of our candidates elected - a first in the history of our town. We far surpassed the threshold number of votes required by the State Election commission to achieve minor party status in Simsbury and will therefore have a line on the ballot for candidates in the 2009 municipal election. We are a party of citizens eager to make a difference in a more open, apolitical climate where doing the right thing comes before anything else, particularly before partisan political agendas.
I am speaking tonight because the Simsbury Town Charter does not specify the requirements for appointment to boards and commissions for members of a party other than the Democratic or Republican parties. With reference to a party such as Simsbury Citizens First, no provisions are available except to state "Minority representation on any elective or appointive board, commission or committee...shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of section 9-167a of the General Statutes." Simsbury Citizens First, while receiving minor party status by the state does not receive any consideration under the Simsbury Town Charter for appointments. This has created an unfortunate and unnecessary obstacle for SCF members interested in serving on an appointed board or commission.
Following the election, the Republican and Democratic party leadership met to hammer out the appointments to various boards and commissions. Simsbury Citizens First was excluded from the discussions, although some of our members expressed a desire to be considered for appointment.
In mid December, Nancy Miller’s name was submitted in writing to the First Selectman by SCF, for appointment to the Aging and Disability Commission along with several other SCF members for various commissions.
Mrs. Miller's resume is impressive and the town could not possibly ask for a more qualified or dedicated person who wants to serve only because she cares about advocating for the seniors and the disabled in our town.
Nancy Miller works as a Physician's Assistant and is the legal guardian of an intellectually impaired adult sister. She has been involved with FAVRAH and HARC, and has been recommended for appointment to the Aging and Disability Commission by the current Chairman, Ed LaMontagne. She is compassionate, concerned and completely qualified, being extremely knowledgeable and educated in matters pertaining to the aged and disabled.
In March 2008, Mrs. Miller sent a follow up letter, to the Board of Selectmen and to the First Selectman, again, expressing interest in being appointed to the Aging and Disability Commission. In subsequent phone calls with First Selectman Glassman, Mrs. Miller was informed that there are two ways to become appointed to a commission. One is to seek appointment through either the Democratic or Republican Town Committees or alternatively to send a letter to the Board of Selectman for appointment directly by the Board. While Mrs Miller is a registered Republican voter, she is an active member of Simsbury Citizens First and so she opted to send a letter to the Board of Selectmen. After months of waiting, the discussion and possible vote on her appointment came in front of this board at your last meeting on June 9th.
Why then has the Board of Selectmen NOT appointed Mrs. Miller to this commission, instead allowing the position to continue to remain vacant as it has been for the past six months?
I was extremely disappointed to hear after the last meeting that the Board of Selectmen voted to table her appointment following Republican Selectman Hogan and Wertheimer's comments that they had sent her appointment to the Republican Town Committee for review, thereby once again delaying the appointment of a very qualified and enthusiastic volunteer.
Meanwhile the position on Aging and Disability continues to sit vacant and who loses in this? The Simsbury residents who need the advocacy the most - our seniors and disabled population.
As our Board of Selectmen, elected to act in the best interest of the town, I ask that you put aside consideration of party affiliation in determining the appropriateness of Mrs. Miller's appointment and instead make your decision based on her exceptional qualifications, her interest, her dedication and her willingness to volunteer her time, in order to serve the seniors and disabled of Simsbury.
Since you have all seen Mrs. Miller's letter of interest and resume from the June 9th meeting, and you the Board of Selectmen have the right under Town Charter to make appointments to boards and commissions, I respectfully ask that you make a motion tonight to amend the meeting's agenda and add the discussion of and vote for, the appointment of Nancy Miller to the Aging and Disability Commission effective immediately.
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Post edited by: Anthony Napolitano, at: 2008/06/26 11:29
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