MILFORD — Promising to provide tax relief to city veterans and the elderly, improve infrastructure and create even better schools, Alderman Kerri Rowland accepted the nomination as the Democratic mayoral candidate Wednesday.
Kerri Rowland will campaign to unseat incumbent Republican Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr.
"The status quo is not good enough. We can do better; we must do better," Rowland said to a crowd of about 250 people at City Hall, where Democrats selected a slate of candidates for Board of Aldermen, Board of Education, Planning and Zoning Board and constable in each of the five districts.
Rowland was nominated by state Sen. Gayle Slossberg, while Speaker of the House James Amann nominated Alan Jepson for city clerk, calling the former three-term mayor "the political gold standard [who] engenders universal respect and appeal."
Democrats entered City Hall through a gauntlet of young girls who distributed colorful pro-Rowland signs, which the audience waved wildly when Rowland responded to the unanimous vote for her candidacy, "Thank you for the nomination. I accept."
"Kerri has the unique ability to problem solve, to get things done," Slossberg said.
The nominating convention was short on surprises but did not lack in ceremony. Members of a local Boy Scout troop presented the colors, Rev. Carleton Giles delivered the invocation asking for blessings on "those who aspire to lead us to further greatness," and the 10-voice Coastal Chordsmen sang the national anthem and other selections.
After a brief caucus of district members, which seemed merely a formality, Democratic Party Chairman Richard Smith had each district chairman stand to present their slate of candidates, which was followed by a unanimous vote.
Smith thanked the candidates for their willingness to serve their community saying, "This is where the rubber meets the road."
April Moss Ellis brought her two daughters — Kayla Ellis, 10, and Sydney Ellis, 8 — to the political event. "I'm trying to help them understand the importance of the electoral process and we're here to give Kerri our support," Ellis said.
1ST DISTRICT
Board of Aldermen: Ray Arnold and incumbent James Patterson
Board of Education: Mike Taylor and Greta Stanford
PZB: Kathy Patterson
2ND DISTRICT
Board of Aldermen: Nick Veccharelli and Barbara Lambert, both are incumbents
Board of Education: Tracy Casey and Dave Steinlauf
PZB: Janet Golden, a former Republican who changed party affiliation at the end of her term on the Board of Education. "More of my philosophies meshed with the Democratic Party and I found more of a home here."
Constable: Kevin McGrath Sr.
3RD DISTRICT
Board of Aldermen: incumbent Martin Hardiman and Susan Manning
Board of Education: Dave Bonder and Jim Quish
PZB: Kim Rose
Constable: Linda Hardiman
4TH DISTRICT
Board of Aldermen: Philip Vetro, incumbent, and Jessica Blackletter
Board of Education: Dave Amendola and Dave Hourigan, both are incumbents
PZB: Jennifer Carey
Constable: Claire Phelan
5TH DISTRICT
Board of Aldermen: Robert Nunno and incumbent minority leader Benjamin Blake
Board of Education: James Santa Barbara and David Defluneri
PZB: Victor Ferrante
(Photos by Bob Adams)
7 comments:
Correction on the CT Post mis-spelling: Jennifer Carey for Planning & Zoning in the 4th District.
My favorite part of Kerri Rowland's speech was an echo of Ned Lamont saying "and I approve this message":
"I say to you, to my family, friends, and supporters . . . Thank you for the nomination . . . I ACCEPT!!!"
Thanks. I corrected it.
Hi Bob,
That look on Jim Amman's face - is that supposed to be a smile or is he muttering something about crushing you?
oldswede
I didn't dare mention anything getting crushed; in fact, Jim was very nice and I went up and introduced myself to him. We shook hands with no animosity. Either he didn't recognize me, or he's willing to let bygones be bygones. I saw no reason to antagonize him that night; we were all there for Kerri and the Milford Democrats.
Of course, I kinda DO wish Jim had been there for the Connecticut DEMOCRAT during last year's Senate race, instead of helping a bloodthirsty hack of a third-party bozo win, but that's all water under the bridge nowadays.
Well, hells bells, that was just full of typos. Here it is with spell check....
I so admire real grassroots democrats. And I so do NOT envy you the choices ahead of you. The national democratic party does not reflect the majority of democrats. We want the warrantless wiretapping to STOP..they expand it. We want OUT of this war.....they vote for more funding. We want the president impeached.....they take it off the table.
I wish you all the luck in the world, my fellow grassroots dems. But you face a historic time. You must take your courage in your hands and INSIST that the national party, under the leadership of Nancy Pelosi, or in spite of her, whatever it takes....YOU MUST DO THE RIGHT THING.
Stop this insane attack on the 4th amendment! Stop this attack on the balance of power, checks and balances,the right of habeous corpous, etc, etc, etc.
JUST BECAUSE ThE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP is scared silly and is acting completely insanely in giving this imperial president whatever he wants...this DOES NOT mean you also must become insane. We need you to fight for us. Stand up for the constitution. Stand UP for the 4th amendment! Stand up for truth and justice and reality over the insanity of the current administration. If they have committed high crimes and misdemeanors, then for god's sake, impeach them!
Seriously, this is the time when regular folks will either stand up for what is right, or negotiate away our freedom. Which will you do?
Don't worry, we get it.
I doubt you'll find a group of people who are MORE committed to reinstating our Constitutional freedoms than the progressive blogosphere here in CT.
There's plenty of things about our Democratic leadership that we don't like, but we're working to change the conventional wisdom, hopefully instill leaders who will make a difference, and restore our rights. It ain't going to be an easy fight, but we WILL prevail.
History is on our side.
There is some hope see www.rfrank118.com
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