Norwalk: Courting Hispanic Voters

According to the Hour, local officials are looking for Hispanic voters. Who knew they were missing?

Democratic Town Committee Chairman Galen Wells said language barriers and lack of information have prevented her party from efficiently reaching out to the Hispanic community.

“The thing that I want to figure out is, we have a lot of volunteers now who speak really good Spanish and say they want to volunteer in the Hispanic community, but at this point I don’t think we have a good way to find the Hispanic voters other than thumbing through the registry and finding Hispanic surnames,” she said.

Really? The best way to find hispanic voters is to “thumb through” a voter list and look for hispanic sounding surnames? That sounds so Jim Crow era. Hispanic people are of course part of the daily fabric of life in Norwalk. They run stores, own businesses, send their children to school, shop at grocery stores, buy houses, walk in the parks, and pretty much do everything every Norwalker does. Amazingly hispanic voters in Norwalk even read this site, the Hour, the Advocate, watch the news and listen to the local radio stations. Some even read the La Voz either online or in print.

For Romano, a candidate for Town Clerk, it fueled her decision to put information on her campaign site in Spanish.

“(The Hispanic community) is a large part and a very influential part of Norwalk,” she said. “You can’t sit back and expect them to vote if you don’t reach out to them.”

Ramirez said he is hopeful that the Hispanic community will turn out to vote this November.

“The Latino vote has a very serious impact even throughout the nation,” he said, adding that it is time for the community to become more politically aware. “There is no doubt in my mind that we really need to be more pro-active.”

Sometimes what you are looking for is right in front of you.

source:Hispanic vote gaining clout, by Amanda Pinto, September 21, 2007

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

  • anonymous

    Galen Wells sounds like a typical limousine liberal. She spends more time at wine and cheese parties than listening to real issues that affect Norwalkers. She is very anti-minority, and you can look at the Norwalk Democrats web page and see that she excluded the Ward B candidates from the group photo. She has also gone after good young minority leaders like David Angelo Watts because he would not wail her limo liberal rhetoric.

  • Anonymous

    What Galen is saying makes no sense. Judy Rivas is a stalwart of the local Democratic Party and she’s also the contact for United Hispanic Action of Norwalk. Wouldn’t you think they would have addressed this?

  • indythinker

    Gee, a real no brainer here Galen, perhaps a little outreach session. In case you hadn’t noticed, we have a huge spanish speaking community in Norwalk and if you haven’t figured out how to reach them by now, I guess they can go to Joanne’s site and get the info they need. She always seems to have the right way of doing things so maybe you could persuade her to help you out!

  • http://www.MGeake.org MGeake

    Look, I’ve had no problem identifying Hispanic voters; according to the 2000 Census, 60% of the Second Taxing District is self-identified as Hispanic, and it was their support that put me “over the top” in the Second Taxing District’s special election in 2004.

    I hope Galen was being tongue-in-cheek.

  • Anonymous

    I would hope she wouldn’t make jest of this story since the Spanish community is a large part of Norwalk and it would only benefit all the candidates running.

  • dem4life

    I hope Galen was misquoted here. There are many Hispanic Dems who work hard to elect Dems to office locally. Acknowledging those contributions publicly would go long way to quashing this race bating tactic of TG.

  • Anonymous

    Dem4life-the Hour quoted Galen, not TG and in case you haven’t noticed, TG is an equal oportunity basher. she calls em as she sees em. Is it ok for once if the Republicans get even a little possitive feed back. This was about reaching out to a community within our community and the benefit of doing so and Galen seems not to understand the concept.

  • dem4life

    TG brought up “Jim Crow” that is race baiting. Galen said nothing racist.

  • Anonymous

    Oh come on now. “We have a lot of volunteers now who speak really good Spanish and say they want to volunteer in the Hispanic community, but at this point I don’t think we have a good way to find the Hispanic voters” Would that be because the only volunteers who speak Spanish are not Hispanic? That statement is racist. Turfgurl stirs the pot, but the stew is what it is.

  • disgusted taxpayer

    I wonder how the Hispanic’s running for office feel that Galen has no clue on how to reach the Hispanic vote…UH DUH…how about the Hispanic candidates Galen? Now there’s a no brainer. But guess what? Galen isn’t interested in that, all she wants to do is make sure that that her handpicked candidates once again fill the seats of every damn committee in this town so that there is no independant thinking anywhere. She doesn’t want fair and balanced government she wants to be manipulating everyone annd anything that she can. This way we can have another group of bobble heads p’#@ing awat the taxpayers money.

  • Galen is clueless

    The most charming thing about Galen is that she is consistently clueless. She knows nothing and has no interest in finding out how to lead the Democratic party. After all these years she had no idea how to speak to the press, no idea how to recruit voters, no idea how to unify the party – zero, nada, nothing, nyet clueless…but you’ve got to give it to her, she is also consistently full of anger and rage. Charming, really charming!

  • disgusted taxpayer

    I wouldn’t exactly call her charming. As she’s smiling in your face, she’s twisting the knife deeper.
    Apparently she has taught some of her followers the same techniques. Also the take credit for what others do approach seems to be running rampant with some of the candidates. Too bad others know the truth. Thats the sad thing about election time. All we get is alot of self back patting from politicians who think we don’t really have a clue. They should probably be told that we aren’t as dumb as they make us out to be. They also need to know that no one is too powerful to be knocked out. each and every candidate can and will be replaced if the voter so chooses!

  • T. Franks

    This is all lip service to the Hispanic community. You want our votes, but you don’t want us involved.

  • anonymous

    Galen Wells is a racist. Her treatment of David Angelo Watts when he exposed the Pagano’s Seafood child pornography incident is classic. It shows what a racist she is.

  • Hispanics do vote

    #12writes-They also need to know that no one is too powerful to be knocked out. each and every candidate can and will be replaced if the voter so chooses!

    That also means those in city hall-Some think they are irreplacable, think again because many of us spend alot of time in city hall and we do get the inside info as to what is going on. Just because you think you are the right person for the job doesn’t always reflect the thoughts of those around you. so you might want to think again when blowing your own horn.

    As for the Hispanic vote, keep in mind, their vote in either direction can actually determine the outcome. It only takes 1 vote either way.

    To Ms. Wells,
    We Hispanics in Norwalk do pay attention and we do count. Glad to see Ms Romano once more had the foresight to include us in her outreach website. It makes one wonder why no one else thought of it first. Maybe because as always, Ms Romano understands that its not just a certain group of people who cares about what is happening in OUR town. Yes, it is our town as much as it is yours.

  • Anonymous

    Republicans don’t care about working families.

  • Anonymous

    So #16 what you are saying is that no Republicans work and they don’t have families? Are you for real? I have yet to see any Republican in this town that doesn’t work and if they have families they are struggling just like everyone else to afford college, mortgages etc. So where do you get your logic from?
    If thats a ploy for the working families to support the dems I certainly hope they are smarter than that!
    I get so sick of people who make such rediculous acusations. You obviously haven’t spent much time around a diverse group of people who would tell you that everyone cares about working families and for you to say any different, I certainly hope some day you come out from under that rock you’ve been living under.

  • Anonymous

    Number 17, working family Republicans tend to vote against their economic interests. Cutting taxes for the rich while increasing taxes for the working middle class. It’s all talk about family values while anything that can support a working family is gutted and unfunded.

  • Anonymous

    Not all Republicans live by those standards

  • anon again

    So where is the diversity on the Republican slate — nationally or locally? Locally looks to be heavily Italian surnames — not exactly the profile of Norwalk anymore.

  • indythinker

    Lopez X 2, Bonet, McQuaid, Hempstead, Beggan,Kydes, Park, somehow I don’t think those surnames have anything to do with Italian heritage. So, what’s your point? Maybe, just maybe those Italians who seek office choose to do so because they want to make a difference. Why would you bring that up? Its always something about Italians like they have no right to be a part of the process. There have been derogatory remarks on several occasions on this site and its shameful.

  • anon again

    Maybe if the Norwalk Republican Town Committee would get a presence on the Web, we could see how “diverse” the makeup of the Norwalk Republican slate is. I’ll bet it’a a lot of white guys with nary a brown or black face in the bunch. Lately, there’s been the occassional female — a recent bow to a change that the rset of the world embraced years ago. Not too quick on the changes, these local Republican pols. Saem for the National — white guys in suits, the lot of them.

  • another 1 of the 25

    Speaking of websites, at least the Republicans support their minority candidates unlike the Democrats who think nothing of ignoring Bolden, Hilliard, Sutton and Grant. They’ve even kicked out Joe Mann.

  • anon again

    At least the Dems have minority candidates…and they’re strong enough to speak out and disagree on internal matters. Good for all of us. That’s what I love about Democrats — they don’t all toe the line like the local Republican “apartchiks.”

  • Anonymous

    #22-how do you know the makeup of ones family? You make assumptions you know nothing about. That is the most disgusting comment yet! The color of one’s skin has nothing to do with their heritage. There are light skinned and dark skinned people in most races so a comment such as your is uncalled for and discriminatory. What a shame your parents didn’t teach you better!

  • anon again

    Umm…actually the color of ones skin does have a lot to do with one’s genetic heritage. It doesn’t have anything to do with one’s abilities, personality, or character. Too quick with your knee jerk PC, there, #25. Says more about your own inner biases. I’m proud of my skin color and my genetic heritage as well as what my parents taught me about my own and others cultures. I coud be red, brown, black, white or yellow. Or maybe I’m purple.

  • inside opinion

    Ask any minority in the Democratic party and they will tell you privately that they are ignored, under appreciated and taken for granted. It should matter more that these are fine people who work hard to support Democratic values. Instead they are put on display at election time, and nothing else.

  • here we go again

    this turned into a sad thread what was the point?

    all because of election time,,I wouldn’t show this to anyone its disgusting maybe thats why less postings by the regulars has become a readership issue..

    I bet the ones who actually contribute all the time have shunned crap like this.

    Not a racist not a candidate I hope not a Norwalk resident much longer.

  • anon again

    And ask any minority candidate in the Republican party…oh, wait, there aren’t any.

  • Anonymous

    Number 29, or is that you Galen. Hispanic candidates do count as minority candidates. Jeebus, Number 28 had it right, this is sad. Why not talk about how both parties don’t talk about the issues anymore?

  • here we go again

    because we all have ways of saving face grandma used to say, down south we never had a blog just corn cob pipes and porch conversation.

    Thankyou #30 enjoy your day and rest assured our posts will be lost and replaced with nasty ones to serve another purpose.

    two people who agree is not news its friendship.

  • WELLS IS A RACIST WHO DOESNT BELIEVE IN GOD

    It is too bad that Galen Wells is a racist and does not believe in God or religion. Ask her and she will tell you of her hatred for organized religion. she has said it many times to many people. She also goes out of her way to support people that share her crazy beliefs. She has scorn for many things that mainstream folks holds near. she is a horrible leader and what she has done to a fine man of the people, Rev. David Watts will come back to haunt her.SHE HAS ALIENATED MANY OF US RELIGIOUS MINORITIES IN NORWALK. She is intolerant to those who do not share her gay marriage loving ideals. She still needs to talk of her role in the paganoes expolitation of a black minority matter. her actions of exclsion are real and terrible.

  • anon again

    Does that mean that Galen Wells is a “pagan”? Is that the secret meaning behind the name “paganos”? Really…the things you learn on this blog.

  • One of the miserable 25

    She just keeps pushing things like anti religion and pro gay marriage. Things that matter to most of us miserable 25. Not. She is out of touch and this latest anti-minority rant just proves it.

  • anonymous

    I am a member of the Ward B of the Democratic Town Committee. Several months ago at our meeting we asked about Mr. Briggs granfather and his racism. Mr. Briggs advised we would receive a position in writing. We have never received it. We are still waiting and watching. Very interesting about the Briggs family history and the Detroit Tigers. Very interesting on race relations and the attitude of Walter Briggs grandfather and the city of Detroit’s reaction to the Brigg’s name. Figures Galen Wells would handpick him to run for mayor and not even think about running a minority for that position of mayor.

  • disgusted

    This whole subject has gotten way out of hand. I can’t believe what I am reading here. Why are we fighting with each other? Why are not reaching out to the minority community at all times and not just at election time? Ones actions speak louder than election promises. We need to look at those who throughout the year are involved with the minority community and who become involved in all parts of our city. Just because we are arguing here do you think it will make a difference? Oh sure, check the websites in a day or two and you will see those who have added spanish to their website as an afterthought because someone brought it to their attention. Ms Romano didn’t need to be prodded and embarrased into it. She did it because she felt it was the right thing to do. I have had the occasion to meet her and I have to tell you she doesn’t look at color or religion and she is very proud of her diverse family, so it is only natural that she would include others in her election process. Wouldn’t it be nice if others were the same way? No, its not a plug for her for Town Clerk, just an observation and a reminder to all that are running for office, Norwalk is a diverse community with a rich heritage and they deserve your attention year round.

  • Mr Greenpeace

    This is disgusting,I do agree with #36 Romano should be reconized as one and not part of any pack,,but if all were the same as her we would have more than one choice when it comes to the office she is running for , so its ok she has class after what I have read about her drives for our military woman and men she was already been distanced from such threads like this anyway.This was not a plug either its an observation as well.

    A brief side note today at the Big E as usual the Ct state police were doing there thing in front of the Ct building with a very nice twist, they had the most wanted to find and tell a special legislative session is to be held wed, so if you were a senate member you were told..a nice way to employ the services of our state police I’d say..

    It was a nice day today at the Big E enjoyed a day out with the family and without rt connector i was still able to come home quickly by 8.

    scrap this thread its not what this blog is all about.

    I vote to see it disappear any one second this?

    then can we have a democratic vote?

    is that parlimentary procedure? or Roberts rules or can we just rely on Turfggrl rules which i happen to like by the way..

    enough already lets get back basics the needs of the residents of Norwalk its obvious this thread is going nowhere and is insluting,,its no wonder no regular wants to put their name on this,,I did as a vote of disgust.

  • anonymous

    the actions of many of the democrats are repulsive with how they are treating minorities such as Rev. Watts like second class citizens.

  • Anonymous

    Turf, I also think you need to do something about this thread. Galen is being unfairly targeted here.

  • anonymous

    Mrs. Stiwqart Wells meeds to be questioned about her involvement in the Pagano’s Seafoof sex scandal. Oh yeah, her husaband also needs to be investigated.

  • Mr Greenpeace

    I did see someone did agree with my motion #39

  • anonymous

    Did I actually read that right? #35 wants Briggs to write a letter explaining his grandfather’s position on race relations? We are now at a position where we are going to vote on a person based on a grandparents political views? I agree that this page is getting rediculous.

  • anonymous

    Mr. Briggs promised it to the members of Ward B who are very troubled by his family’s past. He still hasn’t done it.

  • anonymous

    Mr. Greenpeace, thanks for your thoughts, but people could have the same concerns about your half baked rants that they should go from the sight. You should be alittle more tolerant.

  • Mr Greenpeace

    your welcome ,thank you for the compliment, your right I need more tolerance, i certainly don’t need any more material to write about we seem as a city to generate enough dropped issues, and sidestepped subjects that effects us all, I should be pleased we are seeing such attacks on people who have done such injustice upon our residents.

    Half baked rants for a cooked city some others would agree upon.Its only a matter of time we run out of red herrings and address the issues of concern..

    My idea of locating a fire station in the medium strip of 95 was not so half baked , in fact it makes it faster for the fire dept to respond to all the the highways and parts of the city , get the state to give us the land we in essence work for them on 95 all the time.

  • Anonymous

    Mr. Greenpeace, while I have to admit sometimes I get a bit confused by some of your writings, (you think too fast when you are writing) I do believe that you are one of those who do alot of background on many subjects before what some call “ranting” on this site.
    you give us links and insight as well as some pretty good solutions. People don’t like when they see the truth. TOUGH! Just slow down a bit and I can follow what you write. You are correct when you say the turn of this link got disgusting. Why can’t we all just get along?????

  • Mr Greenpeace

    yes your right, I complain about not always having the resources for our fire dept, but according to Metro North they are on live tracks with a disabled train right now before the South Norwalk train station dodging trains there are four tracks there,,of course i skip around the city is having growing pains and stuff happens every day,,i trust the grant writer is writing all this down,,an hour from now we will be back on 95 for something else,,we pay for all this as a city,,fire police and ems right now on the tracks with a disabled train..who pays for all this?

  • anonymous

    Still wondering what Briggs’ grandfather has to do with what Briggs stands for. I wonder how many people still believe in political opinions of their grandparents.

  • Anonymous

    I’d be a democrat if I did! That’s why I don’t join either party, heard and saw enough growing up!

  • anonymous

    Many democrats have republican grandparents and many republicans have democrat grandparents. Have no clue what Briggs grandfather has to do with the issues.