Last night the Democrats nominated their slate of candidates and are hoping to retain the majority on the common council. It’s possible, but with the mounting infrastructure problems that have only gotten worse under Democratic led council committee, voters will be wary of buy in to the promises of Mayoral candidate Walter Briggs.
Democrat Walter O. Briggs vowed Monday night to fix infrastructure, balance preservation and development, and preserve diversity in Norwalk, if he is elected mayor in November.
“Norwalk has allowed itself to be put on a sidetrack, as other communities roar ahead,” said Briggs, chairman of the city’s Planning Commission, after receiving his party’s nomination at City Hall. “I am very close to my eight children and 22 grandchildren. They have told me they want to live in places with good jobs, good schools, cultural events, and a sense of history and place. They want to live in places with diversity and activity. That means a community where our children want to live, and a place where they can afford to live.”
Briggs is repeating the same criteria used by Money Magazine to describe vibrant communities. On the surface that is fine, but certainly not unique. The details of how to get there are not being mentioned.
“Leaders have to have vision. … But if that vision doesn’t include everyone, it doesn’t go very far,” Morris said. Briggs’ vision “includes everyone. … The interesting thing about Walter is his ability to bring people who have different opinions, different values together to consensus. Walter Briggs is a leader.”
Briggs, an investment advisor, moved to Norwalk from Bloomfield Hills, Mich., with his wife Gwen — who represents District E on the Common Council — in 1976.
Appointed to the city’s Planning Commission by Democratic Mayor Alex Knopp after Knopp took office in 2001, Briggs has chaired the board as it worked on mini-master plans for the mid-harbor, South Norwalk, and Main and West avenues. The commission is now finalizing the larger Plan of Conservation and Development. Briggs plans to step down as chairman of the commission in August because of his mayoral bid.
Knopp said the Planning Commission, under Briggs, played a leading role in adopting “the most far-reaching infrastructure improvements plans in the city’s history, for schools facilities, education technology, municipal information technology, improving roads, upgrading the sewer-treatment process.”
Knopp apparently is taking great liberties with injecting life into Brigg’s accomplishments as planning commission chair. The master plan has not been updated, and the process under Brigg’s has been rather lengthy. Knopp along with Kevin Poruban attempted to knock off Fred Bondi last night, in their continuing efforts to undermine Galen Wells and create dissension amongst Democrats. Briggs and the rest of the Democratic candidates should be wary of Knopp’s ham fisted political advice.
District A Councilman Matthew T. Miklave, who was nominated to seek re-election, said he is confident in the Democratic ticket.
“I think this is going to be a very competitive race,” Miklave said. “I think we have a very good chance of retaining control of the council.”
Democrats currently hold 10 of 15 seats on the council. But with two Democrats not seeking re-election, the party nominated seven first-time council candidates.
Among the new names are two young progressives, Marc C. Bradley as an at-large candidate and Annapurna K. Duleep in District D.
Bradley cut his teeth in a high-profile campaign last year, serving as a personal aide to Democratic Senate candidate Ned Lamont.
“I certainly realize that I have to go out and knock on doors and get to know people as much as possible,” said Bradley, who moved to Norwalk six months ago.
The council and BOE candidates are:
Common Council
District A: Matthew T. Miklave, Steve Serasis
District B: Carvin Hilliard, Phylis Bolden
District C: Laurel Lindstrom, Kevin Poruban
District D: Gail Wall, Annapurna K. Duleep
District E: Bill Krummel, Gwen Briggs
At-large: Fred Bondi, Marc Bradley, Amanda Brown, Michael Geake, Doug Sutton
Board of Education
District A: Susan Hamilton
District B: Migdalia Rivas
District C: Marina Rivera
District D: Greg Vetter
District E: Jody Bishop-Pullan
Unfortunately the mindset that has given Norwalk a glaring lack of oversight regarding BOE funding and spending is being reinforced by Democrats.
Democrat Richard Fuller, who is leaving the school board after 21 years, stressed that Democrats have no intention of losing their majority.
“This year we found out how important it is to keep our majority on the board,” said Fuller, alluding to the budget battle.
With Bill Krummel and Kevin Poruban leading Public Works committees over the past 6 years, flooding problems, road repair and other infrastructure items have been languishing. The issue has become critical, and yet Democrats are focusing on sending even more money to the BOE. Throwing money at a problem doesn’t work if there is no accountability attached to it.
source: The Hour, Dems nominate incumbents, former member and new face for BOE, by Robert Koch, July 24, 2007
source: Advocate , Dems pick fall slate, by Matt Breslow, July 24, 2007
source: The Hour, Democrats hope slate will retain control of Common Council, by PATRICK R. LINSEY, July 24, 2007
