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Norwalk: Former Republican Heads Norwalk Democratic Party


by turfgrrl


March 6th, 2008 · 60 Comments

Liberals in Norwalk must be absolutely thrilled with this one, but it seems that Norwalk Democrats have managed to get past the circular firing squad and tap a new chair who just happened to be a Republican up till last year. And who says the Democratic party isn’t the big tent? These things tend to work out nicely btw, Democrats who turned Republican went on to become Governor of California and then President of the United States. I’m referring to Ronald Regan of course. And then there’s Republican turned Democrat who is running for president now, that would be Hillary Clinton. And let’s not forget former Democrat turned Republican turned unaffilate, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg. So congrats to newly appointed Democratic Town Committee chair Gail Wall.

I’m sure that Mike Coffey, Fred Bondi, Carvin Hilliard, Phylis Bolden and Herb Grant, all long accused of  being Republicans at various points are all chuckling at this turn of events. Of course local Republicans are probably chuckling too. Nothing like watching your political opposition draft a rookie to head up the political apparatus.

I can’t wait for the first time a local Dem utters something along the lines of loyal Democrats shouldn’t be working with Republicans. The Hour failed to capitalize on that irony by calling up Bill Krummel for a quote.  Just think of the merriment involved there, as Bill, “Democracy has ended” Krummel will now have to re-explain why having Republicans sit as chairs of common council committees is a bad thing. After acknowledging that a former Republican is now his party chair. Forget worrying about bipartisan Bill, you’ve got yourself unipartisanship to worry about.

Well, maybe this will be the dawn of a new era where local political flunkies focus on issues rather than party labels.  Who knows.

Tags: Norwalk

60 Responses so far “Norwalk: Former Republican Heads Norwalk Democratic Party”


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  • 1 Anonymous // Mar 6, 2008 at 7:51 am

    “[A] Republican up till last” — September 7th to be exact.

    She only switched so she could run for Common Council, not out of a realization that she actually believed what Democrats believe. Now her opportunism is complete!

  • 2 Al Raymond // Mar 6, 2008 at 8:09 am

    Thank You Gail Wall for taking on such a tough job . Maybe now our town can move forward and get the things done that are needed. Gail you have my support anyway I can help. I know you will try to do what is best for Norwalk and the people that live here. The Democratic Party will now rise up and be a party united and strong.Good luck in all you try to do.

  • 3 wilton dem // Mar 6, 2008 at 8:23 am

    Good luck Gail.

  • 4 anonymous // Mar 6, 2008 at 8:25 am

    leave it to the dems to call on a republican to get things done. just like the national scene

  • 5 anon // Mar 6, 2008 at 8:29 am

    So another Knopp puppet heads up the Dems. Won’t they ever learn?

  • 6 Anonymous // Mar 6, 2008 at 8:41 am

    Bill Collins must be thrilled.

  • 7 MGeake // Mar 6, 2008 at 9:07 am

    As somebody who has been called a Republican since mid-November, I’m hurt at having been left off your list. :(

  • 8 MGeake // Mar 6, 2008 at 9:12 am

    Seriously, my hope for Gail is that instead of participating in the infighting and ad hominum attacks, she puts an end to them and pulls the party back together.

    Her performance last night left a lot to be desired, but it was, after all, her first time with the gavel. She needs to take control instead of letting others continue the B.S.

  • 9 turfgrrl // Mar 6, 2008 at 9:26 am

    MGeake: Now you want to be called a Republican?! Oh my. How about instead you pick from one of these labels:

  • 10 Al Raymond // Mar 6, 2008 at 10:10 am

    My hope is that ALL Democrats and Republiacns can put there Party lines aside and do what the people ask and that is work on the ISSUES. All this bull about dem and rep is nothing but a waste of time and money so PLEASE focus on what is important to the people,that is moving the ISSUES like THe Master Plan,Crime,Schools,Flooding,The Budget,Keeping taxs down, not he said she said.or we`ll be looking for someone who will do what we what.GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WHAT !!

  • 11 2 Anon // Mar 6, 2008 at 10:33 am

    GW as Dem Chair! Wow, Norwalk now has its own Rajun Cajun. Given that she has destroyed almost everything she has ever worked at in Norwalk, it may be a real plus for the republican’s. Mr. Geake is dreaming if he thinks personal attacks will end. Many think GW is a bitter person who is only happy when she is snarling and attacking someone. But since her number one enemy is Dick Moccia, perhaps this will help Mayor Knopp get back in power. Surely that is why he picked her. Gepetto Knopp knows how to get who he wants. Unfortunately it will just be a miserable two years for all the Democrats who are along for the ride. Time to go unaffiliated.

    Inquiring minds want to know when she will resign from the Historical Commission and the Historical Society? Or will she now taint those two organizations with even more partisan politics?

  • 12 attended // Mar 6, 2008 at 10:35 am

    Great NNHT meeting last night. Now thats what I call putting politics aside for a good cause. What a great way to conduct a meeting. everyone was involved in conversation, the teens were great, they spoke what was on their minds and everyone listened and we heard what they were saying. You would be surprised what you can learn from kids. Maybe the council and the city folk can get a lesson here.

  • 13 Anonymous // Mar 6, 2008 at 10:48 am

    Give Gail a chance, she might turn out to be just want the Dems need to pull themselves together. As for Alex, he has little influence left. All the lies and the mean vindictive attacks have just caught up. After what he did to Walter, no one should trust anything he says.

  • 14 Anonymous // Mar 6, 2008 at 11:51 am

    #11 - Why should she resign from the Historical Society? It has no connection with the City. Or are you just painting all the historical organizations with the same smears?

    Did da Dickster resign any of his positions from organizations that have no connection with the City? Did any of the Common Council members?

  • 15 anonymous // Mar 6, 2008 at 11:53 am

    Maybe the dems can “cleanse” the democratic party in Norwalk to be a homogenous group of middle class white people like the republican party in Norwalk. That way, the dems would never have to disagree. Republicans on this blog keep suggesting that the dems need to vote in lock-step like the republicans do and the dems keep taking the bait on this one. The Democratic party is a big-tent party, and hopefully, Gail and Walter recognize this and will allow for different opinions and therefore, different views and different votes on issues.

    I still don’t understand why Moccia has been getting a “free pass” for his votes supporting the BOE and Corda’s non-transparent budget with no finance director - just more of the double standard from the republican machine in this town.

  • 16 Sean // Mar 6, 2008 at 12:00 pm

    I never met Ms. Wall- but my heart goes out to her- this is not a easy job!

    Thank you- Galen for your service!

  • 17 disillusioned voter // Mar 6, 2008 at 12:51 pm

    Maybe the repubs going over to the dems side are doing it because of the disillusionment with their present local party. Sure makes sense to me when you take a look at the lineup starting with Moccia. I think Ms Wall will do a great job and I wish her all the best. She is truly dedicated to the betterment of her adopted city and not for personal rewards. She doesn’t need other people’s money like the present lineup.

  • 18 anonymous // Mar 6, 2008 at 1:12 pm

    Gail Wall faces a formidable task, and her challenge is to reach out to all factions and move the party forward with the involvment of the many different factions and personalities. Hopefully she will not fail and will be inclusive rather than divisive. Time will tell.

  • 19 Anonymous // Mar 6, 2008 at 2:13 pm

    #17 We’re not disillusioned with our party. Any Galen Wells-type stupidity…errr…controversy on our side? Nope. We’re just passing the popcorn watching the democrat circular firing squad.

  • 20 what? // Mar 6, 2008 at 2:34 pm

    #17-what lineup are you talking about? and what money? The Mayor is the lowest paid city official next to the council and if you think the council republicans are doing this for fame and glory you are saddly mistaken. Look at the 2 longest serving ones, McQuaid and Hempstead. Do you honestly think they have put this much time into the city for fame, glory and the pittling of $600 amonth minus taxes so that people like you can bash them constantly because you have no gumption of your own to step up to the plate and do something possitive? Yeah Right! Goes the same for the democrats that have long served this city, these are people who take an enormous amount of time away from their families and personal lives in order to serve the city. As far as Gail Wall goes, I wish her luck but I have my doubts that she will be any different than Wells. Both have a mean streak a mile long if you don’t agree with them so good luck.

  • 21 Democrat // Mar 6, 2008 at 4:17 pm

    Mike Geake,
    Your performance as a representative of our party leaves a lot to be desired. Why are you criticizing our new leader on a Republican blog? It would be smarter of you just to join the Republicans officially.
    We have 3 former Republicans on our Executive committee. Maybe you could become a part of theirs.
    Oh wait, maybe they don’t want people they can’t trust in their leadership.

  • 22 Anonymous // Mar 6, 2008 at 4:41 pm

    Since when has this become a Republican blog? It seems to host many voices here. As an independent voter I prefer my officials to show some independence. Mike Geake has shown me so far he thinks about things, unlike most of the officials we have.

  • 23 MGeake // Mar 6, 2008 at 4:51 pm

    #21 — Interesting that you choose to attack while hiding your identity.

    How did I criticize Gail? By pointing out that she allowed Alex Knopp, et al, to prattle on about how the Democrats are a minority party simple because some of us vote our conscience?

    As for the “people they can’t trust” crack, name one promise I have not kept. Maybe if some — like you — who claim to be Democrats would worry more about defending Democratic principles instead of their own little fiefdoms, Norwalk could be improved.

    As for my being a Republican, I’ll match my Democratic credentials, public and private, with anyones.

  • 24 Anonymous // Mar 6, 2008 at 4:55 pm

    Democrat are you so sure you want to be so proud of your three former Republicans on your executive committee? I don’t think the state Democratic party encourages local party members to abdicate Democratic ideals the way the Norwalk Democrats have. Have any of these former Republicans given any money to the Democratic party? Have they done anything to build the party? How is it you expect for your executive Republicans to work with and support Democrats in the rest of the state? Isn’t it true that all the Democratic legislators have now distanced themselves from the local party because it has become a liability to their political careers? You may think its good strategy to offer a Republican-lite version of local politics, but real Democrats don’t buy it.

  • 25 anon // Mar 6, 2008 at 5:04 pm

    Only Alex Knopp could take a lie and run with it without any Democrat questioning it. The Democrats have a majority on the council. That’s a fact. If you Dems want to keep fighting with each other because a petty man keeps telling you to trust him because he knows everything, then you deserve what you get.

  • 26 Anonymous // Mar 6, 2008 at 5:16 pm

    A Republican blog? Maybe that’s why Turfgrrl is involved with Hillary’s campaign on a local level, to convince us all that she is a wolf in sheep’s clothing…

  • 27 anonymous // Mar 6, 2008 at 5:18 pm

    Alex Knopp was at the meeting last night going after certain Democratic Councilmembers. He also was there telling everyone to oppose charter revision for no good reason other than politics. Funny how Alex rushed through his ill thought and failed charter revision without seeking input from the city council or the local democratic party. Funny how Alex Knopp cares about no one but himself. Maybe he will get Foundation job he has applied for. Same old Alex Knopp. Looking out for Alex Knopp.

  • 28 turfgrrl // Mar 6, 2008 at 5:59 pm

    We’re back to this labeling the blog again? Officially, for the record, and mostly to entertain myself since you all ignore what I say:

    The blog is non partisan, if you dish it I’ll post it.

  • 29 The 2004 Charter Revision // Mar 6, 2008 at 6:02 pm

    ATTENDANCE: Thomas A. Flaherty, Chairman; Mayor Alex Knopp; Tom Hamilton, Director of Finance; Louis Ciccarello, Corporation Council; Galen Wells; Kelly Straniti; Charles R. Pennington; Richard Moccia

    The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.

    INTRODUCTION OF MEMBERS

    Mr. Flaherty welcomed the members and said he was honored to chair the Charter Revision Committee. Then he asked the commission members to introduce themselves. He noted that three commission members were absent from the meeting. As well, he reviewed the meeting’s agenda, which included two items: 1) To change the dates required under the charter for the various financial meetings that have to be held, reports filed and decisions that have to be made by departments and the board of estimates and taxation and 2) To determine whether or not the presently elected town clerk will be changed to a position which is appointed and under what terms the appointment will take place.

    The Chairman said that the Mayor and Attorney Ciccarello have advised them that they are to follow a Charter Revision Format. The format requires a series of steps to accomplish a revision to the charter and the organizational meeting is a primary step. Officially, there must be two public hearings. The first public hearing would be more of an informational gathering hearing. At that point, Mr. Flaherty informed them, the commission would have to come up with a draft proposal for changes to the Charter. Then there must be another public hearing, in which there is available to the public the draft the commission wrote, in order for comments to be given by the public, regarding the direction the commission is going. After the 2nd public hearing, it is required that they complete their draft and make it a final report and submit it to the Common Council. The Chairman commented that they must schedule between 4 to 6 meetings to accomplish their goals.

    The Mayor now thanked the commission members for giving their time and for being willing to serve. He noted that charter revision is a significant process of the city and it is governed by state statute. As well, the party representation is equal, which he feels is important, because charter revision should be accomplished on a bi-partisan basis.

    Mayor Knopp drew the commission’s attention to the packet he had distributed. He then proceeded to review the items included in the packet. The first item he mentioned was the resolution that was adopted by the Common Council, which states there is a recording deadline of December 15, 2004. The resolution puts before the commission two issues, a change in the schedule for the adoption of the operating budget and a change in the method of the selection of the town clerk from an elected position to an appointed position.

    Also included in the packet, the Mayor remarked that there is a draft for possible meeting dates, for which his office has reserved rooms at City Hall. A portion of their meeting tonight would be to determine their schedule of meetings for the two issues before them.

    DISCUSSION OF COMMON COUNCIL CHARGE RE BUDGET SCHEDULE

    The Mayor continued that in terms of the first issue, which is the change for the budget, the packet included the following items: The current deadlines for the budget adoption; a draft that would change the date from the 1st Monday in April to the 1st Monday in May; and items for the second issue: Background information, including a memo from Attorney Ciccarello with information from charters and other principalities regarding town clerks; a copy of the Norwalk provisions regarding the town clerk; and a copy of the state statute governing charter revisions.

    The Mayor informed the commission that Norwalk has one of the earliest budget adoption schedules in the state and that only a minority of principalities requires the adoption of a budget in April. The majority of principalities call for the budget adoption in May and a few allow the adoption process to go into June. He explained that the reason this issue is being discussed is that more and more state aid plays an important role in the state budget. The legislature’s trend is to adopt its own budget, with levels of education funding, county roads, and other issues later and later calendar wise. Of late, Norwalk has only been able to incorporate the Governor’s budget speech as setting the base line for state aid figures without knowing if those would be the final ones or not. In even numbered years, the legislature adjourns the first week in May and in odd numbered years, they adjourn the first week of June. If Norwalk could extend the budget process till May, it would allow them to get a much more accurate reading on state budget figures.

    Additionally, the Mayor noted, that the later the process occurs, the more accurate the information is that they are working with. The budget begins July 1. There are figures the schools submit concerning how many teachers are needed for the next school year and how many teachers are retiring, which would be beneficial to have for the budget, but the handicap is not having these figures in time for the April 1 budget adoption. The earlier the budget comes up, the more guesswork is involved; the later the budget is adopted, the guesswork is less.

    DISCUSSION OF COMMON COUNCIL CHARGE RE TOWN CLERK

    The Chairman then asked the Mayor to please give some background information on the town clerk issue. The Mayor explained that for about fifteen years, the City had a town clerk, who both parties agreed, was someone with stellar credentials and who didn’t favor either party. After this individual retired, Norwalk had a town clerk who served two years and then a new town clerk who replaced him. Within four years, there were two new town clerks. It seemed to both parties that the concept of having a professional office with continuity, especially considering new technology in the services provided by the city, would be a benefit. These remarks are made without criticism to the current town clerk, the Mayor noted and he said that this town clerk is in favor of an appointment for this position.

    DISCUSSION OF MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULE

    The Chairman presented the suggested meeting dates given to the commission by the Mayor. According to the list of suggested dates, 6 meetings would take place. The next meeting would occur on Tuesday, September 21st and the date of the last meeting would be on November 18th. Mr. Flaherty felt that the meeting they were having then covered the criteria needed and the next meeting could be the 1st public hearing.
    The Chairman commented that he had obtained some ordinances from towns that have a town clerk. They tend to be a paragraph long.

    The Mayor pointed out that there is a state statute that allows a municipality to move from an elected to an appointed town clerk by the Common Council passing an ordinance. The Mayor’s preference is to make the town clerk change through the Charter Revision Committee, even though the statute doesn’t require a special committee.

    Attorney Ciccarella noted that he will advertise the public hearing and the meeting following and both will have specific times listed.

    After considerable review of the suggested dates, the determination for the meetings and two public hearings resulted in the following schedule:

    Tuesday, September 21:
    Part One: 7:30 p.m. 1st Public Hearing
    Part Two: Commission meeting at 8:15 p.m.,
    or immediately following public hearing

    Thursday, September 30:
    7:30 p.m. Hold the date for a meeting if needed.

    Thursday, October 21:
    Part One: 7:30 p.m. 2nd Public Hearing
    Part Two: 8:15 p.m. Commission meeting at 8:15 p.m.,
    or immediately following public hearing

    Thursday, October 28:
    7:30 p.m. Hold the date for a meeting if needed.

    ** MR. MOCCIA MOVED TO APPROVE THE MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULE
    ** MR. PENNINGTON SECONDED THE MOTION
    ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

    The Chairman requested the authority to send out special invitations for the public hearings to specific groups that will be impacted by the proposed revised budget schedule, i.e. the Board of Education and the Taxing Districts. He would like them to be sent from the Mayor’s office. Then on the issue of the town clerk, the Chairman would like to invite the present town clerk and the prior town clerks to specifically attend. He thought that all could benefit from input from the past and present town clerks. The Chairman said he would talk with Mr. Hamilton about the specific names for invitation letters.

    Then he stated that there is a draft in the file, which was not going to be discussed at that meeting, but it was for approval of the budget schedule date change.

    The Mayor requested that everyone attending send him an e-mail, which would provide him with members’ e-mail addresses. He left the meeting at 8:10 p.m followed by Mr. Hamilton, who left at the same time.

    The Chairman asked Attorney Ciccarello what constitutes a quorum for this commission and Atty. Ciccarello responded that five commission members are needed.

    Attorney Ciccarello said that Mason’s Rules or Robert’s Rules could be on the agenda for adoption and that will be the source of any rulings. He suggested that while the Chairman had everyone there, he could take a vote. He then explained the basic difference between the two types of rules.

    ** MR. MOCCIA MOVED TO ADOPT MASON’S RULES
    ** MR. PENNINGTON SECONDED THE MOTION
    ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

    Attorney Ciccarelli suggested to the Chairman that when the letters are written to the specially invited individuals that the invitees forward any comments to the Chairman in writing. This way there is an opportunity for the commission members to review the suggestions prior to the hearings and meetings. Also, he suggested that a like letter be written to Mr. Hamilton, regarding his input.

    Attorney Ciccarelli comments included pointing out that the Home Rule Act is in the packet, because it is the basis for the commission’s findings. He recommended that if they would like to review any particular section, that they review Section 7-191, which addresses the committee. He mentioned that most of the act is not pertinent to this commission and that the section about the town clerk is a one-paragraph section. He stated that if the town clerk should change from an elected position to an appointed position, Chapter 107 of the code would be expanded to include the appropriate language.

    The Chairman asked Atty. Ciccarelli about the technical procedure of how many days prior notice must be given in an advertisement about the public hearings. His response was seven days. Further, Atty. Ciccarelli said that his office would assume the responsibility for the placement of the notice, as well as the content of the notice. The Chairman asked him if there were an additional meeting, such as September 30th, would it suffice to post the additional meeting notice at City Hall, rather than placing an ad. Atty. Ciccarelli responded positively and said that kind of posting would be acceptable.

    ** MR. PENNINGTON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
    ** MS. STRANITI SECONDED THE MOTION.
    ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

    The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

  • 30 mattw // Mar 6, 2008 at 6:03 pm

    I’m sure Gail is going to pick some fights, but from my experience with her last year (and I’m about as partisan as they come), I’m pretty confident they’ll be effective ones for the party. Howard Dean used to be a Republican too, and we all enjoy it when “ex” party members give their former allies the shiv. That’s why CT Republicans voted for Lieberman over Schlesinger, after all.

    If the Dems on the council were providing a vocal and effective counterweight to the GOP mayor, maybe you could afford a limp noodle or a Moccia apologist as DTC chair. There are some vocal, but the votes aren’t there for it to be effective. I can’t think of anyone in a position to be Norwalk town chair who could do a better job than Gail.

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