Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Norwalk Dems Intraparty Fighting Continues

The Norwalk Hour is reporting that Councilman Carvin Hilliard, recently cleared of elections law violations, is asking for DTC chair Galen Wells to step down.
"This is about big party boss rule," Hilliard said. "That's what she represents." (The Hour)

The elections violations complaint stemmed from reports that flyers were distributed that suggested that Bruce Morris had financial and ethics problems during the mid 90's. Morris won the primary on August 8th. The State Elections Enforcement Commission confirmed the dismissal of a complaint by Joseph Newell was sent to the EEC by Wells on July 13.
"There is no evidence to support the allegation that Mr. Hilliard and Mr. Watts produced and distributed the flyer," the commission concluded, "nor is there currently any evidence to suggest that Mr. Hilliard and Mr. Watts violated the campaign finance laws of the State of Connecticut."
. . .
While Wells said she believes "it's more likely than not" Hilliard and Watts violated elections law, she stressed the complaint was Newell's. (The Hour)


With Wells continuing the suggest that Hilliard violated election laws despite the commissions ruling shows how personal this issue has become. Earlier in the year, Wells fought to exclude Hilliard from running in the primary by refusing to acknowledge his request to run via email. That Wells decision led to an appeal to Democratic State Central where Well's was over ruled and Hilliard allowed to run.

Democratic Councilwoman Gwen Briggs spoke positively Monday of Wells' performance as DTC chairwoman, saying she has done a "fine job."

"It's her job to make sure that the party runs," Briggs said. "She has to raise money so that we can do our campaigns. She has to make sure that all of the districts hold their meetings. She makes sure that the party is running the way it should be and according to the rules. If that's a party boss, then I guess she's a party boss, but that's her job."(The Hour)

Yet, as chair, Wells could only muster 22 of the 35 delegates to the Norwalk Democratic convention this past May. And with record high turnout during the August 8th primary, Norwalk had one of the lowest turnout percentages in the state. Norwalk has also not participated in any of the party building activities sponsored by the DNC. While the national party is encouraging local party development, Wells seems intent on abdicating her responsibilities in order to stoke personal feuds leaving some Norwalk Democrats to question what is going on.

The Norwalk Hour, Charges dismissed, bad feelings remain after Dem primary election law complaint, By PATRICK R. LINSEY, 10/03/06

8 comments:

ctblogger said...

While the national party is encouraging local party development, Wells seems intent on abdicating her responsibilities in order to stoke personal feuds leaving some Norwalk Democrats to question what is going on.

Still no full disclosure from you? You're making a personal opinion about a DTC chairwoman without disclosing your present (or past) role in the Norwalk local government.

Is this fair?

Anonymous said...

Wasn't the Norwalk DTC a client of yours at one time?

Anonymous said...

It's insane to point out that Turfgrrl is a Norwalk Republican who has had very bad relations with the Norwalk DTC?

And now she is doing her best to air out their dirty laundry, and to further foment the infighting?

Shame on somebody.

ctblogger said...

Disgruntled,

It's called full disclosure period. This is not the first time Trufgrrl has written a critical post about a Democrat from Norwalk.

Local government official is the same as a local party offical. I keep a close eye of local government in Danbury for my other blog and know a thing or two about how local poltiics works and don't kid yourself, people who hold local government positions go to their party's meeitngs, associate with party officals, talk among each other, etc.

The point is FULL DISCLOSURE and to this date, Trufgrrl has not done this in at least two post where she criticized Democrats in Norwalk.

In any post you do in which there could be a conflict of interest, you should do full disclosure, period. It's irrelevant if the issue is in the press simply because she is expressing HER OPINION about a local political individual based on an aritcle. No where in the piece did it state the following:

Wells seems intent on abdicating her responsibilities in order to stoke personal feuds...

If the article stated that point, then maybe it's fair game but clearly this is her opinion and therefore she should be required to disclose her present (or past) role in local government.

This isn't about attacking someone, it's about being a fair poster on a respectable blog.

If you would like for me to go into further detail, you know how to email me.

Anonymous said...

bluecoat - which commissioner are you alleging screwed up in this case? You can't blame this on Carpenter, because he just got the job. He will do a good job at DOT (if it's possible for anyone to succeed there).

Anonymous said...

Again we benefit from bluecoat's expertise in all matters. Not only does he have experience in construction inspection, he knows all about the inside dealings of the Rell administration too. Does his wisdom have no end?

Anonymous said...

"...leaving some Norwalk Democrats to question what is going on"

In fact, very few Norwalk Democrats are wondering what is going on. If you're in Norwalk, you know one thing for sure: everything that Hilliard touches ends up in a battle (NDTC, NEON, NAACP, etc.).

So either Hilliard is a serial victim, or he seeks out controversy because it's his political schtick...

Anonymous said...

Whoever posted the the serial victim comment does not know how hard its being a black leader in Norwalk. Norwalk has really rich people (rowayton) and real poor people (south norwalk). Norwalk needs new leadership!

If Galen Wells was on the flavor of love (vh1) she would not get a clock and flavor flav would tell her that her time is up. She represents old blue dog politics- no living wage, fake affordable housing policies and anti-Neon. She fights with Carvin because he is a Howard Dean Democrat and she is a right wing nut. Who else would call the man- on a member of her on party? In Norwalk we have term limits - and soon her time as chair we be up and then we could have some real reform in this town. I