This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
02/04/2020 02:08 PMIn early January, the town’s two major political parties held caucuses to choose the members who will make up each respective town committees. The members will assist with filling the multitude of boards and commissions in town, and endorsing and supporting candidates in local elections.
Every two years, the town’s Democratic Town Committee (DTC) and Republic Town Committee (RTC) select the members who help shape their party’s leadership roles. The RTC held its caucus on Jan. 7 while the DTC held its on Jan 13. Those elected will officially start their terms in March.
A primary role of town committees is putting forth candidates for the town’s appointed boards and commissions. Once a member of one of the parties informs the respective committee that he or she is interested in joining a particular board or commission, a nominating committee vets the candidate to determine whether the nomination should be sent to the full RTC or DTC, for a vote by the full body. If the position is an appointed one, the recommendation for the appointment is sent to the Town Council, which typically approves the choice.
If the position a person is interested in is an elected one, the RTC and DTC help their respective candidates with their campaign leading up to the November elections. Many of the DTC and RTC members are currently serving on some board or commission in town, though not every member of each board and commission is a member of a political committee.
Six of the seven Town Council members (Republicans Chris Aniskovich, Dennis Donovan, Carol Walter, Mark Richards, and Democrats Christine Goupil and Tim Guerra) are members of either the RTC or DTC. Councilor Eric Bergman is a member of the Green Party, which does not have a town committee.
By party rules, there are 35 members in the RTC and typically 30 members in the DTC.
This term, there will be only 22 members in the DTC. Of the 30 members who were in the previous iteration of the DTC, 14 members are no longer with the committee. Will Benoit, Laurie Jaffe, Maureen Noonan, Chris Passante, Eli Phelps, and Bertram Schmitz are the new DTC members.
DTC Chair Andrea Reu said that the high turnover and reduced membership total was a coincidence.
“Our bylaws call for a maximum of 30. At this year’s caucus we had 22 nominees. At the last two [caucuses], we had over 30 and had to ballot vote. Membership is always fluid. Even throughout the two-year terms, we have members step down and others step up.”
Reu said people move, have other obligations, and have personal concerns arise.
“In my opinion turnover and new ideas and energy is always good. And a balance of new energy and sage wisdom is the ideal position for any organization, and that’s what we have on the Clinton DTC,” Reu said. “There is a role for anyone, and it is as much as anyone chooses to give.
“Our responsibility is to represent our fellow Democrats and identify and support getting the most qualified elected to represent us. The world of politics is not for the faint of heart. You have to feel passionate about your values and be willing to fight for them. That’s what we welcome on the Clinton DTC,” said Reu.
The Clinton DTC meets the second Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Clinton Police Department conference room. Reu said that guests are always welcome to attend, not just the current DTC members.
The RTC saw comparatively less turnover than the DTC, and one again filled all 35 seats. The new RTC members are Walter Beau Clark, Wayne Buchanan, Mike Florio, Susan Kelly, Jim King, and Brendan Saunders. RTC Chair James Staunton said he was not worried that the high retention of members would stifle new idea from being put forth to the committee.
“We encourage new members and we’re able to find a seat for all persons that expressed interest in serving on the RTC,” said Staunton.
The RTC meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Rose Room at Town Hall. Staunton said guests who are not members of the RTC are welcome to attend the meetings, but should reach out to him to get placed on an agenda for the meeting so they can voice their concerns.
RTC members elected Jan. 7 include Eddie Alberino, John Allen, Chris Aniskovich, Gary Bousquet, Wayne Buchanan, Walter “Beau” Clark, Dennis Donovan, Barbara Farmer, Bruce Farmer, Mike Florio, Omar Francis, John Giannotti, Roberta Giannotti, Michael Hornyak, Sue Kelly, Jim King, Michael Knudsen, Ed Miller, Adam Moore, Dom Morrelli, Carl Neri, James Norrie, Peter Nye, Drew Richards, Mark Richards, Brendan Saunders, Scott Serviss, Kim Simoncini, Catherine Staunton, James Staunton, Raymond Swan, Carol Walter, Dylan Walter, Mark Wolf, and Virginia Zawoy.
DTC members elected on Jan. 13 were Carrie Allen, Jane Barnett, Will Benoit, Paul Gebauer, Erica Gelvin, Christine Goupil, Tim Guerra, John Hussaini, Laurie Jaffe, Art Kuever, Phvllls McGrath, Maureen Noonan, John Olsen, Larry Ouellette, Chris Passante, Eli Phelps, MaryJo Phelps, Andrea Reu, Laurie Santos, Jack Scherban, Bertram Schmitz, and Michael Valenti.
The DTC can be emailed at info@clintondtc.org and the RTC at staunton.james21@gmail.com.