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Norwalk DTC ‘consent form’ debated at forum

NORWALK, Conn. – Norwalk Democratic mayoral hopeful Vinny Mangiacopra said Monday that it was an honor to sign the Norwalk Democratic Town Committee consent form. On Tuesday, he provided that consent form, referred to as a “pledge” by many people to NancyOnNorwalk.

The consent form is attached below.

The topic came up during the NDTC mayoral forum, as shown in the video above. While Mangiacopra expressed pride in having signed it, his three opponents explained why they did not.

Common Councilman Matt Miklave (District A) said he rejects the premise.

“I guess I don’t believe the mayor of the city of Norwalk, if they have a D by their name, is the head of the party. I believe you’re the party,” he said, pointing at the audience. “I don’t think any one man is.”

Former Norwalk Police Chief Harry Rilling acknowledged being the “new kid on the block,” but said in 1983 he swept the floors at Democratic headquarters and made phone calls for the party. As chief he thought he should be neutral, he said. “My mantra has been to serve the city,” he said. “For some of you I may have to prove that I’m a Democrat. But I don’t think I have to sign an oath to say that I am.”

Former Town Clerk Andy Garfunkel, the 2011 Democratic challenger to Republican Mayor Richard Moccia, said that as mayor he would represent all of Norwalk’s residents. “Am I loyal to the Democratic party? Damn, yeah. Look what I did for you. It wasn’t for me. I was asked, ‘Will you step up?’ Yes, I think that’s a commitment. And I’ve been there for every other campaign that’s been out here. … Up in the mayor’s office there’s loyalty to the city. That doesn’t mean I’m going to turn my back on the party.”

NDTC consent form

Comments

8 responses to “Norwalk DTC ‘consent form’ debated at forum”

  1. LWitherspoon

    The pledge seems very concerned with candidates adhering to the party’s nomination process, so much so that it mentions it twice:
    .
    “I hereby give my consent to the NDTC and voluntarily adhere to its nomination process for MAYOR”
    .
    “I acknowledge that I have read, understood and have agreed to be subject to the NDTC’s endorsement process as articulated above.”
    .
    Does adhering to the party’s nomination process for Mayor mean that candidates who sign the pledge must drop out if they do not receive the DTC endorsement? If not, what exactly does it mean to adhere and be subject to the party’s endorsement process?

  2. M. Murray’s

    That’s exactly what it means. Are “the general democratic principles as stated by the State of Connecticut Democratic Party ” posted somewhere? Has the DTC or any of the other candidates verified that this is the oath everyone is talking about? It may be that the DTC only wants their hand picked candidate to run regardless of who is most electable without a primary. It also gives them a piece of paper to waive if the elected candidate makes a decision that is best for the city regardless of a “stated Democrat principle’

  3. ScopeonNorwalk

    CT Democratic Principles can be found here: http://www.ctdems.org/content/platform

    I hope anyone running as a Democratic holds these values.

  4. ScopeonNorwalk

    It also seems Miklave has never even seen the Principles he is refusing to agree to because it mentions a couple of times fiscal responsibility and responsible budgeting; reasons he’s given for not signing the pledge.

  5. rburnett

    There has never been a request by either party in Norwalk to have candidates for elected office sign a “pledge”. Why now? Seems the governing body in Norwalk is elected by the people and their first loyalty should be to the people. NOT the party.

  6. Asa H.M.

    Mr. Magiacopra should learn how to spell the name of the town in which he would like to be mayor. Proofreading a careless mistakes are just another sign that he needs more experience – in plenty more than governance.

  7. rburnett

    WOW Asa: thanks for pointing that out. I did not even open the link until I saw your post.

    Nancy: How come you didn’t catch that? Seems if someone wants to be the Mayor of a city, they should at least be certain they know how to spell the name or proofread their documents.

    1. @rburnett
      I saw it. I thought it stood on its own.

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