{news} Green appointments to boards and commissions

[David Bedell]

Here in Stamford, we recently achieved a small victory for multi-party 
democracy.  When asked if a Green or unaffiliated voter could be appointed 
to the Environmental Protection Board, Mayor Dan Malloy told us that it 
wasn't up to him; he was limited by procedures spelled out in the city 
charter.

In other towns, party membership is not a requirement for public service on 
a board or commission--in fact, many Greens hold appointed office in CT (see 
http://ctgreens.org/elected.html "Greens Elected and Greens Serving at the 
Municipal Level in Connecticut").

Perusal of the city charter turned up nothing to support the Mayor's claim, 
and yesterday I received a letter from the Appointments Committee of the 
Stamford Board of Representatives (= city council).  It confirms that minor 
party and independent voters CAN be recommended by the Mayor and the 
Appointments Committee for membership on the EPB or other appointed bodies:

"Past and current practice is that the two major political parties submit 
names to the Mayor
for consideration for appointment. However, the Mayor can submit the name of 
anyone
from any party who is a registered elector in the City of Stamford."

For the record, I've posted the letter at 
http://ctgreens.org/fairfield/Stamford%20Appts.PDF

Persistence Pays.

David Bedell