Resolution on Board of Education Vacancy on Council Agenda

A resolution to fill a vacancy in a Republican-held seat on the Board of Education is on the agenda of the City Council.

The agenda for the February 10, 2021 Council meeting has a place for a resolution, to be introduced by Republican Ald. Kristian Rosado (R-2) which regards, “Appointment of member to the Board of Education to Fill Vacancy Created by the Resignation of Nancy Rodriguez.”

Rodriguez was elected to the Board of Education seat as a Republican in 2017. That seat, which has a four year term, is up for election in this year’s 2021 city elections.

The Council agenda published online does not contain an actual resolution for the appointment with the name of the nominee, but, on its Facebook page, the New Britain Republican Party, noted last Monday that,

We are still hoping to meet in person tomorrow but we will keep you informed on our decision.
We will hearing from our Board of Education candidates as well during this meeting.
John Board
Tony Cane
Ken Haas
Desiree Costa
Tina Santana
Melanie Alvarez

The Republican Party’s governing Town Committee had a meeting scheduled on February 2nd, one week before upcoming the Council meeting.

The Board of Education vacancy resolution comes only a month after Republican Council members and Republican Mayor Erin Stewart, blocked the appointment of Democrat Veronica DeLandro to succeed Rep. Manny Sanchez (D-24) on the Council and complete the Council term to which he was elected in 2019.

While Democrats, including Rep. Sanchez, himself, as well as the other Democratic Council members, Democratic state legislators and the New Britain Democratic Party, as well as numerous members of the public, all agreed that DeLandro was their choice for the seat, Republicans, who hold a controlling majority on the Council, instead, chose a Republican loyalist to the seat.

Democrats publicly announced DeLandro as their choice for the seat in November of 2020, but Republican Council members and Stewart delayed the final decision on the seat until January, saying that they wanted to conduct a “search,” before finally appointing their own candidate in January.

DeLandro has since announced that she is exploring a candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Mayor, a challenge to Stewart for the city’s top position. Rep. Bobby Sanchez (D-25) and activist Alicia Hernandez Strong have announced exploratory candidacies to consider running for Mayor, as well.

The February 10, 2021 City Council meeting will began at 7:05pm, but the agenda for that meeting says that, “Due to the current public health concerns, this meeting will not be open to the public. Members of the public may view a live broadcast via the live stream link: http://www.newbritainct.gov/meetings,” adding, “Individuals seeking public participation may join the queue beginning at 6:45 pm by calling 1 (609) 663-5783.”