Public Comment at Board of Representatives Meeting – February 6, 2023
Video of the meeting can be watched here.
My name is Robin Druckman and I am the Chair of the Democratic City Committee, also known as the DCC. I am speaking tonight to correct the record regarding recent information spread about the DCC endorsement process for the Board of Education appointment.
The DCC is the organizing body of the Democratic party. Just like the Republican Town Committee, it is made up of 40 members (2 from each municipal district) who are elected every two years to represent the Democrats of Stamford. The main function of both of these bodies is to recruit, nominate, and endorse candidates for office.
Contrary to what has been said by some Board of Representative members – the endorsement of Jennienne Burke followed the screening process that all Democrats running for office go through. We had five individuals submit an application, interview with our Screening Committee, and four of those individuals – including Ms. Pioli – were nominated and voted on, with Jennienne Burke receiving the majority of votes of the full 40-member DCC.
In 2022, this same Board of Reps voted to approve the DCC endorsed candidates to fill vacancies for Constable and Board of Finance with no objection; one wonders why the 36-Democratic majority Board would submit the name of a candidate not endorsed by the DCC for this appointment, which has never been done before for a Democratic seat.
The DCC does not work in a vacuum; we are constantly engaging with and talking to voters across the City. Three times, voters spoke and elected Jennienne Burke to the Board of Education – and in 2021, voters spoke and did not re-elect Ms. Pioli.
It’s extremely troubling – and the RTC should be worried too – that a Board who claims they represent the people, overreached on this appointment, and did not respect the will of the voters of this City. What will be next?