NORWALK — The District B Democratic Committee endorsed several incumbents and one newcomer during its meeting Monday evening.
Migdalia Rivas, a District B Democrat and current member of the Norwalk Board of Education, was endorsed by voting members of the District B Democrats.
Rivas has nine years of experience on the Norwalk Board of Education. District B Democrats nominated her to the Board of Education in 2006, to complete the term of her late sister Judy Rivas, who resigned from the school board at that time.
Migdalia Rivas was elected to the school board in the elections that followed in 2007 and 2011. Rivas has served on a number of BOE Committees including Policy, Curriculum.
“It is really not about the committees upon which I have served. It has been, for me, about being a voice for our Norwalk students and parents,” said Rivas.
Out of 29 members who voted at Calvary Baptist Church Monday, 18 members voted in favor of Rivas.
Erik T. Anderson, a former Board of Estimate and Taxation member, and Howard White, deputy superintendent of Bridgeport Juvenile Detention Center, both sought endorsements from the committee to run for the District B Board of Education seat but did not receive enough votes.
Anderson received eight votes; White received five votes.
White told The Hour after Monday’s meeting that he is looking to run in a primary election against Rivas. Anderson was not present for the meeting.
Candidates seeking endorsements from the District B Democratic Committee submitted resumes and cover letters prior to Monday’s meeting. The cover letters and resumes were distributed to District B Democratic voters in advance of the meeting.
District B Dems endorsed incumbent Phaedrel “Faye” Bowman and newcomer Manny Langella for the two in-district seats on the Common Council in November.
Bowman is seeking a second term on the Common Council.
“It’s been a great two years and I’m looking to continue to the next term,” Bowman told District B Democratic members.
During her first term, Bowman advocated for body cameras for the Norwalk Police Department, the restoration of open gyms at Ben Franklin Community Center for youth and helped establish concussion guidelines with the city’s Recreation and Parks Department.
“Some of the things I would like to see happen is affordable housing preserved … and establishing more programs for the youth,” she said.
Langella said his experiences working in senior management for Best Buy and currently as a consultant with a global recruitment firm, led to his decision to run for the Common Council.
He said he would run a campaign that focuses on District B issues such as land use, low-income housing and gentrification.
“There are politicians out there that just be talking. Then, there are politicians out there that do more than just talk, they listen. I promise to listen. I promise to communicate. I promise to be transparent throughout the process,” said Langella.
Councilman Travis Simms, a District B Democrat, was not on Monday’s ballot and was not present for Monday’s meeting. Simms previously said that he is seeking re-election.
Bowman attempted to nominate Simms.
Simms, however, had to be present to accept the nomination, according to District B Democrats Chairman Bruce V. Morris.
District B Democratic voters also endorsed current at-large Councilwoman Sharon Stewart.
Stewart said she is proud of many her accomplishments on the Common Council but a lot of work lies ahead.
Stewart said she would like to see adequate affordable housing, a comprehensive and inclusive school district, and manufacturers to return to Norwalk, more small businesses and more Norwalk residents on the city’s fire and police departments.
“My goal is to make Norwalk a first-class city for everyone,” said Stewart.
The 35-member Norwalk Democratic Town Committee will nominate candidates July 23 with the seven-member District B Democratic Committee nominating those candidates running for in-district seats.
[“source – thehour.com”]
