David
12-31-2008, 11:09 AM
Confused writer
Editor:
In response to the letter submitted by Bob Williams (R-J, 12/30), in which he states that I am “confused” about Connecticut State Statutes pertaining to “minority representation,” I offer the following comments:
I am well aware the party referenced in his letter is a registered political party in the State of Connecticut and Meriden. However, as one of Meriden’s Registrar of Voters, I am also aware that his party has no enrolled members on Meriden’s voter list. None. Judging by his published comments, I believe he concurs.
State Statue sec. 9-167 states, in part, that a person's party designation is determined by "… the political party on whose enrollment list his name appears on the date of his appointment." Therefore, there are no members of his group that qualify under the “minority representation” status statutes, as it pertains to appointments to Boards and Commissions.
Furthermore, it does not matter who makes a recommendation to fill a Board or Commission position, it only matters how they are registered or enrolled at the time of appointment. For example, if someone, anyone, recommends for appointment a registered Democrat and there are already the maximum number of Democrats serving on that Board or Commission, according to the “minority representation” statute, that person would be ineligible for appointment.
It is plain and simple. If a member of Bob Williams’ group wants to have the designation of their party, they must enroll in their party. I hope this clears up Williams’ confusion about our State Statutes.
(The writer is Meriden’s Democratic Registrar of Voters.)
MAUREEN FLYNN, MERIDEN
Editor:
In response to the letter submitted by Bob Williams (R-J, 12/30), in which he states that I am “confused” about Connecticut State Statutes pertaining to “minority representation,” I offer the following comments:
I am well aware the party referenced in his letter is a registered political party in the State of Connecticut and Meriden. However, as one of Meriden’s Registrar of Voters, I am also aware that his party has no enrolled members on Meriden’s voter list. None. Judging by his published comments, I believe he concurs.
State Statue sec. 9-167 states, in part, that a person's party designation is determined by "… the political party on whose enrollment list his name appears on the date of his appointment." Therefore, there are no members of his group that qualify under the “minority representation” status statutes, as it pertains to appointments to Boards and Commissions.
Furthermore, it does not matter who makes a recommendation to fill a Board or Commission position, it only matters how they are registered or enrolled at the time of appointment. For example, if someone, anyone, recommends for appointment a registered Democrat and there are already the maximum number of Democrats serving on that Board or Commission, according to the “minority representation” statute, that person would be ineligible for appointment.
It is plain and simple. If a member of Bob Williams’ group wants to have the designation of their party, they must enroll in their party. I hope this clears up Williams’ confusion about our State Statutes.
(The writer is Meriden’s Democratic Registrar of Voters.)
MAUREEN FLYNN, MERIDEN