Wasserman, Rodgers Get State Appointments

By John Voket

Newtown’s former long-serving state representative and a local Republican leader who unsuccessfully sought to fill her seat last Election Day both received high profile state appointments in recent days.

On January 9, Governor M. Jodi Rell announced she nominated former state representative Julia Wasserman to serve as a part-time member of the newly restructured Board of Pardons and Paroles. Two days earlier, State Senator John McKinney announced the appointment of Legislative Council Chairman Will Rodgers to the Board of Trustees for the Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Ms Wasserman served Newtown as the 106th Assembly District representative for 17 years before announcing she would not seek reelection in 2008. During her years in office, she served in a number of leadership positions, including House chairwoman of the Legislature’s Program Review and Investigations Committee in 1999, becoming the only member of the minority party in the House to chair a standing legislative committee.

“I have profound respect for Julia, whom I had the pleasure of serving with for years as her colleague in the House. She was a strong and effective advocate and met each challenge with distinction,” Gov Rell said. “She will bring tremendous leadership and thoroughness to the Board of Pardons and Paroles.”

A former captain in the US Army, Mrs Wasserman has a bachelor’s of arts degree from Sarah Lawrence College and earned a master’s degree in public health from Columbia University, which she has served as a guest lecturer. She is also the former health director for the town of New Fairfield and has served on a number of local environmental commissions.

The state board was restructured by a new law that was prompted by a several serious crimes in which paroled prisoners were identified as suspects. Under the new law, which took effect July 1, 2008, the board has a chairman and five full-time, professional members augmented by 12 part-time members. All 18 members must be qualified by education, experience, or training in administering community corrections, parole or pardons; criminal justice; criminology; evaluation or supervision of offenders; or providing mental health services to offenders.

Legislation passed during a special session in January 2008 also established a new felony offense of “home invasion” and significantly restructured the Board of Pardons and Paroles, adding staff and establishing new requirements and procedures for screening inmates for histories of violent crime and their potential to reoffend.

The bill also granted the board access to an offender’s records from juvenile court, which had previously been held confidential, and prohibits the board from acting on a case unless it has all of the relevant records before it. The state is developing an integrated, interagency computer system that will allow prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, parole and probation authorities, and others to share information more effectively.

Ms Wasserman reserved comment on the announcement except to confirm her nomination is pending legislative approval.

“Let’s get through that process before we get into any discussions,” she said in a voice mail responding to a call from The Bee for reaction.

The appointment of Mr Rodgers, a decorated Iraq War veteran, Marine Corps Reserves colonel and attorney, comes several months after he campaigned unsuccessfully for the 106th District seat, in part, with a mission to work on behalf of the state Veterans’ Affairs agency.

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs was established in 1986 with the Office of Advocacy and Assistance as its sole program. The Veterans’ Home and Hospital was incorporated as a program within the department in July 1988. The Veterans’ Home and Hospital, which has been in operation since 1864, is the oldest state-run veteran’s facility in the country. Members of the board of trustees advise and assist the commissioner on various matters affecting policy and operation of the department.

The Veterans’ Affairs agency and its commissioner, Linda S. Schwartz, are charged with the collection of information concerning services available to veterans; the determination of the number of veterans who are receiving and are entitled to benefits; the cooperation with service agencies and organizations in furnishing counsel and assistance to veterans; and the assistance in the presentation of claims accruing to veterans under federal, state and local laws.

In addition, the agency works in cooperation with all government and private agencies in securing benefits for veterans; the development of an agencywide long range plan; the review of all appeals and final decisions made by veterans regarding adverse decisions affecting benefits to veterans participating in state programs; the enforcement of all regulations and procedures enacted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 (Uniform Administrative Procedure Act).

Mr Rodgers told The Bee that he was proud to be of service in any way to all Connecticut Veterans, and that effective immediately, he sought to be available as “a source of information, a contact, and an ombudsman for Newtown and area vets.”