John Aurelia Departing Legislative Council

By John Voket

“I hate having to do it, but when you can no longer do the job, you have to let someone else take over.”

These were the parting words of District 1 Republican Councilman John Aurelia following his resignation from the town’s legislative panel, which was effective August 2.

Mr Aurelia, an oft-times colorful and occasionally outspoken representative, told The Bee Wednesday that the intense amount of reading, and stepped up use of the computer and Internet required for him to maintain his elected responsibilities is too much for his failing eyesight.

The councilman was often seen at meetings with a illuminated magnifying tool to assist him in reviewing documents, and would hold documents very close to his face in order to see them clearly. Mr Aurelia was diagnosed with progressive macular degeneration in 1994, and the deterioration of his sight has escalated in recent years, according to his daughter Debbie Aurelia, who serves as town clerk.

“I wish I could see well enough to perform the due diligence necessary for the position, but it requires too much reading and looking at the Internet,” Mr Aurelia said.

News of his official resignation spread quickly among colleagues on the council, as well as among local GOP faithful. Town committee chairman Dennis Bloom said Mr Aurelia’s departure from the council represents a significant loss to that body, as well as a loss to the community.

“This is a very experienced public servant,” Mr Bloom said. “He was only in his second term, but he brought a wealth of life experience to the group. John is a huge supporter of Newtown, and his presence on the council will be greatly missed by his colleagues.”

Mr Bloom said in the time he has known Mr Aurelia, the councilman always sought the best solution for everyone in town, and his advocacy for or against issues always represented what Mr Aurelia thought was best for his constituents and the entire community.

“Especially in the last budget season, John may have been painted as anti-education,” Mr Bloom said of Mr Aurelia’s single dissenting vote against the third-round budget proposal that eventually won taxpayer approval after the council restored some funding to the school district.

“But those of us who really know him, know he is a passionate supporter of our local schools,” Mr Bloom concluded.

Council Chairman Jeff Capeci echoed that sentiment, saying, “John has served his constituents well for almost three years on the Newtown Legislative Council, and he has been an outspoken advocate for a growing senior constituency in Newtown.”

The council chairman said his colleague’s voice of common sense will be missed.

“Not only has John been a strong advocate for the explicit needs of those who elect him, but he has been a staunch supporter of public safety, which has kept Newtown a better place for all,” Mr Capeci said. “John’s enthusiasm for public service has been an inspiration to me and he can be proud of his record of hard work and dedication to the Town of Newtown.”

First Selectman Pat Llodra agreed that Mr Aurelia has been an active voice for his constituents.

“I’m very sorry to see John leave,” Mrs Llodra said. “He represents an attitude and has served as a voice to particular populations in town who are sometimes not heard.”

Republican freshman Councilman Chris LaRocque sat next to Mr Aurelia during their entire time together on the panel, and said he learned a lot from his senior colleague.

“John really was an unsung public servant to all of Newtown, and I’m proud to call him a friend,” Mr LaRocque. “I particularly admire his ability to make decisions based on what he sees is best for the entire community.”

Mr LaRocque, who is currently vying for the 106th District state assembly seat against Mr Aurelia’s former council colleague Chris Lyddy, referred to the final 2010 budget vote saying he appreciated Mr Aurelia’s standing up for what he believed was right in asserting the only opposing vote.

“He took an unpopular position because he honestly felt it was best for the town,” Mr LaRocque observed. “I see how he works, and I know John really thinks about the issues before he takes a stand.”

Mr LaRocque recalled at least one instance where Mr Aurelia asked the entire council to postpone moving on a particular agenda item, so he could have more time to review the particulars.

“He wasn’t afraid to ask to stop the legislative process, so he had the opportunity to fully understand the fine points of what he was being asked to rule on,” Mr LaRocque said.

Newtown’s sole Democratic on the council, Daniel Amaral, also took a moment to recall Mr Aurelia’s tenacity during this year’s contentious budget process.

“He was the only one that was right when everybody though he was wrong in his vote against restoring money to the Board of Ed’s budget,” Mr Amaral said. “He was right when he said No means No, and he stuck to it — I wish him the best.”

Mr Aurelia said that it was easy for him to stick to his guns on issues, because he was simply representing Newtowners who took the time to call or meet with him to express their concerns.

“I just stood up and represented the constituents, regardless of their party affiliation,” Mr Aurelia said.

Mr Capeci said that according to the local charter, a Republican caucus of council members has 30 days to appoint a GOP replacement who will serve the remainder of Mr Aurelia’s term. If Republicans fail to appoint a replacement in that time, the decision goes to a full council vote.