New Charter Revision Appointments Blend Experience And Varying Backgrounds

On August 16, a legislative council subcommittee charged with interviewing and recommending a new Charter Revision Commission completed interviews in executive session and adjourned into an open meeting to discuss their selections for the group. The full council two nights later, unanimously agreed and seated the committee’s candidates (see separate story).

The new commissioners, who will take up possible revisions to Newtown’s constitutional document, are Judge William Lavery, Bob Duero, Pete Spanedda, John Godin, Eric Paradis, Carey Schierloh, and Joseph Golden.

After unanimously agreeing on a panel of seven during public discussion Monday, council members weighed in on their top choices. Mary Ann Jacob said her first nominee, Judge Lavery, was a likely choice because he would bring “knowledge and experience that is unparalleled among all the candidates.” Her three colleagues agreed and unanimously endorsed Judge Lavery, who is a Democrat and also serves on the C.H. Booth Library Board of Trustees.

Richard Woycik then nominated Mr Duero, an unaffiliated voter, saying the candidate presented as one who displayed objectivity during the interview process, and would apply “factual reasoning” to the charter review process.

Ms Jacob said in her view, “He’s got his own opinions, and allows us to build in some diversity.”

James Belden said he felt Mr Duero would lend “the perfect balance of someone who wants to get involved in his community, and who has the right intentions.”

Mr Belden then recommended Mr Spanedda, a Republican.

“He really impressed me as someone with an extremely open mind,” Mr Belden said. “He showed he could apply his tactical experience to get things done.”

Chris LaRocque added that, he appreciated Mr Spanedda’s comfort with what would likely be a narrow focus for the charter review panel.

Mr Godin, a Republican, was the next nominee. Ms Jacob pointed out that in his four years in town, Mr Godin had already sought to contribute by running for and being elected to the local Board of Assessment Appeals.

“He believes in giving back,” Ms Jacob said. “And he has an interesting work background facilitating all over the world.”

Mr Woycik observed that Mr Godin appeared to bring no agenda to the proceedings. “I feel very comfortable with him on the board.”

At this point the committee made note that the inclusion of Mr Godin and Judge Lavery would close out the maximum number of charter commissioners who also currently served on other boards or commissions. This eliminated three other volunteer candidates from the running.

Mr LaRocque then nominated Democrat Eric Paradis.

“He brings a good mix of experience, and he’s kind of an outsider,” Mr LaRocque observed. “I liked that he wanted to go where the data points him.”

Mr Woycik said he was impressed by Mr Paradis’s “intellectual curiosity,” and, “He would be a good and objective member of the commission.”

At that point Mr Belden concurrently put forward nominations for Independent Party of Newtown volunteers Po Murray and Al Roznicki. Failing to receive any seconds, both IPN nominations were dropped from consideration.

The next nominee was Ms Schierloh, the first individual to be interviewed in the selection process.

Mr Belden commented that Ms Schierloh appeared to have a good knowledge of the town, as well as ample experience working as part of a committee from her work representing local bus owner-operators during contract negotiations with the Newtown school district and Board of Education.

Mr Woycik said he was familiar with the scope of research Ms Schierloh did during several of the negotiations, and Ms Jacob concurred, calling Ms Schierloh “a worker bee” who would bring a fine attention to detail to the charter review process.

The final candidate recommended for the next charter review panel was unaffiliated voter Joseph Golden. Mr Woycik said he was impressed with Mr Golden’s commitment to the town, and his understanding of local issues.

Mr LaRocque said Mr Golden appeared to be “spirited, objective, and data-driven.”

Ms Jacob said besides his interview qualities, she could support Mr Golden because he, too, would bring diversity to the panel as a politically unaffiliated member. Mr Belden liked the fact that Mr Golden was unaffiliated.

“He’s certainly competent,” Mr Belden added. “He’s amiable, but with a ‘no mess around’ attitude.”

With the nomination process completed, Ms Jacob told her council colleagues that the more the council could make the next planned charter review “a process people could respect, the better it will be when people have to consider [possible revisions] during the next budget time.”

Mr Belden said the interview meetings embodied “good due process that created a good mix of folks,” for the review commission. He also said for those who interviewed and were not selected, that any advice or input they might offer would be welcomed during the “very public process” that would ensue as the charter commission moves forward with its charge.