Caruso Weighs In On Potential Changes To Makeup Of Democratic Town Committee

Commentary by Chris Caruso:

As a former member, District Leader of the 135th District, Chairman of the Bridgeport Democratic Town Committee and long-time Bridgeport resident and Democrat, I write this commentary to voice my opposition to two recent proposals being advanced by the Leadership of the Bridgeport Democratic Town Committee (DTC).

The first proposal concerns the election of a new Treasurer who would reside in Bridgeport, or amend the By-Laws to permit the current Treasurer to serve as an officer of the Party regardless of her residency. In cities and towns across Connecticut, this would not be acceptable, nor should it be for Bridgeport. I feel a Bridgeport resident should be nominated to serve. In no way is this a reflection on the qualifications and experiences of the current Treasurer. Rather, such an amendment places the DTC on a slippery slope… where will it end? It also makes an unretractable statement that other Democrats who are residents of the City are less capable of carrying out the duties of the Treasurer. A recent proposal to elect a Bridgeport Democrat as Treasurer who can be assisted by the current Treasurer, makes sense and would resolve the issue without having to change the By-Laws.

The second proposal also concerns amending the current By-Laws to reduce the current size of the DTC from 90 to 70 members because it’s too difficult to find Democrats willing to serve while some members have not carried out their responsibilities. With approximately 42,000 registered Bridgeport Democrats, I find the reasoning behind changing the By-Laws weak at best. As a District Leader, I never found it difficult to fill 9 seats. As a matter of fact, I had to create a waiting list of those interested in serving if a vacancy occurred.

Back in 1983, as a new member of the DTC, I proposed amending the By-Laws to increase the membership from 50 to 90 Democrats. With the support of then Town Chairman John Guman, the amendment was approved unanimously. I strongly felt then as I do now, the increase better reflects the diversity of the Democratic Party, encourages participation of Democrats within each district and the overall direction of the Party. The amendment also allowed each of the ten Districts to select replacements of members within their respective Districts rather than the entire Town Committee making the selections. It also allows the Town Chairman to break a tie in each District if the election of a new member is deadlocked.

It seems to me that such a By-Law change would most certainly benefit the fate of incumbent elected officials both on the City and State level.

For example, a city-wide candidate would only need 36 votes for the nomination, rather than 46 if all 90 members of the DTC voted. By lowering the threshold, it could have the effect of closing out new or challenge candidates seeking the endorsement of the Party.

In closing, I encourage each Town Committee member to consider opposing the two By-Law changes. Thank you.