The article stated, "Ron Ward, founder of the Jewett City Party, is looking for candidates for the May 7 election." As the Founder of the Party, "Ward said he wants to give voters a choice not only in May when the borough election is conducted, but also in November for the Griswold election."
In the same article the "Republican Town Committee Chairman Ed Wilds said the group will endorse candidates . . . including a candidate for Kata's position." With only three days to go before their upcoming Thursday meeting, Republicans did not take the opportunity to announce that Melinda Brooks would be the GOP candidate for Borough Warden.
Ron Ward, made his candidacy public back on January 10th by stating, "The Jewett City Party will give the people a candidate on the ballot who is not beholden to either a Democrat or the Republican parties." The article published by The Day went on to state, "Democratic Town Committee Chairman Richard Duda said the committee is expected to endorse its incumbents."
"It's about the obligation of elected leaders to put aside partisan politics and party loyalty to achieve the best result for our community." -- Words by Ron Ward, JCP Borough Warden candidate on December 31, 2006.
[NOTE: The remarks published above were included by Ron Ward, JCP-eBlog! author. The article appearing below is the the opinion of the Norwich Bulletin published on March 22, 2007.]
Our view: You have power to provide choice in local elections
Opinion of the Norwich Bulletin published March 22, 2007
It happens time and time again. You go to vote in a municipal election, and you see your vote really does not matter in many of the races. There are only enough candidates to fill the slots. You don't have a choice, and you don't have a voice.
The last two local elections in Voluntown were so bare, only one person on the entire ballot could lose. In Norwich's 2005 election, only one candidate for the City Council did not win a seat. Situations such as these do not serve the community.
But you do have a choice and a voice. You could consider running for one of those boards or commissions that need elected leaders.
Taking on the issue
Chris Healy, the new chairman of the State Republican Committee, recently told the Norwich Bulletin Editorial Board he is committed to reducing the number of uncontested races in the municipal elections. That's an effort we can stand behind. Party affiliation, at this point, matters little. Ensuring voters have a choice is what is crucial.Town committees, regardless of party affiliation, should heed Healy's call. They must do their due diligence to ensure they can put a full slate of candidates in front of voters Nov. 6. They would do well to ensure that slate includes newcomers to the political process.
Town committees will endorse candidates from July 14 to July 24. It's not too late to step forward and begin exploring a run for office. Elected office need not be a full-time commitment. Different boards and commissions require varying degrees of time commitment.
There are other reasons to consider a run, too. Those who are frustrated with a lack of response from local government, can increase accountability by ensuring elected leaders have to compete for their jobs.
There is no question running for office, and then serving, is a commitment. But, if residents refuse to get involved in their own town, or city, then the whole structure of government must be rethought.
We urge the town committees to work hard at exploring new potential candidates and energizing citizens to participate.
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