In a phone interview Monday morning, Mayor Sebastian Giuliano confirmed that current mayoral administrative aide, Geen Thazhampallath will be leaving his position in the mayor's office and will be taking a temporary position in the city attorney's office. Giuliano also confirmed that former Democratic Common Council member and former chairman of the Democratic Town Committee, William "Billy" Pillarella is a likely replacement.
"When Geen first came on board he was single and living at home," Giuliano explained. "He talked to me last week about leaving, and I think he wants a position that's more permanent than a political appointment, which is, essentially, a temporary job."
Guiliano said that he asked Thazhampallath if he would help out in the city attorney's office on a temporary basis.
"The city is about to go into negotiations with Local 466, our largest municipal union, and (City Attorney) Tim Lynch is on the negotiating team with Deb Milardo (Personnel Director) and Carl Erlacher (Finance Director)." Giuliano said. "That leaves a hole in the attorney's office, and Tim said that under normal circumstances he would be happy to handle the office alone, but these are not normal circumstances."
As for Pillarella, who will bring a long history with local Democrats into the mayor's office, Giuliano said that he tends not to judge candidates for position on their political affiliation.
"Someone once said that relationships in Middletown are more tribal than they are political," Giuliano said. "I've know Billy for many years and I think he has the attributes needed for the job."
Giuliano said that Pillarella has great knowledge of operations in the municipality and that he would be effective at working with departments at the director's level.
"Since I have a Democratic background, it shouldn't be any surprise that I'm looking at a Democratic candidate for the position," Giuliano said.
Giuliano would not confirm when the change in positions might happen other than to say "in the near future."
Thazhampallath declined comment until after word of the switch becomes official.
6 comments:
I guess that makes sense since Pillarella has worked so hard to elect the mayor the past three term. No he hasn't how can that be and yet he gets a politically appointment that should go to someone that has actually helped the mayor in the past. Well no one can say the mayor is partisan now can they
Losing Geen will be a great loss to the city. He has been excellent in his current capacity. I only hope that they are smart enough to give him a permanent position in the Attorney's Office.
This is truly a historic event, you are covering the collapse of the 2 party system here in Middletown. For so long the Republicans have been so weak and now their only strength the Mayor has folded. The Mayor realizes he will never overcome the 8-4 Council majority and therefore he is allowing the Democrates a seat right in his own office. Pillirella has been a very powerful democratic boss for many, many years and he will never change. He is tied right into Serra, Loffredo, Daley etc. The Mayor will let him in and in a year and a half he will crush the Mayor.
So when is his honor going to officially switch to the Democrat Party?
So who is really running City Hall that is my question.
Incredulous said:
The Republican Party's only strength, the Mayor, you must be kidding. He has had so many opportunities to display strength by helping to elect other Republicans. How many have gotten in with his coattails- a big zero. What has he done-nothing. What has he accomplised-nothing, except to get himself reelected. The Dems don't run anyone substantial against him. Is it that they are afraid. Hardly! It's simply that why should they bother when he is so ineffective. When you watch his TV program, Ralph Wilson has to ask him questions that spoon feed him answers. Its pathetic!! If he's the strngth of the Republican Party, the party's been dead for the past six years.
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