A Celebratory Swearing-In

The Reverend Ed Ford senior delivers a benediction.

Council chambers in Middletown were filled with friends, family, colleagues and dignitaries as newly-elected municipal officials were sworn into their offices Tuesday evening.

"May they prove worthy of the confidence placed in them by their citizens." - Father Russell Kennedy

It was the biennial meeting of the Common Council, for the express purpose of the swearing-in, so most Council members were present, Mayor Dan Drew presided, and guests included Republican State Senators Len Suzio, Toni Boucher and George Logan.  Also attending were chairmen of the towns Democratic and Republican town committees, Sal Nesci and Bill Wilson, respectively, and the newly-hired Superintendent of Schools Michael Conner.  Members of the current and past Boards of Education and Planning and Zoning commission were also in the room.

For an off-year election in which only eight candidates were elected, the room buzzed with excitement before and after the event.

Susan Allison.

"Choose any bank...down by the river sideways...and contemplate its bend and the wending ways of folks who came here in unending streams."  - Susan Allison.

The evening began with an invocation from Father Russell Kennedy from St. Francis of Assisi, followed by a reading from Middletown poet laureate Susan Allison of her poem about Middletown, "Choose Any River."

  

The swearing-in of all newly-elected officials followed immediately.  On the Board of Education, Ed Ford (R), Sean King (D), Lisa Loomis (D) and Jon Pulino (R) were sworn in.  On the Planning and Zoning Commission, Stephen Devoto (D), Nick Fazzino (R) and Corrine Dorsey (R) and Tyrell Brown as Republican Planning and Zoning alternate were sworn in.

Surrounded by family, Ed Ford is sworn in by Mayor Dan Drew.

Part of the excitement came from the early publicity afforded two young African-American men elected to town committees as Republicans.  Ed Ford was elected to the Board of Education and Tyrell Brown was elected as a Planning and Zoning alternate.  The young men shared roles as President (Brown) and Vice President (Ford) of their high school class, are close friends and are said to be the youngest Republican African-American to win office in Connecticut.  Ford is a junior psych major at CCSU, and Brown is a junior business major at SCSU.  WTNH featured the pair in a news story after the election, and was present for the swearing in, but the local coverage was superseded by national coverage when the pair was featured on Fox and Friends in the Fox New NYC studios. (editor's note: the fact that these capable young men were elected is reason for celebration for their party, and for Middletown, but it should be clarified that their "win" in "deep blue Connecticut" as characterized on WTNH and Fox, came only as a result of minority party representation rules.  The minority party (in this case, Republican) on any board in Middletown, must be represented.  In Middletown, the majority party is Democratic, which means that of the nine members of the Board of Education, three must be Republican, or another minority party.  On Planning and Zoning the Dems hold four seats, and Republicans three).

Sean King and family.

Lisa Loomis and family.

Jon Pulino and family.

Stephen Devoto and wife Joyce Powzyk.

Corrine Dorsey and family.

Nick Fazzino.

Tyrell Brown and family.

"It's that love, that grace, that mercy that we seek tonight." - Reverend Ed Ford, Sr.

During the singing of the national anthem, Board of Education member Lisa Loomis took a knee in quiet protest and solidarity in seeking racial justice and equity, and the need for the community to continue discussion of the topic.  Loomis' gesture went unnoticed by most in attendance.  She released a public statement on her decision: "It is my understanding that in recent weeks some Middletown High School students have been wrestling with whether or not to take a knee during the national anthem. In my view, one purpose of education is to empower children. Another purpose of education is to foster critical thinking and a free flow of ideas, and encouraging respectful dialogue about complex issues is an excellent way to do that. I believe the “taking the knee” protest offers a good opportunity for this, but based on my discussions with community members, I do not believe we, as a district, have taken advantage of this opportunity. I took a knee tonight to encourage district and school leaders to facilitate a respectful dialogue about the complexities of this issue so our students feel like their voices have been heard."

On a lighter note, a clerical error meant that Planning and Zoning commissioner Stephen Devoto's name was printed on several of the certificates awarded the newly elected officials, instead of their own names. Devoto, who is a regular contributor to the Middletown Eye, denied that it was an attempt to gain control of any commission or that Russian election interference was involved.

The official ceremony ended with a benediction by Edward Ford, senior, father of the new Board of Education member Ed Ford. But family and friends milled about for another hour congratulating the new officials and celebrating with cake and cannolis.