New Rochelle Democrats: Fill council vacancy with Stowe’s widow
After initially suggesting a vacant city council seat be left unfilled until a November special election, New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson and his fellow Democratic council members reversed course this morning.
Along with Barry Fertel and Marianne Sussman, Bramson called for naming Roxie Stowe to temporarily fill the seat that had been held by her late husband, Council member James Stowe. In a press release, Bramson called Roxie Stowe “the only individual with the standing to uphold Jim’s legacy through an appointment and to honor the will of the voters as expressed in the last election.”
Republicans have already suggested their own candidate to fill the District Three council seat on an interim basis: former county Legislator Pearl Quarles.
With the council currently split 3-3 between parties, it’s unclear whether either side will prevail with their pick. At stake is the balance of power through the city budget deliberations this fall.
James Stowe died unexpectedly on Aug 4. A special election Nov. 2 will determine who will serve the final year of Stowe’s council term. The winner would officially take office Jan. 1, but Democrats suggested again today — as they did last week — that the victor be seated by appointment after the election.
District 3 runs through the central part of North Avenue and encompasses such major sites as City Hall, Iona College and Sound Shore Medical Center of Westchester.
Roxie Stowe said in a statement in the Democrats’ press release that she did not plan to run for the District Three seat. She also said she would be willing to step down once the election results were known “if the Council agrees to seat the people’s choice immediately and not wait needlessly until January 1st.
“Jimmy always put the will of the people first, and that’s what he would want,” she said.
Last week, Bramson had told The Journal News/LoHud.com it was better to wait until the election results were known to fill the seat.
“I think it is best to allow the residents of the district to determine who will represent them,” Bramson said.
Today his press release came accompanied by statements from District Three Democratic leaders Patricia Carter and Jean Anderson urging support for Roxie Stowe’s appointment.
Anderson called it “the only one that would be acceptable and appropriate right now, before the people speak on November 2nd.”
The two parties are collecting nominees for the special election now. Republicans have not said whether they expect Quarles to be a candidate. The deadline to submit the party nominees to elections officials is Sept. 21.
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! Some MNRR folks are unaware (it was two railroads before...
As a resident in City Council District 3, I am appalled at the entire council. In this game of chess, the only ones who have not had a chance to move, in either direction, are the people who make up the district. DO NOT LET THEM MUTE OUR VOICES ANY LONGER. With all due respect to Mrs. Quarles, who is very well qualified, appears to have been chosen not solely for her qualifications. And just when one would think the Democrats were put in “check” by the Republicans they made a strategic counter move; the appointment of the widow of the late Mr. Stowe, who publicly announced little if any interest in holding the seat? Have you no shame Democrats?
The first moves in a chess game are termed “opening moves” or simply “openings”. These openings serve several purposes …
1.To provide better protection for the King
2.To provide better control over an area
3.Mobility for other pieces
4.Opportunities to capture other pieces
With both sides vying for power and control over the city budget, we the people of district 3 continue without representation. Sad!
What’s next from these gerrymandering Democrats – if the widow doesn’t get appointed, how about the family cat or dog?