A New Alderman for the First Ward

Tonight, at a special meeting of the Common Council, Rick Rector was appointed to replace David Marston, who resigned on April 1, as First Ward alderman. Rector had received the greatest number of votes in a straw poll of First Ward residents who had shown up for a meeting on March 21, beating out Karla Roberts and Claire Cousin. In spite of this, his appointment by the Common Council did not seem to be entirely assured, and for this reason, First Ward residents filled the room at tonight's special meeting, which took place at the Central Fire Station. 

As it turned out, Rector was the only candidate who had expressed his interest in the position to the Common Council. A second candidate, George DeJesus, chair of the Hudson Republican Committee, had submitted a letter of interest to the mayor. (If the Common Council cannot agreed on an appointment to fill a vacancy, the mayor must appoint someone to fill the vacancy.) 

After Rector addressed the meeting, stressing his community involvement and pledging to "go beyond our occasional differences to work together to solve problems," and Council president Don Moore read aloud the letter submitted by DeJesus, who was not present at the meeting, Moore called for a vote on a resolution appointing Rector the new First Ward alderman. In the roll call vote, in which the aldermen are called upon to vote in alphabetical order, Alderman Robert "Doc" Donahue (Fifth Ward) abstained, and Alderman Tiffany Garriga (Second Ward), who reportedly had encouraged Claire Cousin to throw her hat into the ring on March 21 "on behalf of people who are not represented in the First Ward," paused for long moment before finally voting aye. Rector was appointed with all of the aldermen voting for his appointment except Donahue (who abstained) and Abdus Miah (Second Ward), who arrived after the vote had already been taken.

Rector was sworn in on the spot by city clerk Tracy Delaney and took his place at the table for the informal Common Council meeting that followed the special meeting.


COPYRIGHT 2015 CAROLE OSTERINK