By Josh LaBella
Voice Reporter
In a display of unity, nearly all the delegates of the Democratic Town Committee voted for Mayor Nancy Rossi to be nominated for reelection. The DTC also nominated many members of the Rossi camp for under-ticket positions.
When the tally was over, Rossi had gathered 50 votes, current city clerk and mayoral candidate Debbie Collins had four and four members abstained.
Collins said the members of the DTC were going to follow Chairman Mike Last’s lead on all of the candidates. She and former mayor Ed O’Brien, who is also running for mayor, have both said they will primary with their own under-ticket candidates.
DTC under-ticket nominations included: Patricia Horvath, city clerk; Michael Last, treasurer and Dorothy Chambrelli for tax collector. Joseph Harvey and Mark Palmieri were nominated for the Board of Assessment Appeals.
Anne Heffernan, Cebi Waterfield and Andrea Talamelli were picked to run for Board of Education positions.
The committee also nominated a full slate for city council positions. Those nominated were: Olivia Quagliani (who was holding a seat for her father Ronald), councilman-at-large; Gary Donovan, councilman-at-large; Bridgette Hoskie, District 1; Rohan Smith, District 2; Elizabeth Johnston, District 3; Mitch Gallagnano, District 4; Robbin Hamilton, District 5; Peter Massaro, District 6; Trenee McGee, District 7; Rachel Solveria, District 8; Stephen DeCrescenzo, District 9; and Louise Martone for District 10.
DTC Chairman Mike Last said the caucus went well and it was great to see the “overwhelming support for Mayor Rossi.
“She has worked hard over the last 19 months and deserved the endorsement for another term,” said Last.
According to Last, there is a large contrast between Rossi and her two democratic opponents. He called the track records of O’Brien and Collins “less than stellar.”
“Ed O’Brien ran four consecutive budget deficits totaling more than $10 million and turned the city over to the state on his way out the door,” said Last. “Debbie Collins has trouble managing the City Clerk’s office and has run budget deficits in 8 of the last 10 years. We have a choice to continue to move forward with Mayor Rossi or return to the status quo.”
Last said he though Rossi has done a good job stabilizing the city budget and fiscal situation, as well as earning the confidence of developers and businesses.
“I believe West Haven is on the right path forward,” said Last.