Melissa Bailey FIle Photo
Labor victories? Or anti-central “control” victories?
Esther Armmand (pictured) is making the case that the latter description applies to the sweeping victories by labor-backed candidates for aldermen last fall and for Democratic Town Committee seats this week.
Armmand is running for Democratic town chairwoman next week. Her opponents include a labor-backed candidate, Jacqueline James.
In the wake of Tuesday night’s Democratic Town Committee primary results (read about them here), Armmand distributed an “open letter” to Democrats making this argument:
“The fall of 2011, Democrats voted for transformative and inclusive change the community can believe in rather than a simple re-arrange of players with a desperate need to control the electoral process in the exercise of practices which bind and hold democracy and its people hostage.”
The text of Armmand’s letter follows:
An Open Letter to Democrats
By Esther Armmand, Democratic Town Committee Chair Candidate
A day after democratic primaries to elect co-chairs in seven of thirty wards, I rejoice in seeing the election results, congratulate winners and anticipate how these electoral wins over the past months will be tested in the exercise of committed stewardship as Democratic Party leaders.
The fall of 2011, democrats voted for transformative and inclusive change the community can believe in rather than a simple re-arrange of players with a desperate need to control the electoral process in the exercise of practices which bind and hold democracy and its people hostage. Such transformative change at core intentionally embraces the wonderful people of New Haven in respectful, open, trusting and thoughtful democratic conversations and behaviors to shape the way the Democratic Party work together to engage current voters, future voters and greater community.
The question I have heard echoed repeatedly across neighborhoods in New Haven this winter asked by non-union and some union members is — Will these wins be translated into transformative political and social change promised? Will the restoration and creation of free democratic practices of an inclusive alliance build processes that change politics in New Haven, improve neighborhoods and enhance the economic access for disenfranchised communities representing reforms and indeed important and needed social change? Democrats across New Haven are excited about working to consciously engage in and contribute to the collective good over selfish and self serving agendas.
True democracy is a heart conversation, the heart conversation embraces inclusiveness, fairness, transparency, trust, respectful communication and legitimacy. Operating within the context of collective good a paradigm of control dissipates. The Democratic Party cannot afford to behave as a clique and be relevant in 2012 and beyond. Elected leaders are compelled to move the party construct intentionally seeking the greater good. Sometimes this might mean making touch decisions and standing up from a place of non-agreement for what one believes is true about value-based democracy.
New Haven Democratic Party at its core is people, the party, the process, and content is people. People drive, shape, and share the meaning historically imbedded within the democratic electoral process. The success of the Democratic Party and this city rest within a space of radical trust created across diverse boundaries seeking common ground among leaders to shape and tell the meaningful stories of courage in the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness, which invite others into the democratic process as innovators of transformative change about the wellbeing of people.
The Democratic Party is a people’s business. Democrats represent diverse values, perspectives, ideas, beliefs and commitments. Therefore, in order to build a strong party, it requires consistent committed attention to mend fragmented relationships; this is indeed challenging, but necessary. This healing process invites leaders to explore and act upon the best interest of democrats and all people living within this wonderful city, New Haven. We hold in our hands the future of the wonderfully granted trust envisioned through the democratic process, because true democracy is about people and therefore a heart felt and heart centered conversation among free people.
Contact: Esther Armmand at 203 687‑5038
Email: Esther.Armmand@gmail.com