Thomas MacMillan Photo
At the new term’s first meeting of the Board of Alders, a new “People’s Caucus” tested its might, mounting a surprise candidacy for president of the board.
In the City Hall’s Aldermanic Chamber Tuesday night, incumbent board President Jorge Perez (pictured) won reelection by defeating a challenger, Beaver Hills Alder Claudette Robinson-Thorpe, 23 votes to 5.
Robinson-Thorpe was nominated by the People’s Caucus, a breakaway group of alders who object to what they call “union-backed machine” control of the board. The group, comprising seven alders, has said it is working to increase democracy and transparency on the Board of Alders.
The name — “People’s Caucus” — is just a placeholder until “the people” name the new group, explained freshman East Rock Alder Anna Festa, who nominated Robinson-Thorpe for the board’s top leadership position. The People’s Caucus will hold a public meeting on Jan. 25 at the Springs of Life-Giving Water Church on Sperry Street.
Paul Bass Photo
Robinson-Thorpe (at left in photo) initially formed the new caucus after a Board of Alders straw poll indicated that West River Alder Tyisha Walker would rise to the president pro tem spot, which Robinson-Thorpe had hoped to occupy. But in a surprise move Tuesday, Robinson-Thorpe was nominated for an even higher position: president of the board.
Robinson-Thorpe was one of two People’s Caucus members nominated to a leadership position. The group also put forward freshman Quinnipiac Meadows Alder Richard Spears for president pro-tem. He lost to second-term West River Alder Tyisha Walker, 22 to six. The position is officially the board’s number-two slot; the president pro tem fills in if the president is out of town.
The elections took place at the outset of Tuesday’s meeting of the Board of Alders. East Shore Alder Al Paolillo rose to nominate Perez, calling him a friend, a mentor, and a “unifying force.” Paolillo noted that his father served with Perez on the board.
Perez has been an alder for 26 years. He was elected to the presidency in 2012 and previously served as president from 2000 to 2006.
Alder Rosa Santana seconded Paolillo’s nomination, as did Alder Andrea Jackson-Brooks, and Alder Dolores Colon.
Alder Migdalia Castro moved to close nominations, but withdrew the motion after Perez said they should remain open so that other candidates could be nominated.
Alder Festa (pictured) nominated Robinson-Thorpe “on behalf of the People’s Caucus as well as democracy.”
Alders Brenda Foskey-Cyrus and Michael Stratton seconded. Stratton said that his second was not a vote against Perez, but a recognition that “we need to be bold and audacious.”
“The best result comes when you have an adversarial process,” Stratton (pictured) said. “I believe it’s time we have more of a two-party nomination.”
Alders Festa, Spears, Stratton, Foskey-Cyrus, and Robinson Thorpe voted for Robinson-Thorpe. The other 23 alders present voted for Perez.
“I don’t take this lightly,” Perez said in a short victory speech. “I realize other people in this room are equally qualified.”
Perez acknowledged the People’s Caucus challenge, saying “there’s been some disagreement in the family in the last two weeks.”
“We need to move forward,” he said. “Whether you’re part of the People’s Caucus or not.”
Beaver Hills Alder Brian Wingate nominated Alder Walker for president pro tem, calling her a dedicated mother, friend, and confidante.
Alders Santiago Berrios-Bones, Sarah Eidelson, Castro, and Frank Douglass seconded the nomination.
Downtown Alder Doug Hausladen nominated Alder Spears. Hausladen said he has known Spears for several weeks and that Spears would be a good member of leadership because he would “understand how a rookie sees the process” and could help guide other freshmen.
Stratton and Robinson-Thorpe seconded the nomination.
Alders Hausladen, Festa, Spears, Stratton, Foskey-Cyrus, and Robinson Thorpe voted for Spears. Everyone else voted for Walker.
Walker (pictured with Spears) told the board she appreciated having a challenger “because that’s democracy.”
After the meeting, Alder Festa said the vote results were “what we expected.” She said the nominations were meant only to bring more “democracy” to the process.
“We come in peace,” she said. The People’s Caucus is trying to “just show people they have a voice.”
President Perez said after the meeting that he and other members of board leadership will be working on committee assignments over the next several weeks. He said he will, as before, collect requests from alders and try to place them each on at least two of their three chosen committees.
Committee chairmanships will be chosen by board leadership. Perez said that group comprises the president, the president pro tem, Majority Leader Paolillo, Deputy Majority Leader Jeanette Morrison, and the chair and vice-chair of the Black and Hispanic Caucus. Those positions are held by Alders Robinson-Thorpe and Colon, for now. The Black and Hispanic Caucus will hold new chairmanship elections on Monday.
New Mayor Toni Harp (pictured) and her new chief of staff, Tomas Reyes, attended Tuesday’s meeting. Both are former alders. Harp greeted alders before the meeting and later received a standing ovation from the board.