Dude, Where’s
My Chairmanship?

A newly revised list of committee appointments has left at least two aldermen disappointed.

Yale Alderman Michael Jones was passed over for a leadership role, and West Rock Alderman Darnell Goldson remains the only alderman with only a single committee appointment.

Aldermanic committees are where most of the Board of Aldermen’s legislative work is done. Committee chairs set the agendas for their bodies and decide which bills are heard when.

As board president, Beaver Hills Aldermen Carl Goldfield decides who sits on which committee. He decides who the chairs and vice-chairs are. On Friday, a slightly modified list of 2010 – 2011 committee appointments came into effect. It takes into account the departure of former East Rock Alderman Roland Lemar, who is moving on to the state legislature, and the election of his replacement Aldermen Matt Smith.

Lemar was the chair of the Legislation Committee, which considers many bills before the Board of Aldermen. Goldfield picked Hill Alderman Jorge Perez (pictured) as the new chair, rather than promoting Alderman Jones, who will remain the committee’s vice-chair.

“Obviously I’m disappointed,” said Jones on Monday. He said he had anticipated taking over the chairmanship, since the president had obviously thought him competent enough to be the vice-chair.

Jones said he expressed his displeasure to Goldfield and was told that the president wasn’t sure how long Jones would be around, since he’s a student at Yale.

Jones said he was ​“troubled” by that response since he’s not planning to go anywhere after he graduates this year. ​“I do intend to live and work in New Haven,” he said.

Besides, Jones said, many committee chairs have served only briefly but have made significant contributions. For instance, former Fair Haven Alderwoman Erin Sturgis-Pascale, who has moved out of town, had a fruitful term as a committee chair, Jones said.

Despite his disappointment, Jones said he’s putting his frustration behind him. ​“I’m moving on.”

“I decided to go with a seniority appointment,” Goldfield said. Aldermen Perez has a lot of experience working on development projects and legislation, Goldfield said.

Asked about the fact that Goldson is still the only alderman with only one committee appointment, Goldfield claimed Goldson — who has been Goldfield’s chief policy critic on the board — expressed interest in only one committee when the list was being drawn up. All other aldermen have at least two committee appointments; some have three.

Goldson said he has repeatedly asked to be placed on another committee. ​“The president is well aware that I’m not happy.”

See below for the new list of committee appointments. Smith was given spots on the Education and Legislation Committees.

ALDERMANIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Lehtonen (Chair), Paolillo (Vice-Chair), Shah, S. Rodriguez, K. Jones, Bauer, Goldson

CITY SERVICES AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY COMMITTEE
Elicker (Chair), Dildine (Vice-Chair), James-Evans, Smart, S. Rodriguez, Morehead, J. Rodriguez

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Paca (Chair), DePino (Vice-Chair), Colon, Clark, Morehead, J. Rodriguez, Robinson-Thorpe
 
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Jackson-Brooks (Chair), Castro (Vice-Chair), Goldfield, Calder, Smith, O’Sullivan-Best

FINANCE COMMITTEE
Shah (Chair), Clark (Vice-Chair), Perez, Goldfield, Jackson-Brooks, Castro, Elicker, Bauer, Dildine, O’Sullivan-Best

HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
S. Rodriguez (Chair), O’Sullivan-Best (Vice-Chair), Goldfield, Blango, K. Jones, M. Jones, Elicker

LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
Perez, (Chair), M. Jones (Vice-Chair), Blango, Antunes, Bauer, Dildine, Smith

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Rhodeen (Chair), Antunes(Vice-Chair) Colon, Shah, Paolillo, Lehtonen, DePino

TAX ABATEMENT COMMITTEE
Smart (Chair), Blango (Vice-Chair), Edwards, Rhodeen, Paca, Robinson-Thorpe, DePino

YOUTH SERVICES COMMITTEE
Clark (Chair), Edwards (Vice-Chair) James-Evans, K. Jones, Lehtonen, Calder, Paca