Finnegan Schick Photo
City politics now runs in the family in Ward 5.
The Hill ward’s Democratic Committee Monday evening endorsed David Reyes to serve as alder, putting him on the Democratic line ballot for the general election ballot. The position was held by his uncle, Board of Alders President Jorge Perez, who stepped down after he was elected Connecticut’s banking commissioner in April.
At the ward committee vote, held at the Howard Avenue police substation in The Hill, Reyes was endorsed by margin of 17 votes to 4.
Reyes ran faced Kampton Singh (at left in photo above), 61, who is a property manager in the area. Singh has lived in The Hill for 27 years and serves as the co-chair of the ward. He said he understands the problems facing the neighborhood.
“My background is in small business,” he said in a brief speech to the committee. “I have no other political ambition than to serve you and serve this ward.”
He said afterwards that he will not pursue a primary challenge to Reyes, and that he will continue his activism in the ward.
Reyes, who works as a Verizon business account executive for Litchfield County, was born on Howard Avenue and was educated in New Haven schools.
In a speech filled with policy rather than rhetoric, Reyes said the Hill needs to improve in three major areas: community policing, education, and employment.
Having Perez, his uncle, around as a mentor will help Reyes get used to his new job in City Hall, he said. Perez will remain living in the neighborhood.
Perez said the ward has a large immigrant population, many of whom are uneducated and rent — rather than own — their homes.
When Perez was confirmed as banking commissioner, ward Democratic Co-Chair Johnny Dye (at right in the photo at the top of the story) stepped in to as a temporary alderman. He had no intention of occupying the seat permanently. “I’m dying to give you my seat,” said Dye to the newly elected Reyes.
During his 27 years as alder, Perez said he missed only one meeting — for a death in the family.
“The first time I stood in a room like this I was 22 year old,” Perez said, standing across the room from his nephew, who is 28.
The committee also voted to endorse City Clerk Michael Smart and Mayor Toni Harp for reelection, as well as Edward Joyner to as seat on the Board of Education.