Representation Matters: Day 2

Local leaders share their stories about public service

The second day of Representation Matters was dedicated almost entirely to individuals who had won elections in Connecticut to share the wisdom they had learned in their campaigns and through their public service. This offered attendees the chance to hear many personal firsthand stories as they decided whether or not they would undertake a run for office or serve on a board or commission.

Opening announcements were given by CCM Executive Director and CEO Joe DeLong; Portland First Selectwoman Susan Bransfield, Chair of the CCM Board Inclusion Committee; Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, CCM President; Paul Mounds, Chief of Staff for the Governor’s Office; and Steven Hernandez, Executive Director of the CT Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity, one of the sponsors. The other sponsors for Representation Maters included the Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency (CIRMA) and the Parent Leadership Training Institute.

The first topic of the day was “How to Become a Leader in your Community and Work for Change,” which was led by Shawn Wooden, the State Treasurer and former Hartford City Council President. Speaking frankly, he said he thought of his sons when asked about the need for change, and all the hard work his parents did to afford him the opportunity to succeed. He added: “Far too many people I grew up with shared my potential, but weren’t given the resources to reach it.”

In giving tips to potential candidates, he summed up the rationale for the two-day training quite succinctly: “Don’t ever think that you don’t fit the profile of a candidate. Your lived experience has immeasurable value.”

Next up was Mark Overmyer Velazquez, currently the UConn Hartford Campus Director and former West Hartford Board of Education member. Through mostly a question and answer session, he responded to participants queries on the topic of “I Want to Get Involved in My Community and Local Government – Where do I Start?”

His journey began with his own family – seeing his own parents involved with the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, and also their example living as an interracial couple before the Loving v. Virginia decision in 1967 which struck down laws against interracial marriages.

From there he started down a path in academia that led him to “following the guidance of people like Ella Baker, the often overlooked leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee” noting the “the irony of wanting to be a leader servant, but to give to other and remove obstacles so they can contribute to this thing called democracy.”

Each individual’s path to public service must start with positive examples, and as Overmyer Velazquez showed, whether it is through family or through academia each person must find those role models.

Scott Jackson, who has held positions at the state and municipal level and is currently the Finance Director for the town of Hamden spoke directly to Municipal Governance and Finance. But he also told one of the most affecting tales of why he chose a path of public service over his intended career pursuing a law degree.

During the 1989 Tornado that did heavy damage through Hamden, Jackson’s family home was in the possible path. While they did not heed a first call to evacuate, it was Hamden Mayor John Carusone who came and got them to. Saved from the tornado, Carusone came and checked on them every day. He checked on the cat, who was at the shelter.

Jackson said he came upon a realization that day: “No attorney came to check in on us, no attorney provided us any services, or offered us food or laundry services as necessary. It was people from the government. I made a switch that summer to get involved in government.”

Kari Olson, who ended out the day, added to those sentiments saying “I want to thank you for putting yourself out there and taking on the obligation of public service. It is extremely rewarding and I commend you for that.”

Through her presentation she gave a brief overview of “Ethics, Public Meetings, Roberts Rules, Freedom and Information and More,” which many municipal officials have taken as part of our CCM Workshops.

As attendees began leaving for the afternoon, a chorus of thank yous echoed from the attendees after Executive Director DeLong gave parting words: We have to take care of each other, we have to work together and we have to become vested in each other’s success.

Kari Olson of Murtha Cullina