In a stunning reversal Republicans on the City Council asked for a Motion to Reconsider the Resolution to appoint Roxy Stowe to the City Council to fill her husband’s District 3 seat moments after resolutions for Stowe and businessman John Earvin failed to pass on party line votes.
The bizarre events were set in motion when Pearl Quarles, the Republican choice as interim Council Member for District 3 withdrew her name from consideration. Democrats made motions to appoint Mrs. Stowe. The resolution failed 3-3. Republicans made motions to appoint Earvin. The resolution failed 3-3. As the Mayor prepared to end the meeting, Council Member St. Paul asked to speak. Clearly annoyed, Bramson hesitated before consenting to the request and recognizing St. Paul.
St. Paul began by explaining the context for his “Jim Crow tactics”, the effort by Democrats in 2003 to redistrict black voters out of District 3, and his work as a civil rights lawyer working on behalf of the NAACP to successfully overturn the previous Council’s efforts which St. Paul has previously described as “three white guys sitting in a room dividing up black votes”. As the Mayor squirmed, clearly regretting his decision to recognize the Council Member from District 4, St. Paul paused then unexpectedly asked for reconsideration of the Roxy Stowe resolution, sending a jolt of energy through the audience of mostly black Democrats who supported Stowe. Democrats on the Council struggled to contain their glee. City Manager flashed a broad, knowing smile, clearly enjoying the moment as Democrats took back control of the Council.
The Mayor, close to tears, said it was the first time he has felt good in weeks.
“I hope this gesture can wipe away the ill feeling that has surrounded this subject that has been deeply uncomfortable and painful for quite a number of people,” said the Mayor before gaveling the meeting to a close.
Stowe will be sworn in at the next board meeting, replacing her husband’s seat. James Stowe after died unexpectedly following a heart attack 5 weeks ago. She will represent District 3 until a special election is held on Nov. 2 to fill the last year of James Stowe’s unexpired term.
The two major parties have nominated their candidates for the Special Election. The Republican Party nominated Peter Parente. The Democrats nominated Jared Rice.
Political Analysis: There was plenty of hypocrisy, misinformation and bruised feelings to around last night. James Stowe, never a particularly dynamic presence on the board with no particular record of legislative accomplishment, was remembered in glowing terms that belied his track record on Council. Never popular among the District 3 Democratic base, carrying on the “Stowe Legacy” took on mythic proportions. Roxy Stowe, with absolutely no experience in government, was described as a political independent by supporters who described her as a co-equal partner with her husband in representing District 3.
Perhaps the biggest surprise was the pounding of Democratic nominee to succeed Stowe in 2011. A number of speakers objected to Rice representing District 3 as if that was up to the Council. Branson explained that the Council was not considering a resolution to appoint Rice.
None of the Stowe supporters who spoke last night made mention that the Democrats on Council began the political battle over a temporary appointment to fill the Stowe seat by making an announcement that they would leave the seat vacant until after the Nov. 2 Special Election, passing over Roxy Stowe or that it was only after the Republicans had put forward Pearl Quarles that the Democrats offered up Jim Stowe’s widow.
The absolute low point of the evening was the Mayor’s effusive, gratuitous singling out for praise, the remarks made by Donna Henry, a New Rochelle Board of Education employee who was briefly suspended by the school district last year over her involvement with child pornography. Saying “Donna Henry got it right”, the Mayor spoke of Henry in a jocular and warm tone. The Mayor had nothing to say about the Latina 7th grader who was humiliated and ultimately driven out of New Rochelle because Donna Henry, who is black, obtained, possessed and distributed a fully nude image of her which was then re-distributed by her son, also a school district employee and from there widely circulated among school district janitors, security guards and other school district and city employees. Apparently the Mayor is willing to turn a blind eye to child pornography when it means even the slightest political advantage and does not particular care about the Hispanic vote in New Rochelle.