Norwalk Board of Education member Erin Halsey announced her resignation at Tuesday night’s board meeting. The Republican member said she couldn’t finish her term because she has started a new job with increased responsibilities. “I was offered a new job, and this is what I have to do for my family,” she said.
Halsey was elected in November 2009 as part of the "Parents Not Politicians" slate of candidates that nearly swept the elections that year. In a resignation letter to Town Clerk Andy Garfunkel, Halsey said, “The lessons I have learned will last a lifetime." She also wrote that she will "continue to be an advocate for Norwalk's children." Halsey had led the communications committee of the board but resigned from that committee last year.
The Republican Town Committee will select Halsey’s replacement May 10, according to committee Chair Art Scialabba, who attended Tuesday’s board meeting. “It’s disappointing, she was a great asset."
Artie Kassimis, a Republican stalwart who also attended the meeting, is a likely replacement for Halsey, said Scialabba. Halsey also backs Kassimis. “He has my support 100 percent,” she said.
Kassimis ran unsuccessfully last year for state Senate against Sen. Bob Duff, D-Norwalk. Kassimis also lost the 2009 Norwalk school board election by a narrow margin. He left a career in corporate business to become the pastor of the Word Alive Bible Church in Norwalk. He has four children.
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What? She was still here? Haven't seen nor heard from that lady since elections. Like to see a couple more retire,need to retire like 2 elections ago. Nothing missed there. Now we get stuck with that other "in a bubble bobble head" preacher. Great, just great. And every one trys to wind down. But where is the 3 milion?
ReplyDeleteSomeone score on a weekend treasure hunt? Just magically found 3 million, sound familliar to anyone?
What if Arne Duncan called Moccia and told Moccia that he was filing a federal grand theft complaint on Moccia and the city for stealling hundreds of thousands of dollars from the federal government by stealling lunch subsidries for non exsistent students and students that have left the district?
Students lose even more.
Bobble heads in charge, needn't worry.
and so it goes.....
As a nonpartisan voter, I followed Artie Kassimas during his run against Bob Duff and listened intently to his platform. To be honest, I found him very supportive of teachers, students, and education. I was impressed when he confronted his opponent on the issue of equity with state funding for Norwalk. Why the "Debby Downer" attitude before the man even has a chance? More importantly, I should hope the above comment is not from an educator. It is, in a word, astounding. Is that actually a libelous statement designed to defame the character of city officials? Not a wise thing to do. The anonymity a blog forum may appear to afford does not protect one from the consequences of libeling anyone, regardless of their position or visibility.
ReplyDeleteIf Artie does replace Erin, he will need to keep his extremely conservative views in check. Luckily he won't be on any state or national level where his support to defund planned parenthood could be exercised.
ReplyDeleteWhy do people want to use code words to attack someone because of his faith?
ReplyDeleteI don't go to Mr. Kassimis' church. My children have never played on the youth teams he's coached. But I still appreciate the good that this man does for our city.
If the R's decide to appoint him, I think he'll do a great job.
I care that Artie Kassimis is active in Norwalk-- I care that that he demonstrates loyalty to OUR KIDS AND OUR FAMILIES.
ReplyDeleteI care that Artie is involved in OUR COMMUNITY.
I don't care that I'm more liberal than he is.
I certainly don't care what his opinion on federal funding of Planned Parenthood (or for Sesame Street, for that matter) because the third floor of city hall is pretty far fromn the U.S. Congress.
Artie Kassimis is the person next in line as chosen by the voters of the City of Norwalk. It would therefore be appropriate the he be appointed to replace Ms. Halsey. Artie is a good man who genuinely cares about Norwalk & its schools. He will do a fine job. The first poster at the top should take care with the words they use. Engaging in slander and name calling is childish. When people write with such words do we really need to know any more about them?
ReplyDeleteMIKE P. IS 100% CORRECT.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I saw during the senate campaign, Mr. Kassimis is a good, honest man.
I'm hoping that the Republicans will nominate him to fill in for Ms. Halsey. When you think about how many votes he got in the last city election, it is only right that he would be chosen to take the seat.
We should be grateful to Erin for her hard work on the BOE. I hope that the RTC will appoint Artie Kassimis to replace her. He is a sincere and insightful man who has a lot to offer.
ReplyDeleteSay, SoccerMom, are you any relation to SoccerDad? (soccerdad.baltiblogs.com)
My earlier post on Artie's conservative views was off base and I apologize. He does have an excellent reputation for giving back to our community and in particular, deeply cares about our school system and the students well being.
ReplyDeleteI believe Artie could be a good addition to the BOE. He has a calming demeanor and has the ability to speak rationally with people. Perhaps we could finally see healthy discussion and debate on crucial topics?
ReplyDelete