Watts’ alleged departure draws praise, anger

Updated, 11:21 p.m., Watts comment asserting that he’s not running

NORWALK, Conn. – David Watts says he’s not running for re-election to the Common Council, but he is talking about leaving a lasting legacy.

“It’s been a pleasure, been a blast serving on the Common Council,” Watts said to Democratic Town Committee members Monday. “So as (District A) chairman, I am going to work quietly to try to find some candidates who can actually get out there and champion some of the issues I care about deeply.”

Watts was later praised by former District D Chairman Vinny Mangiacopra, but his words were slammed by potential District A Council candidate Steve Serasis.

“Last Council meeting we talked in executive session about a comprehensive housing plan,” Watts said Monday. “You see other cities tearing down urban projects. You don’t see that in Norwalk, but you still see that in South Norwalk. The Redevelopment Agency is key to that. They get a lot of federal money. So the last few weeks that I have on the Council I would like to keep on pushing for a comprehensive housing plan.”

Serasis wasn’t at the DTC meeting, but was quick to reply to an NoN inquiry with this text message:

“In other words he has failed to address development in uptown and a plan that is being resurrected that has bad pieces, blight, never addressed the library in the mall… oh, excuse me, he did publicly … when he said at the last district meeting that he goes to Westport. And to continue … he never addressed the YMCA charter that shows the YMCA was left to the people of Norwalk, never comments on education issues, has not addressed Malloy’s effort to pass (HB 6851) eminent domain within a transportation hub, fight for additional safety precautions on the Northbound side of our train station, never joined the mayor on the effort I implored the mayor to initiate to help seniors, as the senior relief program has not been a relief for seniors (I applaud the mayor for listening to me and trying to attack this issue) … the list is very long. Unfortunately, David has wrapped himself up in his own agenda, and has forgotten he represents District A, and Norwalk. He makes us feel in District A as though he doesn’t care about our multitude of issues beyond housing. Which I care about, as does very Democrat, but this is not the only issue… unless, of course, you have desire to be in Hartford … not Norwalk.”

Serasis, a former mayoral candidate, said early this year that he wanted to run for Common Council, but only if that didn’t mean forcing Councilwoman Eloisa Melendez (D-District A) into a primary in her bid for re-election. The way might seem clear for Serasis now, but there’s the promise from Watts to find candidates more to his liking.

“Right now we are just trying to see where everyone is,” Watts said, when questioned if he had anyone in mind. “There’s some people that wanted to come forward and want to serve. Let’s see where they are. They’re going to be their own individuals and so I am going to try to get them going, and then after the election, they’ll go on and do what they need to do. Not going to be breathing down their neck or anything, just looking to see people to make sure that the poor have a voice, and the people who are mistreated.”

“He need not look any further than myself,” Serasis said. “I raised money, created programs, was the Afterschool Alliance chairperson, ran summer camps, ran the summer food service program, continued to administer grant money I secured for two years after I resigned from NEON as the Youth Services Director… All to help the poor, and more with collaborations with NHA and AIC. Developing GED programs, employment truing and more… and David knows very well my credentials speak for themselves, and speak volumes compared to anything he has ever done to help the most needy. He asked me right before he challenged Mr. Perone (for fellow Democrat Chris Perone’s state House seat in the 137th District) if I would take up his empty seat if he won. He, and I quote, told me that nobody is more qualified in our District to represent, I really hope you’d think about it. I didn’t have to, I said YES… So I ask you, and him: Did I make your list David?”

And more:

“He has been working quietly, finding those who support his ‘entire’ agenda which, by most, is unexplainable at this point in time,” Serasis said. “I have voiced my interest, and he has not approached me with any support over the last 8 months or more… when I was the one he was repeatedly asking to run or ask to represent if he stepped down.”

Asked about Serasis on Tuesday, Watts said, “Steve would be a good councilman.”

He had nothing to say about Melendez on Monday night. He vowed to “try to get candidates that want to fight for people and encourage them to stand up on the tough issues.”

“I took on a lot of battles,” Watts said. “Lost a lot of them, but at the same time I always try to communicate and try to keep those issue in the forefront.”

This is the foundation of Mangiacopra’s praise.

“He’s a great Councilman,” Mangiacopra said. “He served the people of his district honorably. … He always spoke on the issues that weren’t always popular, but he always made sure he brought them to the floor and made sure that his voice was heard. Regardless of what the audience or his adversaries may have thought of him, he still brought those issues forward and that’s going to be needed next time around, no matter who’s chosen in that district.”

“As word spreads, people are upset and then there are some people who probably be happy,” Watts said. “You can’t please everybody, but the one thing you can say about me as a Councilman is I fought for people.

“It’s not a sad time, it’s a time to look for the future and try to do things.”

“I respect his decision and wish him well,” Mayor Harry Rilling said. “During his four years on the council, he represented his district well and worked to bring the improvements needed. We had our differences on some issues, but that is to be expected. I’m sure he will stay active in the city at some level now or in the future.”

Two political observers, independent of each other, suggested to NancyOnNorwalk that they are highly skeptical of Watts’ claim that he isn’t running. Watts could say he couldn’t find any good candidates and that he has to run, for the good of the city, they said.

“I will not and under no circumstances will I be a candidate for Common Council,” Watts wrote in a text message Wednesday. “I’ve thought about this and now it’s time to move on.”

“I’ve done everything I possibly could do,” Watts said on Monday. “Right now they have a mayor, and the city is going to move forward. I trust what he is going to try to bring to the table and maybe with some new leadership they can tackle some of the issues that I care about.”

His role was largely to help people who were being mistreated by the government, Watts said.

“Now, with the current mayor, maybe they don’t need a loudmouth anymore,” Watts said. “They just need somebody that they try to deal with, to work in a diligent manner to deal with real problems.”