January 13 -- Ridgefield Democrats met in caucus tonight to elect a Town Committee for the 1998-2000 term. In a major jolt to the party, incumbent chairman John Kukulka announced that he was resigning and would not stand for reelection to the DTC. Kukulka, whose leadership and hard work kept the normally fractious Democrats unified through the 1997 electoral campaign, spoke briefly, but movingly of his decision. "Four years ago, when you elected me as Chairman of the DTC, I was beginning my recovery from a life-threatening illness. I was able to dedicate my energy to strengthening the party. This work for the Democrats also strengthened me and allowed me to rebuild my life," said the DTC Chair. "Now we have a party stronger than in recent memory, with more Democrats interested in participating and in serving. This is the ideal time for me to turn over the reins to new leadership, and to move on with the next phase of my own life and career."
John Kukulka's leadership and grit was recognized beyond Main Street; he is a respected town chairman among Democratic leaders across the state and nation. In 1994 he was selected to receive the Lawrence O'Brien Leadership Award by the Democratic National Committee for his leadership, personal bravery, and commitment to principle. In a White House ceremony, his work on behalf of Ridgefield Democrats was honored as a signal example of the best in Democratic volunteerism. In Tuesday's Ridgefield caucus, a near-unanimous audience rose to thank him with an emotional standing ovation. This very civil and gracious gesture was in itself testimony to John's success in strengthening the party by putting principles and unity ahead of selfish narrow interests.
DTC incumbent and School Board member Bob Opotzner also rose to withdraw his name from consideration. Citing an unenforceable DTC bylaw that prohibits elected officials from serving on the Committee, he stated that he would prefer to honor the spirit of the rules until the Town Committee is able to follow through on its stated intention of changing them.
The caucus then moved to select the next Town Committee. The current Town Committee presented its endorsed slate, along with five additional candidates who had petitioned the Committee. (See earlier story) Voting by written ballot, the caucus elected Cliff Appel, Alice Carboni, Paula Bruns, Jim Diamond, Ethel Eckhaus, Mary Gelfman, Mike Jones, George Kain, Barbara Manners, Rudy Marconi, Sue Mushlin, David Nichols, Edwin Pearson, Mark Robinson, Lou Villamana, Reggie Yannuzzi-Hazel, Mary Miller, Monte Frank, Susan Coco, Bonny Calayag, and Marianne Loomis.
The new Town Committee will begin its term in March, and its first business will be the election of new officers and an update of the bylaws to enlarge the committee and eliminate the anachronistic ban on office-holders serving on the DTC. The curent Town Committee is scheduled to hold its last meeting on February 20.
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