Resign his seat?
No way, Mon.
The Courant writes:
Town Councilman Rob Durbin wants to make this point clear: He will not be an absentee elected official — even if he's in Jamaica for much of the time.
From now on, Durbin said he plans to attend every meeting of the West Hartford Town Council, "whether it's on the phone or in person," the Democrat said Monday afternoon by phone from the Caribbean island.
Durbin informed other council members Oct. 12 that he would be leaving for Kingston, Jamaica, the next morning to teach law and would not return until May. Although Durbin said he would participate on the council via phone, town officials had not heard from him since. He was absent for the council's meeting last Tuesday.
Durbin said Monday that he got Internet and phone access only two days ago, so that "explains my silence." He also plans to commute back and forth from Jamaica, where Durbin says he lectures part-time and only on weekends through a University of London international program.
"As necessary and as much as I can afford it, I'm flying back to West Hartford," said Durbin, 35. "And I'll be back next week" for the council's Nov. 9 meeting.
That was news to Mayor Scott Slifka. The mayor, head of the Democratic council majority, said late Monday afternoon he has received no communication from Durbin in nearly three weeks.
At the town council's request, Corporation Counsel Joseph O'Brien recently examined the town charter to see if there was a provision that allows for removal of a council member for absentee reasons. There is none. Because Durbin owns a home on Lemay Street and is registered to vote in town, he remains a resident-elector and is "allowed to retain his office," O'Brien said.
Lately he has been going through some transitions. There is a divorce, a court filing shows, and Durbin is no longer employed at the Hartford law firm Reid and Riege.
Durbin said he is taking a break from corporate law, and bristled at the idea of resigning his council seat if he remains a part-time resident of Jamaica.
Durbin also believes it is "very important" for a council member to learn about the heritage of Jamaican and West Indian constituents. Plus, said Durbin, he is getting a close view of how local services work — in Kingston, at least.
"I'm living and volunteering in a low-income development down here. It's a very up-and-coming, low-income area," Durbin said before the phone connection died. "So, it's a nice opportunity to work with some social workers. Obviously, this area is a lot different from West Hartford … But my work here in the community will contribute to my service on the town council."
So "Rasta Rob" may continue to represent the needs of the people of West Hartford while soaking up the Jamaican rays. That should be interesting come budget time as we head into a budget that is already rumored to be at least a 7% increase.
Only in West Hartford.
5 WH Responses:
I am wondering if the University of London would be receptive to a suggestion that Councilor Durbin deliver his law lectures over the phone.
If, as I suspect, the answer is no, then I wonder if Councilor Durbin truly expects a different answer with respect to his duties on a legislative body of only nine that sets both policy for a city of over 60,000 residents, and an annual budget in excess of $200 million.
Councilor Durbin's open acknowledgment that he intends for several months to literally "phone it in" -- presumably via a connection that, based on a recent Courant article, has already died at least once -- is an affront to every resident and taxpayer of the town.
Nobody with a passing familiarity with West Hartford's very engaged electorate could reasonably believe that we would find this absurd proposal acceptable; I for one am somewhat dismayed that we elected to the Council someone who would even consider verbalizing it.
I assume that Councilor Durbin has no plans to run for re-election. His resume, which includes degrees from three of the most prestigious universities in the world, demonstrates that he is intelligent, capable, and accomplished. He surely recognizes that few in West Hartford will be inclined to vote for someone who apparently believes that he does not really need to be present to do the Council's important work.
I do not suggest that Councilor Durbin should not stay in Jamaica. A teaching position with the University of London is a tremendous, perhaps once-in-a-lifetime, opportunity, and Mr. Durbin's willingness to do volunteer work in a low-income community is truly commendable. But life is full of choices. No one can effectively serve as Town Councilor while living nearly 1,500 miles away.
As for his assertion that extended exposure to Jamaican and West Indian heritage will be beneficial to service on the Council, I presume that Mr. Durbin could make that case during a campaign for a future election after he returns. For now, however, if Councilor Durbin wishes to take this opportunity in Jamaica, he should resign from the Council so as to ensure that his constituents receive the full measure of the representation to which they are entitled.
P.S. – I was pleased to see that WHTalk is back.
WHTalk totally agrees with your comment and analysis, Kevin.
WHTalk is back and would like it known that this blogger was NOT away in Jamaica during this blogging hiatus.
Now that I think of it - wasn't there all sorts of hissy-fits going on when Councilman Adler wanted to attend meetings via phone? and he's local.
So does this usher in the new age of telecommuting Council members?
No one seemed to be bothered when Bruce Putterman was doing the BOE meetings by phone last year.
If I recall he also was not very active on the committees.
Is there a double standard for the BOE
and the little guy that was on the BOE...name escapes me right now...but he worked on the financials with Libby Spinella...he intercommunicated on a regular basis while sitting on the BOE
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