Spero Jordanides, a long-time volunteer and city politican, has left the Board of Aldermen.
Jordanides submitted a letter saying he had to step down because he moved from his home. Aldermen said Jordanides had also fallen ill recently.
Jordanides, 88, a Democrat, could not be reached for comment Monday.
“I hereby thank my constituents who had so much confidence in my and elected me for several consecutive terms,” Jordanides wrote in his resignation letter. “I wish them the very best. GOD BLESS AMERICA.”
Board of Aldermen President Stephen Blume said he was sad to see Jordanides leave the board. Blume said Jordanides had gotten sick recently, but didn’t give specifics of his illness.
“He was an excellent Alderman,” Blume said. “While he was sick, he still made meetings. He was our representative to the Water Pollution Control Authority board. He was always there like clockwork.”
Mayor James Della Volpe said Jordanides joined the Board of Aldermen in 1999, when he first took office. He has been on the board ever since.
“I’m certainly going to miss him,” Della Volpe said. “He had a wealth of knowledge. He knew a lot about the history of our city. He was very helpful to the Fifth Ward.”
Jordanides, a life-long Ansonia resident, has a long history of civic involvement in the city.
In addition to his time on the Board of Aldermen, Jordanides also served on the Board of Education from 1991 to 1993. He has served as liaison from the Board of Aldermen on the Water Pollution Control Authority and the Retirement Board for several terms.
And in 1973, Jordanides made an attempt at mayor — in a Democratic primary against former Mayor Michael Adanti.
Resignations
Jordanides is the fourth Alderman to resign from the board since the 2009 election.
In September 2010, Seventh Ward Alderman Tara Kolakowski stepped down to take a position in City Hall as the government liaison.
She was replaced by David Knapp in October.
Then in November, Second Ward alderman James Fainer resigned because of work conflicts.
He was replaced by Peter Danielczuk.
In February, Fifth Ward alderman Pasquale Pietrangelo stepped down, and was replaced by Jay Fainer.
Blume said the resignations are not characteristic of the board, and blamed the economy and the level of work involved for Aldermen.
“This job takes an awful lot of time if you’re going to do it right,” Blume said. “It’s very difficult for people now, especially for people who are working two jobs.”
Blume said the Democratic party intends to replace Jordanides.
Anyone living in the Fifth Ward who is interested in serving on the Board of Aldermen should contact the mayor’s office at (203) 736‑5900.
Michael Lee-Murphy contributed to this report.
