The executive board of the Derby Town Democratic Committee was scheduled to meet Tuesday (Nov. 29) to discuss the ballot error that caused the wrong James Butler to be elected to the city’s tax board.
Democrats erred in filling out election paperwork and listed incumbent tax board member James R. Butler on the Election Day ballot as his son, former Derby fire chief James J. Butler. Click here for our previous story.
Derby Republicans pointed out the mistake through a letter sent to Derby Town Clerk Laura Wabno Nov. 22.
The “wrong guy elected” story was picked up and published by news outlets all over the planet.
Still up in the air — which Butler will be sworn in during a ceremony scheduled for Saturday (Dec. 3), at 11 a.m. at the Derby High School auditorium on Nutmeg Avenue.
Derby Democratic Town Committee Chairperson Sheila Parizo talked to lawyers with the Secretary of State’s Office Friday afternoon, according to Av Harris, a spokesman for the Secretary of State.
E‑mails were then exchanged between the Derby Dems and the Secretary of State’s Office Tuesday morning, Harris said.
Harris said the Derby Dems have, essentially, two options for Saturday.
1. Have James J. Butler (the son) sworn in, and then resign (or resign prior to the swearing-in ceremony), then fill the tax board vacancy according to the rules in Derby’s Charter, or
2. Go to court and ask a judge to intervene
In the e‑mails, which were forwarded to the Valley Indy by the Secretary of State’s office, Parizo indicates Derby Dems want to swear-in James J. Butler and replace him with his father.
Parizo’s e‑mails look for confirmation that Derby Dems will be able to caucus after the swearing-in ceremony and appoint the correct Butler to the tax board.
Ted Bromley, an attorney with the Secretary of State’s Office, replied that the son can be sworn in and submit a letter of resignation effective Dec. 4. The vacancy would be filled according to Derby’s Charter.
In an e‑mail to the Valley Indy, Rob Hyder, a member of the Derby Democratic Committee’s executive board, said the Dems will discuss their options and possibly have a decision as to how they plan to proceed by late Tuesday.
James J. Butler, the man who may be sworn in Saturday despite not running for office, said the Democratic Party is working with the state to correct the issue.
“There is another meeting tonight to get it resolved. It should be noted that all sides are working together to resolve the matter for the best interest of the city,” Butler said in an e‑mail Tuesday morning.
