Councilman Appointed West Hartford Town Clerk

WEST HARTFORD, CT —The town is about to lose its longtime town clerk to retirement, but the West Hartford Town Council this week appointed one of its own to replace her.

The council voted 7-0 Tuesday, with one abstention and one recusal, to appoint Democratic Councilman Leon Davidoff to replace outgoing West Hartford Town Clerk Essie Labrot, who announced her retirement earlier this month.

Labrot, a Democrat, was first elected to the post in 2007 and will formally step down April 7, giving Davidoff, who recused himself from the vote because he was the one being appointed, time to learn the job.

Davidoff will at least finish Labrot's term until November.

The appointment of Davidoff — who will also finish his council term until November, when he will presumably run for his own term as town clerk — came with mostly warm welcomes and confidence.

But one Republican council member, minority leader Mary Fay, expressed some concern about Davidoff's ability to function as a town clerk and as a business owner.

Davidoff is co-owner of The Paper Station in Newington, a retail store selling greeting cards, stationary, children's books and specialty gift items.

Fay questioned Davidoff's commitment to the town while he's also running a business and, during discussions of the motion to appoint Davidoff, openly raised the issue.

"I do believe this is important for taxpayers to know. Is he going to approach this from a full-time standpoint or not? I think this is very, very important," said Fay, who was not in attendance at the meeting, but calling in via telephone.

West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor said that was an issue she should bring up with Davidoff, as the motion on the floor was to appoint him.

Cantor said she had been assured Davidoff would be able to serve the town as town clerk.

"There is no one more qualified to fill in," said Cantor on Davidoff. "He will do a fabulous job and take good care of us."

Ultimately, Fay didn't vote "no" to Davidoff's appointment, but she was the lone councilperson to not vote in favor, opting to abstain instead.

The rest of the council, including two of Fay's fellow Republicans, voted in favor and expressed confidence in Davidoff taking over the new role.

Councilman Alberto Cortes, a Republican, said a combination of Davidoff's experience and methodology makes him a good choice.

He said he's always worked well with Davidoff.

"I met Leon during campaigning and he's always been a gentleman," Cortes said. "We talk about experience. Experience is easy. But with Leon, we know the why. That's what make him the perfect person."

West Hartford Deputy Mayor Liam Sweeney, a Democrat, said Davidoff has been a mentor to him as he's navigated his way through public service.

He cited Davidoff's attention to detail as being a critical element to being a good town clerk.

"What makes him really well fit for this job is his attention to detail, as some of us have painfully heard every night," Sweeney said with a chuckle amid laughter from his colleagues present.

"With that, I think it makes him immensely qualified for this position. He knows where everything is hidden in this town." Sweeney said. "He knows exactly what to do."

Democratic Councilperson Carol Blanks agreed.

"When he makes decisions, he makes sure that he has studied it and received all of the information. And then he will basically provide a response," she said.

While Davidoff was welcomed to his new role, council members also expressed regret Labrot was retiring, citing her years of service to the town.

"Yes, this is a hard one for us," said Cantor. "This is a very demanding position. Essie has been stellar and is so well-respected by her colleagues."

From Jan. 18: 'West Hartford's Town Clerk To Retire: Report'

For the minutes of the Jan. 24 West Hartford Town Council meeting, click on this link.