Ellen K. Parrella, 78, of Newtown, died of complications from Multiple Myeloma, February 14, in the comfort of her home.
Obituary and memorial service information will follow.
The endorsement letter isn’t the problem — the branding is.
A group calling itself the “Democratic Women’s Caucus” strongly implies a party-connected, representative body. Yet one of the co-founders wrote here in the comments that it’s “not affiliated with any political party.” If that’s true, the name is misleading to readers.
We’ve seen this movie before. The Bee described the Newtown Conservation Coalition as “a public group based on the social media platform,” and noted that its name has confused residents because it closely resembles the Newtown Conservation Commission. Words matter, especially when they borrow the credibility of established civic institutions.
If the Democratic Women’s Caucus is simply two founders speaking for themselves, that’s fine — just be transparent and wait for it ... honest...
I agree with Ms Renner. The name is misleading. If you are NOT affiliated with a political party, why have it in your title? Both Miller and Bloom are both Democrats and I am also dismayed that Michelle Ku isn't getting your endorsement. A clear case of "With friends like this, who needs enemies?" I am an independent voter, and although I haven't voted for a Democrat since Obama, I have always found Ms Ku polite and not only willing to listen to both sides of a discussion with an open mind, she is extremely helpful with a follow-up contact to see if an issue is resolved.
This is a bizarre and misleading letter to our Newtown Bee. There has not been a Democratic Women's Caucus in Newtown. If there is one now, it was recently (and quietly) formed. I had expressed interest. I wasn't invited. And it was apparently formed without the official knowledge of the Democratic Town Committee. Who are its members? And why is it endorsing Brandon Moore, especially at this stage of the election process? Is this the endorsement of an established body of active women democrats or is it the preference of the two letter signers? Nothing against Brandon Moore, but Michelle Ku is also running for Connecticut State Assembly District 106. Michelle Ku, who is well-known in Newtown for her years of dedicated public service, Michelle Ku who has been a long-time advocate for women's issues, Michelle Ku who should have been invited to be a founding member of this so-called Democratic Women's Caucus. This Women's Caucus may only speak for the two people who signed this letter. It certainly doesn't speak for me, a democratic woman in Newtown.
