Enfield Democratic Town Committee Chair Resigns

ENFIELD, CT — The chair of the Enfield Democratic Town Committee resigned from that post Thursday, effective Aug. 5, and also announced she is vacating her candidacy as a Democratic nominee for a seat on the Board of Education in this fall's municipal election.

Liz Davis, a retired 24-year veteran of the U.S. Army and Connecticut Army National Guard, has been an at-large member of the Enfield Town Council since May 2016, and Town Committee chair since March of that year.

Her resignation comes on the heels of a contentious nominating caucus last week, during which a presented slate of candidates for council and school board seats was met with opposition by some committee members. An ensuing hour-long discussion, which at times became heated, resulted in longtime Board of Education secretary Tina LeBlanc opting to not seek renomination, and Davis being selected to run for school board.

Davis' resignation letter, sent Thursday to all Democratic Town Committee members, reads:

Effective August 5, 2019, I am resigning my position as Chair of the Enfield Democratic Town Committee. This decision comes after much personal reflection and discussion with my family. It has been a deep honor to serve in this role. My greatest joy has come from meeting others and hearing their concerns about town issues and also from seeing citizens advocate on their own behalf by speaking up in public meetings. The true nature of effective leadership is to influence transformational change and instill advocacy in others.

During my time in this role, we have built a positive coalition of citizens who I hope will continue to remain in touch with me in the future. I am not leaving the local political conversation, and plan to continue to work to elevate the voice of ALL Enfield citizens. I will continue to be a strong voice within the Enfield community on all town matters that effect our citizens.

I am resigning as Chair, relinquishing my individual seat on the Enfield Democratic Town Committee, and also resigning my candidacy as a Democrat for the Board of Education, effective August 5, 2019.

I will be meeting with the Vice Chair Ginny Higley to ensure a smooth transition to new leadership.

At-large council candidate Colleen Reidy, who was endorsed by the Democrats at the caucus alongside current councilors Gina Cekala and Bill Kiner and longtime former councilor Cindy Mangini, told Patch she is also vacating her candidacy. Her brief letter, submitted Wednesday night, reads:

I appreciate the Committee's nomination, unfortunately after what I witnessed the other evening; I am uncomfortable with moving forward with the Enfield Democratic Committee. I am resigning immediately from my nomination for Town Council at Large.

District 3 council candidate Marcy Taliceo emailed the committee:

I wanted to reach out to the committee at large to express my deep sadness as a lifelong Democrat that I am stepping down from the Committee and will not be running in District 3. I will also no longer be Director of Community Outreach.

Democratic constable Eileen MacDonald, who had been tabbed to seek re-election, told Patch Friday she has withdrawn her candidacy, as well as resigned from the town committee. Board of Education endorsed candidate Monica Wright has followed the same path,she said.

Reidy said she and several others are working on a political action committee to run on the same line on the November ballot.