In dueling press releases, the Republican and Democratic Parties of New Rochelle yesterday offered two very different ideas on how to best serve the needs of District 3. The Republicans have called for a Special Meeting of the City Council to appoint former County Legislator and Board of Education President Pearl Quarles to immediately fill the seat with the understanding that Quarles will not run in any elections in 2010 or 2011. The Democrats have proposed waiting until after a winner is declared in the District 3 Special Election scheduled for November 2nd and then appointing the winner to immediately fill the seat.

The City Charter gives the City Council the authority to immediately appoint a successor in the event a seat on the Council is vacated.

Democratic Party Press Release

NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Democrats on the New Rochelle City Council – Mayor Noam Bramson, Council Member Barry Fertel and Council Member Marianne Sussman – today issued the following joint statement concerning the vacancy in Council District Three:

Jim Stowe’ s sudden and tragic passing has set in motion a process defined under both the New Rochelle City Charter and New York State Public Officers Law for choosing a new Council representative in District Three.

We believe strongly that this critical choice should be made directly by the people of the Third District through their votes in a special election on November 2nd, and that the Council should not impose its will on District Three residents by making any appointment prior to the election.