Accepting his party’s unanimous backing to become the new Republican Party chairman in Bristol Monday, TJ Barnes said the volunteer post “is not a fun job.”
“It’s like herding cats through a fence,” Barnes told the GOP’s town committee.
Democrats also united Monday behind a single candidate to serve as their town chairman: Elliott Nelson, a 25-year veteran of the city’s Fire Department.
Both men are low-key, behind-the-scenes leaders who are unlikely to follow the fire and brimstone style of some of their predecessors.
They will, no doubt, experience some of the same headaches that party chairs always face – clashing ambitions, warring factions and trying to find solid candidates in long-shot races.
“Sometimes the chairman is a thankless job,” said city Probate Judge Andre Dorval, a longtime political veteran on the Democratic side.
Nelson, 53, has been the Democrat’s treasurer in recent years and has helped out on many campaigns.
“Our party needs to be unified and I can’t think of a better person to do it,” said Mayra Sampson, a former Democratic chair. She said that the party is “constantly under attack” from the GOP and needs to stand up to the assault.
But Barnes, though a Republican loyalist whose family has deep roots in the city, isn’t likely to be the point man on many attacks.
Barnes, a former Republican chairman, said he reluctantly agreed to take the helm again because he wants to help improve the party’s standing in the community.
“I really think we have an opportunity here in Bristol to change how we’re viewed,” said Barnes, 35, who runs the investment arm of the Bristol-based Valley Bank.
Both men praised their predecessors, Republican Art Mocabee and Democrat Dean Kilbourne, each of whom chose not to seek another two-year term.
But they promised to bring different agendas and directions to their parties.
“I’m not the Art Mocabee style, definitely not front and center,” Barnes said.
Barnes said that while he can get “pretty enthusiastic and get out there and do the hard work,” he’s going to concentrate on building up the Republicans, not tearing down the Democrats.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
40 comments:
Good luck to both of them..... It is the most thankless job.... But then again, maybe these new guys will be a bit quite and not stir the pot... We really need to focus on downtown without any political plans......
I think the Earth moved!
Who won chairmanship of the Lincolnian Party?
"TJ Barnes said the volunteer post is not a fun job.”
No fun is being ultra rich and living off your trust fund.
The democrats should have no trouble with the republicans now.
Arty must be very happy. He has one of his Union boy's in charge of the DTC! He must have been worried that Zoppo was going to take him on next election!
We dems didn't have a choice. The meeting was very well (dare I say) scripted.
You republicans must think we are as dumb as you . We knew a long time ago what devide and conquer was. It ain't gonna work so stop !
March 25, 2008 11:50 AM:
You're dillusional. Zoppo is very alienated from your party...and I'm beginning to like her.
"You republicans must think we are as dumb as you . We knew a long time ago what devide and conquer was. It ain't gonna work so stop !"
March 25, 2008 11:50 AM
Believe me -- us republicans don't have to do anything to make you look dumb. You've done an excellent job of that already. Keep up the good work.
Barne$ is the obvious choice (of cour$e). He definately ha$ the correct qualificationS to impre$$ the right people and move the party into the proper po$ition.
He i$ the be$t and he is the cla$$iest and the coole$t a$ well.
Any que$tion$?
Hopefully he will do better at getting his party straightened out than he has in other areas.
Devide?
Yikes!!!!
It is a thankless job for both parties and these mindless posts convey. Any one of you want it? Didn't think so since all you can do is whine. Put up or shut up. You add no value here.....
...Amen 3:10! The only thing that these negative ninnies contribute is lots and lots of hot air.
Steve, is it true that somebody actually said "thank god for Art Ward" last night at the DTC?
I didn't hear it. But I was at the GOP meeting for quite awhile, too, so I didn't hear everything at either party meeting.
You republicans not only look dumb you are. See we can even stoop to your name -calling specialty. Just goes to show ya you can't think intelligently ! One has to wonder if you can even think.
Only shoot your hidden , cowardly mouth off. (from the hip)
.....yuk, yuk, da look at me, I a publican wit no place on a ballot, no spot on a ticket but I ben toed bi me mutter dat I knot dumbb - wanna vote on it?
March 25, 2008 4:11 PM
I know you are but what are we.
BABY
No - no one said "thank God for Art Ward" at the meeting last night. I was there the whole time.
And these posts are really getting childish. It's no wonder no new people want to get involved. They see how all of you behave and decide they don't want to re-enter the adolescent scene again.
THE UNION IS AT IT AGAIN. THE TIMES ARE CHANGING. SO BEST GO BACK TO SCHOOL MAY NEED TO FIND NEW WORK.
There go the same ol hate mongering naysayers again. Boring us to death . Colapietro and Union haters at it again. Think of something different if you can. We already know you hate everything unless it's republican.
Yes, someone said "Thank God for Art Ward." It was about veteran stuff.
Oh, right. Yes, I did hear that. A veteran who got help from Ward did say just that - and it appeared heartfelt, too.
Charity begins at home.
Did anyone say "Thank God for Art Ward and his treasurer making us look like idiots on campaign finance?" Or did Mayor Ward not even mention that little issue?
March 25, 2008 5:09 PM:
duhhhh I'm a Dumb-o-crap politshen who couldn't make it anywere but sweepin floors or diggin ditches. Sum big time union honcho wid a nice caddie give me a job tellin' peeeple in da' shop who ta vote fer. Now I'm a big deal and I'm smert and I'm bitter edjewcated than someone whi wint to herverd becawse mi union boss and my papa (when he's sober) told me I was reeel smert.
And I'm on da ballit!! So whutch owt!!!
March 25, 2008 5:09 PM;
What's the matter? Your mom said that you were stupid? Guess what? She was right!
March 25, 2008 4:11 PM:
It would surprise me if any of the negative comments about Ward's people or Ellen's people are coming from Republicans in this particular discussion.
Just my opinion from some simple observations.
So the point is LAY OFF JERK.
These blogs comments tell the story...Very sad....To much anger. Bristol needs to unite against what people say outside of bristol....Not each other....:)
Why would anyone take the train to Bristol maybe just to visit our beautiful mall and shop there
Mr. Tom Raganie said it was not going to be a mall what is it going to be Tom?
Perhaps the council could ride back and forth.
Will Elliot get Ward to appoint a democrat Corporation Counsel, or will Barnes get Ward to bring Krawiecki's name up like Ward hassled Stortz on Rosenthal.
Artie, you can't have it both ways.
To 5:09 I guess we know where you stand. You think people are pee ons and you are great. Try running your business with your own money. (what's wrong with ditch diggers and floor sweepers?) You have to pay them cause apparently you are too good to get your hands dirty !
Are we to believe that these negative people on here are typical republicans? How do they work with anyone? No wonder we are in trouble.
All the people on this blog who are negative are not just republicans. There are plenty of negative folks that are negative from both parties and that is the problem -- negative people. You can't blame it on one party or the other. That is just simple foolishness. Whiners and naysayers continue to bring down the value of this blog.
TJ:
Some advice-- Your personal life and family should come first.
To 1:13 I agree but why is it when a republican says something the blog is almost silent and when a Democrat says something you get a whole bunch of negative trash? It's pretty obvious that most of the negative people on here are in fact Republicans.
March 26, 2008 2:18 PM
Again, I think we are in agreement that both parties are guilty here of being negative. There are also a lot of independents posting. As for when a republican says something and it being silent. Ken C. comments were not met with silence. Nor were Ken J. or Bill S. etc.
Not true when Colapietro says something on here he is trashed and when Hamzy says something .....total silence . That doesn't tell you something ? Duh !! That's in response to 2:18.
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