August 28, 2008

Klapatch is stepping down this year

I think I have neglected to mention that longtime Republican Registrar Ellie Klapatch is going to retire this year.
She's such an institution that it seems scarcely possible that she would move on, but that's what she's doing, years after she began talking about the possibility.
The GOP is backing Sharon Krawiecki, an assistant registrar who's gotten high marks, to take Klapatch's post.
The Democrats are once again supporting Bob Badal as their registrar.
I'll have a lot more to say about Klapatch's departure in the weeks ahead.

Here, though, is a story from July 2000 that provides a little bit about her background:

Klapatch says next term is last

The longest-serving elected official at City Hall -- Republican Registrar Ellie Klapatch -- plans to step down in two years from the post she has held since 1971.
"Time does fly by fast," Klapatch told local GOP leaders Monday after they unanimously endorsed her for what may prove the last time.
"If anybody deserves a vacation, it's this young lady," said former Mayor Stretch Norton, who has known Klapatch since their jitterbugging days at Lake Compounce.
In GOP circles, Klapatch serves as a sort of mother hen, the expert to rely on for information on
decades of city politics and arcane election rules.
She;s met every Republican president and presidential contender since Thomas Dewey in 1948 and is friends with governors, senators and scores of people across town.
Klapatch said she is determined to give up the registrar's job in 2002 so she can spend more
time with her family, including a son in Oregon.
She said, though, she'll keep up her politicking until she can't do it anymore.
"I could never stay home," Klapatch said.
The city has two full-time registrars, one from each party, who are elected every two years in what amounts to an uncontested election. The registrar's office's major job is to keep tabs on who is eligible to vote, about 30,000 people locally.
The city's first woman registrar, Klapatch shattered many of the traditional male bastions over the years.
In 1987, Klapatch was the first woman to run for mayor locally for a major party. She lost a three-way race.
She was also instrumental in bashing down the doors at the annual Crocodile Club dinner at Lake Compounce.
Klapatch and a small group of women marched into the formerly all-male dinner and sat down for a meal with the nation's oldest eating club. The sex barrier fell on the spot.
Norton said the GOP has "no harder worker" anywhere than Klapatch.
He said it's going to be "very hard to replace her" at City Hall when the time comes.
Klapatch said she's always tried to give everyone who walks into the registrar's office, of whatever political persuasion, the best service possible.
She said the toughest task in the next couple of years will be to revise local records to reflect whatever redistricting is dictated by the state in the wake of the new census.
"Redistricting will be a big challenge," said Klapatch, who has already dealt with it after the 1970, 1980 and 1990 censuses.
Much as she loves the work -- and the challenges -- she said she's about ready to have the chance to take summer vacations and spend her autumns outside the office for a change.
Klapatch said, though, she's not done yet.
"For the next two years, you know where you can find me," Klapatch said, in her familiar office on the first floor at City Hall, in a room decked with pictures of her standing with political bigshots and a bookshelf weighted down with all manner of Republican elephants.
When the time comes, she said, leaving won't be easy.
"I'll miss it. I really will," Klapatch said.

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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank God!!

Anonymous said...

I am a strong democratic supporter,and I have had some dealings with Ellie and I just want to say she was a very dedicated worker and her dealing with the public sometimes were a little rough, but she was a good person. How long would you have put up with all the jerks in Bristol. Good luck to you Ellie they are not going to realize the value of your hard work.

Anonymous said...

Ellie knew what the Republican Party was supposed to be. Her hard work and dedication to the cause will be missed.

Anonymous said...

Good riddance.

Bring on her protege (aka the degenerate).

Anonymous said...

I am a democrat and I always liked Ellie. I do not like Sharon K, she is very stuck up.

Anonymous said...

Bring on her protege (aka the degenerate)....and that wasn't in reference to the lovely Sharon.

Anonymous said...

Now that we are going to have a hot looking GOP registrar, expect a lot of new GOP voters.

Anonymous said...

sounds like sour grapes 1235 Sharon is a class act.

Anonymous said...

only if you're in the same class 4:46.

Anonymous said...

Ellie is not nice, there's just no other way to put it. I will not miss her.

Anonymous said...

disgusting that this is the only tribute to a person who has contributed more to the betterment of Bristol than most of the city would ever envision - Ellie, I am a Democrat but I respect your contributions to our community.

Anonymous said...

They don't make them like Ellie anymore, and her tireless dedication will certainly be missed.

Anonymous said...

And i thought it was just Bristol in the Uk that had such comments about it's politics - guess it's just a world wide problem - politics!

Anonymous said...

jeff:

Shut up.

Anonymous said...

Heard that Schaffrick has it locked up: Johnson is behind him.

Anonymous said...

Another step backward for the Republicans.

Anonymous said...

I am a democrat and I will miss Elle . I disagree with most of her thoughts but I can say she was always a respectful person to disagree with. These people on here should take some lessons from her. Getting personal anonomously accomplishes nothing. At least most people know that. Good luck and well wishes to you Elle for all your years of service to the community !

Anonymous said...

I didn't mean to misspell your name. My mistake I now know it's Ellie.

Anonymous said...

Nice try Stortz, Schaffrick is supporting Sharon Krawiecki. PLease Stortz retire and get out of politics.

Anonymous said...

Sorry wise guy I ain't Stortz and I am a democrat. A respectful one that happens to like Ellie. Unlike you "Hatemongers"

Anonymous said...

To 4:35 Who said anything about Sharon? And you're bragging that Schaffrick supports one of your own ?