With his wife and daughter at his side, (right) Windsor, Connecticut Mayor Don Trinks -wearing his Jerry Garcia tie – listens to nominations at the July 18 Democratic caucus.

 Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb 

Democrats took another step July 18 in righting what many say was a wrong done to longtime Windsor, Connecticut Mayor Donald Trinks. At a Thursday night caucus, Windsor Democrats unanimously backed the endorsed slate for the town council- with Trinks on it -to run in the November municipal election.

Mayor Donald Trinks is congratulated by Leonard Swade.

Nonetheless, it was only a few weeks ago that Trinks was blindsided by members of his own party. Despite being what some call the most electable person in this quaint New England hamlet, having garnered the highest number of votes for town council in the last six consecutive town elections, he was left off the recommended slate for the upcoming election by the Windsor Democrat Town Committee’s nominating committee. Public outcry was swift and loud. It culminated in a rally outside the Windsor Town Hall prior to a June 6 DTC meeting where Trinks was nominated from the floor and voted onto the endorsed slate with full backing by the town committee.

Though denied, the snub of Trinks was speculated to be political payback on behalf of a former rival for elected office to the state General Assembly, who also chaired the Windsor DTC until abruptly resigning as part of an apparent fallout from the failed ouster of Trinks.

Dan Nolan, (right), a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, turned out to support Don Trinks citing the mayor’s unwavering support of veterans.

“I harbor no ill-will,” Trinks said following the caucus vote at Windsor High School.

“Personally, I’m relieved. I always thought the five of us made a strong slate,” added Trinks, referring to the newly caucus-nominated council ticket.

Nominated to run for town council were Trinks, Alan Simon, William Herzfeld, Jody Terranova and Randy McKenney; for board of education Doreen Richardson, Darlene Klase, Richard O-Reilly, Leonard Lockhart and Kenneth Williams; for constable, Vivian Cicero and Ina Forman.

Among those who attended the caucus specifically to support Trinks was Dan Nolan, a highly regarded veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nolan said he came to back Trinks because Trinks has always supported the veterans.

“Knowing Don and his compassion for veterans and his demeanor of consistently supporting veterans, I want to support him for the top position of mayor. I know I can trust him to do the right thing,” said Nolan.

Nolan’s sister, Noreen Nolan agreed. “I wholeheartedly support Don Trinks. I think he has been great for the town of Windsor and I would like to see the tradition continue of him being the top vote-getter in the fall election,” said Noreen Nolan.

Former deputy mayor Tim Curtis also turned out.

Windsor, Ct Deputy Mayor Al Simon with former deputy mayor Tim Curtis.

“It was good to show we do have party unity. We’re going to be very strong pushing our slate of unified incumbents,” said Curtis.

After putting  in a stressful several weeks, that had included three budget referendum defeats in Windsor, this week turned out well noted Trinks. On a fourth try, the town budget was passed by voters on Tuesday and the caucus was calm and unified. Trinks wasn’t taking any chances though; known to wear a favorite “Grateful Dead” t-shirt for luck at budget referendum time, he traded it in for a Jerry Garcia tie which he wore to the caucus.

“See, here it is,” he said humorously.

The next challenge said Trinks is taking on what he described as a good slate put forth by Windsor Republicans (to view the GOP caucus-nominated slate visit courant.com), while vying for votes with a third party – an independent party that has been established in town.

So, voters can probably expect to see a lot of that Jerry Garcia tie between now and November.