Scott Slifka Officially Confirmed as Mayor

As expected, Scott Slifka was re-nominated for president of the West Hartford Town Council at Tuesday night’s meeting, and with a unanimous vote was officially confirmed as mayor of West Hartford. The position of mayor traditionally belongs to the Town Council member who receives the highest vote total in the municipal election.

Shari Cantor, who received the second highest vote total in November’s election, was nominated for vice-president and also approved by a unanimous vote. She now assumes the position of deputy mayor.

“I hope tonight by being named to this leadership position she will begin to get credit for what we know she has done for all of these years,” Slifka said in his nomination of Cantor.

Republican Denise Hall will retain the position of minority leader, and Town Clerk Essie Labrot will remain clerk to the Town Council.

Prior to the swearing in of the new Council, each member presented testimonials to retiring Deputy Mayor Tim Brennan, thanking him for his commitment to the community. Brennan, who did not seek re-election this November, was first elected to the Council in 2007.

Slifka thanked town leaders for stepping up and going above and beyond their jobs following October’s freak snowstorm that resulted in a devastating loss of power to nearly the entire town.  “The storm was a terrible ordeal, but I think it showed the character of the town and how we could work together to be the best that we could be.”

“Let’s keep our eyes open, look for unity, and get to work,” Slifka said.