Anne Wennerstrand fills District C vacancy on Common Council

Norwalk Democrats Monday night appointed Anne Wennerstrand to fill the open Common Council seat for District C.

Wennerstrand was the only person nominated for the position during the meeting of the Norwalk Democratic Town Committee.

“I’m ready for this and I really appreciate the trust that you’re placing in me,” Wennerstrand told the committee following her selection.

Wennerstrand was nominated for the position by Jenn McMurrer, who was one of two council members from District C who resigned in June.

McMurrer described Wennerstrand as “thoughtful, has a great temperament, and is a good listener, and genuinely cares about the community.”

The other council member to resign in June was Melissa Murray. Her seat was filled in July with the appointment by the Democratic Town Committee of Nicole Eaddy.

According to the City Charter, replacement of council members who do not complete their term in office is up to the political party to which they belong.

Although the appointment took place during the town committee meeting, only the 11 committee members from District C were eligible to make a nomination. Since only one person was nominated there was no vote taken.

“We will direct the party secretary to record one vote for Anne,” said Town Committee Chairman Colin Hosten after asking three times if there were any other nominations without receiving a reply.

During a meeting of District C Democrats earlier this month, Wennerstrand said she is a clinical social worker with a small mental health practice in Westchester County, N.Y.

My life’s work has been as a social worker and therapist, and I’ve been politically active my whole life, Wennerstrand said.

Wennerstrand said she and her husband moved to Norwalk about 3 1/2 years ago, first as renters, then purchasing a home on Rome Street.

With Wennerstrand’s appointment, the council consists of 14 Democrats and one member of the Independent Party.