17 November 2025

Bloomfield's Crisis of Governance Part 1: An Investigative Series

 


Part 1: The Mandate Denied

Inside the 7-2 vote, soaring legal bills, and the political war that defined the new council's first meeting.

By Peter C. Frank, Independent Reporter & Bloomfield Resident
(Part 1 of an investigative series; read the article that kicked off this investigative series)

November 16, 2025, BLOOMFIELD, CT — The inaugural meeting of the Bloomfield Town Council on November 10, 2025, was not a celebration of democracy but a masterclass in its subversion. In less than ten minutes, a 7-2 vote by the incumbent majority dismissed the clear will of the voters, a new councilor who ran on a platform of unity voted to suppress the electorate, and the newly re-installed mayor threatened to have dissenting residents ejected from the chamber.

This was not an isolated incident. It was the public face of a government defined by a documented culture of financial secrecy, procedural obfuscation, and a fundamental contempt for the very public it claims to serve.

I. The First Ten Minutes: A Procedural Coup

The evening began with the election of the Mayor. The tension was palpable, as the November 4th municipal election had sent a clear message: Councilmember Suzette DeBeatham-Brown had secured the highest number of votes (3,439), earning a clear mandate for leadership.

The council's leadership, however, had a different plan.

Deputy Town Manager Sharron Howe, acting as initial chair, called for nominations. The incumbent, Anthony Harrington, was nominated. Councilmember Shamar Mahon attempted to speak against the nomination but was immediately shut down by Howe, who insisted, "Not at this time. This is for nominations only... We'll have an opportunity for discussion."

That discussion never happened.

Mahon then nominated Suzette DeBeatham-Brown, "in order to respect the people's will." The council proceeded directly to a roll call.

The vote was 7-2. The mandate of 3,439 voters was dismissed.

As residents in the chamber erupted in protest, Harrington, in his first official act as mayor of the Town of Bloomfield for the 2025-2027 term, delivered an ultimatum:

"We must have order in the chamber... Any outburst in this chamber, you will need to leave the chamber."

The threat worked. But the incident—combined with Harrington's request to close the chamber doors, which Mahon publicly objected to—galvanized the room. Residents who "had not come prepared to speak" felt compelled to approach the podium to voice their disgust at what they had just witnessed.

II. The "Mandate Denied": Charter vs. Tradition

Supporters of the incumbent majority quickly moved to legitimize the dismissal of the public's choice.

"I'm... disappointed to hear the notion that the selection of a mayor is based upon the voters," announced resident and former Board of Education chair Bradley Klein. "It is not. It is based upon the council."

This argument—that the Town Charter gives the nine council members the legal right to choose their own leader—is the administration's sole defense. But it is a defense of convenience, one that ignores the "tradition" of seating the top vote-getter that has been the recent precedent.

Multiple sources, including news reports and the town's own Wikipedia entry, describe the mayor's position as 'traditionally given to the top vote-getter on the town council.' Former Mayor Sydney Schulman served six terms as mayor precisely because he was repeatedly the top vote-getter. Most recently, Danielle Wong became mayor in 2022 after receiving the highest vote percentage (14.3%) in the November 2021 election and retained the position after winning the 2023 primary. Even DeBeatham-Brown herself acknowledged in September 2025 that 'the mayor has typically been the candidate with the most votes in the general election.

It is also a defense that rings hollow when, as resident James Biffer noted in a public forum on Facebook, "the Council has routinely violated the Charter for the past 4 years... They have clearly never read it, and don't feel bound by it."

In response to this dismissal, Councilmember DeBeatham-Brown, who was not given the opportunity to deliver her prepared inaugural remarks, reiterated her stance in a public letter to the Bloomfield Messenger titled "I WILL AMPLIFY YOUR VOICE". She shared with this reporter the full version of her undelivered speech:

I am not beholden to this Council. I am not beholden to anyone who writes anonymous emails or hides behind misinformation. My commitment is absolute, and my allegiance is singular. I am beholden to the 3,439 residents who voted for me, and by extension, to every single person in the Town of Bloomfield. That is the standard of servant leadership we need going forward. The residents of Bloomfield... deserve a government that operates with integrity. They deserve leaders who prioritize competence, transparency, and accountability over self-interest.

III. The Vote, The Gap, and The Unanswered Question

The 7-2 vote included newly elected councilor Darrell Goodwin, who had run on a platform of "faith, unity, and moral guidance." His vote to override the electorate was seen by many as a betrayal of that platform.

But his vote at the meeting is not the only anomaly. An analysis of the election results reveals a significant vote deficit. While his Democratic running mates (excluding the mayoral front-runners) all received votes in the 3200-3300+ range, Goodwin received just over 3,000—a gap of nearly 200-300 votes.

This deficit is notable given that Goodwin made history as the first openly LGBTQIA+ resident to be elected to the Bloomfield Town Council. This historic first occurred in a town with a significant Afro-Caribbean demographic, a community which has, historically (due to colonization), held anti-LGBTQIA+ views.

When I (as an openly LGBTQIA+ resident and reporter) submitted a question to Councilor Goodwin asking if he believed this verifiable vote deficit was related to his historic candidacy or potential anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiment, he declined to answer.

This "empty chair" is becoming a pattern. Resident Rickford Kirton has publicly alleged that Goodwin is now "blocking residents" on social media for asking why he did not support the will of the people—a stark contradiction to the "transparency and accountability" he promised.

IV. "It Makes Me Sick to My Stomach"

The public comment period became a grim procession of residents detailing the real-world cost of the council's internal focus.

"I go on Facebook, and I read the comments... from seniors saying 'I can't afford my taxes, I'm gonna have to leave my home,'" said resident Sherry Levine, her voice heavy. "And I'll tell you, that makes me sick to my stomach."

She then posed the night's most important question directly to Mayor Harrington: "What do you have in place to help these seniors... that are afraid of losing their homes?"

The Mayor's answer—"more affordable housing" and "economic development"—was received as a total non-answer. The issue is not a lack of new housing; it is the inability of seniors to afford the homes they already own.

The sense of betrayal was palpable. "I think you had too many non-public meetings and agreements," said Dr. Anne Pidano. "I think you did some back-room deals."

V. A Documented Culture of Obfuscation

This procedural "obfuscation" is a documented, multi-year pattern.

1. The Missing Election Results: As of November 16, 2025—twelve days after the election—the Town of Bloomfield's website still fails to provide accessible, certified election results. The link for the "2025 Municipal Election Results - Signed Moderator Report" is broken, and instead directs users to a July 2025 service quote from CivicPlus. This is a fundamental failure of transparency, forcing citizens to hunt for the official data on the state's EMS portal.

2. The Delinquent Audits: For years, this administration has failed to file its mandatory financial audits on time. As of this report, Bloomfield is still listed on the state's "FY 2024 Delinquent Financial Audit Reports". This is not an allegation; it is a public record of financial failure.

3. The FOIC Fine: In July 2025, Town Manager Alvin D. Schwapp Jr. was fined $1,500 by the state's Freedom of Information Commission (FOIC) for "deliberate delays" and a "pattern of behavior" that demonstrated a "lack of diligence bordering on deliberate obstruction."

Why this matters: This finding is not a minor procedural issue. The Freedom of Information Act is a non-negotiable state law (C.G.S. § 1-200 et seq.), not an optional 'program' that can be ignored when an administration deems a request a 'nuisance.' As Town Manager, Mr. Schwapp has sworn an oath to uphold the laws of the State of Connecticut. The FOIC's ruling is a formal, legal finding that the town's chief executive—a former high-ranking law enforcement official—personally oversaw what the commission found to be a "pattern of behavior" of "deliberate obstruction."

This documented failure to uphold a foundational 'sunshine law' is a lynchpin of the 'culture of secrecy' residents like Dr. Pidano and James Biffer have cited. It establishes obstruction as the administration's default response to public scrutiny. Furthermore, it raises a critical, unavoidable question: If the administration is willing to deliberately obstruct access to public records—an act for which it was fined—what is it trying to hide regarding the delinquent FY2024 audit, the $393,980 in legal fees paid in just four months, and the 78% spending spike approved for the Town Council's own budget?

VI. The "Empty Chair" and The Hypocrisy of the Press

In the 40 hours following the meeting, this reporter submitted three detailed questions via text and email to Mayor Harrington, Deputy Mayor Cindi Lloyd, and Councilor Goodwin regarding the delinquent audits, the structural deficit, and the culture of secrecy.

At 3:56 PM on November 12, Mayor Harrington replied via SMS:

"Good afternoon sir. I am not able to respond to your request as I am one of nine counselors and we need to speak in one voice. Any future communications must first go through our Department of Operations and Communications for the Town of Bloomfield. Thank you!"

At 4:00 PM, the same questions were sent to that exact communications department, as directed.

Councilor Goodwin was the only official in the majority to respond. His reply:

"I will not be offering a statement for your article. Thank you for the clear invitation."

No other response was received. This administration—which is in violation of state audit deadlines and was fined by the state for secrecy—refused to answer a single question from an independent resident reporter.

The hypocrisy is stunning. The Fox61 news report on this incident claimed it "reached out to all the town councilors." This is questionable, at best. Both Councilmember Mahon and Ms. DeBeatham-Brown have publicly stated they were never contacted. My analysis of the broadcast video confirms it contained no interviews with them.

The administration, having enforced a "media blackout" by refusing to speak to me and (allegedly) to the dissenting councilors, is actively controlling the narrative.

The residents of Bloomfield deserve better. They deserve answers. And they deserve a government that doesn't threaten to eject them for demanding them.

[Edit: This article was revised at 8:48 pm to indicate that the meeting was initially called to order by the Deputy Town Manager, not the Town Clerk.]

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this investigative series, where we will follow the money and expose the financial crisis this administration is hiding: including $393,980.29 in legal fees in just four months, a 78% spending spike in the council's own department, and the $72,000,000 tax abatement deal championed by this new mayor.

Companion Backgrounder: The Crisis in Bloomfield

For a national reader, the political chaos in Bloomfield, Connecticut, can be understood as a microcosm of a larger American crisis: a breakdown in local government transparency and financial accountability.

Bloomfield is a diverse, first-ring suburb of Hartford with a population of just over 21,000 and a significant, politically active Afro-Caribbean community.

The current crisis stems from a 7-2 Democratic supermajority on the Town Council, led by Mayor Anthony Harrington and Deputy Mayor Cindi Lloyd. This incumbent bloc, which operates with near-total power, has been plagued by a series of scandals that have eroded public trust:

  • The Mayoral Vacancy: In August 2025, former Mayor Danielle Wong resigned amidst significant controversy. Her council seat was filled by appointee Darrell Goodwin, and the council (per the charter) elected one of its own, Anthony Harrington, to serve as the new Mayor.

  • The Financial Crisis: The town is currently on the state's delinquent audit list for fiscal year 2024, continuing a multi-year pattern of financial mismanagement.

  • The Secrecy Ruling: The administration's leader, Town Manager Alvin Schwapp Jr., was personally fined $1,500 by the state's Freedom of Information Commission (FOIC) in July 2025 for what the commission called "deliberate delays" and "obstruction" in providing public records.

  • The 2025 Election: The November 4, 2025, election was seen as a referendum on this leadership. Voters elevated a dissenting Democrat, former mayor Suzette DeBeatham-Brown, to be the top vote-getter (3,439 votes). However, at the November 10th organizational meeting, the 7-member incumbent bloc (including the newly appointed Goodwin) ignored this mandate and voted to re-install Harrington as Mayor, leading to public outrage and the events detailed in this report.

Citation List 

1. Town Council Meeting (November 10, 2025)

2. Town Council Meeting (November 13, 2023)

3. State & Legal Documents

4. Official Town Documents & Publications

5. Public Records: Town of Bloomfield & State of CT

5.1    Bloomfield Democratic Town Committee (2023). Darrell Goodwin... "first openly gay man..."

5.2     Fox61 News (Nov 12, 2025). "Bloomfield town leaders hoping to turn the page..."

5.3     Town of Bloomfield. "2025 Muncipal Election Results - Nov. 4." CivicAlerts.

5.4    Town of Bloomfield. "2025 Municipal Election Results - Signed Moderator Report."

5.5    Town of Bloomfield. "DocumentCenter/View/7617" (CivicPlus Quote #Q-104246-1, July 22, 2025).

5.6    State of CT Election Management System (EMS). (ctemspublic.tgstg.net).

  • URL: https://ctemspublic.tgstg.net/

  • Note: This is the main portal. The user must select the "11/04/2025 -- November 2025 Municipal Election" from the dropdown to see the results.

6. Comparative Analysis:

6.1    CT Office of Policy and Management (OPM). "Delinquent Municipal Audits - FY 2024." (List dated 10/1/2025).

6.2    CT Freedom of Information Commission. Final Decisions Database.

6.3    Inside Investigator (July 2025). "Not Credible: FOIC Fines Bloomfield Manager $1,500."

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2 comments:

  1. Roy L DuncanSaturday, November 22, 2025 at 10:33:00 AM EST

    Bloomfield's officials are showing their true colors for all to see. It is obvious that all but two are crooks. The rest are being exposed to sunlight which will cause them to shrivel like the vampires they are. I have never in my 50 years in this town witnessed anything as blatantly criminal as what I am now witnessing. I suspect that town officials are being looked at by the FBI along with State Sen. Doug McCrory. That is the only reasonable explanation for their silence regards the delinquent 2024 audit. There must be a gag order in place. Time and good investigative reporting will tell.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Roy L DuncanSaturday, November 22, 2025 at 10:36:00 AM EST

    Excellent piece, Peter. Keep up the good work. This town needs you.

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