SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn. — A political coup is brewing in South Windsor where a majority of Republicans on the town council want to oust one of their own from leadership. It’s an issue that few residents knew about.
The town council tried to call a special meeting recently twice, but both times it was canceled because of clerical errors and procedural reasons. Republican councilors vow that the meeting will soon be rescheduled and move forward and the only agenda item will be to remove the mayor from her position.
“I’m doing my job. I am doing what I am supposed to do,” Mayor Audrey Delinicki, a Republican, said.
As the town council’s top vote-getter in November of 2023, Delnicki's fellow Republicans appointed her as the South Windsor mayor.
Councilors said that it isn’t required by the town charter that the top vote-getter becomes the mayor, but the council has adopted that philosophy as a matter of tradition.
“As far as I can see she is doing an excellent job,” South Windsor resident Roger Anderson said.
A majority of her fellow Republicans on the town council now disagree.
“We collectively felt that her leadership style is not in the best interest of the town,” Toby Lewis, Republican town councilor, said.
They have asked Delnicki to resign.
“They asked me at the last caucus to resign and I refused,” Delnicki said.
Delnicki spoke inside the Republican caucus room, where she said tempers would flare and personalities would collide privately, until now.
“You argue. You vet issues. They say I don’t listen. Well they don’t listen either,” Delnicki said.
Delnicki said she was hopeful she could keep their differences inside the caucus room, but the recent demand that she resign forced her hand.
The South Windsor Town Council consists of nine members. Six are Republicans. It was a big majority win for a party that has struggled to gain ground in the Hartford suburbs. They are now facing internal turmoil amid discord and division.
“We will not demean or slander her as I’m sure many will do to us in the coming days. See, that is the difference. We believe that a leader knows the way, goes the way and shows the way,” Lewis said.
Some councilors called Delnicki a bully.
She responded, “In the caucus room, yeah. I’ll admit it, yeah. Because I’m trying to get them to look at the agenda.”
Delnicki noted that she is blunt and procedural and said her colleagues often don’t adhere to council rules, don’t prepare to discuss agenda items, complain about meeting times and go off on long winded tangents. She claimed she is trying to bring order to chaos.
“As a leader I’m trying to pull them back in. I show my frustration. I may be sarcastic. I may be mean. But that’s what a caucus is for,” Delnicki said.
The canceled agenda shows Republicans want to oust Delnicki for a “lack of leadership, lack of transparency, withholding information and a future no confidence vote.”
Resident Roger Anderson added, “It’s not unusual for South Windsor, unfortunately. But it doesn’t speak well for us. We should work together. Both parties.”
South Windsor Republicans campaigned on a promise of cutting spending and lowering taxes. Something they didn’t deliver on in the recent budget. Delnicki said South Windsor loves their services and that she didn’t want to eliminate staff. She regrets not being able to cut taxes.
“Yes. I am a citizen. I’m paying the higher taxes as well," Delnicki said.
Once that special meeting is scheduled, the public will have the opportunity to comment. In addition to removing Delnicki, the Republicans said they want to appoint current Deputy Mayor Matt Siracusa as mayor.
Delnicki is the wife of Republican State Rep. Tom Delnicki.
Matt Caron is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at mcaron@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
MORE NEWS:
---
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Stream Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.