Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee The Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee Public Hearing followed by a Committee Meeting [Source] Translate

The Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee held a public hearing to discuss four agenda items, beginning with the nomination of Tammy Nguyen O'Dowd to the Judicial Review Council. O'Dowd, who has been a Superior Court judge since 2017 and is currently the Chief Administrative Judge for Juvenile Matters, expressed her gratitude for the nomination. She highlighted the council's role in maintaining public confidence in the judicial system and ensuring accountability for judges. O'Dowd addressed questions about her experience on the council, noting an increase in complaints, particularly from family court, which she attributed to more self-represented litigants and COVID-19-related delays. Committee members raised concerns about the transparency of the complaint process, and O'Dowd assured them that the council reviews all relevant information when handling complaints. The committee then moved on to the nomination of Eugene Calistro, Jr., who has served as a Superior Court judge for eight years. Calistro emphasized the importance of accountability within the judiciary and described the complaint handling process as collaborative. He discussed the range of sanctions that could be imposed on judges and acknowledged the challenges of judging colleagues. Calistro suggested that increased public awareness of the Judicial Review Council's functions could be achieved through outreach efforts. Next, Christine Pereira-Pillow, a nominee for the Judicial Review Council, introduced herself. She has served as a Superior Court judge since 2022 and has extensive experience in public defense. Pereira-Pillow stressed the importance of the council in ensuring judicial accountability and suggested improvements for public understanding of the complaint process. She noted an increase in complaints due to COVID-19 backlogs and public awareness. The meeting then shifted to the nomination of Harry Rilling for the Connecticut Port Authority Board of Directors. Rilling discussed his background in public service and his commitment to environmental protection. He highlighted the economic impact of Norwalk's docks and the importance of smaller harbors for development. Concerns were raised about the redevelopment of the Connecticut State Pier, and Rilling emphasized the need for creativity and investment in infrastructure. Cybersecurity was identified as a critical issue for port security, and Rilling expressed his commitment to sustainable energy. The meeting concluded with a series of votes on nominations. Christine Pera Rapillo was unanimously confirmed to the Judicial Review Council, followed by Harry Rilling's unanimous confirmation to the Connecticut Port Authority Board of Directors. The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, the 19th, at the same time and location, and the meeting was recessed until 3 p.m. that day. Informal exchanges among members included discussions about room locations and technical issues during the voting process, with members expressing support for the nominees.