Framingham Democrats ‘Disavow’ Its Chair, But Vote To Have Meeting To Discuss Hugo’s Removal Fails

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FRAMINGHAM – The Framingham Democratic Committee met for more than 2.5 hours with the main focus of discussion on its embattled chair Mike Hugo.

On February 7, Hugo sent a 4-page letter on Framingham Democratic Committee letterhead saying he was speaking for the Committee and spoke at the City Council meeting that night on February 7, again stating he was representing the Committee.

In the letter he wrote “As for those who say that our Council has no business dealing with a “state issue,” we ask if the state is going to cover the medical costs for a fetus that had sound medical reason to be terminated? is the state going to cover the costs of special education for a down’s syndrome affected child? Is the state going to pay for the extraordinary medical expense of a child with an atrial septal defect? How much does Framingham’s Public School Department pay for unreimbursed special needs school transportation, specialized education and durable supplies?”

His verbal statement to the City Council was similiar.

On February 16, the executive committee of the Framingham Democratic Committee held an emergency meeting.

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The next day, the executive committee issued this statement ““The Chair’s remarks were harmful, misleading, and wrong. They did not accurately reflect the vote of the full Framingham Democratic Committee and we fully disavow and denounce them. We are deeply sorry to all for these remarks and have put in place processes to avoid future occurrences.”

Tonight, Framingham Democratic Committee voting member Norma Shulman made a motion for the full voting membership of the Committee to accept the executive committee’s statement on its chair. The vote was unanimous.

Then, Framingham Democratic Committee member John Stefanini made a motion to hold a future meeting and to place on the agenda an item to discuss the chair and the possible removal of him. It was seconded by Rep. Priscila Sousa.

The vote was 11-16-1.

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Voting yes to hold the meeting and to have a discussion on the potential removal of Mike Hugo as chair were: Phil Ottaviani, Priscila Sousa, Adam Steiner, Adam Freudberg, Cheryl Tully Stoll, Norma Shulman, John Stefanini, Audrey Hall, Pat Dunne, Kathy McCarthy, and Mary Kate Feeney.

Voting no were: Mike Hugo, Beverly Hugo, Tracey Bryant, Tom Mahoney, Margareth Shepard, Lori Bornstein, Cindy Rubin, Doug Lawrence, Barbara Fontes, Chris Lorant, Barbara LeDuc, Rosamond Hooper-Hamersley, Larry Stoodt, Mel Warshaw, Parwez Wahid, and Chris Broyles.

There are a total of 42 voting members of the Framingham Democratic Committee, including lifetime members.

Executive committee member Cesar Stewart Morales and former mayor Yvonne Spicer did not attend the meeting. Rep. Jack Patrick Lewis also did not attend.

Associate members, which include the daughter of the SOURCE editor, were note allowed to vote at the meeting.

Members of the public were not allowed to speak during the meeting. Only voting and associate members could speak.

The link to the meeting was only available to those who emailed the Committee. It was not posted online or or on the posted agenda to the meeting.

SOURCE will have a full report will quotes and discussion later.

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