Henry picked to fill Cavo’s seat on council
DANBURY — A local business owner and lifelong resident is poised to fill the vacant seat on the City Council.
Local Republicans nominated Michael Henry to represent the Third Ward and take over for new Mayor Joe Cavo, who held the seat since
2003. City Council was expected to vote Tuesday evening on his appointment. If approved, he would be seated at that meeting.
Henry said he wants to be on the council to support the community he grew up in.
“I’m a Danburian through and through,” said Henry, adding his family still owns the house his grandfather built. “It’s been a great community.”
Henry was elected in 2019 as an alternate on the Zoning Commission and ran unsuccessfully against state Rep. David Arconti, D-Danbury, for the
109th House district.
It was during these races that Henry impressed local Republicans.
“He showed an extremely strong sense of dedication to running, to the community,” said Mike Safranek, chairman of the Danbury Republican Town Committee. “He’s a hard worker and he really does care.”
The Democrats do not plan to contest the appointment.
“We fully expect that it’s going to be unanimous,” said Paul Rotello, minority leader.
He graduated from Danbury High School in 1981 and has owned two companies, Henry Roofing and Henry Home Improvement, for about 35 years.
“He understands the basic principle, in my opinion, of what needs to be done in terms of the business community, Safranek said.
This could be critical as the coronavirus pandemic and restrictions hurt local businesses.
“Some of them are in a position to continue,” Henry said. “Some are going to lose. That’s one thing I don’t want to see.”
During the pandemic, he has been able to retain his customers.
“But you’re not getting new customers for the most part, unless it’s something that’s a necessity,” he said. “People can wait a little bit.”
Henry has a wife, two daughters and is a grandfather, according to his website. He is a special police officer for the city and a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. He has also coached high school sports and sponsored local teams.
Cavo said he met Henry when the latter started his campaign for state representative to discuss issues affecting the Third Ward, which is part of the 109th.
“I found him to be exceptionally knowledgeable and very friendly and outgoing and willing to work,” Cavo said. “When the town committee had chosen him to fill my spot on the City Council, I was very happy about that.”
Cavo, who had served as City Council president since 2006, became mayor in December after Mark Boughton left for a job as the state’s tax commissioner.
The council will also be tasked Tuesday with voting on a new president to replace Cavo, who expects Republican majority leader Vinny DiGilio to be nominated. DiGilio has been on council for eight years.
“He’s worked closely with me throughout his years on council,” Cavo said “He is prepared to take that role should he be elected [Tuesday].”
Rotello expects the Democrats to put his name forward. With Henry, the Republicans would have 11 members to the Democrats’
10.
Rotello, who has been on council since 2003 and served six years on the Zoning Commission, said he has the experience to lead through the “turbulent” time of
COVID-19.
“We’re all going to ban [together] to help each other,” he said. “In terms of qualifications, in terms of someone who has been a this a long time, I’m that guy. I’m that candidate.”
Henry, if appointed, would hold the seat for the rest of Cavo’s term, which is up at the end of the year.
“To follow in his steps what he’s done and with his guidance, I’m sure I can address a lot of constituents’ issues,” he said.