New London – Monday was a night to swear in elected officials in New London and in the words of Democratic Town Committee Chairman Kevin Cavanagh, “seeking public office is one the most honorable things a person can do in our democracy.”

Newly-elected members of the Board of Education and City Council took their oaths of office at separate ceremonies – councilors at City Hall and school board members at the Science and Technology Magnet High School of Southeastern Connecticut.

The school board elected Green Party Member Mirna Martinez as president, retired former school superintendent Manny Rivera as vice president and Regina Mosley as secretary.

“I’m excited to do this,” said Martinez, a dual language-trained educator.

“The development of the school system for our young people to have a place that engages them and gives every student an opportunity to be what they want to be to develop their skills is core to my being,” Martinez said. “I’m really excited to be working with each and every one of you collaboratively. I’m glad for our multiplicity of views and perspectives.”

Not all were happy with the results of the voting, however. Longtime board member Jason Catala, a Democrat, was nominated by Susan Tierney, the only Republican on the board, for each of the three officer positions – president, vice president and secretary.

Catala secured Tierney’s and his own vote each time. Catala was the top vote getter in the last two elections and has served six different terms on the school board, some of his earlier terms as a Republican.

Clearly frustrated, Catala said Rivera had promised his support for Catala's run at vice president, “as a number of you did.” Rivera was sworn into office last week and attended Monday’s meeting electronically.

“And it shows me that your word in politics no longer means anything,” Catala said.

He also uttered a disjointed statement about “corruptness that’s going to be coming out about some individuals.”

“And I just hate for that to come out but it just think it’s ridiculous,” he said.

Catala, could not be reached after the meeting to explain his comments.

Later in the evening, City Council President Anthony Nolan, a New London police officer, was unanimously chosen to serve another year as the council president. Don Venditto will also continue his term as president pro tempore.

Along with incumbents John Satti, Efrain Dominguez and Michael Tranchida, new councilors Alma Nartatez and Martin Olsen, were sworn into office. Olsen is the lone Republican on the council. Nartatez and Olsen replace Democrats Martha Marx and Tracee Reiser, the latter filling a term of former councilor Erica Richardson.

Catala, Tierney, Rivera, Martinez and Mosely are joined on the school board by Democrats Jefferey Hart and Rebecca Amanti.

g.smith@theday.com