There was a time years ago when Norwich’s political power was held almost exclusively by the Irish, the vast majority of whom were Democratic men.

The Democratic Town Committee, which would decide whom to nominate and/or endorse for political offices at the local, state and federal levels, was chaired by Phil Shannon, known among both loyalists and detractors as “Boss.” And why not? Shannon ran the town committee firmly and effectively for more than a quarter-century.

Others in power back in those times were state Reps. Tom Sweeney and Leo Flynn, City Council President John Ryan, State Central Committeewoman Margaret Sullivan “Peg” Wilson.

At that time, my dad, Bill Stanley, also of Irish heritage, was serving in the state Senate, to be succeeded by James J. “Jerry” Murphy of Franklin, who would ultimately rise to become Senate President Pro Tempore.

Most of those and others who helped empower and run the local Democratic Party — Irish and non-Irish alike — were in their 50s, 60s and 70s. The once-whispered complaints eventually grew louder, that this city, like many others, was run by “old, white guys.” There were no apologies, as the city ran pretty well, thanks in part to the power the Norwich delegation wielded in the state legislature.

Anytime there was caustic mention on TV or radio of political decisions being made in smoke-filled back rooms, my father would quip: “I was in some of those smoke-filled back rooms, and the decisions that were made in them were a helluva lot better than the ones made today.”

Fast forward to 2018, and the Norwich Democratic Town Committee elects as its chairman Derell Q. Wilson, then a 26-year-old African-American, who first started getting involved in community affairs at the ripe young age of — ready for this? — 9. The following year, he was elected to the Norwich City Council, and at this pre-Election Day writing, was expected to win re-election.

Wilson doesn’t smoke, but he says he tries to embrace the ideas of others, and works hard toward making city government and the Democratic Town Committee as inclusive and participatory as possible. The more people are involved, he reasons, the better.

Two weeks ago, at age 29, Wilson was likely the youngest among those named one of the state NAACP’s 100 Most Influential Blacks in Connecticut. The honorees were recognized at a dinner on Saturday, Oct. 29, at Foxwoods, and young Wilson was in pretty lofty company with veteran state legislators, college, hospital and credit union presidents, CEOs, state commissioners and deputy commissioners and other longtime influencers. He is humbly honored by the recognition.

It’s hard to imagine that at 29, Wilson can be considered a veteran advocate, but having begun his involvement two decades ago, his selection by the state NAACP is well-deserved and his future potential seemingly limitless.

He and his twin brother, Terell, were both drawn to community involvement by the late Jackie Owens, the iconic, longtime president of the Norwich Chapter of the NAACP, and her successor, Sheila Hayes. Later, they would be mentored by state Sen. Edith Prague and her successor, Cathy Osten.

Even as children, the Wilson twins got involved with the NAACP at both the state and local levels, and worked their way up to leadership positions by the time they were in their early teens.

“We did everything together,” Derell said, recalling that the brothers, who graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 2010, had promised each other to become increasingly involved at higher levels in community advocacy and government as they grew older.

Only three years out of high school, Terell became the youngest person ever elected to the Norwich City Council in 2013, but didn’t seek re-election at the time so he could spend more time planning for his future family.

Tragically, he was killed by a drunk driver traveling the wrong way on Interstate 95 in Milford on April 16, 2016. Terell, who was 24 at the time and engaged to be married that summer, died from his injuries three weeks later.

Devastated by the loss of his twin brother, but determined to fulfill the promise he’d made to him earlier in life, Derell ran for mayor of Norwich in 2017. He got off to a good start by defeating three-term council alderman H. Tucker Braddock for the Democratic mayoral nomination, but lost a four-way race for mayor to Republican Peter Nystrom, who was seeking re-election himself on Tuesday.

Undaunted, Wilson ran for the City Council two years later and not only won, but in his capacity as town committee chairman led his party to overturning a four-year Republican majority on the council.

While he didn’t want to look beyond the upcoming election, Wilson said he would “definitely” consider another run for higher office, either for mayor or, perhaps, the state legislature.

“I want to represent this community the best I can,” he concluded, “And help Norwich reach its best potential.”

Phil Shannon would be proud and impressed. Terell Wilson would be, too.

Bill Stanley, a former vice president at L+M Hospital, grew up in Norwich.