New Haven Independent

King’s troubles began over the holidays, when he was arrested three times — first on Dec. 22 for allegedly choking a woman over a fight over a Georgia hot dog, then twice for allegedly violating a protective order put in place to protect her. Subsequent to those arrests, his properties were investigated for back taxes and for being an illegal rooming house. King then stepped back from his aldermanic duties as he entered a rehabilitation program.

Thursday, over two months after his first arrest, he submitted his resignation, effective Thursday, in a letter to the board president filed with the town clerk.

In his letter, he says he feels “blessed” for his time on the board, and thanks all who have supported him. “I thank those who have been friends-those who have stood by me when I needed it, but also those who have made me see sometimes a painful
reality and given me advice straight-up.” (Click here for the full text of the letter).

“I will miss public service greatly, but right now my first duty is to my family and I am facing financial and legal issues that I need to set right and I cannot be the Alderman the ward deserves while I am doing that,” King writes.

King’s resignation follows that of Beaver Hills Alderwoman Babz Rawls-Ivy, who stepped down after pleading guilty in September to embezzling $49,059 in federal funds. Rawls-Ivy and King were seen as mayoral allies. Neither the mayor nor aldermanic President Carl Goldfield had publicly called for King to resign.

Wednesday, Goldfield, along with Aldermen Yusuf Shah and Charles Blango, sat down with King to discuss his aldermanic seat. “It was a process of talking to Drew, and Drew asking for our advice,” said Goldfield. The four reached a “consensus” that King should resign.

“I think Drew did what was right for himself, his family and the city,” said Goldfield Thursday. “Drew is fundamentally a really good person who always acted in an ethical, honest way, in the best interest of the city. I never saw him act any other way in regard to his duties on the board.”

Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. looked forward to moving past the troubled spot. “The City, the Board and the Dixwell community now look to move forward from these troubles the past couple of months and focus on a positive agenda. Drew’s colleagues on the Board will miss him, but perhaps what that Ward needs is fresh, new energy and new ideas to get past this resignation,” he said in a written release.

King, who represented Ward 22 in Dixwell, was midway through his second two-year term as alderman. His replacement will be selected by special election, which by city charter must be held within the next 45 days. The election will be held “sometime in the first few weeks of April,” reckoned the mayor’s office.