Steele Emerges as Likely RTM Moderator

Jeffrey R. Steele, a Republican member of the Representative Town Meeting from District 2, likely will be the next moderator of the town's legislative body, Republican officials said today.

Steele, who is currently the RTM's deputy majority leader, would be subject to a vote by the 50-member RTM at 8 p.m. May 24 in Osborn Hill School.

James Millington, R-9, the RTM's Republican majority leader, said Steele was interested in being moderator and that he didn't know of another Republican who wanted the post. Peter Ambrose, R-2, the deputy moderator, wasn't interested in being moderator, according to Millington and James F. Walsh, the former moderator and town's new selectman.

"I think Jeff will be an excellent moderator. He has always been very fair and balanced in his approach," Millington said.

Meanwhile, Ed Bateson, a District 3 Republican and chairman of the RTM's Legislation and Administration Committee, is the likely candidate to be deputy majority leader if Steele wins election as moderator, Millington said.

"Ed Bateson and I have worked well together for years. I would love to have him as my deputy majority leader," Millington said. Bateson would only be subject to a vote of RTM Republicans.

The changes in RTM leadership are necessary because Walsh, the body's former moderator and a District 1 Republican, was sworn into office this afternoon as a selectman. Walsh is filling a vacancy on the Board of Selectmen that was created by the death of Republican Selectman Ralph A. Bowley on April 10.

Republicans control 38 of the RTM's 50 seats and a member from the majority party traditionally is the moderator.