To the Editor:

The team of Bonnie Reemsnyder and Mary Jo Nosal have, over their tenure of six years leading Old Lyme government, implemented numerous improvements. These include: creation of a program to maintain town-owned buildings; establishment of a reserve fund for maintenance of town roads; upgrade of Hartford Avenue, now virtually completed, with 80 percent federal funding; redesign and rebuild of the Rogers Lake boathouse and other park improvements; and introduction of LED lighting to town roads. These improvements promise to enhance our quality of life and safety in a cost-effective manner. Old Lyme is financially healthy, with spending in check and able to stay current with technology assets.

In addition, Reemsnyder was instrumental in leading the successful fight to defeat the Federal Railroad Administration’s plan to run a high-speed rail line over or under the center of our town and across southeastern Connecticut. She has now taken the lead as a fact-finder exploring ways to improve Old Lyme’s police services.

This writer unequivocally urges the re-election of both Reemsnyder and Nosal, recognizing the substantial experience and ability they have afforded our town and the contributions they will make in the future.

David B. Woolley,
Old Lyme.

Editor’s Note: The author is the chairman of the Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee.

To the Editor:

The Republican candidates for Old Lyme Selectmen claim that their service on Old Lyme’s boards and commissions better qualifies them than the six years of leadership experience enjoyed by incumbents Bonnie Reemsnyder and Mary Jo Nosal. I disagree.

Challengers must always criticize their opponents, even if they have to misstate the facts. And it is customary for them to say “we can fix everything,” because they have the magic wands that incumbents lack.

The fact is, however, that town leaders cannot keep problems from arising. Their measure is taken in how they respond. Old Lyme’s challenges in recent years have included discontent and shortages in our police force, pollution in our beach communities, and surprises with some construction projects. In each case, Bonnie and
Mary Jo have faced the issues head-on and acted responsibly and effectively to address them, engaging the community and soliciting bipartisan support. For example, Bonnie’s leadership ability and her relationships with state and federal officials were critical to defeating the high-speed rail plan; we cannot afford to lose her.

The experience and demonstrated competence of Bonnie and Mary Jo should not be exchanged for the service of their opponents on town boards and commissions.

Sincerely,

Joseph G. Soucie,
Old Lyme

To the Editor:

Make no mistake; a major train project in our community (even if well into the future) is a foremost public concern.  What are distressing are the boisterous claims of credit by our local leaders, when in fact concerned residents in the community raised the alarm.

On November 10, 2015 the Federal Railroad Administration (“FRA”) wrote personally to First Selectwoman Reemsnyder and RiverCOG (which Reemsnyder chairs) forewarning the NEC Future Plan and inviting public comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).  Ms. Reemsnyder spoke against the plan in mid-January 2016 in New Haven.  However, the townspeople of Old Lyme, local officials, cultural organizations, and businesses were not made aware of this federal plan until late January by an alarmed resident who identified the “threat” to our Old Lyme Historic District and initiated a large grassroots campaign along the shoreline that prompted leaders to real action. Before that, most everyone was unaware of the plan or the looming comment deadline for the Draft EIS. 

We need our leaders to be forward thinking, not reactionary.  Is Old Lyme ready for the next big wave, whether the widening of I-95, coerced regionalization, or the replacement of the Connecticut River Bridge?  As it turns out, the FRA on January 5, 2017 concurred with an Environmental Assessment that paves the way for Amtrak to replace the Connecticut River Bridge; yet we have heard nothing about it and no planning details such as construction staging, trucking routes, river operations and mitigation dollars.  In Norwalk, local officials spent two years negotiating the required details to make sure they were not steamrolled by government agencies. 

On November 7^th, we need to elect leaders Jude Read and Chris Kerr who recognize early on the risks and opportunities for major state and federal initiatives, and keep residents, boards and commissions informed of what is going on.

Respectfully,

Wayne Buchanan,
Old Lyme

To the Editor:

In the upcoming Old Lyme election on Tuesday, November 7th, we encourage voters to consider the Republican team found on Row B. The team is being led by Jude Read for First Selectwoman and Chris Kerr for Selectman. Both have years of experience in Old Lyme municipal government and strong small business credentials. We believe both would do an admirable job for the town.

We think voters should also consider several other candidates running for office on Row B including Grub Garvin for Board of Finance, J. David Kelsey for Board of Finance Alternate, Tim Griswold for Board of Assessment Appeals, and Dan Montano for Zoning Board of Appeals. In addition to them, the town is fortunate to have several very qualified cross-endorsed candidates, including Vicki Urbowicz, who is the perfect successor to longtime Town Clerk Eileen Coffee, and Paul Orzel, Alan Todd, and Rick Goulding. We know all will work hard for the community.

Please make sure to exercise your right and get out and vote on November 7^th.

Sincerely,

State Senator Paul Formica & State Representative Devin Carney