To the Editor:
If ever there was any doubt that Republicans at the local level embrace the bullying tactics of Donald Trump, it was dispelled this past Saturday. Led by the husband-and-wife-Republican candidates running for office in Lyme, a small group of sign-wavers set up along an unusual stretch of Rt. 156, near Sterling City Road. While their behavior appeared peaceful, their intent was suspect at best. They deliberately chose a spot directly across the street from the home of Christy Zelek, the Unaffiliated candidate who the Democrats are supporting for First Selectman.
As a strong supporter of the First Amendment, I embrace peaceful political activities by all persuasions, including roadside sign waving and shouting. I am even amused by Republican efforts to disguise themselves by featuring a proliferation of blue signs for their candidates. However, I am profoundly disturbed by the Trump’s Republican Party’s embrace of threats and widespread efforts to intimidate political opponents and voters.
So, I cannot help but conclude that the true purpose of the Lyme Republican show on Saturday was to alert the opposing candidate that she and her family are targets. This pattern of Republican behavior is antithetical to the civil discourse the citizens of Lyme and the state of Connecticut expect and deserve.
Lyme has always prided itself on being neighborly. We argue about zoning and budgets, sure — but we remain civil. We hold doors for each other at the Town Hall; we wave to our neighbors, and we show up to support our schools and seniors, regardless of party. We can disagree without being disagreeable.
That’s what makes this moment disappointing. This hostile campaign led by Republican candidates Tom St. Louis and his wife, Mary, seems to resort to personal attacks, treating politics as a culture war, rather than a service to community.
This isn’t about partisanship. It’s about character. Leadership in a small town is about bringing people together, not trying to score points by provoking discomfort. The goal of the St. Louis’ display may have been to demonstrate strength, but it had the opposite effect by revealing a brand of pettiness that has no place in Lyme politics. This kind of behavior does not reflect the judgment or temperament we expect from people seeking to lead our town.
We face real challenges — environmental protection, maintaining our schools and infrastructure, and preserving the small-town values that make Lyme special. Those problems demand focus, cooperation, and emotional maturity — not theatrics or thinly-veiled threats across from an opponent’s driveway.
Christy Zelek has run a campaign rooted in respect and inclusion. She’s shown the kind of grace under pressure that our town should value. The same cannot be said for those who think politics is about intimidation or spectacle.
Lyme deserves leaders who elevate our civic life, not those who cheapen it. In November, let’s choose candidates who remember that public service begins — and ends — with respect for one another.
For respect in democracy.
Sincerely,
Allan Dodds Frank,
Lyme, CT.
Nice Job. You just doxxed the Zelek’s home location for anyone who did t already know.
Thank you for this letter , Allan, highlighting this disturbing action taken by the Republican candidates. I’m hoping these tactics won’t work at all!
Allan,
Apparently you are unaware we have been close friends with Christy and her family for many years, and I believe she would describe us likewise.
To set the record straight from your baseless accusations, we selected the Tiffany Triangle for our sign-waving specifically because it is obvious to all that it is the most visible traffic spot in Lyme. Period. Based on the positive reaction we received, if the Row A team wishes to follow us in sign waving, I would recommend this location.
Lastly, and importantly, I agree that Lyme deserves better. As a 27-year fellow Lyme resident, I urge you to tone down your divisive and dangerous rhetoric because we have all seen recently that this type of language can lead to tragic outcomes. I trust that is not your intent.
I am available any time you want to engage in a measured, peaceful, and civil conversation about any issue impacting our Town at TomforLyme@gmail.com
Dear Mr. Frank,
I am not a registered voter in Lyme however keep a home here in town. My email is not in any way politically motivated however a True representation of the character of Dr. Mary St. Louis. I recently had the pleasure of meeting both Tom and Mary in a neighborly way as we live on the same road in Lyme. I had an unfortunate emergency medical condition at 11 pm last week and was extremely frightened as I live alone. Knowing that Mary is a Medical Doctor I texted her and she replied immediately. Again I had only me both Tom and Mary once before. She was kind enough to take the time to comfort me and was at my home at 7:30 am the next morning…No request for payment. Just an amazingly kind, caring, neighborly gesture for a fellow human being. I get the feeling that she has done this numerous times before as she seems to be quite a kind, caring, helpful soul who gets great satisfaction in helping her friends and neighbors in any what that she can. If i could vote in this town Mary is the type of person who I would be proud to vote for. She is a giver and not a taker. I don’t ever see her as the type of person to threaten anyone, quite the contrary. She gives from her heart…she does no harm however a great deal of good.
I have been a Lyme resident for several years and I am appalled by the statement by Mr. Frank regarding the right to rally for your political party in a certain location. That location referred to has been a prime location for such regardless of who lives in the area. Shame on you Mr. Frank.
The St. Louis’s and company surely considered the optics of rallying across the street from their opponent’s house before they did it. Seems quite intentional, and something you’d expect from high school students for class office.
I’m not a young man. I have seen political activities in not less than five states in as many decades. I did see the particular activity personally.
There is nothing unusual, scary, or bullying about people standing on the side of the road waving signs. Not only is that common political activity, I have seen the identical methods used by schoolkids to attract attention to their fundraisers.
If this kind of activity really causes you concern, I suggest you draw the curtains and slip some Michael Franks into your CD, and definitely avoid watching the News.
Anyone who knows Christy Z., Tom and Mary St. Louis know they have been friends for years. I know they are all great people. The individual writing this “letter to the editor” should be ashamed of themselves for trying to create bitterness through disguised virtue. Instead, we should encourage some healthy debate and choose the most qualified candidate instead of making childish comparisons to national politics.
Dear Mr. St. Louis,
We apparently agree that divisive, dangerous rhetoric and behavior designed to intimidate should not be welcomed in our community. That was the point of my recent letter to the editor.
While we should all support and embrace free speech, no one should feel threatened in his or her home as a consequence of a location or manner used for political expression.
My letter was a call for better judgment in political communications.
Since you claim to be a close family friend of the Zeleks, I am certain that to remove any ambiguity, as a matter of courtesy, you would agree that there are multiple places around town where your team could conduct sign waving and shouting that are not directly in front of Christy’s home since she is your opponent on the ballot.
Respectfully yours,
Allan Dodds Frank