Author Archives: Mary Jo Nosal

Letter to the Editor: Vote Democratic Slate to Rectify Unhealthy Imbalance in Old Lyme Local Government

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To the Editor:

I hope you are aware that there will be a municipal election in Old Lyme on November 7. In all, there are 23 elected positions on the ballot. Of those positions, Democrats currently hold only six seats. This imbalance in our local government does not allow a variety of viewpoints and is not good for Old Lyme. It can only be changed by increasing citizen participation on our Boards, and Commissions. We simply must elect more representative voices.

Therefore, I am asking you to vote for the exceptionally qualified slate of Old Lyme residents endorsed by the Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee. This slate, led by current Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker, for First Selectman, and current Planning Commission alternate, Jim Lampos, for Selectman, can be viewed here.  Please take a look at their credentials. 

The most important action we can all take is to make sure our Old Lyme friends and family are registered to vote and then actually get to the polls on Election Day. With your help in electing the Democratic slate, all of whom are on Row A of the ballot, we can improve the balance of voices in our town government on November 7.

Sincerely,

Mary Jo Nosal,
Old Lyme.

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

Letter to the Editor: Old Lyme Selectwoman Nosal Endorses Shoemaker, Lampos for BOS; Both Will Place Needs, Concerns of OL Residents First

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To the Editor:

I am writing to endorse Martha Shoemaker for Old Lyme First Selectwoman and Jim Lampos for Selectman. I have worked with each of them for years and can say two things without hesitation: they are extremely talented and they always put the needs and concerns of Old Lyme residents first. Martha’s professional career as a teacher for 35 years, union negotiator and project manager, and her tireless commitments as a volunteer on school committees, the Library and LYSB, have prepared her well to be the CEO of our town. We have all benefited from Martha’s long history of collaborative, can-do support for local education and non-profit organizations. She has the requisite skills and good judgment to make thoughtful, fair and sound decisions on behalf of Old Lyme. Illustrative of her civic-minded, generous character is the example she and her family set in hosting Coast Guard cadets for eight years and providing them a home away from home.

For the last 10 years Jim has contributed as a volunteer to valuable, cost-effective, Sound View improvement projects. The sidewalk installations enjoyed grants saving Old Lyme taxpayers over $800,000. Jim’s pragmatic approach to solving community problems and his insightful appreciation of the history of Sound View reflect his careful approach to addressing community concerns and his strong advocacy for local engagement.

Martha and Jim will protect our assets and the quality of life we treasure in Old Lyme. They will engage the community and seek input on town matters. They will actively pursue grants and effectively budget for important projects, like safety improvements on Halls Road. They will assure that budgets are respected, our bills are paid on time, our local police have the resources needed to protect the community, and that Town Hall is responsive to all residents.

Please join me in voting on November 2 for the team that Old Lyme needs: Martha Shoemaker and Jim Lampos.

Sincerely,

Mary Jo Nosal,
Old Lyme.

Editor’s Note: The author has served as Old Lyme Selectwoman since 2011. She is a candidate in the upcoming election for the Old Lyme Zoning Commission

 

Letter to the Editor: Thank You To All The Storm Volunteers

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To the Editor:

An Open Letter to Everyone Who Volunteered to Help in the Aftermath of Hurricane Henri

Thank you, and many of your family members, for your rapid and generous offers to volunteer as needed to support our beautiful town due to Storm Henri.

I am so pleased that we did not have to activate volunteer support in Old Lyme, but I am again acutely aware of why Old Lyme is the best small town in CT, because of our people.

The volunteer effort is what allows Emergency Operations to focus on keeping us all safe.  Mission accomplished.
Sincerely,
Mary Jo Nosal,
Old Lyme.

Editor’s Note: The author is the Old Lyme Selectwoman.

Letter to the Editor: Hold Accountable Everyone Who Played Any Role in DC Disruption, Jan. 6; Elect Courageous Lawmakers at All Levels to Heal the Divide

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To the Editor:
Reflections on 01/06/21

On a day in which our elected lawmakers were carrying out their Constitutional roles, violent rioters, rather than peaceful protesters, illegally entered the U.S. Capitol and disrupted and obstructed our government. Tragically, people died during this riot. Those responsible, those who instigated it, and those who played any role in it, both domestically or abroad, must be held accountable to the full extent of the law for their illegal actions and the resulting deadly consequences.  

I understand that U.S. senators, forced to shelter together for their safety, had meaningful conversations, and this hopeful sign helped me sleep last night. We must use the peaceful power of the vote to elect courageous lawmakers, at all levels of our government, who will do the hard work to heal the polarized divide and build a more civil union for all the people of the United States of America. 

Peace.

Sincerely,

Mary Jo Nosal,
Old Lyme

Letter to the Editor: Selectwoman Nosal Seeks Another Term to Continue Her Hard Work to “Move Our Town Forward”

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To the Editor:

It has been a privilege to serve as Selectwoman for the town of Old Lyme. I request your vote on November 5th so that I may continue to work hard for our community and our residents.

I am proud to be running with First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder, whose experience and thoughtful and deliberative nature have been so beneficial to our town. Among our administration’s numerous accomplishments are: master plans enabling grants to improve town infrastructure at substantially reduced cost to our taxpayers; stimulation of thoughtful economic development efforts on Halls Road and across town; positive audits showing Old Lyme is financially strong and enjoys an excellent credit rating; exemplary OSHA audit; effectively addressing the high-speed rail threat; facilitating a practical response to the DEEP-imposed shoreline wastewater consent decree; and preparing for major weather emergencies, like Hurricane Sandy.

There is more to do for the Old Lyme community. I want to continue to serve Old Lyme and to cultivate the next generation of leaders. I am very proud of our highly-qualified slate of candidates, who have volunteered to join us in moving our town forward. I ask that you vote for all the Row A candidates on November 5th.

Sincerely,

Mary Jo Nosal,
Old Lyme.

Editor’s Note: The writer currently serves as an Old Lyme Selectwoman and is a 2019 candidate for the Old Lyme Board of Selectmen.