To the Editor:

The Old Lyme employees who work in Town Hall are a wonderful group.  However, concerns have been expressed over the past few years about their working environment and whether they have routinely enjoyed the support they deserve.  These concerns will not continue under the leadership of Martha Shoemaker as First Selectwoman and the assistance of Jim Lampos as Selectman.

Martha’s wealth of experience in education and union leadership, and Jim’s decades as a multi-worker restaurant owner, have made them extremely sensitive to employee performance, needs and nurturing.  Martha will always welcome employee questions, concerns and complaints, and she will promptly identify and implement appropriate responses.  She will be fair and thoughtful with employee evaluations, offer support where needed, and encourage robust professional development whenever possible.  Regular staff meetings will be held and information exchanged.

A positive, reinforcing, work culture is important not only to elicit the best employee performance, but also to attract the best people.  Martha and Jim know that, and they get things done.

Please vote for Shoemaker and Lampos on November 7.  

Sincerely,

Russell Fogg’
Old Lyme