Category Archives: Politics

Letter to the Editor: Lyme Deserves Better

Posted on by

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.

Letter to the Editor: Looking for Steady Leadership for Old Lyme’s Future? Behringer Deserves Your Vote

Posted on by

To the Editor:

At a time when politics can feel consumed by noise and division, it’s refreshing to see leaders like Fred Behringer—steady, thoughtful, and guided by service. As a retired scientist and 26-year Old Lyme resident, Fred brings an analytical and disciplined approach to finding solutions. With two years of experience as an Alternate on the Board of Finance, he is prepared to continue to help deliver sound fiscal management, balancing short-term needs with long-term investments.

Fred’s leadership is evident across his many roles in the community. He serves on Old Lyme’s Tree and Open Space Committees, Waste & Recycling Committee, chaired a special committee that resolve a difficult town dispute, and holds leadership positions in two respected nonprofits—the MacCurdy Salisbury Educational Foundation and the Connecticut Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation. In each of these roles, Fred has demonstrated what effective, collaborative problem-solving looks like.

What stands out most about Fred, though, is his temperament. He describes himself as a calm voice, and his colleagues agree. At a time when even small-town meetings can become contentious, Fred’s even-handed, respectful approach has helped the Board of Finance work together productively. That’s what public service should look like.

As a Forward endorsed candidate, Fred represents what the Forward Party stands for: rising above partisanship and focusing on solutions that work for communities. In Old Lyme—where residents are nearly evenly divided among political affiliations—his independence and commitment to civility will contribute to a thoughtful and responsible Board of Finance. Learn more at www.oldlymedtc.com and ctforwardparty.com.

Sincerely,

Danielle Chesebrough,
Stonington, CT.

Editor’s Note: The author is the Chair of Forward Connecticut, First Selectman of Stonington, and former Stonington Board of Finance member.

Letter to the Editor: The Missing Word on Old Lyme Campaign Signs, and a Simple Question

Posted on by

To the Editor:           

It is hard to ignore the sheer number and strategic placement of the Old Lyme Republican campaign signs this election cycle. When the going gets tough, they even mount them on pickup trucks and dispatch them for maximum impact.

However, one element is conspicuously absent: the word REPUBLICAN. The party name is often missing entirely or relegated to small print, much like a required warning label. Further confusing the issue, many signs prominently feature the color blue, traditionally associated with the Democratic party, with only a small hint of red. This calculated misdirection raises a critical question: Why are local candidates actively hiding their party identity?

In a local election, this confusion is not just a branding choice; it is a vital matter of accountability. It is no surprise that the GOP candidates should try to distance themselves from the Trump administration’s policies: attempts to cut state funding (particularly targeting states like Connecticut), opposition to essential clean-energy projects like Revolution Wind that would support our future electricity needs, cuts to Medicaid, voting suppression and gerrymandering, culture wars terrorizing immigrant and minority communities.  But they cannot pretend that the national GOP ideologies do not infect local policies. For example, recall the memory of the Republican-led attack on our library and books two years ago, or the written diatribe from a current GOP candidate for the Board of Education admonishing our school system to prohibit any questioning of gender identity.

Given the clearly adverse impacts of the Trump administration’s policies on Connecticut, voters deserve to know where our local candidates stand. Therefore, I ask each candidate, without spin or evasion: Do you, on the whole, support the policies and leadership of the Trump administration? A simple yes or no answer is required to ensure that voters can make an informed choice. Your silence will be deafening.

Sincerely,

Howard Margules,
Old Lyme.

Plan Ahead: Early Voting, Absentee Ballots, and Election Day in Lyme, Old Lyme

Posted on by
Image created by AI.

LYME/OLD LYME —We’re doing all we can over the next few weeks to inform you about this year’s municipal election through candidate Q&A features, profiles of key races and a Letters to the Editor section open to all viewpoints.

Now, it’s up to you to turn knowledge into power at the voting booth. Check out this schedule to learn everything you need to know about where and when to cast your ballot in Lyme and Old Lyme. 

OLD LYME

Early Voting

Where: Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall Meeting Room,  52 Lyme Street

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Oct. 20–27, 29, 31

 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., October 28 and 30

 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., November 1 and  2

Election Day Voting

Where: Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School gymnasium, 53 Lyme St.

When: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Same Day Registration

Those who are not registered to vote may register in person every day of Early Voting at the Town Hall. If you want to vote on Election Day but have not yet registered, you may register in person on Nov. 4 at the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School gymnasium. 

Absentee Ballots

Applications are available through the Town Clerk’s office. They can be returned by mail, deposited in the secure absentee drop box outside the town hall, or handed to the town clerk. Completed absentee ballots must be received at the Town Clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. 

LYME

Early Voting

Where: Lyme Town Hall, 480 Hamburg Road

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Oct. 20–27, 29, 31

8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Oct. 28 and 30

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 1 and 2

Election Day Voting

Where: Lyme Town Hall, 480 Hamburg Road

When: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Same Day Registration

Those who are not registered to vote may register in person at the Town Hall during early voting hours and on Election Day. 

Absentee Ballots

Applications are available through the Town Clerk’s office. They can be returned by mail, deposited in the secure absentee drop box outside the town hall, or handed to the town clerk. Completed absentee ballots must be received at the Town Clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. 

TOP STORY: Lyme Board of Selectpeople Candidates Respond to Our Questions

Posted on by

Hopefuls Weigh In On Affordable Housing, Shrinking Volunteer Numbers and Taxes

A snapshot of the sample ballot from Lyme’s municipal election on Nov. 4. Early voting starts Oct. 20.

LYME–A rare contested election for the Board of Selectpeople is playing out on road signs spread across the town’s serene landscape in variations of red, white and blue. 

The candidates responded with a 350-word limit to four questions that we posed. We thank them for responding in a timely fashion and adhering to our rules.

Click on each name below to learn more about them in their own words. 

  1. Why are you running for the Lyme Board of Selectmen, and what skills or experiences make you the right candidate for that role?
  2. Lyme, like the other municipalities in the state, is being called upon to increase the availability of affordable housing. What is your view on the need for affordable housing in Lyme, and how should the town balance state requirements with local calls to preserve its rural nature? 
  3. Lyme proudly relies on its volunteers to create a safe and supportive community, from fighting fires and responding to medical calls to sitting on boards and commissions. With volunteer numbers shrinking and a limited pool to pull from, what ideas do you have for encouraging more people to serve the town? 
  4. In order of importance, what do you see as the top three challenges facing Lyme over the next two years?

Candidates for Lyme First Selectman

Tom St. Louis (R)

Christy Zelek (U–petitioning)

Candidates for Lyme Selectmen

John Kiker (D—incumbent)

Mary Powell-St. Louis (R)

Kristina White (D—petitioning incumbent)

In Lyme, all Board of Selectpeople seats are up for election every two years. Voters will be asked to vote for one candidate for first selectperson and one candidate for selectperson. The winner of the first selectperson contest wins the title, with the next two highest vote-getters securing spots as selectpeople. State law specifies no more than two members of the Board of Selectpeople can be from the same party.

Absentee ballots for the Nov. 4 election are available now. Early voting begins Oct. 20.

In keeping with our long-held tradition, we will not be making candidate endorsements.

Share on Facebook | Share on X | Share on LinkedIn