HARTFORD – State Representative Devin Carney (R-23rd), whose district includes both Lyme and Old Lyme, has again achieved a perfect score for votes taken on the floor of the House of Representatives during the 2023 legislative session. He previously recorded 100 percent voting attendance in the years 2015 through 2020, only missing votes in 2021 and 2022 due to COVID-19.
Each year, the House Clerk’s Office releases data on members’ votes during the Regular Session and Rep. Carney was present for all 368 votes taken during that time, one of 68 lawmakers to receive a perfect score.
“It’s been my honor to represent the people of the 23rd District for the past several years,” commented Rep. Carney, adding, “I was proud to make every vote in person in 2023 and ensure that my constituents had a voice on the 368 votes that were taken.”
Editor’s Note: This article is based on a press release issued by Public Affairs, House Republican Office.
OLD LYME — UPDATED 3:10pm with State Rep. Carney’s comments: The death was announced Monday, Aug. 8, of former State Senator and Old Lyme resident Melodie Peters. She passed away July 31, 2023, at the age of 76.
Peters, a Democrat, was elected to the Senate in 1992, thus becoming the first woman to represent the 20th District, which includes Old Lyme. She was re-elected with significant margins in 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, and 2002. During her 12-year-tenure in the senate, she served as deputy majority leader of the Senate and co-chairwoman of the Energy and Technology Committee.
Prior to her move into politics, she was a nurse at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London. She also served as Vice President and subsequently, President of the Connecticut Chapter of the American Federation of Teachers.
On Monday, the current State Senator for the 20th District, Martha Marx, also a Democrat, released the following statement following the death of Peters. “Melodie Peters was a champion of workers’ rights in Connecticut, and not only served as my State Senator but as my union president.”
Marx continued, “I used to watch her and say ‘nurses can do anything.’ In her decades of work, she always fought for labor and workers, always seeking a better tomorrow. I am grateful for her service to our great state and join many others in mourning her loss.”
State Representative Devin Carney (R-23rd) sent LymeLine.com the following statement on Peters’ passing, saying, “I am sad to hear of the loss of former State Senator Melodie Peters. Senator Peters represented the 20th Senate District, which includes Old Lyme and Old Saybrook, for 12 years and had a life dedicated to public service. She truly cared about people. She lived right down the street from my mom in Rogers Lake and was always incredibly kind to me.”
He added, “My sincerest condolences to her family.”
Melodie Peters was born July 22, 1947, daughter to the late Wallace “Wally” Larson and Anne Mitchell …
The last few years Melodie unselfishly cared for her husband Earl Peters as his health declined. He undoubtedly was able to enjoy life more because of her love and care. Melodie and Earl were married 40 years until his death four months ago on March 18, 2023.
A longtime community activist and labor leader, Melodie started her career of helping people as a nurse …
… in 1992, Melodie set out for the 20th District Senate seat in the State Legislature. After securing that seat her first time out … she eventually retired twelve years later. Her twelve-year tenure resulted in the passage of numerous pieces of legislation favorable to workers and their families …
Melodie and Earl were members of The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme for many years. There Melodie served on the Board of Deacons, the Soup Kitchen Committee, the Hospitality Committee, and the Ministerial Search Committee. She was generous with her time, talents and wisdom. Her faith was a very important part of her life. The family asks that memorial gifts in her honor be sent to the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme Ministers’ Discretionary Fund, 2 Ferry Road Old Lyme, CT 06371. This fund, which Melodie helped to support, serves the needs of those in our community and beyond in their times of need.
The family will have a private celebration of Melodie’s life in the fall.
Lyme DTC To Publicize, Encourage Kristina White’s Election to Board of Selectmen as a Petitioning Candidate
Pictured above are candidates endorsed by the Lyme Democratic Town Committee for November’s municipal election. Pictured from left to right are Steve Mattson, Gavin Lodge, Kristina White, Adam McEwen, Mary Stone, and John Kiker. Missing from photo are Anna James and Jim Miller.
LYME, CT – The Lyme Democratic Town Committee (DTC) announced Wednesday, July 26, that, at a local Democratic caucus held Monday night, a slate of nine Democratic candidates was nominated and endorsed by the committee to run in the Nov. 7 municipal elections.
The committee also announced that it would be actively encouraging Kristina White’s election to the Lyme Board of Selectmen as a petitioning candidate.
In announcing the candidate slate, Lyme DTC Nominating Committee Chairperson Liz Frankel explained, “Under state election law, a town committee may only nominate one candidate for first selectman and one candidate for selectman when the board of selectmen is composed of a first selectman and two selectmen.”
She continued, “The Lyme DTC is not nominating a candidate for first selectman this year, but would like to see John Kiker and Kristina White, who are both currently on the board of selectmen, elected as selectpersons. As a result, we nominated and endorsed John as our selectman candidate and will be actively publicizing and urging Kristina’s election as a petitioning candidate.”
Running for election this year in Lyme on the Democratic Party slate will be:
• John Kiker for Board of Selectmen
• Steve Mattson for Board of Finance
• Jim Miller for Board of Finance
• Adam McEwen for Board of Finance Alternate
• Kristina White for Planning & Zoning Commission
• Mary Stone for Planning & Zoning Commission Alternate
• Anna James for Zoning Board of Appeals
• John Kiker for Lyme Library Board of Directors
• Gavin Lodge for Region 18 Board of Education
Kristina White will appear on the ballot as a petitioning candidate.
Frankel said, “We’ve recruited a talented slate of individuals this year who are not only highly qualified, but extremely interested in serving the town we all love and cherish.”
The Lyme DTC’s stated mission is to support and strengthen the Democratic Party in the Town of Lyme and the State of Connecticut.
Editor’s Note: The article above is based on a press release issued July 26 by the Lyme Democratic Town Committee.
Some of the candidates endorsed by the Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee for the November 2023 municipal election gather for a photo. From left to right are Stephanie Mickle, Kathleen Tracy, Sheila Riffle, Anna Reiter, Bennet “BJ” Bernblum, Jim Lampos, Paul Orzel (U), Martha Shoemaker, Candace Fuchs, W. Scott Brown, Marisa Calvi-Rogers, Howard Margules, and Susan Fogliano.
Same Team Running for First Selectman, Selectman Positions as in 2021; Shoemaker Contests Top Spot Again Supported by Lampos
OLD LYME, CT – The Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee (OLDTC) has announced its field of candidates, who were endorsed for the 2023 municipal election at their Town Committee meeting held July 19.
“The Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee enthusiastically endorsed this strong team. Each candidate is qualified and will bring a wealth of experience to their respective office, along with a commitment to the values and ideals we treasure in Old Lyme. Many currently hold or have held elected office so they are ready to lead on Day 1,” said Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee Chair,” Mary Jo Nosal.
She continued, “The OLDTC thanks these residents for stepping up to support our town and we look forward to working with them to build a better and more inclusive community,”
The slate of candidates is led by incumbent Old Lyme Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker, who is again running for First Selectwoman, as she did in 2021 when she lost by 104 votes to Timothy Griswold. Jim Lampos joins Shoemaker to run again for Old Lyme Selectman, meaning this segment of the Democratic ticket is identical to that of 2021.
For more information about the candidates endorsed by the OLDTC and the upcoming election, visit the Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee website at http://www.oldlymedtc.com.
The OLDTC endorsed the following candidates for the municipal election of Nov. 7, 2023:
Martha H. Shoemaker for First Selectwoman 2 yr. term
Jim Lampos for Board of Selectman 2 yr. term
Michael Reiter for Treasurer 4 yr. term
Bennett J. Bernblum for Board of Finance Full 6 yr. term
Anna S. Reiter for Board of Finance Full 6 yr. term
Sheila A. Riffle for Board of Finance Alternate 2 yr. term
Diane Linderman for Board of Finance Alternate 2 yr. term
Candace A. Fuchs for Board of Finance Alternate 2 yr. term
Peter Hunt for Board of Assessment Appeals 4 yr. term
Bonnie A. Reemsnyder for Tax Collector 4 yr. term
Marisa Calvi-Rogers, Ed.D. for Board of Education 4 yr. term
Susan P. Fogliano for Board of Education 4 yr. term
W. Scott Brown, Ph.D. for Board of Education 4 yr. term
Stephanie Mickle for Zoning Board of Appeals 2023 Seat 5 yr. term
Kathleen Tracy for Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate 2 yr. term.
Michaelle Pearson for Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate 2 yr. term.
Paul J. Orzel (U) for Zoning Commission 2023 Seat 5 yr. term
Denise Savageau for Zoning Commission 2024 Seat 5 yr. term
Michael Aurelia for Planning Commission 2023 Seat 5 yr. term
Howard J. Margules for Planning Commission 2024 Seat 5 yr. term
Editor’s Note: The article above is based on a press release issued Thursday morning by the Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee.
John Mesham and Judith Read lead the Old Lyme 2023 Republican slate of endorsed candidates. Photo submitted by the Old Lyme RTC.
Incumbents Tim Griswold (First Selectman), Matt Ward (Selectman) Not Seeking Re-election; Griswold Absent From Slate; Ward Running for Town Treasurer; Suzanne Thompson Endorsed for Tax Collector and Region 18 Board of Education
OLD LYME— On Tuesday (July 18) evening, at their Caucus, the Old Lyme Republican Town Committee (RTC) voted-in their slate of candidates for the upcoming 2023 municipal elections.
“Our candidates are all people with extensive and relevant experience for the offices for which they are running. Our committee is proud to endorse them. These candidates were selected because they each have proven track records of public service and community involvement,” said RTC Chairman, Randy Nixon.
Leading the slate of candidates for the position of First Selectman is retired State Trooper John Mesham, a 30-year resident of Old Lyme.
“I am thrilled by the enthusiastic support of my fellow Republicans,” said Mesham. “I have received many calls of encouragement from unaffiliated voters since announcing my intention to run, so I look forward to a wide base of support in the campaign and election.”
Selectman Candidate Judith Read said, “I thank the Old Lyme RTC for endorsing my candidacy for Selectman! It is humbling to receive such ardent support from my friends, family, and community. I look forward to representing and serving all people of Old Lyme as we help to lead our small town to a positive and exciting future.”
After deciding not to run for a 10th term, longtime Republican First Selectman Timothy Griswold declared, “We have a great slate of candidates and I feel confident I will be leaving Old Lyme in good hands with the Mesham and Read team at the helm. I know they are committed to fiscal responsibility, excellence in education, and protecting the natural beauty of our town.”
Selectman Matthew Ward, an unaffiliated but Republican-endorsed candidate, decided to not seek re-election after taking a new job opportunity in his trained profession of accounting.
Ward is, however, running for the position of Town Treasurer. “I wanted to stay involved with the town and Treasurer gives me that opportunity while exercising my accounting education,” said Ward, also a retired State Trooper. He added, “I worked with John Mesham for many years and I know his leadership and management will be a great benefit to Old Lyme.”
The Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee meets Wednesday, July 19, at 6 p.m. in Old Lyme’s Memorial Town Hall to caucus and determine their endorsements for the upcoming November election.
The full slate of 2023 endorsed Republican candidates is as follows, with (U) indicating Unaffiliated candidates. All other candidates are registered Republicans.
First Selectman: John Mesham
Selectman: Judith Read
Town Treasurer: Matthew Ward (U)
Tax Collector:Suzanne Thompson
Board of Finance: H. Perry Garvin III
Board of Finance Alternates: Maria Corrao Marchant & Matthew F. Olson
Board of Assessment Appeals:David W. Evers, Jr.
Planning Commission (Term Begins 2023): Barbara Gaudio
Planning Commission (Term Begins 2024): Donald Willis
Zoning Commission (Term Begins 2023): Paul Orzel (U)
