Category Archives: Politics

Republicans Griswold, Ward Win in Old Lyme; Shoemaker (D) Takes Third Spot on BOS; Early Results Show Nosal Secures Seat on Zoning, But Recounts Needed in Several Contests; Full Unofficial Results

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Tim Griswold (right) has been re-elected as Old Lyme First Selectman. He will be joined on the board by fellow Republican Matt Ward (left) and Democrat Martha Shoemaker (not pictured.) File photo.,596

OLD LYME — UPDATED 11/3 WITH MORE DETAILS ON VOTE COUNTS: These are the preliminary UNOFFICIAL results from Tuesday’s election with those elected in bold. Several of the races appear to require a recount.

Republican Tim Griswold retained his position for a second consecutive term as Old Lyme First Selectman by a relatively small margin of 104 votes. Griswold garnered 1,700 votes and Shoemaker 1,596. Griswold previously served seven terms as First Selectman from 1997 to 2011.

Griswold’s running mate, the unaffiliated but Republican-endorsed Matt Ward, secured precisely the same number of votes as Griswold (1,700), and takes the second selectman spot.

Democrat Martha Shoemaker netted more votes than her running mate Jim Lampos, who received 1,575 votes, and therefore she (Shoemaker) will also join the board of selectmen.

The hotly-contested Region 18 Board of Education race, which saw eight candidates vying for four open seats, was won by a mix of Republicans and Democrats. Unaffiliated but Republican-endorsed Laura Dean-Frazier was the top vote-getter with 1,705 votes, followed first selectman candidate — and now Old Lyme Board of Selectmen member — Democrat Martha Shoemaker with 1,680 votes. Democrat Jason Kemp came in third with 1,621 votes and rounding out the winners was Republican Christopher Staab with 1,578 votes — but as Alexander Lowry was only 10 votes behind Staab, a recount may be requested.

Andy Russell and Jude Read were re-elected the board of finance defeating Democrat challengers Anna Reiter and Bradley Mock.

Republicans Matthew Olsen and Maria Marchant were elected as board of finance alternates along with Democrat Katherine Thuma.

The Planning Commission saw incumbent Todd Machnik (R) re-elected after defeating selectman candidate Jim Lampos (D).

Republican Jane Marsh was re-elected to the Zoning Commission, but Democrat and current Old Lyme Selectwoman and Democrat Mary Jo Nosal also won a seat to the Commission after defeating Republican Sloan Danenhower. A recount in this latter race is also expected since there were only seven votes between the two candidates with Nosal receiving 1,600 votes and Danenhower 1,573.

Democrat Russell Fogg was elected to the ZBA defeating Daniel Montano (R).

More analysis to follow.

FIRST SELECTMAN: 

Martha Shoemaker (D): 1,596

Timothy  Griswold (R): 1,700

SELECTMAN: 

Jim Lampos (D): 1,575

Matthew Ward (R): 1,700

TOWN CLERK: 

Vicki Urbowicz (R): 2,204

BOARD OF FINANCE – FULL TERM: 

Bradley Mock (D): 1,483

Anna Reiter (D): 1,530

Andrew Russell (R): 1,722

Judith Read (R): 1,716

BOARD OF FINANCE – TO FILL FOUR-YEAR TERM: 

Kimberly Russell Thompson (D): 1,890

BOARD OF FINANCE ALTERNATES: 

Sarah E. Michaelson (D): 1,621

Katherine Thuma (D): 1,630

Matthew Olsen (R): 1,754

Maria Marchant (R): 1,709

BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS 

George C. Finley (D): 1,664

Timothy Griswold (R): 1,558

PLANNING COMMISSION
5-Year Term beginning 2021 

Jim Lampos (D): 1,548

Todd Machnik (R): 1,711

5-Year Term beginning 2022 

Rob McCarthy (D): 1,938

ZONING COMMISSION:
5-Year Term beginning 2021 

Maria Martinez (D): 1,478

Jane Marsh (R): 1,701

5-Year Term beginning 2022 

Mary Jo Nosal (D): 1,600

Sloan Danenhower (R): 1,593

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
5-Year Term beginning 2021 

Kip Kotzan (D): 1,897

5-Year Term beginning 2022 

Russell Fogg (D): 1,632

Daniel Montano (R): 1,535

Alternates 

Kathleen Tracy (D): 1,651

Sherry Johnston (R): 1,664

Christopher Kerr (R): 1,871

Rod Clingman (R): 1,722

REGION 18 BOARD OF EDUCATION 

Jason L. Kemp (D): 1,621

Marisa Calvi-Rogers (D): 1,520

Martha H. Shoemaker (D): 1680

Alexander Lowry (D): 1568

Mona Colwell (R): 1,391

Laura Dean-Frazier (R): 1,705

Michael Presti (R): 1,525

Christopher Staab (R): 1,578

Democrats Retain Top Spot in Lyme Uncontested, Make Other Gains Notably on Board of Finance

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First Selectman Steve Mattson (right) and  Selectman John Kiker, both Democrats, retain their respective seats on the Lyme Board of Selectmen.

LYME – The only real race in Lyme saw Democrats Bob House and Alan Sheiness edge out Republican Bruce Anderson for seats on the board of finance.

All other races in Lyme were uncontested so Democrat Steve Mattson remains as First Selectman with fellow Democrat John Kiker as Second Selectman. David Lahm joins the board as the minority Republican.

On learning the results of today’s municipal election, Lyme Democratic Town Committee (DTC) Chairman John Kiker issued the following statement: “On the behalf of everyone at the Lyme DTC, I would like to thank the residents of Lyme for electing a full slate of highly qualified Democratic candidates whose experience and expertise will benefit our town boards and commissions. We are particularly excited about our additions to the Board of Finance and the Planning & Zoning Commission, who will help ensure these important boards are balanced with Democratic values.”

He continued, “All of the newly elected Democratic officials love our town and want Lyme to stay the beautiful, historic town that it is; and they are grateful to have the opportunity to serve the residents of our town.”

Kiker added, “I would also like to thank all the volunteers who helped run our campaign this year – in particular, the members of our Nominating Committee, who did such an excellent job of recruiting some of Lyme’s best and brightest to run for public office.”

Noting, “The Lyme DTC’s mission is to support and strengthen the Democratic Party in the Town of Lyme and the State of Connecticut. The committee meets on the fourth Thursday of every month at 7:30 p.m. in the Lyme Town Hall (barring holidays or other necessary schedule changes),” Kiker concluded, “These meetings are open to the public and all registered Democrats are encouraged to attend.”

Unofficial Election Results From Lyme

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FIRST SELECTMAN: (Vote for one)

Steven Mattson (D): 420

Steven Mattson (Endorsed by Republicans): 157

SELECTMAN: (Vote for one)

John Kiker (D): 412

David Lahm (R): 249

BOARD OF FINANCE:  (Vote for up to two)

Bob House (D): 431

Alan Sheiness (D): 413

Bruce Anderson (R): 260

BOARD OF FINANCE ALTERNATE: (Vote for one)

Jim Miller (D): 414

Tom St. Louis (R) 239

BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS (Vote for one)

John Kiker (D): 471

PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION (Vote for up to two)

Phyllis Ross (D): 404

David Tiffany (R) 348

PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION ALTERNATE – FULL SIX-YEAR TERM: (Vote for one)

Ann Littlefield (D): 475

PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION ALTERNATE – FULL FOUR-YEAR TERM: (Vote for one)

Frederick Gahagan (R) 367

PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION ALTERNATE – FULL TWO-YEAR TERM: (Vote for one)

Mary Stone (D): 468

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS (Vote for up to two)

Fred Harger (D): 427

David Lahm (R): 306

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS ALTERNATE: (Vote for one)

Toni Phillips (D): 463

LIBRARY DIRECTORS: (Vote for up to two)

Mary Stone (D): 466

Laura Mooney (D): 462

REGION 18 BOARD OF EDUCATION (Vote for one)

Anna James (D): 479

‘Debate’ Held With Republicans, No Democrats; Eric Parker Served as Question Master

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OLD LYME — Monday night’s planned debate was reformatted to an event featuring only the Republican candidates after a major misunderstanding occurred as to whether or not the debate had been cancelled.

Ann Reiter, campaign manager for the Democrats, stated in an email sent Monday at 11:52 a.m., “… unfortunately our (the Democrats) understanding yesterday [Sunday] at 2pm was that the debate was cancelled because of several reasons, the main being that we did not have a moderator and neither Vicki [Lanier] or I had any prospects for a moderator.  At that point we (the Democrats) notified our supporters and candidates that the debate was cancelled.  I was not available last night and did not receive news about Eric Parker’s possible participation until very late last night. We were disappointed to cancel the event and Vicki and I both agreed that if we are the campaign managers for the town committees again in two years, we would work together starting in September to create a fair and well-planned event.”

Victoria Lanier, campaign manager for the Republicans, countered in an email sent Monday at 11:57 a.m., “Anna Reiter … confirmed that the Democratic candidates will not be attending the scheduled debate this [Monday] evening at the LOLMS.  Her reasoning was that she claimed to me that “we agreed to cancel the debate”.  To be perfectly clear – there was never an agreement to cancel the debate.  Rather, she informed me yesterday [Sunday] via telephone (rather than email) at about 2pm that her candidates wouldn’t be at the debate because we didn’t have a confirmed moderator.
The Republican candidates will go forward. Eric Parker [of Channel 3 News*] will ask questions of the Republican candidates that will be supplied to him in a sealed envelope when he arrives at Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School.”

Parker took the role of question master in a personal capacity not as a representative of Channel 3 News.

The questions were a combination of those submitted to CT Examiner and LymeLine.

Visit this link for a recording of the event. The recording was supplied by the Old Lyme Republicans.

 

‘Debate’ to be Held This Evening at 5:30pm With Republicans, No Democrats; Eric Parker to Ask Questions

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OLD LYME — We have just been informed that tonight’s debate has been reformatted as follows:-

The event will start at 5:30 p.m. NOT the previously announced 5 p.m. It will still be held in Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School (LOLMS.) All are welcome.

Victoria Lanier, campaign manager for the Republicans, states, “The Republican candidates will go forward. Eric Parker [of Channel 3 News*] will ask questions of the Republican candidates that will be supplied to him in a sealed envelope when he arrives at Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School.” [The questions will be a combination of those submitted to CT Examiner and LymeLine.]

The Democrats will not participate.

Ann Reiter, campaign manager for the Democrats, states, “… unfortunately our (the Democrats) understanding yesterday at 2pm was that the debate was cancelled because of several reasons, the main being that we did not have a moderator and neither Vicki or I had any prospects for a moderator.  At that point we (the Democrats) notified our supporters and candidates that the debate was cancelled.  I was not available last night and did not receive news about Eric Parker’s possible participation until very late last night. We were disappointed to cancel the event and Vicki and I both agreed that if we are the campaign managers for the town committees again in two years, we would work together starting in September to create a fair and well-planned event.”

Lanier counters, “Anna Reiter … confirmed that the Democratic candidates will not be attending the scheduled debate this evening at the LOLMS.  Her reasoning was that she claimed to me that “we agreed to cancel the debate”.  To be perfectly clear – there was never an agreement to cancel the debate.  Rather, she informed me yesterday via telephone (rather than email) at about 2pm that her candidates wouldn’t be at the debate because we didn’t have a confirmed moderator.”

Both campaign managers expressed thanks to CT Examiner and LymeLine for supporting their efforts.

We understand the event will be recorded and the recording posted on the Old Lyme Republicans Facebook page shortly after the conclusion of the event. Here is a link to the recording.

Editor’s Note: Eric Parker is taking this role in a personal capacity not as a representative of Channel 3 News.