Category Archives: Letters

Letter to the Editor: ‘Critical Decisions to be Made in Next Two Years’ for Old Lyme; Shoemaker, Lampos Unquestionably Represent Best Option to Lead Town Through Them

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To the Editor:

Normally, politics are not my thing.  I am much too pre-occupied living.  But this year, in Old Lyme, I am paying attention.  

I am paying attention because there are so many critical decisions that must be made in the next two years, that could change our little town forever.  Let’s get it right. Our local media has done a great job providing us with all the information we need to make sound electoral decisions. I urge you to spend the next few minutes reading the Selectmen’s online interviews or reviewing the October 23rd candidate debate.  It’s all there for us – just a click away. 

Decisions regarding Halls Road, the senior center expansion, the beach communities, Rogers Lake, housing – all very complex, and all I expect will require hundreds of lengthy documents and contracts that will need to be analyzed. 

In Jim Lampos we have a candidate that not only has experience with municipal contracts (New York City Urban Planning) but actually has a Masters degree in municipal contract analysis. What a rarity and just what this town needs right now. 

Martha Shoemaker, our current Selectwoman, the only candidate to successfully complete the CT Municipal Officer CCM certification, has already demonstrated to all her high level of competency and dedication. She has her finger on the pulse of Old Lyme, and Old Lyme simply cannot afford to lose that.  Two very qualified candidates, wanting to serve.   

Vote! Yes! But look past the glossy postcards and be informed before you go to the polls.  If you do, you will vote for Jim Lampos and Martha Shoemaker. 

Sincerely,

Mary Daley,
Old Lyme.

Letter to the Editor: Vote Powell-St. Louis for Region 18 BOE, Lyme Residents ‘Deserve a Contest of Ideas, not a Barrage of Deception’

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To the Editor:

I am writing as a progressive Democrat to encourage all others to reelect Republican Mary Powell-St. Louis to the Region 18 School Board.

Despite my readiness to argue politics, I assume that all people, regardless of political persuasion, want what is best for their children—and for other people’s children. I have no doubt that Gavin Lodge does so. Indeed, that is why it is so alarmingly disappointing that he and the Lyme DTC have resorted to lying and fear rhetoric to depict Dr. Powell-St. Louis as a figurehead for the banning of books in our schools.

The truth of the matter is that Mary Powell-St. Louis became a physician, moved to Lyme in 1998, sent three children through the LOL school system, served two terms on the BoE since 2015, earned a Masters in Public Health at Yale, earned an MBA from Babson, was recruited by Pfizer as a physician researcher and now serves as director for clinical trials in vaccine research. Her colleagues on the Board routinely praise her expertise, reasonableness, and ability to work across the aisle.

To the contrary, the Lyme DTC would have you believe that Dr. Powell-St. Louis accomplished such an impressive record so that, in 2024, she could prevail upon the Board of Education to override longstanding District policies and initiate book bans in our school libraries.

Look, I love a good thriller as much as anyone, but that absurd tale needs considerable workshopping. Who in their right mind could find it believable? And shame on the Lyme DTC for propagating such falsehood about an intelligent and successful woman and mother who has honorably given so much to her community.

The citizens of Lyme deserve a contest of ideas, not a barrage of deception. And to my fellow progressives and Democrats: If honesty and character matters in public officials, it must always matter. We must expect it from people on our side of the political spectrum as much as we demand it from our friends on the Right. Lying and spreading falsehoods is not a democratic virtue nor a Democratic principle. If we excuse it for our candidates, we cannot object to its use by our opponents.

As a father of two intelligent and spirited young women with strong moral compasses and of two equally fine young men whom my wife and I have taught to respect all genders, I know far too well how deleterious—but how regrettably common—it is to tolerate lies about women. I urge all of you who vote not to let the Lyme DTC’s duplicity set the stage for when elections return to our town. We are better than that, and our daughters and sons are watching.

On November 7, vote for honesty in elections and for respect of women in public service. Vote for Dr. Mary Powell-St. Louis.

Sincerely,

Stephen Olbrys Gencarella,
Lyme, CT.

Deadlines for Receipt of Election-Related Letters to the Editor (Updated)

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LYME/OLD LYME — The deadline to receive election-related letters to be considered for publication is 12 p.m. (noon) on Friday, Nov. 3. Letters received before that deadline, which are selected for publication, will be published on or before midnight on Saturday, Nov. 4.

Letters received after 12 p.m. (noon) on Friday, Nov. 3, will not be considered for publication, unless they are in direct response to a letter published on or after Nov. 2. The letter to which the response is being made must be cited. Response letters selected for publication will be published by midnight on Sunday, Nov. 5.

No new letters will be published on Monday, Nov. 6.

Letter to the Editor: Elections are the Will of the People

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To the Editor:

The Chair of the Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee [OLDTC] would have us believe there is an “unhealthy imbalance” in Old Lyme government because they have a minority of seats on boards and commissions. This is an entirely warped view of the electoral process. Elections are the will of the People, and the People have spoken loudly by choosing the best candidates. 

The Old Lyme Republican Town Committee works hard to find the best qualified, vibrant, and diverse voices to represent our town. This is why they are elected and re-elected, both Republican and endorsed Unaffiliated candidates, which Ms. Nosal apparently overlooks. All minority representation requirements are followed.

If the OLDTC is concerned with “more representative voices”, why is it they are running three spouses for election? Surely, having spouses involved with associated areas of planning and zoning, and town finances, does not “improve the balance of voices in our town government”. 

For the best slate of candidates, who have consistently delivered, and have fresh new ideas, Vote Row B.

Sincerely,

Deb Czarnecki,
Old Lyme.

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

Letter to the Editor: Stakes High in This Election, Vote Lowry, Fogliano, Brown for Region 18 BOE; They Have Skills, Experience Not in Existence on Current Board

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To the Editor:

Often, in local elections, our choices can feel minor, like they won’t amount to much. In this election, however, the stakes are high, and our choices matter. We need candidates who have the courage to do the right thing, and represent all the people in Old Lyme — not just a loud minority.

Because of these heightened stakes, I’m excited to vote for thoughtful, experienced, and skillful leadership for Region 18 Board of Education (BOE) on November 7.

  • Alexander Lowry is a teacher, married to a teacher, and has two children in the district. His energy, open-mindedness, and ability to articulate the concerns of students, staff, and parents will be a welcome addition to the Board.
  • Susan Fogliano, a former Board Chair, brings an in-depth understanding of the district, policies, and facilities. Her three kids went through the Old Lyme schools — and all three are educators.  
  • Scott Brown is a retired educator, and a former principal in Old Lyme Schools. In fact, he was an administrator when I was in high school, and I’m still writing this letter in support of his candidacy! All kidding aside, he provides a deep historical knowledge of the district, and a level-headed management style to the BOE.

Importantly, each of these candidates has the communications, budgeting, contracting and negotiating experience that does not exist under Steve Wilson. These candidates know, for example, that when an oil spill occurs on school grounds, a responsible Board will proactively communicate with the town. Alexander Lowry, Susan Fogliano, and Scott Brown will actually listen during meetings, and will address the concerns which are under their authority and responsibility. Finally, they each have the necessary skill sets and experience to ensure that the school renovation project stays on plan and budget.

Old Lyme deserves an excellent school board. Alexander Lowry, Susan Fogliano, and W. Scott Brown are running for BOE because they love education, our town, our kids, and our schools. Please vote for them.

Sincerely,

William Fitzgerald,
Old Lyme.

Editor’s Note: Alexander Lowry, Susan Fogliano and Scott Brown are the candidates endorsed by the Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee for the Region 18 Board of Education in the upcoming election.