To the Editor:

As an unaffiliated voter in Old Lyme, the upcoming election for Selectmen is particularly important.

Seeking to fund the extension of a town project, largely with state money, without a guarantee for the money from the state is putting the “cart before the horse”……..The state has been broke for years.

Case in point: The rearranging/bump outs/sidewalks/repaving of Hartford Avenue in anticipation of state funding to connect with the exit 70 off ramp of I-95-N, (4+ miles), for a pedestrian/bike/greenway lane was “pie in the sky”. 

Foreseeable bad timing, as Hartford Avenue will have to be torn up again to install the upcoming sewer lines.

There are numerous other examples …….      

The town needs more timely public knowledge dissemination about project planning, coupled with increased town hall transparency allowing government to function more smoothly.

We need selectmen who will be better at, “minding the store.”

Vote common sense.

Vote READ/KERR November 7^th. 

Sincerely,

Sloan Danenhower,
Old Lyme.

Editor’s Note: The author is the husband of First Selectman candidate Judith Read.

To the Editor:

With election day in Old Lyme less than 3 weeks away, we are writing in support of the candidacy of incumbents Bonnie Reemsnyder and Mary Jo Nosal.

Old Lyme has enjoyed honest and ethical, and fiscally responsible leadership during their terms of public service. They communicate well with residents and schedule hearings and town meetings for most large and/or costly projects. Any changes in project scope or schedule are also thoroughly communicated to residents.

They are willing to consider and present regional alternatives or partnerships for some services when cost or availability of resources is at issue. We’ll only mention a few key projects delivered over the past two years. These include the boat house, the Sound View streetscape, and a focus on the health of Rogers Lake.

However, the “Mother of All Projects” was the successful fight against the Federal Railroad Administration’s (per Senator Blumenthal) hair-brained and half-baked project that would have decimated our historic district.

Bonnie rallied a team that expanded the issue from Old Lyme to all of Southeast Connecticut. The team eventually included Old Lyme residents; environmental groups; elected representatives from the communities impacted by the plan; and our State and Federal Legislators. FRA’s plan was scrapped.

Their professionalism was clearly demonstrated in the recent debate. They were factual and complete in their answers and conducted themselves with courtesy and without rancor.

We are concerned, however, that Old Lyme’s RTC had adopted some of the tactics employed by some members of the national republican party in that debate: i.e.,the actual facts don’t really matter and, lacking those, throw out a stray insult or half-truth here and there.

Please Join us in support of Bonnie and Mary Jo.

Sincerely,

Christina J. Gotowka,
Thomas D. Gotowka,
Old Lyme.

To the Editor:

As we approach our municipal elections and prepare to decide who will run our local communities for the next two years, we should all reflect on those qualities that we want our leaders to exhibit.

Old Lyme has been fortunate to have had Bonnie Reemsnyder and Mary Jo Nosal focus their seemingly boundless energy on improving our community for the past six years.

Bonnie and Mary Jo have devoted countless hours meeting residents in order to get to know them and understand their concerns.  They have made great strides in involving more members of our community in our governance, believing that working together is critical to addressing the many issues facing our small coastal town and the broader regional community.  Our Boards and Commissions reflect the very real work they have put into supporting and encouraging more participation from all residents of our town.  Their collaborative natures, strong leadership and get-it-done attitudes have proven to be exactly what Old Lyme needed.

I urge Old Lyme residents to join me in voting for the experienced and hardworking Reemsnyder & Nosal team on November 7^th.  Keep Old Lyme moving forward toward a future we can all be part of and proud of.

Sincerely,

Jean Wilczynski,
Old Lyme.

To the Editor:

I have been approached over the last three months by people inquiring about our town RTC support for Jude Read and Chris Kerr for our selectmen, two excellent people with a long history of civic service.  I have had the pleasure to serve with both on the Board of Finance, and I have very strong respect for their management abilities and their independent thinking.  We will need both here in Old Lyme as we continue to navigate large town issues.

In the last four years, we have had such major items as sewers, control of health services, unsatisfactory police service, and blighted properties in need of improvement.  In each of these cases, we still need long-term solutions, after several years.  Many solutions proposed involve loss of local control of what seem to be fundamentally local responsibilities for a town our size.

Jude and Chris each have successful small business experience.  Their skills equip them well for the change in leadership needed to reduce nonessential initiatives or grant-driven work and focus on projects identified as priorities by the Old Lyme voters.  I urge voters to join me in voting November 7th for Jude and Chris!

Sincerely,

J. David Kelsey,
Old Lyme.

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