Lyme School students welcomed visiting veterans with a colorful message. All photos courtesy of Lyme-Old Lyme Schools.
LYME/OLD LYME—On Monday, Lyme-Old Lyme Schools commemorated Veterans Day with a breakfast for local veterans followed by ceremonies in each school incorporating speeches, music and singing to honor all veterans.
Veterans including Joe LaCasse (right) and former Old Lyme First Selectman Tim Griswold (second from right) enjoyed a hearty breakfast at Lyme-Old Lyme Middles School to kick off the festivities.
Students of all ages were involved in the day’s events.
This young man performed an important role serving fresh fruit to the Middle School’s honored guests.
After breakfast at the middle school, the veterans attended a program in their honor in the auditorium.
VFW Post 1467 Commander Richard Mason (left) commented on the success of the day’s events, saying, “We bonded with middle school and high school students and staff as well as community friends.”
This was a very nice, inspirational day enjoying Veterans Day side-by-side with our students and community members. The students celebrated the day with heart and passion with our vets.Later they moved to Lyme-Old Lyme High School for another event, also commemorating veterans.
Longtime music teacher Jacob Wilson conducts the high school band.
At Lyme School, a tea was held for the veterans
The generations mixed seamlessly during a tea held for the veterans held at Lyme School.
A reception was held at the high school after the program there allowing the veterans to mingle with the students.
Veteran David Griswold (center) stands with two fellow veterans at the reception following the high school program.
VFW Post 1467 Commander Mason summed up the day, saying, “This was a very nice, inspirational day enjoying Veterans Day side-by-side with our students and community members. The students celebrated the day with heart and passion with our vets.”
The color guard delivered the flags to the fonr of the high school auditorium.
It was a truly memorable day for all involved.
The welcoming sign at the Middle School that greeted the arriving veterans.
This postcard will be arriving in Lyme residents’ mailboxes during the coming week.
LYME —11/24: UPDATE: Some residents living in the same household have reported that the survey would not permit more than one household member to complete the survey, if both respondents used the same device (computer, phone, iPad, etc.) to access the survey. This problem has been solved. More than one household member may now respond using the same device.
Other residents have reported they hadn’t received a postcard or may have unintentionally discarded their postcard. As a result, the Town of Lyme will send out another round of the postcards and extend the deadline for completing the survey to January 16.
Lyme residents who experience problems with taking the survey should contact Lyme Planning & Zoning Commission member Carol House at 703-989-1334.
ORIGINAL POST: On Nov. 7, the Town of Lyme announced that it is launching a community-wide survey of its residents to gather the information and opinions that will serve as the basis for the Town’s 2025 “Plan of Conservation & Development.” (The State of Connecticut requires towns to prepare and adopt a Plan of Conservation & Development every 10 years.)
This plan, once developed, will spell out the policies, goals, priorities and standards that will guide the Town’s physical and economic development over the next 10 years, and will be used by Town boards and commissions as a basis for decision making.
The community survey invites residents to share their thoughts and opinions on topics that include transportation improvements, recycling initiatives, recreational services, emergency services, open space, property taxes, zoning regulations, dark-sky initiatives and affordable housing.
In the coming week, every Lyme household or property owner will be receiving a postcard in the mail that contains a Survey ID Code assigned specifically to them.
To see what the postcard will look like, look at the image above and click here to see the reverse of the postcard.
Residents can plug in the Survey ID Code at a special page on the Town of Lyme website at www.townlyme.org/survey to open and complete the 20-minute survey.
In announcing the upcoming survey to residents, Lyme First Selectman David Lahm said, “This is your opportunity to help shape the future of our Town.”
Lyme’s last Plan of Conservation & Development was issued in 2015.
Lyme residents who do not receive a postcard or cannot take the survey online should contact First Selectman David Lahm at selectman@townlyme.org or call 860-434-7733 to request a paper copy of the survey.
Editor’s Note: This article is based on a press release issued by the Town of Lyme.
State Rep. Devin Carney (R) has retained his seat in the 23rd District.
LYME/OLD LYME—After winning a sixth term in the Connecticut House 23rd District, which includes both Lyme and Old Lyme, incumbent State Rep. Devin Carney sent us a message regarding his victory. We have printed it in full below:
“I want to thank the voters of Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook for entrusting me with their support for another term. I have worked incredibly hard over the last 10 years and my positive message of economic opportunity, reducing energy costs, and keeping local control carried the day. This was not an easy year as my campaign treasurer and boss, John Bysko [of Old Lyme], passed away unexpectedly in October and I was unable to campaign as much as in the past. I know he would be proud of me – and the race I ran – and that means more than anything.
My opponent ran a strong race, and I give her credit. As the only Republican to win in the district, it could have very easily gone the other direction. But voters were able to recognize my experience, dedication, and integrity and I received many crossover votes. I’ve truly given my all these past 10 years and it has been the honor of a lifetime. I look forward to getting back to work for the amazing people of the 23rd District.”
State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) has won a fourth term to serve the 33rd Senate District.
LYME, CT—State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) today thanked voters in Connecticut, whether they voted for or against him, as he happily celebrated winning his fourth term serving the 33rd Senate District in the State Senate.
With this victory part of a continued pattern of success for Sen. Needleman after he was first elected to the Senate in 2018, he reflected on the power that every vote holds.
“To have the opportunity to return to Hartford and continue working for the people of Connecticut is one I cherish,” said Sen. Needleman.
He added, “For six years, I have been able to give our towns a voice in the Capitol and make sure we have representation for issues impacting our daily lives. I’m grateful and thankful to everyone who voted, whether they cast a ballot for me or my opponent.”
Continuing, “This year’s election drew large numbers of voters to the polls, which is the best possible outcome for any election, no matter the final results – the more people who make their voices heard, the better,” Sen. Needleman concluded, “That’s something I will not take lightly.”
Sen. Needleman’s first three terms saw him serve as Senate Chair of the Energy & Technology Committee, leading passage of several impactful bills seeking to improve transparency and quality of service for Connecticut energy ratepayers.
Sen. Needleman serves in addition as Vice Chair of the Planning and Development Committee and a member of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding, Transportation and Commerce Committees.
Sen. Needleman will continue to represent the town of Lyme as well as the towns of Colchester, Chester, Clinton, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Old Saybrook, Portland and Westbrook.
Sen. Needleman founded and runs a manufacturing company, Tower Laboratories in Centerbrook, and is currently serving his sixth term as the First Selectman of Essex.
Editor’s Note: This article is based on a press release issued Nov. 6 by Senator Needleman’s office.
Jane Wisialowsi was the Democratic candidate for the 23rd District State Representative.
OLD SAYBROOK/OLD LYME/LYME—Democrat Jane Wisialowski issued a statement tonight conceding victory in the 23rd District to five-term incumbent State Rep. Devin Carney (R). The 23rd District includes both Lyme and Old Lyme.
Her statement read, in full, as follows:
Jane Wisialowski, first time Democratic state representative candidate, narrowly lost to incumbent Republican, Devin Carney.
“Obviously we are disappointed with the outcome but, with your help, we ran a race we can be proud of. We came closer than any other candidate has to defeat a five-time incumbent. We knew it would be an uphill battle, but I believe we sent an important message to my opponent – the people of the district are watching how you vote and you need to better represent our values,” Jane said tonight addressing a crowd of enthusiastic supporters.
After decades working in her corporate career, Jane became an advocate for people struggling with healthcare and financial hardships. She’s lived, worked, and raised her family in Old Saybrook for 25 years. She has also spent countless hours volunteering in the schools and serving her community in elected positions at the Old Saybrook Parks and Recreation Commission and Board of Education.
In May, her campaign for State Representative qualified for public financing within a week and secured the endorsement of more than a dozen labor and issue oriented organizations. Jane and her team knocked more than 5,600 doors throughout the district and rallied countless volunteers.
“Old Saybrook had an outstanding Democratic candidate in Jane,” said Old Saybrook Selectman Matt Pugliese. “Those who voted for her saw how well she represented their values and appreciated that she was focused on giving those values a platform in Hartford. We hope that Representative Carney will recognize Jane’s strong show of support and the importance of these issues for the residents in the district he represents.”
Kim Thompson, Chair of the Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee remarked, “Jane worked really hard. She relentlessly knocked doors on both sides of the river and truly got to know the people and the issues of Old Lyme and Lyme. We were exceptionally proud to support her.”
