Democrats Nominate Wisialowski to Challenge Five-Term Incumbent State Rep. Carney in 23rd District, Includes Lyme, Old Lyme—UPDATED

Jane Wisialowski, pictured above, has been nominated by 23rd District Democrats to run for State Representative in November. She will face incumbent State Rep. Devin Carney in the election. Photo by Ian Ragavanis of Ian R. Photography.

OLD SAYBROOK/OLD LYME/LYME/WESTBROOK—On Wednesday, May 15, delegates representing the 23rd House District towns of Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and part of Westbrook nominated Jane Wisialowski  as the Democratic candidate for their State Representative.  

A resident of Old Saybrook (OS) for 25 years, Wisialowski is a member of the OS Board of Education and an OS Parks & Recreation Commissioner. In addition to holding these elected positions, Wisialowski works as a professional conservator and fiduciary appointed by Connecticut probate judges to help individuals manage their financial and personal affairs.

She also currently serves as vice chair of the Old Saybrook Democratic Town Committee (DTC). 

In selecting her as the Democratic candidate for the Connecticut House of Representatives, District 23 delegates and area Democrats have praised Wisialowski for her long history of leadership and community service, and her commendable background in business development and care for families and individuals facing hardships.

“We are thrilled to put forward such a strong candidate to represent our district in Hartford,” said Old Lyme DTC Chair Kim Thompson.

She continued, “Jane has represented Democrats in important leadership positions in Old Saybrook and has a proven ability to connect with local voters. Her expansive professional network and sensitivity to issues facing seniors, women and families make her an excellent candidate for State Representative. We look forward to an exciting campaign season.”  

In announcing her plans to run for State Representative, Wisialowski said, “I have learned through my work the hardships that many seniors face and the positive role that government can play in easing  their burdens. I have learned through my own personal struggle to conceive the importance of IVF and a woman’s right to reproductive health care.”

She added, “I believe it is up to each of us to make our district the most thriving, equitable place it can be – one  whose natural beauty is protected; where children can grow up with access to all the best books and without fear of gun violence; where seniors can live out their lives in dignity in homes they can afford; and where women can always have access to the health care they want and need.” 

Wisialowski will run against five-term Republican incumbent Devin Carney in the November 2024 election.

She  lives in Old Saybrook with her husband Todd and their two sons.

Editor’s Note: This article is based on a press release issued by the Old Saybrook Democratic Town Committee.

Republicans Nominate State Rep. Devin Carney for Re-Election in 23rd District; Includes Lyme, Old Lyme

State Rep. Devin Carney (R-23rd) has been endorsed by 23rd District Republicans as their candidate to seek re-election in the November election.

OLD SAYBROOK/OLD LYME/LYME/WESTBROOK—On Thursday, May 16, State Rep. Devin Carney (R-23rd) announced his unanimous endorsement from 23rd District Republicans.

In a convention held at the Vicki Duffy Pavilion in Old Saybrook, Carney received the nod from delegates from the district’s four communities: Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook. 

Rep. Carney was first elected to serve the 23rd District in 2015. He is now seeking his sixth term in the position.

“I’ve always worked hard to put the people of the 23rd District first – above special interests and party interests,” said Carney, who in 2021 earned a national award for his bipartisan approach to legislating.

He continued, “To me, this is my responsibility as Representative. It is the honor of a lifetime to go  to Hartford to be the voice of our communities, and I look forward to spending this summer and fall to tell constituents about my work and listen to their concerns and ideas about how we can work together to make Connecticut a better state for everyone.” 

During his tenure, Rep. Carney has maintained a strong attendance record at the Capitol and has continued to be active in community events in all four towns of the 23rd district. Rep. Carney  has also been praised for his accessibility, bipartisanship, and work ethic during his tenure as State Representative.

He is also known for being a stalwart advocate for small towns and, in 2024, was given the “Town Crier Award” by the Connecticut Council of Small Towns for his legislative work. 

Rep. Carney serves in a leadership role within his caucus as the House Republican Policy Chair and also serves as the House Co-Chair of the bipartisan Future Caucus.

His committee assignments have put him at the center of many important policy debates at the Capitol. On the Transportation  Committee, he worked to improve safety on District roads and bridges and to improve operations at the DMV. On the Education Committee, Rep. Carney fought to give communities local control over education and to stop government mandates that can hurt children’s learning. 

“Our local public schools are a source of pride for our communities and the state should not be able to dictate what we teach or how we teach it,” said Carney. He added, “As long as I am State Representative, I will fight any measures that will weaken the quality and integrity of our education.”  

Serving on the Finance, Revenue, & Bonding Committee, Rep. Carney has focused on balancing the state budget, paying down debt, and growing the local economy and jobs. His involvement during the 2023 budget negotiations led to a reduction in taxes on pensions and retirement accounts.

“Improving affordability and opportunity in Connecticut and confidence in government are incredibly important to me and I will continue pushing policies to achieve these goals,” Rep. Carney concluded.

In addition to his legislative work, Rep. Carney works locally in finance and volunteers for many local organizations. He serves on the the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center Board of Trustees, on the board of Old Saybrook Senior Housing; he is a member of both the Greater Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce, and the Rotary Club of Old Saybrook.

He was also recently appointed National Caucus of Environmental Legislators Board Treasurer.

Editor’s Note: This article is based on a press release issued by State Representative Devin Carney (R-23rd).

Donations Sought to Fund Renovation of LOLMS Greenhouse by Lyme-OL Food Share Garden, LOL Schools

The Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School greenhouse pictured above will be renovated by a mutually beneficial partnership comprising the Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden and Lyme-Old Lyme Schools.

Joint Project Will Reduce Local Food Insecurity, Advance Student Engagement

LYME/OLD LYME—The Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden (LOLFSG) is partnering with the Region 18 School District to renovate the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School greenhouse. The project will advance the garden’s mission to reduce local food insecurity while serving as a site to foster student curiosity and engagement.  

​The LOLFSG share of the project is $8000, which represents approximately 40 percent of the renovation costs.  The LOLFSG is raising money through a crowd-sourcing effort supported by Sustainable CT. If LOLFSG can raise $4000, then Sustainable CT’s innovative Community Match Fund will match the remaining $4000. Donations in any amount are welcome. To view an insightful video about the project and/or to donate, visit http://patronicity.com/greenhouserenovation.

This Sustainable CT Fund provides fast, flexible funding to implement projects that align with a variety of sustainability actions. The Fund is structured to support and amplify grassroots efforts that strive to transform their community, neighborhood, and town for the good.  

Access to a greenhouse will allow the LOLFSG to increase production by starting and maintaining plants for late-season crops. While researching greenhouse options, Jim Ward, LOLFSG President, noticed that the aging middle school greenhouse was currently unusable. 

Ward approached RSD 18 administration about a potential partnership to renovate and modernize the structure. Following a series of conversations between school personnel, garden members, and greenhouse professionals, the idea took root.  

This photo shows the current interior of the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School greenhouse prior to the renovation project.

Garden volunteers will also maintain educational exhibits for use by students such as a vermicomposting (worm) bin and a hydroponic display. Teachers and students will have access to the greenhouse for classroom use or club projects.  

The Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden is a nonprofit organization started in 2021 to reduce food insecurity in local communities by growing and donating fresh produce. Located at Town Woods Park, the LOLFSG is a fully volunteer organization. In the past two growing seasons, more than 5000 pounds of fresh produce has been donated to the Shoreline Soup Kitchen and Pantries and the United Way.  

Garden volunteers also compost food waste and maintain a pollinator pathway.  

Who Are MCCD? What is Their Mission? Find Out at Lyme Library Presentation

The MCCD team gathers for a rare photo.

LYME—On Tuesday, May 14, at Lyme Public Library at 5:30 p.m., the Mentoring Corps for Community Development (MCCD) will present the group’s methodology of how they deliver on their motto of “Helping Others Succeed”.

Founded in 2012, MCCD comprises a 12-member board of retired professionals offering consultation services based on their accumulated skills. These skills were acquired during the board members’ respective long careers in medicine, business, law, philanthropy, real estate and the arts to name a few.

The group works with clients on a confidential and pro bono basis.

If you are wondering how to improve outcomes for your business, not-for-profit or personal ambitions, this event offers the opportunity to learn how this unique organization has helped others achieve their goals.

All are welcome at this special, free event at which MCCD Board Members will share success stories and more.

Registration is preferred for planning purposes but not required. Contact Lyme Public Library at (860) 434-2272 or programreg@lymepl.org to register.

For more information about MCCD, visit  www.mentoringcorps.org.

Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Announce Quarter 3 Honor Rolls—UPDATED

LYME-OLD LYME HIGH SCHOOL HONOR ROLL
Quarter 3    2023-24

HIGH HONORS

Grade 12:
Alexis Antonellis, Emma Bayor, Oliver Berry, Alis Bicic, Drew Brackley, Natalie Buckley, Jackson Bullock, Sarah Colangelo, Emma Cook, William Coppola, Ava Cummins, Ella Curtiss-Reardon, Eric Dagher, Sydney Doboe, Marcia Geronimo, Calla Gilson, Sydney Goulding, Alexis Grasdock, Justin Green, Douglas Griswold, Abby Hale, Ella Halsey, Sedona Holland, John Holzworth, Agatha Hunt, Beatrice Hunt, Sabina Jungkeit, Emmerson Kaye, Putt Kongsatt, Elaina Morosky, Katherine Mullaney, Delaney Nelson, Isabelle O’Connor, Grace Phaneuf, Jack Porter, Luisa Raby, Owen Snurkowski, Hannah Thomas, Keara Ward, Louisa Warlitz, Mason Wells, Tyler Wells, Summer Wollack, Duohui Yan, Grace Zembruski

Grade 11:
Christopher Anderson, Ella Austin, Juana Biagioni, Molly Boardman, Amelie Bod, Mark Burnham, Mason Bussmann, Chase Calderon, Andrew Clougherty, Tabitha Colwell, Gloria Conley, Chloe Datum, Caeli Edmed, Anna Eichholz, Davis Fallon, Benedict Frazier, Salvatore Gencarella, Manu Geronimo, Christopher Gibbons, Kaela Hoss, Shyla Jones, Thomas Kabel, Simon Karpinski, Olivia Kelly, Ella Kiem, Peter Kuhn, Elise Leonardo, Evan LeQuire, Andrew Liu, Lana Lopes, Abigail O’Brien, Kanon Oharu, Sophie Pennie, Ryan Shapiro, Kelly Sheehan, Charlotte Tinniswood, Nicholas Turtoro, Kathleen Walsh

Grade 10:
Sienna Bari, Zoe Brunza, Trevor Buydos, Tyler Cann, Julia Clark, Maya Cook, Colman Curtiss-Reardon, Sophia D’Angelo, Christopher Dagher, Rose Dimmock, Elena Gerardo, Chase Gilbert, Alexander Glaras, Christopher Kachur, Thomas Kelly, Emily Looney, Ian Maeby, Serena Mazzi, Carter McGlinchey, Rowen Meisner, Madeline Murphy, Ryan Olsen, Marleigh Piacenza, Luca Signora, Carson St Louis, Andrew Taylor, Margaret Thuma, Gabriel Waldo, Oliver Wyman

Grade 9:
Addison Arndt, Ceciley Buckley, Morgan Buerger, Brooke Burgess, Anna Bussmann, Lillian Calabrese, Chase Catalano, Johanna Coker, Brady Donovan, Elliot Dunn-Sims, Samson Edmed, Angeline Gencarella, Gavin Goulis, Tessa Grethel, Owen Holth, Josephine Kiem, Olivia Lovendale, John Morosky, Emelia Munster, Autumn Newbury, Grace Osborne, Ainsley Rinoski, Cameron Russell, Allegra Schaedler, Owen Shapiro, Nicholas Sokolowski, Madeline Stiles, Magdalena Tooker, Ethan Trepanier, Kaylyn Vernon, Caterina Wilson

HONORS

Grade 12:
Peighton Andrews, Beatrice Barnett, Elliot Bjornberg, Henry Boller, Bianca Carrion, Nicholas Cheesman, Macklin Cushman, Lucas DaSilva, Ryder Goss, Mohamad Hamou, Jordan Hanes, Parker Holland, Grady Lacourciere, Audrey LeCour, Mila Lopes, Anna McAdams, Lucas McMillan, Kayla O’Leary, Ava Roth, Cailin Ruhling, Haley Shaw, Gabriel Tooker, Kalea VanPelt, Icey Yan

Grade 11:
Micah Bass, Gavin Biega, Justin Bonatti, Zoe Eastman-Grossel, Samantha Fiske, Hoshena Gemme, Janna Graves, Abigail Greene, Abigail Griffith, Nicolas Hatch, Rowan Hovey, Kyle Ingersoll-Bonsack, Hannah Johnston, Skylar Kobelia, Ada LaConti, Straub Lahot, Elizabeth Lopez, Colette Marchant, Drea Simler, Andrew Sprankle, Ava Wood-Muller, Gabriella Ziegler

Grade 10:
Alec Butzer, Makayla Calderon, Annabelle Coppola, James Dahlke, Braden Dawson, Alexa Donovan, Jonathan Farrell, Benjamin Goulding, Elizaveta Gregoire, Teagan Iglesias, Daniela Marin Yanza, Nayeli Marin Yanza, Bridget McAdams, Samuel McKenzie, Ryan Miller, Finch Nichols, Ryan Ortoleva, Louis Patana, Quenten Patz, Isabella Presti, Lance Sanford, Sophia Shaposhnikova, Tanner Snurkowski, Lucian Tracano, John Turick, Connor Vautrain, Elisabeth Viera, Stella Young, Carl Zapatka, Katherine Zhang

Grade 9:
Phineas Barrett, Zachary Belval, Mia Bonatti, William Burgess, Aidan Carpentino, Evan Coffee, Edward Fiske, Antonio Gencarella, Harrison Goulis, Skylar Graybill, Charles Halsey, Marley Iaia, Maddux Murphy, Sean Olsen, Mia Palmer, Bowen Turick, Charles Zelek

LYME-OLD LYME MIDDLE SCHOOL HONOR ROLL
Quarter 3    2023-24

HIGH HONORS

Grade 8:
Kaitlyn Ackerman, Lillian Acosta, Lauren Belval, Scarlett Blatter, Vivian Boller, Lana Brunza, Gabrielle Clark, Nathaniel Condon, Albert Enman, Katharine Ferman, Jonah Filardi, Avery Goiangos, Frederick Goss, Gavin Gray, Sawyer Graybill, Maia Guisti, Alistair Hampton-Dowson, Colleen Harrington, Reese Holland, Henrik Hummervoll, Mason Jones, Fiona Judge, Jillian Kleefeld, Kaedyn Koproski, Holden Leonardo, Graham Macadam, Benjamin Mattox, Rowan McCormick, Charles McEwen, William McKeever, Addyson Morosky, Marielle Munster, Remi Patz, Nicholas Porto, Jonah Scheckwitz, Audrey Sheehan, Avery Spooner, Charlotte Thuma, Jonathan Toriello, Renee Viera, Ashlynn Ward, Avery Wesch

Grade 7:
Josie Arndt, Angelina Bari, Anna Block, Emily Bonatti, Cassidy Buckley, Ewan Cabell, Trent Cameron, Emily Campbell, Reagan Christopher, Emerson Coker, Miles Coppola, Nadia Daily, Maya Desai, Samuel Dunn-Sims, Colin Farrell, Parker Fedorich, Jackson Fiske, Parker Forbes, Samantha Fulara, Ava Fuller, Olivia Gerardo, Victoria Glaras, Kylie Grethel, Toby Griffis, Olivia Griffith, Cole Haslam, Charles Holth, Quinn Hoss, Griffin Karpinski, Collin Langley, Zoey Langley, Jacob Levin, Ellison Lodge, Isabel Martel, Jackson Matthews, Harland McKenna, Sofia Noti, Thomas O’Connor, Kanato Oharu, Michael O’Leary, Giovanni Orlando, John Osborne, Jack Ouellette, Benson Reis, Tristan Reyes, Lillian Reynolds, Beatrix Rubino, Addison Sapia, Juliette Small, Adrianna Squarciafico, Mia Stokes, Natalie Suisman, Cooper Thomas, Olive Vautrain, Teya Vernon, Benson Wang, Reagan Weinstein, Samuel Zelek, Lily Zerkowski

Grade 6:
Ellie Ackerman, Annalisa Archbald, Sawyer Barreto, Cole Barris, Jackson Basham, Zakary Benedetto, Conor Buckeridge, Thomas Calabrese, Rowan Cantner, Mason Catalano, Jackson Chapps, Ainsley Conroy, Oliver Constantine, Brennon Coyle, Daniel Crisp, Ella Davis, Daphne Eisensmith, Kate Ewers, Camryn Fedorich, Estelle Filardi, Beckett Goss, Delana Green-Oldfield, Julia Haslam, Sean Hunter, August Jungkeit, Devon Kiem, Rowan Kilfoil, Mary McAdams, Ariana McEwen, Riley McHugh, Finn McLaughlin, Henry Miller, Broderick Morris, Isla Morrissette, Maya Munster, Maura Murphy, Avery Olson, Juul Parrott, Quin Parrott, Charlotte Reynolds, Olivia Rozanski-Rose, Linden Sarnoski, Ari Shegirian, Molly Supersano, Weston Taylor, Brandon Wang, Liam Ward

HONORS

Grade 8:
John Comstock, Colin Discordia, Cortland Forbes, Treyton LaConti, Alice Li, Sadie Lukasiewski, David McAdams, Caitlyn McHugh, Grace Morrissette, Grayson Standish

Grade 7:
Owen Anderson, Cayden Graybill, Mary Kane, Grant Maxwell, Maxwell Mooney, Jack Parker, Adrian Raby, Nikolas Reid

Grade 6:
Riley Anderson, Charlotte Anton, Miella Bard, Braydon Boisseau, Liam Carpentino, Hunter Emma, Jaxson Glantz, Aibhlinn Hall, Alina Kosecki, Eva Levonick, Gunnar Palmer, Emily Randak, Roman Schlachter, Maya Smith, Reed Snurkowski, Kingsley Zheng