I am a Republican AND I am voting for Democrat Sheryl Shyloski for the L-OL Board of Education!
Why am I doing so? Well, first of all, she is my daughter-in-law, and, Sheryl Shyloski is much more than that. Her degrees include a Masters in Psychology. Sheryl exhibits vital past experience and respected accomplishment across three school systems, i.e., Plainfield, Guilford, and currently as a school psychologist in East Lyme. Sheryl truly exhibits the critical skills for understanding childhood development issues as well as for contributing to school policies.
Sheryl Shyloski has a keen focus on understanding what works and does not work in today’s education environment including details of procedures, testing, conflict resolution, and work environments. Most importantly, Sheryl always exhibits a cool head for not only policy issues, but she is keen and truthful. Whether dissecting budget and expenditure proposals with regard to either achieving or not achieving results of grammar and high school policy and procedures, understanding programs and standards implementation, enforcement of and monitoring results either attained or results failing to be attained, Sheryl brings the skills we need to enhance our L-OL Board of Education.
Sheryl’s superior veteran educator skills were on display with applause given at the recent Wednesday night L-OL Board of Education Debate at the Middle School where Sheryl was truly very impressive, not only in her opening remarks, but with superior extemporaneous and unassailable responses throughout the debate including her conclusion.
Sheryl Shyloski is one of the most dedicated, truthful, and hard-working educators I have met, and I believe everyone witnessed just that including those who were there both competing with her on stage as well as in the audience.
It is an honor to serve on our Board of Selectmen in Old Lyme, one of the oldest continually meeting democratic institutions in the world. It’s a wonderful experience meeting and working with so many of you, and I am struck by the immense talent and commitment of our townspeople. It has deepened my faith in our town meeting form of government, and I am respectfully asking you to entrust me with another term.
While two years is a relatively short period of time, especially when it comes to government, I believe I’ve made a difference in the following ways:
1. Actively worked to address flooding issues during significant storms, and successfully applied for and obtained a resiliency study grant under Long Island Sound Partnership/Sea Grant Connecticut/UCONN Sustainable and Resilient Communities program. This grant will cover 100% of the cost for a study to assess our vulnerability and risks to coastal and inland flooding during storms and help us develop a prioritized mitigation strategy.
2. Diligently taken on the sewer issue to ensure fairness and keep the public fully informed of the ongoing process.
3. Engaged cooperatively with the Board of Finance to set a historically low mill rate by encouraging the transfer of excess surplus to tax relief, resulting in our town’s lowest mill rate in 34 years.
4. Worked with the Harbormaster to draft and enact a jet ski ordinance that has greatly improved safety and quality of life at the shore.
5. Proposed the formation of the now active Road and Public Safety Committee to address speeding and safety on our roadways.
6. Successfully obtained grant funding for educational signage at the Solstice Stone at Sound View Transit Hub.
7. Helped get Old Lyme’s America250 campaign underway to celebrate our vibrant history.
8. Encouraged and supported renewed funding for our Open Space Commission.
9. Never feared taking on the toughest issues facing our town. I have consistently listened to and engaged people on all sides of difficult issues to seek equitable solutions, even when it may not have been politically expedient.
10. Always worked to rise above partisanship and show our town in the best light.
I plan to diligently continue this work, and focus on the following over the next two years:
1. Continue efforts to build sidewalks and aesthetic improvements in our commercial districts. I personally drafted the application for an $800,000 Community Connectivity Grant for a sidewalk and landscape improvements at Halls Road, which is now under consideration by the state.
2. Hold the line on the budget and keep taxes low.
3. Address water quality issues and restore safe swimming at Hains Park.
4. Support open space and preservation efforts, with particular attention to our vulnerable marshlands.
5. Continue defending local control for our town.
6. Pursue every possible grant opportunity focused on infrastructure improvements and environmental preservation to save our taxpayers’ money.
7. See the sewer issue through to a logical and fair conclusion
8. Work with the Resident State Trooper on increasing overnight policing and identify funding sources.
9. Work with concerned citizens and zoning officials to find solutions that preserve our town and encourage responsible development, including housing options for our seniors and young families.
10. Continue engaging with all of our residents and listening with respect to those who don’t necessarily agree with me, keeping an open mind as we work together to chart the best course for our town.
Thank you to the wonderful people of Old Lyme. I’d be honored to have your vote again on November 4th.
Sincerely,
Jim Lampos, Old Lyme.
Editor’s Note: The author is an incumbent Old LymeSelectman.
High Hopes Therapeutic Riding engages people of all ages through programs like Shared Strides, which introduces older adults to barn life, gentle movement, and the connection between humans and horses. Photo courtesy of High Hopes.
OLD LYME–High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc. has announced new and expanded initatives to meet the need for calm, connection and community with the help of horses.
The nonprofit organization in a press release said it is expanding its mission to serve people “across the lifespan, from children and teens to adults, seniors, and veterans.”
High Hopes has provided therapeutic riding experiences for more than a half century.
Marci Bender, Education and Impact Director at High Hopes and a certified instructor, said the offerings reflect a focus on how horses can help the community’s evolving needs. she explained, “These programs create safe, meaningful spaces for participants to learn, heal, and connect with themselves, others, and their equine partners.”
The organization said the “horse-human connection” can help someone with PTSD stay grounded in the present moment, or offer a calm equine companion to someone coping with anxiety or grief.
Among the new and expanded offerings are:
Women’s Wellness Initiative This program serves women across the community, including survivors of trauma and veterans, through equine-assisted services that build trust, reduce stress, and foster resilience.
Minis On The Move High Hopes’ miniature horses travel to schools, senior centers, and care facilities to bring joy and comfort to those who cannot visit the farm.
Shared Strides Designed for adults ages 60 and older, this program invites participants to experience the peaceful rhythm of barn life, gentle movement, and meaningful social connection.
Youth Empowerment Program Serving children and teens ages 9 to 16 who have experienced trauma, this program helps participants build confidence, emotional regulation, and self-esteem through hands-on equine activities.
Veterans’ Program Small group sessions provide a calm, judgment-free environment where veterans can reconnect, find grounding, and practice mindfulness with horses.
Individualized Wellness Program One-on-one sessions, led by a certified grief educator and recreation therapist, provide space to reflect, reset, and find healing through equine-facilitated learning.
High Hopes continues to offer its core therapeutic riding and horsemanship programs, the group said.
For more information, to volunteer or to register for programs, visit www.highhopestr.org or contact the Program Office at 860-434-1974.
Former Congressman Sam Gejdenson received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alliance for American Leadership (A4AL) at an event held in Old Lyme. Photo credit: A4AL
OLD LYME — On Oct. 5, the Alliance for American Leadership (A4AL) joined Old Lyme resident Andrea Fenton, formerly of USAID and the Peace Corps, and Mark Miller, a nurse practitioner and public health advocate, to honor former Congressman Sam Gejdenson with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades of service to the United States and the world.
The award ceremony, hosted in Old Lyme, marked the official Connecticut launch of the Alliance and drew more than 70 supporters committed to restoring America’s global leadership through effective international assistance. The event raised over $7,000 to support A4AL’s programs aimed at renewing, restoring, and reimagining U.S. foreign aid.
While the launch introduced A4AL to the state, its central purpose was to recognize Congressman Gejdenson’s lasting impact. Born in a displaced persons camp in Allied-occupied Germany, Gejdenson represented Connecticut’s 2nd District from 1981 to 2001.
During his tenure, he championed causes that strengthened America’s global reach and moral standing—restoring funding to the United Nations Population Fund, advancing anti-trafficking legislation, and initiating U.S. support for UNAIDS, a program that has helped save more than 26 million lives worldwide.
Speakers throughout the evening reflected on leadership, American values, and the power of compassion-driven service.
“Leadership is about trust,” said Mark Miller, a nurse practitioner and health advocate. “In healthcare, trust isn’t a slogan—it’s the difference between chaos and coordination, between fear and recovery. It’s built one decision, one conversation, one act of integrity at a time. That same trust is what’s missing in public life today. That’s why I believe in the Alliance for American Leadership—because it stands for principled, informed, and service-minded leadership.”
Asher Moss, Executive Director of A4AL, contrasted that leadership with recent policy changes.
“As a nation, we made a conscious decision to shut down USAID this year,” said Asher Moss, Executive Director of A4AL. “That meant cutting off food, medicine, and life-saving care to 120 million people. It meant allowing 500 tons of American crops to be destroyed instead of feeding families in Yemen and Sudan.”
He continued, “That’s not American leadership — it’s a moral failure. If we do nothing, 14 million people could die over the next five years. That’s why we’re here — to act, to lead, and to remind the world what America stands for.”
Victoria Ayer, who once served on Gejdenson’s staff, recalled his enduring belief in service: “Sam believes in the best of what America can be. We worked on Medicare for All, we helped build the East Coast Greenway, and we restored funding to the UN Population Fund. What truly makes this country great is our empathy and compassion for others.”
Former Congressman Sam Gejdenson addressed the capacity audience at the event. Photo credit: A4AL
When it came time for Congressman Gejdenson to speak, he shared a story that captured the ripple effect of American generosity.
“In Ghana, a woman borrowed about $100 through a microloan program we started,” Gejdenson said. “She bought a sewing machine, then a stove, then plastic flowers — and before long, she had 50 employees making flowers for weddings and funerals. The U.S. investment was under $300. That’s what American assistance can do — it transforms lives.”
He continued: “It’s hard to get people to see why we should help others. Forget that it’s the right thing to do—it’s also smart. Disease anywhere becomes disease everywhere. Hunger abroad breeds instability at home. We need to remind Americans that compassion is not weakness; it’s strength. And rebuilding that understanding starts at the grassroots level—it starts with groups like A4AL.”
A press release from the A4AL noted it was honored to recognize Congressman Gejdenson’s decades of service and his commitment to a more compassionate, secure, and principled America.
Editor’s Note: Formed after the shutdown of USAID, the Alliance for American Leadership is a nonpartisan coalition dedicated to restoring American leadership through smart, strategic, and effective international assistance. For more information on the organization, visit https://A4AL.org.
As a resident of Old Lyme and member of the Board of Finance for almost 22 years, I am writing to express my thoughts on the upcoming 2025 Board of Finance election, a pivotal event that will shape the financial stewardship of our community for years to come. The Board of Finance plays a crucial role in ensuring fiscal responsibility, transparency, and the wise allocation of our town’s resources. With the challenges of maintaining essential services, improving infrastructure, and balancing the town’s budget, it is more important than ever that we elect individuals who are not only capable, but also deeply committed to the well-being and future of Old Lyme.
This election is an opportunity for us to reaffirm our values as a town — values that include prudent financial management, open communication with residents, and a focus on both present needs and long-term sustainability. We have three candidates up for election that have experience in the business world that will do our town well in having them on the Board of Finance. David Kelsey and Matt Olson have been members of the Board for many years; John Flick is a newcomer that brings to the table years of business experience and a passion for our town being run as efficiently as possible. I encourage my fellow citizens to learn about the candidates and consider everyone’s experience and vision for Old Lyme. Our Board of Finance needs members who are collaborative, knowledgeable, and willing to advocate for the entire community.
There has been a great deal of conversation about the town’s undesignated funds. In my years on the board, we have asked our auditors what percentage of surplus our town should have. That number fluctuated between 20-30% depending on the auditor. This is higher than most communities because of the possible loss of tax revenue if a catastrophic storm hit our beach communities. Long term if we had significant property loss along the shoreline, we could face loss of tax revenue for a period of time while homes were re-built.
This past budget season there was conversation about how much we should take from surplus. There were several proposals that did not pass. We stepped away for a week and had another meeting where David Kelsey made a motion, and I seconded the amount of $800,000 to be taken from surplus for this current budget year. That motion passed 5-1. Our reason for this number was to help in the short term with the higher than usual town budget increase and the Region 18 building project debt payments starting. Why not more? There will be Region 18 debt payment increases in the coming years that most likely will have to use more money from the undesignated fund to keep the tax bills as flat as possible. We also have town projects that are coming down the pike like the Grassy Hill Road Bridge, road maintenance and the unknown of what the town may have to contribute to the sewer project.
Regardless of political affiliation, I urge everyone to participate in the upcoming election. I ask you to support David Kelsey, Matt Olson and John Flick for the Board of Finance. This group will look at spending our money wisely in the short term and planning for the future. An engaged and informed electorate is the foundation of effective local government. Together, we can ensure that Old Lyme continues to thrive, not just for current residents, but for generations to come.
