Category Archives: Old Lyme

Letter to the Editor: Behringer, Linderman, Walsh Support Fiscal Responsibility

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To the Editor:

The role of the Board of Finance (BOF) Alternates demands fiscal acumen and community experience. We are fortunate that the Old Lyme Democrats endorsed an exceptional team with an extraordinary balance of municipal knowledge and business expertise: Fred Behringer (Unaffiliated), Diane Linderman (Democrat), and Tom Walsh (Democrat). This slate offers a combined record of fiscal responsibility and collaborative attitudes:

  • Fred Behringer has worked constructively with all BOF members as an alternate member over the past two years. As Chair of the McCurdy-Salisbury Foundation, a former small business owner, scientist and environmentalist, he brings a critical and balanced perspective to the BOF.
  • Diane Linderman is seeking a second term and provides invaluable continuity to the BOF. She possesses a unique understanding of both the municipal and school budget processes – experience that serves the town well.
  • Tom Walsh’s extensive management career with UPS and 11 years of effective CT town committee experience will be a significant asset to the BOF.

Fred, Diane, and Tom are prepared to serve our town with integrity and intelligence. Please join me in supporting this highly qualified team for Board of Finance Alternates on Election Day, Nov. 4.

Sincerely,

Lucinda Hautaniemi ,
Old Lyme.

Letter to the Editor: Vote Kimberly Thompson for Responsible Fiscal Leadership in Old Lyme

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To the Editor:

The upcoming election for the Old Lyme Board of Finance is critically important and our town needs proven, sensible leadership to navigate complex financial waters. That is why I wholeheartedly endorse Kimberly Thompson for the Board of Finance (BOF). 

Kim brings four years of valuable experience to the BOF. She stands up for the taxpayer, debates town spending, and looks for sensible investments, prudent planning, accountability, and finding common ground – the exact skills our community needs on the BOF.  Her professional experiences as a researcher in corporate and private business and as a small business owner will continue to serve us well as the Town works to balance progress with retaining our rural beauty and small-town charm. 

Importantly, Kim understands that the Board of Finance’s duty is to evaluate town investments by comparing their importance with the burden placed on taxpayers. This past spring Kim, together with the other Democrats on the BOF, negotiated with recalcitrant Republicans on the board to utilize the high budget surplus to offset the increase in taxes due to the school renovation project. They finally reached agreement on withdrawing $800,000 from surplus, compared to the Republicans’ first offer of $400,000.  

In a climate where municipal finances are becoming increasingly complicated, we cannot afford guesswork. We need Kim’s professional expertise to ensure that our town’s financial health remains strong while maintaining predictable, sustainable taxation.

I urge all Old Lyme voters to cast their ballots for responsible fiscal leadership and elect Kim Thompson on Election Day.

Sincerely,

Sandra Y. Rueb,
Old Lyme

Letter to the Editor: With Trump in Charge Nationally, Only Defense is to Limit Republican Role Locally, so Vote Democrat

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To the Editor:

We here in Old Lyme are not immune from the Republican Party’s efforts to radically alter American politics and culture and tear the country apart.  The resources they have at their disposal are overwhelming: billions of dollars in federal funds, virtually unlimited physical force (ICE, the National Guard and the active military), a fully-compliant Department of Justice, a subservient Congress and a stacked Supreme Court.  And Trump has assembled a rogue’s gallery of angry, vitriolic, incompetent, sycophants–Stephen Miller, Pete Hegseth, Kash Patel, Pam Bondi, Russell Vought, Robert Kennedy Jr., Marco Rubio and Kristi Noem, to name a few–to implement his authoritarian Project 2025 playbook.

We cannot afford to ignore the absolutely chilling threat to our legal system and historic norms of behavior presented by Trump’s administration:  terrorizing our minority and immigrant communities in “blue” cities in the name of border control; withholding billions of dollars of research grants from our universities under the pretext of addressing antisemitism; blackmailing major law firms by excluding their lawyers from federal courthouses; gerrymandering voting districts to maximize GOP advantage; using the DOJ to retaliate against Trump’s perceived personal enemies; granting Trump carte-blanche power, free from the risk of criminal prosecution, to take any official action he wishes (such as killing without trial alleged drug smugglers); terminating financial support to “blue” states in punishment for the Democrats’ efforts to preserve affordable health-care for millions of Americans; and firing military, DOJ, FBI and agency staff just because they are Democrats or have appeared to do something that displeased Trump.  The list goes on. 

We will soon vote in Old Lyme’s municipal election.  It would be foolish to claim that every Republican candidate for office supports every Trump policy or initiative.  It would be equally foolish to claim that none of them does; indeed, we have seen corrosive GOP policies find voice in town on more than one occasion over the past few years.  Why should we care?

With our entire country now under assault in this hostile takeover by Trump and his minions, no community is safe and we must do all we can to defend ourselves and mitigate the harm.  One way to do so is by limiting Republicans’ roles in local politics.  On November 4, this means electing the Democratic candidates, whom we know will fight against the Republican efforts to undermine our democracy.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Griffin,
Old Lyme.

Letter to the Editor: Looking for Steady Leadership for Old Lyme’s Future? Behringer Deserves Your Vote

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To the Editor:

At a time when politics can feel consumed by noise and division, it’s refreshing to see leaders like Fred Behringer—steady, thoughtful, and guided by service. As a retired scientist and 26-year Old Lyme resident, Fred brings an analytical and disciplined approach to finding solutions. With two years of experience as an Alternate on the Board of Finance, he is prepared to continue to help deliver sound fiscal management, balancing short-term needs with long-term investments.

Fred’s leadership is evident across his many roles in the community. He serves on Old Lyme’s Tree and Open Space Committees, Waste & Recycling Committee, chaired a special committee that resolve a difficult town dispute, and holds leadership positions in two respected nonprofits—the MacCurdy Salisbury Educational Foundation and the Connecticut Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation. In each of these roles, Fred has demonstrated what effective, collaborative problem-solving looks like.

What stands out most about Fred, though, is his temperament. He describes himself as a calm voice, and his colleagues agree. At a time when even small-town meetings can become contentious, Fred’s even-handed, respectful approach has helped the Board of Finance work together productively. That’s what public service should look like.

As a Forward endorsed candidate, Fred represents what the Forward Party stands for: rising above partisanship and focusing on solutions that work for communities. In Old Lyme—where residents are nearly evenly divided among political affiliations—his independence and commitment to civility will contribute to a thoughtful and responsible Board of Finance. Learn more at www.oldlymedtc.com and ctforwardparty.com.

Sincerely,

Danielle Chesebrough,
Stonington, CT.

Editor’s Note: The author is the Chair of Forward Connecticut, First Selectman of Stonington, and former Stonington Board of Finance member.

A California Griswold Wedding on Griswold Point

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Editor’s Note: I have always said that one of the joys of this job is never knowing what I will open next in my overflowing Inbox! Imagine my surprise when I clicked on an email recently and it was an invitation to cover a wedding in Old Lyme—but not just any wedding but rather one being held on Griswold Point … with the bride and groom coming all the way from Los Angeles, Calif. to tie the knot! We were not able to be there in person but father of the groom David Griswold of Old Lyme kindly sent us some photos of the event and we thought it would be a pleasant distraction from all the politics of the moment to share them with our readers.

The wedding party stand in front of Griswold House. Photos by various photographers, courtesy of David Griswold.

OLD LYME — Eric Griswold, son of Elaine and David Griswold of Old Lyme, married Maddy Farkas, daughter of Lila and Danny Farkas of Los Angeles, Calif. on Griswold Point on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025.

Over 150 relatives and friends attended the event.

This adorable photo shows a wedding flower girl skipping towards the setting sun on Griswold Point.

Justin Sadle of Lexington, Ky. officiated the ceremony. Lexi Jennings from Los Angeles was the Maid of Honor and Michael Cleary, also from Los Angeles, was the Best Man.

Bridesmaids were Laura Griswold Wentz from Lexington, Ky, Laruen Boniface and Megan Gessert from Los Angeles, Calif. and Bethany Ludemann and Molly Geller from Australia.

A celebratory kiss for the new Mr. and Mrs. Griswold

Groomsmen were Jeffrey Griswold from Chelsea, Ala., Josh Wentz from Lexington, Ky. and David Beglin, Jesse Harris, and Song Pettus from Los Angeles, Calif.

Eric Griswold is a Production Supervisor with Skydance Media and Maddy Farkas is an Interior Designer with Jillian Sipkins Interiors.

The bride and groom stand on the steps of Griswold House.

The couple will live in Los Angeles, Calif.