Letter to the Editor: An Open Letter to the Residents of Old Lyme from First Selectwoman Shoemaker

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To the Editor:

Dear Neighbors:

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the First Selectwoman in Old Lyme. During my term I have listened to your concerns, acted on the issues under my authority, and made a conscientious effort to deliver results that matter. Together, we have made meaningful progress toward a more transparent, resilient, and responsive town government. I want to share our accomplishments and my goals for next term.

What We’ve Accomplished Together:

  • Modernized the budget process for transparency and inclusivity. Boards, commissions, departments, and nonprofits now present their budget requests in public meetings, giving residents full visibility into how our town allocates resources.
  • Achieved an AAA bond rating, allowing Old Lyme to borrow at more favorable rates and maintain strong financial health.
  • Instituted full compliance with our Bid Policy, ensuring projects over $20K are now competitively bid for quality and value.
  • Reestablished the dormant Flood and Erosion Control Board. The new board is actively pursuing projects to reduce flood insurance costs and improve shoreline resilience.
  • Solved long-standing flooding issues on Cross Lane which restored emergency access.
  • Rebuilt the sluiceway at Hawks Nest Beach to protect homes and roads, and decrease flooding.
  • Utilized federal grants for the expansion and upgrading of the Emergency Operations Center. This new space enables efficient management during emergencies and additional training space for emergency personnel. 
  • Created the Road and Public Safety Committee to address road safety through community-driven solutions. Their actions have made drivers more aware of their speed by placing electronic speed signs on roads. 
  • Improved access to town meetings by implementing virtual options and ensuring reliable communication in all Town Hall meeting rooms. 
  • Completed capital projects including ADA-compliant parking at Soundview, the installation of key-card entryways for town buildings, and the installation of cameras at Town Hall doorways.
  • Collaborated with Lyme and the Senior Center building committee to complete the renovation of the Lymes’ Senior Center; delivered under budget, including the kitchen upgrade.
  • Collaborated with the Old Lyme Visiting Nurse Association when Yale New Haven Health cancelled the Town Nurse program, by providing resources for the hiring process of a Town Nurse. 
  • Published a weekly newsletter, keeping residents informed of town hall news, town events, and special recognitions.
  • Recruited police officers, to build our department toward full staffing levels.
  • Instituted annual town government “Spring into Action” collaborative training; bringing all boards, commissions, and committees together to align efforts and share updates.

Goals for the Next Two Years:

  • Provide channels for community engagement in the Planning and Zoning Committees’ zoning regulation rewrite to ensure residents have a voice in shaping Old Lyme’s future. 
  • Increase virtual opportunities for meetings of all boards and commissions to ensure accessibility and transparency.
  • Develop a policy for the undesignated fund balance, establishing guidelines for how large it should be and to return tax dollars to residents when the fund reaches a sustainable level.
  • Host workshops to create formal long term capital plans, guiding infrastructure and investment decisions.
  • Maintain open communication with Region 18 school district, ensuring alignment between town and school priorities.
  • Advance resiliency and sustainability planning, preparing Old Lyme for future environmental and infrastructure challenges.
  • Aggressively pursue state and federal grants, bringing your tax dollars back to Old Lyme. 
  • Continue my open-door policy, listening to residents and acting on their concerns.

Thank you for allowing me to serve these past two years. I hope that I have earned your support on November 4th.

Sincerely,

Martha H. Shoemaker,
Old Lyme.

Editor’s Note: The author is the incumbent First Selectwoman of Old Lyme.

Letter to the Editor: Old Lyme Republican Pledges Support for Democratic BOE Candidate Shyloski

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To the Editor:

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.

Sincerely,

Ed Shyloski,
Old Lyme.

Letter to the Editor: An Open Letter to the Citizens of Old Lyme from Selectman Lampos

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To the Editor:

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 Lyme Selectman.

High Hopes’ Community Mission Grows With More Ways for Horses to Help Humans

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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.

Alliance for American Leadership Honors Former Congressman Gejdenson with Lifetime Achievement Award

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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.