Tag Archives: J. David Kelsey

Letter to the Editor: Attendance Records for Old Lyme Board of Finance Candidates Thompson, Kelsey Differ Sharply

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To the Editor:

We live in a representative democracy and this November you are being charged with electing fellow Old Lyme residents to be your representatives on local boards and commissions. One of the most basic things you should expect from your representatives is that they show up, at least most of the time, so that they can understand the issues and represent your interests. We do have alternates for many of our boards who step in when a regular member is ill or has some other unavoidable conflict. However, there are issues that carry over multiple meetings and repeated absences can lead to representatives making decisions without having all important information.

This is extremely relevant in this year’s Board of Finance race. Kimberly Thompson, the Democratic candidate, has served on this board since November 2021. Since being sworn in to her seat, Kim has only missed one meeting. Since January 2024, one of her opponents, J. David Kelsey, has missed 12 meetings, constituting about 35% of the total.  Five of these missed meetings have been in 2025 and, as of this writing, David has not been seen at the Board of Finance since June. To earn your vote, members should show up for Old Lyme. Please join me in voting for Kimberly Thompson on November 4 for a full Board of Finance seat.

Sincerely,

Leanne Viola,
Old Lyme.

Letter to the Editor: Endorsing J. David Kelsey—a ‘Generous Supporter of All Things Old Lyme’—for Board of Finance

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To the Editor:

I’m inspired to write this endorsement after seeing the Democrat Town Committee’s [DTC] video ad attempting to smear Dave Kelsey. Dave does support Republican causes at the national and state level. He also supports the Old Lyme Republican Town committee of which I am a member. Most notably, yet not mentioned in the DTC ad, is Dave’s service to our community. Aside from serving the BOF [Board of Finance] for the past 17 years, Dave is a generous supporter of all things Old Lyme.

  • Dave was a lead donor for the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library renovation.
  • Dave donated hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Lyme Art Association skylight renovation.
  • Dave and his daughters are the benefactors for the Kelsey Family Center at the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center.
  • Dave has purchased and renovated numerous apartments in town to provide local housing to the Lyme Art Academy students.
  • When Big Y attempted to build another gas station on Halls Road, Dave acquired the lot through personal finances to preserve the space (where Hydrangea Galore now is).
  • And if you notice graffiti on the Lyme St. underpass or the Mile Creek rail bridge, contact Dave — he has paint and willingness to help cover it up (and he’ll text you at 6am to go paint with him), so long as he is not already busy volunteering to pull ragweed from behind our town hall.

I could easily add another dozen or so bullet points, although I think it is clear. We are fortunate to have such a benevolent citizen here in town.

Facts, not fear.

Sincerely,

Steve Spooner,
Old Lyme.