OLD LYME—In unconfirmed results, incumbent Democrat Martha Shoemaker held her First Selectwoman seat fighting off a strong campiagn by Republican challenger John Mesham. Shoemaker’s running mate Jim Lampos also held his seat and the third seat on the board will be taken by Mesham. Jude Read (R) lost her seat as a Selectwoman.
We do not yet have any detailed numbers on the Selectmen’s race nor results from any of the other races. We will share them as soon as we receive them.
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.
To the Editor:
As a long term beach resident of Old Lyme and a past elected official, I have had the honor to serve with members of both parties and independents. I am however disappointed that our Republican candidates have refused to participate in a debate with our Democratic opponents.
One has to wonder why. Perhaps they do not want to publicly defend their misleading attacks on Martha Shoemaker or perhaps their alignment with the priorities of the GOP and Project 2025 or most disturbing their support for Trump/MAGA. So much for “All politics are local”. Very disturbing.
Martha Shoemaker and her running mate, Jim Lampos, have proven themselves as dedicated public servants who “put the people of Old Lyme first”. They have worked diligently and transparently to address long standing issues, many of which were stalled under prior Republican leadership. Only through open meetings and community engagement have they shown what responsive, responsible government looks like.
Running a town requires Listening and being willing to engage in “Honest” discussion. I urge my fellow residents whether you be Democratic, Republican or Independent to support them on Nov. 4-Row A for leadership that represents every resident of our beautiful town.
Sincerely,
George Finley,
Old Lyme.
Editor’s Note: The author is chair of Old Lyme’s Board of Assessment Appeals and a member of its Harbor Management Commission.
To the Editor:
Two years is a brief time for any town leader to accomplish ambitious goals, yet First Selectman Martha Shoemaker and Selectman Jim Lampos have made noteworthy progress in their first term. Their achievements include enabling online meeting access, addressing deferred maintenance, tackling flood and erosion issues, repairing the Hawk’s Nest sluice gate, using grants for our emergency operations center, supporting Senior Center renovations, and improving accessibility and safety at Sound View.
Martha and Jim put Old Lyme first—let’s re-elect them on Nov. 4.
Sincerely,
Mary Jo Nosal,
Old Lyme.
Editor’s Notes: Mary Jo Nosal is a member of the Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee. She is also a financial supporter of olwenonline.com/, but has no input to the editorial process, which remains completely independent.
GROTON—Christina Lampos, 83, of Groton, passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of Sept. 4, 2025. She was born Feb. 6, 1942, in Kastori, a mountain village near Sparta in the state of Laconia, Greece and raised in a traditional farming family. Christina was fiercely proud of her Greek heritage and considered herself “a “true Spartan.” Her experience witnessing the horrors of the Nazi invasion of Greece and the subsequent civil war as a child gave her a lifelong abhorrence of war and formed her progressive political views which she held her entire life. She was especially committed to women’s rights, civil rights and equality.
She married Theofanis “Teddy” Lampos in 1961, and emigrated to the United States. They lived first on the West Side of Norwich, and then in Greeneville before settling in Groton. She became a U.S. citizen in 1968, holding on to her traditional Greek values while simultaneously embracing the American social movements and music of the 60s.
Christina was the proud owner with Teddy of Groton Pizza Palace since 1965, and until her final year came to work daily, first thing in the morning to set up the kitchen, making the salads and her beloved specialties: the tuna and the meatballs.
Christina was also a staunch defender of children with special needs at a time when there were no services, programs, or treatment options apart from institutionalization. She cared for her son Lampros at home, at great personal sacrifice, and advocated for him throughout the 60s and 70s, until advances in medical science and social reforms led to day-treatment programs and the establishment of group homes where those with special needs could receive the care they needed.
She is predeceased by Teddy, her husband of 62 years; and survived by her son James “Jim” and his wife Michaelle Pearson of Old Lyme; and her grandchildren, Phoebe and Theodore “Van” Lampos. She is also survived by her son Lampros Lampos of Waterford; and her nephew Ulysses Sakellarides of Norwich; and numerous family members in Greece. She was dedicated to her family and loved by all. She will be dearly missed.
There will be a private funeral service with burial at Maplewood Cemetery in Norwich.