Tag Archives: Letter to the Editor

Still Deciding? Here Are All Our Lyme/Old Lyme-Related Election Articles, Candidate Q & A’s, and Letters to Help

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Incumbent First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker (left to right) is running against Republican John Mesham in Old Lyme, while Republican Tom St. Louis challenges unaffiliated, Democrat-backed candidate Christy Zelek in Lyme.

LYME/OLD LYME–Still making up your mind how to cat your vote? We’ve compiled all our election coverage in one place to help you make an informed decision.

If you haven’t already voted, don’t forget to cast that ballot before the clock runs out. Get the details here. 

Read on to explore the candidates and issues through our original reporting, the candidates’ own voices, and perspectives from neighbors across Lyme and Old Lyme.

Election Reporting

Rare First Selectman Contest in Lyme Pits Corporate Experience Against Volunteer Approach

Focus on Kids and Community—Not Politics—Dominates Region 18 Candidates’ Friendly Forum

Shoemaker, Mesham Back for Another First Selectman Run in Old Lyme

Failed Halls Road Overlay Makes Way for Election Day in Old Lyme

With Democrats Absent, Republican Couple Takes Center Stage at Lyme Candidate Forum

‘It Matters That You Vote’: Lyme Residents Turn Out Early for Familiar Election Day Ritual

Old Lyme Democrats Announce First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker’s Bid for Reelection

Old Lyme Republicans Announce Nomination of John Mesham in Rematch for First Selectman

Lyme Republicans Endorse Tom St. Louis for First Selectman

Lyme Democrats Support Unaffiliated Petitioning Candidate Christy Zelek for First Selectman

Candidate Q&A Series 

Old Lyme Board of Selectmen Candidates Respond to Our Questions

Lyme Board of Selectpeople Candidates Respond to Our Questions

Region 18 Board of Education Candidates Respond to Our Questions

Old Lyme Zoning Commission Candidates Respond to Our Questions

Letters to the Editor

William J. Belluzzi: Fogliano Will Use Analytic, Research Skills Gained as Career Scientist to Benefit Old Lyme Zoning Commission

Tom Beyer: LymeLine Editor Criticized for Publishing Gencarella Letter Accusing Zelek of Plagiarism

Alice Burbank: Response by Then-Selectwoman Shoemaker Leads to Support for her Current First Selectman Challenger

Bud Canaday: Don’t Reelect HROD Advocates Shoemaker, Lampos; Vote Row B

Joe Carpentino: Fogliano is ‘Fair-minded, Collaborative and Knowledgeable’ Zoning Candidate

Danielle Chesebrough: Looking for Steady Leadership for Old Lyme’s Future? Behringer Deserves Your Vote

Kevin Clougherty: Reader Questions Kelsey’s Position on Halls Road ‘Political Football’

Sarah Crisp: Checks and Balances are Important for Lyme

Mary Daley: Martha and Jim Roll Up Their Sleeves for the People

Suzanne Derry: Old Lyme is a Functioning Democracy, No Need for ‘Venom’ Being Injected Into Local Campaign Rhetoric

George Finley: Why Won’t Old Lyme Republicans Participate in a Debate?

Michael Fogliano: Fogliano, Candidate for Old Lyme Zoning Commission, Explains His Reasons for Running

Allan Dodds Frank: Lyme Deserves Better

Stephen Olbrys Gencarella: Plagiarism is No Way to Start a Campaign

Christina J and Thomas D Gotowka: Shoemaker/Lampos Supporters Say ‘If it Isn’t Broken, Don’t Fix It’

Rebecca Griffin: With Trump in Charge Nationally, Only Defense is to Limit Republican Role Locally, so Vote Democrat

Timothy Griswold: Former First Selectman Griswold Endorses Mesham, Read for Old Lyme Board of Selectmen

Betsy Groth: Danenhower Disrespected Due Process on Zoning Commission, Elect Alternate Fogliano to Full Term

Lucinda Hautaniemi: Behringer, Linderman, Walsh Support Fiscal Responsibility

Anna B. James and Gavin Lodge: Lyme School Board Rep’s Endorse Zelek as ‘Uniter’

John Kiker: Lyme Democrats Choose Conversation Over Confrontation

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

Howard Margules: The Missing Word on Old Lyme Campaign Signs, and a Simple Question

Fred McCullough: Writer ‘Disheartened’ by Old Lyme Republican Postcard; Requests Civility, Absence of Divisiveness 

Carolyn Miranda: Shoemaker Keeps Her Promises

Mary Jo Nosal: Shoemaker, Lampos Have Achieved Much in Short Time, Deserve Re-election

Tom Ortoleva: Elect Fogliano to Old Lyme Zoning Commission to Benefit From His ‘Deep Knowledge … Open Mind’

Phyllis Ross: Contrary to RTC Mailer Statement, Lyme Affordable Housing Commission (AHC) Member Says AHC Does Not Believe in High-density Housing

Michael Reiter: Reiter Reminds Readers to Exercise Caution When Deciding Who to Vote for in November

David Rubino: Democracy is on the Ballot … Even Here in Old Lyme

Sandra Y. Rueb: Vote Kimberly Thompson for Responsible Fiscal Leadership in Old Lyme

Andy Russell: Veteran Old Lyme Board of Finance (BOF) Member Endorses ‘Capable … Deeply Committed’ Republican Slate of BOF Candidates

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

Ed Shyloski: Old Lyme Republican Pledges Support for Democratic BOE Candidate Shyloski

Joseph G. Soucie: When Voting Nov. 4, Remember Old Lyme Board of Finance D’s, R’s Disagree Deeply on Town Surplus 

Steve Spooner: Endorsing J. David Kelsey—a ‘Generous Supporter of All Things Old Lyme’—for Board of Finance

Thomas St. Louis: Residents Deserve to Hear From Candidates in Open Forum

Leanne Viola: Attendance Records for Old Lyme Board of Finance Candidates Thompson, Kelsey Differ Sharply

Jonathan B. Wilder: If Political Campaign Banners are OK in Old Lyme, National Flags Should be OK Too

Op-Eds

Rick Drake: Tuesday, November 4th & the HROD

George Frampton Jr: The Not-Secret and Completely Transparent Facts About Tantummaheag Landing

Stephen Olbrys Gencarella: Why Plagiarism Matters in Our Local Election

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: Former First Selectman Griswold Endorses Mesham, Read for Old Lyme Board of Selectmen

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To the Editor:

Having served as your First Selectman for 18 years, as member of the Board of Finance for 15 years and currently as a member of the Board of Assessment Appeals for 12 years, I am proud to whole heartedly endorse John Mesham to be our next First Selectman and Jude Read to continue as our Selectwoman. Both John and Jude are extremely well qualified to lead our Town.

John has been deeply involved in our community for decades as a State Police Officer, a Boy Scout Leader, a member of the Inland Wetlands Commission and a Deputy Registrar of Voters.  He and his wife Nancy have resided in Old Lyme for 31 years and their three children have graduated from our outstanding Lyme/Old Lyme schools. John is a proven leader and manager and he is a person of impeccable integrity. John has been a key leader in supporting the Town’s right to access our Tantummaheag Landing, a leader in the fight to stop the HROD debacle, and played a vital role in bringing Town commissions together to oversee the Horseneck Creek Open Space parcel. John has significant supervisory and management experience of multiple state police barracks and personnel. His responsibilities included day-to-day management and oversight of over 100 people. This included scheduling, performance reviews, facilities management, vehicle assignments and upkeep, and a multitude of reporting requirements.  John was also a local police union president with collective bargaining and negotiating experience. John knows how to manage people and is dedicated to supporting the needs and wishes of the majority of Old Lyme’s citizens.  These skills and attributes make John the ideal First Selectman choice for Old Lyme in November.

Jude has resided in Old Lyme for 43 years, along with her husband, Sloan Danenhower, and both of their children graduated from our Lyme/Old Lyme schools.  Jude has owned several small business and she is currently a business management consultant.  She is deeply involved in Old Lyme, both politically and with local non-profits.  She currently serves as one of the three members of the Old Lyme Board of Selectmen.  She also served on the Board of Finance and the Lyme/Old Lyme Board of Education. She is a member and past Treasurer of the MacCurdy Salisbury Educational Foundation and has been a Board member of the Old Lyme Historical Society.  She has been affiliated with the Girl Scouts and the Lymes’ Senior Center Meals on Wheels program.

John and Jude are willing and able to serve as our First Selectman and Selectwoman and they have excellent credentials to do so.

Please join me in voting for John Mesham as our First Selectman and Jude Read as our Selectwoman in the upcoming municipal election and please encourage your family and friends to do the same.

Sincerely,

Timothy Griswold,
Old Lyme.

Editor’s Note: The author is a candidate for the Old Lyme Board of Assessment Appeals in the upcoming election.

Letter to the Editor: Fogliano is ‘Fair-minded, Collaborative and Knowledgeable’ Zoning Candidate

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To the Editor: 

Our small town of Old Lyme will be tackling several serious issues in the next few years, which will shape our future in ways important to all of us. It is because of this that I am putting my full support behind Michael Fogliano for election to the Zoning Commission. He is uniquely qualified to tackle these issues, evidenced by his experience in housing and zoning, planning, and technology. 

Michael is a seasoned leader shown to be reliable, logical and reasonable. He will use those tools to ensure our town is put in the best position to make the most informed decisions. He is fair-minded, collaborative and knowledgeable in local, state and federal regulations affecting zoning as well as the proposed changes to those regulations. Michael is the kind of person I want on our Zoning Commission, and the kind of person Old Lyme needs. He will put our town first and will reflect the values and traditions we have all come to appreciate. 

In all, Michael’s experience, his nature and personality have prepared him to engage in the challenges of shifting economics, demographics and public policy that we will inevitably confront. He is a team player with know-how, and the common sense to preserve the best of Old Lyme while advocating for the careful changes that will help us meet the future together.

Please join me in voting for Mike Fogliano for the Zoning Commission. 

Sincerely,

Joe Carpentino ,
Old Lyme.

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.