Tag Archives: Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Writer ‘Disheartened’ by Old Lyme Republican Postcard; Requests Civility, Absence of Divisiveness Going Forward

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To the Editor:

Recently, I was very disheartened to receive a postcard from the Old Lyme Republican Party.

At a time when voters are interested in fact-based strategies for governance, this communication was an unobjective smear campaign against Martha Shoemaker. Rather than listing the items the Republican slate plans to initiate if elected, it was a list of slurs and innuendos aimed at our First Selectwoman.

In a divided nation where objectivity and cooperation are absent from the federal government, a negative communication with no details about the platform is unproductive and divisive. The voters of Old Lyme deserve candid and adult discussions of plans for the next term, not childish smear campaigns.

In an election, the future of local government should be a more productive and mature conversation.

Let’s be civil, not divisive. 

Sincerely,

Fred McCullough,
Old Lyme. 

Letter to the Editor: Elect Fogliano to Old Lyme Zoning Commission to Benefit From His ‘Deep Knowledge … Open Mind’

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To the Editor:

I served with Michael Fogliano on the Affordable Housing Exploratory Committee which he chaired in 2020-21. Michael’s leadership was instrumental in shaping the Town’s housing future. Under his guidance, the Committee navigated complex and unfamiliar legislation with clarity and purpose, delivering well-researched recommendations to the Board of Selectmen on time and as charged. That work directly led to the creation of the Affordable Housing Commission and the Town’s first Affordable Housing Plan which was milestone for our community.

Michael brings a proven record of thoughtful decision-making, strong work ethic, a deep knowledge of zoning and housing policy and an open mind. These qualities make him an outstanding candidate for the Zoning Commission. I will be voting for Michael Fogliano and encourage you to join me in supporting him.

Sincerely,

Tom Ortoleva,
Old Lyme.

Letter to the Editor: Martha and Jim Roll Up Their Sleeves for the People

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To the Editor:

There has been so much negativity posted in the press this campaign season in Old Lyme, that it makes me wonder – actually makes me worry. And then I realized that it’s because the Republican candidates have no plans, just vague accusations. That’s why Mesham and Read won’t debate with Martha and Jim. Because they have no answers, only questions.

Think back to two years ago, when Republicans Griswold and Ward were in charge. Were they present in your neighborhood when there was an issue? Did they answer your questions or even acknowledge receipt of your letter or phone call? Did they offer any solutions to the town issues of sewers or Halls Road? Did they ensure adequate funding for town projects? Pave streets in the south end of town? Fix the Grassy Hill Bridge? Deal with flooding at Cross Lane and in the beach areas?  No they did not. Just kicked the can down the road leaving the new Democratic-majority board with a pile of complex issues to solve.

In the past two years, Martha and Jim rolled up their sleeves and tackled these tough issues head on. They listened to the people of Old Lyme. They inherited these leftover problems that had been festering for years under previous boards, and which “conveniently” came to a head this year due to debt service and other contractual issues taken on by the previous administration. This was not easy. Halls Road was a complex issue made worse by lots of misinformation, but in the end, the process worked. The community’s voice was heard. Is there an overlay still in planning? No. Let’s move on. When a crowd of angry homeowners crowded a Selectmen’s meeting last year, voicing concerns about speeding, they listened and created the Road and Public Safety Committee to address the issue. Martha and Jim personally showed up multiple times with shovels in hand to alleviate flooding at the Hawks’ Nest Sluiceway (AKA “the crib”), and oversaw the building of a new engineered structure there. They have increased security at the beaches, completed the Senior Center project, constructed the soon to be open Emergency Operations Center at Boughton Road, and were awarded grants to protect our fragile marshes and coastline. But it’s hard to hear about these and other accomplishments through the fog and noise of negativity from naysayers with no ideas of their own.

On Saturday, October 18th, millions of Americans took part in “No Kings Day” to celebrate democracy – leadership by the people, for the people. Let’s not go backward to the government by the “old boys network.” Let’s move forward Old Lyme!

Sincerely,

Mary Daley, 
Old Lyme.

Letter to the Editor: Danenhower Disrespected Due Process on Zoning Commission, Elect Alternate Fogliano to Full Term

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To The Editor:

Sloan Danenhower wants us to see him as a local hero for his strident opposition to the Halls Road Overlay District (HROD) proposal. To be clear – as a member of the public, his opposition was an appropriate part of the public discourse that he had every right to express.

However, as documented in the minutes of the HROD public hearing on January 15th of this year, Mr. Danenhower, while sitting at the Zoning Commission table, stepped away to speak as a member of the public in opposition to the application.

That behavior, at best, demonstrated a lack of understanding of the role of the Zoning Commission, abandonment of his responsibilities as a Zoning Commission member, and disrespect for the fair due process afforded to all applicants. At worst, had this been a private application, it could have subjected the Town to costly litigation.

Mr. Danenhower can’t have it both ways. The Town needs Zoning Commission members who possess the judgment and temperament needed to handle controversial matters appropriately. Michael Fogliano brings those qualities to the Zoning Commission as an alternate. We now have the opportunity to elect him to a full five-year term. 

Sincerely,

Betsy Groth,
Old Lyme.

Letter to the Editor: When Voting Nov. 4, Remember Old Lyme Board of Finance D’s, R’s Disagree Deeply on Town Surplus Fund’s Use

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To the Editor:

Old Lyme’s Board of Finance (BOF) performs a critical function in setting our level of taxation. One of the determining factors is how much to withdraw annually from the town’s Undesignated Fund Balance (the Surplus), basically our “savings account” not tied to particular expenditures but available for future needs. There has developed a serious disagreement on this issue between David Kelsey and the other Republicans on the BOF on the one hand, and Kim Thompson and the other Democrats on the other. Based on the BOF’s meeting minutes from last spring, it is clear that the position of Mr. Kelsey et al. was to maintain the maximum surplus in order to save for a rainy day. Mrs. Thompson and the other Democrats believed that, with the budget increase caused by the Region 18 bonds and the tax burden imposed on many residents by the revaluation, the rainy day was here and, therefore, the town should withdraw as much from the Surplus as was prudent in order to mitigate the burden on Old Lyme’s taxpayers.

According to the BOF minutes of March 25, an accountant from the town’s auditing firm advised the board that the Surplus as of June 30, 2024 was $14,402,328, representing 35.15% of expenditures. She also stated that “bond rating agencies like to see 15% to 25% and that she typically sees 12% to 15%.”

At the BOF meeting on April 8, 2025, after the Democrats argued for a substantial withdrawal from the Surplus, Mr. Kelsey made a motion to withdraw a mere $400,000. The three Republicans on the BOF voted in favor; the three Democrats against. Additional motions followed at this meeting and the following one on April 15, when Mr. Kelsey moved to withdraw $600,000. This was approved by the Republicans and rejected by the Democrats. Mr. Bernblum recommended a withdrawal of $1 million, which would leave the estimated 2025 Surplus at 29.2% of the proposed budget. Finally, confronted with a deadlock and an upcoming Town Meeting, the BOF approved a withdrawal of $800,000. 

Given this history, there can be no doubt where Mr. Kelsey and the other Republicans stand on the Surplus: keep it as high as possible. Conversely, Mrs. Thompson and the other Democrats would like to return as much to the taxpayers as is prudent without impairing the town’s bond rating or its ability to meet future financial obligations. 

Please decide which policy you prefer when voting on November 4.

Sincerely,

Joseph ‘Gil’ Soucie,
Old Lyme.