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Politics & Government

East Haddam Republicans Release Slate for 2011 Elections

Republicans vow to do what is best for the town and work together regardless of party lines.

With local elections just months away, a mere stone’s throw in political circles, the time has come for campaign preparations. Parties are garnering their best-chance candidates and active residents will begin displaying their support. The talk of local citizens is transitioning from land swaps and closing ferries to which potential officials are best for the job and how they will help residents with those local concerns. 

Before this new phase of local socio-political life can commence, residents need to know who to ask the tough questions about.

The East Haddam Republic Town Committee (EHRTC) held a caucus Monday night to select candidates to endorse for the upcoming municipal elections. Bryan Perry, Chairman of the EHTRC, initiated the proceedings with an enthusiastic summarization of the party’s productive feats for the town. 

“We are particularly proud that (First Selectman) Mark (Walter) and (Selectman) Emmett (Lyman) honored their commitment to reduce the rate of government growth and spending during their first two years in office," Perry said.

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"There was no tax increase in fiscal year 2009-10 and only fractional increases since then. Spending has remained basically flat over Mark and Emmett’s first 2 terms; this is unprecedented in our town’s history."

“Their work to preserve the towns rural character by supporting the investment in 938 acres for open space reflects well on the values of this town and honors another campaign promise from 2009” Perry continued.

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Then, once the rules and procedures of the meeting were announced, the members of the caucus unanimously endorsed all of the nominations. The candidates slated to follow up on the last four years of Republican leadership, a “dream team” of sorts, as described by Perry, are as follows:

First Selectman – Mark Walter

Selectman – Emmett Lyman

Town Clerk – Deb Denette 

Treasurer – No Nomination

Tax Collector – Denise Dill 

Board of Assessment Appeals – Justin Kennedy

Board of Education – Tracey Gionta and William Barney

Board of Finance – Susan Link

Library Directors – Patrice Veselak, William Denny, John Bielot, Celina Nelan, Barbara Kiley and Louise Pear

Planning & Zoning (Regular member) – Lou Salicrup

Planning & Zoning (Alternate member) – Ed Gubbins, Jr.


Prior to handing the floor over to the candidates, Perry expressed his conclusive confidence in the selections, describing the slate as a “…fantastic team that blends experience and fiscal responsibility."

With the old East Haddam town hall full of satisfied and hopeful Republicans, First Selectman Mark Walter, running for re-election, stood up to share a few words.

After showing his gratitude for the “volunteers and their efforts,” Walter went on to portray his distaste for the type of politics preventing the federal government from making necessary progress.

Proudly highlighting the difference between local and federal government, the first selectman, sharing his embrace of the community, said, “we do what’s best for the town and work together regardless of party”.

Vowing to continually build on the town’s progress, Walter passed the attention of the audience to selectman candidate, Emmett Lyman, in promise. 

Lyman, also up for re-election, described East Haddam as a “small oasis in a world gone mad,” again emphasizing the acute qualities of the community that sets the municipality apart from the federal and state governments.

A number of subsequent candidates went on to offer thanks for the party’s endorsement.

And, with what Perry described as “promise” the caucus adjourned, being one step closer to elections, leaving only, the road ahead. 

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