Darien Election 2015

Here’s Who Was Elected to the Representative Town Meeting

Major Parties Win All Five Selectmen Seats: 3 from GOP, 2 Democrats

Before You Vote: Ballot Races & Candidates; Cans, Vaccinations, Girl Scout Cookies

Board of Selectman Candidates Respond to Darien LWV Question

Letter: Stevenson, Marks, Koons ‘Exceptional Individuals’

Three Candidates for First Selectmen Largely Agree on Issues

Darien Candidates Night Tuesday: A ‘Moderated Discussion’

Letter: Stevenson & Marks are Thoughtful, Work Hard, Research, Build Consensus

Letter: Selectman Candidate Koons Has Experience on Nonprofit Boards

Darien Republican Town Committee Platform: These Are Our Key Priorities

Darien Democrats Hold Campaign Kickoff Reception on Sunday, Oct 4

Letter: Stevenson-Marks-Koons Team Is Dedicated, Knowledgeable

Stevenson, Marks, Koons Launch of Joint Board of Selectmen Campaign on Sunday

Register to Vote: Three Ways to Get Started

Letter: McIlmurray Will Work to Keep Darien Affordable for Seniors

Summer Picnic Series | End of Summer Family-Friendly Celebration at Grace Farms

Events Calendar

Government & Politics

By David Gurliacci | November 5, 2015

Government & Politics

By David Gurliacci | November 3, 2015

Government & Politics

By David Gurliacci | November 3, 2015

Government & Politics

By David Gurliacci | November 1, 2015

Letters to the Editor

By David Gurliacci | October 21, 2015

Government & Politics

By David Gurliacci | October 20, 2015

Government & Politics

By David Gurliacci | October 20, 2015

Letters to the Editor

By David Gurliacci | October 20, 2015

Letters to the Editor

By David Gurliacci | October 18, 2015

Government & Politics

By David Gurliacci | October 15, 2015

Government & Politics

By David Gurliacci | September 28, 2015

Government & Politics

By David Gurliacci | September 28, 2015

Government & Politics

By David Gurliacci | September 25, 2015

Government & Politics

By David Gurliacci | September 21, 2015

Government & Politics

By David Gurliacci | September 8, 2015

Name: Summer Picnic Series | End of Summer Family-Friendly Celebration at Grace Farms
Start: 2022-08-19T17:30:00-04:00
End: 2022-08-19T19:30:00-04:00
Location: Grace Farms

These 41 Darien residents were elected Tuesday to the 57 seats up for election this year to the Representative Town Meeting. To fill out the remaining 16 positions, caucuses of the members of each of Darien’s six voting districts can meet in a caucus to elect new members, once the chairman of the district caucus holds a meeting. There were two write-in candidates (who didn’t file at the candidate registration deadline but then decided to run) — Christopher Ezbiansky won a seat in District 1 with 26 votes (just over the mandatory minimum of 25 votes for write-in candidates), and Kte Haueisen won a seat in District 5 (she received 43 votes). Jim Cameron in District 4 received more votes than any other RTM candidate — 343. Here are the votes for each member, according to the preliminary count released by the Registrars of Voters office:

District 1 (13 open seats, nine candidates on the ballot, one write-in candidate):

Stanley Buchesky — 268 votes
Patricia Bumgardner — 319
Curtis Butler — 266
Brent Hayes — 269
Patrick Keane — 272
Colin Kelly — 275
Bradley Pattelli — 266
Lois Schneider — 291
Bert von Stuelpnagel — 331
Christopher Ezbiansky (write-in) — 26

District 2 (eight open seats; two candidates):

Monica McNally — 265
Nina Miller — 287

District 3 (seven open seats; seven candidates):

Steven Anderson — 305
Adele Conniff — 299
Eugene Coyle — 309
Thomas Moore — 305
Seth Morton — 310
Edward Washecka — 277

District 4 (10 open seats; nine candidates):

Martha Banks — 324
A. James Cameron — 343
Lucy Fiore — 320
Frank Kemp — 322
Joseph Miceli — 331
Andrew Millar — 285
Susan Morrison — 321
William Peters III — 313
Sandra Savage — 318

District 5 (eight open seats; six candidates):

Carolyn Bayne — 303
Kenneth Fiveson Jr. — 264
Marlene Hayes — 276
Harry McLachlin — 271
James Patrick — 283
Kate Haueisen (write-in) — 43

District 6 (11 open seats; seven candidates):

Susan Lauritzen — 304
Martha Luz — 329
Emily McDermott — 325
Debra Ritchie — 322
Gary Swenson — 325
William Van Loan Jr. — 326
John Whitehead — 315

Correction: An earlier version of this article indicated there were only 57 seats on the Representative Town Meeting.

Darien voters re-elected First Selectman Jayme Stevenson to her third term in office Tuesday along with the two Republicans on her ticket for Board of Selectmen, as Democrats took the two remaining seats. The Board of Selectmen will be made up of Stevenson, Republicans Susan Marks and Charles “Kip” Koons, and Democrats Marc Thorne and Rob Richards, the top five vote-getters in the contests for first selectman and Board of Selectmen seats. “I think people are happy with the work we’ve been doing,” Stevenson said at the Republican victory party at The Goose restaurant. Marks, one of Stevenson’s two running mates, said, “I’m excited about the next two years. I think Jayme Stevenson is a phenomenal leader and I think everyone [elected to the board] has the attitude that we’re going to do right by the town.

When you go vote today, here’s where the races are and what to do to register — and you may be able to get a vaccination at the same place, or get Girl Scout cookies. Voting hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The candidates on the ballot

For most of the ballot, there are only as many candidates as there are seats available, with the exception of the candidates who will (or won’t) sit on the Board of Selectmen. The top five vote-getters among the eight candidates for both Board of Selectmen and first selectmen can sit on the board, so your vote matters. Republican incumbent First Selectman Jayme Stevenson is running for re-election. There is no Democratic Party candidate for first selectman, but Rob Werner and Chris Noe are both running as candidates unaffiliated with any party. Any of these candidates who are among the top five vote-getters will be eligible to sit on the Board of Selectmen if the candidate wants.

Four candidates for Board of Selectman are running in the 2015 Darien election on Tuesday. Here’s how they responded (in writing) to a written question posed to them by the Darien League of Women Voters.

From the League of Women Voters website:

Candidates for Board of Selectmen

Vote for Any TwoCandidates were asked to respond to this question:

How do you envision balancing redevelopment and infrastructure proposals while preserving our town character? Marc Thorne (D)
Recently, our town has received three new commercial/residential development proposals for downtown Darien and Noroton Heights. Of the pending proposals, it appears that Darien can expect a larger tax base, a more attractive and walkable town center, and new housing that will appeal to both younger and older people.

“Jayme Stevenson has done an outstanding job of providing forward-looking leadership to our town, including being a strong voice for Darien on regional and state matters.” _________________

To the editor:

Please join me in voting for Jayme Stevenson for First Selectman, and Susan Marks and Kip Koons for Selectmen on Nov. 3. Darien is fortunate to have these exceptional individuals to choose from this election. Jayme Stevenson has done an outstanding job of providing forward-looking leadership to our town, including being a strong voice for Darien on regional and state matters.

There were few differences of opinion between the three candidates for first selectmen at Tuesday night’s Darien League of Women Voters forum held in Town Hall. While Democrats did not put forward a party-endorsed candidate to oppose First Selectman Jayme Stevenson, a Republican running for re-election, unaffiliated candidates Rob Werner and Chris Noe will be on the ballot as alternatives. About 60 people attended the candidates forum in Town Hall Auditorium, and the event was broadcast live on Darien TV79. All three candidates agreed that state interference in local affairs, such as zoning, is generally a bad idea, that it would be good to get more affordable housing in town, particularly for those without more children who would be going into the schools. All three said cooperation between people from different political parties is a good idea.

An anouncement from the Darien League of Women Voters:

Tuesday, Oct. 20
Darien Candidates Night

Town Hall Auditorium
6:40 p.m. — Reception
7:00 p.m. — Program

The Darien League of Women Voters will once again sponsor this timed and moderated discussion involving our municipal candidates:

Contested races for 1st Selectman and Board of Selectmen. Important decisions to be made by Planning and Zoning and other Town Boards regarding the future development and character of Darien. Understand the background and positions of uncontested candidates for Board of Education and Board of Finance. Submit your questions live or on-line at lwv.darien.org

Be an informed voter!

“Jayme and Susan have always been hard-working and dedicated leaders who believe in thoroughly researching and evaluating every issue.” ___________________

To the editor:

We are writing to encourage Darien voters to cast their ballots on Nov. 3 for Jayme Stevenson, Susan Marks and Kip Koons. We have known Jayme and Susan for almost two decades and have had the honor of working alongside them during their years of volunteering at Royle School, Darien High School and on the YES DHS! Referendum Committee.

To the editor:

I have known Kip Koons for over 35 years. We first met when we were coaching Darien Youth Hockey. Since that time I have observed Kip serving in many capacities to benefit the people and town of Darien. From 1986 to 1992 he served on the Board of Darien YMCA as chair of the Finance and Nominating committees and then as president, and from 1993 to 2002 the Board of the Darien Red Cross as vice chair and chair of the Finance Committee. Additionally, since 1990 he has served on the board of the Family Centers as past vice chair, chair of the Merger Task Force and currently as chair of the Audit Committee.

Keeping local control and using town resources efficiently are among the “key priorities” in the 2015 election platform just issued by the Darien Republican Town Committee. The committee also urged voters to support its candidates in the Nov. 3 election in the following announcement:

The Darien Republican Town Committee endorses an excellent list of candidates who
exemplify the Republican Town Committee Platform as follows:

The Town of Darien is a mature, fully developed community consisting of several local commercial districts, a wide variety of low to higher density residential sub communities, a top grade public educational system, and a recreational infrastructure that
includes public beaches and parks as well as several private club facilities. As
the Town has evolved over many years, so has its utility and traffic infrastructure
much of which has been sized to accommodate existing residential density,
commercial development and transit related issues. Key priorities:

Maintain local control and efficient use of town resources;
Continue to actively engage with the newly formed regional Council of Governments;
Maintain the residential design and architecture of the town consistent with the Town
Plan of Conservation and Development and the zoning regulations;
Promote value-added redevelopment of outdated commercial, retail and residential
properties;
Promote the highest educational standards in our public schools including those
for special needs children;
Maintain and enhance existing town property resources consistent with community
needs;
Maintain and enhance Darien’s financial health and access to capital resources;
Promote a variety of residential housing for the community, including affordable
housing, consistent with the town’s zoning regulations and infrastructure
capacity.

The Darien Democrats invite all voters to meet their candidates for the municipal election at a Campaign Kickoff reception on Sunday, Oct. 4 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the home of Martha and Gary Banks at 17 Harbor Road in Darien. [Correction: Organizers originally gave an incorrect address.]

Candidates for election November 3rd are Marc Thorne and Rob Richards for Board of Selectmen, Diana Maguire for Board of Finance and Kathrine Stein for Board of Education. Marc Thorne and Rob Richards will be new faces on the Board of Selectmen. Thorne has lived in town for almost forty years and has been an active member of the Representative Town Meeting with years of service on the RTM’s Rules and Finance and Budget Committees.

To the editor:
In a past life, before I began the task of raising my small children, I worked for many years in national politics. Through that experience, I grew to know some truly exceptional leaders who share many of the same attributes that directly contribute to their leadership success. Due to my background, it is easy for me identify Jayme Stevenson, Susan Marks, and Kip Koons as qualified, dedicated and consistent leaders for our town. Their unflinching commitment, selfless desire to serve and better the town, and wealth of knowledge regarding local issues is unmatched. This past Sunday, I was pleased to attend the Campaign Kick-Off for “Darien First”, the campaign to elect incumbent Jayme Stevenson (First Selectman), Susan Marks (Selectman) and Kip Koons (Selectman). The downtown event was a hit, and invited the broader community to chat with the candidates in a casual and fun way. The energy and enthusiasm surrounding the event was palpable, and the candidates did not disappoint on the stump.

An announcement from “Darien First 2015,” the joint re-election campaign for First Selectman Jayme Stevenson, Selectman Susan Marks and selectman candidate Kip Koons:

Darien First 2015 announces the launch of their campaign for November’s municipal election. The team includes incumbent Jayme Stevenson for First Selectman, incumbent Susan Marks for Selectman, and newcomer for Selectman, Kip Koons. Kip Koons brings his broad financial and strategic planning experience and proven leadership to the team. On Sunday, Sept. 27 from 4 to 5 p.m. at Grove Street Plaza, Jayme, Susan and Kip invite everyone for a meet-and-greet and official campaign kick-off.

Tuesday is National Voter Registration Day. Here’s an announcement from Darien Registrars of Voters John Visi and Kathy Hammell (links and information in brackets has been added by Darienite.com):
An important election is coming up in November. There are multiple candidates for First Selectman and Selectmen – the voters have choices to make. In preparation for the Nov. 3 election, the Registrars of Voters will prepare a preliminary registration list on Sept. 29.

To the editor:
Seniors age 65 and over comprise 12% Darien’s residents who worry that escalating taxes would preclude them continuing to live in their Darien homes through their retirement years. As a candidate for Selectman, Spencer McIlmurray is concerned as Hartford continues to hammer
Fairfield County with taxes destined to help support the burgeoning
state budget with little concern for Darien and its seniors. How many of our senior residents have already left Darien because of escalating taxes? On Nov. 3, I hope you will vote Spencer to our Board of Selectmen, working with our existing team to keep Darien affordable for seniors.’

Arden Anderson-Broecking

Fri 19

« August 2022 »

August 19 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm