Government & Politics
Pam Sparkman candidate Selectman 07-20-17

Meet the 2017 Darien Democratic Candidates: Intros, Acceptance Speeches from the Caucuses

By |
Download PDF

If you don’t know some of Darien’s Democratic candidates for office this year — or even if you do — here’s how they were described at the Democrat’s caucus on Wednesday night. For Selectman candidate Pam Sparkman, Selectman Rob Richards gave a nominating speech. For the other candidates, David Bayne, chairman of the Darien Democratic Town Committee, gave the caucus these short descriptions in nominating them (all Bayne’s remarks are as prepared, and they’re excerpts).  

Below the nominating speeches, we’ve attached speeches from Selectmen Marc Thorn and Selectman-nominee Pam Richards. The statements and speeches:
Glenn Ritch: Board of Assessment Appeals
Glenn is a commercial real estate professional who will fit in well with the baord.

Government & Politics
Democrats Slate 2017

Democrats Pick Selectman Rob Richards to Contest First Selectman Office with Incumbent Jayme Stevenson

By |
Download PDF

Selectman Rob Richards was chosen by Democrats on Wednesday as their candidate for First Selectman, opposing incumbent Republican Jayme Stevenson. “My ability to solve problems and smile often has brought our community together and put to bed many longstanding issues,” Richards said in his acceptance speech to the town Democratic Caucus. Richards said he worked with both sides in two of the most contentious community disputes in the past couple of years: The conflict over bringing lights for night games at Darien High School and the battle over whether to have paramedics based in town full-time. In both cases, Richards said he sought out people from both sides, listened to their concerns and worked to promote a compromise or a settlement. “Rob is a listener, a thinker and problem solver,” said Democratic Town Chairman David Bayne in nominating Richards for the job.

Government & Politics
Rob Richards 2015 campaign

First Selectman Candidate Rob Richards’ Acceptance Speech to Darien Democratic Caucus

By |
Download PDF

Here’s the full-text of Rob Richards’ acceptance speech, delivered at the Democratic Town Caucus on Wednesday night:

First I would like to thank the Darien Democrats for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime. Serving our community as a Selectmen has been an honor and a joy. None of this would have been possible without your support (the Darien Democrats) and the community that elected me. The privilege of serving my community has allowed me to meet many new and wonderful people, forged new alliances, and connect to the community in a way I never thought possible. My love for my neighbors, friends and community has guided me as I worked hard to solve Darien’s most contentious issues.

Government & Politics
Koons Stevenson Marks Republican slate 2017 election

Republican Caucus Endorses Town Committee Slate, Board of Ed Chairman Bounced

By |
Download PDF

No one challenged the slate of Republican candidates proposed by the Republican Town Committee at Tuesday night’s GOP Caucus, attended by fewer than 30 people in Town Hall Auditorium. Dennis Maroney, currently the chairman of the Representative Town Meeting’s Education Committee, was endorsed by the town committee and now the caucus. Board of Education Chairperson Michael Harman was not endorsed for re-election by the town committee and did not challenge that decision by becoming a petition candidate at the caucus. Board of Education member David Dineen was endorsed for re-election. Harman was the only incumbent rejected by the town committee.

Government & Politics
Darien RTC logo

Darien Republican Town Committee Now Accepting Applications for Elected Offices

By |
Download PDF

The Darien Republican Town Committee is now accepting applications for these positions: The Board of Selectmen, town treasurer, tax collector, town clerk, Board of Finance, Board of Education, Board of Assessment Appeals, Planning & Zoning Commission, and constables. The Darien RTC plans to conduct interviews at its next meeting on Wednesday, June 14, at the Darien Town Hall. If you are a registered Republican in Darien and are interested in one of these positions, please complete an application (found on the”Get Involved” page of the Darien RTC website) and submit it no later than Friday, June 9, to Brent Hayes, Darien RTC Chair, at darienrtc@yahoo.com. — an announcement from the Darien Republican Town Committee