Darien Elections 2019

Darien Election Results: Contested Races Only for First Selectman and Three RTM Districts

First Selectmen Candidates Present Views at League of Women Voters Forum

Wood: Biggest Issue in This Election Is Pushing Back Against State and Strengthening Local Government

Dineen: Re-Elect Kip Koons to Board of Selectmen: His Competence Helps Keep the Town Well-Managed

Support Stevenson and McNamara for Selectmen: They’re Kind, Thoughtful, Experienced and Open-Minded

Board of Ed Chair Tara Ochman Has Helped Enhance Education Within a Responsible Budget

Jill McCammon Brings Commitment and Competence to the Board of Education

Jayme Stevenson and Other Darien Republicans Provide Prudent, Experienced Management

David Bayne: Democratic Candidates Bring ‘Unmatched Level of Professionalism, Commitment’

David Martin for Board of Selectmen: Detail Oriented, Fact Driven, Thoughtful and Very Easy to Work With

League of Women Voters Presents Darien Candidates Night

Susan Marks: Support Jill McCammon for Board of Education — She’s Competent, Collaborative and Calm

Local Republican Candidates Will Best Fight Overbearing State Government

League of Women Voters Hosts Darien Candidates Night Wednesday

Why Do So Few Registered Darien Voters Get to the Polls? Vote, and Vote Republican

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

Events Calendar

Government & Politics

By David Gurliacci | November 5, 2019

Government & Politics

By David Gurliacci | November 4, 2019

Letters to the Editor

By DARIENITE.COM | October 31, 2019

Letters to the Editor

By DARIENITE.COM | October 31, 2019

Letters to the Editor

By DARIENITE.COM | October 30, 2019

Letters to the Editor

By DARIENITE.COM | October 29, 2019

Letters to the Editor

By DARIENITE.COM | October 28, 2019

Letters to the Editor

By DARIENITE.COM | October 28, 2019

Letters to the Editor

By DARIENITE.COM | October 27, 2019

Letters to the Editor

By DARIENITE.COM | October 27, 2019

Darien Elections 2019

By David Gurliacci | October 23, 2019

Letters to the Editor

By DARIENITE.COM | October 23, 2019

Letters to the Editor

By DARIENITE.COM | October 23, 2019

Government & Politics

By DARIENITE.COM | October 22, 2019

Letters to the Editor

By DARIENITE.COM | October 21, 2019

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

In one of the few contested seats in Darien’s local offices up for election on Tuesday, First Selectman Jayme Stevenson beat unaffiliated candidate Chris Noe 2,946 to 309. Other contests occurred in these Representative Town Meeting districts:
District 2
8 seats, 9 candidates

Elected: William Cusak (364), Marie Handler (348), Susanne Handler (349), Monica McNally (381), Iris Mix (356), Stacy Tie (378), Write in candidates Karen Bohnsack (176) and Robert Lyons (192)

Not Elected: One write-in candidate, Vincent P. Shanley, received the least number of votes (2). District 3
10 seats, 11 candidates

Elected: Adelle Coniff (386), Holly Giordano (395), Eric Golus (308), Catherine Kazim-Bailey (323), Elizabeth Lane (385), M. Carolina McGoey (346), Sue-Ellen Mitchell (396), Thomas Moore (347), Seth Morton (338) and Jennifer Woodbury (418)

Not Elected: One candidate, Francisco Cordona, received the least number of votes (286). District 4
7 seats, 9 candidates

Elected: Martha Banks (506), A. James Cameron (359), Christine Castles (402), Frank Kemp (321), Joseph Miceli (335), Andrew Millar (414) and Sandra Savage (446)

Not Elected: The two candidates with the least number of votes were Margaret Rague (250) and Werner Domittner (232)
Other Vote Totals
Only enough candidates were nominated by Democrats and Republicans to fill offices. So, without contests, all of these candidates were elected:
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Sarah Neumann (D) — 1,401

David Martin (D) — 1,324

Christa McNamara (R) — 2,279

Charles “Kip” Koons (R) — 2,238
OTHER
Town Clerk: Caryn Diller (R) — 2,951

Town Treasurer: Joan Hendrickson (R) — 2,930

Tax Collector: Kathleen Larkins (R) — 2,954

Board of Assessment Appeals: Richard Dolcetti (R) — 2,891
BOARD OF FINANCE
Daniel Bumgardner (D) — 1,687

Taylor Carter (R) — 2,417

James Palen Jr. (R) — 2,333
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
George Reilly (D) — 1,730

Cara Gateley (R) — 2,484

Lawrence Warble Jr. (R) — 2,217
CONSTABLES
Louis Calastro (R) — 2,778

Alan Hyatt (R) — 2,873
REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING
Districts with uncontested elections:

DISTRICT 1

Louisa Brakman (385), Patricia Bumgartner (445), Curtis Butler (360), Patrick Keane (373), Colin Kelly (382), Derek Lublin (365), Karen McNicoll (363), Bradley Pattelli (358), Lois Schneider (375), Jennifer Schwartz (405), Bert von Stuelpnagel (428)

DISTRICT 5

Carolyn Bayne (345), Terrence Duffy Jr. (332), Kenneth Fiveson Jr. (315), Jennifer Moller (336), Sara Parent (343), James Patrick (334), Ann Reed (330), H. William Smith III (317), write in candidates: Harry McLachlin (29), Cecil Wade (100)

DISTRICT 6

Barry Baldwin (353), Amy Chickles (344), Virginia Jijon-Caamano (336), Elizabeth Lucas (350), Martha Luz (354), Emily McDermott (356), Peter Orphanos (336), Shannon Silsby (353), William Van Loan Jr. (344), Theresa Vogt (367)

With no Democratic candidate for first selectman running this year, First Selectman Jayme Stevenson, a Republican, and frequent independent candidate Chris Noe recently faced off again at a Darien League of Women Voters candidates forum at Town Hall. The audience watching and listening to the two candidates were presented with a window into their thinking: each candidate gave an indication about how they approach local issues and what they see as important. The candidates were on the stage for about 15 minutes during the two-hour forum. They answered several questions and made opening and closing statements. Lengthy excerpts of their statements are at the end of this article, and you can watch them on Darien TV79 (video below).

To the editor:

The biggest issue this election is the ongoing push from Hartford and the majority party to force more taxes/fees/regionalism onto successfully run municipalities and citizens as the solution to our state’s financial woes. Instead we should be looking for efficiencies that can create sustainability across our state. Much of this happens at the local level where town organizations are more accountable and transparent. For their courage and credibility to push back against the top down heavy hand of Hartford, I’ll be supporting these candidates with enthusiasm:

—Jayme Stevenson for first selectman

—Kip Koons & Christa McNamara for Board of Selectman

—Jill McCammon and John Sini for Board of Education

—Taylor Carter and Jim Palen for Board of Finance

—Cara Gately and Larry Warble for Planning & Zoning Commission

These Republican candidates have the relevant experience, integrity and common sense to serve our community well. Please vote Nov.

To the editor:

A vote for Selectman Republican candidate Kip Koons is a vote of competence. Kip is a lifelong Darienite and is part of the volunteer group of residents that continues to keep Darien a well-managed town. He understands that as a community we need the best schools, local business and a commitment to the environment and family. I have had the pleasure of co-chairing the Ox Ridge Elementary School Building Committee with Kip. His focus has been on getting the job done as a team and building the best school for the Ox Ridge community.

To the editor:

Please join us in voting for Jayme Stevenson and Christa McNamara for Board of Selectmen! We have gotten to know Jayme and Christa over many years as friends and as neighbors. The personal quality that stands out the most in these two women is kindness. They are always thoughtful in all of their interactions and really listen to people in need. Although they are different women, there is a mature and calm demeanor between the two which will serve us well in our town government. They both have extensive experience and service. These women are not stuck on one path with one solution. They will be open to a variety of solutions for any issue. Jayme and Christa are committed to our community while being mindful of the cost to taxpayers.

To the editor:
I am writing to support Tara Ochman for the School Board. She has served on the Board of Education since 2016 and was unanimously voted in as chairperson two years ago. Darien is known for its excellent school system. Tara has continued to enhance that quality with oversight of the selection of our new superintendent, the expansion of the DHS cafeteria and the creation of the Fitch Academy, all while maintaining a fiscally responsible budget with minimal increases. I have known Tara personally and know the incredible number of hours she spends insuring that all of our children are educated and cared for in the best possible manner. Tara has children in elementary, middle and high school, so she understands the needs of each age group personally.

To the editor:

The work of stewarding our district and providing the best education possible for our tax dollars is complex and demanding. Jill McCammon brings an invaluable combination of commitment and competence. An experienced community organizer, Jill led the Council of Darien School Parents for two years. Her professional experience as a management consultant and passion for education allow her to think big and push our district to be the best it can be for our students. Jill served as the chair of the DHS Cafeteria building committee.

To the editor:

In spite of Connecticut’s major fiscal problems, the town of Darien is in better shape than most towns in the state, largely due to the exceptionally prudent and experienced management of our town’s finances and resources by our first selectman, Jayme Stevenson, and her team of Republican elected officials. This town is facing some major, critical issues, thanks to our Democratic legislators in Hartford, and we need the strongest, most qualified leaders in Darien to navigate us through them, as well as through the major structural changes approved for Darien in the coming months and years ahead. Please join me in supporting Jayme Stevenson, Kip Koons, and Christa McNamara as Darien’s team of selectmen, as well as the entire slate of Darien’s Republican candidates, by voting for them on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Jim Metzger
Ox Ridge Lane

Jim Metzger is a Darien’s Commission on Aging and is the chair of Darien’s Blight Review Board.

To the editor:

Tara Ochman, David Martin, Sarah Neumann, Dan Bumgardner and George Reilly are the leadership team Darien needs. Tara has twice been elected by her peers to chair Darien’s Board of Education and was recently appointed to a statewide council on School Administrator Professional Standards. David has a strong financial background as a former JPMorgan executive and Sarah has been a longtime volunteer and leader of parent organizations advocating for Darien’s school children. Both David and Sarah currently serve on the RTM. Dan Bumgardner will add another layer of financial professionalism to the Board of Finance after a 35-year career as a banking executive.

To the editor:

I am writing to endorse David Martin’s candidacy for Darien’s Board of Selectmen. I have had the pleasure of serving with David on the Representative Town Meeting Finance & Budget Committee for the past three years and found him to be detail oriented, fact driven, terrific with numbers and spreadsheets, thoughtful and thorough and very easy to work with. In our deliberations David has demonstrated that he always puts the interests of the Town and the taxpayers first. I believe he will work to support the best interests of all the residents of Darien in an inclusive and collaborative manner. David has lived in town for over 20 years and is dedicated to preserving Darien’s reputation as a highly desired community and will work hard to minimize taxes while making the necessary investments to build a better Darien.

Come meet and question candidates for Darien local offices about issues important to you. They’ll be at Town Hall Auditorium starting at 7 p.m., Wednesday night, Oct. 23. To submit questions online for municipal candidates for First Selectman, Selectmen, Board of Education, Board of Finance and Planning and Zoning Commission go to lwvdariendebate@gmail.com. The program will focus on Candidates for first selectman, Board of Selectman, Board of Finance, Planning and Zoning as well as the Board of Education.

To the editor:

On Nov. 5 I hope you will join me and vote for my friend, Jill McCammon for another term on the Board of Education. Jill and I have developed a very special, respectful friendship. She has strong outreach into the community and is always ready to have a conversation. She listens with an open mind; reflects on what she has heard; and follows up by asking difficult, thought-provoking, strategic questions.

To the editor:

This Halloween season, Hartford is ringing the doorbell and demanding all types of goodies: school regionalization (virtually certain to rise again from the dead), a confiscatory tolling scheme (trick or treat!), mandatory increases to the minimum wage (a horror show for small businesses), and state-wide vehicle and real estate taxes (truly wicked). These policies are being touted by a political elite so dysfunctional that they have resorted to including mileage reimbursements as earnings for pension purposes. If you want a good scare, forget Stephen King this year, just pick up a report from Hartford. Resisting these disastrous policies and building a secure future for Darien requires strong local leadership. The Darien Republicans have put forth an excellent slate of candidates, led by Board of Selectmen candidates Jayme Stevenson, Kip Koons, and Christa McNamara.

Come meet and question candidates for Darien local offices about issues important to you. They’ll be at Town Hall Auditorium starting at 7 p.m., Wednesday night, Oct. 23. The program will focus on candidates for first selectman, Board of Selectman, Board of Finance, Planning and Zoning as well as the Board of Education. They’ll speak in a “non-partisan, moderated, timed discussion” organized by the league.

To the editor:

My question: why do so few registered voters in Darien exercise their right and privilege to vote, especially in off-year elections? Is it because they simply don’t care? Are they too busy to take the time to understand the critical issues facing Darien? Do they think their vote won’t make a difference? Or have they become complacent about Darien’s municipal elections, because they feel everything is running smoothly and trust our elected town leaders to keep up the good work?

Fri 19

« August 2022 »

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