Letters to the Editor
Letter letters

Re-Elect Kip Koons, Who Helped the Town Buy Ox Ridge Property, Worked on Building Committees, Helps Keep Taxes Low

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To the editor:

I am writing this letter to support Kip Koons for Selectman. Kip has consistently volunteered his time to make Darien a great place to live. Kip is a person of integrity and has quietly made significant contributions to the town. Kip was a member of the Building Committee for the town garage renovation. This was a $6 million project that was delivered one month early and about 9% under budget.

Letters to the Editor
Letter letters

Dan Bumgardner for Board of Finance, a Committed Volunteer With 35 Years in Financial Services

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To the editor:

We are proud to support Dan Bumgardner for the Board of Finance. After more than 35 years in the financial services industry, he sincerely feels it is his turn to give back and serve Darien, the community he has called home since 1999. We’ve known Dan and his wife Patti for 27 years and they are one of the main reasons we chose to move to Darien. Throughout his career Dan has always made time to be involved in the community, coaching softball, baseball and soccer and more recently working with the Darien Community Fund. We have no doubt that Dan will work tirelessly to better our community for all.

Letters to the Editor
Letter letters

Selectman Candidate Christa McNamara Has Worked Hard for the Community

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To the editor:

I am writing in support of Christa McNamara who is a Republican running for a spot on the Board of Selectmen. I met Christa when our daughters became best friends in nursery school. I have been in and out of the McNamara home for 14 years. Christa and I both grew up in Rye, New York and our families have known each other for over 40 years. I watched this dynamic woman raise three children at the same time that she rolled up her sleeves and worked hard to improve our community.

Letters to the Editor
Letter letters

George Reilly for P&Z: Active in Community Affairs, Insightful, Considerate and Works Hard

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To the editor:

I am delighted to support George Reilly for Darien Planning and Zoning Commission. After 35 years of practicing law and active participation in various community organizations including Darien Board of Selectman, Norwalk Community College Foundation, King School Board of Trustees, and Center for Hope, George understands this Town. He and I were colleagues for most of his nine-year tenure on the Board of Education. When considering new programs, facilities and budgets, George was a staunch advocate for all students. He did his homework, offered intelligent and insightful comments and based on his decisions on solid analysis.  He was inclusive and considerate of differing opinions as we deliberated potentially contentious topics.

Letters to the Editor
Letter letters

Letter from RTC Vice Chairman: Vote on Nov 5

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To the editor:

On Nov. 5, Darien will be conducting its municipal elections.  Typically, such election years are marked by low voter turnout. Please don’t skip the voting booth this year.  Vote for your town and have your voice heard loud and clear.  It matters every year, but especially this one. There are lifelong politicians and long-entrenched special interest groups in our state capital.  Let’s call them “The Grabbing Hands of Hartford.”

Most recently they brought you school regionalization.  They aren’t up for election this year, but they will certainly be watching the vote count.  They want to see if you are paying attention.  Are you? School regionalization may or may not have gone away for good (I doubt it), but rest assured, the next attempt to take away our local control and divert more and more of our tax dollars to the financial black hole in Hartford is just around the next corner.

Letters to the Editor
Letter letters

Candidate Sarah Neumann: ‘Positive Attitude, Dedication, Open-Minded, Even-Tempered

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To the editor:

I’m writing in support of Sarah Neumann for the Board of Selectman. I have known Sarah since we worked together as co-chairs of the Hindley Elementary School PTO. In my time working with her she displayed an unparalleled work ethic, positive attitude and dedication to helping our community. Sarah is a team player who has worked tirelessly in a variety of leadership roles. Sarah has also volunteered as president of the Junior League, PTO co-chair at Darien High School and in her current role on the Representative Town Meeting.

Letters to the Editor
Letter letters

In Support of Sarah Neumann for Board of Selectmen: A Community Leader Who Cares and Works Hard

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To the editor:

I’m writing in support of Sarah Neumann for the Board of  Selectman.  I have known Sarah since I moved to Darien in 2012. She is a caring member of our community who always steps up to volunteer her time and take on leadership roles. Sarah has been president of the Junior League where she received multiple hours of training in leadership and working with volunteers. She has held numerous committee chair positions in our PTOs including president at two schools and is a current member of the RTM. We need to vote for Sarah to be a leader for our community.

Government & Politics
GOP Board of Selectmen candidates 2019

GOP Candidates for Board of Selectmen Announce Their Campaign Website

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The three Republican candidates for this November’s election have announced their website and invited the public to learn more about them. The GOP team this year includes Christa McNamara, who is joining First Selectman Jayme Stevenson and Selectman Kip Koons. Selectman Susan Marks is not running for re-election. Here’s the announcement:

Hello Darien friends! We are so excited to be part of the 2019 Darien Board of Selectmen campaign, Darien Together 2019!

Letters to the Editor
Letter letters

George Reilly for P&Z: Intelligence, Integrity, Strong Work Ethic, Consensus Builder

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To the editor:

I am writing in support of the candidacy of George Reilly to the Planning and Zoning Commission. I have known George both personally and professionally for nearly 20 years. Even more important than his intelligence and extraordinary work ethic, he is a person of unparalleled integrity, an essential character trait in a public servant. I served with George for many years on the Board of Education. All of us on the board benefitted enormously from the thoroughness of his preparation, his incisive thinking and precise questioning.

Letters to the Editor
Letter letters

Endorsement of David Martin for Board of Selectmen: Thoughtful Worker Who Puts the Town’s Interests First

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To the editor,

I endorse David Martin’s candidacy to be a member of Darien’s Board of Selectmen. Having served with David on the Representative Town Meeting’s nonpartisan Finance and Budget (F&B) Committee he possesses those qualities so important to public service; namely, placing the interests of the town and taxpayers first, thoughtfulness, and a demonstrable work ethic. He cares to do right by the town and its various constituencies while being mindful of quality of life and financial considerations. With years spent in financial services, he can be counted on to apply his experience to help advance the interests of us all. On a personal level, he is a great team member and possesses a skilled hand when engaging others in matters of scale and scope.

Letters to the Editor
Letter letters

In Support of Sarah Neumann for the Board of Selectmen

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To the Editor,

I am writing this letter to express my strong support for Sarah Neumann’s candidacy for the Board of Selectmen. Sarah and I met over five years ago while serving on the Executive Board of the Middlesex Parents Association, a position she held while also co-chair of the Hindley Parents Association. Since then we have worked together on the Executive Board of the Darien High School Parents Association and the RTM Education Committee. Sarah is well versed in the budget process, particularly that of the Board of Education, which comprises approximately 70% of the town’s total budget. One of Sarah’s many strengths is her thoughtfulness and ability to work across the aisle to achieve positive results for the greater good of the Darien community.

Letters to the Editor
Letter letters

Letter in Support of Sarah Neumann, Candidate for Darien Board of Selectmen

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To the editor,

I am writing this letter to express my support for Sarah Neumann as a candidate for the Board of Selectmen. Sarah and I are neighbors, and met years ago when our children were at Hindley Elementary School. She was the co-chair of the Hindley PTO when I chaired the Hindley Green Committee. She was always supportive, enthusiastic and open to new ideas. In her roles as chair of both the Hindley and Darien High School PTOs, I watched her capably manage the responsibilities of the role, while making sure everyone felt included and supported.

Letters to the Editor
Letter letters

Support for David Martin, Candidate for Board of Selectmen

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To the Editor:

David Martin is a committed public servant who would be an excellent member of the Board of Selectmen, and I am writing to support his candidacy. I have worked with David on the Finance and Budget (F&B) Committee of the RTM. David is knowledgeable, prepared, open minded, and collaborative.  I believe that he will use these skills as well as his many years of experience in the financial services industry to improve the effectiveness of town government, promote transparency, and maintain and build town assets in order to enhance the town of Darien’s desirability for residents of all ages. He is committed to strong fiscal discipline which I saw firsthand in his rigorous and thoughtful analysis of the town budget as a member of F&B. David is approachable and friendly, and these traits will help him maintain open communication with constituents.  We would be lucky to have him as a selectman.  Please join me in supporting David on Nov.

Letters to the Editor
Letter letters

Support for Sarah Neumann for Board of Selectmen

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To the editor:

I am writing to express my support for Sarah Neumann for Board of Selectmen. I have known Sarah for close to 20 years and have seen her commitment to her community first hand. She is dedicated, hard working and will offer a fair and balanced approach to solving the challenges facing our town. In her varied roles around town, Sarah has developed an excellent working relationship with different town organizations and committees. She is well-respected, well-known and Darien will reap the benefits of Sarah’s leadership.

Government & Politics
Letter letters

Letter: Support Tara Ochman for Re-Election to the Board of Education

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To the editor:

Please join me in supporting Tara Ochman’s re-election to the Board of Education. Tara is uniquely qualified for the board — proven by how well she has served Darien for the past three years. Knowing her personally for over a decade, I know how committed she is to our children and their education. She has worked tirelessly to ensure our schools reach all learners, and are committed to providing excellent educational opportunities. She has championed our students, and has developed responsible budgets.