Democrats swept to victory in the handful of contested races in Old Lyme’s local elections Tuesday. Asked her reaction to the clean sweep, the overjoyed Old Lyme First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder responded to LymeLine, “I’m amazed. I’m delighted … I’m speechless.” After a few seconds, she added, “We put up an excellent slate of candidates,” noting, “When you look at their credentials, they’re a strong and diverse group of candidates — I’m sure they will serve the town very well.”
The most watched contest was for the five open seats on the District 18 Board of Education and the final result saw the five Democrats — one of whom, Rick Goulding, was cross-endorsed by the Republicans — take all five seats.
Petitioning candidate — and incumbent — Russ Gomes, who was not endorsed by the Republicans he has represented on the board for the past 16 years, failed in his bid to secure re-election for an additional two years.
Turnout was low for this off-year election with only 1,599 residents voting out of a total of 6,668 registered voters in Old Lyme. There were 59 absentee ballots and 4 Election Day Registrations (EDR).
The final vote tallies, with elected candidates shown in red, were:
First Selectman
Bonnie Reemsnyder (D) – 1,167
Selectmen:
Arthur E. Sibley (R) – 684
Mary Jo Nosal (D) – 849
Town Clerk
Eileen Coffee (R) – 1,083
Board of Finance – Full term
Janet Sturges (R) – 1,005
Christopher Kerr (R) – 980
Board of Finance – Alternate
Robert Jose (R) – 798
J. David Kelsey (R) – 940
Bennett Bernblum (D) – 973
Board of Assessment Appeals
Tim Griswold (R) – 735
George Finlay (D) – 805
Planning – 5 year term begins 2013
Donald Willis (R) – 678
Edgar Butcher (D) – 781
Planning – 5 year term begins 2014
Steven Ross (R) – 949
Zoning – 5 year term begins 2013
John Johnson (R) – 905
Zoning – 5 year term begins 2014
Tom Risom (R) – 681
Joseph G. Soucie (D) – 765
Zoning Board of Appeals – 5 year term begins 2013
Martha Rumskas (R) – 551
Mary Stone (D) – 897
Zoning Board of Appeals – 5 year term begins 2014
Arthur Sibley, Sr. (R) – 954
Zoning Board of Appeals – Alternate
Laurie O’Brien (R) – 887
Harry Plaut (R) – 858
Board of Education – Full term
Kirk Hoerauf (R) – 549
Maxwell Greenwood (R) – 528
Steven Cinami (R) – 586
Jean Wilczynski (D) – 975
Diane Linderman (D) – 905
Rick Goulding (D) – 1,401
Nancy Lucas Edson (D) – 845
Board of Education – 2 year term
Stephen Spooner (R) – 510
Sarah Smalley (D) – 756
Russ Andrew Gomes, Jr. (R – petitioning candidate) – 246
Predictable, as long as Old Lyme’s Republican Town Committee (RTC) is perceived as anti-education with an agenda of controlling their members elected to the Board of Education the electors in Old Lyme will reject this approach.A major makeover of the RTC leadership, starting with the committee that interviews/nominates candidates, must be undertaken. The window dressing change of their Chairman was only the start.
Perhaps a kinder and gentler GOPendorsement committee, not one that constantly throws people”under the bus”, might begin to win a few more elections. In addition,a more diverse gender group might have resonated better with the voters. It would also seem one who saved the taxpayers’ money while providing a state of the art high school should have been endorsed;however,as the bard said, “All is not what seems.” Alice Burbank
Congratulations to Bonnie, MaryJo, and their entire team. I know Old Lyme will continue to grow under your leadership. A special congratulations to Jean Wilczynski and Diane Linderman on your election to the BOE. District 18 is fortunate to have you as members of the Board. I only wish I were still there in order to work with you for the benefit of the young people of District 18. Congrats!!