Old Lyme DTC, RTC Chairs Respond to Defacement of Stefanowski Signs

OLD LYME — The signs on J. David Kelsey’s property supporting Bob Stefanowski, the Republican candidate for Governor, have been defaced.

We asked the respective Chairs of the Old Lyme Republican and Democratic Town Committees for their reaction to this occurrence.

Randy Nelson, Chairman of the Old Lyme Republican Town Committee, responded by email saying, “I have already written about it in CTExaminer. It is disgusting and should be condemned by all people of all parties. On behalf of the OL RTC , I condemn such defacement by anyone directed at any candidate of any party. I would hope the DTC of OL would join me in this assault on civility.”

We asked for a copy of his comments to CTExaminer, but have not yet received a response to that request.

Mary Jo Nosal, Chair of the Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee, also responded by email saying, “The Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee does not support, and has never supported or participated in political sign defacement or removal.

We also notice the increase in vitriolic and unsubstantiated claims against candidates and town officials. It would be useful to hear what the new Chair of the Old Lyme Republican Party offers in the way of solutions to reduce party polarization and the decreased civility he references, including the defacement and theft of political signs on private property, or the inappropriate placement of political signage on State property.

The Old Lyme DTC has been and remains supportive of improved respect for candidates during campaigns and of conduct that reflects the values of all voters in Old Lyme.”

Author

Olwen Logan grew up in a family of London educators but was inspired by her great grandfather, influential Daily Chronicle newspaper editor Alfred Ewen Fletcher, to pursue journalism. She built a successful career in efficiency analysis and senior audit management before launching her own PR-focused consultancy. After moving to the U.S. in 1990 and settling in Old Lyme in 1994, she became a staff writer for the now-closed Main Street News and later joined Jack Turner’s fledgling LymeLine.com, discovering the career she had always wanted—albeit in an unexpected digital form. Even after relocating to Maryland, she continued covering Lyme and Old Lyme with the same dedication, earning national recognition as a LION Publishers award finalist in 2020. After more than two decades of service, Olwen stepped away in November 2025, donating LymeLine.com to the newly formed nonprofit LymeLine Inc. and expressing her excitement for its continued growth and mission.