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Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz Participates in Swearing-In Ceremony for Newly-Elected Old Lyme Officials

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Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz (left) celebrates Old Lyme First Selectwoman-elect Martha Shoemaker after administering the Oath of Office to her in a ceremony held Sunday in Old Lyme Town Hall. All photos submitted.

OLD LYME — More than 70 people showed up Sunday (Nov. 19) to witness the swearing-in of Old Lyme’s newly-elected officials in the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall Meeting Room. It was a warm, sunny afternoon and the meeting room was appropriately decorated for the event.

Old Lyme First Selectwoman-elect Martha Shoemaker (left) shares a smile with Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz after Bysiewicz conducted Shoemaker’s swearing-in ceremony.

Old Lyme Town Clerk Vicki Urbowicz normally reads the Oath to all the candidates-elect, but on this occasion, Connecticut’s Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz was in attendance to swear in Old Lyme First Selectwoman-elect Martha Shoemaker (D). Standing alongside Shoemaker as she took the solemn oath to the Constitution were her husband Scott and sons David, Tim, and Peter.

Old Lyme Town Clerk Vicki Urbowicz administers the Oath of Office to Old Lyme Selectman-elect Jim Lampos.

Urbowicz read the oath of office for the remainder of the incoming officials, asking each one to raise their right hand and swear to uphold their position to the best of their ability.

Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz gave opening remarks at the ceremony.

In opening remarks before she read the oath, Bysiewicz spoke about the brave service of the US Military, who made the right to choose our elected officials possible and asked all veterans present to stand up and be recognized. 

US Military Veteran Doug Wilkinson celebrates the swearing in of all the incoming officials with his wife Lucy (left), Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee Chair Mary Jo Nosal (second from right), and Board of Finance member-elect Anna Reiter (right).

Additionally, she honored the families of the elected officials for their support of their civic-minded family member. Bysiewicz concluded that it is no longer about party for these officials, but rather it is about committing to work for the future of Old Lyme. 

Planning Commissioner-elect Howard Margules stands with his wife Mary Jo (right) and Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz after taking his Oath of Office.

Asked to comment on how she felt after attending the event, Mary Jo Nosal, Chair of the Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee, said, “ I was moved by the beautiful ceremony and by the Lt. Governor’s comments today. Knowing the newly-sworn in officials as I do, I know  that each of them appreciates the sacrifices of our U.S. military and veterans made for the freedoms we Americans hold dear,  and that each of our new officials will keep that in mind as they work hard for our town.“

Old Lyme Town Clerk Urbowicz swears in Matt Ward (Unaffiliated but endorsed by Old Lyme Republican Town Committee (RTC)) as Old Lyme Town Treasurer.

Also sworn in on Sunday were Old Lyme Selectman-elect Jim Lampos (D), Treasurer-elect Matthew Ward (U but R-endorsed), Regional Board of Education members-elect Alexander Lowry (D), W. Scott Brown (D), and Susan Fogliano (D).

Region 18 Board of Education members-elect (from left to right) Alexander Lowry, Dr. W. Scott Brown and Susan P. Fogliano are sworn into office.

Urbowicz noted that Selectman-elect Judith Read (R), who was not present at the ceremony, had been sworn in earlier.

Zoning Board of Appeals Alternates-elect Democrats Kathleen Tracy and Michaelle Pearson, and Brian Cole (Unaffiliated but endorsed by Old Lyme RTC) take the Oath of Office for their positions.

Republican-endorsed candidate-elect Brian Cole was also sworn in on Sunday joining Ward as the R-endorsed candidates present at the ceremony.

All the officials-elect, who had been sworn in during the afternoon, gathered around Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz (front row, center, to left of Selectman Jim Lampos) for a celebratory photo at the end of the ceremony.

Editor’s Note: This article was prepared with information received from a variety of people, who attended the ceremony.

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Comments

  1. Well done everyone, looking forward to seeing you in person in 2024 and for a new bright year for the people of Old Lyme being guided and protected by this great Democratic team.