Letter to the Editor: Endorsing J. David Kelsey—a ‘Generous Supporter of All Things Old Lyme’—for Board of Finance

To the Editor:

I’m inspired to write this endorsement after seeing the Democrat Town Committee’s [DTC] video ad attempting to smear Dave Kelsey. Dave does support Republican causes at the national and state level. He also supports the Old Lyme Republican Town committee of which I am a member. Most notably, yet not mentioned in the DTC ad, is Dave’s service to our community. Aside from serving the BOF [Board of Finance] for the past 17 years, Dave is a generous supporter of all things Old Lyme.

• Dave was a lead donor for the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library renovation.
• Dave donated hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Lyme Art Association skylight renovation.
• Dave and his daughters are the benefactors for the Kelsey Family Center at the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center.
• Dave has purchased and renovated numerous apartments in town to provide local housing to the Lyme Art Academy students.
• When Big Y attempted to build another gas station on Halls Road, Dave acquired the lot through personal finances to preserve the space (where Hydrangea Galore now is).
• And if you notice graffiti on the Lyme St. underpass or the Mile Creek rail bridge, contact Dave — he has paint and willingness to help cover it up (and he’ll text you at 6am to go paint with him), so long as he is not already busy volunteering to pull ragweed from behind our town hall.

I could easily add another dozen or so bullet points, although I think it is clear. We are fortunate to have such a benevolent citizen here in town.

Facts, not fear.

Sincerely,