Letters

To the Editor: After reading Greg Stroud’s editorial in the CT Examiner last week concerning the Halls Road project, I looked up the minutes of recent Planning Commission meetings to find out the status of this project.  I noticed that Democratic selectman and commission candidate Jim Lampos was prepared and had questions concerning the proposed zoning changes.  Republican … [Read more...] about Letter to the Editor: Lampos is Paying Attention to Old Lyme’s Halls Rd Project, Looking Out for People of OL; Merits Vote

To the Editor: Please vote for Bradley Mock for the Old Lyme Board of Finance.  He is an outstanding candidate and we need to restore some balance to the Republican controlled board. Bradley is a business and analytics professional. He has a Bachelor of science and Master of Business Administration degrees from Renssalear Polytechnic Institute. He has been a project … [Read more...] about Letter to the Editor: Democrat Mock, an Outstanding Candidate, Will Restore Balance to Republican-Controlled Old Lyme BOF

To the Editor: Old Lyme needs a First Selectman who is transparent, accountable and gets things done.  Tim Griswold does not fit this bill, as recently illustrated.  The town’s Employee Handbook limits the vacation time that employees may carry over at year end.  Nevertheless, Mr. Griswold approved, on his own initiative, requests by a number of town employees to carry … [Read more...] about Letter to the Editor: Shoemaker, Lampos Will Play by Rules; Keep Public Informed; Solve Problems — Not Kick Them Down Road.

To the Editor: It is time for a change on the Old Lyme Board of Finance (BOF).  We need more diversity, balance of opinion and public information. Four of the six regular members of the BOF, and its chairman, have forever been Republicans. They always vote as a block.  I strongly support the well-qualified candidates currently endorsed by the Democrats. My decision is based … [Read more...] about Letter to the Editor: More Transparency, Information, Accountability Needed on Old Lyme BOF; Vote Dem’s Reiter, Mock onto Board to Achieve That Change

To the Editor: I was all set to vote this Tuesday for the Democratic Party slate of candidates in Old Lyme, but now do not intend to vote at all. A number of the candidates belong to the national  MOMS Club, which is deeply troubling. This is an organization which promotes conservative values and encourages its members to look to say, 1957, as the ideal for the role of women … [Read more...] about Letter to the Editor: Democratic Candidates, Who Are Members of MOMS Club, Deeply Trouble This Voter

To the Editor: My name is Chris Kirk and I have known Martha Shoemaker for a long time. I’ve been a close friend of her son Peter forever.  Growing up just down the road, we would go biking together around Brown’s Lane and Mile Creek, twisty roads that can be tricky but are so much fun to ride on.  Being a friend of Peter’s meant being a friend of the Shoemakers. I had the … [Read more...] about Letter to the Editor: Shoemaker Will Carefully Guide Old Lyme on ‘Twisty Roads’ Ahead, Leading Collaboratively, Effectively

To the Editor: Old Lyme First Selectman Tim Griswold has not been a good fiscal manager, often failing to follow through on a timely basis with matters affecting the town’s budget. For example, the Board of Selectmen (BOS) approved early this year a proposal for the substantial renovation of the Grassy Hill Bridge with a state grant reimbursing 50% of the cost.  Tim … [Read more...] about Letter to the Editor: Many Examples Demonstrate Griswold Has Not Been Good Fiscal Manager, Shoemaker Will Be

To the Editor: First Selectman Tim Griswold has been running for re-election primarily on the basis of his years of experience.  In response, a number of people think that this experience has not translated into competence in office, criticizing his lack of responsiveness, carefulness, transparency, information-sharing, timeliness, and judgment.  These concerns were … [Read more...] about Letter to the Editor: Despite His ‘Years of Experience’, Griswold is Not Doing a Good Job; Old Lyme Deserves Better

To the Editor: I was stopped the other day by a neighbor and friend, a Republican, who said, “I see all these Martha Shoemaker signs.  Who is she and why should I vote for her?”  I was in a rush, so I told him I’d get back to him.  This is what I said. Tim Griswold has been around forever, and he is a nice guy.  But he’s not the right person for the job today.  Old Lyme … [Read more...] about Letter to the Editor: Why Martha? ‘Nice Guy’ Tim is Not ‘Right Person for the Job Today’ … and More Reasons

To the Editor: I’m a senior in high school and I live in Old Lyme. Last week I attended a meeting of the Board of Selectman to support, on behalf of the students in Old Lyme, the adoption of a resolution on racism put before the board. Many of my peers feel strongly, as I do, about social justice and the continual fight for equity, and I wanted to make sure I could convey … [Read more...] about Letter to the Editor: LOLHS Senior Says Adopting Racism Resolution ‘Shows We Care,’ Refusing to Discuss it is ‘Gross Disservice to Community;’ Shoemaker, Lampos “Get It’

To the Editor: When I served on the Board of Education, former Connecticut Superintendent of the Year and Superintendent of Region 18, Dr. Betty Osga, opined that a diverse group of people with different experiences and skill sets often made better decisions than a homogeneous group of “experts.”  Truer words have never been spoken, especially as it relates to service on the … [Read more...] about Old Lyme Voters Deserve BOE Members With Skill Sets Other Than Education: Vote the Republican Slate for True Diversity

To the Editor: When we think of local election candidates, we generally concentrate on the Board of Selectpersons and the Board of Education. While both are of paramount import to the Town, the Board of Finance (BOF) is often overlooked. In many ways, it represents one of the most important voter selections in the election.  The Board of Finance is responsible for the … [Read more...] about Letter to the Editor: Re-elect Proven Experience on Old Lyme Board of Finance

To the Editor: There is a general lackadaisical approach to governing by First Selectman Griswold, as illustrated at two recent meetings I attended as an interested new citizen. At one, a payment request (about overtime during COVID) would have passed had he offered any clarifying information justifying the line item. He seemed uninformed and had no figures to present. At … [Read more...] about Letter to the Editor: Griswold Demonstrates Lackadaisical Approach to Governing; Shoemaker Will Be Attentive, Thoughtful, Conscientious Leader

To the Editor: In past elections, few voters in Old Lyme paid much attention to zoning commission candidate party affiliation. Both parties over the years have typically been on board with enforcing our zoning regulations and have been supportive of local zoning control. But this year is very different. There is a movement for legislation in Hartford supported by the … [Read more...] about Letter to the Editor:  Vote for Candidates Who Support Local Zoning Control, Will Not Be Hartford Democrat Puppets