Southbury Democrats Vote for Full Slate

Southbury Democrats gathered last week to vote for the candidates that will appear on the Democratic line in the upcoming November municipal election.

Candidates for the Board of Selectmen are First Selectman Ed Edelson, Selectman Ed Gittines, Selectman Donna Pereira and Selectman Ron Pugliese.  

“I am very pleased with the experience, capability and diversity of our official candidates”, said Democratic Town Committee chair Denise Forgione.  “Given the outstanding number of accomplishments made under the administration of First Selectman Ed Edelson with the support of the three Selectmen, it is very positive that they have all agreed to run again.”

“I continue to be impressed with the new ideas, energy and enthusiasm that Ed has brought to the position of First Selectman.    Issues like preserving the Farmlands at the Southbury Training School and establishing a community center have been talked about for decades.  Now we are seeing these and many other topics being addressed in an orderly and business-like fashion”, said Gittines who will be running for his third term as a Selectman.

Candidates for Board of Education are current board member Pat Perry, Marion Manzo and Rich Grayson. 

“I am so pleased to be able to ensure that Pat Perry will be able to continue to share her knowledge and experience with the new superintendent.  The ongoing involvement by Marion Manzo and Rich Grayson at Board of Education meetings is critical.  We want candidates who understand the workings of the Board of Education.  As a former chair of the Region 15 Board of Education I know how important that can be in order to have a well-functioning Board”, said Carol Hubert, Nominating Chair of the Democratic Town Committee.

Other candidates include Drew Morten and Rod Ashby for Zoning; Nancy Clark and Gail DiPietro for Planning; John Geheran for Board of Finance; Joan King for Board of Assessment Appeals; Tom Hook and Karen Huber for Inland Wetlands Commission; and Lorraine Marcantonio for Zoning Board of Appeals.  

“Through the important process of identifying, recruiting and vetting these candidates, the Democratic Town Committee (DTC) members have come to have a close knowledge of all the candidates.  That is the role of the DTC.  The caucus proceeded so smoothly because we did our homework.  I look forward to working with all the candidates”, said Drew Morten, the chair of Select-Ed campaign.  “The initial response to our preliminary fund-raising effort in the last few weeks of June demonstrated that many voters are pleased with the changes they have seen in the past few years.  As of mid-July we are just shy of $9,000 and almost all of that from Southbury residents.  Long standing issues like the bridge over the Pomperaug River that was first brought to the town’s attention as being in “poor condition” in 2004 are now being worked.  That what real leadership is about”.

When asked why he is running again, First Selectman Ed Edelson responded, “I am proud of all the things we set out to do and have completed.  However I keep finding more opportunities to lower cost, improve service and make Southbury an even better place to live, raise a family, own a business, and retire.  Over the coming months I will be clearly identifying for the voters the areas where we have made significant progress and our vision of what still needs to be done.”