Democrats in Redding voted on their candidates for the fall municipal election at their Caucus Thursday, July 23rd.
Julia Pemberton, who is currently serving her second year as Redding’s First Selectman, is at the top of the ticket again. She received a rousing endorsement from Selectman Leon Karvelis.
“I have had the good fortune to work with Julia for 2 years, and seen up close her accomplishments for the Town. She has delivered on every one of her campiagn promises, is hard working day and night, collaborative; and her ethics, dedication, intelligence, and leadership mean she has well-earned our support, and reelection, as First Selectman of Redding.”
DTC member Peter Bonfanti followed up Mr. Karvelis’s remarks with what he stated are the “many fine qualities Mr. Karvelis brings to the role of Selectman,” and spoke of his “financial know-how, knowledge of governance, communication skills, managerial ability, integrity, and passion for the job and the Town.
The Town Committee announced the following endorsements at the caucus:
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Julia Pemberton, First Selectman
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Leon Karvelis, Selectman
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Michele Grande, Town Clerk
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Janice Meehan, Town Treasurer
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Pat Moisio, Tax Collector (cross-endorsement)
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Margaret (Peg) O’Donnell, Board of Finance
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Melinda Irwin, Board of Education
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Gwen Denny, Board of Education
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Nancy E. King, Planning Commission
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Margi Esten, Board of Assessment Appeals
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Paul Scholl, Zoning Commission
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Elizabeth (Beth) Williams, Zoning Board of Appeals
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Annet Bonfanti, Charles (Chuck) Mullaney, Jane M. Ross: Constables
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Mike D’Agostino, Region 9 Board of Education.
DTC Chair and former Selectman Tina Miller spoke in support of Peg O’Donnell serving on the BOF next year, and talked about Peg’s many years of service as Town Treasurer.
“Peg belongs on the Board of Finance as a highly qualified candidate for the position, and as someone who has extensive knowledge of how the Town’s funds work.” She also referenced Ms. O’Donnell’s popular and dedicated service to the community, and knowledge of its institutions and their constituencies.
Peg O’Donnell thanked Ms. Miller for her support, and said that she was “honored to nominate Janice Meehan as the next Treasurer of the Town of Redding.” Ms. Meehan is seeking to fill Ms. O’Donnell’s current seat as Town Treasurer in this year’s election.
“We were both on the Board of the Mark Twain Library together and Janice succeeded me as Treasurer for the Library,” said Ms. O’Donnell. “Janice has an extensive background in Finance -- over 30 years in the Finance community -- is careful in her investment strategy, and dogged in her ability to get a project done. Her long-standing ties to Redding and her record of volunteerism here, make her a fabulous candidate.”
Julia Pemberton spoke about Town Clerk Michele Grande’s hard work, and her success in “modernizing the Town Clerk’s office, bringing it up to to 21st century standards.”
Ms. Pemberton also said she was honored to speak at the Caucus about Melinda Irwin’s passion for her work in the field of scientific research and on Redding’s Board of Education; and that Ms. Irwin strives to keep voters informed about the BOE’s efforts in a “helpful and positive way.”
Region 9 Board member Mike D’Agostino gave a speech about BOE candidate Gwen Denny as a “highly informed candidate for the Board of Education,” citing her past work as PTA president and on the Easton-Redding PTA Council.
Fellow Region 9 Board member Mark Lewis spoke about the “significant savings for Redding, having as knowledgable and dedicated a Board member as Mike D’Agostino working on project management for the Region 9 Board, and Redding Boards, the last few years.”
After the nominating speeches were made, Democratic Town Committee Chair Tina Miller expressed her personal observations about the selection of candidates put forth at the Caucus.
“The candidates we’ve put forward all have at least one thing in common. When they talk about why they want to run, they begin by saying how much they love and care about our community -- our Town -- and how they want to serve to keep it a unique, wonderful place.
“In a community like Redding,” she added, “it’s not about politics; it’s about service and stewardship.”