The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Dems, GOP get ready for election
WINSTED — Winsted Democrats believe the town is on the right path and aim to keep it there.
In interviews conducted during the course of a meet-andgreet with town residents at Noujaim’s Bistro, Democratic candidates seeking seats on the Board of Education and Board of Selectmen said, if elected, they hope to maintain a surge of positive momentum and progress in the community.
The Republican Town Committee held its own meet-and-greet with candidates in September, and attended the Fall Foliage Festival to promote its candidates.
Guests at the Democrats’ event Tuesday included the former
commissioner of the Department of Consumer Protection and potential gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Harris and Secretary of the State Denise Merrill. During the event, candidates shared their rationale for seeking office, and Mayor Althea Candy Perez urged a collective effort to get out the vote for the Nov. 7 election.
“I really love Winsted, and I feel like we’ve made so much progress as a board. And I know it takes a village, so it’s not that I’m saying that we have done everything, but I feel like we were able to really work collaboratively and be unified,” said incumbent Selectman Melissa Bird, a 10-year resident of Winsted with a background in property management and real estate. “I think it’s really impacted the town in a positive way ... I just want to be part of that, continue to propel the town forward.”
“I think that lots (is) going on here. I want to be on board; I want to see things continue to move forward in a positive direction,” said Board of Selectmen candidate Linda Groppo, who grew up in Winsted. “It’s my time to give back, and I’ve got the energy, I’ve got the time, and I’m very enthusiastic.”
Incumbent Selectman Steven Sedlack pointed to the improved relationship between the Board of Education and selectmen.
“I’ve been in office three years now, and we’ve finally gotten to a point where things are really ready to move,” said Sedlack.
He said he hoped to attract young families to town, continue to improve town infrastructure, grow the grand list, keep taxes down, continue to improve the political atmosphere in
town and foster economic development
“Two years ago, I thought that the town needed some new thoughts and direction ... with the unrest that we had at that time and a lot of the discontent. I thought I could come in with the team that we put together two years ago, we could create a different environment, and I think we’ve been very successful,” said incumbent Selectman Jack Bourque, who noted there had not been significant partisan strife on the board in the last two years, and said he wanted to encourage economic development and fill storefronts in town.
“These last two years have created the environment of discussion, and open involvement and open conversations, that we know we can take it one more step,” he said.
Perez pointed to a series of projects she had conducted or been involved with, including researching the business base and updating the town website.
“I want to continue to see Winsted grow. I think I bring a good skill set toward collaborating with others on the board, being able to work with people in the community,” she said.
There is a sense that Winsted is on a good path, Perez said. She said she hopes to continue to grow and diversify the economic base of the community, better Main Street, improve neighborhoods and continue to address blight, attract families and continue the traditional strengths of the community, including volunteerism and amenities such as Highland Lake, the American Museum of Tort Law and Winchester Center.
“I think that our slate, in particular, is steady — that investors and developers will wake up the next know that Winsted (has) the same strong political atmosphere as it was the day
before, that we’ll continue to support the town manager and his staff in their work, continue to be attractive to investors and developers, as well as families that want to come here,” said Perez, who said she pursues public service out of a desire and impulse to help.
Michelle Hintz pointed to decreasing absenteeism, supporting town educators, and increasing test scores as her goals if elected to another term on the Board of Education.
“I would really love to be able to put the training that we had through CABE (the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education) … actually into practice. The board is a really cohesive group — we work really well together — and (I) don’t want to disrupt that,” said Hintz. “I also really am just about helping the kids — making sure our students have the best education that they deserve.”
Incumbent school board member Alexandria Propfe, a teacher by trade, also hopes to continue what she’s begun on the board with her fellow members over the last two years. She said she would aim to continue to build community confidence in the schools and improve the district.
“We’ve transitioned into getting back the board from receivership. We just want to continue the work that we’ve started, so why not continue on?” Propfe said. “That’s basically what it comes down to — we just want to see the progress continue that we’re making.”
Cheryl Heffernan is new to town, having moved here in August 2016. A lawyer by trade, she would hope to bring her experience with contracts and special education — her daughter received such services, she said — to the school board.
“They needed someone to run, so I was willing to do that. And the more I learn about what it (the town schools) is, what it was, what it’s becoming, the more enthusiastic I am that I could have something to contribute,” said Heffernan. “I’ve been practicing for 30 years, so I’m not looking to build my resume or anything — this is more about what I feel would be good for me to give to my new hometown.”
Christine Royer, who also is running for the school board, pointed Tuesday to her history on the board, love for her community, and past association as rationale for her decision to run, as she had in September.
Aubrey English, Democratic candidate for constable and former deputy sherrif, was also in attendance Tuesday evening.
Republican candidates for the Board of Selectmen at their caucus in July also pointed to a desire to make progress in Winsted and foster economic development.
“(The aim of this slate) is continuing to move Winsted forward — continuing the path forward. Nothing’s perfect, so although we have great things going on in the town, there’s always room for improvement. And this team is ready to do that,” Republican Town Committee Chairwoman Lisa Smith said recently. “We have a young crew, full of energy — fresh minds, ready to go.”
Elizabeth Morin, Candace Bouchard — a member of the board from 2013 to November 2015, and a former mayor — Todd Verzino, Michelle Grant and John Vecchitto Jr. were endorsed to run for the Board of Selectmen by the Republicans, while Jamie Duffy, Shana DeVaux and Eleni Fotinopoulous were nominated to run for the school board.
“I see a lot of promise with this town, but I also see a lot of things, not negative, but real,” Verzino said at the time. “We need more jobs. We need less empty storefronts on Main Street, more business in Winsted — progress. More transparency with government.”
“What I’m hoping to do is expedite that process of bringing in new business investors,” said Nelson. “And, overall, making the politics in this town a little more public-friendly . ... I’d like people to know what’s going on in their town — they deserve that at the very least.”
In a recent letter to The Register Citizen, Smith urged residents to vote for the Republican candidates, as they bring a fresh perspective and problem-solving ability to the table.
“I can tell you with great commitment, Michelle Grant, Elizabeth Morin, Todd Verzino, John Vecchitto, Candace Bouchard, Jamie Duffy, Shana Devaux and Eleni Fortinopolus have the utmost ability and desire to be responsive to the needs of our town. Let’s keep Winsted on the path forward,” said Smith. “Amazing things are happening in our community and we will help with the sustainability needed for success. These candidates will support existing business, help attract new business, encourage fiscal responsibility, move for a stronger infrastructure, support smart growth, education accountability, and always make public safety a priority.”
Town Clerk Sheila Sedlack has been cross-endorsed by Democrats and Republicans, as she seeks another term in the role she has held since 2000. She hopes to continue existing projects and aid with the sense of positive growth in the community.
“I am so pleased with the way this town is moving. I’ve been there through the hard times, and we all survived that, but now we are going in such a positive direction. I see, through my office, new people moving into town, young people with children. I saw people leaving town,” said Sedlack. “I see growth here, and I see a spirit — that people are saying, this town is moving forward.”
Jerry Martinez and John Cooney are running for the Board of Selectmen on the Winsted Independent Party ticket. Brian O’Heron, crossendorsed by the Independent Party, is running on the Trump Winsted Party ticket, while incumbent Selectman Todd Archelaschi is running for re-election as a petitioning candidate.