Stonington Democrats endorse Crouse, Sisk for Board of Selectmen positions

Stonington — Calling it “Stonington’s hometown team” members of the Democratic Town Committee unanimously endorsed its candidates for the November election on Tuesday with incumbent First Selectman George Crouse and Board of Selectmen candidate James Sisk leading the ticket.

Crouse and Sisk, who has chaired the Water Pollution Control authority for 20 years and served three previous terms on the Board of Selectmen, played Little League baseball and attended Stonington High school together, were college roommates and later taught and coached together at the high school.

Town Committee Chairman Scott Bates told members that Crouse is not interested in headlines but just getting the job done, while Sisk has spent 20 years protecting millions of dollars of the town’s infrastructure.

“They’re not interested in running for further office. They’re focused on the job at hand,” he said.

Crouse read off a list of accomplishments during the seven months he has been in office since the resignation of Ed Haberek: moving charter revision to a vote this fall, passage of a $69 million bonding package to renovate the town’s aging elementary schools, approval of a budget that includes funding to hire a director of planning, economic development coordinator, a grant writer and secretary along with additional funding for libraries, community centers, ambulance companies and streamlining zoning procedures.

Sisk said he was honored and humbled for the opportunity to serve with Crouse.

The party’s nominating committee had selected Cate Rotella to run for selectman but she announced at the beginning of Tuesday’s meeting she was declining the endorsement in the best interests of the party, allowing for Sisk to be selected.

Also stepping aside were Charter Revision Commission member Ashley Gillece and ZBA member Russ McDonough, both of whom had expressed interest in the position.

In addition, incumbent Board of Finance member Sandy Grimes announced that he toowas declining the nominating committee’s endorsement as his wife did not want him to run because she is worried about the impact the position was having on his health.

Town committee members then unanimously selected Michael Fauerbach to run for selectman.

The town committee also endorsed incumbent school board members Frank Todisco and Craig Esposito, incumbent Town Clerk Cynthia Ladwig, incumbent Town Treasure Paul Cravinho, incumbent Republican Tax Collector Linda Camelio and incumbent Republican David Harma for the Board of Assessment Appeals.

Also endorsed to run for constables were Danny Oliverio, Bob Suchy, Dave Santos and Grimes.

The Republican Town Committee is slated to choose its candidates on July 28.