Republicans Sweep Elections, Take Super Majorities on Council and Board of Education

It was a banner night for Southington Republicans Tuesday as the party not only maintained a majority on all of the town’s elected boards, but also proceeded to gain a super majority on the Town Council level and took as many seats as allowed under town charter.

Republicans swept the 2011 elections and walked away with a super majority, 6-3 seat advantage, on both the Town Council and Board of Education, as well as maintaining a 4-2 majority on the Board of Finance and a Planning and Zoning Commission maintained a 5-2 advantage, alternates excluded. The is non-partisan by charter and was uncontested.

“This is a clear message from the voters that they have recognized the work and progress we’ve made in recent years and it’s a message that they trust and support our efforts moving forward,” said Republican Brian Goralski, who was the leading vote getter for Board of Education. “There’s still a lot of work to do an we have two more years now to continue the progress we’ve made.”

The local vote tallies led Republicans to cheer as each of the 11 voting districts were reported and led to a chant of “two more years” at on Liberty Street once the last votes were in. Down the road at , the mood remained somber as the Democrats watched their hopes slip away.

“It’s really just disappointing. We had high hopes for the slate we put up,” said Elaine Bedard, a member and former chairwoman of the Southington Democratic Town Committee.

Democrats saw the incumbent candidates to the Town Council and Board of Education receive re-election, but the slate of newcomers and those shifting to run for new boards did not fare quite as well, falling into the lower quarter of voting and losing ground as each district reported.

State Rep. Bruce “Zeke” Zalaski (D-Southington) said a low voter turnout likely played into the final tallies but said he was more disappointed in the turnout than in the Democrats not gaining any seats.

“Today we saw a low voter turnout overall, and it is truly disappointing,” Zalaski said. “Voting is a privilege and an obligation that every citizen should take part in.”

Town Council
Edward Pocock III, who served as chairman of the Town Council during the previous term, said the voters sent a clear message that the town was moving in the right direction and that based on their efforts of the past few years and platform, economic development needed to remain a top priority in the years to come.

“The voters have spoken and told us what we need to focus on. It’s a tremendous show of support for us as a party and the work we’ve done,” said Pocock, who place second in council voting and first among Republicans.

John Barry, who placed third in council voting and second among Democrats, expressed disappointment in the final outcome but said he looks forward to serving another term. Democrat Chris Palmieri, first in the council vote, said he and his party were still eager to continue his work with the Town Council and he appreciated all the support he received from voters.

Overall, each of the Town Council’s incumbents were re-elected with Republican Cheryl Lounsbury taking the seat left vacant by retiring Councilman and Democrat Anthony D’Angelo.

The Southington Town Clerk reported the following totals for Town Council, listed in order of most votes received:

• Christopher J. Palmieri (D), 4784
• Edward S. Pocock III (R), 4213
• John N. Barry (D), 4114
• Cheryl Lounsbury (R), 3932
• Dawn A. Miceli (D), 3897
• Stephanie A. Urillo (R), 3754
• John C. Dobbins (R), 3699
• Albert A. Natelli Jr. (R), 3673
• Peter J. Romano Jr. (R), 3612
• Susan M. Locks (D), 3153
• John P. Moise (D), 3142
• Kevin R. Beaudoin (D), 3106

Board of Finance
In a battle of “old versus new,” it was the incumbents who once again came out on top as all four Republican incumbents were re-elected to office, with Democrats Anthony Casale Jr. and Sandra Feld receiving the final two seats on the board.

John Leary, who served as chairman during much of the past term, said he was happy to be back and said the board will soon have a lot of tasks ahead as they look for ways to improve infrastructure and increase investment earnings while keeping costs low for the taxpayers.

Newcomer Sandra Feld said she is looking forward to the challenges ahead and is confident that she will be able to jump right in and contribute to the board.

The Southington Town Clerk reported the following totals for Board of Finance, listed in order of most votes received:

• John J. Leary (R), 4443
• Edward S. Pocock Jr. (R), 4266
• Joseph K. Labieniec (R), 3862
• Wayne W. Stanforth (R), 3790
• Anthony F. Casale Jr. (D), 3729
• Sandra E. Feld (D), 3460
• David Oldham (D), 3083
• John T. Strillacci (D), 2649

Board of Education
The Board of Education saw no shift in political make-up within Tuesday as newcomers Terry Lombardi, Republican, and Zaya Oshana Jr., Democrat, took over the seats left vacant by Republican Rosemarie Fischer and Democrat Kathleen Rickard.

It was another Republican victory and more telling, a victory for political incumbents. The remaining seven seats belong to the five Republicans and two Democrats that served during the previous term.

Anne Mullin, a newcomer to the political area, said although she did not receive enough votes to get a seat this year, it was an eye-opening experience and she looks forward to possibly running again the next time around. She said she would continue to follow the board’s work as she prepares for a potential future campaign.

“It was interesting to see how this works and get a feel for what it’s like to run for office. It’s certainly something I would consider,” she said.

Republican Colleen W. Clark expressed enormous relief after her party won more votes overall.

"We got the message out and tonight's votes prove people are listening. That's what's important even more than who wins. We are committed to making Southington a town that offers the very best education in the state," she said.

The Board of Education also received some good news – and some work – Tuesday as voters at the town’s two middle schools.

The Southington Town Clerk reported the following totals for Board of Education, listed in order of most votes received:

• Brian S. Goralski (R), 4783
• Terri C. Carmody (R), 4570
• Terry G. Lombardi (R), 4150
• Jill Notar-Francesco (R), 4013
• Zaya G. Oshana (D), 4035
• David J. Derynoski (D), 4005
• Colleen W. Clark (R), 4004
• Patricia A. Queen (R), 3766
• Patricia P. Johnson (D), 3167
• Beverly Skinnon (D), 2850
• Anne M. Mullin (D), 2623
• Dee J. Ahern (D), 2526

Planning & Zoning Commission
In one of the more confusing contests of the evening, the Republicans took a total sweep of the Planning & Zoning Commission, but lost one of the seats to Democrat Kevin Conroy as the board requires at least two Democrats on the seven-member panel. Greg Klimaszewski remained the odd man out, although he received more votes than Conroy.

One matter still remains unsettled, however. With Democrat Zaya Oshana Jr. leaving his office to take on a new role with the Board of Education, the executive committee for the Southington Democrats will be responsible for appointing a replacement.

Traditionally that replacement has been the next highest vote getter, but that it not a definite. The process will be determined and a member chosen as a replacement in the next week.

Louis Angelillo said he would love the opportunity to continue to serve the town and to do so as a new member to the Planning & Zoning Commission.

The Southington Town Clerk reported the following totals for Planning & Zoning Commission, listed in order of most votes received:

• Paul W. Champagne (R), 4041
• James P. Macchio (R), 3787
• Gregory A. Klimaszewski (R), 3564
• Kevin P. Conroy (D), 3520
• Louis A. Angelillo Jr. (D), 3436
• James Sinclair (D), 3397

Two-Year Vacancy

• Stephen C. Kalkowski (R), 3908
• Ryan P. Rogers (D), 3101

The votes are based on the official totals provided by the Southington Town Clerk and . Names in bold indicate those who won a seat on their respective boards.