Community Corner

"Team Southington" Democrats Seek to Counter Republican Incumbents

With a mix of new faces and youth, members of the Democratic Town Committee are excited about challenging to take back the majority on each of the town's boards.

They call themselves “Team Southington” and their goal is simple - to come together and take back government for the people.

With a mix of familiar faces, some running for new positions, and an injection of youth and knowledgeable citizens, the Democratic Town Committee is looking to turn the tide and take back majority control of the town’s boards for the first time in four years.

“The committee interviewed more than 25 interested candidates including incumbents and we’ve put forth a municipal slate that crosses a wide spectrum of Southington residents,” said John Moise, chairman of the Democratic Town Committee. “We are, from this point forward, team Southington and we will work to make Southington a wonderful place to work, learn and live.”

The included a few surprises Wednesday night as the announcement was made at the Manor Inn on the Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike.

Long-time council member Anthony D’Angelo announced his retirement from elected office, making way for Board of Finance members Kevin Beaudoin and Moise to join newcomer Susan Locks and incumbents John Barry, Christopher Palmieri and Dawn Miceli in seeking seats on the Town Council.

D’Angelo, who officially announced he would retire earlier this week, said it was the right time to move on but that he would work alongside the council members in regaining Democratic majority on the council.

“The council we have right now, led by the Republicans, is not a council for the people,” D’Angelo said. “It has been a difficult group to work with and with hard work, we will make a change in November.”

Fueled by decisions which included the sale of the North Center School for $1 and the approval of life-time insurance for John Weichsel and his wife, the Democrats saw a strong increase in interest this year said Ed Rosenblatt, nomination committee chairman.

In searching for the best slate possible, he said they looked for a mix of youth and experience paired with a dedication to teamwork.

Not every decision was a popular one, as the 11-man committee chose not to accept the application of incumbent Board of Education member Kathleen Rickard, who was replaced on the slate by newcomers Anne Mullin, Dee Ahern and Beverly Skinnon on the 2011 ballot.

The three will join incumbents David Derynoski, Patricia Johnson and current Planning and Zoning Commission member Zaya Oshana Jr. in seeking seats on the Board of Education.

Rickard was not in attendance Wednesday and did not return a message seeking comment.

“All I can say about the decision is the nomination committee put in many hours and put together the slate we felt had the best chance to win,” Rosenblatt said.

With the two current Democrats on the Board of Finance vacating their seats to run for Town Council, things will look different this year – but with familiar names still headlining the ballot.

Stonegate Road resident Anthony Casale, who served as a liaison for many in the community during their struggles with sewage backups, will join Sandra Feld, David Oldham and Ethics Committee Chairman John Strillacci in their quest to take seats on the Board of Finance.

With the new look lineup, the Democrats said they will meet July 26 to develop a comprehensive platform and will look to D’Angelo, the party’s newly appointed campaign manager, to win big in November.

“This election is ours,” said State Rep. Joseph Aresimowicz, “we just need to commit today to outwork them and to move this town back in the right direction. We are on the right side of the issues and it’s our time to take back Southington.”


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