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| Jubilant Democrats, including Peggy and Rudy Marconi (center of photo), celebrated at Headquarters tonight |
Nov. 4 -- The voters of Ridgefield handed First Selectman Rudy Marconi and his running mates for the Board of Selectmen, Steve Zemo and Barbara Manners, an overwhelming vote of confidence in their leadership when they turned out in record numbers on November 4th. The two term Democratic First Selectman was returned to office with over 65% of the votes-defeating his challenger, Marty Heiser by nearly 2:1.
“This is a real endorsement of our efforts. I was overwhelmed by the support and the turnout, noted Mr. Marconi at Democratic Headquarters on Tuesday night. Mr. Marconi was elected in 1999 by a similar margin after years of stagnation in town government and leadership . This election, after 4 years in office, he GAINED in his margin over his opponent who mounted a vigorous, and often attacking campaign.
Democratic Selectmen, Barbara Manners and Steve Zemo, were handily returned to office, on the strength of individual as well as team accomplishments. Both Ms. Manners and Mr. Zemo have served the town in other ways including the founding of the Ridgefield Playhouse (Manners), the acquisition of open space and public-private partnerships ( Zemo ).
Another success of this campaign is the election of Dave Ulmer to the Board of Finance. In his first run for office, the Democrat and Jet Blue executive managed to gain the endorsements of the Ridgefield Press, READ and ROSA and went on to win the voters’ confidence with his expertise and experience.
Board of Education successes and disappointments
Returning to the Board of Education will be Kitty Fischer, long time educator and BOE member. She will be joined by 30-year school system veteran, Bob Cox, who led the Democratic vote-getting to be seated on the Board of Education for the first time. Randall Balmer, the Columbia professor and parent making his first run this year, failed to be seated-in a vote which left him 4 votes below that of Kitty Fischer. Democrats were entitled to 2 ( at a minimum) seats on the BOE via the State’s minority representation laws. As both Ms. Fischer and Mr. Balmer could not be seated on the basis of their total vote counts, Kitty took the position. Randall declined his right to a recount, citing the benefit to Ridgefield of Kitty’s leadership and continuity on the BOE.
Other Successes
For the first time, Democrats took a full seat on the Zoning Board of Appeals, with Dr. Henry Seemann defeating John Cooke. One of the biggest surprises of the race had David Coviello, a practicing attorney with a specialty in zoning, beating his Independent party rival, the incumbent. The plurality in the Board of Assessment Appeals race was overwhelming with Dave Coviello acquiring over 2500 votes to less than 1000 by his opponent.
Finishing up the races, were Walter Slavin for Planning and Zoning, Michael Collins, as Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate and George Kain for Police Commission.
Trend to Good Candidates, Good Qualifications, Good Ideas
“This race involved new candidates with substantial qualifications who worked their hearts, minds and hands for the people of Ridgefield and were recognized for their talent” noted DTC Chair Susan D. Cocco on election night. “The results demonstrate that 'party lines' are meaningless to more and more voters - it is the candidate, what they stand for and what they will do that matters.”
"Rudy’s leadership demonstrated to voters that he is the right choice for the town’s future and that his team will keep us on the right track”.
New Efforts Next month, the Democratic Town Committee will host a forum among the State and local coordinators of the leading Democratic candidates for President, as a preview of the issues and the ideas Democrats will vote upon in the State primary.
“This is the time to focus on the upcoming primaries and to think about the kind of President we want”, according to Pam Hunter, a professional, national campaign strategist and pollster for Gore, Clinton and a host of other national and state candidates. “We are ready to get the dialogue going in Ridgefield.”
[Photo, left] There was plenty of food and refreshment for celebrating Democrats. That's Lucille DeNovio on the far left, and P&Z Chair Di Masters next to her.
[Right] Hard-working volunteers taking a break include (from left) Ethel Eckhaus and Susan Melrose. On the far right is Pat Baker; Cliff Appel sits next to her.
[Photo, left] Rudy had lots of moral support from his large family. Son Alex (right) came down from Boston with the new First Grandson, Jackson.
[Right] A talented musical group of high school students entertained throughout the evening. (from L to R, Dan Bindschedler, Rajeev Ranade, Jim Ritter, Josh Cipolla).
[Photo, left] Hard-working volunteer Sandy Kalriess (left) led a team of folks urging late voters to make sure to get to the polls.
[Right] Later in the evening, Sandy received phoned-in reports of the results from the polling places. Everyone was eager to learn what the early returns showed. As in past elections, Democrats had the first early returns posted on their web site ahead of all other sources in Town. Every election, our web site recieves thank-you e-mails from residents and former residents throughout the country who count on www.ridgefielddems.org to get the news early. As one e-mailer this year said: "As usual, your reporting of the voting results was excellent! I sat hitting "refresh" from about 8:15 onwards last night, and was able to go to sleep
without the anxiety of wondering whether or not we'd won. We had!!
[Photo, left] Rudy's grandson Jackson eventually succumed to the late hour. Here he's with dad Alex and mom Megan. We're assured by the family that Jackson didn't go to sleep until he'd learned that Grandpa Rudy won in a landslide.
[Right] Dave Goldenberg (far left, back to camera) entertained the crowd with what may be the final performance of the Rudy Campaign Song. It seemed a fitting way to cap off an evening that saw the First Selectman win reelection in a landslide of historic proportions.
[Photo, left] Former DTC member Paula Bruns (center, red sweater) was among the hundreds of supporters who came by Headquarters tonight.
[Right] DTC Chairman Susan Cocco (left) is interviewed by Susan Tuz, reporter for the News-Times of Danbury.
[Photo, left] Here's a chance to see Dave Goldenberg instead of the back of his head.
[Right] Reggie Hazel and Mark Robinson discuss the election results.
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Brought to you by the Ridgefield, Ct.
Democratic Town Committee, Susan D. Cocco, Chairman
Paid for by The Ridgefield Democratic Town Committee, Pamela Hunter, Treasurer
