Elections & Campaigns

Concerning Delegates and Integrity of Process at 2012 State GOP Convention

You may be unaware of this proposed resolution, (see below).  I have a strong opposition to this proposal and believe that the State Party does not have the right to tell town committees how to vote.  You may have another opinion.  

We will be discussing this at our next town committee meeting.

This Resolution has been proposed by Mark Pappa, Scott Veley and Martha Dean.

RESOLVED, that prior to selecting delegates to the State Convention, Town Committees shall ask appropriate questions of potential delegates concerning their paid involvement or business affiliation with any candidate’s campaign;

RESOLVED, that Town Committees should endeavor to avoid the appearance of impropriety by selecting delegates to the State Convention who are not on a campaign’s payroll or in a vendor or other business relationship with any candidate’s campaign; and

RESOLVED, that prior to selecting delegates to the State Convention Town Committees shall obtain the commitment of any prospective delegate to wear (if selected as a delegate) an appropriate disclosure, to be decided upon by the State Convention’s Rules Committee, in a conspicuous place at all times during the State Convention, which disclosure will identify the delegate as on the payroll of a specific campaign or in a vendor or other business relationship with a specific campaign.

ENFIELD –Enfield Republicans will be having a change in slate for the upcoming election in District Four. Clem Dumont who was endorsed by the Town Committee back in July has submitted her letter of removal from the November ballot to Chairman Mary Ann Turner.
 
Ms. Dumont has been a Town Councilman since 2007 and is well known in her district as a personable and outgoing public servant.  “I have enjoyed serving on the Enfield Town Council, but my personal commitments have increased in the last year and I find I am unable to continue the level of service I have provided to my District neighbors,” Dumont said.
 
Ms. Dumont won her first campaign in 2007 by 5 votes.  During that race Dumont had promised her constituents to be their voice. She learned quickly how to help people with their problems and get things accomplished.   She was the Chairman of the Leisure Committee and worked with the Enfield Dog Park Action Committee as they proceeded from an idea to reality.  The park will open in September.  
 
Dumont will be leaving a strong slate of people on the Republican Council, Scott Kaupin, Joe Bosco, Bill Lee, Carol Hall, Jake Keller and Ken Nelson.  “It has been an exciting four years and I have enjoyed working with the other council members as we continued to make Enfield a great place to live,” Dumont said.
 
Chairman Mary Ann Turner said, “I’m sad to see Clem go.  She always had a smile for everyone and worked hard to solve problems for her neighbors.  Clem was our “little train that could” and she was not one who would ever say no, when we needed her.”
 
The Executive Committee of the Republican Town Committee met and interviewed a few people interested in the position and it was decided to add Tom Kienzler to the slate in District 4.
 
Mr. Kienzler is well known in Enfield as part of the Thompsonville Little League where he was a board member for many years, as well as a coach.  Tom was very much involved with the purchase of the new lights for the field behind Asnuntuck and is a member of the Enfield Dog Park Action Committee.
 
Kienzler may be new to the political arena but he isn’t new to working with teams of people. He is an Insurance Sales Manager for Colonial Life and has lived in Enfield for 18 years with his wife, Kathleen and their four children.
 
“I look forward to joining the council and adding my experience to this strong slate of candidates.”  “I have seen how creative this council has been saving the taxpayers money but not losing necessary services.  I have always been impressed how the Republicans work so well together and listen to what the public has to say.  I have attended the public forums of town employees and elected officials and Scott Kaupin leads by example.  I plan to do the same.”
 
“Tom will be a great addition to our team.  He is thoughtful and articulate and I can see that his innate teamwork abilities will be just one more positive to an already excellent group of council members,” Turner said.

On Saturday, August 13th I had the opportunity to be on the stage with some pretty impressive speakers at the Grassroots East Campaign Workshop. For a just $10 – you got continental breakfast and a plethora of campaign information.

George Gallo, Sarah Clark, Pauline Kezer, and Mary Ann Turner – gave a cross training of campaigns, how to win, what it takes, and a sense of humor.

More than 100 people started the day and was worth the trip to Colchester on a beautiful Saturday.

I’m told – hand-outs of the presentations are going to be on the Grassroots East website (grassrootseast.org). I went and looked and the website isn’t updated – yet – but I’m sure they will get to it soon.

If you want information, please just e-mail me and I’ll be happy to get you copies of the slides and other available materials.

The Republican Town Committee endorsed a full slate of candidates for the upcoming municipal election kicking off the election season at the town hall on Monday night with one minor change. Charlie Woods withdrew his name from the constable ballot and was replaced by Cindy Andersen. Ms. Andersen will be acting as a “place holder” until it is clear there will be no conflict with her position with the Town of Enfield. Robert Chagnon, Dan Post and Vincent Diana will round out the constable ballot for a second term.

Joe Bosco will be seeking re-election in District 1, as well as, Scott Kaupin in District 3 and Clemence Dumont in District 4. Dominic Alaimo is excited to take another run in District 2 and this evening thanked the Republicans for the opportunity. “I learned a lot during my last run and I look forward to working for my neighbors and representing them on the Council.” Mr. Alaimo has been very serious since the 2009 election registering new voters and focusing on issues the Republican majority has been accomplishing.

Chairman Mary Ann Turner gave praise to the District candidates, “ I’m proud to have a strong set of District candidates. These four individuals bring an anchor to each corner of our town and thoughtfulness to the needs of their neighbors.”

Darrin LaMore opened the nominations for Council-at-Large with an overwhelming endorsement of Ken Nelson, Carol Hall, Bill Lee and Greg Stokes. LaMore reminded the crowd, “This group of individuals brings a diverse resume and strong commitment to Enfield and its continued success.”

Ken Nelson thanked everyone for supporting him for re-election and said, “we may not always agree, but we know how to get the job done.” “During my time on the council we listened to the taxpayers. We kept the taxes flat for the last four years and repaired miles of roads and sidewalks.”

Greg Stokes will be joining the Council-at-Large team and was looking forward to a new challenge working with another dynamic group of individuals. “It has been a pleasure working with my fellow Board of Education members and I will take those experiences to the Council and work at continuing Enfield’s success.”

The Board of Education slate began with the re-election bid from Chuck Johnson, Peter Jonaitis, Tom Sirard and Donna Szewczak with new-comer, Kevin Fealy. Johnson thanked the committee for its support and thanked Greg Stokes for his leadership, as well as his predecessor, Andre Greco. “We have continued the footprints of my past and present board associates during my six years. We updated textbooks and curriculum bringing it current, negotiated a successful teacher’s contract, and the consolidation of schools, while working to give each student a well-rounded education.” Johnson explained the need for the continued forward motion in the Enfield schools and was confident he and his running mates are wiling to make that commitment.

Tom Sirard agreed with Johnson, “we have done much, but there is more to do and I’m committed to that task.”

Chairman Turner ended the night thanking all the candidates, their families and friends for their continued support of the Enfield Republicans and promised, “I never take your time and energy for granted and neither does your town committee members.”

“We have a strong desire to continue the forward, positive results from the last four years and you can count on everyone in this room and across town to work towards a Republican majority on November 8th.”

The Connecticut Working Families Party has violated both state and federal election laws during its attempt to aid Democrat candidates for statewide offices last year according to a complaint filed by the Connecticut Republican Party Friday.

“The Working Families Party has been long known to be a hollow organization which merely exists to prop up Democrats by funneling money to liberal candidates,” said Republican State Party Chairman Chris Healy. “It appears the WFP doesn’t believe it has to play by the same rule.”

The complaints – filed with both the state Election Enforcement Commission and the Federal Election Commission – show that the WFP made unauthorized donations and transfers.

It made illegal campaign fund transfers to the campaigns of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, Attorney General George Jepsen, Treasurer Denise Nappier, Comptroller Kevin Lembo and Secretary of the State Denise Merrill. Expenses were listed as coordinated with reimbursement sought but none of the campaigns made payments back to the WFP.

In addition, the WFP State Account made a total of $30,000 in transfers over the last year to a federal Political Action Committee – CT Working Families Federal PAC-d.b.a.Take Back Congress. Those types of transfers can only be made to a federal “party” account. Regardless, the transfer never appeared as income on the FEC report for the WFP-Take Back Congress organization.

Two other statewide candidates were the beneficiaries of organizational contributions by the WFP but no campaigns were established by the candidates to receive them.

To read the details of the compliant go to: www.ctgop.org

By now you know, Chris Healy will not run for chairman of state central in the upcoming election in June. There have been many people who have showed interest in pursuing the chairman role and we are very lucky to have such interest. I don’t know for sure if I have all of the listed below, so please forgive me if I missed anyone.

• Wilton Town Chairman, Al Alper
• Former State Senator, Bill Aniskovich
• Attorney, Justin Clark
• SCC, Doug Hagemam
• Vice Chairman, Catherine Marx
• Leadership Coach, Richard Olivastro
• Norwalk Town Chairman, Art Scialabba

There will be a Q/A on June 14 for State Central Committeeman (only) to hear from each of the candidates and ask questions.

I expect to have some information, if you are interested, just email me.

The vote for party chairman will take place on Tuesday June 21.

John Kissel  - 16,181 Votes 
Karen Jarmoc  - 15,184 Votes

997 vote plurality
 
 

Tim Keeney - 10,907 Votes
M Maniscalco - 10,487 Votes

 420 vote plurality

 Who says a vote doesn’t count??