Join Us At the Bethel DTC Picnic, Sunday, July 30th, 12:00-4:00
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BETHEL DEMOCRATS: “Good for Bethel”
The Bethel Democratic Town Committee (BDTC) is the official local organization of the Connecticut Democratic Party in the town of Bethel. We are a group elected to represent Bethel’s Democrats, and we endeavor to improve our town through community engagement and political involvement. We aim to be a progressive voice for the town of Bethel, and will always support what is in the best interest of the entire community and all its people.
Around Town
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
News from the BDTC and opinion pieces from our members and candidates.
- May 30, 2023
- February 5, 2023
A Message from the “Rich Knows Bethel” Campaign
To Bethel Voters, Special Election Day, Tuesday, February 7th , is almost here. The “Rich Knows Bethel” Campaign, its campaign manager and, most importantly Rich Straiton, would like to th...
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Bethel Democrats
The Bethel Democratic Town Committee works to promote Bethel's Democrats for public office in Bethel
Happy Thanksgiving Bethel! We hope you have a wonderful day filled with gratitude, joy, and good company.
Watch as Karen Foster, Democrat candidate for Board of Finance explains the ballot
The ballot can be tricky, especially if you are a first time voter. The most important thing is that the ballot has two sides so don't forget to turn it over and fill up both sides.
The other important thing to know is that it is arranged in sections, and the columns are not important. Each section tells you the maximum number of people you can vote for. If it says "vote for up to five", that doesn't mean you have to vote for exactly five. This is especially important on the Board of Education race this year. It says vote for up to five but there are only three Democrats running. If you only want to vote for the Democrats that's fine you can vote for the three Democrats and stop there. Actually, if your intention is to vote for just the Democrats you do want to stop there because if you vote for some of the Republicans you're actually voting against the Democrats you want. If you only see one person you know in a section you can vote for just that one person. Or you can even skip a section if you don't know anyone.
The other important thing to know is the columns don't mean anything. For example, in the board of finance section, where it says vote for up to three, it's important to know that you can choose any three from that group. The people in one column are not running against each other. You are not making a choice between Karen Foster and Cynthia McCorkindale, for example. Your choice is three people from among the six who are running. You don't have to choose one person from each column. This is especially important when a column only has one person in it. You don't have to vote for that one person just because they're in a column by themselves. You will see that in the Board of Education race where two columns have just one person in them. You don't need to choose that person just because they are alone in a column.
The ballot can be tricky, especially if you are a first time voter. The most important thing is that the ballot has two sides so don't forget to turn it over and fill up both sides.
The other important thing to know is that it is arranged in sections, and the columns are not important. Each section tells you the maximum number of people you can vote for. If it says "vote for up to five", that doesn't mean you have to vote for exactly five. This is especially important on the Board of Education race this year. It says vote for up to five but there are only three Democrats running. If you only want to vote for the Democrats that's fine you can vote for the three Democrats and stop there. Actually, if your intention is to vote for just the Democrats you do want to stop there because if you vote for some of the Republicans you're actually voting against the Democrats you want. If you only see one person you know in a section you can vote for just that one person. Or you can even skip a section if you don't know anyone.
The other important thing to know is the columns don't mean anything. For example, in the board of finance section, where it says vote for up to three, it's important to know that you can choose any three from that group. The people in one column are not running against each other. You are not making a choice between Karen Foster and Cynthia McCorkindale, for example. Your choice is three people from among the six who are running. You don't have to choose one person from each column. This is especially important when a column only has one person in it. You don't have to vote for that one person just because they're in a column by themselves. You will see that in the Board of Education race where two columns have just one person in them. You don't need to choose that person just because they are alone in a column.
Truth & Facts about Republican BOF Statements:
There is an old expression that in war and in politics, the first casualty is the truth. And the campaign piece by the Bethel Republican Board of Finance candidates sets a new bar for gaslighting Bethel voters.
These candidates, especially long-time incumbents McCorkindale and Ellis, who have long opposed funding for our schools, roads and parks, are trying to pull the wool over our eyes by claiming credit for things they’ve never done. Let’s take a closer look at a few of their claims.
“Adequate funding in the road budget to eliminate borrowing”:
FACT: The Town has not borrowed money for road construction for many years. Under the previous administration’s “debt reduction” plan, the Board of Selectmen eliminated all borrowing for road construction and moved that function to the operating budget. And it is a FACT that both McCorkindale and Ellis voted AGAINST those budgets every year up until 2023.
“Purchased trucks and snowplows”:
FACT: These are items that were already built into the 10-year capital plan and already funded in the budget. Capital planning is done by the Board of Selectmen, not the Board of Finance. All they did was approve the purchases that were already planned by another board. They shouldn’t get extra credit for just doing what they’re expected to do.
“Fully funded Bethel schools with no cuts”:
FACT: The savings that allowed that to happen was negotiated through lower health insurance premiums by Superintendent Christine Carver, not the Board of Finance. Regardless of how they voted this year, it is a fact that both Ellis and McCorkindale have made motion after motion to cut money for schools for every year they’ve been on the Board of Finance. They cannot hide from their records.
Remarkably, the Board of Finance did fully fund both schools and roads in the current budget. But we should ask them, why? After years of consistently voting to cut funding for essential services, why not now?
The answer is simple: they know their record would be held against them in an election year.
But can you trust them to approve responsible budgets next year? And the year after? Remember that once elected, the term in office is four years.
Let’s not take that chance. If you want Board of Finance members you can trust to give you responsible budgets, who will put the interests of all members of this community ahead of the interests of their party, vote for change.
Vote for Greg Henry, Karen Foster and Nick Hoffman.
There is an old expression that in war and in politics, the first casualty is the truth. And the campaign piece by the Bethel Republican Board of Finance candidates sets a new bar for gaslighting Bethel voters.
These candidates, especially long-time incumbents McCorkindale and Ellis, who have long opposed funding for our schools, roads and parks, are trying to pull the wool over our eyes by claiming credit for things they’ve never done. Let’s take a closer look at a few of their claims.
“Adequate funding in the road budget to eliminate borrowing”:
FACT: The Town has not borrowed money for road construction for many years. Under the previous administration’s “debt reduction” plan, the Board of Selectmen eliminated all borrowing for road construction and moved that function to the operating budget. And it is a FACT that both McCorkindale and Ellis voted AGAINST those budgets every year up until 2023.
“Purchased trucks and snowplows”:
FACT: These are items that were already built into the 10-year capital plan and already funded in the budget. Capital planning is done by the Board of Selectmen, not the Board of Finance. All they did was approve the purchases that were already planned by another board. They shouldn’t get extra credit for just doing what they’re expected to do.
“Fully funded Bethel schools with no cuts”:
FACT: The savings that allowed that to happen was negotiated through lower health insurance premiums by Superintendent Christine Carver, not the Board of Finance. Regardless of how they voted this year, it is a fact that both Ellis and McCorkindale have made motion after motion to cut money for schools for every year they’ve been on the Board of Finance. They cannot hide from their records.
Remarkably, the Board of Finance did fully fund both schools and roads in the current budget. But we should ask them, why? After years of consistently voting to cut funding for essential services, why not now?
The answer is simple: they know their record would be held against them in an election year.
But can you trust them to approve responsible budgets next year? And the year after? Remember that once elected, the term in office is four years.
Let’s not take that chance. If you want Board of Finance members you can trust to give you responsible budgets, who will put the interests of all members of this community ahead of the interests of their party, vote for change.
Vote for Greg Henry, Karen Foster and Nick Hoffman.
MEET THE CANDIDATES: Gabriela Hernandez for Board of Education
"The increasing threat of regressive fascist policies in other communities and states is ever present and drives me to actively participate in our town’s politics. As a Bethel resident that contributes to the tax revenue of the town, I want our tax dollars to be spent wisely for the benefit and progress of our community and its residents. I want to do my part to ensure high quality and appropriate education for all Bethel students with safe and reasonable teacher responsibilities, and sufficient support specialists."
"The increasing threat of regressive fascist policies in other communities and states is ever present and drives me to actively participate in our town’s politics. As a Bethel resident that contributes to the tax revenue of the town, I want our tax dollars to be spent wisely for the benefit and progress of our community and its residents. I want to do my part to ensure high quality and appropriate education for all Bethel students with safe and reasonable teacher responsibilities, and sufficient support specialists."
Bethel Democrats | Gabriela Hernandez – Board of Education
betheldemocrats.com
I have been a Bethel resident since 2018 when my spouse and I moved here from Co-op City in the Bronx. We met at Fairfield University. I grew up in and started my teaching career in Cambridge, MA
MEET THE CANDIDATES: Cathy Schaefer for Board of Education (Incumbent)
"I have been a member of the Bethel Board of Education for the past five years. During that time, I have actively contributed to our work of supporting excellence in Bethel Public Schools. I have years of experience as an educator and as a parent, which gives me valuable insight. As a result of my many years of experience working in teams and collaborating on committees, I have learned that everyone has something valuable to bring to the table. I am a good listener and value other people’s ideas and perspectives. In addition, my science background gives me experience with research and data analysis."
"I have been a member of the Bethel Board of Education for the past five years. During that time, I have actively contributed to our work of supporting excellence in Bethel Public Schools. I have years of experience as an educator and as a parent, which gives me valuable insight. As a result of my many years of experience working in teams and collaborating on committees, I have learned that everyone has something valuable to bring to the table. I am a good listener and value other people’s ideas and perspectives. In addition, my science background gives me experience with research and data analysis."
Bethel Democrats | Cathy Schaefer – Board of Education
betheldemocrats.com
Current member of the Bethel Board of Education. On the Board since August of 2018. Community service has always been part of life. Very active in community activities in Greenwich, when kids were you...
MEET THE CANDIDATES: Greg Henry for Board of Finance
"A top goal of mine is to provide input into the budgetary process that will provide current residents the security to remain in the place they call home. At the same time, and equally as important, making smart investments into the town so that those that are considering Bethel as a place to raise their family see it as an attractive option. There are many factors that go into selecting a place to live. We must have an open mind, with an eye towards the future, when making choices on funding requests.
A second goal of mine is to be a part of creating an environment that encourages commercial/retail/infrastructure development to support our growing population. We have had and will continue to have a significant amount of residential development. It’s important that our infrastructure keep up with that growth. Building relationships and encouraging discussions with our department heads will allow us to fully understand what the future needs are for the Town of Bethel. The mindset needs to be proactive vs reactive. That can be achieved with collaboration among all stakeholders in the process including our residents."
"A top goal of mine is to provide input into the budgetary process that will provide current residents the security to remain in the place they call home. At the same time, and equally as important, making smart investments into the town so that those that are considering Bethel as a place to raise their family see it as an attractive option. There are many factors that go into selecting a place to live. We must have an open mind, with an eye towards the future, when making choices on funding requests.
A second goal of mine is to be a part of creating an environment that encourages commercial/retail/infrastructure development to support our growing population. We have had and will continue to have a significant amount of residential development. It’s important that our infrastructure keep up with that growth. Building relationships and encouraging discussions with our department heads will allow us to fully understand what the future needs are for the Town of Bethel. The mindset needs to be proactive vs reactive. That can be achieved with collaboration among all stakeholders in the process including our residents."
Bethel Democrats | Greg Henry – Board of Finance
betheldemocrats.com
I have spent virtually my entire adult life in Bethel. The sense of community and the excellent school system were the deciding factors for us to raise our two youngest sons here when we moved back fr...
Building relationships and encouraging discussions with our department heads will allow us to fully understand what the future needs are for the Town of Bethel. The mindset needs to be proactive vs reactive. That can be achieved with collaboration among all stakeholders in the process including our residents.
Learn more: betheldemocrats.com/2023-candidates/
Vote Row A on November 7th
Learn more: betheldemocrats.com/2023-candidates/
Vote Row A on November 7th
MEET THE CANDIDATES: Nicholas Hoffman for Board of Finance
What do you hope to accomplish in this position (i.e., what are your top goals)?
"To bring professionalism to the Board of Finance. In my time on the Board of Education we accomplished two school renovations, navigating COVID19, all while improving education outcomes for the students in the district. This was possible because the Board embraced our fiduciary responsibility to the school district.
My goals are to maintain Bethel’s AAA Bond rating so the taxpayers aren’t burdened with increased debt service costs. Increase transparency for the Board of Finance ensuring all of our deliberations take place in the public eye and establish a culture of civility."
What do you hope to accomplish in this position (i.e., what are your top goals)?
"To bring professionalism to the Board of Finance. In my time on the Board of Education we accomplished two school renovations, navigating COVID19, all while improving education outcomes for the students in the district. This was possible because the Board embraced our fiduciary responsibility to the school district.
My goals are to maintain Bethel’s AAA Bond rating so the taxpayers aren’t burdened with increased debt service costs. Increase transparency for the Board of Finance ensuring all of our deliberations take place in the public eye and establish a culture of civility."
Bethel Democrats | Nicholas Hoffman – Board of Finance
betheldemocrats.com
I have worked in the nonprofit sector for over twenty years in the areas of education, mental health, conservation and violence prevention. Over the course of my career I’ve raised over $30 million ...Bethel’s voters, at a glance…
3,990
DEMOCRATS
3,152
REPUBLICANS
5,524
UNAFFILIATED or MINOR PARTY
12,666
REGISTERED VOTERS