People

Bethel Democrats Nominate Strong Slate for November

Rich Straiton (left) and Matt Knickerbocker are excited to lead Bethel for another term.

At a caucus on July 19, Bethel Democrats unanimously nominated First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker and Selectman Richard Straiton for a fifth term. In addition, a highly qualified slate of candidates was chosen for the rest of the ticket for this November’s municipal election.

“Rich and I are delighted to be a part of a dynamic team of candidates who are eager to serve our town,” Knickerbocker said after the caucus. “We have a blend of experienced public servants with terrific track records as well as newcomers who bring fresh ideas to help further strengthen this wonderful community. ”

This election is a chance to build on the progress in Bethel that Matt and Rich have led since their election in 2009. Recent accomplishments include starting construction on a voter-approved plan to replace Bethel’s outdated police station, breaking ground on the area’s first municipal solar farm, launching a much-needed renovation of the town’s aging water works to improve fire safety and water quality, and completion of the revamped Plumtrees-Whittlesey intersection.

The Democratic candidates are as follows. Those currently serving in these positions and seeking reelection are marked with an (I) for “incumbent”:

  • First Selectman: Matthew S. Knickerbocker (I)
  • Selectman: Richard C. Straiton (I)
  • Town Clerk: Lisa Bergh (I)
  • Treasurer: Pat Smithwick
  • Board of Finance: Bob Manfreda (I), Robert J. Palmer, Wendy Smith, and Dalene Masi Foster
  • Board of Finance (Two-Year Vacancy): Claudia Stephan
  • Board of Education: Jen Ackerman (I), Rick Magee, Jenn Larsen, and Lawrence Bocchiere III
  • Board of Assessment Appeals: Gary Passineau (I) and Fern Blair Hart
  • Planning and Zoning: Tom Borysiewicz, Silvano Senzamici, and Robert Stowell
  • Planning and Zoning (Alternate): Penny Kessler
  • Zoning Board of Appeals: Richard E. Lawlor Jr. (I), Rebecca Hussey, and Eileen Freebairn
  • Zoning Board of Appeals (Alternate): Cynthia Behrens McGuire
  • Inland Wetlands: Laura V. Collins
  • Inland Wetlands (Alternate): Lou David (I)
  • Police Commission: Patrick M. Perrefort and Christopher C. McCollam
  • Police Commission (Two-Year Vacancy): Sandi Richards Forman

 
Bethel Democrats will be campaigning hard for these candidates in coming months. Please contact BDTC chairman Nick Vitti (nvitti@lawcts.com) if you’d like to join us!

 

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Matt Knickerbocker Unanimously Nominated For Fourth Term

On July 23, 2015, Bethel Democrats unanimously nominated First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker and Selectman Richard Straiton for a fourth term. A well-qualified and enthusiastic slate of candidates for the rest of the ticket was also nominated. We are excited and energized about the November elections. We are especially looking forward to making real changes through additional participation on Planning and Zoning, Inlands Wetlands, and Zoning Board of Appeals, to help preserve the rural character of Bethel, while continuing growth in historic downtown.

The Democratic Candidates are as follows:

  • Treasurer: Whitney Vitti
  • Board of Education: Robin Renner, Jen Larsen, Penny Kessler, Carrie Sirois and Michelle Conderino
  • Board of Assessment Appeals: Diana Carlino, Esq. and Robert F. Pitt Jr., Esq.
  • Board of Finance: Claudia Stephan, Eileen Freebairn and Patricia Smithwick
  • Inland Wetlands Comm’n: Don Goodrich and Pat Perrefort
  • Inland Wetlands Comm’n(Alt): Louis David
  • Planning & Zoning: Sandi Richards Forman, Donald Brown, Kim Lemone and Rich Tibbits
  • Planning & Zoning (Alt): Louis Valenti and James Naddeo
  • Police Commission: Christopher McCollam, Richard Thode and Amy Mannion
  • Zoning Board of Appeals: Justin Hurgin and Victor Holomakoff
  • Zoning Board of Appeals (Alt): Gary Passineau and Greg Menti

 

If you are interested in volunteering on the campaign, please contact Chairman Nicholas Vitti at nvitti@lawcts.com

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