WESTPORT’S REGISTERED REUBLICANS ELIGIBLE TO RUN FOR SEATS ON REPUBLICAN TOWN COMMITTEE AT JANUARY 10 CAUCUSES
Contact: Karen Hess
917-270-1337
WESTPORT, January 2, 2012 –The 2012-2013 Westport Republican Town Committee (RTC) will be elected at caucuses by registered Republicans in the nine Representative Town Committee districts on January 10, 2012. Westport’s registered Republicans are encouraged to participate in the caucuses by running for a seat on the Committee or by supporting candidates at the caucuses. The caucuses will meet at 8:00 p.m. at the polling locations for each voting district. RTM districts 1 and 9 will meet at Saugatuck Elementary School, RTM district 2 will meet at Kings Highway School, RTM districts 3 and 8 will meet at Coleytown Middle School, Districts 4 and 5 will meet at Greens Farms Elementary School, and RTM Districts 6 and 7 will meet at Long Lots Elementary School.
There are more than 50 current members of the Westport RTC, including all Republican elected officials in Westport who serve as ex-officio members. The Town Committee meets at 8 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month, usually at the Westport Town Hall. The main responsibility of the Republican Town Committee is to select the best candidates to run for public office and then to support the candidates’ campaigns. In 2012, members of the Republican Town Committee will have an exciting year, as they will be very involved in supporting the Republican nominee for President, candidates for other federal offices, and Republicans running for the Connecticut state legislature. Candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, the State House and State Senate are frequent guests of the RTC, and members will have the opportunity to really get to know the candidates in this critical election year. In 2013 the focus will be on electing Republican candidates for town wide positions such as Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, Board of Education, Planning and Zoning Commission, among others.
If you are interested in participating in the caucuses, or would like more information about caucus locations or the Westport Republican Town Committee, please contact Westport RTC Chairman Bob Zappi at bzappi@catalyst.com or 203-454-3168
Republican Board of Finance winner Michael Rea (l) clasps hands with incumbent Republican Board of Finance member Avi Kaner tonight at Westport Republican Party headquarters. With them is Chip Stephens, victorious in his race for the Planning and Zoning Commission, and behind them, Mike Krawiec, incumbent Republican on the P&Z who did not seek re-election. Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com
Westport First Selectman Gordon Joseloff (c) and Selectman Shelly Kassen, Democrats, congratulate Republicans tonight at their headquarters on their election victories, taking control of the Board of Finance and Planning and Zoning Commission. With them are (l-r) Board of Finance winners Tom Lasersohn, Michael Rea, and John Pincavage. Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com
First Selectman Gordon Joseloff tonight addresses Republicans and Democrats who made their way to Republican Party headquarters after unofficial returns were in. Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com
Westport Republican Town Committee Chair Bob Zappi (l) congratulates successful Planning and Zoning Commission candidates (l-r) incumbent Cathy Walsh, and newcomers Chip Stephens, Jack Whittle, and Al Gatrix, who had served as an alternate, at Republican Party headquarters tonight. Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com
Bob Zappi, Republican Town Committee chair, addresses tonight’s GOP victory celebration as Board of Finance member Avi Kaner looks on. Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com
Westport Republican Party headquarters behind Swanky Franks on Post Road East was busy today with volunteers getting out the vote. Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com
Republicans: ‘We’re Back, We’re Back’
By James Lomuscio, WestportNow.com
After a 14-year hiatus, it was nearly a sweep today for Westport’s Republicans who gained control of the Board of Finance and the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) but lost the Board of Education which hung onto its Democratic majority.
Bob Zappi, Republican Town Committee chair, addresses tonight’s GOP victory celebration as Board of Finance member Avi Kaner looks on. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com
“It’s been 14 years, but now we’re back, we’re back,” said Betty Lou Cummings, a former Republican second selectman.
For the finance board, Michael Rea, John Pincavage and incumbent Tom Lasersohn bested Democratic one-term incumbent Kenneth Wirfel, while Democrat Janis Collins, chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission, won a seat.
According to official returns, Rea received 3,821 votes, Pincavage 3,670, Lasersohn, 3,621, and Collins 3,419 to Wirfel’s 3,200.
With a majority on the Board of Finance, the newly elected members said that Avi Kaner, who was not up for reelection, would be the new chairman, replacing Democrat Helen Garten in that position.
“The voters certainly were taking this seriously, and we look forward to working with Janis and Helen,” said Lasersohn.
“Avi will be the next chairman,” said Rea.
“Not only are they extremely capable,” he added about his team, “but they want what’s best for the town. And we couldn’t have won if it were not for all the unaffiliated and Democrats who heard us, too. Now, we have to rise to it.”
The Republican supporters who gathered for a victory celebration at their headquarters in a small building behind Swanky Franks on Post Road East, also cheered for the four winning P&Z candidates.
It was another sweep with incumbent Catherine Walsh getting an official vote count of 4,082, and newcomers Chip Stephens, 3,789, Al Gratrix (who had served as an alternate) 3,660, and Jack Whittle, 3,858 to Democrat Jennifer Johnson’s 3,066.
Bob Zappi, chairman of the Republican Town Committee, credited the P&Z wins to bi-partisan support from Save Westport Now, a longtime anti-overdevelopment group “which is 99 percent Democratic.” He even brought up Connie Greenfield, a Democrat Save Westport Now official, to thank her for getting out the vote.
“I’m glad our four candidates won,” she said. “It’s not about politics. It’s about zoning.”
He added: “We don’t have to run P&Z candidates for four more years—four more years.”
Republicans fell short of controlling the school board, however. In the closest major board race, Republican Jeanie Smith lost with 3,403 votes. Seats were won by Democratic incumbent Mark Mathias with 3,463 votes, Democrat Michael Gordon, 3,491 votes, and Republican Jennifer Tooker, 3,443.
While basking in his wins, Zappi held out some humbling, if not sobering advice to the crowd.
“It’s easy for us during a campaign to hold our opponents to a higher standard,” he said. “But now we have to hold our Republicans to a higher standard.”
Republicans were later joined by Democrats who came to offer their well wishes. Among them were First Selectman Gordon Joseloff and Second Selectwoman Shelly Kassen.
“On behalf of Westport’s Democrats, it was hard fought, but we’re all Westporters, and together we’ll do what’s right for Westport,” said Joseloff.
