Local Democrats, GOP Planning Weekend Events

By John Voket

Town Democrats and Republicans are planning individual events this weekend as their candidates gear up for local elections November 8. Newtown registrars have also published a timeline of key dates related to the upcoming election.

Maureen Crick Owen, who chairs the Democrat’s Campaign Committee, said her group had to forego its regular campaign kickoff tied to the annual Labor Day Parade. So instead, the DTC is holding a “Coffee with the Candidates” event Saturday, September 10, from 9 to 11:30 am, at 7 Glover Avenue. 

The party’s candidate for the Board of Selectmen, Jim Gaston, plans to address attendees at 10. This event is open to the public and welcomes anyone interested in meeting the Democratic slate, regardless of the attendee’s political affiliation, according to Ms Crick Owen.

The Newtown Republican Town Committee has rescheduled a grand opening of its headquarters located on the east bank of the Pootatuck River at 5 Glen Road in Sandy Hook. The celebration will be Sunday, September 11, at 3 pm.

State Senator John McKinney and Representative DebraLee Hovey have been invited to join First Selectman Pat Llodra, Selectman Will Rodgers, RTC Chair Dennis Bloom and other party members and leadership for a ribbon cutting and the ceremonial hanging of this year’s first banner.

The public is invited and refreshments will be served.

Mitch Bolinsky, the local RTC vice chair, said in a release that “local elections influence the vitality and direction of our town and, at this event, guests will have a chance to meet and share issues about which they care most with Pat and Will, both of whom are seeking re-election as they work toward the conclusion of a very productive two years.”

Newtown’s other Republican elected incumbents and candidates will be on hand to hear voters’ concerns and encourage residents to vote on Tuesday, November 8, added Mr Bolinsky.

Newtown’s registrars of voters office also issued election-related information to voters and aspiring voters ahead of this fall’s election. The registrars office at the Newtown Municipal Center is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, from 9 am until 1 pm.

The registrars remind both voters and candidates of the following important dates:

*Thursday, September 15, 9:30 am, registrars hold a lottery for name placement on the ballot;

*Tuesdays, October 4 and 11, from 10 am to noon, registrars will be making corrections and revising the preliminary registry list;

*Saturday, October 22, 10 am to 2 pm, registrars will hold a special Saturday voter registration session;

*Tuesday, October 25, is the last day to have someone other than the voter drop off registration. Any mail-in registrations must be postmarked by this day for eligibility in the November 8 election. That same day, there will be another special registration session from 10 am to noon.

*Tuesday, November 1, between 9 am and 8 pm, will be the last opportunity to register to vote for the November 8 Municipal Election except for those who turned 18, became a US Citizen, or moved to Newtown between November 1 and 7. Those individuals with valid proof may register between 9 am and noon on November 7 to qualify to vote on November 8; and

*Members of the military have until 5 pm on November 7 to register for the November 8 election.