Republicans Hope to Keep Power in Fall Election

With Mayor John A. Harkins' term half-expired, the Stratford Republican Town Committee (RTC) sought to solidify its foothold in local politics by nominating candidates for the November elections on Thursday.

The Republican Party has a mayor in office and holds a 6-4 majority on the Town Council, but RTC Chairman Lou DeCilio said voters have to allow them all to continue working in office for progress to occur.

“With the Democrats and the former administration, it’s clear that we needed a change and I think the Republicans have brought leadership to the town,” DeCilio said. “They’ve made some hard decisions that the electorate expects them to make.”

Like most municipalities, those decisions have been focused on finances, which has led to budget cuts, tax increases and other measures in an effort to balance a budget.

The Democratic Town Committee (DTC) nominated their slate of candidates on Wednesday, and they saw the elections as a against Mayor Harkins’ administration.

“We have to send a message to Mr. Harkins and his cronies that we're not going to put up with this anymore," said DTC member Dick Kennedy.

DeCilio disagreed, saying it’s “not so much a report card or a midterm on the administration as it is making sure you have quality representation.”

He added, “It’s clear to me the people of Stratford have a huge decision to make: whether they want to go forward in a positive direction or if they want to rewind to the prior administration.”

Town Council

1st District: Christian Barnaby (incumbent)

2nd District: Vacant

3rd District: Matt Catalano (incumbent)

4th District: Robert Hargus

5th District: John Dempsey

6th District: Ken Poisson

7th District: Phil Pepin

8th District: James Connor (incumbent)

9th District: Joe Kubic

10th District: Paul Hoydick (incumbent)

Board of Education

Robert Chaloux, Andrea Veilleaux

Planning Commission

1st District: Bob Connolly

2nd District: Mark Dumas

Zoning Commission

1st District: Robert Babis

2nd District: Ed Scinto

Zoning Board of Appeals

4th District: Shawn Kelemen

5th District: Fred Hyatt

Constables

Paul Matthewson, Bob Connolly, Ed Scinto, William DiFederico

Stratford Patch editor Jason Bagley contributed to this article.