Politics & Government

Stratford Republicans Take 8-2 Majority on Town Council, Retain BOE Rank

Stratford Republican candidates performed strong in the 2011 municipal election.

In short, Stratford Republicans had a good day yesterday.

Tuesday's 2011 municipal election saw the Republican Party increase its 6-4 majority on the Town Council to an 8-2 advantage, and both of the Grand Old Party’s Board of Education candidates were elected, which means they retained their 5-3 majority on the school board.

"We've made a lot of difficult decisions in the last two years," said Christian Barnaby, an incumbent Republican who beat Mary Young for 1st District Town Council, 561-513. "We have put a lot of good things in motion and they want to see it come to fruition."

Only 20.3 percent of registered voters in Stratford voted on Election Day this year. That's down from 26.6 percent in the 2007 municipal election, according to registrar records. In Barnaby’s district, however, 34 percent of eligible voters went to the polls Tuesday.

The newly re-elected Councilman said traditionally there has always been a high voter turnout in the 1st District because of the major issues tied to it, such as Long Beach West, Sikorsky Airport, the Festival Theatre and the Army Engine Plant.

"That stagnant property means the world to residents," Barnaby said of the  78-acre abandoned Army property. Two previous bids for the land have lacked a "clear and concise plan with proper foresight," he said. Bids are set to open up again on Friday, Nov. 18. Barnaby said redeveloping that land is a priority.

Poisson Dethrones Fuller in the 6th

In perhaps the most surprising result of the election, incumbent Democrat David Fuller lost his 6th District Town Council seat to Republican Ken Poisson by a tally of 350-298.

The other two incumbent Democrats running for re-election were Stephanie Philips, who ran unopposed in the 2nd District and drew 323 votes, and Jason Santi, who trounced fellow Democrat and petitioning candidate Michael Singh in the 4th District, 416-55.

Republican Craig Budnick and Democrat Maria Ferrera battled for the 7th District Town Council seat formerly occupied by popular Democrat Kim Meuse.

"I was expecting a close race … with Maria following in Kim’s coattails," said Budnick, who ended up defeating Ferrera by a 391-308 vote. Budnick said he's lived in Stratford for more than 40 years and has always been a strong advocate of the town. He said people always joke about him being "Stratford's number-one fan."

As an elected official, Budnick said he will fight to keep Stratford schools from closing and, like Barnaby, work toward a solution for the Army Engine Plant.

"It's the future of the town and the federal government is holding us hostage," Budnick said. "I hate to liken it to childhood," said the father of two, "but they made the mess, they need to clean it up."

Democrats Remain Resolute

"Our message was good but we need to work on inspiring Democrats to come out and vote," Stephanie Philips said after the polls closed and the results were revealed Tuesday night. "We're going to work on that going forward … This is a different party and not anything akin to the past."

The newly re-elected 2nd District Councilwoman said the party and its candidates will continue to "be highly active and visible."

Philips said the Republicans now hold what is known as a supermajority on the Town Council, and it will be interesting to see how such an influence is able to provide checks and balances to a Republican mayor.

"Will they have the courage to stand up for individual beliefs or become lockstep?" she said.

Find out what's happening in Stratfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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The Official Results (winners in bold)

---Town Council---

Find out what's happening in Stratfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

1st District: Christian Barnaby (R) - 561; Mary Young (D) - 513

2nd District: Stephanie Philips (D) - 323

3rd District: Matthew Catalano (R) - 404

4th District: Jason Santi (D) - 416; Michael Singh (D) - 55

5th District: John Dempsey (R) - 305; Olivia Gombar (D) - 169

6th District: Ken Poisson (R) - 350; David Fuller (D) - 298

7th District: Craig Budnick (R) - 391; Maria Ferrera (D) - 308

8th District: James Connor (R) - 575

9th District: Joesph Kubic (R) - 608; Robyn Greenspan (D) - 309

10th District: Paul Hoydick (R) - 423; Flo Langdon (D) - 163

---Board of Education---

Andrea Veilleux (R) - 3,530

Robert Chaloux (R) - 3,476

Jancee Pust-Marcone (D) - 3,106

Eric Lazarro (D) - 3,034

Immacula Cann (D) - 2,985

---Planning Commission---

Joe Paul (D) - 713

Robert Connolly (R) - 648

Ann Baker (D) - 582

Mark Dumas (R) - 360

---Zoning Commission---

Linda Manos (D) - 714

Robert Babis (R) - 676

Tony Smith (D) - 557

Ed Scinto (R) - 392

---Zoning Board of Appeals---

Sonja Devitt (D) - 622

Shawn Keleman (R) - 795

Tara Wexler (D) - 541

Fred Hyatt (R) - 906

Note: All seven constables on ballot were elected.


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