Stratford's Election Day: A Full Recap

Updated 2 a.m. Wednesday

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.

***

The Official Results (winners in bold)

---Town Council---

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.

It's Official: Republicans Claim 8-2 Majority..(11:45 p.m.)

Official results from the registrar confirm that Republicans have gained an 8-2 majority on the Stratford Town Council. Full story to come.

Unofficial Results Give Republicans Big Win (9 p.m.)

Here are the unofficial results for Town Council, as tallied up at Republican Party headquarters at the Frog Pond Restaurant:

1st District: Barnaby (R) - 543; Young (D) - 496

2nd District: Philips (D) - 320

3rd District: Catalano (R) - 395

4th District: Santi (D) - 384; Singh (D) - 50

5th District: Dempsey (R) - 296; Gombar (D) - 164

6th District: Poisson (R) - 342; Fuller (D) - 288

7th District: Budnick (R) - 380; Ferrera (D) - 304

8th District: Connor (R) - 546

9th District: Kubic (R) - 580; Greenspan (D) - 292

10th District: Hoydick (R) - 419; Langdon (D) - 157

Town-wide Voter Turnout at 20.3% as of 7 p.m.; 31.6% in the 1st District (Posted 7:30 p.m.)

Voter Turnout at 17.7 percent as of 6 p.m. (Posted 6:30 p.m.)

Voter turnout for the 2011 Stratford municipal election is at 17.7 percent, according to reports from polling places recorded at 6 p.m.

With absentee ballots the percentage jumps to about 20 percent, according to Asst. Registrar of the Democratic Party Judy Scala. The 2007 municipal election voter turnout was 26.6 percent, Scala said. 

As of 6 p.m., 29 percent of registered voters in the 1st District showed up to vote today, the highest percentage turnout for a district so far in the 2011 election.

Voter Turnout at 13.9 Percent as of 4 p.m. (Posted 4:45 p.m.)

Voter turnout for the 2011 Stratford municipal election is at 13.9 percent, according to reports from polling places recorded at 4 p.m.

The 13.9 percent equates to 4,302 residents. There are 30,925 registered voters in Stratford.

The 1st District continues to carry the highest percentage of eligible voters going to the polls with that figure currently at 23 percent.

Asst. Registrar of the Democratic Party Judy Scala said this year's numbers could eclipse the number of votes in the 2007 municipal election.

"We could reach 20 or 22 percent no problem," Scala said.

Moderator Says He's Doing His 'Civic Duty' (3 p.m.)

The job of moderator is something Mal Starratt takes seriously.

"Whatever he says, goes -- according to the rules," said Starratt, who arrived at Bunnell High School to set up the 9th District polling station at 5 a.m., which gave him an hour before polls opened.

"At 6 o'clock you better be ready," said Starratt, who has been moderating in Stratford for the last five years. 

Starratt knows where the backup ballot machine is in case the first one malfunctions. He said he doesn't mind the long hours -- polls are open in Stratford from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. -- because he says he is just doing his "civic duty."

The thing that does bug Starratt, though, is when residents who are registered and eligible to vote, fail to come to the polls and exercise "their duty as a US and Stratford citizen."

"It bothers me," he said. "People should come out and vote, it's their privilege. They can make things happen."

Starratt said over the last few years more older people, aged 45-years plus, are coming in to vote, while the number of younger people showing up at the polls has decreased.

Voter Turnout at 9.6 Percent as of 1 p.m. (Posted 2 p.m.)

Voter turnout for the 2011 Stratford municipal election is at 9.6 percent, according to reports from polling places recorded at 1 p.m.

The 9.6 percent equates to 2,966 residents. There are 30,925 registered voters in Stratford.

As of 1 p.m., the 1st District had the highest percentage of eligible voters casting their picks with a 16 percent turnout. Democrat Mary Young is challenging Republican incumbent Christian Barnaby for that district's Town Council seat.

The lowest percentage came from the 2nd District, where Democrat Councilwoman Stephanie Philips is running unopposed.

Have you voted today? Tell us in the comments.

Republican Candidate Bonds with Voters (1 p.m.)

A woman heading toward the entrance of approached Joe Kubic and commented on his growth, his physical height.

It had been decades since the current Republican candidate for 9th District Town Council was a kid playing in the woman's basement with her son, but both parties retained the memory. 

"People don't forget those things," Kubic said outside the school, which functioned as the 9th District polling place for Election Day. 

"The feeling I'm getting from people is positive," said Kubic, making sure to thank every passerby for coming out to vote. The Republican candidate said the turnout has been light, but that was to be expected in an election year where there's no mayoral or presidential race.

Standing across the school's dropoff area was Kubic's Democratic opponent .

Stratford's Election Day: 'Where People Have a Voice' (11 a.m.)

"Local elections are important because that's where people have a voice," Stratford resident Steve Raguskus said in the parking lot of , which is being used today as the polling place for the 7th District.

Raguskus said local politicians are more accessible than federal officials: "Residents can call and ask [their local elected leaders], 'Why is this like this?'"

Raguskus, a 3rd District resident, was at Wilcoxson to support Maria Ferrera, who is the Democrat running for the 7th District Town Council seat.

Ferrera is up against Republican Craig Budnick. Both candidates were outside the Wilcoxson polling place Tuesday morning.

"I feel good," Ferrera said of her "first real campaign." She said one setback, though, was that "a lot of people don't open their doors."

Budnick has a 6th-grader enrolled at Wilcoxson. The Council candidate said he was third to cast his vote at the elementary school shortly after 6 a.m. this morning. "I was trying to get that first spot," he joked.

At about 10 a.m., Ferrera said the turnout was around 150.

"It's not a great turnout," she said, adding that the traffic will probably pick up after lunch.

Cast Your Vote, Get a Treat (10:15 a.m.)

Stratford residents who vote today at Wilcoxson Elementary School are in for a treat.

The baked goods are from parents of Wilcoxson 6th-graders, and money raised will go toward a field trip and other activities at the 7th District school, said parent Lori LaPia.

The Election Day desserts are free with a suggestion donation, LaPia said. Where the 6th-graders go on their field trip depends on how much the bake sale raises, she said.

At about 9:45 a.m., LaPia said voter traffic had been slow so far at Wilcoxson.

Stratford's Election Day (5:45 a.m.)

Back in July, Democrats endorsing members of their party likened this year's general election to a national midterm.

With Republicans holding a 6-4 majority on the Town Council, Democratic Town Committee member Dick Kennedy said at the , "The next 10 nominations are going to shape this town for the next two years."

the night after the Democrats.

"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," Republican Town Committee Chairman Lou DeCilio said. "They've made some hard decisions that the electorate expects them to make."

Now the hard decision is in the hands of the voter, as Stratford residents take to the polls today.

At the end of the day, Stratford will know if the Town Council majority is still controlled by Republicans.

But the Town Council is just one of many elected positions that Stratford residents will vote for today. There are also contests for Board of Education, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals and constables.

If you are unsure on where to vote, Stratford Patch has created an interactive map on (the map is also shown above). If you aren't sure what district you live in, the town has also created a map that color codes Stratford's 10 districts.

Make An Informed Decision

With your help, Stratford Patch has compiled an extensive collection of election news and information during the course of this campaign season. You can find it all on our Election 2011 Topic Page. There, you'll see:

• Town Council candidate platforms
• A map of polling locations
• Public forum coverage
• Political blog posts and letters to the editor
• Republican and Democrat's slate of candidates
• And much more

Documenting Democracy

Stratford Patch will be updating this article throughout the day with information and pics from polls, voter turnout numbers, results and reactions. We'll also be breaking news on Facebook and Twitter.

You can help document this day of democracy in action. Are there lines at the polls? Girl Scouts selling cookies? Candidates greeting voters? Friendly poll monitors? Share your pics (click the green "add your photos" link), and your observations and thoughts in the comments below.