2011 Voter's Guide: First Selectman and Board of Selectmen

The information below was compiled by the  for its 2011 Voter's Guide. For details on the guide, voting information, and a full rundown of candidates on the ballot in Darien, visit here.

Questionnaires were submitted to all candidates, asking one or more specific questions. Responses, which were limited to a specific word count, are printed exactly as submitted. Any responses over the word limit could not be printed in full. Photos (if submitted by the candidates) are available in the gallery at right.

An asterisk signifies that the candidate is an incumbent.

ELECTION PROCEDURE

The Board of Selectmen (BOS) is the executive branch of our local government and is made up of the first selectman and four selectmen. This year, three candidates are vying for the office of first selectman and four candidates are running for selectman.

The candidates who lose the first selectman race automatically become part of the race for selectman. It is the top four vote getters from this expanded pool of candidates who will win a seat on the BOS.

FIRST SELECTMAN

• Term of office: two years (salaried)
• Vote for one candidate
• Question: What is the most important issue confronting Darien? How do you propose to address that issue?

John A. Lundeen (Democrat)

• 36 Swifts Lane
• LundeenJA@aol.com

The rapidly expanding budget of the town, pushing up tax rates. 

In the most recent year, the mill rate for Darien’s taxpayers went up by 3.92%, a rate higher than 18 other small towns in Fairfield County, twice the rate of increase in New Canaan. Debt service is rising fast, contributing to this tax increase.

At a time when many residents are experiencing first-hand the very difficult period in our national economy, public officials need to be sensitive and thoughtful about moving forward with any but the most urgent capital projects. I would have all of our town expenses subjected to a rigorous and zero-based budget analysis, including capital projects and the operational implications of capital expenditures. I would sell the property at 35 Leroy for development of inclusive senior housing, and rebuild an appropriately sized senior center at Edgerton Street.

For my qualifications see our website.

Jayme J. Stevenson (Republican)

• 65 St. Nicholas Road
• JaymeJS@aol.com

We must find a new home for our senior center program. For 12 years, we have actively studied the issue of what to do about the failing facility that currently serves as our senior center. Darien is committed to provide a vibrant and dynamic senior program. The proposed Mather Community Center will allow our senior program to flourish and create a new place for the community to gather. The Mather Center is a value-oriented project: it highlights the value we place on our seniors; it uses town assets in an cost-effective and efficient way, it provides for the possibility of senior affordable housing and it allows for centralization of town and Board of Education services. Our solid financial condition allows us to wisely invest while construction and financing costs are low.

I will continue to support value-investing in our town infrastructure to preserve and enhance community and property values.

Christian Noe (Ultra-Conservative)

• 242 Old Kings Highway South
• votenoe@gmail.com

The Republican majority Board of Selectmen have monopolized their voting power and disenfranchised the two Democrats serving with them. The Republican slogan "we are united" expresses their lack of concern for the other elected selectman, their performance despicable. Their promise to work with the Democrats in the future cannot be believed.

I offer a third party, Ultra-Conservative, not allied to either party. This third party breaks the voting majority. I carry a different set of priorities, truly conservative. I offer better solutions to affordable housing/ 8-30g, immediate action on the existing senior center to remove asbestos and renovate bathrooms while solutions are further considered. I offer an immediate plan for flooding.

I have plans to reduce our town debt while dismantling our unions and remedies for employees who are clearly overpaid.

Don't be conservative vote Ultra-Conservative.

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

• Term of office: 2 years (unsalaried)
• Vote for any two candidates
• Question: What is the most important issue confronting Darien? How do you propose to address that issue?

Vickie Hanna Riccardo (Democrat)

• 33 Red Rose Circle
• vriccardo33@gmail.com

The shuffle.

In August, construction cost estimates for the shuffle reached $7.16 million. Recession-weary Darienites, concerned about their growing tax burdens, were assured that the “nice-to-haves” would be eliminated. Yet, in October, the Republican selectmen voted to appropriate $6.979 million for the shuffle. 

Darien needs a new senior center, and finally has the will to deliver. We don’t need four construction projects, including work at the DPW garage, to reach that goal. Developer David Genovese estimates that 35 Leroy might fetch $4.8 million for re-development as housing. By using the sale proceeds to fund building new on Edgerton Street, the bonds issued with reference to 35 Leroy can remain tax exempt.

The shuffle was well-intentioned, but is proving unjustifiable. Thanks to the volunteers who have highlighted the senior center issues through their hard work, but it’s time for a financially responsible Plan B.

Please visit darienworkingtogether.com for my qualifications. 

David F. Bayne (Democrat)*

• 5 Windsor Road
• DFBayne@aol.com

Rising taxes is the number one issue: Darien opened its sewer bills this month to find a 13% increase. Last July, Darien opened its property tax bills to find a 3.92% increase in Darien’s mill rate, an increase larger than eighteen other municipalities in Fairfield County. All indications point to future upward pressure on Darien's budget. Meanwhile, state and federal taxes are increasing, and jobs in the financial industry, with which Darien is inextricably linked, are being shed in large numbers. 

Times are hard and getting harder. Darien is already proceeding with two important and expensive capital projects at Weed Beach and the police station costing taxpayers approximately $19 million. Now is a time for belt-tightening and for looking for ways to decrease the burden on the taxpayers while maintaining the quality Darien’s educational system, which is the backbone supporting the real property valuations all Darien residents enjoy.  

David M. Campbell (Republican)

• 27 Shipway Road
• dcampbell@darienct.gov

Darien has a history of funding its obligations, maintaining a healthy fund balance and prudent bonding. We have the second lowest mill rate in Connecticut. We have the largest undesignated fund balance in the state. We have controlled the town budget: $38,809,994 (FY2009) and $38,798,485 (FY2012).

Sound fiscal management is more than saying no to capital projects. It includes prioritizing projects and yearly maintenance needs. When I came into office I found Town Hall had 10,000 sqft. of underutilized space. The senior center is beyond repair, 35 Leroy in mothballs and the public works garage underutilized. The solution is the facilities optimization plan which results in the tear down of the senior center, the full utilization of Town Hall, and finally putting 35 Leroy Ave. into service. This will result in lower operating costs to the town, with renovation and bonding debt being taken on at the lowest rates.

Gerald A. Nielsen, Jr. (Republican)*

• 33 Rocaton Road
• jnielsenjr@aol.com

Darien needs to address our senior center. Our current building is not only an embarrassment to our town but in such disrepair it is at risk of a major failure and discontinued use if structural and mechanical deficiencies are not addressed imminently. Darien must be committed to continue to provide a quality, fully functional facility meeting the needs and desires of our growing senior population. Our seniors have supported large capital projects and increasing budgets for our schools associated with higher enrollment and mandates put on our school system. Renovating our town owned buildings to address their needs is small in comparison to the support they have shown our town.

I will continue to support the efficient use of our town facilities and will make sure our community center is built out economically, efficiently and to a standard we are all proud of.