Politics & Government

2011 Voter's Guide: Representative Town Meeting

This year, 42 candidates are on the ballot for the RTM across Darien's six voting districts.

John Davisson's profile picture
John Davisson, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
|

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.

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

 

REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING

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

The Representative Town Meeting (RTM) is determined annually by elector vote and cannot exceed 100 members. Legislative powers for the town are vested in this body. Members are not elected based on party affiliation. Its responsibilities include passing laws and ordinances, appropriating money, and approving collective bargaining contracts involving town employees.

Although any Darien registered voter is eligible for election, to be elected, a candidate must receive at least twenty-five votes.

Ballots will vary depending on the voting district. There are write-in candidates in some of the districts, but you must ask at your polling location or at the office of the Town Clerk for information. The difference between the number of candidates and the number you can vote for indicates vacancies that may be filled by eligible write-in candidates. Write-in candidates must receive a minimum of twenty-five votes to serve on the RTM.

Attendance records for incumbents, which have been provided by the Town Clerk’s office, can be found here.

  • Term of office: two years
  • Question: In what ways should RTM members reach out to their constituency?

 

DISTRICT I (17 SEATS)

  • Based on vote, 9 candidates will serve a 2-year term and 1 candidate will serve a 1-year term 
  • Vote for any 10

 

L. Francis Huck

Most RTM members are open to the concerns and views of constituents.  Of course, openness is not the same as outreach.  Each member should regularly reach out informally, touching base with constituents interested in particular matters and making inquiries of neighbors and others.  Formal outreach, however, should probably be coordinated by the RTM as a whole or at least at the District level, to avoid duplicate solicitations and assure sharing of information.

 

Peter K. Kelly* 

  • 103 Pembroke Road

No response.

 

Lois J. Schneider* 

With 100 members to the RTM, we represent the broad community. We seek out opinions and information from our neighbors, within our community organizations and by responding to constituents that contact us. We are available and have discussions wherever we are in town. I hope to continue to serve the town combining many years of town government, business experience, and strong interest in the best education possible for our investment.

 

Edward Reilly Tierney * 

  • 7 Maywood Court

No response.

 

Thomas Brady Valentino, III

  • 2 Stonewall Lane

No response.

 

DISTRICT II (17 SEATS)

  • Vote for any 8

 

Ted Hilton*

  • 79 Old Kings Highway South

No response.

 

Kirk P. Hoffman*

  • 35 Dickinson Road 

No response.

 

Martin David Magida* 

  • 2 Dogwood Lane

No response.

 

Jeffrey L. Marston* 

  • 49 Goodwives River Road

No response.

 

DISTRICT III (18 SEATS)

  • Based on vote, 10 candidates will serve a 2-year term and 1 will serve a 1-year term.
  • Vote for any 11

 

Steven A. Anderson

  • 36 Phillips Lane

No response.

 

Carolyn Golden Bayne* 

Having had two children attend Holmes School, I know many District III residents and I stop to talk to them whenever I can. When I meet someone new, I make a point of telling them that I am an RTM member and provide my contact information. As District Chair, my role is to disseminate information to other district members and to the public. I therefore try to make myself as accessible as possible.

 

Michael J. Burke*

  • 199 Hollow Tree Ridge Road

No response.

 

Eugene F. Coyle* 

  • 15 Echo Drive

By staying informed of their wishes and opinions and then voting accordingly. I’m a 24 year member of this body. Currently serve on: Town Government Services and Administration Committee, Board of Ethics, Channel 79 Advisory Board. Previously served on: Rules Committee, Park and Recreation, Public Works, Health and Safety. Justice of the Peace, Judge Advocate of Marine Corps League, Fordham graduate, Time Magazine-50 years; World Wide Director of Operations, United Nations Permanent Secretariat; one year.

 

Rose Ellyn Coyne   

There are many ways that the members of the RTM can reach out to residents in their respective districts. An RTM member could set up an email distribution list or a blog, allowing the RTM member the ability to communicate key topics in town and allow residents to voice their concerns. I have reached out to a number of constituents in my district by going door to door and introducing myself. 

 

Maria B. Ferretti*

As an RTM member, reaching out to your constituency base to understand what is important to them and fostering community is essential. Reaching out to bring awareness to current issues under consideration in town and to understand your constituents’ views on such issues by soliciting feedback is imperative. Inviting constituents to public meetings to listen to the proceedings, and if the meeting is open to public comment, encouraging them to have a voice.

 

Susan S. LeHan* 

Informed constituents are democracy’s strongest link. Districts should give citizens an opportunity to understand and voice their opinions on issues by holding public caucuses. Accordingly, I recommend the newspapers publish the RTM agenda in advance with a brief description of the issues to broaden the circulation of this information. Raising awareness on issues and soliciting opinions from the public prior to RTM debate is the best way to ensure that the public’s voice is heard.

 

David Byron Martens* 

  • 11 Bittersweet Lane

RTM Members, both as individuals and through their families, should be involved in events and volunteer activities in and around the school system. This is where 2/3 of our tax dollars go, and a great performing school system helps attract new families. For those families with multiple school age children like ours, there is also a strong emotional connection to the way the schools are operated.

 

Thomas W. Moore* 

As a member of the RTM for several years I have reached out to many of neighbors on various topics that have impacted the town and the district.  I have received numerous emails, letters and phone calls on topics ranging from the dog leash ordinance to the annual budget. I would encourage people to attend the RTM meetings and contact their representative through email. 


Seth W. Morton*

There are a number of ways to reach out to constituents. There are events around the schools both athletic and social where being on the scene exposes RTM members to their constituents. Many meetings of the RTM and RTM Committees are on television, so attendance at those meetings brings exposure. Having a website also provides opportunity for dialogue.

 

Robert E.Young, Jr.* 

  • 14 Hillside Avenue

The obvious answer is to become more accessible through any electronic and social media outlet, which the RTM is currently pursuing on a town-wide basis. But for me, it’s more intuitive — communicate through action. Be active in your government, participate in your children’s school, attend the annual fireman’s BBQ, clean the leaves from the storm drain in front of your house, and shovel snow from the sidewalk or fire hydrant. Your constituents will take note.

 

DISTRICT IV (16 SEATS)

  • Based on vote, 9 candidates will serve a 2-year term and 1 will serve a 1-year term.
  • Vote for any 9

 

Angus James (Jim) Cameron* 

I have always fought for open, engaged government in my time on the RTM, my work at Darien TV79, my columns in The Darien Times and Darien Patch. I also fought to require all elected officials to post their e-mail addresses and phone numbers on the Town website. I, for one, welcome constituent input on important issues so I can better represent their views on the RTM. Email me at Cameron06820@gmail.com. 

 

Maria L. Cleary* 

  • 7 Patricia Lane 

Engaging citizens in discussion of current projects, budgets, policies and plans can occur anywhere – school, church, book clubs, block parties. Availability is key. Darien should immediately post email addresses for each RTM member to its town website so that the public can engage their representatives at any time. This request for RTM town email addresses has been on the table for several years and needs to be implemented.

 

Lucy Fiore*

I was appointed to the RTM as a District IV member this Spring. Darien is a volunteer driven town and I am honored to serve the Town of Darien and the people in my district. My goal is to preserve Darien as the wonderful, beautiful town it already is, while helping to prepare it for the future.  If anyone has questions about issues the RTM is voting on, feel free to e-mail /call me. 

 

Joseph H. Hardison, III*

  • 11 Nearwater Lane

The present system works, as I have been contacted by many folks in my district since joining the RTM. However, I think it could be improved by providing all RTM members town email addresses, as has been discussed, so that RTM members are readily accessible via email as well as phone.

 

Frank B. Kemp* 

Just “being available” on phone and e-mail is not enough. RTM members should be actively involved in volunteer community organizations – to be better positioned to learn constituents’ concerns and issues. This term in the RTM I will pursue the effort to upgrade the Charter, incorporating the organization and clear writing style of the recent Charter Revision Commissions. These changes will not alter government structure, but will clarify and simplify the Charter’s readability and accessibility.

 

Andrew C. Millar* 

To me, the operative word in Representative Town Meeting is “Representative”. To represent you, I need to know how you feel. Speaking in the grocery store or the train platform isn’t enough. I’ve tried many approaches including mail surveys, but have found the most effective to be sending emails to voters prior to an important vote and asking your opinion. Then I have quantitative support for my votes. To join my email list, contact millar4rtm@aol.com. 

 

Susan E. Morrison* 

BA in English, MS in Special Education; twelve years on RTM, member of Education Committee; Darien Public Schools teacher.

A first step would be for the town to assign e-mail addresses to all elected officials, and post them in a prominent place on the website. Going forward, occasional notices in the paper or on the Patch reminding people to voice their opinions could follow. Easy accessibility would facilitate a dialogue between members and their constituents.

 

William D. Peters, III* 

  • 32 Stanton Road

    No response.

     

    Sandra A. Savage* 

    I believe trying to attend as many public functions in the town, to be seen and available. I would love to have a town e-mail address so that people could contact me in this fashion, it would make it so much easier for everyone. I know that I am out in the community as much as possible to make sure I am keeping up with what the latest concerns are in the town.

     

    DISTRICT V (16 SEATS)

    • Vote for any 7 

     

    Christopher L. Camuti*

    • 279 Hoyt Street

    No response.

     

    Adele Conniff*

    My constituents can be confident that I will always make an informed decision.  People feel comfortable reaching out to me. I welcome letters, e-mails and phone calls. The district caucus is an important tool for airing issues of particular significance to our district. Also all RTM meetings offer opportunities for public comment. It has been my pleasure to serve on the RTM. With your vote I hope to continue serving District V.

     

    Bruce G. Orr, Sr.* 

    As a neighborhood non-partisan legislative body, RTM members should be known and accessible to the district constituency.  In a perfect world, each district should be a hosting a bi-annual district town meeting.  In our digital world, each district could have a blog hosted by the Town website, where RTM members reach out and solicit opinions/concerns from district voters. The Town should also be providing Town email addresses to each RTM member, at no additional cost.

     

    James M. Patrick* 

    RTM Districts should have public meetings with their constituency to discuss topics relating to the District and the Town of Darien as well. Last fall, as District V Chairman, I coordinated a meeting with neighbors to hear questions and concerns regarding the redevelopment of Allen O’Neill Homes. In the future, meetings most likely will be held on the issues of flooding, traffic congestion and the Senior Center property.   

     

    Debra McGarry Ritchie*

    RTM members are obligated to reach out to their constituents. I use email updates to keep people aware of important issues. Whether it be a public hearing regarding the leash law or an important matter to be voted upon by the RTM I use the email updates to keep people informed and to seek their viewpoints. Personal contact is also important, so when I see residents I seek their opinions on issues facing our town.  

     

    Allison L. Stolar*

    • 23 Fairfield Avenue

    No response.

     

    DISTICT VI (17 SEATS)

    • Vote for any 7

     

    Arden A. Broecking

    • 719 Boston Post Road

    A long-term resident of Darien, a senior, a professional musician and writer. I want to be a voice for seniors, a voice for the arts and a voice for responsibility on all levels.

    Most important, over and above party lines, what is best for our town and all our citizens.

    An RTM member must be aware of issues and activities in town, and be responsive and available to residents of the district.

     

    Lisa G. Haas

    Through my involvement on the Royle PTO and The Community Fund of Darien, as well as a parent to three elementary aged children, I am actively engaged in our community. I have a business and financial background, and I can research and assimilate information that can be shared with my constituents, in person, through email or social media. As a member of the RTM, I would welcome feedback and opinions regarding town decisions. 

     

    Emily Quinn McDermott* 

    For the two terms that I have served on the RTM, personal conversations have been my method of reaching out to constituents in my district. I very often will ask people what they think about an issue that the RTM is grappling with, or is soon to vote on. I would also encourage any voter in District VI to call or email me with any questions or thoughts. I represent you! 

     

    Christa S. McNamara* 

    As an elected member of the Darien Representative Town Meeting (RTM), I believe I have a responsibility to the constituents in my district to help serve as a conduit of information on what is happening in local government. There are multiple options with Social Media to reach the Darien community; Twitter, Facebook and Blogs are examples. Regardless the medium, I welcome the concerns and thoughts of those in District VI.

     

    James Robert Palen, Jr.*

    • 45 Brookside Road

    As a member of the Darien RTM and the Finance & Budget Committee I make every effort to introduce myself to residents in my district and throughout the town and I encourage an open dialogue about the issues that concern them. I believe making an "@darienct.gov" email address available for each RTM member and posting it on the website would help to encourage increased inbound communication on issues that affect residents.

     

    S. Lloyd Plehaty* 

    Citizens can contact RTM members with comments, questions and complaints. Many do so, by mail, phone, and email, and by attending committee meetings and hearings. It is more practical for the citizen to initiate such contact. A Darien resident for 48 years, I’ve served on the RTM for 13 years. I’m a retired electronics engineer, with bachelor’s and master’s degrees. I served in the Navy in WW-II.

     

    Gary C. Swenson* 

    Being an “active” listener, an informational resource, and an outspoken advocate for your district are but three “hats” an individual must wear if they are to truly represent their constituency. Over my two decades as a member of the RTM, I have attempted to maintain an open line of communication with all the residents of the district. As a duly elected representative, my constituency deserves nothing less.

     

    Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

    We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

    More from Darien