Government

Incumbent First Selectman’s Re-Election Campaign Raises More Than 10 Times Challenger in Three-Month Period [UPDATED]

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First Selectman Kevin Moynihan’s re-election campaign raised more than 10 times the amount his opponent did in the most recent reporting period, records show. The incumbent Republican’s campaign raised $39,625 in contributions from individuals during the three-month period ended Sept. 30, compared to $3,575 for Democratic challenger Craig Donovan, according to the Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission. 

Moynihan’s campaign received 135 individual donations during the period, compared to 34 for Donovan, according to a SEEC Itemized Campaign Financial Disclosure Statement filed Oct. 10. 

Moynihan and Selectman Nick Williams on Sept. 8 held what campaign officials called a successful fundraiser to kick off the re-election season.

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Letter: Colm Dobbyn for Town Council

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The town of New Canaan is very fortunate to have Colm Dobbyn offering his time, skills and expertise to become a member of our Town Council. His 35-year legal background, 26 years living in New Canaan, corporate role with MasterCard, and experience on the Inland Wetlands Commission give him the skills and background to be a very effective member.  

I have participated with Colm knocking on the doors of our New Canaan homes and asking our residents what issues are important to them.  t is clear he has listened and as a result has formulated a platform that he will work diligently to execute.  

Colm’s focus will be: (1) commitment to supporting excellent New Canaan public schools; (2) protecting the distinctive character and environment of our town; (3) open and transparent government; (4) to seek to make New Canaan’s legislative entity more responsive to the concerns of our residents; and (5) will advocate for all of the people.  

I strongly support the election of Colm Dobbyn for Town Council

Rich Lurie

Election 2019

Letter: Former Resident Endorses Moynihan-Williams

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To the Editor:

As a former 30-year resident of New Canaan who served nine years on the Parks and Recreation Commission (including three years as chairman), I write to support the re-election of Kevin Moynihan for first selectman and Nick Williams for selectman. I knew Kevin and Nick for many years and I am familiar with their many years of community service on nonprofit boards and as members of the Town Council and Board of Education, respectively, and on the Board of Selectmen. Kevin and Nick followed the New Canaan tradition of serving the community with years of service before stepping up to higher office. Viewing the campaign from afar, it strikes me as odd that Kevin’s Democrat opponent has no record of prior community or government service in New Canaan. My understanding is that he moved to New Canaan only within the last five years and that he still works as a college professor in New Jersey.

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Letter: New Canaan Fortunate for Robin Bates-Mason’s Service

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As a father of five who has had the privilege of calling New Canaan home for the last 30 years, I care deeply about the choices made in Town Hall. As an unaffiliated voter, I represent a growing demographic in New Canaan. We value our independent thinking, and expect the government that represents us to reflect our values regardless of political orientation. 

As a concerned resident, I believe my priorities mirror those of my neighbors: the preservation of the aspects of town we cherish such as its character and a commitment to the modernizations that encourage our town to flourish, with a renewed dedication to fiscally minded decision-making. 

New Canaan’s viability rests on our ability to be sustainable in every sense of the word, and encompasses every aspect of our community and its governance. These entities are all intricately connected and require an adept municipal government that is knowledgeable about relevant information, willing to take on the work to become conversant on new topics, and familiar with the processes and nuances implicit to town management. As I have gotten to know Robin Bates-Mason it has become evident that she—because of her career, community involvement, affability, and perseverance—is someone who can isolate issues, relate to others, collaborate towards a solution, and get the job done. 

Robin is distinctly capable as both a valuable group member, and as a leader when necessary.

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Letter: Local Government Must Be More Inclusive

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Much has been said about inclusion, or lack thereof, in the decision-making process of our town government. It’s my opinion that the process needs to be more inclusive—not for any particular individual, but for the community as a whole. There appears to be a bias against providing town residents with information about proposed process changes and/or projects at the beginnings of discussions about those efforts. The argument against inclusion seems to go something like, “If you want a project to flourish, keep it out of the public eye in the early phases or it will never get off the ground.”

I would respectfully observe that early feedback is invaluable in shaping a project. If the work is done with an absence of participants, then mistakes are inevitable.