Politics & Government

Candidates, Parties React to Republican Sweep in Election 2013

The Republican party swept the 2013 municipal election in Avon and the voters also elected Democratic incumbents to the three major boards. 

Click here to view the official results submitted to the Connecticut Secretary of State's Office

BOARD OF FINANCE

The Board of Finance, which was the focus of the Democratic campaign, goes unchanged. Incumbents Cathy M. Durdan (R), James E. Speich (R), Margaret H. Bratton (R) and Thomas Gugliotti (D) were re-elected.

"I'm very pleased with the election results, Durdan wrote in an email to Patch. "The positive comments I received going door to door told me the results were going to be in our favor.I 'm quite excited about being re-elected to the Board of Finance and look forward to the next four years. I would like to thank the wonderful people of Avon for their support."

While many on the Democratic slate were not elected, Gugliotti said he hopes that the campaign brought some concerns of the minority party in town to light. 

"I think that the Democratic Party campaign raised a number of bona fide issues and concerns which should be of interest to the residents of Avon in the coming years," Gugliotti said. "Both parties conducted their campaigns in the longstanding tradition of elections in Avon - with respect and cordiality. That being said we are nonetheless disappointed that we could not make inroads into greater representation on the various Town boards. We continue to believe that in the long run Avon would benefit from a broader view and perspective."

TOWN COUNCIL

The Town Council has two new faces. 

Heather Maguire (R) was officially elected to Town Council after being appointed to serve out the remainder of late Councilman Christopher May's term.

"I am humbled by the support the Town of Avon has shown to me," Maguire wrote in an email to Patch on Thursday. "We are fortunate to have so many qualified citizens willing to dedicate their time to the Town. I am looking forward to serving on the Town Council and having the opportunity to start immediately. Being appointed to serve out Dr. May's term will give me the chance to be involved in the upcoming budget season."

William Stokesbury joins the Town Council after previously serving as vice chairman of the Board of Education. 

Republican Town Council Chairman Mark Zacchio (2,747) got the most votes over Maguire (2,746) by a vote.

"I'm especially thankful for the opportunity to serve another term on the Town Council, and really look forward to working with our two new members as well as the incumbents who were re-elected," Zacchio wrote in an email to Patch. "I think we have a strong team."

Douglas Evans (R) and David Peña (D) were also re-elected.

"I am obviously pleased with election results as it reflects the fact that a majority of voters are pleased with the Republican leadership in Avon," Evans said in an email to Patch. 

 Peña thanked the voters for their support. 

"Needless to say, I was disappointed more Democrats were not successful in getting elected but I also want to congratulate all of the incumbents on being re-elected," Peña said. "I also want to congratulate the newly elected members of the Town Council and I look forward working with them. The election is over and now we must get down to business and address the needs of the town."

Peña will once again sit as the only Democrat at the Town Council. The last time there were two Democrats on the council was when William Shea served alongside Peña before he was ousted in 2011.

The Democrats had hoped to regain a seat and put Ben Colman on the council, but that did not come to fruition.

"This is my home and I feel a responsibility as a resident and husband/father to make it the best community possible," Colman wrote in an email to Patch. "I can do that as an elected official or as someone who monitors and comments on how the schools/town are governed. I'm not going away - I'll try to serve the community in other ways. What gets accomplished in the next few years is entirely dependent on what the new TC/BOF/BOE will allow. I wish them all the best of luck and am always willing and available to help out in any way." 

The moderators initially added Evans' and Colman's vote counts up incorrectly Tuesday night as 2,411 and 1,526, respectively, but the registrars confirmed Wednesday afternoon that Evans actually got 2,441 votes and Colman got 2,066.

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Incumbents Peggy J. Roell (2,482), a Republican and the current school board chairperson, Republican Kathy Zirolli (2,653) and Democrat Jay S. Spivak (2,489) were re-elected, with Zirolli getting the most votes. 

"I am excited to have been reelected to the BOE and appreciate the support of the community," Roell said in an email to Patch. 

Zirolli said she's happy to serve the board for another four years and thanked the voters for their support.  

"I chose to run again for the Board of Education to help continue the path of improvement we started four years ago. I believe we can always strive to improve. Thus, I remain dedicated to  enhancing our excellent educational foundation, communicating transparently, and evaluating our education finances," Zirolli said.  "I continue to believe there are consolidation opportunities (town and BOE functions) that would result in savings to be redeployed for our students. I strongly support Gary Mala’s continuing efforts to seek efficiencies and increase student learning opportunities."

Republican Kenneth S. Birk (2,272) joins the board for the first time.

"I am honored and privileged to be given the opportunity to serve the children and parents of Avon on the Board of Education," he said. "Additionally, I am excited to begin work and collaborate with such a talented and well-accomplished group of professionals. I'm looking forward to continuing to inspire a passionate learning environment, prepare for the future with optimized technology and connect our children with industry. "

He will fill the seat vacated by Stokesbury when he decided to run for Town Council.  

"While we are sorry to be losing Bill's experience to the Town Council, we are looking forward to Ken joining our Board," Roell said. "The input of a successful,  younger person will be a nice addition to our board."

Spivak, one of the few Democrats elected, said that he's "relieved that the election is over."

"I really enjoy serving on the Board of Education but I am not a fan of campaigning," Spivak said. "While I am happy to see some very qualified individuals elected, I am also disappointed that some really good candidates were not elected.  I am looking forward to the next four years and working together with the other elected officials to keep Avon a great place to live." 

One of those people is Joanne Beers, a former Republican, who ran as a Democrat for the school board and has supported Avon schools through her volunteer work in the Avon Education Foundation. 

"My congratulations to everyone who won in yesterday's election, and my thanks to friends and neighbors who supported my campaign," she said. "I firmly believe that it is the responsibility of our entire community, old and young, to assure our schools keep pace with changes needed to prepare our students for the future."

Her support for the schools does not stop even though she was not chosen as an elected official for the school board. 

"While I won't be a member of the Board of Education, I will continue to support public education in our town through my volunteer efforts with the Avon Education Foundation, celebrating its 10th year having provided over $200,000 in funding for creative and innovative projects benefiting our children and residents, and the Avon Dollars for Scholars who make it a bit easier for students to pursue their education after high school graduation," she said.

But Spivak is also looking forward to working with fellow board members "to ensure that our schools continue to provide excellent education for all students in Avon."  

"With the board over the next four years, I will continue improving transparency and communication while maintaining fiscally responsible budgets," Spivak said. "I plan to find more ways that the Alternative Resources Committee can expand opportunities for students. My one new goal is for our board and faculty to work to improve the school culture and climate so every student feels good about themselves and has a positive experience in all of Avon's schools."

He said that while he got the most votes for the school board race in 2009 and Zirolli got the most this time around, that won't determine the board chairperson. Roell was last chosen by her peers as chairperson in 2010, as well as Stokesbury for vice chairman.  

Vote counts do not determine the chairperson for any of Avon's boards. In January, Town Clerk Ann Dearstyne will swear in the elected officials and then call for a motion and a second to appoint a chair, Zacchio said.  The chairperson is nominated and elected by their peers. 

Zirolli, chairperson of the board's Policy Committee, said the committee is reviewing policies "prior to CABE (Connecticut Association of Boards of Education) uploading our policies onto a platform that allows high speed and easily searchable access to up-to-date policies." 

"Certain policies need to be added to keep up with modern technology and our teachers’ desires to maintain excellent instruction methods (e.g., bring your own device, alternative resources, etc.)," Zirolli said. "There is work to be done. I am grateful I was re-elected, and I look forward to turning my attention from campaigning to focus on continuing to improve our excellent schools." 

OTHER BOARDS

Republican Richard S. Connell and Democrat Timothy S. Owens were elected to the Board of Assessment Appeals.

Eric C. Johansen (R) and Michael R. Oleyer (D) were elected to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Incumbent Daryl L. Worobow (D), also the Democratic Town Committee chairman, was ousted from the Zoning Board of Appeals. 

PARTY REACTIONS

"With some very strong candidates and support from key individuals, we would have expected better results. We wish the newly elected Republicans well and will continue to support our candidates who won," Worobow wrote in an email. "However, we continue to pursue issues relating to strategic planning and financial management in the Town."

Republican Town Committee Chairman Brian Ladouceur Jr., who also serves as the chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals, was pleased with the Republican sweep. He called it a "total team effort" that "added many new faces to our volunteer ranks."

"It goes to show that Avon has high information voters who recognize how well the town is run, are not swayed by mis-information and divisive tactics, and that the hard work of going door to door and events to make a personal connection with people still has a place in local politics," he said in a statement to Patch. "My sincere hope is that newly re-elected Democrat candidates will work with their fellow Republican board / council members as before and also be the catalyst for change within their party leadership to shed the divisive tactics that failed to win over voters and is not in keeping with what is best for Avon," he added.   

Marc Reich, the chairman of the Democratic campaign, on the contrary, said that his party "ran a well-organized and fact-based campaign throughout which reached and appealed to many voters in Town, Democrats, Republicans and independents alike."

"While I am disappointed by the outcome of yesterday’s municipal election, I am encouraged by the progress made by the Avon Democrats in raising awareness of several issues important to the future of the Town," Reich said Wednesday. "I am hopeful the Republican majority recognizes there is a substantial minority of voters who desire some important changes and improvements in the Town.  The Avon Republicans, always well organized, should be commended for getting their supporters to the polls in sufficient numbers to retain their seats.  I truly enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of this campaign and work with our 11 Democratic  candidates.  Their diligence, intellect, and, most importantly, their commitment to Avon, were evident in everything they did in attempting to bring about a 'Brighter Future for Avon.' Finally, I’d like to thank all of the campaign advisors and volunteers who shared our vision and worked so hard in so many ways. This spirited campaign would not have been possible without them."

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