Old Saybrook Democratic Town Committee

The January monthly meeting scheduled for tonight has been cancelled due to inclement weather.  Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday February 23, 2015 @ 7PM at the Acton Public Library.

The OSDTC would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy new year.  We hope everyone heads into 2015 feeling refreshed and excited for the new year.  If you haven’t done so already, check out our facebook page and follow us on Twitter.  Happy New Year!

The weather was perfect for the 2014 Saybrook Stroll on June 27 and you couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to be at our table:

On May 27 at the Pavilion at Saybrook Point we hosted a “Meet the Candidates” event.  In attendance was Terry Lomme – candidate for Judge of Probate, Mary Stone – candidate for the 23rd State Assembly, Betsy Ritter - candidate for the 20th State Senate (middle school voters), and Emily Bjornberg – candidate for the 33rd State Senate (high school voters).  Thank you to everyone who attended, brought food, or donated raffle items.  Here are  a few pictures:

The OSDTC voted and endorsed Betsy Ritter for the 20th State Senate District.  Here is a small bio detailing Betsy’s service and accomplishments:

• Served as State Representative for the 38^th Assembly District since November 2004, representing the Towns of Waterford & Montville
• First elected to public office in Waterford in 1990.  She served 15 years in municipal government, including time as the Registrar of Voters, then as Town Treasurer, and finally as Tax Collector.
• In the legislature, she has served as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Co-Chair of the Public Health Committee, and as a member of the Appropriations, Human Services, and Energy and Technology Committees.
• Betsy’s accomplishments include:
  • Working to secure more PILOT money for her district
  • Securing $800,000 for a water line extension in the Palmertown area in Montville
  • Working with the delegation to secure $5 million in funding for the upgrade of the Montville wastewater system
  • Helping to secure a grant for the expansion of the Eugene O’Neill Theater
  • Leading passage of legislation to develop a more secure bioscience sector for the region
  • Championing legislation concerning sexual assault, stalking, and intimate partner violence on campus—landmark legislation
  • Defeating the Electric Generation Tax that would have driven up electric rates and closed generating plants
• Works for healthcare reform and was named to the National Conference of State Legislature’s Healthcare Committee
• Recognized by numerous state-wide professional organizations & advocacy groups for her legistlature efforts for healthcare access and reform
• In 2009, she led the initiative for affordable care to the uninsured and underinsured through delivery system reform and collaboration with the state health insurance pool, resulting in the creation of the Office of Health Reform and Innovation and the SustiNet Health Care Cabinet in 2011
• Volunteers as a member of the Board of Natchaug Hospital and the Board of United Cerebral Palsy of Eastern CT
• Other recent honors include:
  • 2009—CT Heart Association Legislator of the Year
  • 2011—March of Dimes “Excellence in Public Affairs” Award
  • 2014—AARP Legislative Leadership Award
  • 100% rating from the CT League of Conservation Voters for her advocacy of environmental initiatives

We are in full swing for the Democratic Conventions starting last week.

The State Convention was held on Friday, May 16.  On the ticket you will see Governor Dan Malloy (incumbent), Lt Governor Nancy Wyman (incumbent), SOTS Denise Merrill (incumbent), State Treasurer Denise Nappier (incumbent), State Comptroller Kevin Lumbo (incumbent), and Attorney General George Jepsen (incumbent).

For the 33rd State Senate District, Emily Bjornberg accepted the nomination. The OSDTC has also endorsed her.  For more information you can visit Emily’s website at www.emily4ct.com.

In the 20th State Senate District, Betsy Ritter won the nomination over Bill Satti 28 to 22.  The OSDTC has endorsed Betsy Ritter.  There is no word yet whether or not Bill Satti will primary.

For the 23rd State Representative District, Mary Stone accepted the nomination.  The OSDTC has also endorsed her.

Our May OSDTC meeting is cancelled, and we are welcoming people to attend our Spring Fund Raiser on Tuesday, May 27th at the Pavilion at Saybrook Point for some light refreshments and conversation.  Our local candidates will be invited for an opportunity to meet the candidates who are running in the upcoming November elections.

The cost is $35.00 per person which will help to fund our campaign for the upcoming election.  The time is from 6:00 – 8:00 PM.  To RSVP, please call Mary Kennedy at 860-388-9455 or edekennedy@comcast.net.

At the monthly OSDTC meeting on Monday, April 28th the following were endorsed: Emily Bjornberg for the 33rd State Senate seat, Mary Stone for the 23rd State Assembly seat, and  Betsy Ritter for the 20th State Senate seat. Congratulations, and onto victory for you all!!!

The OSDTC will meet at 7:30, unless noted otherwise, on the following dates in 2014:

Monday, January 27

Monday, February 24

Monday, March 31 (7:00PM)

Monday, April 28

Tuesday, May 27 – - CANCELLED for Spring Fund Raiser

Monday, June 23

Monday, July 28

Monday, August 25

Monday, September 22

Monday, October 27

Monday, November 17

There is no meeting scheduled for the month of December.