Category: Blog

2024 Election Reflection

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The election results may have presented a setback for our hopes, but it’s crucial that we reflect on the origins of those hopes. They were formed through the strong bonds we share and the tremendous effort we put into this election. Together with our candidates, we united to connect with our neighbors, declaring that the Darien Democrats are ready to stand and fight.

To our candidates who bravely stepped up to run for office and serve their community—Sheila Quinn, Michael Balzano, and Joanna Walsh—and to the countless volunteers who invested their time knocking on doors, making calls, delivering yard signs, and engaging with friends and neighbors—your dedication is deeply appreciated. 

We have important work ahead of us here in Darien. And, after witnessing the commitment each of you displayed this year, I am more confident than ever that, together, we will continue to strengthen our core group of Darien Democrats, prepared to fight for and protect our values.

Warm regards,

Rob Richards
Chair, Darien Democratic Town Committee

 

Sheila Quinn Campaign Qualifies for Citizens’ Election Program Grant

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Darien, CT – The Sheila Quinn for State Representative campaign announced today that Quinn has been approved for a grant under the Citizens’ Election Program (CEP), Connecticut’s campaign financing system. Quinn is running as the endorsed Democratic candidate in the 141st assembly district. The district includes portions of Darien and Norwalk.

“In these incredibly difficult times, and with so much work that goes unfinished, it’s more important than ever to elect people who bring real results to the people in our communities.” Quinn added, “I will be the voice of Darien and Norwalk in Hartford and I know I can work with leadership so our communities are getting our fair share.”
 
The campaign reported raising a total of $6,250 from 200 individual contributions with 165 contributors residing in both towns, far above the amounts required to qualify for public financing. To be eligible for a campaign financing grant, candidates for state representative must raise a minimum of $5,800 in amounts ranging from $5 up to $320 with a minimum of 150 contributors coming from within the district towns.
 
“The Citizens’ Election Program is an important program that provides candidates with the resources to run their campaign without spending all their time fundraising,” Quinn said. “It really levels the playing field and allows me as a candidate to focus on knocking on doors, talking with voters, and listening to their concerns. I am grateful to everyone who contributed to my campaign, especially to the people of Darien and Norwalk for their support.”

Quinn, a graduate of New York University, is a 16 year Darien resident, businesswoman, and proud mother of two.
 
For more information about Sheila Quinn’s campaign, visit www.quinnforct.com.

Quinn For CT

Changing how
we do business

Corey Frate Needs Your Vote!

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What?
Corey Frate is a candidate to represent Darien at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago on August 19-22.

And if you reside in the 4th Congressional District (Jim Himes), then Corey would like your vote!

Where?
The convention to elect Corey for the 4th District will be held at Norwalk City Hall, located at 125 East Ave in the Community Room. 

When?
Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Arrive at 6:30 p.m.

Special Instructions
Please note that you need to arrive at 6:30 pm to be signed in for voting. The voting is for selecting 4 men and 4 women who will represent us at the DNC. The event is expected to last for 2 hours. Corey is one of the 17 male candidates and the only one from Darien! Therefore, it is crucial for as many of us as possible to be present there and vote for him. 

Early Voting

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Next week, on March 26, early voting opens in Connecticut! For the first time ever, you will have the freedom to cast your ballot EARLY in the Presidential Preference Primary.

  • Early Voting will be conducted from 10:00am to 6:00pm at Darien Town Hall (2 Renshaw Road) in Room 119; there is only one central location for early voting for all Darien voters.
  • Early Voting will be conducted on Tuesday, March 26th; Wednesday, March 27th; Thursday, March 28th; Saturday, March 30th. No voting on Friday or Sunday due to the holidays.
  • It is too late to enroll in a party for the Early Voting period (as of noon today), but there is still time to vote in the April 2nd election.
  • Voters will be able to enroll with the Democratic Party in person up until April 1st at Noon to be eligible to vote in the April 2nd primary. 


Early voting is convenient and easy, and we hope you will take advantage of Connecticut’s expansion of voting rights. Click the button below to find your polling location, voter registration information, and more.
 

New Leadership Announced for 2024-2026 Darien Democratic Town Committee

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Darien, CT – March 13, 2024

New Leadership Announced for 2024-2026 Darien Democratic Town Committee

The 2024-2026 Darien Democratic Town Committee is proud to introduce its newly elected leadership team, bringing renewed energy and commitment to local engagement as we face new opportunities and challenges. The committee’s leadership for the upcoming term includes:

  • Chair: Rob Richards
  • Vice Chair: Goody Gray
  • Treasurer: Dan Noble
  • Secretary: Sheila Quinn

 

In addition to the executive team, the committee welcomes an esteemed group of members who reflect a diverse range of perspectives and experiences:

  • Adam Balgach
  • Michael Balzano
  • Katherine Gray Bunoski
  • Krista Carnes
  • Marcia Cleary
  • Lenore Douglas
  • Kristin Edwards
  • Susie Flaherty
  • Corey Frate
  • Susan Gray
  • Ric Grefé
  • Abigail Hornstein
  • Alicia Johnson
  • Kathy Piro
  • Erika Procaccini
  • Sherry Ramsay
  • Jennifer Leahy Slotkin
  • Maureen Early Vlak
  • Alison von Klemperer

 

“2024 marks a pivotal election year, and it has never been more important for the Darien community to actively participate at the National, State, and LOCAL levels,” stated Rob Richards, a former Selectman and the newly appointed Chair. “We urge individuals to contribute as volunteers or consider becoming candidates themselves. Your involvement is crucial to developing policy and pursuing strategies that protect our children’s health, safety, and education and continue to develop Darien with respect for people, place, and planet.”

 

Goody Gray, Vice Chair and head of Nominating emphasized a commitment to developing winning local strategies and called for widespread participation. “We are actively seeking individuals to engage with us as we shape effective local approaches,” Gray stated.

 

As part of their efforts to enhance local representation, the committee seeks candidates to run for the 141st State Representative position. Prospective candidates are encouraged to contact Goody Gray at vicechair@dariendemocrats.com for further information.

 

The 2024 Democratic Town Slate, poised for election this year, includes:

  • 141st State Representative
  • Board of Education – Julie Best
  • Registrar of Voters – Susan Gray

The 2024-2026 Darien Democratic Town Committee looks forward to an enthusiastic and engaged community as they work towards a prosperous future for Darien.

 

For media inquiries, please contact Ric Grefé at press@dariendemocrats.com. 

Connecticut Ranked the 7th Fastest Growing Economy in the Country

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Connecticut Ranked the 7th Fastest Growing Economy in the Country

Did you know Connecticut was ranked the 7th fastest growing economy in the country and that Gen Z is choosing to move here more than any other state? Millennials are not far behind, moving to our state at the fourth-highest rate.

The contrast between red states and blue states could not be clearer. 

States that have restricted reproductive choice since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade have seen a 10% drop in the number of applications for OB-GYN residencies. Meanwhile, the assault on higher education in Southern states is causing faculty to leave. Universities are reporting declines in applications for open positions, with many reporting declined job offers. Reactionary social policies forced upon K-12 schools have caused increasing teacher resignations and classrooms unable to fill vacancies. America’s 10 worst states in which to live and work, according to CNBC, are all led by the GOP.

In Connecticut, we will continue our work on strengthening our home care system by protecting worker safety through transparency and protective technology. We will further the effort to increase the accessibility and affordability of prescription drugs by identifying drugs facing potential supply shortages before those shortages occur and allowing Canadian pharmaceutical imports. We will provide more access to paid sick days for up to 1.6 million more workers by expanding access, provide more protections for victims of domestic violence through expanding existing programs and resources available through our legal system, develop vital safety measures for users of artificial intelligence, and cut junk fees for broadband and streaming service consumers.

To safeguard our precious freedoms, this year we are proposing an amendment to the Connecticut constitution. It will address and enshrine personal freedoms – such as reproductive rights, marriage equality, interracial marriage, and the use of contraception – that had been considered settled Constitutional law until a Trump-appointed U.S. Supreme Court decided to upend decades of common sense precedent and potentially undermine the “right to privacy” first articulated as a Constitutional principle in 1965 in Griswold v. Connecticut.

Read more of the op-ed by Senate President Martin Looney and me here: 

 

DTC endorses Kadi Lublin for the Board of Education

Posted on by Kathryn Doran

Darien Democratic Town Committee (DTC) endorses Kadiatu (Kadi) Lublin for the Board of Education

July 21, 2022

 

Darien Democratic Town Committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kathryn Doran, DTC Communications Committee Chair
info@DarienDemocrats.com
www.DarienDemocrats.com

The Darien Democratic Town Committee (DTC) is pleased to announce its endorsement of Kadiatu (Kadi) Lublin for the Board of Education.  

Kadi has been an active volunteer within our schools for many years, most recently serving on the Ox Ridge Building Committee and as chair of the Special Education subcommittee for the Council of Darien School Parents (CDSP). She is also a former co-chair of the Ox Ridge Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).  During the 2020-2021 school year, she volunteered as a substitute teacher to ensure that school buildings could remain open for students when there were pandemic related staff shortages.

Kadi is a graduate of Indiana University and has continued her love of learning by taking summer study and executive education courses at Columbia and NYU. She has a diverse background and skill set, having worked for both financial and design firms as well as having entrepreneurial experience starting and running her own business for several years here in Darien.  Kadi is currently working as a Director with Infralinx Capital Partners, LLC.  She also serves on the advisory board of ReadWorks, a non profit that partners with K-12 teachers to solve our nation’s student achievement gap.

Kadi and her husband, Derek, moved to Darien in 2008.  They have three children, the two oldest are at Darien High School and Middlesex Middle School, while her youngest is at The Winward School.  Their two energetic yellow labs round out their busy family.

Stacey Tie, Darien DTC Vice-Chair, in her nomination of Ms. Lublin said:

“Kadi is a passionate advocate for our schools and our children.  She is smart, measured, dedicated and is an independent thinker.  She stands up for what she believes in. She is ready to roll up her sleeves and get to work.  I can’t wait to see her work on the Board.”

Of her run for Board of Education Kadi said:

“When I visited Darien for the first time, I was immediately charmed by the friendly community, beautiful beaches and educational reputation of the town and I am proud to call Darien home. 

Having been involved for several years, I have seen many sides of our educational system – from individual school PTOs, to the district wide CDSP, meeting regularly with administrators and parents in both of those roles.  Additionally, I have served on the Ox Ridge Building Committee for three years working with multiple stakeholders – at all levels, across diverse skill sets – in collaboration to design and construct a modern and sustainable school that, I hope, will inspire students and staff and set a new standard for educational facilities in Darien.  As a member of the Board of Education,  I will serve our community and our students – always putting their best interests first.”

Theresa Vogt, Darien DTC chair stated, “The strength of our district and the community means always moving forward to prepare our students for their lives beyond the Darien schools. Kadi’s wealth of experience in our schools, community and business world will enable her to get to work on Day 1.” 

BOF Approved Budget Moves to RTM

Posted on by Kathryn Doran

22′-23′ Town of darien budget

The Board of Finance has approved the 22-23 Town of Darien Budget. It now moves to the RTM for final approval on May 9th.  The Board of Finance budget files are now available on-line for residents to review.

Taxpayers are encouraged to reach out to the RTM with their comments by emailing RTM members at darienrtm@darienct.gov

Charlotte Hunter

Designer

Nettie Allen

Engineer