First Selectman Debate
October 9, 2009

Click here to hear the WINY Radio Debate.

Canterbury First Endorsements
September 2, 2009

The Canterbury First Party has annnonced their endorsements for the 2009 Municipal elections, and have chosen to support the majority of the Canterbury Democratic Slate. They have endorsed the following candidates...

Brian Sear (First Selectmen), Lee Wrigley (Selectman) John Tetreault (Town Clerk/Tax Collector), Christina Fensley (Treasurer), Ellen Chalfant (BOF), Marie Andrews (BOF), Bob DeLuca (BOF), Ray Roode (BOF alt), Adam Fritzsche (BOF alt), Steve Brown (BOE), Jim Clark (P & Z), Kyle Green (P & Z), Peter 'Braith' Kelly (P&Z), Donna Green (ZBA), Dave McKinley (ZBA), Greg Arpin (ZBA alt), Bob Hegan (BAA), Nancy Beldin (Library), Dave McKinley (Library), Anne Picard (Library), Bill Deason (Const), Kavi Ruuskanen (Const), Ray Shinkiewicz (Const.).

Canterbury Democrats change candidates
(from the Norwich Bulletin, August 21, 2009)

Canterbury, Conn. — The Canterbury Democratic Town Committee has made changes to its slate of candidates for the November municipal election. Katherine Zapadka was withdrawn as the endorsed candidate for town treasurer and Christina Fensley was endorsed to take her place.

Committee spokesman Chris Pitts said Zapadka was a placeholder until a formal candidate could be nominated. Pitts said several other candidates, who were endorsed to hold spots but cannot be elected because of minority representation limitations, also were withdrawn from the slate Tuesday. These were Kimberly Kelly and Connie Sear for Board of Education, William Deason and Linda DiPasquale for the Board of Finance and Pitts for the Library Board.

FENSLEY ADDED TO SLATE!

Canterbury, Conn., August 18, 2009 --  The Canterbury Democrats are happy to announce that this evening at a special DTC meeting we unanimously endorsed our friend and neighbor Christina Fensley (of McV Farm fame) to run for Town Treasurer.

Christina brings with her a wealth of accounting experience, and as an ‘unaffiliated voter’ we welcome her non-partisan approach to the office of Treasurer.

Please join me in welcoming her to the Sear-Wrigley team!

CANTERBURY DEMOCRATS ENDORSE SLATE 

Canterbury, Conn., July 29, 2009 --  On Tuesday, July 28, 2009, at a special endorsement meeting, the Canterbury Democratic Town Committee (CDTC) voted unanimously to accept its slate of candidates for the 2009 Municipal Election.

Leading the ticket are First Selectman Brian H. Sear and Selectman Leslie F. Wrigley, Jr., who successfully ran for the same positions in the 2007 Municipal election. The committee also endorsed a full slate of candidates for all Boards and Commissions, welcoming new candidates such as John Tetreault for Town Clerk/Tax Collector and Stephen Brown for Board of Education, as well as veteran candidates such as Ellen Chalfant for Board of Finance, Heather DeLuca for Board of Education and Nancy Belden from the Library Board.

CDTC Chairman Peter Kelly spoke to the process of forming the 2009 slate of candidates, saying “In 2007 we put forward a slate composed of the best candidates, regardless of party affiliation, willing to work together for Canterbury. The voters spoke loudly and clearly at the polls, letting us know they approved. I’m proud to say we’ve repeated the effort again this year with a great slate of candidates including members from Canterbury’s three political parties.”

First Selectman Brian Sear told the candidates, “In 2007 we ran on a platform encouraging open, responsible government, and focused on developing common ground with all citizens on what is best for Canterbury. We have worked hard to achieve these goals, with the added burden of maintaining town services and staff while in an economic crisis. Now we have the opportunity and responsibility to continue these efforts. While we have started the process, real progress takes sustained effort.”

DEMOCRATS KICK OFF THE 2009 ELECTION SEASON

Canterbury, Conn., July 18, 2009 -- The Canterbury Democrats ushered in the 2009 Election Season in style - hosting their second biennial "Summer Sundown" picnic. Live music was provided by "The Travelin' Trout Band" of Barkhamstead, and complimented an afternoon of Mexican food, margaritas and a wildly popular 'Silent Auction'. Despite cutting this year's ticket price in half (due to the state of the national economy) Treasurer Loreen Hegan reported an increase in income from the last event.

Brian Sear gave a rousing speech - and the crowd was optimistic about the upcoming election. "We've put together a great slate of candidates again this year. We've come a long way over the past two years - but there's still work to be done," said First Selectman Sear.

We were also pleased to welcome special guest State Comptroller Nancy Wyman, as well as DTC representatives from our neighboring Quiet Corner towns of Ashford, Brooklyn, Eastford, Hampton and Pomfret.