#Middlebury #MRTC #DRTC
Parties choose endorsed candidates for November election
By MARJORIE NEEDHAM
The November election ballot began to take shape July 18 when the Middlebury Democratic and Republican town committees (MDTC and MRTC) met to choose their endorsed candidates for the Nov. 7 election. We expect those candidates will be listed as the endorsed candidates on the November ballot, but it’s not too late for things to change.
Candidates have until Aug. 9 at 4 p.m. to file nominating petitions or primary petitions. A nominating petition will get a candidate’s name on the ballot. A primary petition will force a Sept. 12 primary to determine if the candidate who filed the primary petition will receive the party’s endorsement instead of the candidate chosen in July.
At the November election, Middlebury voters will choose a first selectman, two selectmen, a town clerk, a town treasurer, two Board of Finance members, one Board of Assessment Appeals member, three Police Commission members, two Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) members, two library trustees, one Pomperaug Valley Water Authority member and two Regional School District 15 Board of Education members.
Incumbent First Selectman Edward B. St. John got the Republican endorsement for another term. Democrats endorsed Selectman Michael J. McCormack to challenge St. John for the first selectman position.
Both selectmen positions will be on the ballot this year, but each voter may vote for only one. Incumbent Elaine Strobel (R) got her party’s endorsement. Democrats chose Stephen Ferrucci III to run for the other selectman position.
Town Clerk Edith Salisbury (R) is up for re-election. She was endorsed by both the Republicans and the Democrats, so is unopposed at this time.
Incumbent Town Treasurer Robin Stanziale was endorsed by the Republicans while Linda Herrmann was endorsed by the Democrats.
For the Board of Finance positions, incumbents Vincent Cipriano (R) and Joseph Drauss (D) are up for re-election. Republicans endorsed Cipriano, and Democrats endorsed Drauss.
Incumbent Brendan Browne (R) is up for re-election to the Board of Assessment Appeals. Republicans endorsed him, and the Democrats chose not to endorse a candidate for this position.
Republicans Paul Bowler, Thomas King and George Moreira are the incumbent Police Commission members. All were endorsed by the MRTC. Democrats endorsed to run against them are Linda Herrmann, Joseph Drauss and Noa Miller.
The WPCA has two positions open, one held by Republican incumbent Daniel Civitello and one held by Democratic incumbent Noa Miller. Each party endorsed its incumbent and chose not to run a second candidate.
The two open Library Board of Trustees positions are held by Democrats, Robert Desmarais and Marilyn Engelman. Engelman, who has served for many years, decided not to run for another term. Democrats therefore endorsed Robert Desmarais and Pat Fahey for the two openings. Republicans did not endorse candidates for either position.
Republicans endorsed incumbent Rito Albini for the Pomperaug Valley Water Authority. Democrats did not endorse a candidate for this position.
Republicans also endorsed the Regional School District 15 Board of Education Republican incumbents, Paul Babarik and Richard Spierto. Democrats endorsed Dr. Amanda Laprime and Christopher Evans for these two positions.
