Something remarkable happened at the Southbury Town Meeting. We were there to vote on whether to spend funds to clean up downed and damaged trees on Town right of ways. We discussed issues that concerned those who agreed with paying for removal and those who wanted to take another path. Almost as important, the discussion was forthright, yet respectful and the process was well orchestrated. Some noted that a dangerous situation exits, especially if a hanging limb, “widow maker”, were to fall on a passing car or pedestrian or if loose branches blew into the road and forced a car into oncoming traffic. I must say I was warmed to hear applause after those testifying in favor of spending funds made the argument that it was the right thing to do. Of course, we really had no choice but approve getting the work done even though some wanted to micromanage the process. But then why do we have elected officials to do that detail work and make recommendations?

It was said more than once last night that people move here because Southbury it is a nice place to live and that helping each other is part of what makes it that way. Even if a conniving few take advantage of the situation and drag branches from inside their property to the right of way we must still clean up the mess.

Sadly, there were a few who did not seem to be able to see the forest for the trees. Right thing to do? Bah! Humbug! To you I say sometimes living in a community means that occasionally one group needs help and another and has to bear part of the burden of doing it as well.

Nevertheless, I salute everyone who turned out and spoke their piece and stayed to vote.

Drew Morten, Chair
Southbury Democratic Town Committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 4^th; Southbury, Connecticut

There will be a caucus of Southbury Democrats on Tuesday, January 17^th at Southbury Town Hall, 501 Main Street South, Room 205B at 7:30 PM. The purpose of the caucus is to elect members of the Southbury Democratic Town Committee (DTC). Current Town Committee Bylaws limit that number to thirty. Only Democrats registered in Southbury at the time of the caucus are eligible to both vote for and run for a position on the Committee.

Anyone wishing to be considered for nomination by the DTC Nominating Committee should contact Carol Hubert, Nominating Committee Chair at hubertcs@aol.com or 203-264-9488.

The DTC is solely responsible for

• Determining and implementing local Party Policy;
• Organizing and conducting all campaigns to elect party candidates;
• Organizing and conducting all caucuses and primaries;
• Raising and disbursing local Party funds; and
• Sponsoring such other Democratic activities in the Town as it may determine.

Individuals seeking a position should plan on active involvement in the DTC with participation on standing and ad hoc committees and aiding candidates for local, state and national office through fund raising, get out the vote activities and public support.

The Southbury Democratic Town Committee is looking for members who are interested and willing to get involved in supporting a strong local and state Democratic party. DTC activities include identifying candidates for office, assisting with election campaigns and advising state and national leaders on issues important to Southbury.

The new committee members will be selected by a caucus to be held on January 17, 2012 at Town Hall

For information, contact:

Drew Morten 203-267-7267, drumort@aol.com
or
Carol Hubert 203-264-9488, hubertcs@aol.com

Potential members must be registered as Democrats in Southbury.

All of our candidates got elected tonight! Congratulations!

Polls are open from 6AM to 8PM. Don’t know where to vote?? Click here to find your voting district and your polling location.

Democratic Town Committee of Southbury
P. O. Box 217
Southbury, CT 06488
www.southburydemocrats.org

October 27, 2011
For Immediate Release

Southbury, Connecticut: In the past few weeks, Ed Edelson, candidate for First Selectman, has issued a number of position papers on a variety of subjects. We, the Democratic candidates for the Board of Selectmen, Donna Pereira, Ron Pugliese & Ed Gittines, wholeheartedly embrace these positions and, in addition, make the following commitments:

Policy over procedure

• We will encourage the Boards of Selectmen and Finance to concentrate on creating policies under which the various Town Departments may work more efficiently and serve the townspeople more effectively.

Professionalism

• We will encourage professionalism in Town Hall and assist Departments and other Boards and Commissions in working together seamlessly.

Transparency

• We will strive to discuss issues and make decisions in an open and collaborative manner

Communication and accessibility

• We will insist that members of the Board be available to the Townspeople for comment, praise and criticism.

Ethics

• We will hold ourselves and the Board to the highest ethical standards including strict adherence to the Town Code of Ethics.

Technology

• We will support the use of emerging, state of the art technology to reduce costs, increase efficiency, enhance communication and provide the taxpayers with the best possible service available.

Having heard no positions, new ideas or discussion of substantive issues from our Republican counterparts, we can only assume that they will be eager to work with us as we move forward in advancing Southbury.

For more information contact Drew Morten, Democratic Town Committee Chair, (202) 267-7267 or drumort@aol.com

The 32nd State Democratic Central District, representing the towns of Southbury, Woodbury, Middletown, Bethlehem, Washington, Oxford, Bridgewater, Seymour, Watertown, Thomaston and Roxbury are holding a free Democratic picnic.

Sunday, September 25th
1:00 – 4:00 PM
Hollows Park Pavilion
Woodbury, CT

You are cordially invited to this annual Democratic gathering. Of course, the local candidates will be speaking, and Democratic dignitaries have been invited (including our governor, lieutenant governor, constitutional officers, congressional representatives etc.)

Photo Caption: Congressman Murphy, CD-5, speaking with attendees at the 2010 picnic in Hollow Park.

Southbury Democrats respond to Republican Town Committee decision to change their caucus rules to limit the caucus to only Town Committee members and exclude any other registered Republicans from participating in this very democratic process. Here is statement by Drew Morton, Chair:

“The Southbury Democrat Town Committee chooses candidates through an open caucus, where we welcome all registered Democrats to participate. One of the most important reasons for registering with a political party is to be able to participate in the candidate selection process whether it be a caucus or a primary. I am shocked that the Republican Town Committee has chosen to keep the selection to a handful of insiders. I couldn’t imagine the Democratic Town Committee depriving our community of the chance to have their voices heard. This action by the RTC again displays the kind of arrogance and perhaps even disdain that, as an entrenched party, it holds about fellow Republicans. We believe that in local government, where those in office are so closely linked to community, voters registered with a party have a right to a direct say in selecting their party’s nominee. We trust our fellow Democratic voters to select the best candidates for our party and for Southbury.”