As expected, the Oxford Democrats at their nominating caucus Monday night nominated unaffiliated Joseph Calabrese to be their candidate for First Selectman.
Calabrese,55, is the administrative assistant for First Selectman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers, who has decided not to seek a third term.
He said he has the experience on the job the town needs to continue its progress.
He will face off against either George Temple, the Republican party’s nominee, or Republican David Yish, who is the Republican Town Committee’s pick for the office, but lost in the convention last week.
Yish announced last Friday he will force a primary against Temple.
“They are both good people but I think I’m more prepared for this position,” Calabrese said at the end of the brief caucus.
The caucus drew about 50 registered Democrats to Town Hall. It lasted one hour, in contrast to the long Republican caucus last week at which a winner was not announced until 1 a.m.
The voting wrapped up quickly Monday and Dave McKane emerged as the candidate for the Board of Selectman, as Calabrese’s running mate. McKane is going for his sixth term.
“I was inspired once again when I heard Joe was a candidate,” McKane said of his decision to run again.
Some interesting turnabouts at the convention were the Democrats’ selection of two Republicans for a few seats. The Democrats chose Jacqueline Orner, a Republican who serves as Tax Collector, to be the candidate for that office. Orner did not win nomination from her own party.
Robert DeBisschop, a Republican, is the Democrat’s choice for Board of Finance.
Carol Georgette, the Democratic Town Committee chairman, said the Republicans were welcome to run on the Democratic ticket because the Democrats are the party of inclusion.
“We are the party of inclusion that represents American values,” Georgette said.
She was especially proud of unaffiliated Calabrese.
“He is a great manager, he is a gentleman, and he is an independent thinker. Who is better to run the town as First Selectman? Absolutely no one,” Georgette said.
The following is the Democratic slate:
First Selectman
Joseph Calabrese
Board of Selectmen
David McKane (incumbent)
Treasurer
James Murphy
Tax Collector
Jacqueline Orner (incumbent)
Board of Finance
Nancy Schmitt (incumbent)
Robert Greene
Robert DeBisschop
Board of Education
Amy Cote,
Stephen Brown
Diane Soracco
Board of Assessment Appeals
Donna Popowski (incumbent)
Angela Skyers
Planning and Zoning Commission
Harold Cosgrove (incumbent)
James Moore
Zoning Board of Appeals
Paul Aiksnoras (incumbent)
Wayne Johnson
Joseph Kidd
