Seymour Democrats loudly endorsed incumbent Paul Roy as First Selectman during a well-attended meeting at the Community Center.
In a brief acceptance speech, Roy said the person elected First Selectman should be the person who can do the best job. It shouldn’t be based on “tradition or any right to that job,” he said.
“As First Selectman I believe over the last two years I did the best possible job, given the economy in the state and in our country,” Roy said.
Roy said the town has refinanced its debt under his watch and established an energy committee — all of which has saved Seymour money.
“We have kept taxes to a minimal increase and still provided the services to the community,” he said.
See the video for Roy’s complete speech.
While incumbents always have a natural advantage in local elections, Roy was only elected two years ago. And the economy isn’t much better than it was in 2009.
However, the Democrats through some well-known names on the under-ticket Monday, including former state Rep. Theresa Conroy and Karen Stanek, a recently retired teacher.
Conroy and incumbent Board of Selectmen member Philip Wilhelmy III are serving as Roy’s campaign manager.
Conroy said she considered running for the Board of Education, where she thinks more money should make it to the classroom.
“It’s a little top heavy,” Conroy said, referring to school administrators.
However, she thought she could be of more help to Roy on the Board of Selectmen.
“I think anyone who knows me, either Republican and Democrat, knows that I’m a consensus builder,” Conroy said.
Democrats had four candidates for two positions on the Board of Education — incumbents Judith Flood and Jeanne Loda were joined by candidates Saundra Gesek and Kristen Harmeling, who is currently on the Board of Finance.
After a caucus vote, Gesek and Harmeling received the nominations with 56 and 54 votes compared to Flood’s 34 and Loda’s 27.
Here is the complete Democratic slate:
First Selectman
Paul Roy (incumbent)
Board of Selectmen
Philip Wilhelmy, III (incumbent)
Theresa Conroy
Karen Stanek
Hargurprett Singh
Board of Police Commissioners
Howard Simpson (incumbent)
Howard Enquist
Thomas Schutte
Board of Education
Kristen Harmeling
Saundra Gesek
Library Directors
Loren Coe
Robert Potash
Susan Strumello
(All incumbents)
Board of Assessment Appeals
Anthony LoPresti
Albert Ermer
(All incumbents)
Board of Finance (4 years)
Jeffrey Coe
John Stelma (was an alternate)
Jason Weaving
Board of Finance (2 years)
Karen Ziomek
Joan McDonnell
Board of Finance (alternate)
Richard Grudzias
