Welcome to Part One of our special Election Edition newsletter. Our goal is to provide readers with a more in-depth look at our candidates for the town elections, to be held on November 7. In this edition, we introduce those running for the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Education. Next week, we bring you candidates for the other town offices.

The Sherman Democratic Town Committee is deeply appreciative of every citizen who steps up to work on behalf of our town, and we are proud to introduce readers to the candidates who will run on the Democratic ticket. We know you will be as impressed by the range of talents and dedication to public service as we are.

Don Lowe is a familiar face in Sherman, having served for the last two years on the Board of Selectman. As the only Democrat on the current board, Don has spent his time as Selectman fighting for more transparency and responsiveness from his fellow selectmen, while finding ways to work together where possible.

Don secured the video recording of BOS meetings so that all residents could keep up with town issues. He has been outspoken in his defense of Candlewood Lake, supporting the septic walkover program and the introduction of carp, and firmly opposing the use of chemicals in the water. He’s been a proponent of fair and transparent appointments to town boards and committees. He has worked to solve issues related to Sherman’s Public Works Department, reliable cell service throughout the town, and Sherman’s senior population. Don has been vocal and active in his support of area businesses – he was the first to call attention to the unfair zoning regulations proposed for White Silo farm and to stand up for that popular Sherman landmark.
 
In addition, Don has been an active advocate for the BOS to change its “over-taxing” budgeting practice of the previous four years, when the town side of the budget grew at an unprecedented 20 percent. For the last two years, with Don on the board, that budget has fallen back in line.
 
Don has lived in Sherman for 18 years with his wife Mary Ann Lamb, and is father to three children: David, 30; Connor, 22; and Rosemund, 14. He has always been committed to the quality of life in Sherman having served two previous terms as Selectman (2004-2008), as a member of Planning and Zoning, Chairman of the Sherman Land Acquisition Board, board member of the Sherman Chamber Ensemble and the Sherman Higher Education Fund, and as an active and generous volunteer at the Senior Center, the Sherman Library, and the Sherman School. A talented and beloved singer, musician, and songwriter, Don travels the region to perform.
 
Don is an adjunct professor of college writing at Naugatuck Valley Community College, has extensive experience working with “at risk” students particularly at SUNY Orange Community College where he coordinates its P-TECH program, has done professional medical writing, and is a published author in several genres. His interest in writing and communications started early: a BFA in theater with a minor in journalism and communications was followed by a Master’s Degree in English and professional writing.
 
Don’s small-town North Dakota upbringing, combined with his extensive professional experience in communications, makes him an authentic listener and problem-solver. He understands why people choose to live and to raise families in a town like Sherman, and his ambition is to make it a supportive, prosperous place for everyone, from seniors to children. 

Kevin Keenan brings with him a unique blend of education and expertise that make him an ideal leader to serve the current needs of the town of Sherman. His undergraduate degree in biology from St. Louis University gives him an understanding of the ecology of Candlewood Lake. His Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Rutgers propelled Kevin into his work in the public sector, as Environmental and Land Use Planner in Putnam County (NY) and as a part time Zoning Enforcement Officer in Kent. He then moved to the private sector, working for several real estate development firms on projects in Kent and in Sherman. In the late eighties, he moved to Sherman and soon thereafter started his own construction firm, Southview Builders.

 
Kevin and his wife Chris quickly immersed themselves in the life of Sherman. Their three children, Joseph, Ryan, and Meredith (all now grown) attended the Sherman School. Kevin and Chris were actively involved in school activities. Kevin worked on the Building Committee for the school expansion and was elected to the Board of Education, on which he served for 10 years. Himself an Eagle Scout, Kevin also became a leader of Sherman’s Boy Scout Troop 48, where he currently serves as Eagle Scout Coordinator.
 
Kevin is an experienced project manager with extensive knowledge of how to finance, plan, monitor, manage, and maintain the Town’s infrastructure efficiently and effectively. He is a builder with direct hands-on experience in property construction and maintenance. He is a parent with a history of involvement with the school and the Boy Scouts. And he is an involved citizen, with awareness of the town’s needs. 

Board of Education candidate David Silvay brings a much-needed building and structural expertise to a school facing facilities management hurdles. A member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 210, David has spent a majority of his career as a carpenter, foreman, and superintendent on bridges, high-rises, and commercial projects including schools very much like our own.

 

David moved to Sherman from New Milford with his wife, Kim, and their two children, Morgan, 11, who is currently a student at the Sherman School and Daniel, 13, who graduated from Sherman School and is now continuing his education at New Milford High School. In New Milford, David was an active volunteer and member of the town’s pension commission, the planning commission, and the aquifer protection agency. David is committed to using his dedication to community engagement as well as his deep experience with project and personnel management to make the Sherman School a better learning environment for our town's children. 

James Neunzig is the Chef/Owner of J.P. Gifford Market & Catering Company Kent, Giffords Restaurant Kent, and J.P. Gifford Cafe Sharon, with 25-plus years experience in the hospitality business. He graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, and earned his business degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  During that time, he taught culinary arts and restaurant management to undergraduates at the university. 

 
James’ 30 years of experience in the business of hospitality has instilled in him the importance of  “setting a table” for individuals to come together to share their experiences and their thoughts. He believes that a team runs best when there is a commitment to creating a hospitable environment where individuals can freely offer input, function collaboratively, and share foresight about future challenges and opportunities.
 
James has lived in Sherman for 18 years with his wife, Kara, and their three children, who attend the Sherman School. James has volunteered his services to the Sherman Library, Historical Society, SPTO, Naomi Land Trust, and Women’s Center. He is an actively engaged, motivated, and committed participant in his career, family and community.

 

If you have questions for any of our candidates, please reach out to LoweKeenan17@gmail.com.

The Sherman Democratic Town Committee is proud to support an outstanding slate of committed citizens who have stepped up to work for our town. We support not only Democrats, but several unaffiliated candidates who bring experience and talent that we believe will benefit Sherman’s citizens.
 
We have a team of amazing volunteers who have been stuffing envelopes, planning major events, writing ad copy, and printing flyers on home computers -- but even an operation as frugal as the SDTC needs support. Elections are expensive, even at a local level. Postcards must be printed and mailed, special events require outreach, and advertising entails design cost and reservation expenses.
 

We are looking for heroes like you to show your friends and neighbors on our 2017 slate that you have their back. Please click our big blue button to donate online now—and thank you!

Sherman Democratic Town Committee member Joe Keneally sent the following letter to First Selectman Clay Cope concerning an incident of racist vandalism at the New Milford restaurant of Sherman resident Dave Thompson.
 

We are an organization of inclusion, not exclusion. We have a longstanding history of attracting both Democratic and unaffiliated voters and endorsing both Democratic and unaffiliated candidates. We work to represent the wide variety of Sherman citizens who hold many different viewpoints and opinions.