Welcome to Part Two of our special Election Edition newsletter. Our goal is to provide our 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 Planning and Zoning, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Board of Assessment Appeals. We also give space for James Neunzig and David Silvay, candidates for Sherman Board of Education, to outline their platform.

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.

Neil has served the town of Sherman as a respected member of the Planning and Zoning board for the past 10 years. He and his wife, Robin, have lived in Sherman for 13 years, and have two grown sons.
 
Neil and Robin love living in a rural town where volunteers are so integral to the functioning of the community, and Neil is committed to do his part to contribute. Over his years on Planning and Zoning, Neil has found that listening and being genuinely open to ideas and comments from residents is critical. He has earned a reputation for being a fair and impartial member of the board, and his training and experience after a decade on P&Z are a valuable asset to that team and to the residents of Sherman.

Ryan Peburn is a two-year veteran of the Planning and Zoning Commission. The son of a New Milford developer, Ryan “grew up” in the Planning and Zoning world. Even as a young man, he attended many Planning and Zoning meetings with his father.
 
Although he is not affiliated with either political party, Ryan was backed by the Sherman Democrats for election to P&Z in 2015. Since joining the Commission, he has attended four training courses to improve his understanding of issues affecting the planning process. The Commission, he says, is made up of level-headed people who seek to see Sherman grow and prosper.
 
Ryan and his wife, Cameron, moved to Sherman 10 years ago. They have three children, the two older of whom attend the Sherman School. Ryan manages a rock quarry in New York State. In addition to his work on Planning and Zoning, he volunteers at town events and coaches local softball, soccer, and basketball teams.

Jerrold Siegel has lived with his wife in Sherman for the last 24 years. He is retired after working for over 35 years in New York City as Project Manager for a major construction company doing both residential and commercial construction.
 

While living in Sherman, Jerry has served as an officer on the Timber Trails Property Owners Association and a member of the Ad Hoc Farm Committee. He is a member of the Land Acquisition Fund Board. In 2015, Jerry served as a Planning & Zoning alternate and is filling the same position now for the balance of a vacated seat.
 
Jerry comes to Planning & Zoning most concerned about the impact of zoning regulations on land use, the preservation of the rural and residential character expressed in Sherman’s master plan, and the balance of the needs and rights of the individual with those of the community at large. He brings an unbiased, analytical and intuitive mindset to the board.

In the late 1940’s Kim Devine Kean’s grandparents, Clifford and Anna Devine, came to Sherman and raised their family. Her father, Richard, liked Sherman so much that he decided he would never leave. Thankfully, her mom (Nadine) was on board. He passed his love for our town onto his children.  As a result, Kim’s sister Stacie and her husband Joe, as well as her brother Rich and his wife Robin live here with their families. Kim and her family live in one of the many homes that her grandfather built in town.
 
Kim and her husband, Kevin, have three children. Anastasia recently moved up to the Boston area and is pursuing a career in Nursing. Mackenzie will be a freshman at NMHS and Brady will be entering 6^th grade at The Sherman School.
 
In June of 2013, Kim’s MS had progressed to a point where she could no longer work and she found herself at home. Around the same time, says Kim, “I had the good fortune of meeting Ashleigh Blake. It will come as no surprise to those who know her that our first meeting was her volunteering to take my son to a camp that her son was also attending.” Through the years, Ashleigh’s dedication to volunteering has inspired Kim, and she has been assisting the SPTO with their membership directory, recently became a phone coordinator for FISH, and is now a candidate for the Board of Assessment Appeals.
 
Kim holds a B.S. in Accounting from Post University, which will be a valuable asset to her work on the board. As a registered Unaffiliated, Kim says, “I am grateful to the DTC for welcoming me to run on their ticket. I look forward to being able to give back to a community that has given me so much.”

Ann Chiaramonte has been a licensed practicing realtor for 24 years, during which she has become a member of the CTMLS, successfully completed the local and state courses and exams for the designation of licensed appraiser, fulfilled required standards for short sale and foreclosures training, completed the Professional Standards Certified Specialist Training for State & Local Board Ethics and/or Arbitration hearings, and completed continuing education every two years since 1993.
 
These credentials make Ann an exceptionally qualified candidate to serve on the BOAA, and on September 11 this year she was unanimously appointed to serve on the BOAA to replace resigning member John O’Connor. She will serve as an appointee until the election on November 7. With her combined financial and real estate background, Ann brings a new perspective and a professionally trained vision –- both necessary to determine true property valuations in Sherman’s fluid marketplace.
 
Ann has resided in Sherman since 1975 and is married to Joe Chiaramonte, former Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman. Both Ann and Joe believe strongly in giving back to the community they love. Ann is one of the founders of the first annual Sherman School Halloween event, and has served as a Sherman Nursery School President, member of the Sherman Traffic Safety Work Group, Sunday School instructor, soccer and hockey team parent, and a supporter of the Danbury Women’s Center and the American Cancer Society.

 

Kenric Gubner is a two-year veteran of the Zoning Board of Appeals, and an active participant in Sherman’s volunteer community. He is a member of the Jewish Community Center’s board of directors, a member of the Sherman Higher Education Fund, and has volunteered his time for the Sherman Library. Kenric has lived in Sherman for 11 years; he and his wife, Kathrine, have two children in the Sherman School. Both Kenric and Kathrine are actively involved members of the school community. 

OUR APPROACH

Give a greater voice and path for the concerns of our children’s teachers
 
Prevent our district from trending toward larger class sizes with a higher student-to-teacher ratio
 
Maintain checks and balances for the BOE and Administration 
 
Support proper maintenance and stewardship of the School’s facilities 
 
Make a greater investment in STEM programs. 
 
Evaluate and set both short- and long-term goals toward potable drinking water and a climate-controlled Sherman School
 
Pursue repair and proper utilization of the K Wing
 
If you have questions for any of our candidates, please reach out to LoweKeenan17@gmail.com.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU

 

I am deeply honored to be a candidate for First Selectman. I wouldn’t take this on if I didn’t think I could improve Sherman and give maximum commitment toward keeping your tax bill low and your safety and wellbeing bolstered. I will work for you. If elected, the job of First Selectman will be my only professional obligation. Over the next seven weeks I hope to convince you that my ability to lead and work effectively with others, along with my grit and experience, will offer you the best choice for Sherman’s next First Selectman.
           
Here’s what you can expect with me as your First Selectman:
 
Your town budgets will be as lean as possible. It’s no accident that your Town budget since I have been a Selectman these last two years have been so reasonable. Previous to this, before I came on the board, Sherman’s Town budget grew 20% in four years (2011 thru 2015). Those were the highest Town budget increases over a four year span in Sherman’s history. I will be even more effective as First Selectman at continuing this practice of careful and effective budgeting. It will my number one priority. (The Town budget is the budget the Board of Selectman is responsible for. It’s 37% of the total budget. The School budget makes up the rest.)
 
I will create the necessary synergy required for all Town entities to work together. The disconnect right now, for example, between the First Selectman’s office and Park and Rec is palpable. As diligent volunteers, they deserve better treatment by their town leader as do other boards and commissions in town. Our Seniors deserve more attention and resources pointed in that direction and I will advocate for that, especially in part-time staffing needs. I will listen to the concerns of our Public Works employees and treat them with respect. Teamwork and motivating people to work together is a personal strength and if I am First Selectman there will be much better harmony and synchronization between Town agencies.
 
I will be responsive. I will listen and react. Board of Selectmen meetings will welcome feedback and comments from the public. The public will hear what is being said by the Selectmen and if issues are cloudy they will be explained. I want people to understand what is going on in Town. Shortcomings such as our undrinkable water will be dealt with. Sherman’s sodium levels in its drinking water have been off-the-charts for four years now. Water for both Town and private entities is undrinkable. Yet, after all this time, we are finally meeting with the state health officials (this Friday Sept. 22) who can help us begin the process of alleviating this critical situation. I don’t understand how something like this could go on for this long without efforts to remediate it. But it has. It’s the same for reliable cell phone service. Frustrated at seeing the Residents for Reliable Cell Service receive the same placating treatment meeting after meeting, I am proposing a Cell Service Committee for which I will volunteer to be the liaison to the First Selectman’s office. If I am First Selectman it will make facilitating the wonderful efforts of these concerned citizens even more productive.
 
I am going to strengthen our business community. Yes, we have one. And we need each and every one of them. Yet, I have spoken with long-time citizens who didn’t know certain businesses even exist -- an indication of the need for proper signage that I will be advocating for. I will start an outreach program to help businesses do better and take advantage of each other’s success. I am hopeful that this will extend to the trade businesses as well.
 
As First Selectman, I will support all efforts to protect Candlewood Lake. I will continue to support the Candlewood Lake Authority, which offers the experience and expertise toward keeping Candlewood swim-able, boat-able, and fish-able. It’s outrageous that certain lake contingents, particularly a faction from New Fairfield, went out their way to undermine the CLA. As your First Selectman, I would fight that. It’s like this: our local area and our Town’s economic success is intrinsically tied to the health of the lake. If your First Selectman doesn’t speak out against attempts to undermine the lake’s health then we are playing fast and loose with the local economy. (And goodness knows Connecticut doesn’t need more economic bad news!) I will bring a change here and fight for the health of Candlewood Lake.
 
Feel free to contact me at dlowe@townofshermanct.org or 860 778 3394. 
 

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!