Anne Weisberg called her opponent, Pat Callahan, to congratulate him on his victory. No Democrat held that seat since 1980.
For the many months prior to that defeat, Anne worked tirelessly, knocking on thousands of doors and successfully earning funding from the State’s Citizen’s Election Fund.
Continue reading Dem Candidate for 108th State House, Anne Weisberg, Concedes. Other Results. Sherman Shifts BlueOn Jan 10, 2024, the caucus unanimously endorsed the nominated members for the Sherman Democratic Town Committee for the term Mar 2024 – Mar 2026.
From Town Tribune, Oct 19, 2023
I have been your First Selectman since 2018 and I am running for re-election. Lately, the Sherman School renovation project and subsequent failed referendum has been the number one issue in Sherman and it’s the number one issue for me, too – and then there’s about 25 other things I attend to that keep Sherman running smoothly.
Continue reading Candidate for First Selectman, Don LoweTara Clancey, a Sherman resident and self-described “Leadership and Workforce Performance Innovator”, designed an interview series where she invited candidates for First Selectman and Treasurer. First Selectman Don Lowe accepted her invitation in this comprehensive 33-minute interview.
Click here to view the 22-minute interview.
P&L (commissioner-’24 & alternate-’25)
ZBA-’24
Town Treasurer-’24
Constable-’24
The following was extracted from SDTC Municipal Party Rules.
The enrolled members of the Democratic Party in the municipality, at a caucus called for the purpose, shall, by a majority vote of those present and voting, select party-endorsed candidates for each municipal office. The time and place of holding all such caucuses shall be determined by the town committee, and notice of the time, place, and purpose of any such caucus shall be given to all enrolled Democratic voters of the municipality at least five (5) days but not more than fifteen (15) days, in advance of the caucus by the publication of the same in a newspaper
Candidates for municipal office chosen as provided above shall run in the primary for such office as party-endorsed candidates. Any candidate shall be the nominee of the Democratic Party for the office for which he or she is a candidate if no valid opposing candidacy has been filed for nomination to such office by four o’clock (4:00) p.m. on the twenty-first (21st) day preceding the day of the Democratic primary for such office.
If, for any reason, sufficient endorsements of candidates for municipal office or town committee members are not made, any eligible person may seek to become a candidate in accordance with Conn. Gen. Stat. §§9-405, 9-406, and 9-372 et seq.
The Secretary and the Chair or presiding officer of the town committee, caucus, or convention, as the case may be, shall certify to the municipal clerk the names and street addresses of the party-endorsed candidates selected, as provided above. Such certification shall include the title of the office or position as a committee member for which each person is endorsed and the date upon which the primary is to be held, or the convention for which the delegate has been elected.
During its March 23rd caucus, the Sherman Democrats unanimously elected its three allocated delegates to the Democratic State Convention to be held at the 30,000 seat Xfinity Theater in Hartford. The delegates are Vice Char Sunday Fisher, Treasurer, Bob Gamper, and Chair Jeff Ginsburg
During that caucus, no one volunteered to be alternates for the state convention nor as delegates for the other conventions: state senate, congressional, state rep, and probate. Therefore, the caucus unanimously voted to give SDTC Chair Jeff Ginsburg the authority to appoint alternates to the State Convention, and up to three delegates each to the Senate, Congressional, and Probate Conventions.
Barbara Ackerman, a former probate judge, will be a delegate to the probate convention.
Dates of the conventions:
May 6th & 7th: State Convention
May 9th: Congressional Convention (nominates the U.S. Representative to Congress)
May 10th: State Senate
May 11th: 108th House District Convention (via Zoom)
May 12th: Probate Judge
If you are a registered Democrat or Unaffiliated, you are welcome to take part and be a delegate in this historic process vital to our democracy. It’s also a chance to get to know other like-minded folks. Please contact shermandems@gmail to find out more.
Town Tribune Front Page*, Nov 11. 2021
SHERMAN – Election Day was a busy one for Sherman. Though non-Presidential. municipal elections arc typically quieter, they had a higher than typical turnout this year with 914 residents voting. Democratic Town Committee Chair Mr. Jeff Ginsburg believes that “The BOE races spurred turnout, since structural issues with the Sherman School arc highly discussed around town. Two of the longer-term Republican BOE members chose not to run, increasing Republican interest in turning out the vote. Hence the election of two replacement Republican candidates.”
Republican Town Committee Chair Mr. Rick Hudson was happy that “every single one of our candidates (was) elected!” Of the BOE. he said “Those Candidates we put forward for the BOE are long-term residents who have kids in the schools and who are impacted directly by the decisions of the BOE on multiple levels. Kristin Grasseler and James Philipakos hope to make a real impact on the decision-making process of the BOE and help our school and community move forward with a solid plan for Curriculum, Citizenship and Construction.”
Ginsburg was excited to see the wide support that First Selectman Mr. Don Lowe received. “Known for his more bi-partisan approach to town government, Don Lowe, a Democrat, is a very popular First Selectman with all parties and was the strongest vote-getter. People could have skipped his race since he was unopposed, but instead, they crossed party lines to give him a vote of confidence.” He also noted that “Kate Frey, also a Democrat and well known in town, was the second-highest vote-getter in her first race. She obviously had support from all parties and is viewed as highly qualified and needed on the BOE.”
“Sherman’s elections are not all that partisan.” Hudson said, going on to say that the town “is being very well served by the majority of those in office. This basic tenet is why I firmly believe that most of Sherman’s voters, regardless of their affiliation, feel the same way. Some few might not. and that is to be expected.” He noted, “We did not contest every Office, at least partly because certain functions arc performing efficiently and creating an artificial controversy serves no one.” He’s optimistic that “If we continue to communicate across the divides we will succeed. When we stop talking, everyone will lose, and the greatest impact will be felt by the kids. That is totally unacceptable. 1 truly believe that Sherman is now better positioned to make real progress toward that end.”
*Words in Bold are added. Election Tabulation is also added.
Town Tribune Ad Oct 28, 2021.
Kate Kelley Frey (D)
Kate Kelley Frey seeks a position on the Board of Education. Kate is an elementary school teacher with 33 years of experience in public education and this would be her first run at an elective office. She hopes “To volunteer my time and give back to a town that has supported and given so much to me personally, and to my family over many years.” She also said. “My expertise in curriculum design and best practices would fill a practical need currently existing on the Board of Education (BOE). Running for a seat on the BOE is a stroke of good fortune: to have the special abilities to give back and a strong sense of indebtedness to Sherman.”
Kristin Grasseler(R)
Kristin Grasseler has 20 years of experience in the relocation industry with expertise in customer service, employee management, home sale, global mobility, and executive-level support She has board experience with the Ostomy Awareness Foundation and the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Foundation. Kristin says that she has made many wonderful friends in the community over the years and hopes to be able to serve and support the families of Sherman.
Her goals are to: inspire transparency and collaboration among the board and the community; ensure that children can thrive in a safe and inclusive environment, and encourage common sense and mindfulness as Sherman tackles the maintenance of The Sherman School building.
James Neunzig (D)
James Neunzig has served on the BOE for the past four years and was recently appointed Chair, lie now seeks a second term. The owner of J.P. Gifford Market. Giffords Catering, and JP Gifford Cafe. James says that “Having served [on] the BOE for the previous four years, I am eager to continue the momentum of that work.” He went on to say that “My style is to work in partnership with parents, other citizens. and town leaders to address the important issues [that are] meaningful to the Sherman community. Investing our tax dollars wisely towards the best school experience for not only the near-term but also for the future is essential to me.”
James Philipakos (R)
James Philipakos works in the banking industry as a mortgage originator and has served on several boards and committees, including the Regional YMCA’s 11 nance Committee and the Northem Fairfield County Association of Realtors (NFCAR). James has also participated in many town efforts, such as the Senior Housing Commission and a separate committee set up to investigate senior tax incentives. He says that his goals for service on the BOE are very simple, “I will communicate with our community and town officials as best as I can; I will make decisions that I believe are in the best interest of the children, I will keep an open mind, and I will respect others.”
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From Town Tribune, Oct 26, 2017