Kozlark takes election

Written by Macklin Reid
Wednesday, 27 April 2011 19:56

Maureen Kozlark has won election to fill out the last six months of the selectmen’s term she was appointed to in December.

In a special election Wednesday Ms. Kozlark had 1,843 votes (53%) to 1,403 (41%) for Marty Heiser and 194 (6%) for Tony Di Preta.

“Very pleased and proud that I won election to the Board of Selectmen through this town vote,” she said after tonight’s selectmen’s meeting. “I thank all my supporters who worked so hard. And I will work very hard in my continued capacity as a selectperson, and I hope to win in November.”

Mr. Heiser stopped in to the selectmen’s meeting to shake Ms. Kozlark’s hand and wish her well.
“Congratulations on your victory,” he said. “Look forward to working together.”

“Congratulations,” added First Selectman Rudy Marconi, who was running the meeting.
“Thank you. I’m very excited,” Ms. Kozlark said.

Ms. Kozlark, a Republican and former school board member, was on the ballot as a petitioning candidate. Mr. Heiser, a longtime finance board member, was the candidate Republican caucus and Republican Town Committee candidate. Mr. Di Preta was the candidate of the Independent Party.

Ms. Kozlark, a former school board member, had been appointed to the selectmen seat in December, following the resignation of longtime Republican Selectwoman Joan Plock. But the Republican Town Committee had recommended Mr. Heiser for the seat, and Ms. Kozlark won the appointment on the strength of votes from the board’s three Democrats, with Republican Andy Bodner in dissent.

Republican leaders were unhappy, and petitioned to call the election. Mr. Heiser won the Republican caucus, and Ms. Kozlark had to petition onto the ballot.

A total 3,440 votes were cast in the special election, representing about 21% of the town’s just more than 16,000 registered voters.