Election results by votes

Thursday, 05 November 2009 11:48

First Selectman

• Steve Vavrek (R) - 2839

Thomas Buzi (D) - 2646

Town Council

• J.P. Sredzinski (R) - 3136

• Deborah Heim (R) - 3299

• Jeffrey Guttman (R) - 3013

Republican takes top seat in Monroe

Written by Marla Hoffman
Tuesday, 03 November 2009 23:07

Democrat Thomas Buzi conceded to Republican challenger Steve Vavrek tonight in the race for First Selectman.

Unofficial numbers tonight show Vavrek ahead by nearly 200 votes.

The Republicans took the majority on Town Council, Board of Education, Board of Finance and Planning and Zoning Commission.

The biggest wins of the night for Republicans was on Town Council, where all 6 candidates won, and Board of Education, where all 4 candidates won.

Planning and Zoning and Alternates

Thursday, 29 October 2009 11:14

Planning and Zoning Commission

R - Patrick O’Hara

Wife, Donna; two children

Town Councilman

Farmer, Owner O’Hara’s Nursery

I ask for Monroe’s vote on Nov. 3 to the Planning and Zoning Commission. I have seven years of experience in Town of Monroe government. Board of Education (4 years) and Town Council (3 years).

Board of Education

Thursday, 29 October 2009 11:12

R - George King

Wife, Denise; two children

Former Town Councilman

Our strength as a community is rooted in our ability to exchange ideas about the enormous challenges we collectively face. Our elected officials are duty-bound to represent those ideas in a bi-partisan manner and make the difficult decisions required overcome those challenges. Doing so requires our elected officials to have a strong, working knowledge of our town.

Thomas Buzi — Looking for a reasonable budget

Written by Marla Hoffman
Thursday, 29 October 2009 11:02

As Thomas Buzi prepares for Nov. 3, he is taking a good look at his administration’s accomplishments over the past two years, and what lies ahead after the election.

His priorities, should he win, will lie with the upcoming budget cycle.

“We’re going to be taking a look at how we’re going to develop a reasonable budget, and how we’re going to market it and sell it to voters,” he said. “This is going to be an extremely challenging time.”

The nearly 7% increase on the education side that School Supt. Dr. Colleen Palmer is anticipating, Buzi said, may not “make the cut.”

“I’ve got to work with the board of education, I’ve got to find some expense savings on the town side, and work to try to develop a budget that is reasonable to voters,” he said.

Steve Vavrek — A focus on economic development

Written by Marla Hoffman
Thursday, 29 October 2009 10:58

Should he win the election, Steve Vavrek is going to take on his brand new roll as first selectman looking at how the town can improve.

“Public safety and the deterioration of roads will be one of the first issues my administration looks at,” he said. “But first we’ve got to meet with all the department heads individually and hear both their concerns and listen to ways to generate a more positive and responsive Town Hall.”

Vavrek said he wants to meet with the various town boards, and community and business groups. He will take the concerns he hears, he said, and work with the department heads to address those concerns.

“The message I hear is that we need economic development and to lower the taxes for Monroe,” he said.

Board of Finance

Thursday, 29 October 2009 11:11

R - Chris Baudouin

Wife, Maura; three sons

Financial planner and CPA

I graduated from Fairfield University with a degree in Accounting in 1989 and started my career at Arthur Andersen where I worked as an Audit Manager until 1997. I moved on to be CFO of Jupitermedia Corporation, a multinational public media company, during which time we completed over 100 acquisitions and divestures along with multiple public offerings.

Town Clerk, Treasurer, Tax Collector, Constable

Thursday, 29 October 2009 11:09

Town Clerk

R - Marsha Motter Beno

Husband, Michael

Current Town Clerk

I am seeking re-election as your Town Clerk to continue serving the residents of the town of Monroe. I have been a long-time community volunteer in activities such as a PTO President at Masuk, Chalk Hill and Stepney Elementary, member of Parents Council, a Red Cross volunteer and served 8 years on the Board of Education.

Town Council Candidates

Thursday, 29 October 2009 11:06

R - J.P. Sredzinski

Wife, Jennifer; step-son age 10

Current Town Councilman

I have chosen to run for re-election to the Town Council because i have the right blend of education, experience and energy. After graduating from the university of connecticut with a masters degree in public administration, my wife Jennifer and I married and chose Monroe as the ideal place to start our life together.

We saw a town with character, charm, and potential. We saw ourselves raising our family here. we love Monroe and are always striving to make it better.

Party Statements

Thursday, 22 October 2009 13:30

Republicans address issues facing Monroe

Elizabeth Edgerton

Chairman, Republican Town Committee

The issues facing Monroe are serious, and include crumbling infrastructure, overlooked economic development and a failed revaluation.

The current administration has not invested enough in roads, has relied on one sole business for development while others have left this town.

The administration slashed the education budget so that 20-plus teachers and support staff were cut, while adding new staff to town Hall — including hiring the First Selectman’s campaign treasurer in the finance office.