Republican takes top seat in Monroe

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.

On the Democrats side, Michele Mount, David Halliwell and Dee Dee Martin were victorious on Town Council; Kelly Plunkett is the only Democrat who won for Board of Education.

On Planning and Zoning, Republicans Patrick O'Hara and William Porter beat out Democrats Leon Ambrosey and Michael Visconti.

On Board of Finance, Republicans Chris Baudouin and Michael Manjos beat out Democrats Gabriella DiBlasi and Ted Quinlan.

In the one-on-one races, incumbent Republican Town Clerk Marsha Motter Beno beat Democratic challenger Pam Nicotera, and Town Treasurer John Fracassini won over Democratic challenger Teresa Pontillo.

Tax Collector Emanuel Cambra, who ran unopposed, garnered the most votes of any candidate with 3,934.

Democrat Daniel Hunsberger ran unopposed to fill a two year vacancy on the Board of Finance, as did Democrat Michael Parsell to fill a two year vacancy on the Planning and Zoning Commission.

See full story in this week's Monroe Courier and more on monroecourier.com.

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