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Home : News : News : Top Stories
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Region 6 towns go GOP
By: Emily M. Olson
11/07/2003
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Morris, Goshen and Warren voters chose Republican leaders Tuesday.

In Morris and Goshen, the top seat was open, while Republican First Selectman Jack Travers in Warren was chosen for the first time by voters, as he took office after being appointed to fill an un-expired term.

Mr. Travers was appointed in Sept. 2002 to replace longtime first selectman Luke Tanner, who stepped down for personal reasons last year.

Mr. Travers was joined on the ballot by Calvin Tanner, Mr. Tanner's son, a Republican, and incumbent Democrat Marian Smith, who is serving a third term. All three were unopposed.

Calvin Tanner ran in place of two-term Republican Selectman Kenneth Layman, who chose not to seek re-election this year.

In Morris, former Republican first selectman Phil Birkett defeated Republican challenger Ed Dorsett for the town's top seat, with 554 votes to Mr. Dorsett's 430 votes.

Mr. Dorsett was endorsed by the Democratic party after his own party chose Mr. Birkett at its caucus in September.

Mr. Birkett's running mate, newcomer Tom Weik, defeated incumbent Selectman Marty Weiner, with 599 votes to Mr. Weiner's 369. Mr. Dorsett will now serve on the board as the Democratic representative.

On Tuesday night, Mr. Birkett celebrated his victory at the home of Sarah Irwin, who won another term as chairman of the Morris Library Board of Directors.

"I feel very pleased and very grateful," Mr. Birkett said. "Tommy and I had a wonderful campaign committee that worked very hard. We really put it in gear in May and had five mailings, and we went door-to-door to meet our voting public and gain their confidence. My thanks go out to the folks in Morris who supported us.

"We took the high road and it paid off," he added. "Having a good, young running mate was an asset-this town is getting younger, the demographics show that. We have young families coming into town who say they like the rural atmosphere and the school system. They like [the idea] that there was a young person like Tom stepping up for town government. I'm encouraging that. It's critical for the life of our town."

Mr. Birkett served as Morris First Selectman from 1989 to 1999. First Selectman Alan Schoenbach, who was elected in 1999, did not run this year.

Other winners in the Morris race were Republican Joe Ferrero, as Town Treasurer, who defeated Democrat Blanche Geshwind 576 to 315. Tax Collector Launa Goslee ran unopposed and was re-elected with more than 900 votes. Republicans John Lilley and Priscilla Loomis won seats on the Board of Finance, beating challenging Democrat Lincoln Bertaccini. Republican Eric Cook defeated Democrat Robert Waugh for a seat on the Board of Assessment Appeals.

On the Planning and Zoning Commission, Republicans Lance Loomis and Barbara Bongiolatti won seats on the board, defeating incumbent Democrat David Wiig.

On the Zoning Board of Appeals, Republican Mark Conlon and Democrat Nancy Skilton both won seats on the board.

Goshen chose a new first selectman Tuesday-Republican Robert Valentine, who is replacing outgoing Republican Jim O'Leary.

Mr. Valentine was challenged by Democrat William Hageman. The new board will include Mr. Valentine, Mr. Hageman, and incumbent Republican Selectman Tom Breakell.

Mr. O'Leary, who was elected in 1991, served with longtime officials Henrietta Horvay and the late Chuck Harmon. Selectman John Krukar was the Democrats' first choice to run for first selectman this year, but he withdrew from the race last month for personal reasons.

Mr. O'Leary said previously that he was ready to spend some quality time with his wife, Barbara, to do a little traveling, work around the house and "just relax."

Other candidates on the Goshen ballot included Town Clerk Barbara Breor, Town Treasurer James Bernard, both Republicans; Board of Finance Republicans Donald Pardon, Allan Walker Sr. and Scott Tillman, and Democrats Edward Lee Bixler and Dexter Kinsella; Board of Assessment Appeals members Robert Hamlin Harmon, a Republican, and Joan M. Lang, a Democrat; Planning and Zoning Commission members Mark Fraher and Don Wilkes, Republicans, and Nanci Joan Howard, Carolyn Mazzarelli and Eugene Hackel, Democrats. All the seats were unopposed.


©The Litchfield Enquirer 2010


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