This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
10/30/2013 12:00 AMRepublican First Selectman Fillmore McPherson is running for re-election in Tuesday's election and this year, unlike his run two years ago, he has an opponent, Democrat Seth Klaskin. That race for the town's top slot is one of the few contests on the ballot in this year's municipal election.
This isMcPherson's third run for first selectman. He first ran in 2009, unseating incumbent Democrat Al Goldberg, and then ran again in 2011, that time without a Democratic opponent. Over the last four years, he says, he has improved town services, improved the town infrastructure and improved the town's financial standing. During his tenure the town has maintained its AAA bond rating "through difficult times," he said, and has seen some of the lowest budget increases in decades. On average, budgets have increased at a rate of just two percent per year over the past four years, McPherson said. He has also led the town through difficult times created by Mother Nature, specifically Tropical Storm Irene, Superstorm Sandy, and the 2013 blizzard.
Klaskin, an attorney, served three-plus years on the Zoning Board of Appeals and is now an elected member of the Board of Education. For the past five years he has served as director of the commercial recording division at the Office of the Secretary of the State. The Democrat wants to involve the community more in planning for its future, in setting priorities, in determining the values it wants, and in the direction of town government. He believes the town has to do a better job in the area of economic development. He also sees the need for more transparency and accountability in town government, particularly in budgeting. He has promised to address the issue of senior tax relief, if elected.
The contest for seats on the Board of Selectmen rests with the results of the first selectman's race, maybe. The two first selectman candidates run head-to-head for the top job. With the winner in that race determined, the loser becomes part of the mix for the remaining four seats on the five-member Board of Selectmen. The four largest vote-getters of the five in the mix will join the board.
The selectmen candidates are Democrats Joan Walker and Al Goldberg. Both are seeking re-election to the board. Goldberg is a former first selectman. The Republicans have nominated Diane Stadterman, who is seeking re-election, and Robert Hale, former chair of the Board of Education.
Another contest on the ballot is for seats on the six-member Board of Finance. Three seats are up for election and all three are presently filled by Republicans. Two Republicans, Lisa Favre and James Matteson, are not seeking re-election, but the third, Jennifer Tung, is running again. To fill the seats vacated by Favre and Matteson, the Republicans have nominated Joe MacDougald, who chose to step away this year from the Board of Selectmen, and Sharon Kokoruda. The Democratic candidates for the Board of Finance are Keith Ainsworth and Michael Greene. If both Democrats succeed, that party, with two members already seated, will take control of the board.
There are also candidates for seats on the Board of Education, the Board of Assessment Appeals, and the Zoning Board of Appeals.
For voters looking for final information before heading to the polls, The Source has assembled an online voter guide at www.zip06.com/madison that provides our previous coverage of the races. Additionally, we have invited all candidates in contested races to provide biographical details and answer questions about the qualifications and goals to help voters make informed choices.
(If a candidate in a contested race has not yet been invited, it's because we have not yet received his or her email address. Interested candidates should send an email with subject line "Voter guide" to l.robida@shorepublishing.com; we will send out a form to get that candidate's info online ASAP.)
The registrars of voters report the following numbers as of Oct. 25:
District One
• Democrats - 1,882
• Republicans - 2,315
• Unaffiliated - 2,749
• Other - 61
• Total - 7,007
District Two
• Democrats - 1,655
• Republicans - 1,822
• Unaffiliated - 2,792
• Other - 52
• Total - 6,321
On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. A sample ballot is posted above and available on the town website www.madisonct.org on the town clerk's page.
District 1 voters will vote at the Madison Senior Center, 29 Bradley Road. District 1 includes all registered voters who live at properties on the even numbered side of Green Hill Road and south.
District 2 voters will vote at the Dr. Robert H. Brown Middle School, 980 Durham Road. District 2 includes all registered voters who live at properties on the odd numbered side of Green Hill Road and north.
For night-of election results, visit www.zip06.com/madison.