Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Low turnout means costly votes in Republican primary
A low turnout in today's Republican presidential primary meant each vote came at a cost of about $82.76 in election costs. A total of 145 of the 1,265 registered Republicans in New London came out to cast a ballot in the primary, a voter turnout of about 11.5 percent. Eighty-one votes went to Mitt Romney, who is the presumptive nominee, while Ron Paul had 31 votes and Newt Gingrich had 21. Five votes went to Rick Santorum, who recently suspended his presidential campaign, and seven votes were uncommitted. Let Patch save you time. Get great local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone every day with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here. Barbara Major, the Republican registrar of voters, said she the primary …
Friday, February 10, 2012
Gingrich, Romney, Santorum, Paul and Obama Make The Cut
A press release from Secretary of the State Denise Merrill: A press release from Secretary of the State Denise Merrill Friday joined Connecticut Republican Party Chairman Jerry Labriola for a news conference at the State Capitol to announce the names of the presidential candidates who have qualified for the ballot in Connecticut’s presidential preference primary on April 24, 2012. Today also marks the first day that primary petitions become available for presidential candidates not selected for the ballot by Secretary Merrill, pursuant to her statutory authority under Connecticut General Statutes 9-465. “We are getting closer to a very exciting decision for Connecticut voters – who do they want to run for President for the Republican and …
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
City Council reviewing recommendation to limit parking to lots and driveways during snowstorms
A proposal by New London’s public safety chiefs and public works director would bar any on-street parking during winter emergencies in an effort to allow better snow removal. According to a memorandum by City Manager Denise Rose, the suggestion has been recommended by Police Chief Margaret Ackley, Fire Chief Ron Samul, and Interim Public Works Director Keith Chapman. Currently, the city allows residents to park on one side of the street during snow emergencies and bans on-street parking downtown. Rose said a review of the current policy was prompted by frequent snowstorms last winter. She said the winter brought a total of 68 inches of snow over 137 days in 21 storms, of which the city needed to plow the roads for seven. Rose said on-…
Monday, November 14, 2011
Former mayor takes right-hand position in new administration
Mayor-elect Daryl Finizio announced tonight that he is appointing Jane Glover, former mayor and current director of the Kente Cultural Center, as his chief administrative officer. The position, also referred to as the chief of staff, will assist the mayor with administrative duties in the municipal government. Finizio said he wanted to complement the professional skills he believes he brings to the office by bringing in someone with depth and experience in the community. He said he and Glover share similar policies and ideas on administration, and that Glover was his first choice for the job. “She brings to this position a wealth of knowledge not only about administration, but about our diverse community and also about the extensive …
After defeat, some voters say there were issues in lead-up to Election Day and at the polls
Opponents of the sale of a portion of Riverside Park gathered Sunday to organize and notarize official complaints related to the election last Tuesday, which saw the question pass by a narrow margin. The meeting at the Portuguese Fisherman was called to bring up concerns and organize official complaints to the State Elections Enforcement Commission. The SEEC allows any individual to submit a complaint for investigation if they feel there has been a violation of election laws. The vote to authorize the sale of 9.14 acres of Riverside Park to the Coast Guard Academy for $2.9 million passed 2,117 to 2,104. The 13-vote margin triggered an automatic recount, which will take place on Wednesday, and the closing of the sale has been postponed as a…
Sunday, November 13, 2011
The annual Election Day rush
This past Tuesday marked a new experience in reporting for me: fast elections. I’d gotten a taste of it with the Democratic primary in September. When the unofficial results showed Daryl Finizio with a significant lead over Michael Buscetto III, the candidates got a head start on their speeches and post-announcement get-togethers. A freelancer was on hand to capture these, while I waited for the official results. By the time these came in—and confirmed the same result with different numbers—the candidates and their supporters had long since abandoned their headquarters. It was quite a difference from the admittedly humdrum election coverage I’d previously done at the bureau of a newspaper. The most significant one I took part in was in …
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Some campaigns continued to receive thousands in October; others showed slowdown
The final push of fundraising and expenditures—or the lack thereof—was detailed for various campaigns in one of the last campaign finance reports due at the City Clerk’s office. The reports, which detail the finances of political committees soliciting and spending funds in the months leading up to the election, detailed the period between Oct. 10 and Oct. 31. Committees are required to make period financial reports, and now must file a final report detailing their dissolution and distribution of any remaining funds. Mayor Mayoral candidates received more than $91,000 in donations and spent more than $89,000 on campaigns throughout the election season. Some campaigns continued to record significant donations and expenditures, while others …
Thursday, November 10, 2011
General Services Administration agrees to set later date once outcome of election is clarified
The closing date for the transfer of a portion of Riverside Park to the Coast Guard Academy will be bumped up due to a pending recount on the question, which narrowly passed at referendum on Tuesday. John E. Kelly, director of the Public Building Service of the United States General Services Administration, said in a letter to city officials today that the closing date for the purchase and sale agreement, Nov. 14, is occurring before the recount, which has been set for Nov. 16. Kelly said due to the circumstances, the General Services Administration is extending the period for the closing date to a time no later than Dec. 31. Voters authorized the sale of 9.14 acres of the park to the academy in a 2,117 to 2,104 vote. The close margin …
Newly elected mayor starting appointment process prior to Dec. 5 oath of office
In a brief event held outside his Ocean Ave. home on Wednesday afternoon, Daryl Finizio named two men to assist him in New London’s transition to the strong form of mayor government. Finizio, who was elected mayor over five other candidates in Tuesday’s election, will be sworn in on Dec. 5, along with other newly elected candidates. He announced that Allyn de Vars and Zak Leavy will be assisting him in temporary roles during the transition period. Leavy will serve as a personal executive assistant during the transition, while de Vars will be chairman of the transition team. Leavy is completing a degree at Eastern Connecticut State University, and de Vars is a right of way specialist for Universal Field Services. Finizio said the City …
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
This Week in New London, Nov. 9-15
Between fall and the various holidays both present and upcoming, there are quite a few events coming up in the next week as chosen by New London Main Street. The main attractions this week are in music. Folk singer Arlo Guthrie visits the Garde Arts Center with his son and grandson at 8 p.m. on Thursday; tickets are $29 to $50. Several local musicians visit Dev’s on Bank Street from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Friday for “Hoot for Hunger,” and donations will support New London Breakfasts. Sinners Circle pays a visit to Bean and Leaf on Saturday, playing from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday features a free veterans’ tribute concert from the Coast Guard Band at 2 p.m. at the Coast Guard Academy’s Leamy Hall while the Connecticut Lyric Opera …
sarah
9:52 am on Friday, April 27, 2012
I totally agree. We all know how low voter turnout is in New London, and if only one poll location were open and staffed that would cut down costs drastically. Staff it with employees who are salaried that can take a couple of hours away from their desk jobs to help with costs!!! more ›