Democratic candidates for our local election share Ridgefielders’ priorities and possess the expertise to deliver, especially for Board of Finance (BOF) and Board of Education (BOE). Dave Ulmer Tried and thoroughly true, Dave brings deep expertise, experience, reliability, prudence and steadiness. Dave has been the “essential” BOF member since first elected in 2003, serving as […]

Ridgefield is a community of neighbors and neighborhoods. Pitching in for common cause and common good. Civic engagement, community involvement, and public spiritedness make our town envied far and wide. Good local government is a key ingredient of that acclaim, not coincidentally but integrally. All the Democratic candidates for local election this fall are good

My name is Molly McGeehin and I am asking you to re-elect me as Ridgefield’s Town Treasurer on November 5th.  When I ran for office in 2015, I promised Ridgefield residents I would create a more efficient, transparent and fiscally-sound management of Ridgefield’s financial assets. Almost 4 years later, I believe I have delivered on

Last November, after years of grassroots advocacy by concerned citizens, Ridgefield voted to amend the Town Charter and create an independent Inland Wetlands Board (IWB) separate from the Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z). Ridgefield Democrats energetically campaigned for the change, publishing and promoting a voter guide, advocating on our website, social media, print and mass

After eight months of intense vetting, last week Ridgefield Democrats nominated a broad, diverse, and exceptionally qualified slate for local election. The large pool of conscientious townspeople eager to serve Ridgefield enabled Democrats to balance strengths for every board: proven experience and innovative new perspectives, subject-matter expertise and local knowledge, passion and pragmatism, visionary leadership and efficient, effective management. We nominated ordinary Ridgefielders (quite likely at least one Democratic candidate is your own very good neighbor) willing to exert extraordinary effort to better our town. Each candidate is dedicated to the quintessential Democratic ethic of “PRESERVE, REFORM, ENHANCE”: preserve Ridgefield’s

Many New Voices, Seasoned with Esteemed, Experienced Public Servants “Great flood”-level storms were no obstacle for the standing-room-only crowd of determined Democrats who caucused Monday evening, July 22, 2019, at Town Hall. Though scheduled to begin at 7:30 pm, the business of the caucus didn’t get fully underway until about 8 pm, as Cindy Bruno,

In 2017, Ridgefield Democrats successfully fielded a broad, substantial slate combining several first-time candidates and respected veterans. That combination of proven leadership and energetic new voices is a winning formula for our town. In the years since, Ridgefield has elevated its already enviable quality of life, school system, and public services while keeping property taxes

Step forward Now for the 2019 election (or hold your peace until 2021). This fall Ridgefield voters will elect 37 local officials, including First Selectman and the entire Board of Selectmen, Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, Tax Collector, and various seats on the Board of Finance, Board of Education, Planning & Zoning Commission, Inland Wetlands Board

On, Saturday afternoon, June 15, 2019, the combined Gay-Straight Alliances of East Ridge Middle School, Scotts Ridge Middle School, and Ridgefield High School held their first annual “Pride in the Park” celebration. It was a roaring success. Families and groups from across Ridgefield and nearby towns crowded Ballard Park to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride. On Saturday,

Friends, The 2019 regular session has adjourned and I want to thank each of you for your input and advocacy as we moved forward on a number of important issues that help build a foundation from which our state can grow and ensure nobody is left behind. What I am most proud of is that we

HB7424, the Democratic state budget bill, passed the House on June 3. Contrary to misinformation-spewing borrow-and-spend-Republicans, the Democratic budget holds taxes flat, pays down long-term liabilities, maintains funding for towns and schools, achieves important savings, and builds on and accelerates renewed economic and fiscal dynamism. Stabilizes and reforms growth-sapping fixed costs Saves $185 million in

Memorial Day 2019. Ridgefield Memorial Day Parade on Main Street and Ceremony in Ballard Park.

There is broad expert, public, and political consensus that Connecticut’s transportation infrastructure is deteriorating at an alarming rate and requires urgent, substantial modernization to ensure that everyone who uses our roads or rides our rails is safe. Connecticut has more than 300 bridges that are structurally deficient, and nearly a third were built before 1950.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash Recently, 111thDistrict State Representative John Frey received fawning accolades on local news outlets and social media when he announced his call to eliminate state pensions for state elected officials. The accolades are undeserved. Frey has repeatedly introduced his “bill” in recent years, announcing it with the same misleading narrative

In December this column warned, “As Governor-elect Lamont initiates programs to accelerate repair of Connecticut finances and economy, view Republican criticisms with the extreme mistrust they warrant.” Connecticut Republicans continue to deceive, subverting public discourse about problems and solutions into crude efforts to generate fear, instill cynicism, and misinform. Governor Malloy was the first governor

Reactions to State Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney’s bill to require towns with fewer than 40,000 residents to regionalize schools are loud, negative, and justified. Looney’s and similarly misguided bills are blunt Bowie Knives for delicate concerns that require laser scalpel. Ridgefield Democrats oppose all efforts to force schools to combine. Legislators across Connecticut,