Voters have plenty of choices for Griswold boards, commissions

Griswold — Voters here will not lack choices on Nov. 3.

There are just three uncontested races — town clerk, treasurer, and Board of Assessment Appeals — among the 12 boards and commissions whose candidates are listed on the ballot.

There are five candidates vying to fill three seats on both the Board of Education and the Board of Finance.

Candidates for the school board are Democratic incumbents Laurie Sorder and Kimberley C. Brunelle, Republican incumbent Stuart Norman Jr., Republican newcomer Elizabeth "Betty" Knox and petitioning Republican Jeffrey Petersen.

Norman, 60, a 12-year veteran of the board, said he'd like to be re-elected to a fourth four-year term be part of the ongoing improvement of the district and to continue with the nearly $70 million school renovation and construction projects (he serves as the school board's designee on the building committee) while remaining mindful of budget limitations.

Sorder, 51, shares Norman's focus. She said as a board member it is her "duty to assure Griswold students the best possible education, while remaining fiscally responsible to the citizens."

Brunelle, a nine-year member, said she remains committed to "continuously improving our schools and maintaining fiscal responsibility for the taxpayers." Brunelle said she will continue to strive to provide a balanced education for students including core curriculum, arts, and music and sports programs.

Knox, 66, a former town treasurer, said she wants to make sure the school district retains its good reputation and that despite economic times, core educational programs remain the primary focus.

Petersen, 49, a former finance board member, wants to provide a "principled conservative voice" on the school board and hold the school system accountable for its educational standards and fiscal responsibility.

Board of Finance candidates include incumbent Democrats Steven H. Merchant Sr., the chairman, and John Wolkowski, along with Republican incumbent Peter Dorff. Brian Baker, also a Republican, hopes to unseat one of the incumbents, as does petitioning candidate Anne Palmer Hatfield, a Republican and current selectwoman.

Longtime Tax Collector Richard Grabowski, an incumbent Democrat, is being challenged by Republican Seth C. Croteau, who assured that he'd be considered as a candidate by voters by receiving the GOP endorsement as well as petitioning himself onto the ballot.

In addition to school and finance candidates, there is plenty of competition on the land use and zoning boards.

For a full seat on the Planning and Zoning Commission, incumbent Democrat Courtland C. Kinnie is being challenged by Republican Benjamin E. Hull. The race for the three alternate seats is busier, as Democrats Erika M. Bevis and Lawrence H. Laidley try to earn a position, along with Republicans Hatfield, incumbent Barbara Lee Lukens and Heather L. Edge.

For the Zoning Board of Appeals's three open seats, Democratic incumbents Dorothy Faulise Doucette and Ronald Jodoin will try to retain their full seats and are being challenged by Republicans Kevin Skulczyck, incumbent William Przylucki and Alan D. Aho. Like the planning commission, there is also a race for three alternate positions on the ZBA. The candidates include incumbent Democrats Louis J. Demicco III and May Ann Manning and Republicans Duane A. Button, incumbent Jeffrey E. Petersen and Skulczyck.

The candidates who know their jobs are secure are Democrat Lewis B. Button III, an incumbent, and Republican Joann Kraemer for the Board of Assessment Appeals, along with incumbent Democrats Ellen Dupont, who has been cross-endorsed by the Republican Town Committee, for Town Clerk and Faulise Doucette for Town Treasurer.

m.bard@theday.com