On Nov. 7 the voters sent a very clear message to the East Lyme Zoning Commission when they voted off Republicans Dave Schmidt and Anne Thurlow. They were unhappy with the decisions that they had made for the commission to go in a new direction. But the Zoning Commission called a surprise meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 16, two days before their regular meeting so they could put Thurlow back on the commission over the will of the voters.

Despite objections from the community and expressions of interest from other candidates, the board unilaterally chose Thurlow, sidelining democratic input. This tactic mirrors the November 2023 election. These actions reveal a disregard for the democratic process and the voices of East Lyme voters. It seems that when the East Lyme GOP can’t win at the ballot box, they decide to choose other methods to get what they want. It’s a stark departure from the community's desire for representatives who prioritize and respect their voices. East Lyme residents deserve elected officials committed to democratic values and responsive to their votes.

Nick Menapace

Niantic

Editor’s note: The writer is a Democrat seeking his party’s nomination for state representative in the 37th District.