Wilton Democratic Town Committee » Events

Wilton DTC Spring Breakfast Fundraiser | Trackside

admin — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 06:33:09 +0000

• May 8, 2010 9:00 am to 11:30 am

The Wilton Democratic Town Committee held its annual Spring fundraising breakfast Saturday, May 8 at Trackside with nearly one hundred Wiltonians on hand to meet local, state and national office-holders and 2010 statewide candidates.

The enthusiastic crowd heard DTC Chairman John Kalamarides introduce former State Senator George Jepsen, now a Democratic candidate for Connecticut’s Attorney General, and former Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy, a Democratic candidate for Governor. Also warmly greeted was state party Chairwoman Nancy DiNardo.

State Rep. Peggy Reeves Talks With Attendees

The group of featured speakers was led by State Representative Peggy Reeves (143d), who recounted how she had successfully resisted attempts to remove the hard fought achievement of estate tax relief which she had championed in the recent legislative session. Rep. Reeves also applauded the legislature for passing “a very good, environmentally friendly energy bill” designed to facilitate renewable energy development and lower energy costs, and urged the Governor to sign it rather than vetoing it.

Congressman Jim Himes with Ernie Ricco at Trackside

U.S. Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) received a rousing welcome, saying “we’ve got a way to go yet” to get the nation’s economy back on track. Rep. Himes recalled that when he first arrived in Congress in early 2009 the economy was losing 700,000 jobs per month. “We knew it was our job to turn the corner on the worst economic downturn since the 1930s,” Himes said. Applauding the progress that’s been made with the recovery program and historic health care reform, Himes added that significant job growth had been achieved in the last few months including “nearly a quarter of a million private sector jobs in April alone.“ Still more should be done to help get credit flowing to small and mid-sized local businesses to encourage growth and hiring, Himes said. “And we can’t rest while there are still so many people struggling and far too many out of work,“ he added.

Jefferson Jackson Bailey Dinner | CT Convention Center

admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:37:44 +0000

• April 12, 2010 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm

Mark R. Warner, U.S. Senator from Virginia, will be keynoting the 62^nd Annual Jefferson Jackson Bailey Dinner hosted by the Connecticut Democrats.

The event will be held April 12 starting at 5:30 pm. at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. Get directions.

Reserve your ticket now.

Tri-Town Meeting with Democratic State-Wide Candidates | Westport Town Hall

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:42:18 +0000

The Democratic Town Committees of Westport, Wilton and Weston are pleased to announce that they will be hosting two Democratic Candidates Forums.

The first Forum, March 10, will include the candidates for Governor. Each of the possible candidates will provide a brief overview of their qualifications and participate in a question and answer session.

The second Forum, scheduled for April 15, will include the candidates for Attorney General, Secretary of the State, Lieutenant Governor, Treasurer and Comptroller.

Both the Candidates Forums will be held at 8 PM in the auditorium at the Westport Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Avenue.

Gubernatorial Forum

At the March 10 Forum the candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for Governor will include Ned Lamont, the 2006 Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, Dan Malloy, the former four-term Mayor of Stamford, Mary Messina Glassman, six-term First Selectman of Simsbury, Rudy Marconi, ten year First Selectman of Ridgefield and Juan Figueroa, a former five-term state representative.

“This is an important election year and the Town Committees of the three towns want to insure that not only the members of their town committees make educated decisions, but that all residents have access to those people who may be running for office”, according to John Kalamarides, Wilton Democratic Town Committee Chair. “The opportunity to have Democrats from all three towns together makes for an even better working relationship as we head into the convention in Hartford this May.”

Both Candidates Forums are open to the public and all are invited to attend, meet the possible candidates, and ask questions. Admission is free. Following the Forum attendees will have a chance to talk with the possible nominees at a reception in the lobby.

Meeting on Citizen’s Election Program | Stamford Govt. Center

admin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:39:12 +0000

• February 4, 2010 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Common Cause CT is sponsoring an update on the Citizens’ Election Program. Representative Peggy Reeves is one of the speakers.

When:: Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.
Where:: The Representatives’ Caucus Room, 4^th Stamford Government Center
888 Washington Boulevard, Stamford Get Directions ›

Connecticut’s public financing of elections – the Citizens’ Election Program (CEP) – is being threatened by a court ruling and inaction at the legislature. Common Cause believes that changes to the law must be made as soon as possible to address any constitutional questions.

The CEP is making a dramatic difference in opening up the election process for state legislature and for statewide office to people who are not rich or well-connected to lobbyists. This success has changed the way government operates in Connecticut. This is a system worth preserving. This is a system worth protecting.

For additional information, please contact us at 203-979-4676.

Wilton Democratic Caucus | Town Hall – Annex Room A

admin — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:27:34 +0000

• March 23, 2010 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Party Caucus

In Connecticut, parties have caucuses in March to choose delegates for the conventions in May. The caucus is open to all registered Democrats in Town.

For Wilton, the Democratic caucus will be held on March 23^rd at 7:30 p.m. in Room A of the Wilton Town Hall.

In May, the delegates go to conventions to choose the nominees for state representative, state senator, state constitutional officers, as well as senator and congressperson.

The Nominating Conventions

The biggest convention is the State Democratic Convention in Hartford. The delegates from each town come and cast their votes for their favorite candidate to be the party’s nominee for the various “constitutional offices” (i.e. Governor, Lt. Gov., SOTS, Attorney General, Comptroller, Treasurer) and for U.S. Senate.

Inside the State Convention

The State Convention takes place in a large hall. Each race is taken separately, and candidates are nominated by speeches and seconded from the floor. When all the candidates are nominated, the chair of the delegation from each town goes up to the microphone and announces the votes for this candidate or that. Once a candidate gets over 50% of the votes, he or she is declared the winner. In contested races, there may be multiple votes.

Democratic Primary

If someone other than the person nominated by the delegates wants to vie for the party’s nomination, they have the option to file for the primary election (held in early August). If they gather enough signatures for eligibility, they can be listed on the primary ballot. The winner of the primary vote becomes the party’s candidate.

General Election

The general election is held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November – this year, that is November 2^nd.

2010 Election Dates

March 23Selection of Delegates to Conventions
April 26– May 6 State Central Member Elections
May 10Congressional Convention
May 11Judge of Probate Convention
May 18 – May 25 Candidates for Municipal Office (Registrar of Voters)
May 21 – May 22 State Convention
May 24 State Senate Convention
May 25State House of Representative Conventions
August 10 Democratic Primary
Nov. 2General Election

Free Rally for Congressman Jim Himes | Fat Cat Pie Co.

admin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:59:11 +0000

• January 31, 2010 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

DSCC representatives Ted Hoffstatter and Martha Aasen, with help from Sal Liccione, are hosting a free party with U.S. Representative Jim Himes and friends at the Fat Cat Pie Company.

Sunday, January 31^st
4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M
Fat Cat Pie Company
9-11 Wall Street
Norwalk, CT 06850

» Get directions

This rally is focused on keeping change alive in the new year and supporting our candidates for 2010. We hope to see you there.

Meet Denise Merrill, candidate for CT Secretary of State | Comstock School

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:51:34 +0000

• March 3, 2010 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Denise Merrill

Denise Merrill, Connecticut’s current Speaker of the House and a candidate for CT Secretary of State, will speak at the March 3^rd meeting of the Wilton Democratic Town Committee.

State Representative Merrill is currently the Connecticut House Majority Leader. She will address the budget process and her candidacy for Secretary of State.

The meeting is open to the public, and will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Comstock School – Room 21.

Speak Up Wilton Breakfast | Trackside

admin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:26:29 +0000

• January 23, 2010 9:00 am to 10:30 am

The Wilton League of Women Voters, Kiwanis Club, and Town of Wilton will be hosting a "Speak up Wilton" breakfast on Saturday, January 23, 2010 at the Trackside teen center.

This free event gives citizens an opportunity to meet with local elected officials. The question and answer format is designed to promote an open exchange of ideas.

Connecticut Campaign Finance | Norwalk City Hall

admin — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:27:35 +0000

• December 7, 2009 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

The Citizens’ Election Program

The Citizens’ Election Program was a huge success in its inaugural 2008 run. More than 80% the current legislature ran and won utilizing the program. This program removes the influence of special interest money on candidates, and frees them from the constant money chase so they can spend time with voters.

Court Rulings and Legislative Actions

However, recent court rulings have challenged some minor aspects of this popular and important program. Proposed changes are being considered by the legislature that would put the law on solid legal ground and open up the program to even more qualified candidates.

Attend the Citizen Forum

Please join state Reps. Chris Perone (D-Norwalk), Bruce Morris (D-Norwalk), and Peggy Reeves (D-Wilton) to discuss the importance of the Citizens’ Election Program and Clean Elections in Connecticut!

Monday, December 7^th, 2009, 7:00 P.M.
The Community Room, Norwalk City Hall
125 East Avenue – GET DIRECTIONS
Norwalk, CT 06851

Board of Finance Meetings to be Televised | Channel 79

admin — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:11:22 +0000

Starting November 17, Wilton Board of Finance meetings will be televised on Channel 79, Wilton’s government access channel. The meetings will be televised live (at 7:30 p.m.), and re-run several times a day.

Thanks to the Board of Finance for their “good government” vote and especially to Andy Pforzheimer for making the motion to televise.

Says Carole Young-Kleinfeld, our Area Nine Cable Council representative, "I think it’s great the board decided to approve it. You’re providing a window into town government for every single person that has a TV in town."