Democratic Town Committee Gets 10 New Members

The following statement was released by the Darien Democratic Town Committee:

At a Jan. 10 Town Caucus, the Darien Democratic Town Committee welcomed 10 new members to its ranks, fulfilling a goal of increasing participation among Party members. The Democrats elected a DTC slate consisting of 24 total members, including 14 returning, for the 2012-14 term. The new term begins in March.    

Among those returning were John Davis, the DTC chairman for the past eight years, and Maribeth Sears, the current treasurer.

Davis said that he was extremely impressed with the new group’s collective talents, experience, and commitment to the town of Darien. “The new slate of members will help the DTC continue to be a positive force in the community,” he said. “We wanted to create opportunities for more Democrats to take part in shaping the Party's activities, platform and direction, and this group responded.“

Newly elected members include Mary Ellen Moore and Karla Coe, who serve on the board of the Darien League of Women Voters; Peter Bigelow and Vickie Riccardo, both previous members of the Darien Planning & Zoning Commission; and Jo-Ann Sawitisky, a member of the Darien Youth Commission.

RTM members Frank Huck, Cassandra Hegarty and Susan LeHan will be joining the committee for the first time, along with community volunteer Penny Bushell, and Sharad Samy, an attorney and a former major in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Returning DTC members include Frank Adelman, Carolyn Bayne, Tom Duffy, Marianne Gutierrez, Randy Klein, Rachel Martin, Shannon Silsby, Shawn St. Jean, Tom Valentino, Thomas B. Valentino, Robert Vilter and Cecil Wade.

Outgoing vice chairman Tony Imbimbo, who led the DTC search committee, said the new members bring energy and a fresh perspective to the DTC: “These individuals have spent many years serving Darien. They are the types of volunteers who roll up their sleeves and work well with other members of the community to help make Darien a wonderful place to live and raise a family.”

“Many have experience either in town government or as advocates for good government and the open, democratic process,” Imbimbo added. “They understand the important role the DTC plays at the local, state and national level, and they want to participate in that.”

Davis added that, because 2012 is a Presidential election year, it should be an exciting term with many opportunities for volunteers to participate at the local, state or national level.  

Corrections: Originally, the news release said Davis has been chairman for six years. He's been chairman for eight. Another correction: Originally, the article headline said there were 12 new members. There are 10.