Hebron Democratic Town Committee

HDTC Endorsed Candidates


	BRIAN O'CONNELL Board of Selectman Brian is currently in his first term on the Board of Selectmen. He has been serving the Hebron community since 1993 on various boards including Park and Recreation, Open Space and Land Acquisition and Capital Improvement Projects. Brian and his wife Rose have two children that were born and raised in town. He is the owner of O'Connell Wealth Management, an investment advisory firm based in Hebron. Brian believes that finding a balance between the services and needs of the community and the ability of the town to afford them is the most pressing issue at hand. Brian's words "I will continue to listen to the taxpayers and make my decisions with the whole community taken into consideration." "It is indeed an honor to represent my community and I will do so to the best of my ability" Please exercise your constitutional right to vote on November 8th and thank you for your support.

	PAULA VERRIER Hebron Board of Finance Paula came to Hebron in 1982, thinking this was the ideal place to raise a family (there were cows on the main road) and has never looked back. By 1985 she became active in the community. Working as a board clerk for the Town for 16 years gave Paula great exposure to the Town and how things work. She was also very active in the Amston Lake community, having served as Clerk, Treasurer/Tax Collector and President of the Board of Directors of the Amston Lake Hebron Tax District. Paula was instrumental in obtaining the funding needed to enable the property owners, within the special taxing district, to acquire ownership of the lake. The Board of Directors of the special taxing district act as the Boards of Selectmen and Finance in a municipality. Paula has previously served two terms on the Board of Assessment Appeals and also served on the original Tax Abatement Study Committee back at the turn of the century. Over the years she has also volunteered for HES activities, HYBSA, Hebron Historical Society, and Hebron Recreation. When anybody asked, Paula said sure! Presently Paula is training for a ½ Marathon to benefit the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America with her daughter, Melissa. As with many families, her family has suffered with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and she and Melissa want to do something to give back to a community that has helped their family in many ways.

	AMY D'AMADDIO RHAM Board of Education Hello, my name is Amy D’Amaddio. I am a candidate for the RHAM Board of Education and I am looking for your support on November 8. My husband, Darin, and I bought a house and settled in Hebron 14 years ago. We have three elementary school aged children who are active in sports, scouts and other various activities. We attend the Church of the Holy Family where I have served as a religious education teacher and on various committees. I volunteer for school activities and am a member of the GHS/HES PTA. I have been employed by the Judicial Branch Court Support Services for 16 years. I am a juvenile probation officer and spent approximately 8 years working with the children, families, schools and community organizations in the town of Hebron. I have since transitioned to a role that allows me to coordinate educational services, statewide, for court involved children. This past year I helped draft legislation that was passed to improve the continuity of educational services of children moving through our system. I serve on various committees related to the education and improving the well-being of children who are homeless, at high risk of dropping out of school, abusing substances and/or of being involved in the criminal justice system. Whether a child is from an urban or rural community, is a high achiever or under performer, or the family is rich or poor, every child has a right to an appropriate educational program. Especially with the current economic climate, children are impacted by experiences in different ways, and every child from Hebron is coming to school with different hopes, dreams, strengths and challenges. I am running for the RHAM BOE because I believe that the diversity of the experiences that each child brings to school each day provides us, the adults, an opportunity and responsibility to engage, connect and learn about each child and each family’s unique strengths and challenges. I will bring my knowledge and experience of collaborating with various state and municipal departments and other community organizations to the RHAM BOE to enhance the good work already being done to improve the middle and high school climate, while ensuring the continued efforts to provide a rigorous education for all. The recent legislation passed to guide school districts to improve school environments, to ensure every child feels that their school is safe (free from bullying), responsive and is an engaging learning community, will provide me an opportunity to share my passion and experience with the board who will help shape RHAM’s response to this challenge.

	STEPHANIE RAYMOND Hebron Board of Education A 16 year resident of Hebron, Stephanie Raymond serves as a current member of the Hebron Board of Education. She is a practicing attorney employed by Hartford Financial Services Group located in Hartford. Stephanie works in the Corporate Law Department specializing in governmental compliance issues. As such, she is well versed in analyzing statutory law and dealing with regulatory authorities. Stephanie lives on Fox Ridge Lane with her husband Bruce, daughter Hannah (a sixth grader at Gilead Hill), and son Ethan. Stephanie has regularly volunteered at Gilead Hill School over many years and has also attended PTA meetings. Stephanie is starting in her seventh year as a brownie girl scout leader in town. Stephanie grew up in Connecticut and attended UCONN where she earned a degree in political science. Stephanie received her law degree from Boston University in 1994.

	MARYANNE LEICHTER Hebron Board of Education Maryanne Leichter has lived in Hebron since 1974. Maryanne and her husband Mal decided that Hebron was the type of community they wanted to raise their family in. Both of their children attended the Hebron Schools from grades K to 6, and also attended and graduated from RHAM middle and high schools. Maryanne has been serving on the RHAM Board of Education for the past 4+ years. She has enjoyed working collegially with her fellow RHAM Board of Education members on behalf of students. Professionally Maryanne has been in the education field for 37 years. She has taught special education in grades K through 12 and has also served as an administrator in this capacity. She received her undergraduate degree and master’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University. Later on she received a 6th year degree in Educational Leadership from Sacred Heart University. Working on the educational needs of children has been her career. She believes in the Hebron Public School’s capacity to prepare students for the future, and wants to be a part of that process. Please remember to vote on Tuesday, November 8th, 2011.

	FRANK ZITKUS Planning & Zoning Commission F. Zitkus Seeking Continued Support; My name is Frank Zitkus and I am seeking your continued support for re-election to the Hebron Planning and Zoning Commission for my fourth term. My wife, Ann, and I have lived in Hebron for 20 years. I have served on the Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) for 13 years, most of them as Secretary. I also serve as the Commission’s representative to the Town’s highly successful Open Space Land Acquisition Committee, which I have been a member and Secretary of for the last 12 years. In addition, I have served on the town Capital Improvement Committee for 4 years. Ann, a former very active Parks and Recreation Commission member, volunteered her time to write several multi-town Rails-to-Trails grants of which we all enjoy. The PZC is a vital town Commission, charged with the responsibility of fairly and consistently applying the town’s Zoning Regulations to each development application and modifying such regulations for the betterment of the community. With my fellow commission members, I give each application a careful and thorough review to ensure that development optimizes resource protection, recreational enjoyment and overall enhancement of the town. During my service to the PZC, my fellow members and I have expended much effort in reviewing and modifying PZC Regulations to better protect the Town’s natural, historical and cultural resources and preserve Hebron’s rural character while providing appropriate flexibility desired for a sustainable community. In 2004, our Commission completed Hebron’s Plan of Conservation and Development. This comprehensive planning guide serves to ensure that future development is sustainable and beneficial to the community and that unique and environmentally sensitive land is protected for future generations. An update to this Plan will be required during the next four years, for which I look forward to assisting on. While serving on the Open Space Land Acquisition Committee, the Committee has been very proactive in the Town’s purchasing, and otherwise protecting, several hundred acres of open space for our community’s passive and active recreational enjoyment, including Burnt Hill and Church Street Parks. In addition, 72 acres of farmland have been directly preserved. I author the Committee’s outreach publications and have completed a comprehensive report of the Committee’s priority land preservation actions, finding and goals. With my experience and dedication in serving in the community’s best interest, I ask for your continued support this November in re-electing me to the Planning and Zoning Commission Respectfully, Frank Zitkus, PZC Secretary and Incumbent 91 West Street Hebron, CT

	DONALD MASTERS Hebron Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate Hello, my name is Donald Masters and I am a candidate for the Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate, and I request your support and vote on Election Day. I have lived in Connecticut all my life and my family and I are especially proud to have spent the last 15 years as residents of Hebron. I truly feel privileged to have this opportunity to continue to represent the Town on the Zoning Board of Appeals as an Alternate. My educational background includes advanced degrees in both engineering and business administration, enabling me to make the correct business decision among the various technical solutions that are often presented. All my academic degrees were attained with high honors as I make a point of putting my best effort into all of my pursuits, and I believe these skills and traits have and will translate seamlessly into a continuing role as a Member of the ZBA. My background as an engineer allows me to focus on the facts at hand and seek a solution that best resolves the issue for all involved parties. As a alternate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals I have participated in many of the committee's deliberations over the last number of years and believe that this experience translates seamlessly into the serving our Community for another term. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve our Town as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals as an Alternate. Thank you and Please Vote on Tuesday, November 8, 2011. Don

	CATHY MURPHY Zoning Board of Appeals Hi, my name is Cathy Murphy and I am a candidate for re-election to the Zoning Board of Appeals. I have lived in Hebron for more than 26 years, and am a graduate of the University of Connecticut. I have served on the Zoning Board of Appeals since 1999 and have held the position of Secretary, Vice Chairperson and Chairperson. I request and seek your support and vote on Election Day, and if re-elected I will continue to fulfill the purpose and function of the Board and will continue to balance the reasonable use of property with the important limitations set forth in the zoning regulations. In carrying out these responsibilities I have and will continue to strive and vote to maintain the character of the town and our neighborhoods. Thank you and Please Vote on November 8, 2011. Cathy

	CYNTHIA GRINNELL Zoning Board of Appeals Cynthia is seeking re-election to the Zoning Board of Appeals. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island and holds a degree in Mathematics. She worked for United Technologies Research Labs as an Engineering Aide and Programmer. Cynthia also taught programming at Hartford State Technical College. Here in Hebron she has successfully served our community on the following Boards and Committees: Board of Selectman; Tax Collector; Board of Education; Building Committee for the Town Office Building Expansion; Zoning Board of Appeals. Cynthia serves as the Hebron Democratic Town Committee Vice Chairperson and has served the Committee for many years.

	ANTHONY NOVAK Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate Anthony S. Novak Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate I have resided in Hebron since 1987 with my wife, Laureen, and my two sons, Christopher and Jonathan. Both my sons have attended Hebron schools from kindergarten through high school. I am a practicing attorney with Chorches & Novak, P.C. located in Wethersfield, Connecticut. I have been an active member of the Hebron Lions Club since 1987. I am also an active member of the Tolland County Farm Bureau, having served on the Board of Directors for that farm organization for a number of years. I hold a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in history and historical preservation from the University of Connecticut and hold a law degree from Western New England School of Law. My interest in agriculture and the preservation of Hebron’s historical and natural assets has lead me to seek re-election to the Zoning Board of Appeals as an alternate. In my role as a current Alternate I have been able to voice my concerns for Hebron’s historical and natural assets to the Zoning Board of Appeals and have worked within the Board to preserve the quality of our land and spaces and at the same time listen and act appropriately concerning the issues that have been deliberated before the Board. I look forward to continue serving our Town as an alternate member.

	GIL SALK Planning & Zoning Commission Alternate Gil Salk has been a Hebron resident for more than 30 years. He is currently serving the Town as a member of the Hebron Green Energy Committee, the Energy Committee at RHAM, and the Hebron Town Democratic Committee. He is a past member of the Hebron Conservation Commission. The retired owner of Books & Birds Used & Rare Books in Manchester, Gil has returned to an early interest in photography and has exhibited his nature work in several craft fairs and art shows as well as shooting personal and event photography. He’s an active hiker, swimmer, and student of political affairs. Prior to opening his bookstore, he was Director of a variety of not-for-profit political and social service organizations. Among other honors, he was appointed by former Gov. Ella Grasso as an original member of the CT Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. He’s very interested in the controlled growth of Hebron, preferably along environmentally responsible lines. Gil believes that by offering to serve on the Hebron Zoning Board of Appeals as an Alternate, he will have an opportunity to enter into discussions on Hebron’s growth with a wide range of residents. Gil is married, and his daughter is a RHAM graduate. He has a B.A. from UMass in Amherst. Gil has recently taken courses on Sustainable Energy at MCC, making the Dean’s List.