Getting Out the Norwalk Vote

Updated: Tuesday, 5:30p.m.
The Democrats  – both candidates and volunteers – seemed to have a monopoly on the parking lots and sidewalks outside polling places across Norwalk this afternoon.

Patch stopped by three polling places: St. Mary's Hall, Nathan Hale Middle School and Kendall School.

Outside St. Mary's Hall around 2:00p.m., Dave Watts' wife Kathy, son DJ, 9, family friend Maureen Eckrich and Watts' mother-in-law Margaret Rice were passing out literature to voters.

Rice, who had been at St. Mary's hall since 6:00a.m. said, "It was dark and cold at six this morning. Right now it's quiet, but it has been busy. People arrive in waves." 

"One lady said, 'There seem like a lot more Democrats campaigning today,' said Eckrich, who is the crossing guard at DJ Watts' grade school. Eckrich said she'd been handing out palm cards for Watts at St. Mary's since 9:30a.m. 

Also handing out palm cards to voters as they arrived was Sonia Oliver whose sister Sharon Stewart is a Democrat running for Councilman-at-Large.

"It's time for a change," said Oliver. "Moccia should come out. To me this election is more important  than a presidential election. The results of this election directly impact day-to-day life. These people we elect are in charge of getting your roads paved, of snow removal... Everything that effects your daily life."

Oliver said she was not happy with the NEON situation, referring to the troubled anti-poverty and social services agency that has run a Head Start childcare program in Norwalk.

"This NEON issue might put him (Moccia) over the edge," said Oliver. "It's not complicated. Why Moccia pulled the funding...he wasn't thinking about the families who use NEON," she added, shaking her head.  

Up at Nathan Hale Middle School, Naomi Kydes, wife of John Kydes, Democrat who is running for Councilman, District C, said people should vote if they hadn't yet.

"If you don't vote, you don't get to complain," said Kydes. "If you want to have your opinion matter, you have to make your vote count."

Kevin Poruban, a Democrat, who is running for Councilman, District C, said the polls at Nathan Hale had been busy all day. "People should come out to vote if they don't feel Norwalk is on the right track. If they feel Norwalk is on the right track, then they have nothing to worry about," he said. 

Parking in a handicapped spot outside Nathan Hale were Kathy Hughes and her mother Marge who described themselves as lifelong Norwalkers.

Asked why they turned out to vote in the municipal election, Kathy, who attended Nathan Hale herself years ago, said, "It's time for a change. A big thing for me is taxes. They're already high, and I pray Harry Rilling won't raise taxes."

"I am not feeling well today," said Marge Hughes. "I was lying down, but here I am. I want a change too."

Up at Kendall School were more Democrats. Candidates Eloisa Melendez and David Watts greeted every Norwalker who arrived to vote.

"It's been a great experience. A lot of people are supporting us," said Melendez, who at just 19 is a Democrat running in District A. "I have been here since 7:00a.m.," she said, adding that she'd had to leave briefly to go to one of her classes at Norwalk Community College. "I had to take a test, but I'm pretty sure I did well." 

Melendez said she met Warren Peña a few years ago and, "He saw my interest in politics. That's how it started. He got me into it," she said. "I want to stay in Norwalk. I want to raise a family here. If I lose I will try again."

"My father was a police officer in Norwalk for 25 years," Melendez continued. "He worked under Harry Rilling who became chief when I was two years old."

"There are about 85,000 people in Norwalk and about 25,000 of them are Hispanic," Melendez said. "I want to represent Hispanics and all people of Norwalk," she said, adding that if she were to win she would be just the second Hispanic councilman.

Watts, whose son DJ attends Kendall School greeted every voter with a handshake, but most seemed to already know who he was.

"Every vote is going to count," said Watts. "This is going to make an impact on what we want for our city," Watts said. "People don't like how the city's garbage collection was outsourced," he said, referring to the city's contract with City Carting. "We want to get things done. I'll push for things like roadwork projects."

Just beyond Watts and Melendez was Monica Holley who was there to support Deirdre Davis, Democrat candidate for Council-at-Large.

"She helps out with the community a lot. She's a great person and a great role model. I love her," said Holley. "If I didn't, I wouldn't be out here in the cold all day."


Original story
It's election day and the polls in Connecticut are open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. To check your polling, check the city website.

Click here to see sample ballots on the City of Norwalk website.

The Connecticut Secretary of State's website has a video on how to use the optical scanning machine and a link to the state's voter's bill of rights.

If anyone encounters a difficulty at the polls may call 1-866-SEEC-INFO or 1 (866) 733-2463 or email elections@ct.gov.

This year Norwalkers can register to vote and cast a ballot on election day, but registration must be done by 8:00p.m. as opposed to starting the process by 8:00p.m. Also, to register and vote at the same time you can't go to your assigned polling place. You must go to city hall. 

Connecticut has over 2 million registered voters, including 741,340 registered Democrats, 414,711 registered Republicans and 842,723 unaffiliated registered voters. There are 14,782 registered members of the Independent Party, and 264 members of the Working Families party, and even one member in the Guilty Party. 

Below is a list of candidates, their party affiliation and office each is running for. Or click here for sample ballots.

Candidates 

Mayor (Vote for One)
Richard Moccia (R)
Harry Rilling (D)

City Treasurer (Vote for One)
Ralph A. DePanfilis (R)
David Jaeger (D)

City Sheriff (Vote for One)
Nikitas  Handrinos (R)
Anna Duleep (D)

Town Clerk
Richard A. McQuaid (R)
Vacant (D)

Selectmen (Vote for Any Two)
Brian J. Smith (R)
Kathryn Angela Martino (R)
Mark Pinzon (D)
Piet Marks (D)

Constable (Vote for Any Four)
John Romano (R)
Arthur J. Scialabba (R)
Fred Bondi (R)
Peter D. Andreoli, Jr. (R)
George La Monica (D)
Brenda-Penn Williams (D)
Raymond Dunlap (D)
Ari Disraelly (D)

Council-at-Large (Vote for Any Five)
Douglas E. Hempstead (R)
Bruce Kimmel (R)
Richard Bonenfant (R)
Glenn A. Iannaccone (R)
Joe Kendy (R)
Warren Pena (D)
Sharon Stewart (D)
Olivia Dardy (D)
Chrisley Ceme (D)
Deidra Davis (D)

Board of Education (Vote for Any Four)
Sue Haynie (R)
Lauren Rosato (R)
Artie Kassimis (R)
John Bazzano (R)
Sherelle Harris (D)
Heidi Keyes (D)
Haroldo Williams (D)
Shirley Mosby (D)
Steven A. Colarossi (Norwalk Community Values Party)
Andres Roman (Norwalk Community Values Party)

Council - District A (Vote for Any Two)
Robert Mercurio (R)
Edmund Ryan (R)
Eloisa Melendez (D)
David Watts (D)

Council - District B (Vote for Any Two)
Frank Verdone (R)
Michael Geake (R) 
Travis Simms (D)
Phaedrel Bowman (D)

Council - District C (Vote for Any Two)
Sarah Mann (R)
Michelle A. Maggio (R)
John Kydes (D)
Kevin Poruban (D)

Council - District D (Vote for Any Two)
Shannon O'Toole-Giandurco (R)
Jerry E. Petrini (R)
Nicholas Sacchinelli (D)
Marilyn Robinson (D)

Council - District E (Vote for Any Two)
David McCarthy (R)
Emily Wilson (R)
Kate Tepper (D)
John Igneri (D)

1st Taxing District Commissioner (Vote for One)
Robert Mercurio (R)
Robert Corbo (D)

1st Taxing District Treasurer (Vote for One)
Brian J. Smith(R)
Marija Bryant (D)

2nd Taxing District Commissioner (Vote for One)
Cesar  Ramirez (R)
Edward McQuillan (R) 
Martha Dumas (D)

2nd Taxing District Treasurer (Vote for One)
Harold Bonnet (R)
Sonya Merril (D)

3rd Taxing District Commissioner (Vote for One)
Jim Anderson (R)
Debora Goldstein (D)

3rd Taxing District Treasurer (Vote for One)
Michael F. Intrieri (R)
Taber Hamilton, III (D)

6th Taxing District Commissioner (Vote for One)
Tamsen C Langalis (D)

6th Taxing District Treasurer (Vote for One)
John P Verel  (D)
John P Verel (R)