The little girl in Hillary's "Red Phone" Ad...

... is about to turn 18 -- and she's an Obama volunteer. Check out her message:

Pretty good, eh?

Obama's story in his own words

Here's an ad the Obama campaign has just begun to run in Pennsylvania (click the image to play the video):

Barack Obama with his maternal grandparents

Liveblogging the CT-3rdCD Obama Caucus

On my way over to Career High

Going to do some phone banking to get the night started...

-posted by Sheila Mc7 @ 6:10 PM

---

Here at Career

Jen and her boys upon arrival.

-posted by Sheila Mc7 @ 6:34 PM

---

Making calls...

I'm reaching every type of potential voters... Obama supporters, undecideds... and answering machines!

-posted by Sheila Mc7 @ 7:04 PM

---

Local gals

That's Beth, Stephanie, Harriet and Pua, making the scene tonight...

-posted by Sheila Mc7 @ 7:11 PM

---

More Woodbridge support

They're coming out of the woodwork on this rainy evening. Here's Jeanette, Laurence and kids.

-posted by Sheila Mc7 @ 7:14 PM

---

GObama!

Now that's some show of support!

-posted by Sheila Mc7 @ 7:19 PM

---

Room is filling up now

Getting close to 7:30...

-posted by Sheila Mc7 @ 7:22 PM

---

The Woodbridge aisles..

... are also filling up!

-posted by Sheila Mc7 @ 7:24 PM

---

The Obama slate of delegates...

... and some of its supporters.

-posted by Sheila Mc7 @ 7:27 PM

---

More local highlights

Ed and Ellie Sheehy join the fun.

-posted by Sheila Mc7 @ 7:29 PM

---

One of the people we're here to support

Woodbridge's own Jerry Weiner.

-posted by Sheila Mc7 @ 7:33 PM

---

Getting underway now

Andrea and her son settle in, the doors are all closed, first speaker is up on stage (no microphone!)

-posted by Sheila Mc7 @ 7:36 PM

---

Opening the floor to nominations

Wait! First the pledge!

-posted by Sheila Mc7 @ 7:38 PM

---

OK, the real call for nominations

So far we have John DeStefano and Martin Looney nominated -- we are doing this in gender categories for some reason...

-posted by Sheila Mc7 @ 7:45 PM

---

Jen Just is nominated

A big cheer goes up from the Woodbridge aisles -- and the rest of the
room, too!

-posted by Sheila Mc7 @ 7:47 PM

---

Closing nominations now

Toni Walker is nominated, then some other guy [who turns out to be Allen Page], then Jerry Weiner (with another big cheer!)

-posted by Sheila Mc7 @ 7:49 PM

---

Voting now

After Roger moves to close nominations, we've ended up approving everyone but the alternate (the only slot with more than one nominee) -- and we're voting with paper ballots for just that slot now...

-posted by Sheila Mc7 @ 7:53 PM

---

Jen prepares to take the stage

As we count the ballots for alternate, time for a few brief words...

-posted by Sheila Mc7 @ 7:56 PM

---

Talking Obama

Jen talks about all the hard work everyone has put in so far on the Obama campaign, and then speaks to the heart of the night: "I've been working in the world I want to believe exists... Barack can make it happen!"

-posted by Sheila Mc7 @ 7:59 PM

---

And that's a wrap -- we have our delegation to Denver!

Once all the paper ballots are tallied, Jerry wins 118 to 62 -- and we're done now.

Today is the day: Obama Caucuses in CT

OK, there are five caucuses happening tonight, one in each of CT's Congressional Districts, to elect Obama delegates to the Democratic National Convention in August in Denver. Apparently, these caucuses are for district level delegates and alternates -- additional "At Large" delegates will be determined on March 26th. But here's the rundown on what is happening tonight:

1st CD: West Hartford Town Hall Auditorium, 50 South Main Street, West Hartford
Recommended Slate: Larry Charles, Sofia Dannenberg, Val McCall, Shawn Wooden (Alternate: Mayor Scott Slifka)

2nd CD: Bacon Academy Auditorium, 611 Norwich Avenue, Colchester
Recommended Slate: Vivien Blackford, Robert Madore, Nick Paindiris

3rd CD: Hill Career High School Auditorium, 140 Legion Avenue, New Haven
Recommended Slate: Mayor John DeStefano, Jennifer Just, Sen. Martin Looney, Rep. Toni Walker (Alternate: Jerry Weiner)

4th CD: Shining Star Lodge #303, 33 Mission Street, Stamford
Recommended Slate: Lyda Ahearn, Gloria DePina,Tom Wilkinson (Alternate: Gail Worthington)

5th CD: Washington Middle School Auditorium, 1225 North Broad Street, Meriden
Recommended Slate: Frank Borges, Millie Torres Ferguson, Elizabeth Giannaros (Alternate: Sen. Don DeFronzo)

I'll be attending the 3rd Congressional District's caucus in New Haven, with my nifty iPhone. As long as I have some sort of wireless connection while I'm there (Do they ban cell phones in New Haven school buildings? How would they do that anyway -- a big lead shield over the roof???), I will attempt to live blog the event. Wouldn't that be neat!

Stay tuned here to see if I can pull it off... Remember to refresh the page (to see newer blog entries) you have to click the banner (where it says "Woodbridge Dems" in big letters at the top of the page)...

Live blogging?

Is it really this easy?

Obama Worldwide

Interesting new website let's you view a map of Obama supporters -- check it out (and map yourself if the spirit moves you!):
ObamaWorldwide!

Here's a pie chart of all CT Obama supporters who have joined the map to date:

Thanks, Zell!

Wow. Who knew we would incur such a debt of gratitude to crazy ol' Zell Miller?

Joe Lieberman's endorsement of Republican John McCain disqualifies him as a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention under what is informally known as the Zell Miller rule...

Read the whole story at the Capital Watch blog-- but yes, great news for the Nutmeg state!

---

Update: And here's a special blast from the past: our friend Zell Miller was the hit attraction (for the kids anyway) of our BBQ for America, way back in September 2004. Remember when... Zell had just given his rousing speech at the GOP Convention... some clever ditty about our candidate leaving our armed forces equipped with nothing but spitballs... yeah, that was fun.

GObama in Woodbridge

Super Fat Tuesday primary results are in for Woodbridge:

Woodbridge dems = 1418 total ballots
Obama = 707
Clinton = 686
Edwards = 15
Dodd = 3
Gravel = 2
Kucinich = 2
Biden = 1
Richardson = 1
Uncomitted = 4

The candidate himself says it so well:

"Tonight, we know one thing for sure -- our time has come, our movement is real, and change is coming to America.

At this moment in history, the stakes are too high and the challenges too great to play the same Washington game with the same Washington players and expect a different result.

This time must be different.

There will be those who say it cannot be done. But we know what we have seen and what we believe -- that when ordinary people come together we can still do extraordinary things.

Yes, we can."

Check out the music video from YouTube:

GObama!

Road paved with, best intentions

Yeah, gonna get to this. Soon.

Campaign 2007 Photo Album

It all began with our Democratic Caucus in January, when the party's slate was announced...







The candidates made various appearances around town...








As election day neared, there were more appearances and lots of meeting and greeting!

...and of course, we remembered to have some fun, too -- complete with some music by our friends, the Navels!







Then the hard work really began... election day dawned and we sprung into action!









After the vote count, there was only one thing left to do... CELEBRATE!







~~~
Just a last note of special thanks to all the campaign workers and volunteers (especially our wonderful GOTV phone call crew on election day!) and the outstanding candidates who inspired all our hard work. GO TEAM BLUE! Yahoooooooo!

Campaign 2007 - Into the History Books

~~~
Ed Sheehy and Jerry Weiner at the vote count earlier this evening in the Center Gym
~~~

Tonight's election results in Woodbridge are as follows -- congratulations to the winners (in bold, with asterisks, along with total votes):

First Selectman
Edward Maum Sheehy (D) 1,536*
Christopher R. Dickerson (R) 1,282

Board of Selectmen

Ellen Scalettar (D) 1,576*
James K. Sabshin (D) 1,469*
Sandra T. Stein (D) 1,486*
Laura Ferrante Fernandes (R) 1,245*
William J. Fox (R) 1,183*
Lochlin A. Reidy (R) 1,176

Amity Regional Board of Education
Julie C. Altman (D) 1,457*
Susan L. Jacobs (D) 1,470*
Chris A. DeLeone (R) 1,362
Ernest C. Britton (R) 1,086

Woodbridge Board of Education
Michael F. Ewing (D) 1,459*
Thomas J. Handler (D) 1,398*
Carl W. Lindskog (R) 1,294*
Mark T. Livesay (R) 1,174*

Board of Assessment Appeals
Henry J. Nusbaum (D) 1,422*
Michael J. Soufrine (R) 1,237

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)
Mark F. Kohler (D) 1,407*
Akhil Reed Amar (D) 1,163
Viviana Langou Livesay (R) 1,185
Lynn A. Piascyk (R) 1,569*

ZBA Alternate
Mark I. Levine (D) 1,502*
Cynthia L. Gibbons (R) 1,506*
Louis N. Ritucci (R) 1,397

What's that you say, Mrs. Robinson? Going to the candidates debate...

Laugh about it, shout about it, when you've got to choose...

Well, to help you with that choice; The League of Women Voters - Amity, the Beecher PTO and The Bulletin co-sponsored the usual candidates debate at Beecher Road School last night. The audience was a bit smaller than in past election years, but with a crucial Board of Finance meeting going on across town at the same time, it was hard for residents to know where more action would be taking place!

Democrats Tom Handler (candidate for Woodbridge Board of Ed, pictured at right) and Ed Sheehy (candidate for First Selectman, pictured below) were outstanding as they represented the team to answer questions focused on goals for education, how to balance school funding with other fiscal responsibilities and the need to keep taxes down so seniors and others of limited means can continue to afford to live in town.

There were also questions about the towns' Government Access TV channel and the mediation process now mandated by the DPUC (read more on the Gov-TV blog).

Speaking of Gov-TV -- the debate was recorded by the League of Women Voters and will be in heavy rotation, playing daily along with other town meetings on Cablevision Channel 79 by next week.

Look for it there!

Board of Finance votes on town budget

The room was packed with supporters of public education, as the BOF considered the recommendation from the Board of Selectmen to restore all but $50,0000 to the Woodbridge Board of Education's budget for 2007-08. Out of respect for the Board's time that night, only a handful of community members made public comments at the start of the meeting -- but they spoke powerfully in favor of returning funds to education.

There was lengthy discussion by BOF members, some of whom persist in their criticism of the school's new plans for technology spending. But the biggest concern still seems to be re-hashing the past -- and no amount of patient explanation by the current administration and technology staff of the school seems to sway the members who are determined to limit funding, and thereby impede progress in getting the school back up-to-speed after years of computer line item neglect.

At the end of the meeting it came down to a vote that deadlocked 3-3 with Democrats Laurence Grotheer and Tony Schaffer together with unaffiliated Board Chairman Matt Giglietti in favor of restoring $76,000 to the Beecher budget, and Republicans Janet Barilarri, George Giering, and Michael Luther against. Then in a dramatic turn, Democratic First Selectman Ed Sheehy broke the tie with his vote in favor of restoring funds.

While this does not represent 100% funding of what the Board of Education had requested, as a vote of confidence in the new direction at Beecher Road School, this meeting -- coupled with very positive words and action by the Selectman and the much greater than usual turnout at the Preliminary Budget Hearing -- makes clear that the community is coming together in support of public education.

Onwards and upwards!

Woodbridge Democrats launch campaign 2007

Members of the Ed Sheehy for First Selectman campaign committee gather for a recent kick-off meeting. Pictured below (from left to right) are; Campaign Committee Co-Chair Beth Heller, Carolyn Wolff, Mike Ewing, Elia Alexiades, Sandy Stein, Jim Sabshin, Ed Sheehy, Ellen Scalettar, Hank Nussbaum, Jerry Weiner, Mary Lee Barker, Sheila McCreven, and Committee Co-Chair Suzanne Mizzoni.

He is the worst

He is the worst
Originally uploaded by Sheila McCreven.

Yes, it's true -- as confirmed today in the USA Today.

The Democratic slate for May election

Candidates gathered at last week's Democratic Caucus, from left to right; Akhil Amar, Ellen Scalettar, Ed Sheehy, Jim Sabshin, Sandy Stein, Mark Levine and Mike Ewing.

And here's the slate itself;

First Selectman

• Edward Maum Sheehy

Board of Selectmen

• Ellen Scalettar
  
• James K. Sabshin
• Sandra T. Stein

Amity Regional Board of Education

• Julie C. Altman
  
• Susan L. Jacobs
  

Woodbridge Board of Education

• Michael F. Ewing
  
• Thomas J. Handler
  

Board of Assessment Appeals

• Henry J. Nusbaum
  

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)

• Mark F. Kohler
  
• Akhil Reed Amar
  

ZBA Alternate

• Mark I. Levine
  

Republicans endorse their slate

According to papers filed with the Town Clerk's office, the following candidates were endorsed by the Woodbridge Republican party on the evening of Monday, January 22, 2007:

First Selectman

• Christopher R. Dickerson

Board of Selectmen

• Laura Ferrante Fernandes
• William J. Fox
• Lochlin A. Reidy

Amity Regional Board of Education

• Chris A. DeLeone
• Fredrick W. Kaiser, II

Woodbridge Board of Education

• Carl W. Lindskog
• Mark T. Livesay

Board of Assessment Appeals

• Michael J. Soufrine

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)

• Viviana Langou Livesay
• Lynn A. Piascyk

ZBA Alternates

• Cynthia L. Gibbons
• Louis N. Ritucci
  

Celebrating new education initiatives at Beecher

Beecher Road School recently welcomed Dr. Chris Tan who traveled from
Hong Kong to take part in a day of professional development for Beecher
teachers to prepare for participation in his Global Knowledge Community
project. This spring, students from Beecher will join with cohorts in
Bethany and Orange to collaborate on an exploration of global warming.

During his stay, Dr. Tan enjoyed a breakfast at Beecher with school,
parent and town leaders. Pictured below are WBOE Chairman Mike Ewing,
Beecher Superintendent Dr. Guy Stella, Dr. Tan and First Selectman Ed
Sheehy after an exchange of symbolic gifts of friendship.

Isn't that special!

Today is Tuesday, October 17th and some of you may scratching your head wondering, "Wasn't there something 'special' about this date?"

Well, I'm writing to remind you to forget all about that!

Announcing the arrival of the
Woodbridge Non-Special Election Day

No, that's not right. It's not a plain, old election day today either! Take two:

Woodbridge Special Non-Election Day

Nope. That's not right either. After all, most days are non-election days, aren't they? What's so special about that? How about:

Woodbridge Non-Special Non-Election Day

Well, maybe a simple explanation is in order instead...

You see, back in the spring when Democrat Ellen Scalettar was appointed by the BOS to fill Ed Sheehy's vacated seat (when Ed became First Selectman when Amey Marrella resigned suddenly -- does this read like a soap opera?), a petition was circulated contesting the appointment. A Special Election date was set and Ellen was slated to face-off with the Republican challenger, Laura Ferrante Fernandes. Got it straight so far?

But then, when Chris Sorensen resigned his seat on the BOS in September, an appointment was offered to Laura and she accepted. When she became a BOS member last month and no one came forward to take her place on the ballot, there was officially no need for the petitioned election. So simple, eh?

Well, the upshot is that Ellen has been declared the winner of the non-special non-election and everyone is due to live happily ever after -- or at least until next May, when the entire Board of Selectman will have to run again, in a very regular election.

So Congratulations Ellen. You're a winner -- whatever day it is!

Woodbridge Dems prepare for Special Election

At a Caucus held last night, Ellen Scalettar was chosen by Democrats as the party's candidate in the Special Election to be held October 17, 2006. She will be running to retain her seat on the Board of Selectmen, after having been appointed on May 10th by the Selectmen to fill the seat left vacant when Ed Sheehy became First Selectman in April. Ellen previously served as state representative for the 114th district from 1993-1998. She addressed the Caucus to thank party members for their support, and also described the teamwork that is already happening on the BOS to move forward on town issues under Ed's leadership. She is looking forward to the campaign and hearing from residents as the Democratic team engages voters.

At the DTC meeting held immediately after the Democratic Caucus, members also heard from State Senator Joe Crisco who gave an update on legislative news from the capitol. Senator Joe is running for his 7th term representing Woodbridge, as well as Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Hamden and Naugatuck. He is pictured here bewteen Ellen and Ed, with Selectman Jim Sabshin, far left.