By Melissa Johnston
Orange Democratic Town Committee
Melissa Johnston
At our March meeting, the Orange Democratic Town Committee elected a new slate of officers. I’m honored to serve as chair alongside Vice Chair Michael S. Muttitt, Secretary Daniel Fitzmaurice and Treasurer Patricia Romano. We also welcomed 15 new members to the ODTC. Welcome to our team.
While we are deeply grateful for the leaders who came before us, this moment feels like a turning point. Our leadership team reflects the reality of life in Orange today. We are working professionals raising families. Between us, we have two young grandchildren, four elementary schoolers, a middle schooler and a high school freshman. We understand firsthand how challenging it can be to get involved in town while juggling work, school events, sports and everything in between. However, I believe that our community is stronger when diverse families like ours are actively involved in our small town.
My goals as chair are straightforward. I want to be approachable, communicative and transparent. I want to help people in Orange understand the issues affecting our town, state and country, and support those who share our values. Just as importantly, we will focus on growing our networks and developing the next generation of leaders here in Orange. Reach out to me any time at msmelissajohnston@gmail.com – I’d love to get to know you better.
I want to make it easy for you to stay informed and get involved. The best outcomes always happen when more people have a seat at the table. That means creating space for different perspectives and focusing less on labels and more on those shared values. You do not have to be a registered Democrat to attend our meetings or participate in our events and initiatives. Sign up for our monthly newsletter at OrangeCTDems.org or follow us on Facebook and Instagram so you’re always in the loop.
In the months ahead, we will provide clear and accessible information on the budget referendum votes in May and the elections in November. We want to help ensure that Orange continues to be represented by strong and effective leaders who embody our principles.
I’m excited to connect with you through this regular column and in person around town. Progress does not happen by standing still. It happens when people show up, speak up and roll up their sleeves together.
For our team, that means stepping confidently into our next era, ready to move forward with fearless energy and purpose.
Melissa Johnston is the chair of the Orange Democratic Town Committee.