By Dominick Lombardi
Orange Republican Town Committee
Dominick Lombardi
As we usher in 2025, I want to wish all residents a happy, healthy and prosperous new year. The arrival of a new year is often marked by joyful celebrations followed by a brief, reflective pause before spring renews our energy and the months begin to fly by.
For me, the new year is a favorite time – a season to recommit to what matters most in our lives and to begin painting a new masterpiece on the blank canvas of possibility.
Of all the 21 Januarys I have experienced, none feels as exciting as January 2025. This year, we are not only recommitting ourselves to personal goals and cherished causes, but as a nation we also turn the page on four challenging years and renew our collective mission to restore American greatness. In a historic moment, for the first time in nearly 130 years, a former and future president – Donald J. Trump – will place his hand on the Bible and take the oath of office as the 47th president.
As I have done for every incoming president in my lifetime, I will pray for President Trump. I pray for his ability to fulfill the mandate entrusted to him by the American people, for his success in uniting the country, and for the health and safety of Trump, Vice President JD Vance, First Lady Melania Trump, Second Lady Usha Vance and their families. Regardless of your political views or thoughts on the incoming administration, I encourage everyone to join in praying for the future of this great nation. Together, we can hope for a brighter chapter ahead.
Turning our focus closer to home, it is now time to prepare for the 2025 municipal elections. Every two years, the residents of Orange head to the polls to elect the leaders who will guide our town. While local elections are often overshadowed by national contests, they are profoundly important. Local governments shape the public safety, schools, roads and zoning policies that impact our daily lives more directly than federal policies ever could.
As you set your New Year’s resolutions, I encourage you to add this one: Get involved in local elections. These elections have real consequences, and your voice can make a difference.
This will be my first municipal election cycle as chairman of the Orange Republican Town Committee. In the previous cycle, I was honored to serve as the chairman of the ORTC’s Election Subcommittee under my predecessor, Chairman Pio Imperati. That experience showed me the tremendous work that goes into running elections and supporting candidates. Now, as RTC chairman, my primary focus is to lead our party in reelecting First Selectman James M. Zeoli, alongside the Republican slate of candidates who have delivered two decades of success for Orange.
Under Republican leadership, Orange has achieved economic growth, a AAA bond rating, top-tier schools, robust open space preservation and countless other accomplishments that have made our community a great place to live, work and raise a family. The ORTC will begin regular meetings this year to prepare for November’s critical election, and we need the help and support of all residents who believe in the vision we have for Orange.
To all residents – longtime and new – my New Year’s message on behalf of the ORTC is this: If you look around Orange and like what you see, if you believe in preserving what makes our community special, then in November, vote for Jim Zeoli and the Republican team. Together, we can keep Orange thriving for generations to come.
I wish you all a wonderful year filled with opportunity, growth and community spirit. Let’s make 2025 a year to remember.
Dominick Lombardi is the chair of the Orange Republican Town Committee.