By Jody Dietch
Orange Democratic Town Committee
Jody Dietch
“All politics is local” is a famous quote generally attributed to by Tip O’Neill, the 47th Speaker of the House of Representatives. Many of us follow national politics more than what happens in our own backyard. Yet what happens in town hall actually affects your day-to-day life more than what happens in Washington, DC.
Despite political differences, we choose to live in Orange because we all love this town. The Orange Democratic Party is offering a slate of candidates with diverse backgrounds that best represent the residents of our town. I have been part of the nominating process for many years with the Orange Democratic Town Committee. This is by far the strongest slate of leaders that Orange has seen in many years. Special thanks go to ODTC Vice Chair and Nominating Committee chair Melissa Johnston for running a fabulous nomination process and offering this opportunity to Orange for a slate that will listen to and strongly represent the residents of our town.
We are proud to introduce our proposed slate of candidates to you ahead of our July caucus. Leading the slate as our endorsed candidate for the nomination for first selectman is Dan Fitzmaurice. He and his wife, like so many of us, chose to live in Orange for the great school systems.
Fitzmaurice is currently the director of advocacy for the CT United Way. His vision for this campaign is to listen to what the residents of Orange have to say. This is an inclusive campaign where our candidates want to hear what the residents of Orange believe will make our town stronger and work for everyone.
Mark Moyher is running for tax collector. Moyher is a vice president senior trader and brings a strong finance background to this position. He believes the tax collector is here to help residents with their tax issues and offer solutions. Paying taxes shouldn’t be a dreaded fact of life, but seen as an opportunity to support the town.
Mitch Goldblatt is running for re-election to the Board of Selectmen. Goldblatt has been serving Orange in one capacity or another for more than 30 years. He has always made himself available to residents and is a regular attendee at most town events, many times the only selectman in attendance.
PJ Shanley, like Goldblatt, grew up in Orange and began serving his town as a member of the Board of Finance before moving to the Board of Selectmen. Shanley is a financial advisor who brings not only a financial eye to the board, but also a deep understanding of the town.
Erika Higgins is making her first run for public office as a candidate for the Board of Selectmen. Her passion for making Orange a family-friendly town comes from raising her three boys here.
Kevin McNabola also has served our town for many years on the Board of Finance. He understands town finances and is the director of finance for Meriden. He has chaired the Board of Finance in the past and served as the business manager for the Orange Board of Education.
Kelly Billings also grew up in Orange. You may know her as Kelly Berwick. She is a public defender and brings her balanced view of the issues as a candidate for the Orange Board of Education.
Lauren Gray may be newer to Orange, but she is not a newcomer to serving. She has been involved in campaigns for many years, offering her background in communications. Gray and her family chose to live in Orange for the school system. She looks forward to bringing her understanding of how to get things done to the Orange Board of Education.
Josh Orlinsky is a teacher and has a master’s degree in educational leadership. He and his wife chose to raise their two young boys in Orange. As a teacher, Orlinsky will represent the interests of our students and teachers on the Orange Board of Education.
Erin Wilson is a nurse and nurse educator who recently received her doctorate. She and her husband chose to raise their two young children in Orange. She is ready to give back to the town by serving on the Orange Board of Education, helping make our school system the very best it can be.
GG Cabrera grew up in Bethany, went to Amity High School and now chose to settle in Orange. She is a candidate for Town Plan & Zoning because she finds the process of creating a community feel to be important to the interests of all residents.
Beth Marshea holds an MBA and is a literary agent. Her interest in running for the Town Plan & Zoning role is based on what she sees as opportunities for our town, ensuring that all residents have their needs met in terms of businesses, housing and green space.
Sean-Michael Green’s diverse background as a successful businessman, educator and attorney makes him an ideal candidate for the Amity Board of Education. A board of education deals with curriculum, policy, facilities and budgets. Green looks forward to serving our town and strengthening the Amity board.
Jen Jacquet has a background in special education. She is currently the executive director of Safe from Online Sex Abuse, which protects children. She is uniquely qualified to bring her experience working with and for children to the Amity Board of Education and wants to see all children reach their full potential.
Ralph Marguy is a fire inspector with Yale and co-owner of Sugaree Acre Farms in Orange. Marguy has two children and would like to serve on the Amity Board of Education because he wants to see our students best prepared for the world, thriving in a strong, inclusive and fiscally sound school system.
Rounding out our current list of candidates are Byron Crosdale, Santo Galatioto Jr. and Randy Thomas for the position of constable.
All these candidates look forward to meeting you over the next few months and hearing what you would like to see them accomplish in their respective elected positions. To learn more about them, visit OrangeCTDems.org.
There are still a couple of slots on the ballot yet to be filled. If you’re interested in joining this dynamic team, reach out to Melissa Johnston at msmelissajohnston@gmail.com.
Jody Dietch is the chair of the Orange Democratic Town Committee.