Friday, October 20, 2023
www.towntimes.com
Volume 29, Number 42
FARMING FOR SOME DONATIONS
Dems are hoping that voters turn to them in November By Michael Savino Special to The Times
With plenty of turnover among both the Board of Selectmen and at Town Hall, Democrats hope voters will be turning to them for leadership. “We think that the Democratic slate offers a terrific blend of experience and youthful energy for Durham,” said Democratic Town Committee chairwoman Kristina Talbert-Slagle. None of the three members of the current Board of Selectmen — Republican First Selectman Geroge Eames, Republican Selectman Chad Spooner and Democrat Selectman Andrew Taylor — are seeking re-election. The town has also dealt with the departure of some longtime employees.
Youngster Brooke Minor has raised approximately $1,200 for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The fundraising occurred during this year’s Durham Farm Market, which finished up its season on Oct. 14. Photo courtesy of Durham Farm Market & More, Facebook
treasurer of the Durham Fair Association, while Hennick’s past experience includes 10 years on the Region 13 School District School Board and a prior two-year term as a selectman. She said Democrats are focused on economic development in town, including using available commercial space, while staying true to the town’s agricultural roots. “They are committed to lowering the mill rate,” TalbertSlagle also said. “That will happen in a Bailey-Hennick term.” The party’s School Board slate combines incumbents Rob Moore and Mariah Roy with newcomer Patrick Holden, who graduated from Coginchaug Regional High School.
Talbert-Slagle said the Democrats have concerns “We’ve had a lot of loss of in- about the process that led stitutional knowledge in up to a vote last month to Town Hall over the past year, reconfigure grade levels next and so we’re really excited school year. Brewster Eleabout offering this deep exmentary School will house perience,” Talbert-Slagle said. preschool through first grade, second- and thirdThat starts with the party’s nominees for first selectman, graders will go to John Lyman Elementary School, Chris Bailey, and Board of and fourth- and fifthSelectmen, Tom Hennick. graders will attend MiddleBailey has served on multifield Memorial. ple land use boards and is
See Dems, A6
Republicans confident they can lead Durham through big changes By Michael Savino Special to The Times
goes through some significant changes.
Republicans believe their candidates are the right leaders to lead Durham as it
That starts with first selectman candidate Brendan Rae and selectman candidate
Rob Chadd, who are running after current Republican First Selectman George Eames and Chad Spooner decided not to run. Rae is a
retired state trooper while Chadd was the Durham Volunteer Fire Company chief for 11 years, stepping down last year.
Rae said he and Chadd are now looking to serve the town in another way. See GOP, A7