Category: community

community

Remembering Betty Dennis (1933 – 2022)

With the death of Elizabeth “Betty” Dennis this past week, the town of Killingworth and the Killingworth Democratic Town Committee have lost a devoted supporter, volunteer,  organizer, and friend. A longtime member of the KDTC, Betty served as Democratic Registrar of Voters from 2005 to 2017, continuing to serve at the polls after her retirement from that elected position. The Democratic Town Committee’s annual May Bake Sale fundraiser was organized well in advance by Betty. She would be the first there and the last to leave, rain, shine, and occasionally freezing temperatures. Her creamy homemade fudge was a much sought after item at the table. 

Betty also served on the Killingworth Public Health Agency from 2013 to the present and was a member of the Killingworth Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).  In this position she helped staff our emergency shelters when they were opened and was part of the team that went to Middletown to help after the 2010 power plant explosion. 

Active at St. Lawrence Church, she was a proud member of their Columbiettes, and always a busy presence during church fairs, rummage sales, and the renowned Strawberry Festival. She also helped organize and run the Shawl Ministry at the church, a group of women who knit shawls for the sick. 

Betty leaves behind four sons and their families, including two much loved grandchildren. Calling hours at Swan Funeral Home in Clinton will be Wednesday, August 3 from 5 until 8. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday morning, August 4th at 10 a.m. in St. Lawrence Church.   

Elizabeth “Betty” Dennis will be remembered fondly by all of us who worked beside her in one cause or another over decades. She will be missed. Our condolences to her family. 

community, events

KDTC Bake Sale will help Save Deer Lake

This year, the Killingworth Democratic Town Committee will hold its annual bake sale on Saturday, June 18, at Recycle Way, and half of the proceeds will be donated to the Save Deer Lake campaign.

Sweet and savory treats will include muffins, sourdough bread, sticky buns, cookies, fudge, jams, and more.

We invite everyone to stop by, grab a goodie (and maybe something for Dad), and say hi. We will be there from 8:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.

community, elections, opinion

Letter to the Editor: Town Charter is Killingworth’s Law

The following letter was published October 28, 2021 in Haddam-Killingworth News

Whether a Killingworth selectman may legally hold another office is currently in dispute. The Killingworth Town Charter clearly says, “No member of the Board of Selectmen shall, during his/her term in office, hold or be appointed to any other office, board, commission, or position of employment in the government of Killingworth. . . .” The Town Attorney has given his legal opinion that membership on the RSD17 Board of Education is, in fact, holding an office in the government of Killingworth.

Lately, some are arguing that we should “let the voters decide.” The fact is, we have a Town Charter that was adopted by the voters. It is Killingworth’s “constitution.” A vote in a particular election does not allow you to violate that constitution.

Indeed, the passage I just quoted was not only in the current charter; it was in the preceding charters since the first one, adopted in 1981. I know; I was on the commission that drafted Killingworth’s first charter. Killingworth voters have adopted this language three times. The voters have decided already.

There is a procedure in place, under state law, to change that decision. It is called Charter Revision, and ironically, it was this procedure that brought the disputed provision of our current charter to light. Unless and until a revised charter is approved by town vote, the current charter is the law.

Joan Gay

Killingworth

community, elections, opinion

Letter to the Editor: Proud to endorse Democratic slate

The following letter was published in H-K Now on October 14, 2021.

It is often said that all politics is local, a saying which highlights the importance of our upcoming local elections. Along with stone walls and town meetings, participatory democracy holds a revered and iconic place in historic Killingworth. This fall’s election cycle is no exception.

The 2021 Democratic slate in Killingworth is one I am proud to endorse. It includes tried and true candidates with years of experience in the positions they are again seeking and several new candidates who bring their own special strengths and work backgrounds to the slate.

Our ticket is headed by a dynamic duo running for selectmen, Lou Annino, Jr. and Jamie Young. Lou is running for his sixth term as selectman after years serving the town as Commissioner of Planning and Zoning. He is an executive administrator at the University of New Haven and a Registered Professional Engineer. Lou knows the importance of long-term planning, our town’s infrastructure, and the need for fiscal responsibility. Jamie will bring years of legal experience in state government,  environmental issues, and mediation to the position. She has a knack for focusing on the essence of an issue and defusing tense situations. Both Jamie and Lou have volunteered in different capacities over the years as a natural part of living in our community.

From the experienced to those stepping up for the first time, our candidates know that working together works for all. They are part of the Democratic ticket because they want to solve problems and plan for Killingworth’s future. They are happy to reach out to others to get the job done.

Please join me in voting for Lou and Jamie as selectmen as well as the rest of the Democratic ticket. Vote Row A all the way on November 2.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Amoia

Killingworth

community, elections, opinion

Letter to the Editor: A highly qualified and energetic candidate

The following letter was published October 13, 2021 in H-K Now.

Jamie Young would be a great selectman for Killingworth. She is an attorney who has experience in industry as well as state government, having served as Associate Legal Counsel to Governor Rell and in the DEEP under Governor Malloy. She has a very positive, energetic attitude and is a joy to work with.

She and her husband Brian have lived In Killingworth for 23 years. She has been active in several local organizations including the KWO and KVFC Auxiliary, and she is dedicated to conserving Killingworth’s environment. I know the family and have served on the ZBA with Brian for many years. They have three boys—one of whom is a student director of the Killingworth Land Conservation Trust—and together are a delightful and respected family. Cathy Iino has been actively supporting Jamie’s candidacy and says “she would be a terrific selectman. No one is more diligent than she is about getting all the facts and considering the various angles of a project.” The fact that Cathy is so enthusiastic about Jamie also means that a transition to a new administration would be a very smooth one—a significant benefit for the town.

On November 2nd please vote for Jamie Young and Lou Annino, Jr. for Board of Selectmen. If you would prefer, absentee ballot applications are now available at Town Hall and on line at townofkillingworth.com.

Bruce Dodson

Killingworth

community, elections, events

Campaign Kickoff Sept. 15

Join the Killingworth Democrats and special guests for the 2021 Campaign Kick Off on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 5:30 – 8:00pm at the Chatfield Hollow Inn and Farm (10 Firetower Road, Killingworth).

Honored Guests include:
Lt. Govenor Susan Bysiewicz
State Senator Christine Cohen
State Rep Christine Goupil
Executive Director, CT Dems, Jacqueline Kozin

Please RSVP to killingworthDTC@gmail.com

Paid for by the Killingworth Democratic Town Committee Nelson Rivera, Treasurer

community, elections

Introducing Board of Selectmen candidate Jamie Young

From left: Jamie Young and Lou Annino, Jr.

Dear Friends,

I am Louis Annino, Jr., and I’m running for re-election to the Killingworth Board of Selectmen where I have had the privilege to serve this community of ours diligently for the last ten years.  

As in the past, I have and will pledge again to work to ensure our tax dollars are managed responsibly, our roads and town are kept safe, and our rural character is maintained. At the same time, I will work to ensure quality education at our schools, provide commercial opportunities that support the needs of the town and make available balanced and varied housing opportunities. 

While my record as Selectman shows strong commitment and progress in all of these areas, there is more work to be done.  Recent public health matters of unprecedented levels have strained our emergency services, challenged our schools, stolen a portion of our children’s youth, handicapped our town businesses and stretched our precious tax dollars.  As we begin to emerge from this difficult period, it is time to rebuild.  

In the upcoming weeks, you will hear more about the plan for this rebuilding.  For now, I will simply say that it starts with working together. As a lifelong resident of Killingworth, I know that the people of this town have always worked this way as friends and neighbors. Certainly, at times there has been a healthy amount of debate but always civil, open, non-partisan and thus constructive. This is how consensus is reached and progress is made.  This is the foundation of our governmental process and the basis on which I plan to continue to work.

As we begin to map our strategy, I look forward to sharing more details in the near future.  A key component to this strategy is my running mate. I could not be more pleased to introduce Jamie Young who brings a wealth of experience to complement and strengthen this platform.

I am sure many of you know her as she has been an active resident with her husband Brian, for 23 years. Among her many qualifications, she brings a positive and inclusive outlook, a master’s degree in ethics and a law degree with a concentration in mediation. She is a fair listener and an energetic problem solver. She looks for common ground and practical solutions. Jamie actively served on multiple town, regional, and state commissions and currently serves as the town representative on the Policy Board of the Regional Water Authority.

Jamie has been involved over the years with the KWO and the Fire Company’s auxiliary. She volunteers behind the scenes with many projects. Jamie worked in higher education for 14 years. She’s served as legal counsel and contract guru at the Departments of Energy, Environmental Protection and Transportation and the Governor’s Office and as a law clerk at the National Labor Relations Board. Her list of accomplishments is long and varied. Jamie is a quick study and cares about people, the environment, justice, and Killingworth. She will bring all of that learning and experience to the table as a selectwoman.

Jamie and I look forward to sharing with all of you more of our ideas and perspectives.  We welcome your thoughts as well.  I hope as you hear more from us you will recognize the strengths that together we bring to the Board of Selectmen as we ask for your vote this November.

Thank you,

Lou Annino, Jr.